Louisa's Journal - The Sky is the Limit!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! on your future new family member!!another new dg member????? awesome to hear the great news for you and your family!!keep your health in mind first then re.great to hear your "WHY" for wanting to accomplish your rei goals!nice to have you back cant wait to hear more about your deals.have a great day louisa.
jay

Congratulations!!!! It's a very exciting time for you and maybe a little scary on the REI front and the baby front. I'm so glad you came and updated your journal, I miss reading your mini-books I am going to try and start a journal too, for 2010 and am planning on the edge in April too! Can't wait to get more info. Will be waiting to hear more about how the rehabbing is going. Were there any surprises or unexpected things that have gone on with it?

Cathy

CONGRATULATIONS!! And I'm glad you are feeling better these days. It was great to see your post and catching with everything going on with you. I'm glad the rehab is moving along nicely.

Take care,
Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Thank you guys for stopping in!!! I so appreciate the kind words!!

Jay ---Great to hear from you! Your encouragement and well wishes mean the world...thank you, thank you for those and for your advice. Can't wait to catch up here on your deals, etc... Thanks again!

Cathy ---Thank you for your PM and for this note!! You are reading my mind...I was just going to write and ask you if you had a journal because I was thinking I had missed it. So glad you are going to start one. Look forward to reading what is going on with you. And look forward to meeting you at the Edge 2010! Yes, I will definitely fill in rehab details when I can write more later. All is well with it, and it is on schedule (yay!) A couple unexpected things, but nothing that breaks the bank, so all is well....always learning about these things. More to come on this!

Lea ---It's been too long! Thank you for stopping by and for your well-wishes. I SOOO appreciate it! I look forward to catching up with you, your journal, and all that is going on. I wish my eyes could just speed read this site while I slept! Ha! Will catch up soon! Happy New Year!

NASHVILLE REI MEETING
Dave Ramsey ---he spoke at our local REI meeting last night and it was AWESOME!! Since he is from Nashville, he is a member and used to be one of the early members of the group, and an officer back in the 80's before he lost everything. Of course with his current business, he hasn't come to a meeting in years...he is a little busy these days More on his talk later....I was even more impressed than I thought I would be (and I thought I would be very impressed). I thought it was going to be more of a financial talk (and knowing his views, potentially a bit controversial seeing he's an "all cash" guy), but it was actually more of a success talk, and success formula and it was awesome. Whether you are into him or not, what an absolutely great person. Can't wait to share this in my next journal blog. I also met an awesome cash buyer who sat next to me and has been full-time investing for 5 years. Bought 35 properties last year, and even knows my exact rehab address and what has been going on there the past few weeks!! Wow...definitely knows his neighborhoods! Had some good advice! I need cash buyers so that was a great surprise! More to come on this...

Have to run to my rehab for now....more later!
Cheers!
Louisa

Louisa

It's great to see that your back on line. I was wandsring what happened to you. Now we know , I was afraid that things might have went bad on your rehab and you might have gotten discouraged. I hope that your feeling better. It is good to hear everything is still going good for you, maybe that cash buyer, might buy some of those houses that you find off of you wouldn't that be great. I've been out making offers but nothing has materialized yet. I just missed a couple of nice deals, I guess it wasn't meant to be. So lets all make 2010 our year for some great Real Estate Investments. Glad to see your back I have really missed your journal.
Your friend Kolby

Congrat's on your news, Happy to have you back. Michael J

Louisa,
Your journal is filled with information and motivation that is really good!In your journey to this point,You have done excellent keeping yourself focused on the END you wish to obtain.I have learned alot from reading your journal and I say thank-you for taking the time to not leave anything out about your thoughts and experiences in your travels.

Congratulations!on your baby news...Your own little"Mini Me"

Hey girl....

So good to hear from you and I totally congratulate you about the new love about to enter your life. You will be so amazed how much it really changes your life.... for the better. Are you sure it is one, or could there be 2 or 3 little ones in there?? lol You never know, but I had to ask. If not, you still have a lot of catching up to do untl your on my level!! lol

I too have been on a pretty big hiatus too, but I will probably do a nice journal entry to tell everyone about it. It's got some good, ugly, and all sorts of drama, but definately has a happy ending!!

Anyway, I'm so happy for you and I too miss your journal entries, but now we all completely understand.

Take care of yourself and definately don't overdo it!!

God Bless...

Kolby ---Hey! Great to see you again and thanks for the update. Yes, this will be a great deal. I figure that if you just missed out on a couple deals, then it means you are getting closer to one happening if the timing is right and if you are out there in the game. I felt like I got a huge break in getting my current rehab, as I waited a full week to even call back to make an offer the place and didn't jump on it right away (the property was offered at the price that vacant lots are going for in that area, yet for some reason, I was too timid to jump in the first couple days....luckily, no one else jumped either!) Cheers to your success in 2010!!

Michael J ---HEY! Always great to hear from you...great to see you. Thanks for stopping in, and glad to be in touch again. Keep me posted on what you're working on. Cheers!

Rosefield---A new friend! Thanks for your comments and so glad that you have found something here that has helped you. Hope your journey is going well, and thank you so much for stopping by my journal!

Robert ---HI! So great to see you...have wanted to catch up! Multiples? At least from the first ultrasound it looks like there is just one But yes, I do have some catching up to do to catch you...ha!! Actually, kind of a funny story on the multiples thing....my husband and I were at the ultrasound, and would have been just as overjoyed if there were twins or triplets. There is a history of twins in my family. Anyway ----so they find our little bean and he/she is jumping around...amazing! And then the ultrasound tech says, "ok, now we're going to go look and see if there is another one"....and it was like we held our breath A couple months back you may have seen in Rina's journal how she talked about having "twins" and was referring to two real estate deals ...and someone thought she really meant she was having twins. She got a good laugh! So I thought if there were twins I would write to tell her I was having twins, and no, not in real estate....yet Anyway, so glad you are back too, and look forward to reading the adventures of BomberCPA in your journal and catching up with your drama as you mentioned. Appreciate the note Robert and thanks for stopping in!

WAY TO GO CAROL!! I'm thrilled for Carol Stinson and winning the video contest. What an amazing person. What an amazing journey. She must be so incredibly ecstatic!!!! Whoo hoo!! Here's her journal if you haven't seen it with a nice little jot down memory lane with a post from her towards the end:
http://www.deangraziosi.com/node/8911

REHAB UPDATE
SOOO....I was up at 4am this morning and all I could think about was how much stuff I have to do and how much I wanted to write in my DG journal and all that I wanted to write here!!

I'm strapped for time as I leave town tomorrow for a family event.
I'm hoping I can write more in the airport to really update what is happening.

Bullets on rehab:
--Goal to put on market was by the end of this month.
--Still possible, but yesterday, found out some issues with the ceiling....nicotine that we didn't detect from the surface. Contractor says it is similar to fire damage in terms of how he needs to treat it. Ugh!
--I'm going by today to take a look --Hoping it is not going to be crazy costly. Not sure how this one could have been avoided. We had caught a mild mold issue prior to purchase which was included in the budget.
--Other than that, all has been AWESOME. Couple weather delays, but not too big of a deal.
--Completed: Framing and drywall repair from partial gutting, Framing and drywall for all closets (one added to each room), Framing, concrete and drywall for conversion of old garage to master bedroom (added room + master bath), Dining room ---cut out a bar that opens up to kitchen since it is small and needed a more "open feel". New windows and doors installed. Old siding has been torn down and replaced with new siding. A dormer and new over-hang over the patio has been created. Place is coming together! Will post before and after videos when I'm done!
--Next up: Treatment of the ceilings, painting the exterior, painting of interior (colors have been selected), selected unfinished cabinets purchased and stain has been selected (great deal on these), bathroom vanities installed (already purchased), appliances installed, landscaping, door knobs and light fixtures.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED: lots, and lots!!
I have to run, and want to get to my "learned valuable lessons" next time. Wish I had a whole "free" day on here.

Cheers!
Louisa

Love reading your posts! You are so detailed it makes me feel I was right there with you! Thanks as always for sharing and hope 2010 brings you great success in all you do!

Hey Louisa, what terrific news about the bundle of joy. Congratulations!!

Looks like the rehab is coming right along. Great Job!! Don’t forget to video it for the “send me away” contest next year…

Here’s wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.

Keep knocking those doors down.

Your bud,
Barbara

If Matt Larson did 22 deal in a year, we can do it too.It is a challenge but I think we can, if we just stay focus. Two deals a month? Yea, let's do it.
Amy
______________________________

" KNOWING IS NOT ENOUGH, WE MUST APPLY. WLLING IS NOT ENOUGH, WE MUST APPLY"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

LAURA - Happy New Year to YOU - great to see you! I SOOO appreciate the nice note...I know I ramble a bit on here so I thank you for your comment! Look forward to popping in your journal and seeing what you've got going on since the holiday and watching your success grow. I know this is going to be a HUGE year for you!

BARBARA - my dear friend...Happy New Year! Thanks for the baby congrats! So nice! And for the great reminder about taking video. While I did a "before" video, I wasn't on film...just walked through, I DEFINITELY need to do an after video with me actually speaking on it and getting the specifics on film. Ah!! I should do it quick before I get too pregnant...ha! Actually, what am I saying, I plan to do several of these videos before July....so I guess I'll have to get used to DG peeps watching me GROW...in more ways than one...ha! So silly, sorry! Hope your journey is going well Barbara and I will check in soon on your latest successes! Cheers!

AMY - Thank you for stopping by! Glad to know a new friend who is ON for the challenge. Keep me posted on these deals and your efforts on those 2 deals a month...2010 is going to rock!!...don't give up no matter what...I know we can get there!!! Thanks for the encouragement and best to you and your success this year!

LOCAL REAL ESTATE INVESTORS MEETING: A SPEECH I WILL REMEMBER!
Ok, so I know at DG.com we need to focus on Dean and/or our real estate strategies and experiences based on Dean's awesome techniques along with other fellow students. But I'm going to divert for a second because Dave Ramsey spoke at our local REI meeting a few days ago, and this is very applicable to our journey here with Dean! [And promise it is not a financial lecture, or at least one you might expect as I definitely did!]

So, as you may know, Dave was a millionaire ...made it on real estate and lost it all when he was 27 years old, had to file bankruptcy, etc...and still remembers the exact date. So as he started over, he started his company with a card table and a phone in his house, and his intense focus was extreme...as was his calling to his work. While he worked diligently building the business he has today...he decided he wanted to study millionaires. And not ones that were in their 20's and 30's, but ones that were in their 70's and 80's, because they were ones that had figured out how to hold onto it, and were STILL millionaires...he had already been in his 20's and lost it all and he didn't need to meet any more people that were potentially what he was, so he set his goals at meeting and talking with as many older millionaires as possible and "get in their head" and get any advice they had to offer.

Now make no mistake about it ---depending on where you are in this journey, and what "money" means to you in your head or what you've been taught to think about money ---Dave isn't "all about money".....nor is Dean, nor anyone "real" who is very financially successful. It is of course the financial freedom that it can eventually provide which gives people and families with security, time with loved ones, opportunities for those loved ones, and then beyond that, what that money can provide to others and how you can impact the world with aid, with teaching as Dean has done, and with about anything you set your mind to (along with your higher power leading you and guiding you...which can impact the world exponentially farther than we can ourselves)! I'm pretty sure we're all on the same page here, but I can see the "prior me" about 10 years ago, just being someone who wants to get out of debt, reading this, without understanding my heart, and thinking "wow --life isn't all about money...what is up with this girl? why is she so focused on Dave Ramsey meeting millionaires?" That was before I got into "bigger thinking" about it...thinking about money beyond just "getting out of debt and paying bills" (which is huge no doubt), but setting goals and thinking on a larger scale of impacting the world in small ways or big ways and all that one could do with those financial resources, even if one didn't quite know exactly what that was now. And then I started reading books like Harv Ecker's "A Millionaire Mind"...and then discovering Dean...the source to "get there"! OK, so I digress...just needed to preface for those who don't know me to know where my head is really at on this!

Now Dave has reached a point in his career, where his goal is to meet with as many BILLIONAIRES as possible as that is his next level. (Promise this is going somewhere more interesting than money!) So far, he has met with 6 billionaires. There are just over 300 in the U.S. so he is happy with having met and had a deeper conversation with 6 of them. One he met is about 72 years old...they went to lunch. Dave asked him...what is your advice on getting there and staying there? The Billionaire said, "Two things: The first one is to always harness a spirit of giving. It may be possible to "get there" by not giving, but you can't "stay there" unless you have a spirit of giving." Dave Ramsey certainly has a spirit of giving and it is evident in all he does to help people get on top of their futures financially and all he gives away on his radio show. The Billionaire then said "the second thing is a book." Dave Ramsey got excited about this. He loves books and he thought...wow, if this guy says a book is the second thing I need...I'm ready for it...I can't wait to hear what this book is and get a hold of it, and if this guy says it's so great, I'll promote the heck out of it on my show, and hopefully it will help other people, and what a gem this will be to know about! The Billionaire said, "I've read this book probably thousands of times, read it to my kids and my grandkids" At this point, Ramsey sat a little deflated thinking he knew what the book was and said, "The Bible?" (not that The Bible isn't life-changing and amazing and the greatest book on earth ---he was just expecting a book he didn't know of offering sound business advice. Ramsey, a Christian himself, was sure to clarify this in speaking to us as he said "I really don't want Christian hate mail here....and joked "I know, it should be an oxy-moron, but we have gotten some Christian hate mail, and it can be the worst stuff!")

The Billionaire answered "No, it's not the Bible"...Dave's spirits were up again and he was ready to write the title of this book and the Billionaire said, "The Tortoise and the Hare". Dave dropped his pen and was completely perplexed. This was this guy's "secret" to "getting there" and sustaining it? Is this a joke? Seriously? The Billionaire looked at him and said, "You'll get it at about 4 o'clock today" But he did give him some insight, that with which sank in with Dave later....just about 4 o'clock... which was...we all know the story...the slow going tortoise plods along focused on his path...while the hare jumps around from here to there, running off course and thinking "I've got 'em beat anyway", doesn't have focus...and ends up losing the race. The focus and determination of the tortoise is constant and consistent and although NO ONE thought he could do it, he wins the race. That is the early lesson...leading up to the even bigger lesson...IT TAKES TIME!!!
We can't do it like the HARE or we will never get there. We can absolutely try to run with focused determination at an intense rate of speed we can get MUCH farther should we escalate our efforts, but as so many have so poignantly put on this site, and as Dean has pointed out himself, it's not a sprint, it is a marathon.

In this frenetic and A.D.D. world we live in, no one wants to TAKE TIME, everyone wants it NOW, but it is the Tortoise who wins. We must do all we can and wait for the "magic" to happen....the same magic that finally happened for the tortoise over a great deal of time. The same magic that happened to Carol Stinson in winning the video contest this year and her amazing journey documented in her journal! And the same magic that happened to Rina over her experiences shared in her journal of reaching one million dollars over 1000 journal entries!! It is not overnight! Do you have one thousand journal entries? We must have patience. We must have focus. And we must be diligent in our consistent and constant efforts. We must be tortoises!!

And at the same time, the resource of Dean, his books, and his techniques all show as a testament to this site and all the success here, and the relatively "faster time" than any business field I know of to "get there." Case in point, again Carol Stinson....in a little over a year. Heck, within a few months, she made Dean's book!

Another case in point ---back to Rina's 1,000 journal entries in her first million $$ journal (with the help of all of us commenting and her commenting back, but that still counts in her 1000) ----if you think about it, in the end, she made an average of ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER journal entry! [I also realize she started the journal when she had a little success already, and I don't know how much...but just an illustration...] It may not have happened right away within her first journal entries, but when you do the simple math, Rina made $1000 per journal entry multiplied by exactly 1,000 journal entries to MAKE ONE MILLION DOLLARS (entries of course that illustrated her intense focused determination over time to make things happen!)

Alright, so I'm probably sounding a little crazy at this point...it's super late and I've gotta get to bed, but I just get so excited and passionate when I hear things that really make all this stuff "make sense" and come to life.

REHAB UPDATE - It's almost 1:30am and it's past my bedtime...I'm sure my baby will be a little night owl too...ha! I have to save this for tomorrow.

Cheers to tortoises!
Louisa

Oh my Gosh! I had to laugh! I just spent the last hour reading through your journal, catching up and refreshing my "memory" on everything you've been up to. I never just go read the end posts so I had to go back a few pages to make sure I hadn't missed anything. So when I finally got to this post I was like WOW!! You actually made me see my OWN journey through new eyes!! Thank you!!

Now, back to the most exciting news EVER!! A BABY!!! Congratulations, mommy!!!! I am SOOO excited for you! That little one will be one of your TOP motivators. Just think what a blessing from the Lord, and how blessed that little one will be to have you as a mommy and the rest of your great family we know from reading your posts. Having the income from REI will help so much for you to be able to have the time you'll want to spend raising and nurturing your child/ren. Again, thank you for sharing the news and I am thrilled for you.

Thank you for sharing the Dave Ramsey story. Especially the Tortoise and the Hare. It's true, whether you're going fast or slow, you HAVE to stay steady in your resolve. If you KNOW that you will keep going, it doesn't matter how many people run past you, whether they quit or not. So many quit when they can't EASILY win.. so many lose focus. The other thing is, with REI there is not just one winner. Just like with Carol, I am so thrilled for her that she WON Dean's contest (SO deserving too!), BUT think about what EVERY contestant has already won! If somebody worked really hard to win, and in their mind they thought they failed if they weren't chosen number ONE, THAT would be the losing point. To keep on going and thoroughly enjoy the ride and the rewards is MUCH more important. So we can all be tortoises and winners! Fun to watch YOU being one, Louisa!! (although I'd say you're a tortoise on steroids! LOL). SOOO looking forward to continuing to watch/share your journey.
Oh, and thank you always for the kind words. Now I need to get into my journal to respond. (I LOVE how you value each contributor to your journal. I feel the same way. )

Love you sister, and congrats on all your REI as well!! Looking forward to your flip closing!!

Rina

your post was awesome!! It is amazing as you state when we finally .............realize and are aware that IT ALL MAKES SENSE !! the teachings of dean through his books,the GIVING of dean,the GIVING of ourselves,the GIVING of time and energy of many people on this site such as Rina,yourself,joe,anita,THE COACHES, and MANY MANY MANY more too many to list .It shows us that action on our part with the right knowledge that is shared from these GIVING people we can accomplish the unthinkable with STEADY progress and sharing with others what we LEARN. As we READ many books and LISTEN to others,we find out as you said that these are ALL COMMON traits and the PATH to greater financial,emotional,spiritual,healthy SUCCESS!!
thanks again for your post louisa!!
jay

First of all CONGRATULATIONS on the upcoming new addition to your family!!! I am thrilled for you. I can tell you are going to be a fantastic mother.

Thanks for sharing with us the Dave Ramsey story. It's a good reminder to all of us that it doesn't matter how quickly you are moving towards your goal as long as you know what your goal is, stay focused on it and are doing something on a daily basis that brings you closer to achieving that goal.

I really enjoy reading your journal. It inspires me and helps me to not give up and keep moving towards the goals I have set for myself even if it is not happening overnight.

Bruce

That's fantastic news about your pregnancy Louisa : ) And kudos to you for managing to do anything during your first trimester! Talk about taking on the greatest construction project of all...building a person!

I loved your posts and it made me think about something I heard on a Tony Robbins CD that my husband and I have been listening to the past week. He talked about what made him go from earning $38K a year to $1 million. Know what it was?? It happened when he found out he was going to be a dad. Things suddenly got bigger than just him and he realized that his success was no longer a "should" but now it was a "must". He talks about how that's when stuff gets done, when goals get reached...when they become a must.

I am on the verge of making my first deal and am so excited about all the good things to come in 2010. I sincerely hope that I get to meet you face-to-face at some point this year...perhaps at the EDGE??

Take care...make sure you get your (and the babies) rest and I look forward to hearing about both your new journeys!

Happiness to you and your husband,
Suzi

Wow, has it really been over a week!!! Whoa! Too long. My time has been very short lately and working hard to finish this rehab! I'm learning so much to be "more efficient" with my time for the next one.

Thank you for your kind and encouraging messages. I wanted to stop by and say hello....I will definitely respond soon to you Rina, Jay, Bruce and Suzy ----HELLO!!! YAY! THank you for stopping by!!

I just didn't want to fall off the planet and wanted to say quickly that all is well with the rehab.

Getting a lot of final things done this week, and finishing up with touches early next week.

What is done:
Most landscaping in front
Interior paint - first coat
Tile in kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms and entry way

What is happening now:
Kitchen cabinet install today ---and stain
Flooring - the rest put down
2nd coat of interior paint

All light fixtures have arrived, kitchen sink, vanities, toilets....just a matter of getting the flooring down and getting these in! Think the finish out will be nice, and I'm very excited about the quality.

Finish up early next week on gravel for driveway, cement sidewalk, and final touches on landscaping.

Then it will be ready to put on the market! I can't wait!
I have butterflies already but I am so excited.

More to everyone later....ah...so much to catch up on this site and so many journals to catch up with!

Did I mention Dean's new book? Just got it yesterday...get to start reading tonight and I CAN'T WAIT!!!! The parts I skimmed just sucked me in...it is SOOOOO detailed and awesome. All those little "questions" I always have....looks like he's really covered the details and the answers in this one of HERE IS EXACTLY WHAT TO SAY! Wow, can't wait to dig in.

I also have several leads from my birddog to follow up with. I am very overwhelmed but I've learned a lot from my rehab and have established systems and spreadsheets to help the next one go so much more seamlessly in terms of using the same resources and gathering more "info" upfront to avoid many more trips to the house. I'm still learning all of this stuff!! Wish there were 48 hours in a day.

Hope you guys are doing great!!! Cheers to everyone's success in 2010.

I cannot wait until the date is released for The Edge 2010. WHOO HOO!!
Louisa

WOW! It is exciting to hear about your rehab project. I bet the property will look very different (& prettied up) when finished. As always I wish you the best and look forward to hearing how this progresses.

Your friend,

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Louisa wondering if I might be able to tag along with you to a REIN meeting in Mar? I am trying to get over there for the Feb meeting but don't know if I will be able to make it. Also for your rehab are you over budget or under? And if under or on target how did you prevent the contractors from over charging and going back and changeing their cost? Just a little thought. P.S. I am a huge fan of Dave's, through his motivation my wife and I are out of consumer debt, still have house debt but thats rented out;P!

So this site moves SOOOO fast! I'm so excited about it, and just can't keep up with it all! I feel like I'm on the edge of big things, and now that I'm really feeling better (last week was rough in the midst of a couple good weeks), I feel like I can take on the world! Well, the world, minus the fact that I still have a J-O-B that I cannot wait to get rid of, for sure!! It is just getting in the way of me accomplishing more great things, but then again, it is definitely the motivation for me to KEEP AT IT to get out of it!

RINA - Thank you for your wise words! You are SOOOO right about all the contest finalists ---how much they have accomplished in their efforts to making the final few!! And the reward they are receiving goes so much deeper than whether or not they actually won a contest...they have changed their lives...absolutely! Thank you for the baby stuff (yes, I'm thrilled!!) And for your enthusiasm on my current rehab! I can't wait for the flip too!! And just thank you in general for being such an inspiration, and stopping by to grace my journal with your knowledge and sweetness. You are the best combination of BOTH! God Bless! Can't wait to meet you in person! Edge can't get here quick enough!

JAY ---My deal-making prodigy friend! I'm sure you're going to be in an upcoming Dean commercial if you are not already (we've actually recently turned off cable in our house to save some $$, so I'm out of the Dean infomercial loop). Thanks for your support and encouragement and wise comments on all the "making sense" stuff of giving, learning, supporting, listening and giving again, in this awesome cycle of success in this crazy real estate world! Thanks for stopping by...appreciate your words!

BRUCE ---your comment actually made me tear up. Actually two comments...the fantastic mother part (thank you!). And then the part about your encouragement of this journal to "keep moving toward my goals even though they are not happening overnight." I struggle with all the time it takes to "get there" and relate to anyone having a tough time with this "patience" factor and getting discouraged from time to time. Having entered several different career paths where I thought I was going to "make it"...I finally feel like there is a synergy with what I am doing where God is whispering in my ear "you are on the right path"....YES! For once!! But it is nonetheless a challenging one, and like you said one that does not happen overnight. I believe that this will be a great year full of great accomplishments, and I'm hopeful you have the same faith going about your real estate journey! Thanks Bruce for stopping by and sharing! Always great to hear from you.

SUZI - the day you wrote this comment, I was in the car with my husband and got it on my phone and shared it with him ----the whole "greatest construction project of all - building a person" ----we both got a good chuckle and smile...that was so awesome, thank you! I love Tony Robbins and I'm so glad you brought him up and that story is so inspiring...I had never heard it before and my husband enjoyed it too. I never quite knew what to think about him as I just saw little crazy blips on TV, until I went to a real estate conference in 2006 and he was a speaker and he truly was INCREDIBLE. The change of emotion and energy in the room was unbelievable within 15 minutes of him speaking, or I should say "interacting". The only naysayers I know about him have never experienced being in the same room with him. He had incredible lessons about focus, leadership, success, and living life...his energy and transfer of energy to his audience is unlike anything I have ever seen...what an inspiration! Very cool you have his tapes. So excited you are on the verge of your first deal!! I have not caught up with journals here and I need to find out where you are on things....thanks for stopping by and keeping me posted, and yes, I plan to see you at The Edge!!

LEA - Hello my dear friend! You are so consistent with checking in!! WOW! I SOOO appreciate it, and as I said to Suzi, I can't wait to get into the meat of everyone's journals and check in. Thank you again, and hope your progress and news on your end is GREAT! More soon from me...

EDWIN ---Thank you for getting me to stay up late night and comment in this journal...your entry propelled me to hop on here instead of hop in bed and I'm so happy that I did! Would be GREAT to meet up for the REI meeting in March (or Feb if you make it). Stay on me about it and remind me as we get closer to date. I need to permanently mark my calendar for their monthly meetings. I'm still getting to know people there and hope to be volunteering with the group soon and get more active. One of the leaders of the group just wrote me two nice emails today and it just showed me how open to reaching out to newbies that they are! Great to hear from you and thanks for stopping by! As far as my rehab goes...I'll go ahead and make it an update below!

REHAB UPDATE
So, to your question Edwin ---am I over budget or under it or right on target? It's interesting...the entire scope of my project changed from a $60K investment (including price of the home using borrowed money, not my own) with a plan to sell for $110-120K, to more like a $75K to $80K investment with a plan to sell for $140-$155K. So while I have raised my budget and what I'm putting into it, I have evaluated this against a fair purchase price in the area for what I am offering, and I feel that I'm right on target. My change in scope was due to talking with a more experienced investor in that area who mentioned that he felt that I was pricing it too low at $110-$120K for what I was offering and gave me his own comps within a couple blocks of my property of properties he had actually sold. I did further research on line and found he was right on point and that my previous comps were of homes that were not updated which was good conservative starting point. (I was thrilled to know that I paid for this house the "going rate" for vacant lots in this area!)

WHERE ARE THINGS?
--Looks like everything will really finish at the end of next week
--Just backed up a couple days due to interior paint and trim, and interior doors...more than planned for (especially paint as I added more color than the original plan of one color - all neutral...I wanted to warm things up a bit, and make the kitchen "pop". I'm thrilled with the choices.)
--Targeted Time ---All in all, if we finish next week, we're exactly one week behind schedule as noted on our original contract. However, I'm thrilled with the add-ons that we have made, and believe that this will dramatically increase the value of the home, and believe this far exceeds the value in this one "extra week."
--Appliances and cabinets go in tomorrow (stainless appliances purchased at a scratch and dent outlet which still include manufacturers warranties, but are cut drastically from full-sticker price). Purchased unfinished cabinets, and will be staining these. Found cherry cabinets for next time from a vendor...they would have only cost $1088 for my kitchen! WOW! Will be using these every time in the future. I'm paying about same amount including someone having to stain it, so all in all, still a great price...but of course staining takes time.
--All interior and exterior light and bathroom fixtures/mirrors have all arrived.

FOR SUPPLIES/FINISH OUT: Most used: Craigslist (great finds!), Habitat Store, Ebay, Overstock dot com, Home Depot and Lowes (only when the others didn't price much better...I now know where to go for what and have made a complete spreadsheet of where I spent my money organized by Store, and broken down even by room in the house, with a model number of each thing purchased ----will be a great resource for the future. I can't believe we ever did business with just brick-and-mortar stores...online deals are brilliant!)

--TO FINISH:
---Exterior paint (new siding complete...weather has gotten in the way for painting exterior for 2 weeks...hoping it clears beginning of next week)
---Shutters arrive Friday
---Flooring
---Porch outside (finish out on columns and paint)
---Concrete Sidewalk & gravel driveway (meeting tomorrow for second quote)& completing early next week
---Landscape finish out/clean up (early next week)

REST OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ---NEIGHBOR BRINGING DOWN VALUE?? So, my house looked so bad when I bought it, I thought "wow, the rest of the neighborhood looks awesome." Now that my house is close to finished, my neighbors house sticks out like a sore thumb. Problem? Just the metal awnings over each window. It is a white house with white awnings, and the awnings are practically black from dirt and soot. They need pressure washing. BIG TIME! It's REALLY bad! To the point where you go "wow, I'd like to live here, but look at the neighbors!" Not any other house on the block looks this bad (the rest are really nice!). If they just took off the awnings, it would look just fine, with a minor pressure washing need on the house itself. I don't want to offend the neighbor, or belittle them by saying "I'll pay for this for you," or something like that...and a friend had a suggestion. Go pay a pressure washing company...get a quote from them and pay them to do the job. Have them go up to the neighbors door and say, "Hey...I'm looking to get more business in this area. I'll pressure wash your awnings for free if I can put a sign in your yard advertising my business." So of course I will have paid the pressure washer. The neighbor will get a free service. And it won't be such an eye-sore the day of open house! I'm thinking this sounds like a win-win-win!

LESSONS LEARNED: FIRST TIME WITH CONTRACTOR
If this house were a rental, rather than one I'm putting on the retail market, I would have done the job just as it was budgeted by the contractor. But I found the finish out that he worked his budget around wasn't as nice as I was looking to do (but keeping in check the market that this house is in.) For instance, we didn't do granite countertops, but we did granite tile countertops. That is perfect for this house. An upper end neighborhood would have required all-out granite countertops, no tile. This was one thing we were both on board with, but there were other finish out items (sinks, cabinets, flooring, etc...) that we had different ideas on that have cost me more in the end. But again, these upgrades are more than worth it. And I have enjoyed having a spread on this project that I am very aware does not exist on 99% of projects that are out there! Main thing is I think there is a learning curve with every contractor you could work with, and if you find someone that has talent and you know will get to know you and what you like and how you operate better that second time around, then it's worth hanging onto a relationship that you can see that has major potential. That is where I am here. I am super-pleased with his "can-do" attitude and accommodating service. Also, with what he said he would do, he was right on target with time and is very honest with his pricing.

It's kinda like getting a haircut. I have been to a stylist for the first time. And I have come out of there not loving my hair due to the style, but knowing they can cut hair well. If I feel they have talent and can do the job, I am much more likely to go back and bring pictures of what I want and "work with" that stylist rather than find another stylist every single time re-creating the wheel. I would rather know someone has talent and is easy to work with and can "get to know" my style, rather than just "up and leave" and find a new stylist every time. (Man, I am sure I'm sounding way to girly at this point!! ha! Sorry for the "Legally Blonde" analogy...contractors to haircuts...ha!)

I believe overall I'm easy to work with but when it comes down to it, I also know I am very picky. I want to create a place that I would live in. A place of quality and value. Keeping in mind the market that it is in. But I'm willing to go the extra mile for things that I believe most people would just say "who cares...you are selling it." At the same time, I'm a true bargain-hunter who loves nice things, and sometimes, my bargain-hunting is to my own "time-detriment", so finding a balance between "how much time is worth investing on this aspect of the house" and "wow, this is a true add that is saving me $$$ and providing extreme value." I think I will be better at "the balance" next time. And re-using some of the same resources and fixtures and products and vendors will be that much easier next time.

WOW - I have so many other things to talk about ---upcoming mailings, new resources, Dean's inspiring book, how pumped I am about following up on my vacant house leads. But I must go to bed! More soon!! Cheers! Louisa

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am soooooo happy for you and your husband on the baby!! What a joyous and magical time (especially now you are feeling better ha) Being pregnant was one of my most favorite things in the world....so enjoy to the max And I laughed out loud when Rina said you are a tortoise on steroids hahahaha.....I just LOVE your journal! Your entries are so detailed and so from the heart - I feel like I'm in your living room having a chat...you are so awesome Louisa. Thanks you so much for sharing your rehab journey, your life journey, and all the great inspiring stories from others along the way. I cant wait till the day we get to meet in person! And I cant wait till you post the day you sell this rehab!! I've been through this and you are doing such an awesome job and you are going to be so proud of yourself when its all said and done!! There are just no words for it. And knowing your on your sure and steady pace to your future millions for you and your family is priceless xoxoxoxoox

Hi Laura!! Thanks for your note and congrats...I SOOO appreciate it. Your note means a lot to me I can't wait to meet you too, and I'm hoping that will be at The Edge if not sooner...I wish it was here already!! My stomach is already knotting in a good way about finishing up this rehab. I'm ready to flip it now! (well, maybe not quite now, but mentally I'm there!) Thank you so much for your encouraging words Laura and I hope mine is as successful as yours have been!! Great picture by the way...loving your smile...all the best to you in getting your house sold and getting to Wisconsin...thrilled for you!

***
UPDATE:

So actually I'm a bit out of the loop the past couple days on the rehab. I'm sure everything is just fine, but just haven't heard back from my contractor today (very odd). I imagine the last 2 days have been productive, so I have little reason to be concerned.

This week so far:
Doors & Trim
2nd layer interior paint
Porch columns

Should be happening right now:
Staining cabinets
Picked up Appliances

Should be happening ASAP:
Countertops
Laminate Flooring
Carpet
Porch painted
Exterior painted
Shutters hung

Tomorrow first thing (snowy weather has delayed both of these things, but we're finally ready!):
Concrete sidewalk ---will be laid
Gravel for driveway to come on Saturday
Landscape (most is done) but meeting tomorrow to discuss finish out early this next week once sidewalk/gravel is in.

EXCITING NEWS:
Ok, so I'm thrilled! So remember how I went on a Rehab Tour of Homes with my local investors group back in the fall? (probably first page of my journal), and how I was the "late girl holding up the bus" due to getting lost? Well, I just got an email from the guy who ran that tour of homes who now heads up that organization and he asked if I wanted my home to be on the Rehab Tour of Homes at the end of this month!!! WOWOWOW! Sounds like a silly little thing but I'm thrilled! I'm actually hopeful I'll have this thing under contract within 3 weeks from now, but I think I might be able to sneak it in on the tour. It just looks like I will be out of town that weekend (a well-deserved vacation for my husband...we're pretty much traveling on points from all his work travels, and it's my goal to sell this house before the vacation!) So I'm bummed because I'd love to present my own property. But I may put a lock box or something on it, so that they can get in to see it, and prepare some paperwork for him. And even better if I have it under contract by then! YAY! I'm just happy to have been asked about it! AWESOME!

I just got his email and had to write in here right away and report!

More soon...
Louisa

What an exciting thing to be invited to have your house on the tour!! Not to rain on your parade....but one thing that pops into my head is if you DO have it locked up under contract I personally would be hesitant to have a bunch of people going through if I couldnt be there in person-or have someone I know there to represent me. Anyway....cant wait to hear how this whole deal works out for you!Look forward to seeing how your numbers all work out in the end! Have a FABULOUS vacation!
Oh - sadly I will not be at the EDGE event I anticipated it being end of April like last year - and have a booked and paid for vacation to Ireland the same time as the Event! I'm really bummed to miss it....will have to wait till NEXT year now to meet all my fabulous new DG family!

Hey girl...thank you, thank you!! Yes, good thoughts...SOOO appreciate your input on the tour...great thoughts. I'll consider it carefully for sure and may make proper arrangements...I do have an investor friend I trust that I could arrange to be on the tour (heck, I could pay for her ticket to enjoy the rest of the tour), and I would definitely trust to make sure the place is taken care of. Those are great thoughts. Wow! Ireland!!! How amazing! I've traveled a bit overseas but never to Ireland. I hear it is absolutely beautiful. I hope you have a ball! I am SOO going to miss meeting you there! Actually, I was anticipating it in April as well...and still have to ask my doctor now if I can travel as late as late May. I hesitate to ask him because I don't want him to say "no" While of course I do not have an "Edge" ticket yet, I have booked my flights already for the May dates (it's a free pass and they are fully refundable) in anticipation of the big event. It will most definitely be my last trip before the baby! I hope they start booking these at least a year in advance and announce the "next year's dates" in advance! You will be sorely MISSED!! Well, I will just have to see you and Rina in Wisconsin one of these days when we are visiting my husband's family (he was born there)...I've only been once and loved it. We'll have to chat later about exactly where you guys are in Wisconsin...last time we traveled, we flew into Minneapolis...maybe I'll have to come at a time where there is an REI meeting there you guys are going to! Fun, fun! Thanks for the note!

So this morning I met with a fence guy to quote a repair on a portion of the fence and clean up the ingrown trees and mess in the fence. We are getting there, and this will finalize the outside to make it presentable.

Completed So Far:
Most of the landscaping
Front Sidewalk laid
Gravel Driveway (really matches the rest of the neighborhood...no concrete needed here)

Interior:
Cabinets
Kitchen Countertops
Master Vanity
Toilets installed
Some fixtures hung

Supposedly the rest of the flooring and all final touches will be done by Wednesday. It seems a little ambitious since they aren't working this weekend. But I know they have another job lined up for late next week, so hopefully they will work to get things finished up! (I also realize I don't know how long it takes them to finish these things, so it may be the perfect amount of time...it just seems there is a lot to do!)

Photos: I contacted a friend about getting some wide angle lens photos of the interior, and a few of the outside to present the house for sale...she is a professional photographer and I'm confidant will do a great job.

All is going well! Can't wait until it is done! I'm ready to put this on the market ASAP!

********
THOUGHTS OF AUCTION?

So after I met the fence guy this morning...I went to sell my husband's old car as he is out of town. This applies to real estate and got me thinking...

Basically, we had put his Hybrid 2001 Honda up on Craigslist for $2000. With 175,000 miles on it, this was a little less than half of the Kelley Blue Book price it is worth, but we put it up for that because while with a Honda engine it has a long mileage life left, it will soon need a battery pack that costs $2500, which we were very upfront about. Dealers would only give us $500. It's a great car and we would just fix it and keep it if we weren't having a baby (it is only 2-door), so we knew we would have better luck getting $2000 for it privately, and felt that it was a more-than-fair price.

We got over 30 emails for it. Not knowing who was serious, and not having time to make lots of appointments to "check it out" and deal with no-shows, etc...I decided I would announce a time and place on our Craigslist ad. Whomever showed up at this bank parking lot first with interest in the car, and with cash, a cashier's check or money order got the car. If there was more than one person, I would give it to the person who emailed their interest first in the car. I thought for sure 2 people were showing up. It ended up 2 people did show up...but 2 different ones than the ones that said they would (so glad I did this!) And the ones that did, both had cash, and the first one on my list, handed the cash to me and said let's get that title signed over, without even test driving the car or looking under the hood!! These same two people called me first thing in the morning expressing their extreme interest in the car, and it made me realize...I had more control over this due to the fact that I controlled the circumstances and made a little "hype" via marketing over the car! The second guy who had cash said "what if I give you more money?" Of course I told him "I'm sorry...if the first guy hadn't shown up, it would be yours, but I have to be fair...he inquired about the car before you"

That got me thinking.

I'm thrilled that we got what we wanted for the car. I have no regrets.

But what if I had not only announced a time and place but said...price starts at $2000...and I'll take $2000....and whomever offers the most $$$ for the car with a minimum reserve of $2K gets it -----pure auction style!

Then I thought of real estate.

I thought of Dean's book that talks about the 7-Day Auction. I thought of how badly I want to sell this house once it is ready and how I think I can create some hype in front of it. But I also know I'm putting it out there for retail price, not wholesaling to purely cash buyers...so I need to look into if this really would be the best route.

I also know that I want to go back and read that auction part of his book and make sure it makes sense for my situation. I'm not in dire straights. I think without an auction, this house will sell on it's own just fine.

But why not try? I could always have a "minimum" price which I would accept of course, and then if anyone showed up and bid higher than that....it would just go to the highest bid! If no one showed up and bid the minimum, then I would just go back to selling it and give it a few weeks time.

But I think if the marketing and hype is done correctly...this could go over quite well!

In our car's case ----our Craigslist ad was flagged so many times, it was taken down twice. There was nothing illegal about our ad and it was very honest and straightforward, but there are all kinds of people who flag ads that take attention away from their products (i.e. dealers flagging our ad when we're offering a hybrid for less than half of their hybrids), and nonetheless, despite it getting taken down twice within 24 hours, I still had people show up, ready to pay cash with no questions asked, and even one person willing to pay MORE than I was asking!

I think I'm inspired to at least do my due dilligence to decide if this is the right avenue for me on my current rehab. If nothing else, I'm sure I'll learn a lot reading that section of Dean's book again.

I'm excited about the possibilities!

Cheers!
Louisa

That is an awesome story about the car and shows how creative thinking can be applied to all aspects of our lives! I read and re-read that information on the auction sale, and envision how exciting it would be! I am definitely going to try that one day. If anyone can do it you sure can if you decide to go that route! How are you feeling these days?

When I read your first line that said your husband is out of town so you are selling his car I said huh? And then realized what you meant and couldn't stop laughing at my mistake. (I know of a lady who did sell her husband's car against his wishes.)

I'm looking forward to hearing if you decide to auction the house and I am definitely looking forward to seeing photos.

Take care,
Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

OK, so I went back and read that auction section and I think I'm going to try it. Wait, let me re-phrase that...I AM going to do it! Not just "try"!

I just need to figure out a kink (for me anyway)...

Just as a re-cap----
Dean talks about how in order to attract people, you start the bidding at 50-60% of the asking price. Prior to the start of the bidding process, you can choose a "reserve" minimum that you won't go under, and you don't have to sell for less than the reserve you set....and that you don't disclose it ever in the bidding process. Cool. And that you can cancel the sale if no one bids above your reserve in the final bidding hour...that you are not legally bound until a purchase agreement is signed. Again cool.

So how do you deal with that question of reserve if someone asks? I'm assuming experienced people in terms of auction might ask "is there a reserve?" Maybe you're just straightforward, and say, yes, there is, and it isn't disclosed until after the final bidding hour ends where I'll make the decision of whether to continue with the final contract. (That just sounds like a "downer" if your talking about the prospect of canceling the sale that you've advertised so blatantly)

And then at the end of the bidding hour, when you have a high bidder...do you just call them and say "Sorry, I know you are the high bidder, but I have decided to cancel the sale because it hasn't met my reserve" If that's the case, then what happened to your integrity and what you said with your flyer that said "It will be Sold to the High Bidder Sunday night" (An example flyer in Dean's book, that looks awesome in attracting buyers to your Open House) It just seems slightly deceiving. I'm sure there is a proper way to handle it...and I'm sure Dean has an answer for this...that is just the little kink/question for me to find out. I'll call the coaches on this one too.

Anyone out there with other thoughts on this?

Everything else on it looks awesome though, and if I can get beyond this kink (it's just a hang up, because I'd be pretty nervous about actually selling this at 60% FMV after all my work, that's for sure, so this "minimum reserve" part is pretty important to me!)

But I'm thrilled to re-read this section.

I can TOTALLY see being a "marketing consultant" for homeowners for a 7-Day Auction, with so many people trying to sell their house. You know if they were to go through a "typical auction company", they would be giving up 8% of the price of their home with all kinds of "upcharges" and "premiums" for the auction. By signing on with me, they would get a steal, and if I didn't get the reserve they wanted (which I help them set), then I wouldn't make a dime! It is a total win-win. Wow, I read this book a couple times a while back, but it's awesome to re-read a section that really hits home and makes you see it in a whole different light, you know!?

I'm actually surprised I haven't heard of more people on this site doing this? I mean newbies could do this along with assignments. I think it is JUST AS DO-ABLE! If you fail, all you've put in is 7 days work! And you've learned a lot about how to succeed next time. And the homeowner hasn't lost anything by chancing 7 extra days to see if you can create some hype and sell their home. Once you get the auction signs made, you can use them again, and again and again for EVERY auction! Little cost. Lots of enthusiasm. And LOTS of upside and return and NOTHING to lose!!

I actually see a situation right now with a homeowner I could use marketing technique on for a "consultant fee" as Dean mentions in PFRERN....a homeowner that I exchanged emails with today. Wow, this could be fun. I can't tell you how much I enjoy writing Craigslist ads and I have literally had SOOOOO much luck selling things on there, and I love creating flyers and ads to attract people to come to things in general. This could be my niche! Well, at least something to bring in some extra money....kinda like another avenue to getting an "assignment-type fee" (just being a consultant fee instead).

LAURA ---thanks for your comment on this! I am feeling good enough to be writing at 1:25am on a Saturday night! YAY! Ha! Ha! I'm still a little touch and go on some days, but the fact that I can go a good 12 hours without feeling sick is an absolute miracle and I get so much more done! It's just been too long since I've had the time, the night off, or the energy to catch up here with people AND keep up with the rehab, so I'm thrilled to be here, up late and typing...I'm "me" again and nite-crazed and back to normal!! Thanks so much for asking!

LEA ---Hahahahahaha! Yes, I see how that was phrased to be confusing! My husband was grateful I was selling the car on his behalf. Just waiting on the shutters for the photos of the exterior...believe me, I'm thrilled to create a little video juxtaposed against my "before" video of the house...I'm SOOOO excited. I'll definitely post for sure! Thanks for dropping by!! I appreciate it!

More as soon as I can get back here and type! What would I do without the journals section on this site.

Hi Louisa. Congratulations on your news aoubt the bundle of joy. They are so precious. I thought I would stop by and read your journal. I didn't get through it all yet. Boy I love your goal planning and how you lay it all out. That's interesting about the auction. I will have to check in to see what happened with that.
Take care and many blessings to you and your family,
Cathy