Where Am I? A Journal by J. Alviar

20Jan2011 ::: nearing the end of week #1
Still awaiting the arrival of Dean's materials. I have received emails from Dean's office and have clicked on the links. The 7 Levels Deep goal setting exercise really gets you to dig deep and think WHY??? In the video, the responses were 1 or 2 sentences, but some of them took several seconds to verbalize. I liked this step in preparing myself to become a successful real estate investor because it helps to both visualize my ultimate goal and motivate myself to do whatever it takes to make this investment a success.
What is your bottom line WHY it is important for you to do real estate investing? Everyone will have a different bottom line, but everyone's bottom line will be the motivation to become successful real estate investors.

Fri21Jan2011: Yeah! It came in the mail last night. Opened the box and watched the "Welcome" video and the "No Money Down" video about notes. Very seriously considering enrolling in the Success Academy. Never hurts to call and ask questions to see if I qualify. At the same time I received the materials ordered, I also received an invitation to attend a DG seminar to be held here in Oregon early February with no admission fee. I just need to arrange to have time off work to attend the seminar.
Yesterday morning I sat and talked with a real estate agent/principal broker. We will set up an auto-email MLS alert for properties within the areas of interest. He has several "flippers" that he works with. While driving on my way home, I scouted for "bandit signs". I wrote down a few contact numbers from "We Buy Houses" signs very close to where I live. Even saw a bandit sign about "turn renting into buying" with a mortgage lender phone number on the bottom of the sigh. I printed up some business cards to have on hand and finished designing my flyer to place around town.
Today will be phone and ask questions day. Also register for the upcoming seminar in February.

Congratulations on starting with deans knowledge,this site and your own drive and determination to succeed!!
I am excited for you because I know the reality of how great this site is!! Good luck Jose and share all you learn.

Success is wished upon you jose !!
Jay

Thank you for visiting and commenting. I am charged and determined to become a successful real estate investor.
Hope to walk in your shadow soon.

22Jan2011 ... I called and registered for the upcoming seminar. I clicked around on the TotalView tools website to familiarize myself with the website. I went to visit a friend and gave him a business card. Asked if he knew of guys within his circle of friends who may be "handy man". He said he'd let me know. I sat down and slowly read through the [introduction] of Dean's YOUR TOWN book. I went ahead and wrote down my "WHY?" in the front blank page of the book.

23Jan2011 ... ROOTS
In the Hawaiian Islands, we have a saying which means "as we share with others the bread of life, our Father in turn will gift us life." With that in mind, we daily "LIVE ALOHA!"
Today I signed page 20 of the book YOUR TOWN. My 7th level of "WHY?" involved my family. Very much like Dean shared in writing this book, his 7th level of why he gives of his life so others may succeed is because of his family.
For some of us, even our family members have written us off. No support, no communication. Yet to some of us, it is because we love our family that we do whatever it takes to see to it that our family is well taken care of; that we have a happy home. We want what is best for our children. We don't want to see our children live through the struggles we (while parenting) suffered.
Where are you today? Have you reminded yourself of your bottom line WHY?

24Jan2011 ... "I Must Have Mistaken You for Someone Else."
Awhile back, before becoming a member of the DG family of REI, I heard a coworker say to another coworker during coffee break "I don't have problems with my section 8 tenants." While on my coffee break yesterday, a gentleman walked into the room. I piped up "oh just the man I wanted to see." I proceeded to ask, "aren't you the guy who has income property and accepts section 8 tenants?" He chided, "Huh? Not me!" So I of course went ahead and said the normal "I had mistaken you for someone else." But I didn't stop there. I asked, "Would you be interested in acquiring some income property?" He looked at me then after a short moment answered, "yeah, maybe someday. My wife & I have been talking about bettering our financial situation." I reached into my pocket for a business card while asking "should I be able to find you something, would we be able to talk?" and then handed him my card. "Sure, maybe not right away, but I'll keep you in mind" he said while looking at my business card heading out the door.
A seed planted.

25Jan2011 ... getting out of the comfort zone
I'm not a very social person. It takes me awhile to warm up to someone. Just pick up the phone and ask questions is a a wee bit uncomfortable for me. Practice, practice. Soon calling people on the phone to conduct business will become like holding a normal conversation face to face with a friend.
I thought I would feel the waters and talk to a potential private money lender. I was able to find out the 1-2-3 criteria for funding via the particular lender who's ad post I saw in our local craigslist.
I will be making a reservation to attend the next general meeting of the NWREIA scheduled Thursday 03Feb2011.
Little steps toward the prize.

It is a skill that you need to master if you want to be successful. I probably wasn't a very social person until 40 and now for the last 17 years no one can shut me up! You are right; it just takes practice. Keep it up.

Bill: Thanks for the encouragement. Yes, "if I change not today what held me back yesterday tomorrow will be no different than today."
I hope to follow in your shadow soon. This is one of the great perks of this community, so many of you successful investors are willing to jump in there and cheer us new guys along. Accountability.

Wed26Jan2011 ::: take a look around
I've actually been taking a look around my fixed route while I'm in service driving the mass trans bus taking mental notes of "bandit signs" posted. Then I can go back on my own time and jot down the info in my notebook --- build that list! I plan to drive around that neighborhood after my doctor appointment in the morning. Scout out "For Rent" and "FSBO" signs.
I read a bit more of the YOUR TOWN book last night. I don't quite get the variety of "recipes" yet, but keep reading! I don't read fast, nor do I sit for awhile and read several chapters all in 1 sitting. I finger through quickly at examples and illustrations, then read again with a highlighter.
What caught my attention when I watched the infomercial was the idea of sitting at home and matching buyers to sellers using the internet. Reading the book confirmed the info that money can be made from home on transactions away from your location.
Don't just drive! Take a look around and note items that could potentially help you grow your business.

Fri28Jan2011 ... week 2

It has been an exciting journey thus far. Reading DG's book, taking in as much info as possible via the online community, looking around my neighborhood, handing out biz cards to folks as I conduct day to day business, talking with coworkers, enrolling in the "Success Academy", going through course orientation and watching my 1st video lesson.
Did a google search on registering a business in the state of Oregon and printed out the "how to" sheet. Doodled a bit on a pad to come up with a biz name. Began to map out counties within the NW Region ::: target market. Looked over local craigslist "real estate services" section to see what ads may be relevant to building a team.

THE LIST! Trying to organize my notes from the past few days. Only 11 names. Hope to increase the database once I attend both the REI seminar and the REI club meeting this next coming week.

i see you are keeping your focus and determined to follow the path of real estate investing.lesson one of the success academy is an important one.I sometimes go back and watch it over a few times to embed it in my mind.keep moving forward as in a short time you will be making deals and sharing all your lessons learned.I look forward to hearing all you have to share and sharing your success in making it happen .stay the course and keep that drive !!
jay

Whew! Marketing yourself ... there is much to be done. The online course really helps to "solidify your business". Took a peek at your buyer "squeeze page". Took a look at a couple other REI websites of folks in DG community. Still whirling thoughts around in my head. Invited a friend to attend the REI seminar on Wednesday afternoon. Hard working, intelligent young man. May not be a potential buyer, but maybe part of my "power team" once I get the ball rolling. Starting slow and small on a "shoestring budget" ... story of the tortoise & the hare! LOL!
Thanks for your encouragement. I look forward to building a strong business relationship in the very near future.

Welcome to the DG site! This is a very great and supportive group of people.

There are quite a few of us here that are in your same age group, too. The time where we start thinking that retirement age is coming and wondering if we are prepared financially. It is scary. At least for me. i think RE is a great solution.

I look forward to celebrating your progress.

Karen

Thanks for visiting. I've read your comments on Chase's journal. Thanks for adding me to the "we care about you" family support.

You can teach an old dog new tricks!

Jose

Jose. I will enjoy following your success.

peace and health and wealth.

Thanks for visiting and wishing me well. Much success to you too!

good going and keep on trucking.

Also keep smiling

You are making progress! So be proud and keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to seeing your successes and what you learn along the way!

01Feb2011 . . . watch - listen - read - plan

For me, making the time to work on my online course has been primarily on my days off of "the paying job." I try to do a little each night after work. Since I am very new to this REI business, I play & replay the narrated slideshow. Slowly moving through the lessons. I tend to doodle on my notepad while I'm listening to the lesson ... like what should I put in a class ad to attract investors, or what would be good to put on a 5 X 7 flyer to pin up in a laundromat, what is a professional sounding message to my voicemail ... etc. Plan, plan, plan ... putting thoughts on paper so when comes time to do the "take action items" I wouldn't be spending long and blank moments over the notepad.

I've gone down to my cell phone service carrier and asked questions about a 2nd phone on my account. Walked out with another phone which will be my dedicated business phone number

02Feb2011 ... LLC
Attended the DG local event this afternoon. Topics covered quickly were: wholesale - fast cash; tax lien/deed; and at home internet business. There were about 80 in attendance. Signed up for the tax lien/deed strategy support system.
As of this evening, I am registered to do business with the State of Oregon as: 4 Seasons Properties NW, LLC.

Congrats on the progress and keep pushing!

Thanks to all recent postings to my journal [E-Bunny & Lane]. I've printed up more DIY biz cards on my home computer to have on hand until I get a website set up to direct email via that website. I've recorded a VM greeting on my biz# cell phone.
This evening I will be attending my 1st NWREIA club meeting. Hope to exchange contact info with folks at the meeting.
I received a message in my FaceBook account from the mortgage broker with whom I secured a loan for my condo. He is looking forward to sitting down with me and discuss a plan of action regarding the funding side of REI once I've gotten my sure footing from taking the success academy course.
A close friend of mine knows an RE agent whom herself invests in properties as well. He'll do a name drop for me and hopefully she & I can strike up a working relationship in the near future.
Networking - Referrals - Word of Mouth ::: gotta start somewhere! My friend is also interested in my finding some tax lien certificates whereby we could pool our monies together and purchase under the LLC name; will see about that one later down the road. "Focus Daniel San!", says Mr. Miyagi! LOL!

Aloha Ahui Hou ...
Jose

Always remember every step you take forward is progress . You are building the foundation of a successful business .

Welcome to the site and here's wishing you a prosperous 2011 !

Randy Sherman
Elkton Maryland

Thanks Randy. Stepping forward; looking toward the finish line, not looking back at where I came from. Seizing the moment. Following in the footsteps of successful investors who have already taken the lumps & bumps along this journey. Listening to what the very seasoned ones have to say about avoiding the same pitfalls.

Much success and prosperity to you as well Randy.

Aloha Ahui Hou,

07FEB2011 ... Networking

Networking and building your list. After completing the few lessons outlined for me, it is time to work on getting the list solidified.
Networking, marketing, talk it up, be social, don't be shy, gather much, then sift it through the funnel and fine tune your list profile.
Did a thread search for Oregon and found a few very interesting folks with recent posts in the DG community. Sent a PM and hope to exchange thoughts and notes soon.
Saw a friend of mine on the bus and gave him a biz card. Had him give me his phone number. Hopefully will be able to have coffee and chat real estate investing with him in the near future.
Another step closer to the prize!

Fri11Feb2011 ::: gather then sift

The past few days, part time of course and only a couple hours, did a bit more driving around the neighborhood scouting "We Buy" and "Rent" signs. Gathered info on my notepad. Clicked around on the local craigslist to read ads on real estate wanted - investor wanted - sell your home fast - and took notes there too. Looked over the biz cards in my card holder that I had a chance to exchange during the REI club meeting.
Well, I think it is time to sift through the rubble and fine tune the potential buyer list of 20 phone numbers. As I read in another thread ... only need 1 property & 1 buyer to complete your 1st transaction! I placed a phone call to 1 contact I've spoken with over the past year about becoming a real estate investor. He says he has attended a couple tax sale auctions up in Seattle and has property in Maui, as well as a couple rentals here in the Portland/Beaverton area. Will see just how serious he is about shaking hands and doing business with me.
Until more news comes along,

Sun13FEB2011 ::: Quack! Quack!

Trying to organize myself and get my "ducks in a row!" Apparently the local MLS has a number of foreclosed & reo listed. One of the investors in the group mentioned an RE agent putting you on an automatic email MLS alert may be useful, but he himself personally doesn't go that route. So rewind and find primo props via another avenue. Also looking for buyers who transact here in the northwest. Took a look and placed a request for more info on private money lender [hard money]. So far I fit the lender-borrower general qualifications ... no judgements, no tax liens, etc. Took a look and placed a "need more info" to a [sell your house fast] member subscription.
I may need to "flip" a couple before I can "buy & hold"...even a sandwich lease is frowned upon here in Oregon. Long term investments are looking pretty good right about now. Like getting involved with Tax Lien/Deed. Grasshopper and the Ant!!! Tortoise & Hare!!! LOL !

Sun20Feb2011 ... Setting Up House

Another part of getting myself organized. Stepped back to tie up loose ends. Filed online and received my EIN for 4 Seasons Properties NW, LLC. Sent email for more in depth info to the private money lender. Placed a phone call with the mortgage company referred to me and discussed loan options. Signed up for trial period of a well known list service. Sat down to coffee & chat with my friend to discuss possible partnering in real estate investing. Took down information of an upcoming property auction. I drove by the subject property and did a quick neighborhood comp. Thankfully, it will be held on my next day off work. I plan to attend and watch the process. Sent another email to the PML to see if something along this line would be worth pursuit. I think we're getting closer home to Kansas Totto.