Is this a blessing in disguise....or my lot in life?

Dive in head-first, Jason!

What market are you in?

Vincent

You ask what does this mean? It means if you do not have money in the bank to pay your bills for a minimum of 6 months while you put 10 to 12 hours a day into your REI business you had better get another job in the meantime.

Good Luck!
Michael Mangham
Mentoring/Team Building Nationwide
MD Home Acquisitions LLC

Dive into REI hard, but have some money coming in or you will be stressed to the limit. Work it!

I ordered the book a few nights ago, and I already have done some things that I'm sure are in the book. I got a title company, a lawyer, and a real estate agent. I have bandit signs I ordered, just haven't wrote on them yet. I have no buyers list, but I have a few prospective homes to try my luck on. I would like to see results in 30 days, just like the book says. I have no job, no kids to have to deal with, and I live with family rent-free. In fact, if I needed some financial help with a bill or two, I would get it I'm sure. I'm in Omaha, NE.
Do you think it's possible? Or is this false advertising?
Jason

Definitely work on the buyers' list, Jason!

I have to remind myself not to neglect it, either.

Jason:
This sounds like your opportunity to make "hay." Don't waste it. The strategy in "30 days" works, but not in every market in 30 days. It might take longer in your market (as it did in mine)so you need to count on it taking longer and be really happy if it gets done in less time. If you don't have a landlord breathing down your neck, work the buyers list first to know what to look for for them. Why look at 2/1s if you can only sell 3/2s? If you need some income, take a part time job that has you out in the streets so you can multi-task (looking for houses while driving for your job, for example.)

Hope this helps...

Andy Sager
DG's AndyS
CFIC member

You've explained your situation a little more, so no it is not false advertising. Sounds like you are on top of it, however, as people will tell you over and over again you need buyers, so get on that buyers list. Use signs or craigslist and advertise for buyers. You need a home under contract and a seller and you can make some money! It will take work, and things are not always that easy.

Definitely a blessing in disguise if you make it to be!!! I have a great job and I day dream about quitting!! Take this and run!!

It means that you need to get busy in REI...lol
Many of us have been there so be encouraged
Your success depends on what you put into it. You now have more time to devote to your real estate career so my advice is to learn as much as you can... Knowledge is power! Then put it all into action and make it happen! We are all here for you.

So, I already have two ideas on how to build the buyers list. Bandit signs and CL ad's. Is that all? Are there other methods that are free or nearly-free? What's the most effective thing to put on a bandit sign for buyers?
Any ideas? Thanks a lot!

Jason,
if I recall, I sent you two DG books a while back?... everything is in there, and the rest you can get from this site...

You need to go out there and take action with what you already know... learn as you go, make mistakes, learn from them...

Read this thread about 30 days to cash...

http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/everything-else/86517/30-...

I got ten bandit signs out tonight. May not seem like a lot, but it was like pulling teeth for me just to write on them, let alone stick them in the ground! I was so freaked out that someone would see me, paranoid that someone would call the cops on me about a suspicious person! Am I just being normal, or am I having some mental issues!
Tomorrow, I shall go to the craft store and buy some vinyl lettering for the windows on my minivan. Also, I will be posting a few ghost ad's on CL, as well as fielding the calls that will come about that "you need to remove this sign."
This is tougher than I thought....
Jason

The more you do, the better your chances!

Just kidding; but don't be afraid. Putting up signs is not stressful for me, at least not much. I just go put them up. You are doing it, so good for you. It gets easier.

I need some urgent help! The first call I got, the guy was very insistent about getting the exact address, which of course I don't have! I have a feeling that's how these calls are going to go, I already told the guy it "just got on contract earlier", but he was still wanting the address! What do I say or do to get out of this!
Jason

Jazon,

I agree wholeheartedly with AndyS; this is truly a blessing (and an opportunity) for you. You have the good fortune of living at home, so I am sure you won't go hungry and will have a roof over your head. Are you eligible for some sort of unemployment benefits?? I know unemployment benefits are not much to speak of (been there; done that), but in conjunction with your current living and eating arrangements, you ought to be able to make this work.

If you have bills, and if unemployment doesn't cover all of them; talk to them and let them know your situation and that you are working to make ends meet. Ask for a little bit of breathing room with them, and hopefully they will work with you. DO NOT give them all of the details about what you are trying to do (i.e. RE Investment) as it really isn't their business. Just let them know you need a little breathing room and that you will make good on what you owe, someday (and be honest here, someday pay back 100 cents on the dollar for what you owe when your situation corrects itself).

Now back to your opportunity. You actually have a golden opportunity imho. I would suggest following Dean's advice 100% as he writes it out in the 30 day plan in his latest book, "30 Days to RE Cash". I might suggest, DO NOT DEVIATE from Dean's blueprint 1%. It is not about building a better mousetrap (i.e. RE Investing blueprint), but more correctly about following EXACTLY what other's have done (copying) and simply repeating it exactly as they have done it.

Sure, it may not take 30 days; maybe 45+ or maybe 17...who knows....and does that really matter?? I am personally 100% confident that if you follow step by step EXACTLY what Dean outlines in that book, you will be successful. In fact Jazon, I am so confident that I am going to challenge you and ask you to be accountability partners.

I am reminded (I think) about what someone once asked Dale Carnegie about the fastest way to get rich in America. His response?? He clearly stated it was "not to build a better mousetrap" (i.e to invent a better way of doing something) but rather "to find someone (anyone) who was successful, and to copy EXACTLY what they did to make themselves successful". He said if you do EXACTLY as they do, you will surely get rich. Now not an overnight success, understand; but eventually certainly. Dale Carnegie is a far smarter man than me, and knew success beyond my (current) knowledge; so who am I to doubt him?? or Dean?? or Matt Larson??

Today, Saturday 14 July 2012 I am going to follow Dean's blueprint EXACTLY as he has laid it out in '30 Days to RE Cash'. I challenge you to do the same thing beginning today also. Let's push each other so that we can both be success stories roughly 30 days from now; no excuses.

I work part-time (am currently under-employed) but I am not going to let that stop me. That is just one hurdle that I have to overcome in my path that is not in your path. However you don't have an income job atm; a hurdle for you. I do earn a small meager wage to cover living expenses (or at least it is supposed to...but it doesn't and that is another story altogether).

So we each have a small hurdle that the other doesn't; but we can each be successful and push the other to success also. So Jazon, are you in? Can I count on you pushing me and will you accept me pushing you (towards success)too??

Waiting to hear back from you; PM AND post your response either way on here, as I want to be accountable to the entire DG family. Other newbies are welcome to join in this quest also....the only catch is that you must follow DG's "30 Days to RE Cash" so we can all discuss our successes, hurdles, and small step triumphs along this journey. Anyone other newbies who want to join in?? PM me and respond here on this thread....we will all push one another; hold each other accountable for our actions or lack thereof; and all celebrate each of our successes (and successful little steps) along the journey that is RE Investing!!

To all of our continued success!

--Walter

"If it is to be, it is up to me". -Anon

...and I need it! Even now as I write this reply, I have had six people call my phone about the bandit signs. These are the people that have left messages. I have yet to talk to a single one, mainly because I was letting my phone charge, and I needed to get a script for these people lined up. But honestly, it was fear. Fear of success, fear of change. I also call upon all newcomers armed with this book to become accountability partners! Look, last night, I would have rather whack myself upside the head with a 2x4 than put out bandit signs, but I did it anyways. This is one area, that we all need help with. Just the motivation to do something!
Person #7 just called my bandit sign number, and surely is leaving a message as I write this. I must go now, find a script, and get to work!
Jason

Jason,

Thank you for accepting the challenge (and it is still open to other Newbies too) and congrats on getting your phone to ring! That in itself is a great accomplishment and should tell you something about your local market (i.e. there are buyers for them thar houses!!).

Now you have jumped ahead a little bit in Dean's book '30 Days to RE Cash'; but that doesn't matter. Since you are looking for what to say to these potential buyers, I'm going to suggest you (quickly) jump to the book, pages 48 - 72 inclusive. Read it; and then re-read it again. Then go back and read the bottom of page 62 a third time and follow the link to DG's website (I hope the link is working; fingers crossed). (the link does work; I'm not going to give this link to anyone, as we all need to read the section referenced above, re-read it again, and then follow the link at the bottom of page 62).

This should give you some idea as to what to say to your Buyers (callers) Jason when you speak to them. Basically you need to find out what they are looking for, where, what they can handle, etc. Make notes of each response and make sure you understand exactly what they mean with their responses to your questions. This is very important as they are basically giving you a shopping list....and you are their personal buyer to help them fill their list....and as a result when you do (notice I DID NOT SAY *IF*) you will get paid!

Now even though you are jumping ahead in the book Jason, I am still going to hold you accountable to going back and starting at the beginning of the book, after the phone stops ringing! However it is very very important that you call these people back TODAY. Do not let them wait until Monday, or they will begin to think you are not a serious player (i.e. RE Investor or Wholesaler). So call them; it is only a conversation and it isn't going to harm you (and neither did putting up the Bandit signs, did it??). You might have been a little self-conscious putting them up, but you survived, didn't you? Again, you took action and look at your results!! Pat yourself on the back!

Our assignment tonight and tomorrow Jason is to read the introduction and up to page 23 of Dean's "30 Days to RE Cash". And then it is to re-read it again and to complete each of the steps Dean has outlines for us in those pages. We are both accountable to each other to keep each other on track. No excuses!!

--Walter

"If it is to be, it is up to me". -Unknown

This is one of the problems with using ghost ads.. no address. What others have done is use their own address or a friend's address as the property in question. HOWEVER, what you are probably dealing with is another investor looking to "out" you as a phoney or using an illegal ad since you don't have anything to sell. In this case, I would get ALL of this person's info before offering the address. Most likely, they won't be so forthcoming. If they do give you their info, you now have someone for your buyers list. You just tell them that should the current contract fall through, you will let them know. Nothing says that the seller can't change their mind about selling. (hint, hint )
Don't panic about stuff you don't know, just be prepared (or as prepared as you can be.)

Keep us posted...

Andy Sager
DG's AndyS
CFIC member

Jason,

I tell them that I can give them the area, but not the address to protect my seller's privacy; I look for houses in the area that sold recently or better yet, 'pending sales' (on Zillow- just click the 'sold' box), and give them that area

Great job taking action!!! Eventually the fear will wear off, after you do it a couple of times...

...I don't have the book! I ordered it a few nights before I lost my job, so I decided that, book or no book, I was going to do this using just the knowledge I have gained from the site, as well as google searches and my travels. I also have a few earlier DG books too that Valerie sent me (thanks again) about a year ago. I already have secured an agent, a lawyer, and a title company that are all investor-friendly, and that was done over the years of my education. So, I'm just running on blind faith at the moment!
While I haven't read the "30 Days" book, I'm fairly sure I haven't skipped over anything. But, maybe I'm wrong..?
As far as responding to the callers, I have a whole script worked out that I've been using, and it's been going rather well so far. I have called back a few that called at first, and been answering the phone for the ones that have recently called, but the ones in the middle I have not talked to (and thats about ten contacts!!) I figure it's worth a shot to call them tomorrow and find out.
I got the advertisement/phone/email on the back window of my van earlier today. No calls yet, but I just got it on about an hour ago.
Got some lines on some houses that could turn into a deal to wholesale. I'm going to research them, as well as helping find someone a house to rent!
Thanks for the encouragement everyone!
Jason

Jason,

Okay, I misunderstood; I thought you had Dean's book '30 Days to Real Estate Cash'. It is gonna be kinda hard to hold you accountable to reading it and following his step-by-step blueprint for completing a deal in ~ 30 days, if you don't (yet) have the book.

Here is the link from the bottom of page 62, for gathering information on your buyers (i.e. the people calling in regards to your bandit signs):

www.deangraziosi.com/buyersprofileinterview

The link works; I confirmed it last night. It lists a series of questions that you need to gather answers to from each prospective Buyer. Again, make sure to get clear responses, because as Wholesalers we are going to fulfill orders (i.e. what type of property & where the Buyer wants to buy including sq footage, total cost; amount of rehab, etc.), so we really need to have a very very clear understanding of exactly what they are looking for. How else can we fulfill their order if we do not have this info?? lol

Good luck; let me know when you get the book.

--Walter

"If it is to be, it is up to me". -Unknown

I got a house under contract today for 60% of arv, and it doesn't need much for repairs either. I have a strong buyers list; got a few contractors looking for some rental property, but I also have some private parties that just want a house and got some money in the bank to do it. I'm well on my way! Oh, and also finally got the "30 days to real estate cash" book.
I've never bought a house before, so I need some help through this step by step - does anyone want to PM me?
Thanks!
Jason

Jason,

Congrats on getting that house under contract!! This is a major accomplishment and an absolute critical step in the whole process. Now get your buyers out there looking at the property so they can make offers to you getting you one (1) step closer to getting paid!!

Glad you got the book also; but it is much less important than the deal under contract!!

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'. -Unknown

I called my buyers list after I got this house under contract. It's like nobody cares! I mean, it's not the most fantastic deal in the world, but it's still a really good deal! Worse thing is, the next door neighbor wants to unload his house AND a lady wants to get rid of her house out west! So, if I follow through, I could have two more houses under contract! Why am I not following through? Because this buyers list is turning out to be just a bunch of flakes! I mean, I haven't even had this house locked up for 24 hours, but I should still be worried....right?
Jason

I still have the house under contract, but it is not sold yet. I may have to sandwich lease this one, but I'm leaving it in their hands for the time being.
I'm doing a house auction this sunday! It's a house out west, the current owners have spent all this money on the landscaping, the interior, all this stuff. Well, nobody cares about a house that's turn-key around here, they all want rehabs. So I'm gonna try an auction and see what happens! Let the house speak for itself!
I'm still building my buyers list, and I attended an REI meeting a few weeks ago that I had no idea was even in town! Haven't got much contacts out of that, being as most of the attendees were people starting out. But I handed out my cards anyways, made myself known.
This will work, I know it.
Jason