Lisa's Road to Deals 2010 Journal !

Good Morning Lisa

You will soon find out that you have just step into a whole new world of Real Estate Investing and support you would not believe if someone tried to tell you on the street.There are people from all walks of life here. If you have a problem with a deal just post a question,you will have help before you know it.Well good luck and I'll be watching your progress.

Welcome to the DG Family

Jim Kendrick

Hi Jim,

Thank you for your support! I am happy to be here and can't wait to get started! I've already started a buyers list and am excited about my tax lien webinar tomorrow night....

I will have my first deal by the end of 2010!

Lisa
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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Hi Lisa,

I could tell that you enjoyed the Insiders Edge Workshop as much as I did! I am glad you have started your buyers list. Keep moving Forward. I called a real estate agent (actually I made a whole list but the first one I called saied she could help) I asked if they had an agent that could help me find a property that I could buy, fix and sell and make $20,000. to $25,0000. and they said yes. and she is going to send me a list of properties. Then I emailed back a buyer. Now I need to go call some FSBOs and see if I can help anyone. As long as week keep moving forward we will succeed!!!
Talk to you soon!!

Aurora
www.acme.usapropertywholesale.com

That's right just keep moving forward.

My guys that work construction with me when they where sitting around because they said we didn't know what to do. I would tell them do something, even if its wrong I'll fix it later. Just for a laugh though.

Jim Kendrick

Aurora - It was so nice to meet you at Insider's Edge this weekend! Thanks for your inspiration as well...

I am so happy that you are off and running so fast! I have been dealing with my other job and being a trainer to our new employee - he is my replacement, but, my hotel doesn't know it yet!

Congrats again on finding your RE Agent so quickly! Did you "interview" him? I have a lady that I've been getting her emails about investment properties and will contact her after Thanksgiving. Well, keep me updated and we can root each other on!

Jim - Thanks for staying on my journal like you promised. I really appreciate your support and hope to learn from you as well!

I have my Tax Lien Webinar tonight - actually in and hour and 45 min! Can't wait!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the DG family!

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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Congrats Lisa for taking that first step. The first is always the most difficult. Now you are on the track, it running time. Welcome to your new family, the DG family. We appreciate you coming and will be here to support you along the way. God Bless.

Sandra

Thank you for your kind words of welcome and support. I look forward to reading about your journey as well!

Lisa

just got unemployed for the last 3wks and started reading deans book. Without and money to invest looks like the best thing to do is lease options or assignment deals i may need a little infro fr u guys so stay in touch on this blog happy thanksgiving

Thanks for reading my new journal. I am sorry to hear about your unemployment, but, actually happier for you because now you have TIME. Time that others don't have to go out and drive by neighborhoods, spend in the county clerk's office, and time calling property owners and buyers, etc....
You are sitting pretty for this opportunity. Good luck and I am sure anyone you ask on these forums will be willing to help you out!

Lisa
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"When you are down to nothing, God is up to something." Unknown

Welcome Lisa and much success to you. I know what you are talking about, as I was called 2 weeks ago by another company that was telling me that their courses would do more for me that DG's. They just wanted a sale...

How do I find lenders for my shortsale buyers with credit scores in the 500's?
Please help.

Hi ttjudge,

So you see what I am talking about! That's why I feel that Dean's place is the best place to be!

Nita: unfortunately I am so new in this industry that I don't know the answer to your question, but, I am sure someone else following my journal might be able to answer....

Good Luck!

Hi Everyone,

I just am so excited, that I had to put it in writing so I can reference this feeling and track my progress as well....

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2010 - I have officially started my journey, taken the first steps to moving forward!
1. I called an agent that I met at Insider's Edge 2 weeks ago and now her and her husband/partner are going to start working with me - in fact, they are compiling a list of expired listings to send to me tomorrow - so I can start wholesaling.

2. I made an appt. with another realtor that I have been receiving emails from where she lists a lot of investor looking properties! We meet today at 2pm. So excited!

3. I have called an investor friend to ask if she will be my mentor and we split the profits while I am learning from her. She is also a lady to donates to charitable causes at all opportunities. She even spends several weeks a year in her home country of Columbia to use her real estate profits to build housing in Columbia for the low income and homeless families - now if she's not an incredible mentor, then I don't know who else is!

So, I am off and running! Take care DG Family!

Hello Everyone,

I know writing your "WHY" is extremely important to remind yourself when you are frustrated and facing difficulties-to push you through the rough times. This is why, instead of just writing them down in my notebook, if I write them on my journal online, I will have more accountability from you, the community, and they may even help other people with inspiration!

1. I want to be proud of myself and the accomplishments I've made in helping other people out of their situations, and in turn, help myself out of my own situation. I am 33 and live in a room for rent because my pay was cut from $40k/year to $22k/year due to economy. I can't afford a traditional apartment, and living in a room has been helping me save for a down payment for my own place.....(because of Dean, it should be sooner than later!) I want to live in my own condo or house and stop wasting "rent" and build equity - to buy rentals for positive cash flow to quit my J.O.B. sooner!

2. My job - I keep getting passed over for promotions -even though management is frequently sending me "great job Lisa, you are a valuable employee to the company" emails. So, the pay is too low and I am not getting promoted anyways - this is a huge motivator for me to make real estate investing my career and never "have" to have a job again!

3. I just found out over the Thanksgiving weekend that my parents - who worked their whole life to be able to build and live in their current "dream home" are now just 5 months shy of losing it. This is also a huge motivation to learn the industry so I can figure out how to save them!

4. Fourth, and most importantly, I feel love and service towards others in need is what God wants everyone to do on earth. So, by fixing my finances, and life, I am then able to give more of my time, efforts, and resources towards helping others. That is the "Spirit of God".

I feel so blessed to be involved in the DG family and feel connected to people I have never even met - this site is special. I am also thankful that many people are sharing their faith and love of God in their posts - this is definitely the right place for me. Thank you everyone!

Lisa G.
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Ephesians 2:10 (New Century Version)
"God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing."

Hello everyone!

I spent an hour with a local R.E.A. who works with investors in my city. She said most of the things that Dean and Matt said realtors would say "It's illegal, unethical, yaddy yaddy yaddy....." I asked her then how her investors are buying property. She said she has done the "mass offers" like Matt's 25-1 and they are not working - she said as of this month it's like 200-1. Also, most homes selling here are only getting a 5-10% discount of FMV. Also, banks now have systems in place that are avoiding all the "chaos and things sliding through" of the last 2 years. She was very negative, then at the end said she applauded me for trying to get into real estate since you can make a lot of money in the industry. Strange..... so, I will move on to the next! I told her her information was very enlightening and thanked her for her time. I will not let her stop me!

I am going to go look at neighborhoods today and find my county records office = field trip! Yeah!

I will keep you posted - good luck to everyone! Have a Blessed Day!

Great News! All the county records ARE online....according to the clerk. She said there is no need to stop by their office at all! Great! I will only stop by then when I am looking for probates in the future!

Lisa

I am so excited! I am working with a real estate agent team that I met at Dean's Insider's Edge 3 day workshop (Nov 19-21st)and they are willing to do Matt's 25-1 strategy on the MLS props that are 6 months old with my criteria. She sent me a list of 15 properties on Monday and between yesterday and today I have been looking at comps and determining FMV, then % off for investors and I want $3k for my first finder's fee (to pay myself back from the workshop!)

Today she is presenting the first 7 offers I have given her. Can't wait to hear the No's because I will be that much closer to the yes's! I am learning a lot about FMV and how to calculate.

This is the first time in the past 5 years that I have been "researching" real estate investing. Something set a fire under my booty and I am finally taking action....I prefer to think of the reasons WHY on my previous post as the "fire". Well, to me, just contacting an agent was huge...but to actually calculate my "offer" and have her submit them....I am scared in a good way!!!

Thanks for reading my journal and my goal is to be under contract by the end of next week - then on to finding my buyer! I already have a buyer's list, but, I will continue searching for more buyers and asking for their requirments to make more win-win-win deals!

Everyone have a blessed day.......

Lisa

That's great news way to go. You just keep up that spirit and keep going forward.

Jim

Hello DG Family!

I am so excited! It has been 3 weeks since I attended Dean's Workshop and I already have 2 of my (only) 10 offers accepted for my wholesale deals! My real estate agent made the verbal phone offers and 2 out of the 10 she called accepted. One said he didn't disclose the fact that a thief stole the copper out of the A/C compressor (so I am pricing that out) and the other was an investor deal with around 70K in equity - so, I am a little wary of both, but, my agent and I are going to visit these two sites on Thursday or Monday (we both are busy this weekend - I will be out of the state!) Once I visit the properties, if the #s still look good to assign the deal, I will lock up the deal then start marketing to my buyers' list and market to all investors in my area of Orlando/Kissimmee!

So exciting - after 5 years of reading books, attending free workshops from other gurus, and dreaming about real estate - Dean's program is the only one that got me off my duff and made me take action! I am excited and scared at the same time, but, the calls to his customer service line has been my fear blocker and confidence builder! Thank you Dean and crew!

Lisa

Lisa,

Be VERY careful in that area of Florida, depreciation is happening overnight there. Have your realtor pull currently listed comps, see what the current ARV is and check how long they have been on the market. Make sure you get them cheap if you plan on assigning these.

Michael Mangham
MD Home Acquisitions LLC

Hello and thank you for responding! I have read many of your posts and feel honored that you took the time to read and respond to my post!

Is Orlando different than other cities? I spoke with one realtor last week who said investors are not getting good deals because they are paying 95% of FMV instead 60-80% of FMV. Is this what you mean by your post? Any other tips on Orlando? Thank you!

We pulled comps from June through now of 2010 and the offers are FMV (based on the ft2 of SOLD compsw/in 2 miles) minus 20% for investors minus repair estimated costs minus my "finder's fee". Is that the correct formula? If not, please help me....I am trying to start my real estate career by reading Dean's books and calling Dean's support line. I am waiting for my "mentor" to get back from a 2 week vacation, so I haven't been able to consult her about anything. I would appreciate any/all input from an experienced investor like yourself. Thank you for caring for us that are new to the DG family (and real estate!) ;>

Hello and welcome to the DG family Thank you for sharing your REI journey, I wish you great success.

We are in SE FL and what Michael is saying is correct. Last year (in our area of FL) investors were paying between $35-$45 per square foot on 3/2 SFH's. Today the prices are down to $25 a sq ft. I'm not familiar with the Orlando area or I'd fill you in on those details. Hope this is helpful for you.

Also in our area investors are not purchasing many 2/2's as they are hard to re-sell and even rent. So unless it makes sense to add a 3rd bedroom on the property it may not be worth getting into it. Again I'm not sure about the Orlando REI market and if this applies there too.

Some out of state investors are willing to purchase these properties at a higher price but not locals that I know of.

Lea

Great job on staying positive and taking action. I love your comment on Can't wait to hear the no's because I will be that much closer to a yes's". So true. Also, great job on on posting your "Whys". You can make it if you keep taking action. Your are blessed you be so grateful and caring. You keep moving forward and taking action ok! Gotta go post in my journal.
Lisa are you in the Success Acadamey?

Best Wishes,

Nice to read your post...Welcome

Lisa I'm still watching, you are doing great.

KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND YOU WILL REACH YOUR DESTINATION SOONER

Jim Kendrick

Thank you all for your posts:

Lea - thanks for the ft2 info...I've been making offers (for wholesaling deals) based on the ft2 of the houses in the 2mile radius that have sold in the last 6 months of that particular property.

dhilsman - no, I am not in the Success Academy, I went to the Insider's Edge Seminar and used all my savings on that - I do get 1 year of coaching and 1 year of transactional funding from it. Also, the networking was great - I met contractors, other investors for my buyer's list, and the real estate agent I am currently working with for my wholesaling deals.

guzmanhomes - thank you for your welcome...

Jim - thanks for watching me and rooting me on! It's great to have a steady flow of eyes to keep you accountable!

So, this past week has been hectic - as I am sure it has been for all of you. I was a judge in a talent competition in Georgia ( I live in FL) and I had an office party, and I am selling toys on Craigslist - toys that were on sale at Walmart last year after Christmas - it's my small profit deals and getting them out of the house after a year of sitting in the living room!

I am meeting my realtor this Friday to see 5 properties that were willing to talk - 5 out of the 11 offers I put in last week - that's higher than I ever expected! My realtor will have all the paperwork to lock up the deals if we can negotiate to my # requirements. I would love to have 4 or 5 to start wholesaling by the new year!

Have a great weekend DG family!

Sounds like you are not letting any grass grow under your feet! Good for you!

I look forward to following your progress!

Karen

Thank you for your support! I am excited because I bought Think a Little Different and Your Town Your Profits on slack Friday....I am also going to a charity event tonight where I am going to talk to one of my real estate investor friends - (I am hoping she will be my mentor!)

I will keep everyone updated about my 5 property walk-thrus on Friday!
Stay tuned......

Lisa

Hello Lisa

Good going,I'm glad to see you are making some much progress, Keep Moving Forward.

I am soooo excited because I just saw 6 houses with my realtors (husband and wife team). They are investors as well and have the same attitude as me - If the seller won't sell low, next... So, this is my first time ever dealing with realtors and I definitely picked their brain during the 3.5 hours we were driving to the 6 properties.

On Monday, I will negotiate, with an offer in writing instead of just over the phone like the original 11 (these 6 were the ones willing to negotiate at my low prices!). I have time since some of these houses have been on the market for over a year and a half! Plus, none were REO's or shortsales! Yeah, fast turnover....I will be in Georgia this weekend and will call my buyers on Sunday to make my final decisions of the ones to put offers on.

I did all this today while being "sick as a dog" - my realtor was sick also and we shared her tissue box! Talk about dedication! I almost called her to cancel because I was sick, but, told myself that Dean would call that an excuse. So, we went out and boy am I glad we did.

After they returned me to my car and I started driving home, I started getting this tingly, mental, dream-like feeling that I could be having fun looking at houses the rest of my life instead of stuck at the desk job feeling miserable (when I'm sick and they won't allow me to go home). Today was so much fun! One house even had 3 chickens as neighbors!- now I understand why it was LISTED at 50% off fair market value - the chickens and the horrible floor plan - you enter the front door into the dining room/kitchen, then the living room is upstairs??? Who entertains upstairs while bumping into the dining room table upon entering a house??? No thanks, next...see, it's fun!!!!

Well, I am going to sleep now to rest my aching body, hopefully I will wake up less sick....toodles for now!

Lisa