The Journal of the Daily Adventures of Indiana-Joe

Congratulations on 5000 posts!! You are a true inspiration to so many here and have a wonderful way of writing. Thanks for sharing your experience, and knowledge with all of us and for your ongoing willingness to help others.

Lea

Congratulations on your 5,000 posts on DG.com. I know there were many late nights included in that 5,000. That is simply unbelieveable. I know you have such a passion for real estate, DG.com and helping others. Dean's books, programs and DG.com continue to change our lives each day! Keep up the good work as you continue to inspire me and so many other DG Members. The adventure has been amazing and the best is yet to come! Carpe Diem! :0) - Stacey

"All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them."
~ Walt Disney

Wow...5000 posts!! That is awesome!

I am Thankful that I met you & Stacey over the past year and look forward to spending more time with you in the future. Let me know if you ever come to Boston! I will get some tickets to Fenway!

...Thanks for stopping by the daily adventure and the congrats. I appreciate it. We had a very nice Thanksgiving holiday. The Bears capped off a great weekend. Hope you are having a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...Thank you for stopping by my daily adventure journal and the kind words, I appreciate it. It sounds like your focused and moving forward with real estate investing. Keep up the good work and good luck on all your future real estate deals. I look forward to reading about your progress. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...Thanks for stopping by the daily adventure journal. I appreciate the kind words and look forward to a big finish for 2010. I am looking forward to a Florida visit in the Spring. Have a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

....Thanks for stopping by the daily adventure journal. You know betetr than anyone the road for this journey. Here's to a big finish for 2010 and a happy and healthy new year for 2011! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...Thanks for the congrats. I look forward to seeing you at the Gain the EDGE 2011 event. If I make it to Boston this Spring or Summer a game at Fenway sounds like a good plan. I have never been to a Boston game so it would be fun. I always thought a Cubs and Redsox World Series would be awesome. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...The weather has changed again as we have high temps in the mid 30's. There are forecasting snow flurries and/or rain. This is the time of year to move the snow shovel to the front of the garage to be prepared for what is coming to the area. I need to run to Menards or Home Depot to bu ysome Ice Melt because after the first snow fall they will be selling quicker than bottled water in Arizona in July!

I drove my local area this afternoon and found a few more potential deals to call on. One of the most interesting on my radar is a home that boomer-ranged back onto the market. I have developed a systemk to file and keep all my notes on any property I look at in case it comes back o nthe market. I can review digital photos and my numbers as well as any other notes that I have previously made.

There was a home that was for sale about 1 year ago and it was listed at $119,900. At the time I made an offer of $82,500 and it was rejected. The home sold for around $110,000. Well, history does repeat itself as the home is back on the market as a REO. It is now listed in the low 80's. I went to look at the home and it needs nothign except a good cleaning and some appliances. It could be rented in as is condition.

The property actually had some upgrades and improvements since that the last I saw it. An updated kitchen, bath and new windows through-out. Isn't it funny how tracking your market can benefit you when it comes to making offers on properties. I made an offer on this and will see what happens. Therefore, remember to keep your notes because they will come in handy.

I hope everyone is having a great week. Keep looking at deals, taking notes and making offers. Keep your notes because some of these deals may boomer-rang back on the market! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” - Unknown

would you be willing to share your system for tracking these homes? i'm trying to figure that out for myself and you may be able to shed some much-needed light on the subject. thanks and congrats on the 5000 posts!

I'd be interested too in hearing how you set up your tracking for these properties.

Of course if you do get to SE FL Denny & I would love to meet you. We could talk REI, got to a Mets game if you'd like. AND if you would like we could get a pizza or whatever your favorite is I've heard you mention pizza before in your journal so I figured it had to rate pretty high up there (lately I've been craving pizza)

Lea

any different advice for ca. reo's?

...Thanks for the congrats and stopping by my daily adventure journal. I will work on an outline for the tracking approach and get it posted in the next few days. It is something that has worked well for me and I am sure it can benefit others. So be sure to check back on my journal for the information or link to the forum post.

UPDATE: - - Link to Indiana Joe's Guide to Tracking Target Market Areas
http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/everything-else/65915/ind...

I hope you will find it helpful. Good luck on your future real estate deals. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...I will look forward to meeting you and Denny in the Sunshine state. I will keep you posted when my travels take me down South. A baseball game and pizza sounds perfect. Pizza is on my top ten list! There is nothing like a good pizza either thin crust, pan or Chicago deep dish. Ummm, I am getting hungry thinking about it. I better break for a snack. Have a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...I believe most REOs in most areas will work out the same. The key is findign the most motivated sellers. Often, the small local banks are really good to work with. The larger banks drag their feet a little more. You may fidn some good deals if they have been on the market a longer perod of time. Another great resource to find REO is through HUD or Fannie Mae. You can soemtiems find bargains on tehse homes but there is a waiting period for non-owner occupants. Good luck. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...November 2010 is another mont hfor the history books, Can you believe we are about to enter December 2010? The weather has chanegd with temperatures in the 20's and snow flurries. Winter is right around the corner as we were enjoying seasonal temperatures just a few short days ago.

I had met a few other investors for lunch as we were discussing stategies we were using. A few investors were interested in some fo the recent homes we acquired. We had a few more appointments later in the day and before you know it, the day had moved into evening. At times it feels like a vacation day where time just flies by compared to when you have a 9 to 5 type of job and the day can move at a snail's pace.

I hope everyone is having a great week. Lets make the most out of December 2010. The new year is almost here. Good luck on all your future deals. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything." - Napoleon Hill

....December 1 is here and all the landlords have sthe smile because the rents are coming in today. It sure can be nice ebing a landlord and ownign rental property. As you do the first of the month can feel a little better than when you only have the 9 to 5 day job. So if you do not have any rental properties yet, now is the time to invest.

I had stopped at Home Depot and Lowe's today to pick up some items for an apartment we are doing some minor updates in. Half the battle is getting the materials and getting all the things you need.

I posted a great cash flowing deal on the classifieds of DG.com. If no one is interetsed I will be callign a few buyers by Decemebr 15th to ge this single family brick home moved by the end of the year. Be sure to check it out at:
http://www.deangraziosi.com/classifieds/properties-sale/65618/indiana-br...

I hope everyone is having a great week. Good luck locking up that next deal. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will." - Vincent T. Lombardi

For giving us a chance to work with you on a house deal. I sent you a PM.

Steve and Veronica.

...Thanks for stopping by the daily adventure journal. I will take a look at the PM and get back with you. Please feel free to contact me to further discuss this deal and some potential other deals happening in the Midwest. Have a great evening. - Joe

...The day started out very cold as temepratures dropped in to the teens. We had more snow flurries, wind and cold which made me think of warmer places such as FL, AZ, CA and Hawaii. The chnage of seasons are nice but I think warm weather is much better. I had to get my winter supplies out for the vehicle. This includes sand for weight so cars may not slide as much on ice, the snow brushes and an extra coat for the car trunk.

I was brainstorming on strategy of getting more deals and I believe the best way to do this is have a strategy that continues to fill your funnel each day on good leads. My strategy includes working with Realtors, callings FSBOs, advetising (Bandit signs/flyers/magnets, etc.) and contacting asset REO Asset managers.

I feel like I hit gold because there are a few bank REO Asset Managers that have put me in contact with other REO Asset Managers in a few other states. Right now the lead funnel is filled and for the last through days I have been sifting sorting and screening through these potential leads. If you have an interest in some deals, PM me and we can talk about what is available and what might become availble. I will follow up with a few question to match up what might be available for you.

I hope everyone has a great week as the weekend is almost here. Be sure to make the most out of each day and start planning those goals for 2011! Next year is almost here! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else." - Yogi Berra

....After being without my DSL for 5 days, it is finally up and running. Let's hear it for the Internet Techs!

....The day started out with my internet DSL being down and I felt lost because I could not access various things I wanted to on the internet. I spent the better part of the day trouble shooting the DSL line. Like the old saying you have to plan for the best but prepare for the worst.

Later in the day I went to look at a few properties and i decided to submit a few offers. there are many anxious sellers out there. I met with another bank asset manager and they had a good number of REOs to discuss. Each day the adventure continues. The great thing is you write your own chapters, bring in and out characters and go on prosperous journeys.

I hope everyone is having a great week. Are you committed to your sucess in real estate? It starts with a committment so you must right out your commitment today and do what you have to in order to succeed. The deals will appear but you have to be committed to finding them. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” - Mario Andretti

...Winter has arrived as the snow storm hit my local area. I had to dig out the snow thrower and get it started. The key here is to start it before you ned it because when you need it it can be hard to start. The same is true with real estate. Most people do not realize that getting ready, preparation and learning is a big key to success. So even if the deals are not coming as quickly as you like, its the education that will bring you the real value you need.

I am headed out into the snow covered frontier! This is the time to look for vacant homes with unshoveled sidewalks. Go start your adventure. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into, the mind.” - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

....It was a real treat to finally get the DSL back up early in the week. We had snow, cold and ice for the past few days. I did hear back from several more REO Asset managers that might be trying to clear their books before year end. There are deals everywhere it is a matter of revieing manner listings and finding the golden nuggets.

Some nuggets are visble wher others you have to dig a little farther to find those hidden nuggets. Those hidden nuggets can be found by making alot of offers.

I hope eveyrone is having a great weekend as the holdiays are almost upon us. Remember do one thing each day and make each day count. You will reach your goals faster than you think. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"Your big opportunity may be right where you are now." - Napoleon Hill

....The week flew by as i had an opportunity to vist with some real estate invetsors. It is always interesting to speak with investors to see what they are doing and what might be working in their local areas. I also like speaking with people to see what barriers they need to overcome and brainstorm on how to create an action plan to overcome those barriers.

I enjoyed seeing an new area as i met a few new realtoras and had an opportunity to view several properties. As I drove the area I did see a few bandit signs and there were some very persistent investors. One investor's bandit signs covered miles of an area. This investor was determined.

Have you posted a flyer or bandit sign this weekend? What are you doing to fill your lead funnel? If you are not trying to get leads on properties, its harder to get a deal. There is still time today, if you have not done what you wanted than post a few ads on-line, review a few lsitings, check the classifieds, etc. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can." - Lowell Thomas

...This is the time of year that Hawaii, the west or even Florida would be good options. The storms rolled in and so did the ice, snow and cold. The airports closed and flights were cancelled. It was a good day to stay inside listen to holiday music, watch football and wrap holiday gifts.

This is the time of year to remember others. During the year were their people that helped you with something. Think of your sphere of influence and you was there, provided assistance, a suggestion or helped you get a good lead, refferal or deal. This is the best time of year to thank people and wish them festive holiday wishes.

You can cap off the night with a search for some deals. I hope everyone is having a great weekend as you did through to find some deals. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.” - Sarah Caldwell

BRRRR!! The northern part of the country is getting hammered with snow and cold weather. Even though we are in FL its cold here too in the mid 50's as I write this (it was 28 degrees 1 morning this week.) It would be tough for me to handle a northern winter after living in FL. You make so much sense about remembering the others we have worked with this year. One of our cash investors stopped by today since he was in the neighborhood (he lives in W. Palm) and at the same time a friend dropped in - they both pulled into the driveway at the same time

I like the above quote from Sarah Caldwell - thanks for sharing.

Lea

...Thanks for stopping by the daily journal. As I get older it is harder to be up north. Each winter I wonder why we don't live in a warmer climate. I was in Sunny California this past week and the weather was in the 60's. I was heading back to blizzard conditions with ice, snow, wind and temeperatures slighty above zero. It made me think about staying a little longer but I had to get back to get some things done.

It is so important to remember the people that have helped you durung the year. When I was a CFO I would always take my staff to lunch and get each one a holiday gift. During the year we would even have several pizzas lunches or even a Friday movie. I believe the appreciation meant more to them then anything, but in the end we worked together so much it almost seemed like family. I learned that people just want to be appreciated for what they do. If people help you then exceed their expectations with a thank you, email, card or small gift. Sometimes the extra step will show you are sincere and remember those that have helped you along the way.

If you work for a Boss that does not aprreciate what you do, learn from that as to how you can be better. For example, I worked for a CEO for many years and that CEO never took me to lunch or even brought donuts into the office. I believe this CEO flet everyone else should cater to her. A small token of appreciation can go a long way. Never have the feeling that others should do for you because you may be higher up the corporate ladder. The same is true for real estate investors, be sure to take care of those that take care of you.

We wish you and Denny a very nice holiday as you spend time with family, friends and neighbors don't forget to network a little for your business. You never know how people may be able to assist you with real estate but they have to know you are in the business. I am looking forward to my trip to sunny Florida. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

If you and Stacey want to move out here to California I am sure we can find you a good deal on a house.

Sad day for us Bear fans yesturday.

Joe we hope you and Stacey and the family have a very Merry Christmas. If you get to cold come back out to visit us in California.

We should know something this week Joe on are refi in Indiana so keep looking for the good deals for us.

Steve and Veronica.

......Thanks for dropping by. This past week I just got about 100 more leads to review from REOs to an retiring landlord. I am sure there will be more deals on the table. I will email you and let you know what's available. I will have some in the Midwest but also may have some in central and southern California. I will be visiting some friends in southern California early next year. Maybe we can meet up early to mid 2011. The Bears looked flat but at least it is only one game. We are still in the driver's seat. Have a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe