"Scared to Death"

Yesterday I read a post Carol Stinson had made to someone who was asking how to get started. She told the person (can't find the actual quote) that she first found investors by putting an ad on craigslist and then looked in her local newspaper for buyers. I'm desperate and scared too so I copied the identical ad and put it on craigslist :"Investors needed for multiple investment properties". Will let you all know what happened. Haven't had any inquiries yet but I didn't give out my phone number, only my craigslist email address. Any suggestions/corrections? Have to use the library computer for now but that will soon change. I know I must take action consistently and something will certainly break forth.

Thanks for the encourageing, positive atmosphere you all create.

Bless you all!
Luis.

Welcome to the DG family, we're are very glad to have you join us on this journey. Place your ads on Tues & Thurs between 1-3p and again on 7-9p. I recently learned these are the best times to post from someone who has researched it for TWO years! Again, we're glad you decided to take the plunge in REI, feel free to start your own journal and we're looking forward to your success!

Laura,
I love the analogy you put on there about the boat capsizing, just remember we're ALWAYS here to throw you a line!

Pastor Greg,
How marvelous that we have you here in the DG family, to share scriptures and your wisdom with us. I look forward to reading your posts and seeing you succeed in your REI journey. God has brought us all together for a mighty reason, and the power here grows stronger with each day.

May God's favor pour down upon us,

These are all such great posts. I know that fear has been my drawback (along with not being able to find more money to buy houses). I am constantly having to replace fear with "belief" and I use the following confession:

Belief is trusting when you don't see it (Visualize) Hebrews 1:1

Belief is obeying when I don't understand it (involves some kind of risk)
Hebrews 11:7-8

Belief is persisting when you don't feel like it (live by your convictions not
your feelings) Hebrews 11:27

Belief is announcing it in order to experience it (confess it and be
accountable to someone) Hebrews 11:22

I can adapt all of these thing to my REI business.
Thanks to all of you for your great information and encouragement on this site!

And, Rina, I love your new photo.

Thank you for sharing the scriptures. Of course God's Word holds more weight than anything we could say. He sure is good!

Rina

P.S. thank you for the compliment. My daughter took that in our backyard on Thurs. for me. This has been an awesome week with my kids.

When I first ordered the book and came to this site I had no idea what I was getting in to. I had never desired to be involved in real estate in the past and began to wonder what I was doing here. As I began reading through all of the posts I noticed scripture on the bottom of many and I felt right at home.

I love the boldness that each one here has for their faith and to speak out on a secular forum about the things of God. The topic of this forum is basically "FEAR" which is the opposite of faith and so far every christian on this site has came into this forum to tear down fear and replace it with faith and encouragement. WOW! You each stood up and took out your sword on behalf of others.

If God be for us who can be against us?

So well put, Laura, and it is great to be aboard.

It is so great for me to see others using Scripture in their real estate experience. Thanks for doing that.

Dear Carol,
As I just told someone else, thank you for using Scripture. Being new to real estate investing, and currently being a pastor, it is a real blessing to me to hear God's word being used in this endeavor.

This is something people like me need to hear, that even making mistakes one can be successful in real estate deals. Thanks for sharing this.

Dear Aileen,
I am hearing more and more scripture come from this site. Probably because it is tied to Rina, who is the top user and is also a Christian. Christians may be drawn to reading her articles and comments. What you said about your husband makes me appreciate the support I am receiving from my wife. Regardless of his lack of support,we are with you in spirit routing for your great success.

Will ya look at that we now have a shepherd to lead the flock. God is good!

Church in session!

Thank you Pastor Greg! I'm grateful that I have found this site. This is one of the reasons that keeps me going - not only for the things that I learn but also for the awesome support!

As we look for God's blessings, I like to pray that God will be glorified in our being blessed. I ask it this way "God bless so and so for YOUR own glory." We are only stewards of money, and can't take it with us. May we use money for His glory,
for our needs, and for the needs of others. In my personal REI files, I have created a file with many scriptures on the subject of money. Some are to warn me against greed. Some are to motivate me. All are from God to guide me for my benefit, and for His glory. You can find such lists on the Net. God bless you, to His glory. Pas. Greg

Scared is not the word, but as long as we are hovering around the subject, I know that ("Exit plans.") can be a great comfort to someone who has never invested in Real Estate before.
Aside from the fact that I am old enough to be considered an antique, I have always been a renter.

Exit plans to me, would be like having that bank roll you never touch unless you absolutely have to.
At age 50, I am starting all over again, and my only pocessions are the car I am driving, and the clothes on my back.
I dont know where to start. I thought maybe I could ask some of you, what exit plans you prefer and which ones suit your needs...I'm all ear's.

You have calmed my fears somewhat Rina. Now I feel I can go out & do this. Thanks again!

Dave K mentioned "exit plans." I too would be interested in hearing about those. Fear has not been a problem yet, but knowing some exit plans in advance could help alleviate some of the future possible fear, by knowing these plans are available.

Antique at 50! haha.....i guess that makes me a fossil at 53! I'm no exit strategy expert having only worked one deal, but my point is - anyone can be successful at any age with all the options Dean teaches and the support of this site! So keep looking up, study the information, do your homework and YOU CAN DO IT! Best of luck to you!

Your comment made me smile, and then struck me with a sense of the responsibility I have as being what scriptures calls "being an example to the flock" 1Pe 5:3. It also tells me to feed the flock, taking oversight, but not as a lord (or being bossy or having a "holier than thou" attitude), 1 Pe 5:2,3. Getting involved with real estate I am glad is not just a way of providing finances for the future, but has already become a ministry. I think it will be mainly a ministry of encouragement, but it may go deeper than that if people seek it from me. Right now, I believe I must not speak much on spiritual things unless directly asked. I am following the example of the other Christians already here, and just quoting a scripture or saying "God bless in your endeavors." Yes, God is good, and to Him be all the glory.

I appreciate all your comments. As a believer in and lover of God, but not a follower of organized religion, I personally am not put off by the quoting of scripture in signature lines, but I do agree that this sight should be a comfort zone for people of all beliefs and faith, with the major focus on real estate. I feel the love, support and honest intent to help others that shines through all the comments on this site is evidence of the good hearts of everyone here, regardless of their religous status. I hope this post does not offend any of my DG family because I respect all of you so highly!
Love,
Laura

Let's get some answers to the Exit stratgy questions here.
Here are some great exit strategies:

Lease Optioning to an end buyer
Assigning or wholesaling the deal to another investor or end buyer
Owner financing to your end buyer

I'm sure there are more and chime in if you have them. I have to take my daughter to the dentist, so I'm out of here.

God bless,

You can also

Market and sell yourself (flip)
List with RE Agent to sell or rent (flip or cash flow)
Hold as a rental with positive cash flow
Rent until market improves, then sell for large profit

Al

I have just locked in 3 deals and have 2 investors interested in one already. I was petrified when I sat with the owner and signed the contracts. The same owner for all 3. But it all went very well and I locked up 3 great deals with out having to put any money down. I could feel my heart pounding as I explained the contracts.I could not believe I was actually doing it.

I did it!! and I did it afraid. If all goes well with my end buyers I will make $ 20,000.00. How awesome is that??

This is the result of the rental ad that I called about last week. I have found a new way to bird dog... rental ads.

It's not over yet, I will keep you posted.

Way to go! That is amazing and very motivating! Cant wait to hear how it all works out for you! I cant believe you did it without any $ down too! WOW!

Congratulations Carol. You were courageous. Courage is not the absence of fear, but being able continue to go forward and to do the right thing even in the face of fear. May your desires come through in these particular deals you have told us of. Pas. Greg God answers prayer.

ReikiMaster, on the first page of this thread, has some good words about fear as well.

Congratulations on locking up those deals! After that you can LAUGH in the face of fear! lol
It does get a lot easier with each thing you do. Just like anything, the first time you try something is the hardest.

VERY proud of you, and learning from your experience,

Rina

Thank you but now I must take it to the next level.

I do have a question though.

Once I lock up a deal what is stopping the seller from selling the property to someone else while I am looking for my buyer? I mean let's say that during the 30 days or so that I have to find my buyer what if someone offers the seller more than I locked it in for and they take it? How am I protected?

One of the properties that I locked up on Friday I may be assigning on Monday. Do I just take both contracts to open escrow at the same time? How do I do this? What happens next?

I am worried that I am going to do something wrong. I am staring in the face of fear but I know that I am more than a conqueror!

Question: What is stopping the seller to selling to someone else why i am looking for my "end buyer?"

Answer: As soon as you have that contract signed you need to Record the Contract with your County's Recorders Office using a "MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT" this will "CLOUD" the title, so if the seller does indeed try to sell to another investor/buyer title company will discover the "CLOUD" and refuse to INSURE the whole transaction. Thus, the seller can ONLY sell to you and you only through out the contract peroid. CLASS DISMISSED, SULLY

You said "Record the Contract with your County's Recorders Office using a "MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT"

How is this done? ( Please explain this process for our viewers. oh, and me)

I believe the fear we experience comes as a result of anxiety and not fear itself. We want to succeed, because of the coaching we receive from DG and the rest of the family. This type of fear is good, it will keep us striving for the success we deserve. We will definitely meet at the top. God Bless.

Sandra