The Journal of the Daily Adventures of Indiana-Joe

....The weekend is almost here as I check the claendar and can't believe how fast the Summer has went by. Many of the schools in the area have returned to session as students say their farewell to the Summer of 2010. I often believe if you make the most out of the time you have, you will look forward to the next day, week, month, or season as the next challenge.

I met some additional real estate investors today. It is always a great opportunity to meet others that have an interest in real estate. As you discuss real estate options, some investors like homes, apartment buildings, commercial proeprties or even mobile homes. AS you more forward with investing you may develope your niche and become an expert in one area over the next.

The best advice is go and follow where the opportunity is for your area. You can develope you niche based on the direction you follow with the opportunity. Good luck finding your next real estate deal! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether” - Bessie Stanley

.....FRIDAY! FRIDAY! FRIDAY! Well, Friday is here! The end of the work week and the start of the weekend. Maybe its even payday? What is your plan for the weekend. Are you oging to plan and conquer? The more we work our plan the faster we can get to achieve our goals. Now is the time to plan our weekend for work and fun.

I looked at a few homes today. I am seeing more and more homes that have some water inssues in basements. Sometimes this can be caused by power being off in a property. one of the keys when you see water in a basement is to try to determine what may have caused it. It is due to a lack of power and maybe the sump pump could not work effectively?

Could the leak be caused by a crack or a low window? If you can determine what is causing the problem, it may help you craft the offer. If you like the property maybe start lower on your offer so you can have some flexibility with repair options. Repairs could cost more than you believe based on the problem at hand.

I hope everyone had a great week as the weekend is approaching. Remember to make a plan and take action to achieve success. Good luck with finding that next real estate deal. You can do it! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” - Leonardo da Vinci

Joe,
I just went through most of your journal. You and Stacey are always working some angle on your REI. You are and inspiration. I noticed how you talked to other passengers on the plane. I find that interesting and easy to do too. I also noticed how you stated it is never too late to start REI. I have thought about that since I will be 65 next month. I cannot believe that many years have already gone by. I feel like I am still 30, except for the back problems I have had over the past month. I caught a mention back a few days ago where you are "retired" from your job and working REI full time now. Is that true? How do you find it, just working REI and not having to do that daily grind into Chicago. I worked downtown Orlando a few years back and it took at least an hour to make the trip and maybe 4 hours if there is an accident on Interstate 4. The driving always left me up tight and nervous because in Florida it seems everyone drives in excess of 80 mph. I am so glad to see you moving ahead and keeping that wonderful attitude. I noticed that you are on top of the Top Users list. I want to be in that list one day too. Thank you for taking the time to update your journal and keep us posted of your successes.

Tim

....Thanks for stopping by my daily journal. Each day we try to always do at least one thing to move us along with our real estate adventure. Over time, it can really add up to leads and then deals. I enjoy traveling and meeting others. Airplanes are fun because you can get to know the people around you. Most people are very friendly and it can be amazing th information others can share. As I often have stated, yo ucan never be too old to start real estate investing. This is the one of the greatest time in history to be a real estate investor. Some pretty success business people started later in life. Colonel Sanders from Kentucy Fried Chicken (KFC) staretd franchising his KFCs at age 65. Ray Kroc staretd to franchise McDonald's at age 52. Therefore, it is never to late to start and who knows what heights you may reach!

I am so excited to working on real estate 100% of my time. I feel truly blessed to have found Dean's books and programs becuase they have provided to me opprotunities I would have never had. I don't miss those 2 hour commutes and I have more time each day to get more things done. I feel as though a heavy weight was lifted from my shoulders. I know what you mean about I-4. I use to go to Orlando on business several years ago and would fly into OIA or TPA. I would often be on I-4 and the Disney area and downtown were always the most challenging. I spent alot of time in Orlando, Lake Buena Vista, Dr. Phillips, Windermere and the Kissimmee areas. On weekends I would often be at the Belz Factory Outlets at the end of I-Drive. If I make it to Orlando later this Fall, we will have to get together for dinner. Good luck on finding that next real estate deal. You can do it! Have a great weekend, my friend. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Hello Joe,

I hope you and Stacey are doing very well. thanks for all you do for us newbies. you are a real inspiration. Joe, i just wanted to say that Ray Kroc was on like his 7th business venture known as MCDONALD'S (the other 6 had failed) and his wife told him if he wasted any more money she would leave him. they divorced and the rest is history. so it's never too late.

wishing You and Stacey all the success

Walt

Hi Joe and Stacey. I will be following your Journal pretty close while we go into the SFL trainging. I'm Sure you will be able to answer some question or give us newbie a recap on how you see it to work over and beyond our understanding. I have read much about you and have had the hornor to have a visit from you on my journal. I made up my mine to be at the EDGE 2011 and meet all my soon to be mentors. Thanks for sharing with us all. Matlock

Thanks for stopping by the daily adventure journal. Thanks for sharing the additional insight with Ray Kroc. The key to success can be to learn from past experiences as we learn the lessons of business and the lessons of life. The great thign about the DG community ius we can learn form each other and Dean is always trying to provide us with the latest tools and information we need to succeed! Good luck on your future deals. Have a great week! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...Thank you for stopping by my daily adventure jounral. Congrtaualtions for getting the SFL training system. From everything I have went through thus far, it is a tremendous system. I am getting so many new ideas. The DG website is also fileld with inspriation and information. I look forward to readign about your progress. The EDGE event 09 really light a fire under us and we could not believe all the information. The EDGE 2010 was aesome as well. The event was jammed packed with information, insiught, tips, techniques and startegies. I can;t wait for the EDGE 2011! I believe these are can't miss events and we are countign down already. Good luck! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...There was a little chill in the air as I noticed a few leaves making there way from the trees to the grass. A hint of Fall is in the air, but most of us want to hang on top these last few splendid days of Summer. Many schools are back in session but if we could enjoy a few more hours or even days of Summer, it would be nice just to soak up the sunshine.

I went to look at a few properties this past weekend. The first home had a refinished basement where they put in 2 bedrooms and an extra bath. The previous home owner cut into the foundation to make large windows for the basement for another way out in the event of an emergency. The windows were probably cut too low because water had came into the basement. it was a foreclosure and they was potential but anytime you have water damage you need to pinpoint where the problem may be occurring. You also need to estimate your costs and even add in a few more dollars for those unexpected items that may arise.

I would encourage those that are just getting started to start with an easier project such as a home that may only need carpet and paint. Over time you can work your way up to more extensive projects and repairs. The key is learning as you go and making money rather than losing money on a property that can be a money pit. It's like the old saying of look for an opportunity, not a "money pit".

I hope everyone is having a great weekend and your having a great Saturday. Whether your cooking out, at the beach, or in your uard, its time to soak up some fun. Tomorrow is a new day that may be filled with even greater opportunities! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” - Charles R. Swindoll

......The weather was picture perfect as Sunday was upon us. I went to look at a few open houses today. It is always interesting to me to meet various realtors and get their take on the local real estate market and what information they have to offer. If you have not stopped at an open house or two recently, you should. There is some good information to be found about the home, the local market and the agent's perspective of the market.

The other reason I like open houses is to see the types of improvements being made to homes and to see the types of materials being used in my area. It gives me a better idea of what hoem owners and rehabbers are doing to homes to get them sold. I also get good ideas to use certain items or paint colors being seeing what others have done.

I went ahead and updated my Craigslist ads and put up a few more flyers. I always say try to make real estate investign part of your everyday life. It can takes minutes to woirk your busienss some days but the potential leads you get from those minutes of work could make for some life changing deals!

I hope everyone is ready for another great week ahead. Thsi could be the week where you make that first deal or that next deal! Go for it! You never know until you keep doing all the right things and the potential deals will follow. Have a great week! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?” - Author Unknown

...Monday is back and the week is off to a fast start. So many people have the Monday blues, but after all it is just another day that sometimes can take a little longer than most to get through. The great thing is once you finish your work day you now have time to devote to your real estate investing.

I like the expression that I heard about the path of your futre. They say, it is what you do and how you leverage your free time that will determine the path of your future success. So often we read about others that start on a small business and work at it part time. Sooner or later, it can become a full time venture. I know many people out there would love to do real estate full time. The key is keep taking steps in the right direction and that day will come.

In any event, it is a new week. Time to update the goals and set that bar for achieving some things you need to accomplish. Try to reflect on your goals each week to keep score of where you are and what you need to do to get where you want to be. The time will come and you will be ready!

I hope everyone has a great week and finds a few good leads. Be sure to drive the local aream check your local paper and see what others may miss. Good luck finding that next rel estate deal! You can and you will do it!Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “The more intensely we feel about an idea or a goal, the more assuredly the idea, buried deep in our subconscious, will direct us along the path to its fulfillment.” - Earl Nightingale

......As I check the calendar, I have to point out that Christmas is 4 months away (around 120 days!) Don't forget to start your holiday shopping. As we most thigns in life, a little planning goes a long way. It seems like you have time for shopping but the bargains are more plentiful when you are looking for them.

Real estate is often the same way. The more you look, the more you will find. The more offers you make the more deals you will find. Are you doing all you can to locate the next deal? Are you running numbers, evaluating deals and making offers? You have to begin and it will happen. Will this weekend be productive? Its up to you.

I am looking at another market this weekend and I look forward to runnign the numbers to learn the market. The more i learn the more confident I will be about that market. Once you know the market watch for market cycle indicators that will tell you where the market is going. This will help you with offers you submit and deals you might get.

Good luck with findign soem deals this week. Make sure you do all you can in your local market and continue to cast your net wider and wider. Before you know it your knowledge will enhance and you will be doing more deals. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

....The day started out warm as I had some errands to run in the morning. I was able to get most of the thigns completed that I set out to do. The good thing is when you begin early, it leaves plenty of time in your day for others things.

One tip that I like to always try to do, is get my emails out to people late at night or first thing in the morning. Then I can do whatever I need to do and get the answers to my emails throughout the day. A little organization can go along way.

I often speak with new investors and the one thing that has come up lately is the lack of available time to do their business. I believe you have to make real estate investing part of your life and incorporate it into your daily life. As you go through your normal day, take a few extra mintues and write down signs, post fliers, or stop and look at homes at your run your errands. Devote a little time during your day rather then setting aside the entire weekend. The key is the more time you devote, the faster you will build your busienss nd watch it grow.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week! Keep doing all the right things and good things will happen. Persistence pays off! You can do it. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: "Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success." - Dale Carnegie

...Thursday thunder is here as a light thunder storm moved through the area this morning. The day was going to be a little more humid so the key was to get an early start. As theday heats up, I hope the opprotunities will to. Sometimes its a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

I went to the local Staples to inquire about some postcard mailers. The pricign was ok, but i still wanted to shop around. Soemtimes saving a few pennies on each item can add up over time. Always remember to try to get at least 3 bids for larger items, or items you may order, over and over.

I follwoed up on a few leads and will wait to see if anything works out. Even if I don't work out a deal it is always good to see whats happening in the local real estate market. You will not get every deal you put an offer in on, but if you learn something from submitting that offer, it was well worth your time.

I hope everyone is having a great day today. If not, you cna make a bad day better! Be sure to pat yourself on the back as you complete a few tasks. You may even want to treat yourself for a gourmet coffee, an ice cream sundae, some chocolate candies or even a hearty pizza! The more you do, the more you should reward yourself for a job well done! Keep up the good work. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

We do miss the thunder storms of the midwest. It has been over 100 here in N.CA. Sunday they say will be in the 70s.

I like what you sad about learning something from every offer. We sure have learned a lot over the last year.

When you have time check out our new journal.

Steve and Veronica.

...Thanks for stopping by my daily adventure journal. The thunder storms will be in full swing as the Fall season is fast approaching. Nothing like those swing in temperatures and humidty here in the Midwest. Hope you have a great weekend. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...The day started out with plenty of sunshine as I had realtors to meet and about 8 properties to take a look at. It was great to explore a new market as I looked at various homes from $99,000 to $250,000. I often like taking a look at various prices ranges to understand what you may get for the money.

As I met a number of realtors, I was very impressed by some of the data and information they provided. It was great to see they did al ot of the leg work that I was lookign for such as comps from the past 3 months, avergae days on market and comparisons of new listings for the new and average sales and pricing. The information svaed me a lot of time.

Make sure you leverage your power team to help you with as much as you can. The more they do the less you will have to do and the more time you will have to run the numbers and make offers. The choice is up to you. Another tip is to have depth in your power team bench! The more depth you have the better off you will be when you really need something.

Good luck fidning that next real estate deal. Let your power team help you as much as thye can along the way. You will be able to do more deals with less work on your own! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “Great teamwork is the only way we create the breakthroughs that define our careers.” - Pat Riley

You are much more busy with REI since you are now doing it full time. I appreciate all the hints and recommendations you share as you go along your way doing REI. I am trying to get in on a deal for a duplex in Lakeland. I don't know if I missed the deadline which the Realtor told me was 4PM Friday. It sounded like he was letting me know that I should move on this deal and submit my offer even if it is late. He said he had 5 other offers. We'll have to see how this works out.

Tim

.....Glad to hear about your potential deal in Lakeland. My friend lived in Lakeland for about 3 years and I visted him a several times. I would make the drive from Orlando or Tampa down I-4 and exit on US 98. That is the first time I ate at the local Beef O'Brady's restaurant.

I believe the Detroit Tigers also have their spring training in Lakeland. Congratulations for taking action and making offers. That is the key to success in this business. Even if this duplex offer does not go through, keep making calculated offers and good things will happen. Have a great week in sunny central Florida. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...The day started out with some fantastic weather. I had to take care of a few things including running to the Lowe's home improvement center. The great thing about these stores is they carry the same products and are setup almost the same no matter which one you shop at. If you have not spent some time in a Lowe's Home Depot or Menards, you don't know what you are missing.

It is always a good idea to take a walk through these stores just to see the variety of items they carry. The more familiar you become, the more items you can find for those repairs. special projects or creative little touches.

I had a great Saturday and met some other very nice people. the mroe you talk with people the more you learn. I had a great Saturday and all around nice past few days. I enjoy every minute that I can spend on real estate and have been fortunate to make some new friends along the way.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. As August is coming to a close and September is right around the corner. Good luck finding that next real estate deal. It could be a phone call or a written offer away! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” - Maria Robinson

....It was the final Sunday for August 2010. It is always sad when theconerts in the park end on that last Sunday of August, It almost feels as though it is the last Sunday of the Summer season! In any event you make the day last as long as possible as the sun slowly goes down on the weeekend.

I went to a few open houses this afternoon. I enjoyed seeing some homes in other areas and talking with the local realtors hosting the open house. You can learn about the area and market by just talking with people. I also like looking to see the types of upgrades being done.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Time to have some fun in the sun. This week will be a great one to find that next real estate deal! Make this Monday magical! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” - Charles R. Swindoll

....Monday was here whether we were ready for it or not. The key is would it be a magical Monday or a misrable Monday? I guess in some perspective the choice or results may be up to you. Always try to make make the most out of any day. As they say if life brings you lemons, make lemonade.

I had several task to complete this day. I wanted to make sure I updated and repsonded to a few craigslist ads. The more you advertise the more you may have an opportunity to discover more deals. It's like fishing, the right bait and the more lines in the water will increase your chances. Real estate investing is no different.

I hope everyone is having a great Monday as we start a new fresh week. The week will go by quick so make sure you make your schedule for what you want to do each day to move you closer to your real estate goals. You can do it! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: "The ability to concentrate and to use your time well is everything if you want to succeed in business--or almost anywhere else for that matter." - Lee Iacocca

.....August 2010 is coming to an end as September will begin. Its a new month and another fresh start to start your investing, learning markets, making contacts and making offers. Do not let another month pass you by. There is no better time, than today!

I had an opportunity to take a look at another real estate market. I always enjoy trying to figure out where the opportunity may be in a new market. I believe you can learn a lot of great information by speaking with realtors that are familiar with each pocket of each area. The deals are in the details so make sure you become good at gathering and analyzing information on a market. A realtor can do most of the heavy lifting of the gathering of the information to review.

Keep working on your power team and build depth in every area. The great thing about your power team is you can have as many players as you want. How deep is your bench? Is it time to deepen the bench? September is a perfect time! Good luck with real estate investing. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: "Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people." - Jim Rohn

......Happy September 1st! The Labor holiday is coming up this weekend and it will be a great time to have a little fun and rest for your hard work this year. Do you celebrate your hard work? This could be a great weekend to do it. Why not spend sometime with family, fun and food. After a great holiday weekend, you can hit the ground running again with your real estate efforts.

Make the plan, set your goals, work the plan and achieve your goals. You may need to make adjustments accordingly as you move forward with your efforts. Have a great week and make those plans for fun in the sun. Good luck on that next deal. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: "All of us might wish at times that we lived in a more tranquil world, but we don't. And if our times are difficult and perplexing, so are they challenging and filled with opportunity." - Robert Kennedy

.....Thursday was here as many people are gettign ready for the BIG holiday weekend! This is a chance to get that grill out for the end of Summer grilling and picnic extravaganza! This is a great time to enjoy the end of the Summer season and welcome the Fall.

I had several errands to run and I met a few new realtors today. It was a good opportunity to met some new people that had information to offer on some areas I was looking at. I always try to listen as much as I can to hear what people have to say about an area.

I hope everyone is having a great week as we prepare for the holiday weekend. Good luck finding that next deal! Keep driving for dollars, they will come and may be just around the next corner! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: “Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.” - Tennessee Williams

I always enjoy reading your journal and posts.So glad you can do REI fulltime.
I hope you and Stacey have a great holiday weekend.If you ever get down to Charlotte,NC let me know .Would love too meet you guys.

Take care
Curtis Fillers
(Charlotte,NC)

....Thanks for stopping by my daily adventure journal. It is tremendous feeling for me to be doing real estate full time. I really enjoy real estate and it doesn't even seem like work. I am having a great time, doing something I look forward to each day. I hope you have a great Labor Holiday weekend! If we make it down to Charlotte, NC, we can meet for lunch. Good luck with real estate investing. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

.....Friday is here and it is the start of the long Holiday weekend. it is great that the weeken is almost here but the weather has cooled down and dropped by 25 degrees. The evening was rtaher cool in the low 50's and the weekend was forecasted to be in the high 60's.

I had a productive day and looked at a few properties. One of the hoems fwas a foreclosure that was a fannie mae property. This proeprty may have some potential as I need to run the numbers. The key when you run the numbers is to always try to figure out the ceiling orthe most you will pay for a property and then start out lower than your high price.

I hope you have great weekend. Enjoy each day and you will be ready to hit the ground running after the long weekend. You may want to update your plan of action so you will be ready after the weekend. Believe nad Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: “Only a life lived for others is worth living” - Albert Einstein

...The weekend is here and I am goign to have soem fun in the sun. Friday night the temperature got down to under 50 degrees. It is suppose to be back up to 70 degrees within a few days. In any event, I believe the weekend will be fun because there are a lot of fun activities and Labor Day Sales.

As we drove to another area to spend some time, I stopped at a local gas station to get a free real estate book. i enjoy going through them with each new area we visit. It is fun to see what other markets are doing. I saw a large home that sold at auction in July ewas back on the market. I spoke with a few people in town and they stated that someone purchsed the home at auction and then immediately listed it back on the market. They are probably trying for a quick flip.

Be sure to go the gorcery store before the chips, hotdogs and buns get sold out. This weekend in one of the most popular for cookouts. So whether your dining in or out, have a great Labor Day holiday weekend. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: "Every man who possibly can should force himself to a holiday of a full month in a year, whether he feels like taking it or not." -William James

.....Long weekends are always a great time to relax and have a good time. I was albe to go to an amusement park in the area and ride the odl fashioned rides and take a stroll along the boardwalk. It reminded me of being young and attended the local carnival when it came to town each and every 4th of July holiday.

Holidays are great time to get together with family and friends. We make time to do have fun but often these days can be few and far between. We have tio make time for what is importnat to us and always have a good balance between work and fun. You never know if one of the best memories can be from a summer picnic or a trip to the park or movies.

As I drove through town I saw a sign that had a great message..."Is good enough, really good enough?" This is a great message to consider when we are doing our real estate investing. If we have a good effort. Is this good effort good enough? Are we achieiving the results you really want? The best thing is to determine where you want to be and what effort you may have to put forth to get there.

Good luck with your real estate efforts, you can do it. I hope everyone is having fun and reachign for the stars. Have a great Labor day Holiday Weekend! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.” - Napoleon Hill