DG Website

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it better Mike. There have been several trheads deleted because they don't agree with what they say, don't be surprised if this is one of them. I see Dean's name online but I don't see him checking or reading any of the threads.

OK

been spending more time over there. They don't monitor the site as much

...

I am getting frustrated trying to help people here. I don't get any benefits other than trying to give back, which I am a big believer in. This site is FOR new investors to network and learn and for successful investors to help them, but for heavens sake. Some of the people have no, zero, nada common sense nor do they have one drop of self starter/entrepreneur blood in them.
I have also seen guys that say they used to be a "newbie" and to ask them if they want to learn what to do. They had started 6 months ago and not done a deal. They are STILL a newbie!!They have no business offering advise. What can we do? Nothing really, just to keep trying to help, there is NO other reason for a seasoned investor to come to this site in the first place.
We have to remember, this site is for new investors to come and learn, period.
I just wish they would!

Michael Mangham
MD Home Acquisitions LLC

I second that. I have said in many prior posts that buying a $19.99 book doesn't make you an investor. It may start an entrepreneurial spark but if you have no drive, common sense or market awareness; it is impossible to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

As far as the single posts that show up a lot on this website, if you just flag them as offensive, and give an explanation, they will disappear.

When I first started reading Deans' books, and then became a student, no one ever told me what this site was for. And I had no idea you could go on the forums or how to ask questions. And after finding this, it was gold for me!
What bothers me is that I come on here, and some of the questions are so "simple" that common sense would be the answer. And the basics of investing should at least be known first. I noticed some say I bought the book now what. Well the book tells you now what.
But you guys on this post have all been people who may have answered a really simple question for me, and I hope you weren't upset with that.
Sometimes when you are totally alone, it is scary. But no matter what my answer was from you, and it never was mean or out of line, I took your answers and made it work.
I see people ask a question, which they probably do know that answers to, but for some reason are looking for more assurance than the knowledge.
If someone needs that much of a "push" then maybe they do need to find something else. Investing can be as easy as you want it, or you can go further with training and get really involved. I found it simple, till I got on here and started reading about more legal issues and other problems people run into.
But for this website...I am so thankful for it. Because I did meet someone who started to bird dog for me, but now we are working on partnering up. And we are coming up with plans to get it done. And she is from another state. Then the REI club, WOW, what a huge difference this has made in my life!!
I do wish there was a bit more screening as to who comes on, as I believe some are wanting things handed to them and done for them, and also we have seen scams on here, that most of us catch right away.
But for the record....I appreciate what you guys have done for me. And I am doing something.
Just because we don't tell you everything, doesn't mean some of us are just sitting there. I find I don't have time anymore,because I am trying to get some deals done. Would have loved to go for the Edge, but didn't happen, so I take what I have and work with that. So don't give up on some of us. I know you are here when I hit a road block!
Sandi

Mike, Bill, and Mike,

I agree with your comments about being frustrated with helping people when people make the statement about having the book and then asking "now what?" and the answer is always read it. Lets all try to stay positive about helping others though. We can always look at someones scenario and see that as an opportunity to practice how we answer and ask questions ourself. Think about the future if you became a trainer and began running seminars in different cities. At every event you would have an attendee with the same simple question that was asked by someone else the day before.

If you were to become overly frustrated and showed it then people are less likely to ask you for help in the future and less likely to contact you when they had a deal that could be assigned to you or that you could partner with.

There are many Forum Posts that are duplicated over and over again with the same questions just phrased differently. I do believe this can be viewed as alot of the BS seen here as empty content. They can cloud the great info available when there are thousands of posts to sift through.

Here are some Suggestions we could ask for to DG.com.

1. Deal Maker ICON: If you done a deal and have the proof then get your recognition!

2. Special Q and A section: Q's, before your question can be posted there could be a requirement of certain criteria to be filled out. Usually one question is posted by a newbie and is followed with many questions by experienced Investors before the right advice is given. A's can only be answered by members that are verified DEAL MAKERS. That Deal Maker can only answer the question if their deal is relative experience such as "assignment of contract", "tax Liens", Short Sale", "Foreclosure", "Mobile Homes", "Creative Financing", etc.

3. Newbie post requirements? Maybe before a newbie can be allowed to make a forum post they would be required to take a short test to find out if they are just asking a question that could be found by reading the book. Make the test based on content that is found in Deans books.

4. Clarification Forums: If Dean tried to give every possible example of how to explain an investment concept his books would be unreadable because they could never be finished and sent to print. Create a Forum Specifically for explanation of concepts in different manners. We all understand things in our own ways, Dean's book cannot cover everyones backgrounds to make something easily understood in out terms.

These are just some ideas. Make Comments about what you think and what your ideas would be to help improve the website in your opinion. Be very descriptive and lets see if we can get some comments from possibly Dean Himself!

Your Comment is great in quite a few ways.

This site was Golden for me just the way it has been for you. I met Joe Jurek on here and then was communicating with through Email and Phone. When I went to EDGE 2010 and met him and all of the others I made contact with here on DG.com it was great! Nothing against Dean but I was more thrilled with meeting the DG members then I was meeting Dean himself. Meeting Jan, Jeremy, Randy, Laura, Rina, Stacy, Chris, John, and many more was great!

It would be better to verify members by doing more in depth screening, maybe require a bio of atleast 250 words or an actual phone call from DG staff to go over the intent of membership. The Most important thing in your post is about how you took action from the advice you obtained here.

Some websites like this charge for membership and have much less content! Maybe instead of charging $ for membership we are charged with taking action!

If you're not active for lets say a year than maybe your account would be deleted. Or there could be a way to track your actions in order to stay a member. Take for Example being asked "how many bandit signs did you put up this weeks?" 10 sings gets you 5 weeks of membership, "how many "FOR RENT" signs did you call today" 5 phone calls gets you 5 weeks of membership, "Did you work on building your power team?" Real Estate Attorney added 4 weeks of membership, and so on and so on.

In addition to Membership BIO's add a section for each member to privately track their progress by having pages for building their power team, track the offers they make, a phone call log section, a way to track activities on a map for where bandit signs were placed or where a Deal was done, etc.

What do you think?

Welcome to the world wide web.

Dean has already announced a new website underway, maybe it will have a better moderation system. I don't think Dean will ever make it harder than it is to become a member. That's his whole idea for this website, to make it free and available to everyone, forever. As for spammers, I'm sure the new website will have some human-verification field to stop most of that.

But as for everything else in your post, I disagree. Who cares what people put in their profile? It's THEIR profile, so does it really affect YOU? This is a free public forum where like-minded peers communicate. It's not professional education unless you pay for coaching. Coaches have their own icon, so that might help you tell who is a professional or not. But as for any situation, take any advice with caution.

But since we're on the subject. If you ask me one thing that needs to change about these forums: it's the pointless drama and personal stabs. Hypocritical, I know, but someone had to say it. We're all in this together for the same reasons people! Get along!

That would be a nightmare trying to oversee something of that scope and undue burden on the staff. We all were new at one time and had a lot of stupid questions.

Either we have to live with it or stop using the site ourselves. If you notice there are very few of the original DGers that post that often on here,they have moved on to their business. If anyone is hanging around here on a daily basis for a year or more then they have their own problems.

You have some good ideas. And this site did a lot for me. I do see in some of the answers where they say read, read, read, read. And I feel bad for the person they say that too, for this reason. I read it and mark things and high light so I can go back to refer to it. But when I started the PMI and went through it, I was a bit overwhelmed. Then when I started reading some forums, all of a sudden it started to fall into place. I went back to the PMI and did some lessons again, and it made sense then.
I can't read very long, about 15 minutes because of bad vision in one eye which really gives me problems trying to read. So I read sections at a time. But there should be something for even anyone that can come and read this, and maybe something different to ask the questions. But people don't have to answer all the questions. I come on less and less now because of stuff I see on here. But when I see something I can help on, I try to. I have talked to several people on the phone who felt lost on here. And even after a call or two with them, they have a better idea if they want to continue. And I tell them if they are really stuck, to call me. And I really encourage them to do the academy.
One girl was so upset on what she was told, that they were going to stop. I talked with her and she thanked me for caring. And she was going to try what I told her. Simple and to the point. She didn't call anymore, but at least she had some more direction.
I have a couple places under contract including the historic building under "a different kind of Place" that I posted under construction.
I am enjoying working with others on the building and have had lots of help for ideas on it.
So this has been gold for me. But I try not to make anyone feel inferior, but I do let them now to give serious thought on it. Either jump in and start to do something, or put efforts on something else they are comfortable with.
Thanks for you posts. And have a great day!
Sandi

Like your post a lot!
Because when I would see someone being really ripped on, not all, but you can tell when someone sincerely asked a question, and more for assurance at times than for knowledge. I feel bad and send a personal PM to them. Telling them not to ever feel inferior about things they ask. But my thing was when they said they read the books, where do they start. The books all tell you where. And sometimes they just need someone to give that support.
I did have someone PM me for help and said, she tried many people who no one responded to her. I talked for over an hour to her, and I did find she was way off the track. And basically was very rude and yelled about what people should be doing for her. I stop contact with her esp after she swore about the other people.
So I am grateful this is free and just think it needs some kind of protection from spams and scams!
But I do stay off this site more often now, and really find myself too busy finding deals and networking to be on here much. But I am truly grateful for the help I get on here.
Sandi

My thoughts on the 250 word profile is to help verify that a member has a genuine interest in using this site. If someone is not planning on ever making a post then there is no need to become a member. Whatever someone puts in a post will not likely affect me and I doubt anyone else, but I have connected with other Marines who Invest so having a bio to me is a good thing.

The Ideas are just starting points and there would be much more thought needed to be put into it. Your right about the coaches having their own Icon and that people need to always take any advice with caution. The Intent of verified experience only answering in certain areas is to cut down on a lot of the fluff and get to the good stuff.

True that this website alone is not professional education by design, but whether it be in a book, on a video, person to person, or on a website, quality education begins quality communication.

My intent for charging membership with action is to increase the amount of members with solid experience that would be more beneficial to any new member. Your a Deal Maker and you had to take action to get you deal done.

The idea is to keep the site free and available to everyone who takes action. Action does not require completing a deal, but action will more likely get you a deal as opposed to not taking action.

I completely agree with you about the personal stabs and drama. This forum itself is a little drama, but I think any discussion where people could disagree about an idea would bring Drama. Best thing to do is be a professional about it.

I am curious about one thing you said, do you really "disagree with everything else" I put in my posts? I only ask because to many times drama is created by a short answer for a long question, elaborating on what your statement is can help those who you made that statement to better understand your opposition/acceptance of that persons idea's.

James sorry about the mix up, I wrote my post to the thread starter (Mike). I hadn't even read your post yet since I started typing it before you posted yours.

Well put Mike,Mike and James.
I agree 100% Ive seen posts from people asking to do their first deal for them or asking the question how do i start. I do reply to people that I see are actually taking action but need a little guidance. That is totally cool.
Richie

Then don't. Why don't you wait til you are in a better place or frame of mind. How can you pass judgement on people you do not even know? Everyone has issues of some sort and some people are just less fortunate. Did you figure out on your own how to tie your own shoes? I'd be willing to bet someone showed you how. Did they get frustrated with you? I hope not. It takes a lot for some people to make a post even if it is with two left feet or egg on their face. I see some posts where the person making the post clearly has not read the book all the way thru. Maybe they are just trying to make a connection. I think probably in most cases Dean Graziosi has touched them perhaps thru Insiders Edge events. We do not know the individual and we might be surprised at what they may be able to do eventually. I know I have not made my mark yet but I will. I was working and going to college. Now I have more time to invest. I come to this site all the time watching and reading. When I read this thread today I found it disturbing. To tell the truth I don't know if I would be able to reach out to anyone that gets frustrated trying to help or anyone passing judgement. That does not help and only makes it more difficult to learn. So just tell us your tips and secrets. Give your kindly advice if you like. People are open to learning new things and being inspired by someone who has done it. No one and I mean no one is perfect except for God. You obviously can not do the work for the person but if you really want to help then just give some insight. Others I am sure would love to attain your level of success so please do not squash their interest. This is a day the Lord has made so make it a good one. Peace be with you. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. That is the Golden Rule. "I personally believe we must take time to protect, cultivate, preserve and care for our thoughts in order to develop character and contribute good in the world we live in." You see, I feel I have a lot to contribute.

with the site are the scammers and the ones who try to prey on unexpecting individuals doing something for the first time.

MANY posts get removed here that shouldn't, but I think the intent is to keep things positive; however, the reality of REI is that it is CUTTHROAT and there are things that happen in REI that should be shown so OTHER people can be prepared for the things like this that come up. Instead, threads are being pulled that could benefit people by seeing the bad things that happen behind the scenes. Maybe a category could be created about not so nice things that can happen in REI. Sheilding people from the hard realities does more damage than it does good for people seriously getting into investing. Its ALWAYS beneficial to learn from OTHER'S mistakes, and Dean himself preaches that. Too often, I see these critical posts about bad things that happen to us as REI removed when they do better to teach other's about what CAN happen and that trusting everyone sometimes has bad consequences.

How can we pass judgment on who has what it takes and who doesn't. Its a fact that veterans on this site do not have to help. No one on this site is giving any handouts of deals. I found some of the comments offending and at the moment this is keeping me from my focus on REI so I am in control of that and will not give any more attention to this. I don't think that sharing my thoughts and feelings is making to much out of this and I actually think some people get a little too hotheaded. If you want to help someone be kind.

Most of this business is based on self help. I did not come on this site until after I had done several deals. There is to much to do and learn by being out there looking at properties, learning your area(s) learning how to make accurate repair estimates, what a house will actually SELL for in todays market.
Meeting actual real live buyers at auctions and REI meeting, learning how to present yourself ETC ETC.TRIAL and ERROR MUST take place to grow.
NONE of those things will happen on this site. I repeat, NONE! A lot of new investors come on this site and AVOID facing the hard realities of this business. They feel like they are actually accomplishing something, but they are not.

Don't let others offend you! Don't let something that some one says or does stop you. Blow it off and get on with what YOU have to do. If you let your feelings get hurt and that stops your progress, you won't make it in this business. That stuff happens every day.

Good luck, you can do this!
Michael Mangham
MD Home Acquisitions LLC

I see your point about how it may seem that we are passing judgement, but were not. Not one experienced Investor here can say that any newbie on this site has what it takes to be successful in Real Estate. When it may be seen as negative judgement is actually a needed kick in the butt.

Not one of us on here has said, "you can't do this, give up your done for" Whatever has been seen as negative judgment is always followed with advice on how to make it work.

Mike, Bill, James, Domino, Shaun, and Sandi all have something similar in their comments about what to do after someone gets a book, take action! Anyone who takes action will have their own experience to learn from and gain success with.

That is one of the beautiful things about this site. It kinda compares to the Marine Corps and how to correct the bad choices some Junior Marines (JM) make. Bad leaders will see a JM make a mistake and go insane with derogatory comments about how they messed up, but will not give them a lesson on how that JM can correct themselves. A good Leader will go insane on a JM about how that JM made a mistake to get the point across about how serious mistakes can be, once the Senior Marine has cooled off he immediately shows the JM how to Correct themselves. Junior Marines can feel upset from a severe butt chewing, but all Marines understand that when a Senior Marine is chewing out it is because he cares about his Junior Marines well being and he's looking out for them.

The negative judgement here is very appropriate and honest to me. I accept seeing it because there is always advice on how to move forward. It might not always be seen right away but the message is there.

joined 2 years ago - have not done any deals - have not paid my dues either so don't expect anything for nothing - still have hope in myself to hold on to my dreams in REI - I'm trying to figure out where this site is going - I see everyones points but thats because I try to remember everyone is different - would your anger be better sent directly to Dean and not out here for all to see - not much of an impression for the so called "newbies" that come here for advise or the visitors for that matter - so here I am walking on glass - should I ask or not????? might make someone upset - sad to say the least - NOT, I'm sure, what Dean had in mind - that being said there are some well meaning points here but maybe for deans ears only -

All for your replies.

ANYONE can succeed in this or any other business with the determination, committment, education, skills, plan and drive that says 'I HAVE TO DO THIS!!"

Schedule it and do it.

I believe that we ALL were put on this earth to help each other, and that's what I do daily. I ENJOY helping people...don't you?

DG Website is one of the BEST sites for REI info available. I KNOW. Use this site for what it is intended for, NOT posting or threads/Bio, etc about video games,sports or anything OTHER than REI.

I wish EVERYONE well with their journey to success in REI, it IS the greatest wealth builder.

YOU can do it.