The Journal of the Daily Adventures of Indiana-Joe

....The calendar continues to turn at a rapid pace as the Labor Day Holiday is here! So often than not, we think of this day as the unofficial end to the Summer season. It was a picture perfect day with a light breeze and temperatures in the mid 70's. You could not have asked for a better day to be outside having a BBQ or just some fun!

We enjoyed ourselves at a local amusement park and then headed home for dinner at a local restaurant. They have a great selection with a patio to sit outside to enjoy your meal. It was nice to relx a little on this Lbor Day 2010. I believe it is important to work hard, but also to play hard or relax hard when the day comes. This will allow you to recharge those batteries.

I have a full week ahead as I planned out my tasks for the week. I really am ejoying the Set for Life System as I navigate my way through each of the areas. I hope to hear form others and leverage how everyone is using this awesome tool!

I hope you have a great week ahead. Be sure to have some additional fun in the sun! The Fall season may only be a few weeks away as I notice a few more leaving already flling to the ground. Good luck locating that next real estate deal! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: "Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received." - Albert Einstein

.....The day started out fast as I took a look at a few new listings. I thoguht they had potential but after I wnet through the homes I decided to keep these on my back burner. If they are on the market another 30 days pr longer, I will make an offer.

I spent some time working on more of the set for life system. I really enjoy learning a little each day and plant the seeds for future results. It is great how we can share and levergae what we learn.

I hope everyone is having a great week. Keep moving forward and you will get to where you want to be. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: “As a small businessperson, you have no greater leverage than the truth.” - Paul Keating

We just wanted to say thanks Joe and Stacey for giving us the motivation to step out and just go for it. We put a bid in on a HUD auction home in a small Indiana town a few days ago and we won the bid. The home is only 3 blocks from my Sister's house. She was able to look at the house for me and she confirmed it was worth the money we paid. $15k. It will need some work but will rent out fast for around $450.00 a month.

I have to say Joe and Stacey that your Edge 2010 teachings and your book on e-bay and Craigs list has put a fire under us to get deals done.

Thanks

Steve and Veronica.

I spent most of the night reading thru your journal. Reading it has been a load off my chest, I bought Dean's book "Be A RE Millionaire read it and attempted 1 one. It was a no go and I never really pursued it that much afterwards. I kept getting e-mails from DG website and occasinally sifted thru some of the info. I recently saw a few homes and I started to wonder "What if I got serious about what I really want in life for my family and for myself- which is finacial freedom!". I have since order The Edge 2010 program which has not arrived yet, siftd thru some more info and stumbled upon Indiana Joe, I am glad I did I was up all night and am looking forward to the future.

I got my first book over a year ago and have not progressed at all mostly out of fear of rejection- which I will no longer allow myself to do so!

Thanx,
wfmonroy1

.....Congratulations on the HUD home in Indiana. That is great, way to go! The more offers you make, the more good things that can happen. Great way to take action! As your business grows, you may even create other opportunitites for your family or friends to assist. It is truly win-win for everyone. Each day we can make a little money gain more knowledge that can help better prepare us for that next deal. Have a great weekend! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

....Thanks for stopping by my daily adventure journal. Congratulations for taking action, you can do it. The DG.com wensite is an awesome place to find like minded real estate invetsors. The website has so much great content and Dean is constantly sharing with us the latest tips, tools and techniques for real estate investing. I am so grateful to have found Dean's books and programs because they have changed out lives. Real estate can change your life. If you put in the time and effort, you can make it happen too.

The Gain the EDGE 10 event was just tremendous! I am sure you are going to enjoy the DVDs. A tip I could offer, is for you to watch the DVDs a few times each because there are so many tips, each time you watch them you learn soemthing new. I look forward to hearing about your progress and future real estate deals. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

.....The weather was really nice in the morning as i got up to take a walk. The thing I found about being an investor 100% of the time is you sometimes lose track of the date or even the day of the week. When you have the day "J-O-B" often you are countign down to the weekend. As I walked around my neighborhood, I met several neighbors as they were out for a brisk walk. It made me feel good that i apepared to be the "Youngster" out in the morning.

I ran a few errands and made some calls. I always tyr to get done as much as I can before 12 noon. It was a productive day as i headed into a new area. I was sure to scope out the local real estate books and little community papers. You can find these around in those little "take one" corner dispensers usually near the other daily area newspapers.

I hope everyone is having a great week. How many properties have you reviewed the numbers on this week? How many wil lyou look at this weekend and how many offers will you make? Lets get the plan together and be ready for the weekend! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: "Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price." - Vince Lombardi

....Thursday was here and it was a little cooler weather. I was able to get an early start and I was off and runnign for most of the day. I met some new investors and had the ability to review some properties in a new real estate market. It was great to see other areas and learn about more new strategies.

I often believe you might be able to learn more by listening. I believe others have good information to share and if you ask good questions you may be able to get a wealth of information. The more you ask the more you find out.

I am off to look at a few more properties in the afternoon and will run the numbers when I return. I hope everyone is having a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: “Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.” - Unknown

Joe as of when were you able to do REI full time and hw long did it take you to accomplish such a feat? By the way Conrats too your wonderful acheivment...I look forward to being able to do the same!

Once again, Thank you!
Fermin

.....I went full time after a little over 1 and 1/2 years. The key is to go at your own pace and look for great deals. Try not to put a timeframe on your goals, just do your best each day. Good luck with real estate investing. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

The final days of Summer are here. It is the first Sunday of NFL football today, however would it be better looking for that next deal? Rather than watching football, lets go driving the area for deals. The weather is great and today is a new day for another drive to find another great market. (The Bears will be on WGN radio 720) Carpe Diem! :0) - Stacey

I have gotten caught up on you journal some. I appreciate the positive input on a regular basis. I am looking forward to hearing about your next deal.

Tim

1-0 I know this is not a form for the best all time football team from a mid western town that starts with a C and ends with an O. All I can say is it's a good start.

Good luck with all your REI during this great football seaon.

Steve and Veronica.

...Looks like the Florida Gators are off to a great start again. Hope all is going well in sunny central Florida. Keep moving forward and keep making offers and that next deal will be right around the corner. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

....As they say, you can't go undefeated if you don't win the first game. Hopefully this year will be a fun season. Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing more about your Indiana deals. I can keep an eye out on any others you may locate. The more we look, the more we will find. I get amazed at how many great oppotunities there are in the Midwest. Have a great week! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

......Friday is here and I know many of you are probably ready for the weekend. Whenever we have along week, the weekend is our time to recharge and relax. If you are working on finding a real estate deal, the weekend might just be the time you need. Be sure to make a little time to review a few deals.

I had the opportunity to go to a courthouse auction today. It was informative as i met seveal other people. Sometimes if you learn about a process it is worth your time. I met another DG member at the auction. it is always great to network with others. We did find out about the process to better understand how it may work.

I had an opportunity to take a look at 6 properties today. It was interesting to see how the same types of homes could vary in asking price. One key to always remember is that asking price is not selling price. So when you see a list price or asking price on a property, make sure you determine what might be a good actual selling price.

Good luck with finding that next real estate deal. Make sure you have a productive weekend. Keep up the good work. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.” - Alexander Graham Bell

....The weather was sunny and in the mid 70's today. It was a great day to be out and about. Id did notice several garage sales as I drove the area. I made a stop at the Lowe's Home Improvement Center. I like to take a look at the discounted appliance isle. You can really save on dent or dinged appliances. These are great to use in either a flip or a rental property.

I ran the numbers on the properties I took a look at yesterday. When your review the numbers, you want to make sure you like the numbers more than the property. Do not let your emotion convicne you to pay more for a property. Let the numbers drive the deal.

Have a great weekend and be sure to review a few real estate deals this weekend. Each deal you review is a godo way to be ready for the next opportunity that comes your way. You can do it! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” - Whitney M. Young, Jr.

Hello Joe and Stacey

I have not posted on the site in quite a while it is nice to see you and Stacey are doing well.

We have had quite a few challenges over many months that knocked me off track of my goals. Around the holidays last year was when I got started and I had posted a few times on the site. You had been one of many who answered many questions I had and I thank you for that. I'm not going to go into any detail here but just to give you an idea of what we went through. I signed up for DG coaching Real Estate Success Academy spending just about everything we had in savings.

Shortly after my computer printer died, a week later my wife became very ill. She is already in a very bad way with many issues she is dealing with. I tell more about my wife Julene in my profile. I became very ill about a week after her and missed many days of work! Come to find out, both my wife and I had pneumonia I never have been this sick in my life. While home sick my computer died, I went back to work and my car started having problems and I have no money to fix it so just hopping for the best. We lost a family member and there were more issues on top of all that.

I did not tell you this part above to have someone feeling sorry for us. But I do have a reason! I wanted to mention this. Maybe this is the wrong place to post this but I wanted to put in a word for the DG Real Estate Success Academy Coaching system.

I still don’t really know how to post on this site .

With everything that I mentioned above, I burned up almost 6 months of my coaching where I did not do a thing. I only spent about 10 min with one coach the first week I had the system in place. And I was only able to do a few lessons. Because my printer died on me I was not able to print any of the training material so basically I had got nothing for the money I spent to enroll in the system. Now here is what I have to say about the Real Estate Success Academy and coaching.

If you are thinking about joining the Real Estate Success Academy, DO IT.

Not only is Dean the "REAL DEAL" but the team of coaches are great. I decided to call and ask if there was anyway that I could actually just start over from day one. I explained to Adam in qaulity assurance at PMI very briefly what I talked about above. I told him that when I signed up for the Real Estate Success Academy was the worst timing I could have had. With no questions asked Adam said! "SURE NO PROBLEM"

I am in the academy with a fresh start and now I am off and running down the path to the group of other success stories of the “DG family”. The coaching team is fantastic, I have spent many hours, sometimes several calls a day on the phone with them in the last several days, I got started again 8/28 about the same time I purchased the SFL system. Now are savings is gone, but I’m more excited than ever.

I’m excited to say I'm getting this thing rocking and rolling and working on doing my first transaction which will be a short sale. I sent off the release of information form to the folks who are in foreclosure the other night and I am just waiting for them to contact me. One is a coworker of mine and I really hope we can make something happen for them. My plan is not only to help them out by stopping the foreclosure (which as you know can mess up there credit for 7 to 10 years and make it almost impossible to even rent in some area's now). I hope to put some money back in there pocket at the end of the deal.

I was watching the EDGE 10 video the other night and love the part where Dean talked about how every time he looked at you and Stacey, you all were either writing notes or looking at him with a big old grin. I loved that! LOL

I was doing the exact same thing the whole time I was watching the videos. With one exception! For me it was more like the following, write note, pause, rewind, play, write note, pause, rewind, play, pause I think you get the idea. I guess Carol Stinson could add this to her list of dances (waltz). I don’t know much about dancing LOL.

Now I do have to admit that when I get to your part on the EDGE 10 I just keep falling asleep!!! Just kidding It was fun to listen to the excitement and energy that you and Stacey both have. I had not been on the site in quite awhile as I said above because I didn’t really know what I had to offer. But when you two were talking about how the other DG members at the Edge 10 had encouraged you to get on the forums it made since to me that maybe I should get back on as well. So here I am.

You all were great and I think you all so much, I have learned a ton.

Have a great one!

Mark

Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us! You always break things down to simple steps that anyone can do!

.....Thanks for taking the tiem to visit my daily adventure journal. It is great you took the time to share your story with others. It can be motivating to know persistence can pay off. So often then not we get discouraged when things happen in our lives. We have all been there before. What may define our character is how we react to a challenge that we face.

Thanks for sharing your experience along the way. I also agree and can't say enough good things about Dean's Success Academy. They truly care and want to help the students in every way they can. I am glad to hear they have been an inspiration and a great resource for you.

The SFL system, is also an amazing tool. I feel like it is a Ferrari but I am only driving it 35 MPH. I am working to get it up to 55 and beyond. There is so much great content with the SFL system that I am also trying to share my experience with others along the way. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading about your progress and future deals! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...Thanks for stopping by and your kind words. We appreciate it. It is great that everyday there is so much great content and information on DG.com. Keep up the good work! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Hey Joe

I know what you are talking about as far as the SFL system goes.

I activated my lead pipes within a few days of purchasing the SFL system and got 30 pages of leads. Not sure if that is good or bad. I set up my core site a few days ago. I wanted to be able to match my business name to my core site. Now I am in the process of getting my business cards, flyers and all the other advertising items ready to go. I did get my first hit on my website last night for a buyer lead. I need to contact the lead today. My next step now is to get postcards out to my lead pipe list, and set up a couple of squeeze pages up.

I am kind of split in multiple directions at the moment. I am having so much fun watching and learning about SFL, doing the Success Academy lessons, and watching the EDGE. I have been taking notes and putting what I am learning into action, it’s all a lot to take in but great information.

I am going to hit a couple of REI meetings in Portland OR area next week to start building my buyers list as well as get out there and network with others in my area.

Have a great day!

Mark

...Sounds like your moving along great. A real estate invement club is a great way to network and build your buyer's list. I believe everyone that you meet can help you with your real estate investment efforts, however the only question becomes will they? Keep up the good work. Everyday you do something its getting you closer to your goals. Good luck with real estate investing. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

.....There is a hint of the Fall Season in the air. Eacvh day I have noticed a few more leaves gently laying on the ground. The weekend was flying by as I decided to take a drive up to a park area. It was a long drive but it was veyr quiet. Sometimes when it is really quiet you can hear yourself think. I enjoyed the drive and headed back.

As I watched some football later in the day, i dosed off while thinking about my plan for the week. I updated my activities for the week, made some calls and sent some emails. It was a fun filled day and a productive night. I was getting ready for the week ahead.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and is planning the week ahead. This is the week to take action, run soem numbers and make some offers. Good luck findign that next deal. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent van Gogh

....Monday.....Monday.....Monday! Where did the weekend go? Now is the time to start the week off right and take action. Did you contact your realtor about any new listings today? Did you realtor send you any listings that may have expired? What is happening with the average days on the market (DOM) for your local area? Now is the time, are you taking action?

I had an opportunity to meet a few new real estate agents as i looked at a new area. It was interesting to find out that most relators in this area new properties were over priced as DOM had been increasing however most sellers were reluctant to lower the asking price.

As more new properties come on the market, it may motivate these sellers to make the adjustments that may be needed to make the properties move. As we have often discussed, the listing price of a proeprty has nothing to do with what price it may take to make the property sell. I hope your having a great week as you head home from a long day at work. now the fun begins as its ....REAL ESTATE TIME! Let's get going and start working on that next lead. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: "America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand." - Harry S. Truman

...Was today a terrific Tuesday or a terrible Tuesday? No matter what type of day it was does not mean your night has to be the same way. You have the right and control to make the night any way you want it to be. If your day was bad, just tell yourself that you will do what you have to make a change.

It is so true that a mindset can help you along the way. It you have a good mindset you will know that you can achieve anythign you set your mind to. Make sure today is the day that may change the path of your life.

I looked at more propeties and I ran more numbers. I know that it is a numbers game and the more properties you look at and the more offers you make, the more chance you will having at locking up that next deal. Have a great week. You can do it! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Good morning Joe. I don't know where you come up with your quotes, but they are great. However,they pale in comparison to your information and inspiration. I am a brand new member of the Success Academy (9/15) and just got into my first lesson last night.I'm amazed at how clearly everything is explained and how it's coming together. I'm also thrilled at how my SFL system is going to be when I finally learn how to use it.My mindset is ,or should I say has, changed to one of I CAN DO THIS!!!I'm sure as I progress through the lessons they'll get more involved and complicated, but it'll definately be worth the effort.Ican't wait to get home to jump further in. This workin' stuff gets in the way of everything. Oh well, a necessary evil for now. Just a temporary one though. Thanks again for all the great info. It seem like I'm getting addicted to this site and all it entails. What a great addiction. Thanks again,take care&God bless.....John

.....Congratulations for joining Dean's Success Academy. It is a great decision that can put you on the fast track for real estate investing. The Success Academy coaches and program are awesome and a wealth of knowledge. The SFL system is also jamemd packed with gret content to assist you with your investing. As Benjamin Franklin would state..."the best investment you can make is in your education."

Keep up the good work and each day you will learn a little more to get you closer to your goals. The DG website is also packed with ana abundance of informatio nand inspiration. It is refreshing to be around so many like minded real estate investors. I am looking forward to reading about your progress and future deals. Have a great weekend. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

....I really enjoyed Dean's conference call last night and I know I will be listening to the replay for any tips or tidbits I may have missed. The morning started out kind of brisk as they was a cool breeze. The day warmed up to a nice 68 degrees as I went for a morning walk. The week is just flying by as I met a few new realtors today.

It was interesting to hear the realtors take on the local market. Both realtors I spoke to today discussed how they believed their market was not at the bottom yet. The buyers were makign agressive offers but the sellers were still holding firm with higher than the market would bear pricing.

The lesson to learn here is that everyone may have an opinion on a property or the market but no one truly knows what a sellers motivation will be to take your offer. Make sure you make a lot of offers and you will be one step closer to findign that motivated seller! I hope eevryone is having a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day: “Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.” - Mark Victor Hansen

....The day started out with some rain showers but soon cleared to be a nice day. It was a good day to drive the area and look for some for sale by owner signs. These can be some of the ebst deals you locate. If a for sale by owner does not sell their property they usually list it with a realtor after time. If you can view the property nad determine what price may make it a good deal, it is something you may be able to purchase at a later time.

Thus, always be sure to get the for sale by owner's contact information especially their email address can be the most important piece of information you get. You can then thank them for their time in an email and if they later determine "to become flexible on thier price or terms, to please call or contact you." This can lead to a future deal as the home owner becomes frustrated with a lack of traffic or offers on their property.

Good luck finding that next real estate deal. Make sure you make plenty of contacts and pass out plenty of business cards. Some of the properties you look at today may boomerang back to you in a few months as the next deal. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day: “He that can have Patience, can have what he will” - Benjamin Franklin