Rina's DAILY JOURNAL: Chapter One - The Beginning

Thanks Paul. It's cold, but at least not raining!
Hope you and yours are having a wonderful weekend as well!

Well, Laura arrived on Saturday! I'll let her post the details, but she's been on the go since she got here! It was great to finally have her arrive at our giant International airport (jk, there are only 4 gates! lol) and give her a BIG hug, then go straight to the property. I had commitments over the weekend, but Monday & Tuesday we'll be spending together. Looking forward to it!

Update for me: Overseeing the crew finishing up exterior work put on hold last winter on other 2 investor's houses. Replacing renters in 2 properties who are moving out of town. Meeting up with property manager today (at Laura's house). Hope to learn a lot and make some decisions. Debating whether to take most recent cash offer from local investor on one of our properties for sale.
Preparing for youngest daughter's grad party at our house next weekend. Getting ready for my eldest daughter and grandson to arrive on Wednesday. Mother-in-law came home from hospital over the weekend (with good report!), had a relative/friend pass away yesterday (after a long battle, is at rest), started helping a special person in my life implement a new learning system. God is good. Life may sometimes be too busy, but that just means a person is blessed with an abundance of friends/family, and the health to accomplish much!

Rina

Hi Rina,
Sorry to hear of your loss, God is holding him/her in his arms! (Hope he does the same for me someday!) You have such great strength, I don't know how you do it. God IS good!

Give Laura a big hug for me too! I'm sure you're having a blast! Wish we could have made it up there but the big guy needs to save the vacation time for his surgery.

Keep us posted on the "cash deal" and what you decide and ejoy the time with your family. You are truly blessed and so am I for just knowing you! We'll talk soon Sis!

Dawn

Rina,
What's up?
I am really concerned.
My contact info will be in your PM inbox
Love Angela

Rina is fine I am sure and she had another family party this weekend due to graduations.

Paul

I agree. Every day you just have to do something. Today I called my Realtor and told her of 2 buyers that want to move fast. She is looking for properties for us. Really saves time. In the mean time we are talking to and making deals with our friends from China. I bought another business right before we left for China that I am learning this week and will pass it off to my sister-in-law to run (it's great to make money doing nothing!!) so I can concentrate on the real estate business. Tom will be done with school in November ( we can't wait) and he wants to focus on doing non-preforming notes. So much opportunity... so little time!!

Ahh, just caught up on PMs and have some quiet time to read and post a little. Love these wee hours of the morning.

Dawn, how did things go with your offer? And thanks again for catching me in time to listen to Dean's call on Thursday. Amazing, wasn't it??

Paul, good luck on your visit with the surgeon. Hope to hear good news! I know you are DETERMINED to make REI work for you! Oh, and thanks for starting a journal. I will have to get in there and leave a note. I'm excited to watch as great success unfolds for you!

Debby,that's so awesome to be doing business with international friends! You'll have to keep us posted on the details of that experience! And I wish you well on the transition of selling your business and getting Tom "graduated". lol. I know you guys are looking forward to being totally immersed in your REI career!

Angela, you are such a sweetheart. I hope all is well with you and your family. And I look forward to your being able to get your dreams going and start enjoying the fruits of your labor. God bless you, sister.

Update:
Been kind of on hold. Attended voice/theater camp all this week with my daughter. It was really nice to do something together that she is so interested (and talented) in. As far as the performance Friday night, let's just say I wasn't signed on by any talent scout. lol. But Angel has some wonderful opportunities ahead of her. (I'll just stick to REI to help support her dreams. )

Talked to a friend at one of the never-ending grad parties this weekend who is losing his house to foreclosure (I had no idea). Set up a meeting for Tuesday afternoon with the short-sale expert investor I have started working with. Hopefully we can make this a win/win for all involved.

Decided to put one of our higher-priced homes up for sale to give my husband some peace. Meeting with my realtor tomorrow. Bad time to do it, but we'll make a good profit. Sad to see one go, but there will be more in its place.

I guess that's it for now. Gonna do some Quickbooks entries and go to bed. zzzz...

Rina

I posted what happened with the offer in my journal. The listing agent didn't submit it because it's had "and or assignee" and SOMEONE told him I was doing a double close! The listing agent also said my POF was "weak" and I need to be prequalified with BOA, "she should just start the process now" is what he said. I told my agent (Tracey) to ask him why I have to be preapproved on a CASH offer and never heard back from her. I sent a letter to her broker/owner asking to get out of the buyers agreement because I can't get financing and apply my strategies...we'll see what happens today!

I won't call since you're going back to sleep!

Dawn

Thanks for your kind and sweet message and I sure will keep you posted with my progress and hopefully I will be in Dean's next success story before the year ends.

God Bless you !

Paul

Good luck with your daughters singing adventures. My guess is she is as determined in singing as you are in REI. So I am positive she will succeed at it.

I hope you can help the friend out and you both come out on top, You always seem to do the right thing for people ,which is what amazes me.

I am going to a different REI club meeting tonight. It is really big. Its called greenpearl. I researched all alst night to get a contact for the REO I have been talking about. citimortgage is the one that owns it. I want to get to them before it gets listed on the MLS. I have spoken to a few HML co via e-mail trying to find the best scenerio. I hopefully have the 20% covered with a friend. Rina if you get a chance give me a buzz if possible. I would like to bounce a question off you about what i want to do.
Hope all is well.
Richie.

Where did you go today ? I miss you online.

Your friend,

Paul

Hey, guys!

Dawn, I LOVE the new picture!!!! Where are you guys??
Hey, good luck on the counter! I'm crossing my fingers for you. Good call with Nathan. Those coaches are awesome at coming up with great strategies on the spot, aren't they!

Thanks, Richie, for the kind words. The meeting went well today. Hey, have fun at your REI meeting tonight, Mr. Guest Speaker!! And good luck on the deal!! I'll give you a call.

Paul, thanks for the kind greeting.
Here's what I did today:

morning. checked e-mails, returned a few calls.

10-11:30 met w/ accountant

made some more calls

1pm met with short-sale specialist and friend in pre-foreclosure. I think I'm in love. JK. but I love learning, and watching this guy at work is so awesome. I really appreciate his heart and how he gives all the options to help people figure out their best route (loan mod, forebearance agreement, short-sale, etc.). We ran the numbers with friend, financial figures to see if adjusting income/expense could help at all. Boy, people have to be really open about a lot of personal stuff I think we instinctively would not want to share. Just shows the trust and desperation. I like working with someone who is sensitive to that. I had to leave early to go show a house, so I'll find out what they came up with later.

3pm went to show property to prospective tenant. Person was 5, then 10, then 15 minutes late, and no phone call. That's my cutoff, now he's on my blacklist.

Checked on the progress of the guys painting one of my investors' houses. looks great!

Back home. Read and post some on DG. Gotta call my WA investor. (I see you called. )
Make some Quickbooks entries.

E-mail back to Vaughn (Taketheshot). He's gonna come up and hang out one day next week. That'll be cool. I think we're gonna hit the sheriff's sale.

Well, that's it for now. Gotta answer a bunch of calls on a house we have for sale.

Lovin' REI,
Rina

P.S. Had a momma bear and 4 little babies in our backyard last night. Talk about cute!

Sounds like you had such a long day and you accomplished alot too. Becareful with the momma bear so she wont attack you. We all need you and learn from your great examples. Keep on rolling my friend and let us know how you make out this week. I dont blame you blacklisting that guy for the future showing because he wasted your time and out of your valuable time.

Good luck

Paul

Hey Rina,

It's been a short while since I've been on the site... and even longer since I've posted.

I have a friend as well who's mother is in trouble of getting her house foreclosed on. I've been giving her tips on how to go about things, but it seems like you've been in direct contact (and learning directly) gaining a slew of information in regards to short sales. I really would love to seek your advice so I can help her out. I know you're busy, but if you could give me a call, (I'll PM you the number) I would super duper appreciate it.

Also, can anybody tell me what a letter of authorization is suppose to say?

I am just beginning to learn hands-on the in-depth process of a short sale. While I have bought listed short-sales, I have not had the experience of walking through one from the beginning, as I am now. So I will be happy to share my experience as it plays out.

As far as the LOA (letter of authorization), here is a sample letter.
http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/buying-foreclosures-reos-...

Hope that helps.

Rina

Meeting with the homeowner this week was interesting. First, the expert really connected with my friend (the homeowner), and he was in no rush to have him make a decision on the spot. While I was expecting maybe a half-hour to hour-long meeting, he actually stayed for nearly 2 hours. He took the time to really listen, and went through all the financial options my friend may have. He is actually going to first help him pursue a loan modification, based on the numbers they ran on his laptop. Unfortunately, unless he gets a decent-paying job immediately it is likely the only option will be a short-sale. But you don't know how much it meant to the homeowner that someone would sit with him face-to-face and patiently listen to his concerns and give him genuine feed-back and real options. This is most definitely a people business, as I've always known (especially being a landlord)

Hi Rina I'm new to the DG family and wanted to say Hi and thanks and to let you know how much I've enjoyed and learned from reading your jounal entries. I'm so excited about my new direction and when I read your were getting into short sales I said to myself this is the time to reach out. I'm foucing on short sales tax sales banker owned and forclosurers. I'm learning all I can and look forward to sharing what ever I can. I just put a new topic on the forum under "Everything Else" on Finding buyers........ that I would be interested in your feed back if you have the time. It really helps me to write out what I've learned and hopfully it will also help someone else. By next week I hope to add to that "what I'm doing" cuz a girl can only study so much before it's get off the fence time.I'm not sharing with too many people in my life right now cause I don't want to hear anyones negatives. So this site is gold to me so I don't feel alone. Any ways thank you for all your shares. Your my role model one of my hero's and I look forward to the day when I've accommplished as much as you have. In the short term I just want to get my first deal that is going to be one of the best days of my life. Because if I can do it once I can do it twice and on and on and before you know it I'll be at one of Dean's shindigs meeting all my hero's.

with warm reqards Kay

Welcome to the DG family! Good to have you here.

Thank you for all the kind words! I think we're all role models for each other. We each have something to teach, and something to live up to. And you're right, this site IS gold. Dean is a brilliant and caring man to give us a place to grow without fear of skepticism.

Congratulations on stepping out into REI! I know you will have a blast and hope will reap the rewards in short order!
I will look for your thread to read up on it.

God bless, and I hope to hear much more as you progress.

Rina

.

That is a cute little house you posted up there and good luck with your deal !

Warm regards,

Paul T. La Moy

Good to hear things are moving forward. It is nice to hear how people and other investors can help people like with the short sale you discussed. Sometimes peolpe need someone to talk to just to know their options. I hope everythign works out and you have great weekend. Continued success. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Good luck on getting into S/S. I just started a course on S/S on June 22. So far I have learned quite a bit and in no time I should be flipping homes. There is alot of paperwork involved. I have access to all needed paperwork and help to fill them out. Now, that's cool.
Happy Hunting
charlie-d

I see your have been very busy with rehabbing, getting renters and checking on short sales. I hope and pray everything works out for you. Concerning the property, I have to fax some documents to the bank tomorrow. Based on their meeting, they expect the decision could take about 60 days. I will keep you informed. Good Luck

Sandra

Wondering how you are making out with your deals this week. Looking forward to hear from you so we all can learn something from it. Good Luck !!

Warm regards,

Paul T. La Moy

No new news on the short sale. Trying the loan mod first. Have to cjeck in to see how that's going.
In the meantime, big painting/outside projects going on at my investors' houses. Need to check in on Laura's and make sure the people in charge are doing what they're supposed to. (Feel sort of responsible since I recommended them.) Meanwhile I'm overseeing the others'. Boy, lots of running. It's ok though. Love it!!

Been working with the accountant to tweak my accounting system. If anyone else is using Quickbooks for their business and wants to share ideas on how to organize the rental property info, let's make a group. I've been using Quickbooks Pro and it doesn't have the capability to organize by "class" like Premier has (used to that with my old bookkeeping j.o.b.) , so it's kind of a pain using just customer and job. Maybe I need to upgrade. Let me know what you think. [edit in 7/2/09: Well, apparently I've been using it all this time without the "class" option being turned on. lol. Well, I will do some reorganizing. ]

Investor owner of the 4-plex called and had to reschedule the showing for Friday. I changed it to Tuesday. Vaughn is going to come up from the cities and join me and a friend for the sheriff's sale and looking at a few props. If anyone else in the area would like to join us and talk REI a little, see the town, let me know. Sheriff's sale is at 10am at the Douglas County courthouse here in Superior, WI. (lasts about 5 minutes! Don't blink!) but we can check out all the props coming up, where they're posted at the sheriff's office. Could even do a research "field trip" as long as we're at the courthouse.

Well, off again. Have a great week, all!!!!

Rina

Just a line to say hey to a pro and also God loves. I'm just starting in this race but, look forward to the challenge and the comrodary of the DG family. Remember, all help and advise is greatly appreciated.

erh

Hey Rina. i have quickbooks on my computer but could not figure any way to adapt it to my use of tracking business expenses and specifically doing it 'by property'. it seems all geared to invoices, payroll, bank accounts. If you find a way to make it work, or start that group, I would love it! Right now I'm using the old fashioned pencil, eraser and ledger paper along with an excel spreadsheet.
Hope all is well with you - i put some pics of the house up in my journal!
Should have a tenant in in a couple of weeks. And not too worry - everyone you recommend is great! How could they not be being associated with YOU
love ya and miss ya
Laura

Welcome to the DG family! Thanks for the "hey". Hope you're finding all you need here on the site. It's a great place to be!!!!!!!!

Rina

laurajohnson wrote:

Hey Rina. i have quickbooks on my computer but could not figure any way to adapt it to my use of tracking business expenses and specifically doing it 'by property'. it seems all geared to invoices, payroll, bank accounts. If you find a way to make it work, or start that group, I would love it! Right now I'm using the old fashioned pencil, eraser and ledger paper along with an excel spreadsheet.
Hope all is well with you - i put some pics of the house up in my journal!
Should have a tenant in in a couple of weeks. And not too worry - everyone you recommend is great! How could they not be being associated with YOU
love ya and miss ya
Laura

I've got to check out the pics of the Jersey house! So exciting!
And, yes, I stopped in at your house here. Lookin' good.
I actually saw the printout of your Craigslist ad in a lady's hand yesterday. I was showing her one of mine when I noticed yours was one she had looked at too. lol. I think Steve already has someone moving into yours though? so I accepted her. Her job is moving her from Memphis to Superior. Very nice gal.

Glad you are doing well, friend!

Love ya,

Rina

As always, up at about 5am. (Actually got up to do some stuff earlier, but I won't count that)

Showered. Made breakfast and lunch for hubby. Saw him off to work. Started my day.

Today I spent the morning with my friend, June. She met me at the courthouse. I showed her where the Sheriff's sales (Foreclosures) were posted at the courthouse and explained the paperwork, and then we attended the one for today. There were actually about a dozen people in attendance (that's about 4x the usual!) 2 props were represented by the bank . Both went back. Of the other 6, 2 had been redeemed, 1 was adjourned, and 3 more went back to the lenders. I hadn't done any research on any of the ones today. Wasn't really in the market right now. So I was surprised when one of the 3 which had a judgement amount of $86K had a staring amount of $38,500 today, and NO bidders! I was disgusted I hadn't brought any cash! Darn it(You need 10% there&then).
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/RinaK/Sheriff%20sale/7-8-09pics...
June and I drove by the property after the sale, and this is one I need to hop on. GREATTTTT location, 2-stall garage, ranch on a basement it looks like, BIG, private yard. When Vaughn got into Superior and joined us at the courthouse later, we were looking up the info on the property. It's assessed value is $97K (FMV $102,600). Their computer wasn't working right so I had to wait til I got home to do more research. In the meantime I called and asked if there was a way to still bid on it by the end of the day since no one had. Unfortunately NO. And the bank won't officially own it until the confirmation hearing. SOOOO, I need to find the owner and see what I can do from THAT angle/.

Then June, Vaughn, and I spent time talkin' REI while I answered calls on the props I was showing today. It was really fun. June is a brand new starter-REI investor and it was really neat for her to meet Vaughn. She was very inspired by him, someone very young and determined and with a solid "Dean" deal under his belt and some more in the works. Thanks, Vaughn!!!!

Then I dragged him around town while I dealt with tenants/new renters/showings. He was so sweet. Before he left, he handed me a book called "The Aladdin Factor". I very much look forward to reading it. Thanks again, Vaughn!

Oh, I forgot. June and I looked this morning at the 4-plex that would be seller-financed. As an investor, I think he knows he's asking too much. But, I'll run my numbers according to the financial info he gave me and maybe I'll make him an offer.

Took a number of applications for the 2 rental properties. Turns out one couple, a Pastor and his wife, are actually serious BUYERS instead. Pre-approved for a very decent amount, but not sure about what they wanted to do (therefore looking at some props for rent). They needed a garage, which ours didn't have, so now I will be finding them a house to purchase instead of rent. Cool!!

Rina

Laura, after I had turned on the "class" feature finally (felt really dumb about that. lol), things really came together in the Quickbooks. Here's how I have it organized.

Customer=tenant name (I can invoice and receive payments)

Job=property address under each customer name. This way if they happen to move to a different one of our props during their time with us it transitions smoothly in the books.

Class= Property address. This can pull up reports (from all chosen accounts) by property address. This way I can see the overall picture, whether it be profit and loss of rental properties or flips/assigned props. I actually have the rental properties sub-classed under rentals and the others under flips/assignments so I can separate the types of profits.

Of course, reports can be pulled by account/sub-account, too. Sure beats the old spreadsheets.

I know there is probably better software for people that manage huge numbers of properties, but this is perfect for the number I am holding. If you have any questions or suggestions, I would be happy to hear/share.

Thanks!!

Rina