GR Ivestor Journal (Chapter 1, getting it done in California)

please

saw that sorry..it is now deleted!

Greg

I met with my, possibly first, investing real estate agent today durring my luch break. He is actually the broker so he had one of his top agents join the meeting. I felt like a big investor and it actually gave me a lot of confidence. The whole conversation was good. I let them know what my strategy was and they were very supportive. At one point, I almost lost it I got so excited because when I told him I was going to do mostly wholesale. He said "well there is a strategy where you put and/or assignee..." I couldn't beleive it! And no joke, He was the very first agent I called! So far this is turning out to be easier than I thought. Even though there are a lot of people out there that spread negativity to try and hold you back, I don't listen to them because I know I can do this! Next step Making a Buyers List!

Aloha,

Greg Rowe,
Elk Grove, CA

"You create your own universe as you go along" Winston Churchill

"Are your thoughts worthy of you? If not - NOW is the time to change them. You can begin right were you are right now. Nothing matters but this moment and what you are focusing your attention on." The Secret

You have found a gem! I hope that when push comes to shove he's the real deal! How did you find the agent, if I may ask? Going on my 7th one, and each one was so gung ho, even shared a letter to include with offers from this site and used Matts letter to recruit them, and even had one that was a friend that just wouldn't do it! So, please let us know how you found him, what you told him and how you sifted through others to call him first! I really need help with this! Thanks! And way to go! Don't stop, and KEEP ON GOING!

It is CERTAIN we will SUCCEED!

I've been trying to find an agent to work with as well. Im here in Sacramento, could also use some tips on finding one as well.

Again, way to go man.

Thank you for your encouraging posts. It is very much apreciated. I understand that finding a good Real Estate Agent can be difficult(certainly in California).

Here is the Technique I learned from Matt Larson:

1)Google Search Remax and Keller Williams in your town.

2)Call the office (you want to talk to the receptionists not agents so call the office number directly). Note: Make sure you get the name of the receptionist too.

3)Tell the receptionist "Hi my name is (your name) and I am a local investor. I am looking to find an agent in this area that is investor friendly. What I would like to do is buy, fix, and sell and make about $25k to $35k. Do you know of anyone there who could help me do that?

4)She will then connect you to the Agent best suited to help you.

5)When Talking to the agent you can say "Hi my name is (your name) I am a local investor and (receptionist's name) referred me to you. I am looking to buy, fix, and sell properties and make $25k to $35k. Do you think you can help me do that?"

At this point it can go two ways. Either the the Agent will will "say not in this market", or "you mean holding the property for 3 to 5 years." If that is the case, then the conversation is pretty much over.

On the other hand, the Agent you are looking for will say "asolutely I can help you with that, in fact..."

If you do talk to an agent that sounds good you can also ask some follow up questions. Just say "ok great, well before we go any further do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

You can ask some of these follow up questions:

.Time in business?
.Willing to work with new investors?
.Worked with investors in past?
.an example of the bet deal they ever made, how they took there expertise and allowed the client to have a smoother/easier deal?
.Worked with banks on forclosure/shortsales?
.Ever successfully handled an assignment of contract?
.Invest themselves?
.willing to make low offers?
.willing to send property info to you regularly?

Mostly you want to get as much info out of them but don't be too ambitious. You don't want to come across like you are putting them in the hot seat.

It is important that you have confidence when you speak to them. Be friendly, and remember even if the Agent is able to help you do everything you want if they don't talk to you or treat you the way you like they are not the right one. Don't be afraid to move on to the next one if that is what you have to do. No matter what, don't spend time wondering why it didn't and spend that time fiuring out what will make it work.

Hope this helps,

Greg Rowe
Elk Grove, CA

I've tried some of those, especially the questions. I will try to talk to more receptionists. There's one out there somewhere for me, I just know it! LOL

thanks for the information. after reading, I remembered having a list of all the offices in the area. I called a few and left some messages with the receptionist. I will continue my calling on Monday. Again, thanks for the information.

I am very excited as today I had a meeting with some other DG Members in my area and we have decided to team up together to make deals happen. The meeting went well, and I can't wait until we meet up again. I feel like we have a plan of action and direction for us to move forward to success. I can't wait to see the results our actions in the next week.

Thanks Paul!
Thanks Bryan!

Here's to Success!

Greg Rowe
Elk Grove, CA

Hey no problem Greg. It was great meeting you and Paul today. And just like you I can't wait to see where this takes us.

October 4, 2010
My first day with my new team, I am so excited as I wrap up my day. Can't stop thinking about all the things I can do tomorrow, and what my new Partners can do too. Being just one person, I knew I had a chance to actually make it, now I am unstopable!

I want to sell a property and make $2,000 with an assignment (either a Preforeclosure or Probate), and like Matt Larson says "I want to do it FAST!" I want to do it in 10 Days Actually! I am on a time crunch.

I just got a Cash Buyer from Craigslist today! AND He is doing Assignments! In California! Like I said feeling like I am truly unstopable!!!

Next Task, FIND GREAT DEAL...

Oh, forgot to say I want that property to make each of my partners $2,000 also!

Happy Investing!

October 6, 2010

It hasn't been easy reaching my Real Estate Agent and he has not really met my requests. He does not get back to me in a timely manner. Not sure if he takes me seriously. Guess I should change my demener. Time to adapt... I am going to call my agent tomorrow and tell him I intend to make him a lot of money and then convince him to send me reports I need and set an appointment immediatly to stat looking at properties.

I hope it goes well but if not I do not intend to stick around. I will go find someone who is more seriously dedicated to working together to make money.

On a good note I found that I was liscensed for Dean's Automated Probate Finder. Which teaches me how to find Probate properties in the early stages where there are no competitors and no one even knows they exist. Ialso get a website to drive profitable deals to. I am going to set up a free recorded message line to sift and sort through leads. I am so stoked! Can't wait to get it all set up and moving!

Taking More Action Each Day!!!

we are all moving in the direction to make that happen in 10 days. I got some great information on a bunch of pre-foreclosures. I will send it over to you as I go through it. I'm sending you something right now so you can see what I mean. Let me know how that goes with your agent.

Talk to you soon.

Bryan

sorry for the delay it is taking a minute for gmail to load the file. It should be ready to send in a minute. After I send this off to you, I'm shutting it down. Got an early start tomorrow. And I can't seem to find pauls email, so if you could, give me his address, I want to share this with him. I found a few properties on this list that I want to send over to him so he can have a look.

Thanks Greg, really appreciate it.

Bryan

I may of overlooked the forums and just now getting punched in to what has been said - We're all making great strides and it feels better doing it as a team. I posted on your journel advising Greg and I plan to get together Friday evening to pitch up the Bandit signs we have made - we'd love you have you along Bryan you're doing so awesome

How long have you been doing this??? I've experienced the Matt Larson-esque questionnaire and after the third question, that was what I asked them.

Keep in mind you're speaking to someone who does this for a living and granted they may not do everything you like, you haven't done anything at all, so to be questioned by someone who knows very little to nothing is quite annoying.

Your initial convo should be short and scatter the questions in the convo instead of making it into a deposition. I suggest you talk about yourself and allow the realtor to open up or you'll be going thru many possibly good ones you just ****ed off without meaning to.

Hope it helps

October 14, 2010

I can't believe its been a week since I have written anything in my journal. Time is flying by so fast. So busy. I am so excited that we have a deal under contract. Now we need a cash buyer. I can't wait to close this deal.

In the mean time, I am trying to find a Hard Money source. If anyone has any advice in finding or negotiating with Hard Money Lenders please speak up.

I did creat my first Bandit Signs, and I am putting them up tomorrow. I also mailed out 26 Yellow Letters today. I hope to send out another 10 letters tomorrow.

Taking Action!

See you at the Top!

Greg Rowe
Elk Grove, CA

November 1, 2010

These last couple of weeks have been challenging. I find myself paralyzed and over analyzed. It has felt a little overwhelming and discouraging, but I have not been defeated nor shall I ever be.

I have been searching for good hard money lenders but I know they are not easy to find. I know that the only way I will find a good one is through a referral. I have been challenged by my other full time job to have any time to network with other investors. I woke up today and remembered what Matt Larson said about identifying roadblocks and knocking them down. I made the decision that I will do whatever it takes to get to a REI Meeting this month. I researched it and there is one on Wednesday, so I asked for time off which isn't easy and I got it! I am going to my first meeting! So excited.

I made up some business cards to hand out and now I just can't wait. The team I am working with has also found new challenges. We are going back to the drawing board and getting refocused. We won't let anything stop us.

I also found out a long time friend of mine who lives on the other side of the country in South Carolina has just ordered Dean's books and is now starting his RE Journey! I am excited for him.

Can't wait for the meeting!

Greg Rowe
Elk Grove, CA

November 8, 2010

I am currently looking to get a 1-800 number set up to have my recorded messages. I am looking for anyone who is currently using the COA system that will allow me to use them as a referral. I am definitely willing to allow them to use me as a referral in return. This is a big part of my business plans and I would like to get it up and running by the end of the week.

If anyone who uses it would be generous enough to allow me their referral I would be greatly appreciative.

Please leave a post here or send me a PM if you can help!

Thanks for reading,

Greg Rowe
Elk Grove, CA

Greetings,
Just want to say welcome to the DG Family!

Peace and Blessings,
Sheila

Getting closer and closer all the time. I was able to put up about 18 bandit signs last weekend and a few of them were stolen but that's okay. I did receive a lot of phone calls from it but most were not quality leads. This makes me really want to do the 1-800 number marketing. I don't have a lot of time and I want to spend it on quality leads not explaining what it is I do over and over. Man Dean is so right all the time!

This weekend is really cloudy, cold, and rainy so I won't put up signs and next week I will be out of town. This is an unfortunate set back but I am still focused and determined.

I mailed out 65 letters to private lenders and finally starting to see Cash Buyer leads come in. Not sure yet how to market to the Bankruptcy leads.

Keep moving forward!

Greg Rowe
Elk Grove, CA