How long have you been doing this and still not succeded at making a single dime??

I started April of 2009 and made my first deal March 2010. I have no Job since 2007 and am dependent to my wife's income as an employee. I am 100% sure since I started that I can make it to REI without any money. My family have been hitting countless of stumbling blocks along the way since I lost my JOB, not to mention the FEAR of failure that slows me down along the way. Patience, openmindedness, desire, passion, refusal to give up, listening to seasoned investors, attending webinars and taking down notes, reading forums and motivational books are some of the tools that keeps me alive after 11 months.

Blessing to all LA

Stumbling blocks I've kept hitting are Realtor problems and affraid to tackle the contracts on my own. I need help with them. One attorney I used to help me come up with a contract that would work best in my area, like Dean suggests you do, had to think a little while before he accepted that assignment of contract was okay. But the contract he came up with is like 9 pages long. He's not interesed in doing closings any more so I'm still out on my own with filling in contracts on a FSBO. He's also way over priced. Another I just saw today thinks it's boarderline illegal. What a waste of time and money that was. I may try contacting that first lawyer and see if I could sign contracts in his office. Not sure he'll want to do that either.

What keeps me going? I see the people here at DG.com doing this. Dean keeps me going and I have a strong will to make this work. I can't stand my JOB and I want to have feedom in my life and a little money to boot.

Blessings,
Barbara

I can,t go into great detail it would take to long. It took me well over 6 months and I was a member of the success acamady. If you read my journal it goes in a lot of detail of all my stumbling blocks, But in the last 9 months I have done 20 deals, All O down and none of my money.hope this helps it will get better.

Randy

I've been putting alot of effort into real estate for the past 1 yr, although I've been reading the books since 2008.

My #1 Struggle has been Realtors. They have been very impatient and give up very quickly. But I have someone now who has stuck by my side for the past three months and we've submitted several offers.

I know that if I'm persistent and keep learning from everything, it will eventually pay off. The only person getting in the way of my success is Me..

Never Give up and It will happen

My partner Jeremy and I have hit so many brick walls but we always knew what were doing was going to get us to the next level. We never give up. Heck, I can't count the offers that we have made. But when you hit that first deal, OH SO SWEET. Never, ever give up....Jan

For me it's probably struggling to trust Dean's mantra, "Your Town, Your Profits". Our town is a little on the higher end on average ($200k-$250K), and I'm left constantly wondering if I'll be able to do assignments on homes in that range. I CAN'T let myself get down, though, because I have nothing else. That's what keeps me going.

Vincent

I received my first two books in November 09 and read both of them right away. I read profit from real estate right now twice. I ordered YOUR TOWN as soon as it was available and have read that, some parts two and three times.
I have spoken to Re agents, Mortgage brokers, buyers and sellers.
Without a doubt my biggest stumbling block is FEAR!
I know that money can be made and that RE can change my life for ever, BUT there is always that FEAR.
I am very nervous about using any contact without the advice of a lawyer.
And with my J-ust O-ver B-roke barely putting food on the table I just can't afford to spend the money on that right now.
I stay motivated by spending time on this site and rereading the books.
I know my day will come and I WILL be ready when it does.
Bob

Yes, I am there also. I find I keep studying and learning and the more I know the more I want to know and the more confident I am. I have at times been so stressed out from my current job and trying to learn something new at night, that I begin to feel that fear and worry creeping back in.

What keeps me going is that my current job IS GOING NO WHERE! I am still working 4 days a week for a year and a half which doesn't pay my bills! It's not going fast for me at all either, but I try to focus and make a list of things to do for the week and I promise myself ....ONE STEP AT A TIME. As long as you keep going in the direction you want, you will probably get there.

Am I being crazy that I've ordered almost everything that Dean sells? I dunno, maybe, but I don't think I would have tried to flip my first house (still waiting for it to sell) if I hadn't signed up for the Success Academy. I've had weeks where I was so worried about my future, then I listened to another DVD from Empowering Conversations and I was ready to start again. (I made another to-do list that week.) And last week I called the advisory line of the Academy just to get some positive feedback. They gave me another idea to use.

Believe in yourself and you will get there.

I think that this a a very good string to have started, especially for those of us who think that out of all the people doing REI for the first time, that WE are the only ones who're struggling to make it work out for us. This show's the newcomer as well as the seasoned investor that in this business it's US who have to think more creatively and be more clever than the agent and seller. Just like anything else, this REI requires refining as well and modification to ones on abilities and skills. This thread should also help o booster each ones on confidence to make their brain work a lot more harder to come up with the creativeness that's required for their own particular area of investing. Well good luck to us all and may we all one day say...."I remember when I used to worry about all those bills every month".

I just had to put my imput in on this forum. I am a new member to the Dg Family, and I must say that I love the way this system works and is set up. I just finished reading Dean's book, Profit From Real Estate Now! And I must say that it is some of the most enlightenineg, and motivational material that I have ever read. I spent 7 years in the army, and three tours in Iraq for OIF, and learned to be acustomed to fear over there. But one thing I learned about fear over there is, that it can make you or break you. Wether its bullets being fired at you, or bills, the only thing that can change your situation is action. I am terrified of starting this process, and failing terribly, but I believe it is possible, so I have to take action, because the instructions where given to me, and my situation is not going to change by itself. Another thing that I learned about fear is sharing the load, or as we would sayin in the army "having your buddy's back", I like this system because we can share this load together, I believe at the beggining we all share simular fears, but if we "buddy-up" and face them together we can accomplish things that might have been too hard to face alone. On a daily basis our experiences in this process are going to differ, and that can be used as a strength to achieve more than one person. If there is anybody out there just beggining or "terrified" like I am but still taking action like I am, send me a message, and we can take this journey together, and share techniques as we learn and face these fears together. There is no such thing as courage without fear!!!!

Just found this last night I have not had time to try it my self yet but I thought I would share it with everyone anyway Just another out of the box thought []? Hay the price is rite! FREE!!!!

http://www.WipeOutYourFear.org

I Believe I Want To I Can and I Will

FEAR of FAILURE!!!

That is my problem. I've been a student of RE since I was 18 years old... I'm now 33 and still have not purchased my first investment property. Talk about procrastination... I'm probably the world's worst.

I've posted on a number of RE blogs over the years including here at DG.com. I've even joined a local REI club when I was younger and I can agree with most here, that realtors don't like working with newbies because they feel that you're a waste of their time until you've got a few deal under your belt.

My credit has never been all that good and I've always just made enough to get by. With my current financial obligations, there isn't a lot of money left over at the end of the month... which means I will have to be creative with the financing to purchase any deal.

Which brings me to my next problem. I'm not very sociable in person or over the phone. It takes a good while to warm up to people in person where I can actually talk to them about my RE interest. This may have a lot to do with my familiy always telling me that REI, especially courses bought from a late night guru on TV, are a waste of time and money. I've tried to tell them that DG is different, but they can't and don't see outside of the box.

Which brings me to my next problem. Part of creative financing would probably have to deal with borrowing money from family or friends... well if my family and friend don't believe in REI then that doesn't leave me too many options.

I've always found over the years what would have been some killer deals, but never had the financing to move on it. Now I think I'm just afraid that if I ever had the financing, I would fail and everyone would just say, "I told you so... I told you you couldn't do it... I told you it was a waste of time, etc..."

That would probably be the straw that broke the camel's back. I might not ever try to invest again if my first investment was a failure and I think maybe just maybe that thought alone, keeps me secluded in my misery.

DG.com and DG books have giving me more confidence, but just not enough yet to get over my FEAR. I know it is all in my head and I'm getting better, however, I just can't seem to get out of my own way to success.

Sorry for the long post, however, those are some of my inner thoughts about my situation and if someone can read my story and not make the same mistakes I've made... then it will be well worth the time it took to write it.

Thanks.
Brian Carter

To all on here, I know this might sound cheesy, but look at yourself in the mirror and if you don't smile the moment, you see your reflection, something is wrong. When you look at yourself either first thing in the morning, middle of the day washing your hands or just before you go to bed, you should smile and say to yourself "HEY THERE YOU SUCCESSFUL, INCREDIBLE SEXY
MOTHA%$#@!!!..."

Maybe not those exact words, but along those lines. You should think that is nothing,.......NOTHING!!!!.......ANYTHING!!!!, that can stop you from being the best you can be.

Whatever you missed out in the past is just that; the past.

1. The guy that has procrastinated for the last 15 years, stop doing it and work towards your goals. There is today. But don't just jump into it, plan it out. Step by step, got a question, ask a question. Someone asks you a question, be honest and tell them you don't know but you'll find out as soon as you can. Someone trys to make you sign or commit and you don't want to, don't do it. Go with your instinct

2. The guy who's not sociable; get a personality and quick. A total stranger is practically investing in you, not really the house initially. They're trusting in you, someone they don't know, to find them a home, their biggest investment, and if you don't inspire confidence or make them feel comfortable how do you expect to make money. BE A POLITICIAN, GO OUT, LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYE, SHAKE HANDS, MAKE PEOPLE WANT TO LIKE YOU AND BE YOU.

3. If its an issue with money, find investors who want to buy and get a finders fee instead of assigning properties; its actually easier and more simple. I'm a realtor so I canunderstand why most realtors don't want to bother with someone who has no money; we get paid when there is money around, not when we're trying to find money, plus there is one thing we never get back; wasted time. No offense to newbies, but most don't come into the situstion in the best manner sometimes

In closing, all I have to say is, this is a tough coldblooded business and you have to be just as tough and coldblooded to survive. If you're not, you'll know it. But if you want to succeed, you will.

THANK YOU,........ AND GOD BLESS AMERICA

this post would draw out so many responses so soon, but now that it has/is, I ask that each of you(me too) take a good and in-depth look at the others posts and pick out the one thing that has happened in your journey in REI and then post about how you overcame it, so that particular individual(s) can get the helping hand that they need to pull themselves up and over that hurdle in their path.

Thanks all for sharing and let's keep doing so to hold one another accountable!

Just stay focused and network with others and join your local real estate club and you will become more knowledgeable in the business.

This is my first post on the site. I have been a member since sept 09 and have not closed my first deal YET. Like many, fear has been my biggest downfall. I spent almost 10 years in the hospitality bis.( hotel/motel ) and went back into construction (where I could hide from the public) because of all the politics. After 20+ years in construction (commercial carpenter)I lost my JOB and am forced to consider different income options. It is very difficult to break out of your norm to pursue new paths. For many many years I have wanted to invest in RE and looked at and purchased many programs. THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE !!. Like many people have posted every time I start to doubt or feel overwhelmed I come here and spend an hour or so refueling my desire. I WILL NOT QUIT!
Onward and upward
G.Schill

Hey Bryant:

I have been doing real estate investing since 2002. However, things went sour with my partner and I tried to open a new chapter by finding new partners or doing it on my own. I opened a new chapter in my life in March of 2009 when I joined the academy because I thought that they could help. Since then, I hit a roadblock after a roadblock. As soon as something looks semi-promising, something else happens to kill it.

I have been out of work since April of 2009 and depending on my wife's income, because I spent 7K on the Academy and savings slowly disappeared with no job and 2 small kids.

Now I am looking to build a team, not just a partner. Even though I lost my money in the academy, I am still hopeful that I can make some money in Real Estate.

I have been investing every year from 2002 until 2006. Now, all I have is a drive, willingness and hope that it works out.

Keep your chin up! I see that you are in PA. I invest in the Poconos. Maybe we can do something together.

Yuri

Good reading all the posted journals. As for me, I won't quit. Foreclosures and auctions continue to drop and I am waiting for the right time to come. I am not worried of my present financial conditions I am just waiting for the right time..really the right timetocome....dom

My gosh man, you are throwing up so many obstacles, real and imagined, in front of yourself. No wonder you've been unable to move forward.

You mention you joined an REIC when younger but then go on to say that you found realtors don't like working with newbies. Realtors in the REIC? I just ask because they are the minority in the clubs I go to. Most of the members and guests are investors and/or entrepreneurs. So I don't know if you meant to make that connection. The sense I got was that you feel REICs are a waste of time because realtors there didn't want to work with you. So weed out the realtors and look for the people with money to invest.

As far as not so good credit or not much money, welcome to the club. I'm willing to bet a huge chunk of people on this site share that with you. That's why we do what Dean has taught us, we go out and find our buyers to sell our assignments and birddogging services to. That way we build up our financial resources so that we'll have our own pot o'cash to go to in the not so distant future if we need funding. Follow what Dean teaches and you can bypass borrowing from family, especially since you make it sound like they won't lend you any money anyhow.

Worried about your social skills? Again, go to REICs and force yourself to start up a couple of conversations. Kill two birds with one stone - make yourself more sociable and just possibly make a few good RE deals.

Finally, you need to figure out what you are afraid of. Afraid of never again having to worry how you are going to pay your bills, keep a roof over your head, save for retirement, take a vacation, help out someone in financial need? Those are fears you can live without. Ya just gotta take action! Come on Brian - one of the obstacles you've placed in front of yourself is worrying that your first investment will end up being a failure and so you will never try again after that. Which leads to never trying in the first place. You have literally frozen yourself with fear by putting that in front of yourself.

And finally, I'd like to share a quote with you that I just came across today...

"Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, so go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success." - THOMAS J. WATSON

Now get out there, get going with those baby steps, and achieve the success that you know is possible.

Good luck!!!!

I remember you still. Just like you, the success academy, along with a coat tail riding partner also put me near the brink of poverty, so I laid low for a couple of months to rethink and re-coup my entire game plan. Well a month ago I jump back in head first going after a 7 unit apt. building for a buyer I have. we wanted the place for much less($325,000) than what the seller wanted to sell it for($479,900). Spent about a few weeks haggling over our highest offer, so we went up to $350,000 tops and left it at that. About a week later the realtor got back to us and said that if we were to make an offer of $400,000 that we'd have a deal. Well. I've got a habit of going silent on them when they don't speak my language, so now I'm just waiting for the realtor to get back to me with my lucky number of $350,000-$375,000 and we'll take it to the closing table. I'll stand to profit at least 10% on this if things work out. Either way I'm not holding my breath on it though. Also, I'd be happy to do something together with you. Send me a pm and lets talk.

At least you have an end buyer. My communication skills are 0. I went to few places but could not find the end buyer. I have tons of properties that I would love to buy myself (no money = no properties). And I know the area pretty well. I will send you PM, we'll talk. I don't mind sharing with someone who is willing to work and not sit around and wait.

Yuri