Pursuing MY American Dream!

I hear the words of wisdom. LOL! It's just a matter of how to........well never mind We'll get into that later and that's some amazing info bro I will definitely keep that in mind but like I said I do NOT want to get in over my head with commercial just too.......scary!!!! Sorry it's the only word that comes to mind when I think of commercial but that will definitely change OVER TIME!!!

F.E.A.R. >>> scary!!! Very much alike.
Maybe just a ping-pong ball .. but you've got the ball in the court! Congrats! I'm sure the DG community will be there to help you leap over the hurdles.

False. Evidence. Appearing. Real.

I hear you both so should I see what I can do? I mean I definitely don't want to do commercial but if the opportunity presents itself.....well that's an entirely different story there!

Okay I have been taking some time to stay on DG.com and focus on researching some information well any and ALL information I can possibly use now and later on down the road and I have come up with a few thoughts that have come and gone and a few that I think I need to stick with and it is as follows:

For the last couple of days I have been like I just mentioned researching and reading as much info as I possibly can.

I called the advisory line and talked to one of the coaches about some questions that came to mind and well seeing the progress I have made in the past couple of weeks she mad me feel like I had to go back to square one or I should say an important part of my foundation.....yes you guessed it my BUYERS LIST! I told her I have about 24 people on my list but I only have about 4 people's criteria! So she proceeded to tell me that I need to go back and target those other 20 or so potential buyers with one more email/phone call and be MORE specific on what I tell them and what I can do for them and the services I can provide etc etc you get the picture but I don't know whether to focus all my time and energy on that until I at least have a solid 10 or so to work with? Or I could just keep moving forward and steadily build up to that SOLID 10 or 12?? Because as of now I have buyers that are wanting properties as soon as they can get them! I have a realtor already amped to work with me and other things I have set in place (If you don't know what that is just go back through previous comments I have left to get updated!)

I have been like I have stated in previous updates that I'm having a few problems with several different things and you know to be honest right here right now I question my capabilities in my knowledge so far because I have been taking on soo much at one time that I tend to completely FORGET what I have already "retained" because I simply don't put it into action when I learn that process, strategy etc etc. So then I have to back track and take MORE time out of my schedule to go through what I already thought "I knew".

FYI I Have A LOT on mind for this one so just bare with me while I ramble from time to time. Hopefully by the time I'm done it will all come together for everyone that reads this through!

I think in my opinion that I will be getting back to the basics over the next few days and really review what I THINK I should do and how to best organize my thoughts into goals and those goals into actions and the BEST actions for me take to really ramp up my speed to get where I think I SHOULD be at seeing that I have been here for almost 2 months now! By no means am I saying that I need to be a DG Superstar by tomorrow or next week just that I see a lot of creative ideas from a lot of the seasoned ones and even the regulars on here whether they a hundred deals or none at all that I can take and tweak for my liking!

I have been on the running spree of information everywhere I can turn and get it and to be honest it's blowing me away. I just think that I'm getting afraid yes I said it.....AFRAID that I will get to a point where instead of making PROGRESS I will in turn be backtracking altogether and just end up getting stuck there.......and I will NOT let that happen, I just have to find MY WAY of preventing it and by all means I am always open to suggestions and opinions! But in the end I know that it will have to work for me so I will know what I need to do.

Until the next update.......

Then, take right action so you can give yourself a pat on the back.
Speaking of action, gotta go. peace,

You're definitely right about getting overwhelmed too quickly with all the info that bombards you when you first step into the game. But as suggested in Dean's books, I think the best thing to do is to pick the strategy you feel best suits you in your current situation. Once you pick the strategy, study it, ask people who've been successful using that strategy for advice, put it into action, and completely master it. Once you've become succesful using that strategy you can then expand to other strategies if you so choose.

I love your enthusiasm and passion so far. You definitely look like you got a big future ahead of you.

Good Luck

Jordan

Ps. I couldn't help but notice your quote at the bottom of each comment you post. It looks familiar....coincidence? lol

Dana and Jordan for the comments and yes Jordan I see your quote there and rest assured I had no idea that you even had that as apart of your signature.

As for the day's events on pursuing this dream.....Today was actually a good day I will say it wasn't one of the most productive but I did get some time in with a great mentor here on the site! But here is what I have for the day:

I attended a phone seminar with the academy and got some good tidbits of info

Talked to a coach at the academy and got some ideas bouncing around for my progress to really take off even more!

I contacted another RE agent and informed her of one specific investor's criteria in the area she focuses on that I know nothing about and got her to send me all listings in the past 90 days that were all buyers that closed with cash. (Can you say buyers galore?!)

Found another realtor that is an investor herself and currently works with investors and has had amazing success from the investing side of the business and will be contacting her tomorrow and also getting her to send me listings in the last 90 days that have buyers that closed with cash!

Starting another plan of action to better organize my work to be on top of my game and what I want to be done and make happen in the next couple of weeks. (Open to any suggestions or advice on this one!)

Staying positive, MOTIVATED AND DETERMINED about every step I make forward or even if I run into any mistakes, whatever the case may be! It's all about how you will find a solution to your problems and keep moving forward rather than dwell on what went wrong and complain about what SHOULD HAVE happened.

I may be making good progress but I still want to focus on the basics my friends because that's what you need in the first place. Right? So I would like to take time to focus on those basics from time to time even though yes I am indeed still in a beginners type learning mode so to say the least but no matter how much success I have I want to know that I'm still capable of retaining the basics of the business.

Wow! You've got quite the team going! Back to the basics ... keeping that focus.

Definitely have to stick with what works at least for now until I have more of a chance to venture out into other avenues and expand on other ideas techniques etc etc.

Well today was interesting as well as the day before I can definitely say I get more amped and excited as each goes by regardless of how much stress or frustration I may have from dealing with everything.......

On the 3rd I went by a property I checked out a couple of weeks ago and finally was able to go in and view the inside and the specs are as follows:

REO
4/3
1,460 Sq Ft.
Built in 2007
D.O.M is 180 days
Asking price of 65k

I am gonna be talking with my realtor to get her to pull all of my comps for that area, and ARV will be between 95-100k.

I am also gonna get my contractor to go through it and get accurate rehab costs on monday the 7th. I will say as of now my ballpark offer will be between 44-46k but that all depends on rehab costs! (I will update as soon as I get all my numbers together!)

I do have more properties in mind that I want to check out but I will be waiting til Monday because of the weather being so TERRIBLE out here now!! UGH!!

As for the weekend I will be working on some of the "infrastructure"and the basics so I can prepare for the new week coming up and go full blast yet once again!!

Keep moving forward and you will get there! I like your drive hope you get a hit soon.

Best Wishes!

-Dan

I appreciate the comment. I have been so busy with everything here lately but I'm pushing forward as much as I can!

The link did not go yo your web site

I will Post it on this comment so try it here and let me know if it works because it worked for me.

www.brooks-investments.com

Well as of today I have been going through a lot of different ideas so many I just don't think I have the energy now to put them all down. It's been that much of a wild ride for me. But for the past few days it goes as follows:

I have taken time to really step back from the craziness of trying to get some properties on contract and making offers to just focusing on the basics a good bit and focus ob what I HAVE (educational items etc) in front of me and really take the time to dig deep in all the information I have on my plate. Yes I know I know I understand completely about taking action and knowing that there will be mistakes and bumps along the road no matter what and I can't sit around and just HOPE to make money or any other action for that matter I have got to get out there and that's what I'm doing a little at a time but I really know like a few seasoned investors here have told me that you have to know the basics but don't let that keep you from taking action, so now it's just a matter of juggling both and making sure I am organized with all of these projects that I am trying to take on.

I have added yet another two buyers just a couple of days ago and they are wanting as much as they can get.

Yes I wil agree this may not be much but I say it's better than no action at all and every day there is something new that I learn and will apply to this business to bring me the success I desire.

You can also get buyers from Title companies. Not sure how much the reports cost, but I heard this works well, too.

***

Chase take a breath clear your head. You are filling it with other peoples ideals of what needs to be done.

Take one simple strategy and focus on it like a laser. Now do nothing else but putting that one thing in motion. Stop getting caught up with everyone's hype about how fast you should be moving.

Sometime slow and steady is the best strategy for some people. A steady progress is a lasting progress.

Would you mind please posting your last comment in a forum because that makes perfect sense, and some people just wouldn't understand that unless they heard that from you or someone else as successful as you! I will also AGREE with what you said 110%.....all the way. You indeed did hit the nail on the head about what I have going on. It's like you and Jay can read my mind....Wow!!

Thanks for the info. I also wonder if RE attorneys would have the same information? I will definitely take a deeper look into it though!

As I was reminded, take a look at your goals (the dream) daily. Like it has been said many times over, focus on 1 strategy that you feel best fits you.
You have proven yourself as determined, persistent, cautious, having a deep desire to make his dream become a reality.
I believe in you and apparently so does a host of fellow DG family members.
You inspire me.

Matt wrote this to Louisa in his journal a while back. I think this is the motivation you need!

Louisa, just remember the world can't stop a person who won't be denied. You've set your goals. Focus. Focus. Focus. I spend every morning in the shower, every night before I fall asleep, whenever I am in my car driving--only picturing myself as if the goal is already reached. I convince my mind that it has already happened. "Whatever the mind can believe and concieve it can achieve." It is so powerful. I would literally play out in my mind buying a house at half price, having my friends tell me how great of a deal it was, fixing it up and cashing checks. It had already happened in my mind. So I expected offers to be accepted very low. And to this day I buy houses AT WILL for half price. AT WILL.

Remember, there are 2 types of people.

1. In the process people

2. Results people

In the process people make sure they create a list of things that need to get done, in the proper order, so they can achieve their goals. All the lights need to be green before starting the trip. Plus, as long as they "keep busy" that is getting them closer to the goals. And ya know, eventually if they do the right things long enough good things will happen and their goals will be reached. In the process people think like this: Mike hears about a good deal a few states away that he needs to get to it right away otherwise it will be snapped up by someone else. He goes outside to get in his car and drive there when he realizes it is snowing. He turns on his radio and sure enough their are warnings out that it isn't safe to drive. He parks the car and thinks "ya know, this seems like a good deal, but it is much too dangerous to drive that far and look at it, plus I need to do more research on it just to make sure the numbers work. I will keep busy during this storm checking the numbers and when the weather breaks and the coast is clear then I will go take a look at it. Mike never gets the deals because Matt gets their first. He can't figure out why Matt is so lucky all the time. Mike thinks "I am doing everything right, working hard, but I never catch a lucky break. Real estate just doesn't work.

Results people don't really care about the process that much. They don't cross all of their T'S and dot their i's before getting started. If they get knocked off course they just build a new path. They don't have a set routine. They just see the finish line and nothing else. If their are hurdles or obstacles in their way the just jump over them and don't look back. For example, results people act like this: Matt had to go across 3 states to get to a house he heard was a good deal. He had to get their today because this one wouldn't last. When he went outside he noticed that it was snowing and their were warnings not to drive because it was dangerous. He knew not getting their would be even more dangerous to his financial future, plus he figured if his car got stuck in the snow on the way he would just walk the rest of the way or hitch hike. He needed that deal, he was going to get that deal or die trying. He really didn't think the distance or the snow could stop him from reaching his goal anyway. He got there, got the deal, and cashed a big check.

I hope this explains how I think. I didn't even know another way of thinking existed untill I started coaching people. People stop themselves from achieiving greatness. Get it done!

Good Find Lane, but If I may go back to the good ole days of the Army and mention yet once again that yes I do understand what your saying but when you are in a yes sir no sir world and are taught to do ONLY what your told and when there is NO thinking OUTSIDE of the BOX it's pretty hard to tear away from that and really start shooting blindly for whatever reason I have orders man and that's what I know. You do not know the struggles we go through and once getting back into the civilian world and adapting to those surroundings it takes time. Now I will proceed to say that this is NOT an attempt to make EXCUSES but to inform anyone that wonders why I have to have all of my "lists" and blah blah blah and be prepared because if I have not mentioned before there is no just GO OUT and do it and not have a care in the world if I mess up it will be a nasty ending on that note, and yes REI does not involve life or death but with my work it's what is instilled in you and the way you are trained to think. I also see that I am going in circles from time to time but I am working on that every single day and it may just take some time for me to get in my groove and I'm starting to accept that little by little. I do NOT want to hear that I'm just doing whatever.....I am finding my direction and my niche so to say and I just keep going back to the be creative and think outside the box theory here because that's the hardest thing I will have to overcome...in my opinion, I'm just saying, but I see that not everyone WILL understand that perspective and I Will just keep dealing with these troubles until I find MY WAY THROUGH to the closing table with that cashier's check in my hand.

The life of a veteran is indescribable for the most part. I know that I'm not fighting a war to keep my *ss alive but am fighting to make this American Dream for ME and my family and have to come to an understanding that this is an entirely different world that requires the same motivation, determination, hard work and persistence to get this done! That is what I DO HAVE. I know this for a fact and just because I am in the process type of person right now so what??? I know I cannot sit behind a computer and paperwork and expect to make the money (I KNOW THAT) I desire but I WILL GUARANTEE that it WILL BE DONE.....I WILL SUCCEED!! Yes it might take me running in a few more circles to get things in the right direction but I have everything I need. I know I plan on doing this for the long haul NO MATTER WHAT! Just understand that everyone is different and will take a different course to get where everyone ultimately wants to get......to have the success of achieving and making it through all obstacles. I have a bigger setback than most because of the job I have carried and what has been taught and instilled in me and maybe it might just be a little harder than what you make it out to be. So keep doing what you do....ALL of you do NOT give up do not let any "obstacle" stop you. Even though I see mine at hand a little bit better now I will overcome it and do what needs to be done, one way or another!!! I will find that creativeness within me I will learn to stand up and accept that mistakes will be made in this business no matter if you've been doing this 5 minutes or 20 years. So I say bring it on I've dealt with much worse conditions and problems than figuring out "lists" and whatever else, even though there are problems that show their ugly face from time to time but that doesn't mean I can't overcome them.

Think about YOUR problems/obstacles and take them on full force. Like I told Matt Larson You'll never know the results unless you give it a try, and that's exactly what I'm doing every single day!!!

Just last night, Jim and I had a conversation along pretty much the same lines. I also, had a lengthy call with one of the RESA coaches. I too, seem to have been going “around in circles”; as Lane says. I had started with the approach that I would learn all I could, set EVERYTHING up (perfectly), and then go out and attack the REI world head-on. Even though I thought that I was progressing, it just wasn’t so. All it actually has done is make me begin to lose confidence and focus, feel confused and allow the BEAST of BURDEN (fear) to creep back into my thoughts.

Well Chase; just let me tell you that WE WILL NOT allow this to happen by overcomplicating things!! Both Jim and Lane have given sound advice and even though some of it is the tough love type (Lane’s); just use it as motivation. No two people are alike nor do they approach/solve their problems the same way. Have you ever seen a Nascar race end in a tie? I don’t think so. Why is that? One had a faster car, was a better driver, had a more efficient pit crew, etc. ( blah blah as you say).lol

So what if Lane gets “there” before you or I do?! Who cares? He’s what, 23? I’m 54 and not gonna let it bother me because I KNOW I’ll be successful. I’ve had success at other things along with MANY failures…ALL valuable learning experiences. You’ve only been doing this a couple of months and consider what you have been able to accomplish, so far. I have been at it since the last of August. I even started 3 years ago and gave up, but guess what? I’m BACK and not going away!!

Event though you don’t have 10-12 “qualified” buyers, you’ve got 4, right? Taking Lane’s advice, pick one. But maybe think of them as an FSBO and find out THEIR “magic button”. Specifically, what type of property and pin them down on how much profit they need to make on a deal, i.e. $15k - $20k? Believe me, they know and will tell you. Then focus all of your efforts on finding THAT property and…Booyah!!!

Keep your chin up bro’ and keep PUSHing. WE WILL make this happen!!

You two keep pushing and you will get there. Just stay focused. Get your business up and rinning and then fine tune it.

Lane I am going to take what you said and run, I have two buyers on my list and I am constantly looking for the type of properties they want because this is time consuming enough to find what they are looking for. Now I have an agent helping me as well so this will make it a little bit easier too but I still keep my eyes open to and advertise that I need properties as well.

shawn

Lane I know you are trying to help Chase, But I read those long comments that you post and it seams like you keep pushing and giving him advice on how to make it happen, when you yourself have not accomplished it yet. I think everyone should back off and give him some room to go at his own pace.

Its not very helpful having someone leaning over your shoulder telling you what you should or shouldn't do. Helpful suggestion are good but nagging is not. And this is just my observation I could be wrong.

You are right, I too have gotten off track. I met with my mentor today and have redirected my focus to one strategy. I am going to work that strategy until I perfect it! Then move on to the next. I am in the success academy now and I am going throught the online classes and action steps.

Lane that's a good move, and when these banks start freeing up all these foreclosures their sitting on you will be in the right striking mode.Keep up the good work.