Rina's DAILY JOURNAL: Chapter One - The Beginning

Angela you are so funny! I would just love to hang out with you for a day just to soak up all the positive! I am quite sure my cheeks would hurt from smiling and laughing if we ever got together.

(you guys make me blush all the time! I appreciate the good wishes. I could never catch up with passing on the goodness that you all show to me)

OK, mortgage broker. He is the one I've been in contact with last fall. He can work with people in WI, MN, CA, & FL (pretty sure on the last 2). The company has an attorney's office, a mortgage dept, and an ins. dept. They are also investors, VERRRY creative, and really up on stuff. I found him by googling I believe. hmmm.. MAYBE he had a Craigslist ad. BUT the funny thing is when I saw their website I recognized his name from something I had heard on the radio. I remembered his voice and that he had talked about some financing and new programs on a quick radio advertisement. For some reason NationsTrust sounded familiar and when I saw the name Frank, I e-mailed and asked if he had been the one I heard. (intriguing voice. one you remember. don't ya just love listening to certain people talk??)
Anyway, I have referred a few people to him to work on their credit and work on getting approved. Yes, he is a good source. I could get SO overwhelmed if I chased after EVERY lead, so some things I am leaving on the back burner as the high priority opportunities suddenly arise! Like, as of yesterday, besides the deals I already have going, I will now be focusing had on the short-sale partnership. I'm pretty good at multi-tasking though(I think being a mom is good experience for that! wouldn't you moms agree??), so I am not limited. My eyes and ears can ALWAYS be open.

Thanks again, Angela. Have a GREAT day!!

Rina

Thanks for the well-wishes! Back at you! You guys are inspiring!

Richie, my investor couple is very laid-back and so sweet. They do not have any high expectations for their trip. I just want them to feel special while they're here. They have done so much for me and I have learned so much from them. You know their props here are my "foster houses" and they insist on paying me, so I can certainly afford to splurge on them! We are gonna have a great time!!

You know what I think. The DG family should have a designated city/member in each part of the country that can line up a DG get-together for their area. We can do like a "progressive dinner" RE-style. LOL (ever heard of those?)
Naw, but it will be so great for even more of us to get together next time Dean holds his event.

blessings,

Rina

I'll talk to you later today. And you should talk! Look who's ROCKIN' Jersey!!!

love ya.

Rina, sorry to get off track for a few seconds ...
Laura,
as Rina put it:
Look who's ROCKIN' Jersey!!!
Amazing!
Angela

I finally went into a bank and [hopefully] did it!! After waiting 25mins after my scheduled appointment, the Assistant Branch Manager informed me that I wouldn't be able to get the Good Faith Estimate I was expecting... Instead she set me up to get what she called a HUD FHA Addendum. (from how she explained it, it's more detailed and even better than a GFE) Has anyone ever heard of either?

They don't print up immediately and they didn't give me an outright yes to an exact number, but she said with my income they should approve me for the $100K I plan to refi this condo for... and should get the letter on Monday. I am confident...we'll see.

It's kind of awkward though. I told her it was for investment purposes - and from what I know, FHA loans are not for investment properties. What do you guys think? I was thinking to play it as if it was a primary residence just to get the deal done. Any advice?

Be honest about your intentions. Believe me, the loan officer/broker wants to see you qualify as bad as you do. That's how they make their money. She'll find what will work for you (hopefully she's good at what she does). And that is AWESOME that you will qualify for $100K. That's a good chunk of $ to play with! Use that as leverage for LOTS of deals, using OPM as much as you can!!

Very excited for you and your next big step!

Rina

...that $100K is for a refinance. I have a HML lined up that requires that "prequalification" letter - being that I plan to hold on to the condo I'm SO EAGER to secure.

As soon as I get that letter, I'll be making that offer... I can't wait to be able to post my very first success story!!

And yes! OPM will be my first option on EVERY deal.

I'll be thinking of you at your first double close! I'm sure everything will go smoothly for you! Cant wait to read your post! Another strategy to check off that bucket list haha!
love ya,
Laura

You don't need no luck Rina, but i would like to say Congratulation on another closing. This is the fruit of your hard labor. Luck comes by chance, and the harder you work, the better the chances of you getting lucky, so for that i like to say GOOD LUCK! You and Anita are taking Real Estate Investing to a whole new level. Laura, you're not that far behind either, lol.

Rina, looks like you will master all the stategies before you know it. Double closing? Well, double the pleasure! That amazing girl. I wanted to stop by and wishing you the best as well.

Now go close that deal!

Lloyd

As I was typing "good luck" it just didnt feel right and I was thinking the same thing - Rina doesnt need luck, because she always does everything with such a good heart and good intent that the universe will always reward her, whether things turned out as planned or not its all good. And you know what else my friend? After meeting you and the other great people at the EDGE I can say thats true for every one of us!
Much love,
Laura

Thanks, Lloyd & Laura, for being positive for me. Things could not have gone more smoothly today! wow. I think I'll post a thread on it tonight, cause it was a 4-month long story (just waiting) and ended up being an actual simultaneous double-close, which eliminated most of the costs I could have had. Also, zero money that I had to come up with. End-buyer's loan covered all the way through to the short sale bank I bought from. It was pretty cool. All I had to do was sign a few papers and be handed my check for $5,000. Nice. And this was the first one anyone on my team had done. Everyone did an EXCELLENT job!

Rina

Rina, I don't know what to say, but congratulations. You continue to amaze us with your use of the different strategies spoken about in Dean's book. In your real estate deals, you not only consider yourself, but the feeling and needs of others. Hence the reason what you are so blessed. May we one day have the opportunity to report on our accomplishments as you do on yours. Thanks for sharing for others to learn. Good Luck and God Bless.

Sandra

Since I have kept a daily personal journal for the last 13 years, this is cooler: Here goes:

6:30am Kids came up to wake me up...2 black min poodles..MoJo(boy) Tippy Toes(girl) won't leave me alone till I let them out.

6:45 Back up in my room online did my June bids for my Airline schedule. Then cruise facebook and DG site for random information.

9:am To Oncologist for annual check up...All is well YIPPEE!!! 13 years Clean..No Cancer...time to celebrate!

10:am Whole foods Market for groceries

11:00am Home. Called the listing Realtor of a property we are interested in.
Here's the deal. We found a 3/2 1264 sq ft. Villa. BACK on the MKt. REO. listed at just $58,4K. I know this area because I looked at buying one 4 years ago for my mom and similar ones were 135K. We looked on Zillow and ProTrend and last list price 132K so we decided to GO FOR IT! The agent said there was another offer already sent to the bank but the listing agent said he was certain the bank would counter this person. We (Business Partner and I), decided to be aggressive and offer 55K CASH!! Made an appt to meet Watson Realtor at 2pm to fill out papers.

11:30 Filled out Tax Club papers, and send out IRS papers and file with the state.

1:30 Met Business Partner at Bank of America to see if we could get equity out of her house for the cash purchase of this property.

2-3:30 At Realtors. Put in Contract on the property however we were a little put off that the Realtor was adament about not putting in AND/OR ASSIGNS and also did not put in the 14 day due diligence. We figured if we get this we would hold/rent and eventually sell when the mkt bounces back so we let it go but we want to know how does one get a Realtor work with you on this?

4:00 On the way home stopped to look at another REO. This house is in a fabulous neighborhood where houses are comped at 160-220K. This house is 1900 sq ft. Large floor to ceiling river rock fireplace. Decent yard..listed at $84,9K Wow, we looked in the windows and the house was trashed. Someone must have been po'd because there are holes punched all over the house in the walls. We know lots of walls need replace (we know how to do that ourselves), windows but beautiful house. We are going to inquire about this tomorrow and put in a bid for 75K.

6:00 Starving...stopped to have blackened fish and a beer. Ahhhh.

7:00 Took dogs for walk around a neighborhood taking numbers of the for sale/for rent. Will call this week.

8:00 All relaxed and watched Ghost Whisperer......and then Here I am..Full Circle.

Just Realized this journal was written 2008. Here it is 5/15/2009....Oh well, I need to start my own journal.

I loved reading your "first journal post"! (it was an honor to have it posted here. ) Looks like you had a very productive day! And CONGRATS on the test results!! I look forward to finding and following your DG journal.

You're right, I started mine in May, 08, BUT the current posts are from now. lol The original post just shows at the top of each page.
It has been hard to get in here lately because my husband has been hogging the computer. lol First time he's ever used one and is wanting to learn and be more involved in the RE business on the "technical end". It is a good thing. But I'll be posting more soon.

Rina

Thank you for the congrats and the kind words. We need to talk again soon. How is everything going?

It's driving me nuts not to have posted yet the details of that double-close. But I have been going full-speed since (although yesterday we took the whole day to attend special services and be with family).

I am meeting again with my new local investor mentor tomorrow. He is doing a power-point presentation at one of the local realty offices om short-sales, and we have a couple leads we're working on. Things are going so fast!

PLUS, my WA investor and his wife fly in tonight! I'll be spending the next couple days with them! It will be a wonderful time. Hope the weather holds out. (It actually snowed here Sunday after being in the 70s all week! Yuck! But it's back to 60s)Everything is just beautiful right now. Spring colors glowing in the new leaves, birds singing.
We're gonna start out with the seriff's sale Tuesday morning and then hit their props, my props, run through a few viewings of current listings, and throw in our best tourist stuff! It'll be great. They might even meet up with my new "partner".

I want so bad to get in here and catch up on everything. It's exciting to see so many new DG members and everyone out there making it happen!

God bless,

Rina

I loved your first, unofficial journal posting too, from poodles to blackened fish and a beer! Now that's a journal! I look forward to reading your official journal, hope you get it started soon.
Angela

Hello there,
I am always amazed at the fact that you have so much going on, all the time it seems, and this last (double closing) deal is wonderful news! Congatulations!
I find myself smiling from ear to ear reading that your husband has taken over the computer looking to be more involved in RE! Hilarious! With you as inspiration though, only to be expected! You make the rest of us want to get up and get moving I cannot imagine how inspiring you are to him!
When you say he is interested in the 'technical end', do you mean the construction side of it or something else?

I am not getting on the computer much lately either, my daughter (14) has taken over mine! No complaining though, it's a pleasure to see her doing normal teenager stuff!
Miss getting on here more often though I must say!

Angela

Get your husband, Mr Rina, to start his own RE journal here too!
Then, if we see that he is online all the time we can tell him to get off and let you have your turn!
Or we can send messages for you through him!
HA!
Angela

once again you've got me smiling to start my day! LOL!
Yes, Jon was wanting to "learn" all of what I do on my end of the RE. It's been a little intense for both of us as he was starting from "how to turn on the computer". But I think we're doing well. And it's given us more appreciation for each other and for each other's strengths. It's nice to work as a team.

I had to put this next thing in because it was so weird! I had a dream this early morning. I was meeting with a BUNCH of people for a REI meeting (it was exciting!). There were several from my DG family that I recognized, but a bunch of new distinct faces. Now I'm curious as to when I will actually meet them and who they are. Wish I could record the faces.

Well, more later. My phone is ringing off the hook for a rental ad I put in last night. sigh..

Love to all,

Rina

Your $5,000 richer than me and Laura. Well, hopefully i'll get a lot more than that when i get my house sold. So, i'm keeping my fighers cross and hope for the best.

As for your comments Laura, you are so right and i've always believe in that. When you do a good deed with good intention, the rewards will be countless and Rina is enjoying the fruit of her labors. She had a double closing last week and now count her blessing. Five thousand dollars is a lot of money for some people, and i'll take $5,000 anytime, lol.

I'm so happy for you Rina and you made me proud. Good luck and God bless, your friend in Louisiana,

Lloyd

Hi Rina, Congratulations on your Double closing, & Your Husband getting involved.The combined wishes of all DG enthosiasts, are with you, & My prayers for both of you. as well. We all look Forward excitingly to your Future achievements, because , like always those would be a lesson & Source of inspiration for everybody. Barjinder.

It's so great to hear success stories! I just placed ads on the craigslist and already have two responses from investors. There's no stopping me now! My goal is to get 3 assigment deals in 10 days. Any advice other web sites? All the best Rina.....Lubertha

Hey Rina, You must be having a blast. can't wait to hear about your whole ordeal with your investor. I am really happy for you. GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE. Much success.
Richie.

Well, the past couple days with my WA investors went by way too fast. What a great time, getting to know each other, checking out props, enjoying the WI/MN beauty, sharing stories and making the DG family REAL to Jon. sigh... I hope they'll come back again. There's so much we couldn't fit in to such a short time, but we certainly tried! lol (hope I didn't wear them out)

Now I can't wait for Laura to come! Sounds like first week of June.
That would be awesome to host even more of my DG fam in the future. It was really nice.

Lloyd, barjinder, Lubertha, and Richie, thank you for the kind words. Hopefully the next double-close WILL profit much more now that I got this "practice" one under my belt. But you're right Lloyd, that's $5K more than I had before. lol. and end result feels good.

Rina

Hey, congrats on placing your ads and the quick responses! That's great to jump right in there! Keep us posted on your progress, and I wish you well in your new investing career. Hope to hear MANY successes!

God bless,

Rina

Congrats on the double close! How cool is that?
Sounds like you did a lot with your WA investors, are they taking assignments from you? What's the plan?

Sounds like Dean & Jon have a lot in common

Turning greener every day,
Dawn

Hey, we should have Dean and Jon talk. Maybe they'll feel comforted knowing there are TWO men out there with crazy REI wives. LOL

We had such a great time. I think they're good with the props they already have now in Superior, so no plans to pick up more at this time. But we are working together on one and may do more flips in the future.
They are headed South now to check on some more of their properties. We loaded them up with Jon's famous smoked fish for the trip. lol. They came to our house last night for dinner, along with Jon's mom & dad. We stuffed ourselves of course and then sat outside talking REI. It was really nice. They have such great stories from doing it for so many years.

We met up Tuesday (for the first time) at the courthouse in Superior. Went to the sheriff's sale, met my sheriff buddy who does the sales and another local investor mentor of mine. Then we went up to Enger Tower, the highest point above the 2 cities and pointed out all the landmarks and neighborhoods. Kind of like a birds-eye map of the area. It's cool. Mrs. Investor almost got blown out the tower it was so windy!
Then we went to lunch, visited their properties, and went on a whirlwind tour with Gail to walk through 7 listings (I'm offering on 3 of them). Then back to their suite and out to dinner.

Yesterday we went up the North Shore and to Split-Rock Lighthouse State Park. A number of residential and commercial props for sale on the way.
Sadly, I have no pics to share. They really wanted to remain anonymous. But that's OK. I have some for myself. They really feel like family even more now. Being with people in person really solidifies a relationship, I think. (as I think everyone who went to the EDGE would agree with).

Well, time to hit the REI hard again!

Rina

Hi Rina,
Spent the day looikng for distressed properties and FSBO. Found quit a few. After searching the tax record's. I found that most of the owners are hard to find. In particular, a property that is totally neglected. Was listed by a realtor. The tax office said that the mail is recieved at this address. I think if I ask a agent to pull the listing for me they will go after this property again. How do I reach this owner? Should I mail him a letter? Thanks for any advise!! Great success...........

I cant believe everything you accomplish every day! You are my inspiration in this REI business for sure! I'm scared about getting blown off the tower when I come though - as you know I dont do so well with heights - you'll have to tie a tether to me haha
Keep on making all those deals - you're amazing.
I gotta make sure you and Lloyd dont leave me in the dust
See ya real soon!
oxoxoxoxoxox