Eric's Journey Continues!!...

Although I have not "moved too fast"... I have in fact did ALOT of things since starting... I have just over 30 buyers I keep in contact with. I HAD a pretty nice website all set up for my business, until I recently couldn't afford it anymore. I have numerous people helping me in finding new deals (i.e birddogs) I have made nearly 20 offers one of which, I am hopefully going to be putting under contract this Friday!!! And last but not least... I have already closed on my first deal and learned the closing process and how it all works.

The ways I have been going about finding deals, are basically: searching the internet, calling on FSBO's, a couple of referrals through my website & family & friends. Recently I sent out my first batch of "yellow letters" and got about a 10% response rate... I will be sending my next group of letters out before the week is over and hopefully have another deal soon to write about..

Congratulations on your first deal.
Very impressive to read that you have a list of 60 buyers
Everybody goes through a lean period as Dean says it many time this is not a sprint , so if you feel you are slow it is Ok as far as you are moving forward.

Wish you the very best of luck.

Bimal

Thank You Bimal for commenting and reading my Journal.... I apologize as I only have around 30 buyers (typo)... Although I feel this first deal was more of "luck", thank you for the congrats on my first deal..

And, alot of things have pulled me away from this RE investing thing i'm on, but I am still sticking with it and WILL NOT STOP until I am successful!! From where I started... I have moved nothing but forward, and will continue..

Thanks again Bimal..

07/17/2014 - Thursday
Day 282

To begin... I'd like to wish my mother a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART and without you.... I probably wouldn't be here today.. At least I wouldn't be where I am now....

Anyway, I just wanted to write a little something about the deal I am going to be hopefully closing on tomorrow...

About 2 months ago, I found the house in the local classifieds with a telephone number and asking price of $35K... It is a 2 Bed, 1 Bath, 742 Sq. Ft. SF Home, that needs approximately $5-$6K in rehab... And the ARV on it is right at $38K..
After meeting with the older couple and taking a look around, came back with an offer of $19K... The husband accepted without ANY hesitation, but the wife declined it and countered with $25K..

Just this past Monday.. They called back and said they'd still like to sell it to me for my offer of $19K, but... The house has recently been broken into.. The damage is not too bad, other than the door jamb they broke to get in, and the missing appliances they took...

So... I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with them, and will probably lower my offer to $18,500 (in order to cover the "break-in" expenses)..

STAY TUNED.... I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THE OUTCOME!!!

07/18/2014 - Friday
Day 283

Ok.... So I met with this couple selling this "second chance" house this morning around 9 AM at the house...

As soon as I got there, I headed straight inside to take a look at the damage the robbers had caused... And FORTUNATELY it wasn't too bad at all.. Maybe $500 worth of damage...

So, after going through the house and talking with these sellers for a while.. Told them that I'd still like to purchase the house, but; i'd still be at my first offer of $19K and I wouldn't be able to go ANY higher... They accepted and gave me the set of keys... I told them i'd be calling them, to set up the closing on this house...

So, here it is... another opportunity to get my next deal closed (which should be a MUCH better pay out then my first), and the opportunity to keep me motivated and going along this RE investing Journey...

If God allows, and I can sell this property... I WILL have finally proved to myself that this IS in fact possible and I WILL NOT STOP, until I am the investor buying from wholesalers like myself!!

I'M ON MY WAY!!!!

here we go. So do you have your eye on your next deal ??

Thanks for taking a look at my Journal... It has been a while since we've last talked and I hope ALL is well with you and your progress!!!

As for my next deal... I just got the chance to sit down now and write about it.. I've been really excited ALL DAY to get the chance to come sit down and finally write about what's going on...

So here we go.......

07/22/2014 - Tuesday
Day 287

Ok, so as I was telling Walt... I actually have been kind of been working on "my next deal" since this past Sunday - July 20...

So, after posting the house that I got the keys for this past Friday (the 2nd chance house), got an email early Saturday morning from someone interested in it, saying they would contact me soon regarding the property... Later that afternoon received a call from an interested buyer. However, this buyer was not interested in this "2nd chance house" but, the other one I've been trying to sell for the past year (the one the other wholesaler got under contract). He said he is VERY interested and he wants it for my listed $ of $29,500... He advised me to get the contracts signed and ready, send them to him to sign, and he would send them back with an earnest money check in the mail...

So, today I finally got ahold of the seller. He was pretty happy that finally we have a pretty serious!! potential buyer for it!! He signed his part, of the contracts, I signed my part, and sent them to this hopeful buyer...

If all goes through, and this buyer is in fact a legit buyer... Then I am looking at making another small amount (approx: $1K) but, with MORE and MORE experience and confidence in going to my next future deals... It's small but i'm not complaining!!!

NOW as for the "2nd chance house"....

After getting it under contract this past Friday, had it posted EVERYWHERE possible all over the internet by that night... I originally listed it for $26K but after 4 days with no response.... Decided to lower it to $21K O.B.O...
After changing the amount (just this morning) have already got 3 calls on it, and am hoping to get right around $24K for it, or a $5K profit... I NEED TO GET IT SOLD NO LATER THAN A WEEK FROM TOMORROW!!!!

I again will keep you posted.... So stay tuned!!

Hi Eric,

While I was reading your post there was not a single moment that I did not feel happy for you.
Can't wait to hear on the deal in progress.

Best Wishes
Bimal

Hey Bimal... Thanks again for following my journal!! I appreciate your feedback and encouraging words!! God Willing... I will be writing VERY SOON about closing on this next opportunity!!!

Thanks again Bimal... Your are awesome!! and someday soon!! We will BOTH be successful at this!!

07/28/2014 - Monday
Day 293

Ok, so I don't have a whole lot to report today, however I do have some GOOD news....

So, this past week was a fairly productive one....
For this House I've been trying to sell for the past year, after having to fix and "reword" my purchase contract to suit the buyers (Craig) requests FINALLY got it signed by both, the seller and buyer as of this past Saturday.. I am going to print it out and get it to my closing agent first thing tomorrow morning to start the title search!!! I also, sent $$ wiring instructions to Craig this past Friday and he said he would get the Earnest $ sent by Today...
If all goes well on this deal, I should GOD WILLING get this house sold within the next week or so.....

And for the "2nd Chance House"... I haven't had a whole lot more interest in the property... However, I have talked to a lady investor interested in it; who says she wants to get an inspector in to have a look at it... I also, talked with a guy who is interested and says as long as his $ situation goes good, he will call me so we can negotiate a sale price... He is a Buy/Hold investor out of Denver, and is interested in getting it for his Daughter to live in...
So we'll see how it goes... I called the owners and told them that my closing agent wouldn't be available until sometime after the Aug 4th.. This will hopefully give me the time to find a buyer for it... If not, I probably will call my father and see if he would be interested in it... However this will be my last option as I will not be able to make a whole lot IF anything at all on it!! He will want it for the $19K I got it under contract for..

So, things have been going decent... Except!! I was hoping to make A LOT more on this "2nd chance house" but, it's not looking too good or promising...

We'll See.... Stay Tuned!!

dude, you da man you are doing it you will get deals doing that, what yoiu are doing. the $ even tho it is not so much I know is like you said still amazing becuase you gain the experience & knowledge. way to go man. keep it going. you know you look like a character out of the Sopranos, LOL. Check out my blog too or journal californiadreamin:calitony ok.

Hi Eric,

I like to read your journal and you pour lots of positivity in it and it makes a good inspiring read.

Wish you best for selling you house, look forward to hearing about it.

Bimal

08/20/2015 - Thursday

WOW.... SOOOOOOO... It's been quite a while since I've been on here, and TONS of things have completely changed since that last time... However, I have missed it and everyone on here and their Inspiring, Positive attitudes more than anything... I hope everyone is doing well and getting further, and further in this RE journey!!

To begin..... Very shortly after my last post in July of last year (After these last 2 deals I was working on had went sour and I ended up losing out on both:(... decided to just give up on trying to find a Good, Reliable, Willing to do a little work Real Estate agent and become my own....

I took a 5 month long Colorado Real Estate course through Kaplan Online University (completely from home on my own) and FINALLY passed the CO Broker exam on my 3rd try back in June..
After paying all the dues required to become a Realtor and getting everything else lined up...

CAN NOW CALL MYSELF AN ACTUAL COLORADO REALTOR working under Keller Williams.. (which Dean inspired me because like Remax... they are "Investor Friendly")

So now.... My wife and I plan to not only market and advertise myself and my new found "profession" and get as many deals done as possible this way... but, we are ALSO going to stay devoted to making this wholesaling/investing side work as well...

It should just make things a little easier and better with MORE opportunities now that I am licensed..

So.... stay tuned... a Whole new chapter to come....

If anyone is interested....

Please visit my website(s) at:

www.p-rproperties.kwrealty.com

AND...........

http://p-rproperties.yourkwagent.com

Thanks in advance for visiting, and for your support to everyone who visits....

Hey Tony.... Thank you very much for reading my journal and even more for your encouraging!, Kind! words!! They are very much appreciated and help me stay motivated and positive!!!

I haven't been on here in forever and will NOW definitely get to reading and checking out your journey!! I'm sure I will learn a thing or two from it....

Thanks again man..

P.S. I have been told that I look like one a couple of times before... LOL!! I have also been told I look like Elvis.. HAHAHA

Hey Bimal...

Thank you very much for the compliments.... When I have the time and things in my life have settled for a while... I LOVE getting on here and writing about my journey as well as reading about everybody else's journey too.. When I come back, I re-read them and gain MUCH MORE confidence being that "so far" I have went NO WHERE but UP!!!! And wish the same for everyone else as well!!!

Unfortunately, I lost both deals I was working on, and haven't been to productive in wholesaling since... However, I am entering a new chapter in my life and my real estate journey and plan to "hit the ground running" with it....

Keep a look out for more future reads from me....

Thanks again Bimal... You Are Awesome!!

Hello Everyone.... I am posting this question here as well in hopes of getting as much feedback as possible...

I just wanted to see if I can get any feedback, tips, or pointers on ways to promote or advertise myself AS a Real Estate Agent to buyers, sellers, AND Above All..... INVESTORS!!

I know Dean shows ways of attracting RE agents to YOU the investor...
Now I'm looking for ways to attract the Investor to ME the Agent...

Please help, and thank you very much in advance!!

I hope everyone reading this is well!!

P.S... I will soon be posting results about another mailing campaign soon.....

Ever think of trying a REVERSE BANDIT SIGN?... (To find cash buyers)

example:

3/1/1 1100 sq ft
TLC Needed
price 35k
call - 1-800-000-0000

Im sure you can google them all day long... lol

Found here at this link:
http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/marketing-buyers-and-sell...

80 ways to find buyers:

1. Freebie Newspaper Ads
2. Minor Newspaper Ads
3. Newspaper Weekend Edition Ads
4. FSBO Magazines
5. Business Cards
6. Paper Signs
7. Bandit Signs
8. Door Hangers
9. Bulletin Boards
10. Handouts
11. Flyers
12. Real Estate Agents
13. Expired MLS Listings
14. Open Houses
15. Title Companies
16. Closing Agents
17. Accountants
18. CPA’s
19. Attorneys
20. Mortgage Brokers
21. Lenders
22. Property Management Companies
23. Financial Planners
24. Financial/Money Advisors
25. Investors
26. Home Inspectors
27. Appraisers
28. County Records Employees
29. Escrow Officers
30. Hard Money Lenders
31. Private Money Lenders
32. Secondary Lenders
33. Developers
34. Contractors
35. Local Employers
36. Rent-to-Own Stores
37. Referrals
38. Your Existing Occupants
39. Sub-Contractors
40. Handymen
41. Door-to-door Canvassing
42. Free Gift Advertizing
43. Postcards
44. Promotional Materials/Calendars/Note Pads/Magnets
45. Cooperative (Co-Op) Advertising
46. Legal Newspapers
47. Grocery Store/Wal-mart
48. Flower Carts
49. Benches
50. Bus Stop
51. Adopt a Street Sign
52. Laundromats
53. Car Washes
54. Yellow Pages
55. Restaurants
56. Restrooms
57. Mail Center
58. TV Guide/Newspapers
59. TV Ads/Commercial
60. Special TV Programming
61. Radio Ads
62. Billboards
63. Walking Billboards
64. T-Shirts
65. Hats
66. Community Business Organizations
67. Chamber of Commerce
68. Sponsor Sports Team
69. Sponsor an Event
70. Charitable events
71. Charitable Raffles
72. Host a Charitable Function
73. Local Churches
74. Weekly Hotels
75. Property Brochures
76. Magnetic Vehicle Signs
77. Vehicles Wraps
78. Real Estate Auctions
79. White Vehicle Lettering
80. Club Membership Bulletin Board

Hey Sean... I appreciate this list VERY much... I will definitely look into ALL of these ideas and see how I can incorporate them with targeting investors here in Colorado....

Also, I actually have not really thought or considered bandit signs as a way of advertising... But am VERY intrigued...
I'm thinking I should word the signs as something along the lines as: "I Need Investors.... Any and All types" and then my contact number underneath it??

Dean says.... Keep it simple and small....

But anyway... Thanks again Bandit!!

Well try em' and tell us how they work for ya'...

What's going on Eric?

Saw you were an investor in Colorado as well and in the past I've stumbled across deals in Pueblo but knew no one there! Now I do. ha ha

PM me and lets see if we can do some deals together. My partner I'm an Acquisitions Manager for are focused heavily on Denver Metro but are expanding to "Virtually" invest in Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo to expand our market before going into another state heavily.

Anyway, awesome story makes me want to keep a journal on here. Nothing like a journal to reflect upon especially when its public! Keeps you accountable.

I saw your question about attracting buyers for you. You can simply post a Craigslist ad saying, "Investor Friendly Agent Looking For Buyers" or something and I bet your phone won't stop ringing. I did the opposite saying, "Looking for Investor Friendly Agent" and got a ton of feedback. Not sure what the rules are when you have a license but give it a shot!

With the bandit signs you can also do what John Wakefield does and say:

3/2 Single Family
MUST SELL by Friday
719-123-4567

Like they said no specific date just by friday haha Kinda like what we wholesalers do as ghost ads for finding investor buyers too!

Hey Adam.....

Thanks for reading my blog, and for sharing some ideas on finding buyers.... I have posted on Craigslist (actually in Multiple) towns and cities... However, it seems that ALL of my "out of state" posts automatically get deleted?? If you look at them up there in Denver.... You may see my post...

Anyway... Ya, that would be awesome to connect and possibly work a deal together soon!! I have been doing this here in Pueblo for a few years and have a few connections already BUT am ALWAYS looking for more!!

And yes keeping this journal DOES very much keep you accountable, and helps you look back and see where a person was at a certain point on this Journey.....

Keep in touch, I hope to hear from you soon, and hope all is well with you.... Thanks again man...

great advice by adam I also would attend the reia's those are also good ways, go to as many as you can & to the have's n wants & pitch yourself as an agent for investors, you are a valuable commodity you understand we investors need a discount on props,

take a ton of cards & hand as many out as you can & i would even put on my cards agent for investors. tell everyone at the meetings you are an agent for investors you will pick up clients i am sure of it.

Hey Tony... thanks again for commenting on my Journal.....

Hell ya, Adam gave some Great advice... And you telling me and pushing me towards these REIA meetings is even Better!!

So far I have looked into them and have found that they are held every first Wednesday of every month.... However, they are over an hour away from where I am.... I did sign up and create a user account under Colorado association of Real Estate Investors, and plan on attending the next meeting in October...

Thanks again, Tony.... as soon as I attend this class or Gain anything from signing up on this REIA website, I will definitely post about what I learn or gain!!

Eric hello man. I'm happy to see you so busy with every thing. soon cha ching $$$$$$ you will have made some money... have you done your first wholesale deal yet ?? I hired my first VA today. HER help was so awesome.. she is working for me again tomorrow also.. It's great having a VA......

WALT

Thanks for the inspiration!! I am hoping soon that the $ will start rolling in... I have been doing all I can to attract clients to me and getting my name out there... Hopefully very soon, I will be posting all the time about my deals!!

And yes, I have completed my first wholesale deal... It happened FINALLY at the beginning of the year... Although I kind of feel it was more "luck" than anything!! But, whatever it was... I'll take it!!

So this VA.... I want to look more into it.. Recently I've been hearing Alot about them... How do they out??

Thanks again for posting on my Journal.... I love being able to account for all the "past" and see where I once was....

P.S... Thanks for the post this morning on FB about the 3 things that are changing the way to do online marketing...

are you in a rural area? if not there are ton's of reia's around look harder on meetup.com you should be able to find tons of them they are popping up everywhere. good luck.

09/19/2015 - Saturday

So.... It's been about a month, and I'm finally getting a chance to sit down and update my blog...

This past month has been a fairly busy one, between trying to keep up with Real Estate AND well.... "Life"!!
My daughter started back up in school on the 1st of the month, and my mother-in-law has been staying with us since as well.... However, EVERYDAY I make sure to do something pertaining to not only Mine... But my families future as well!!!

To begin, I have been doing everything from... Posting/Reading TONS of articles on Real Estate all over the internet (trying to connect with as many people as possible) to Driving random areas of town searching for Vacant/FSBO'S..

Recently I sent out a mailing campaign to Investors & FSBO's... I think I sent around 25 or so letters as my wife & mother are sending "yellow letters" (for wholesaling) as well. Overall, I received (2) calls earlier in the week.. Both investors looking to buy A LOT of properties here in my Town...
One of them is looking to invest in 15-30 properties for retirement.. And one has already bought (10) and looking to buy More!!

I also, have been watching numerous training videos on my employing broker website and setting up as many emailing campaigns as possible...
And Last I have started a training course called "ignite" again through my employing broker.. It's a course on basically getting leads and getting the business moving a little quicker....

So..... we'll see... I hope it pays off soon!!!

STAY TUNED AND THANKS FOR READING!!!!