The Journal of the Daily Adventures of Indiana-Joe

....The Chicago Bears earned a first round playoff-bye so the tickets would be needed for the second round (lol). I am not picky, just put in a good word for me. I am sure it will be a cold January in Chicago!

I have been enjoying meeting and helping other DG investors with Dean's on-site one-on-one trainings and Dean's workshops across the country. It has been an awesome experience. Dean's training events are so great because they really help get investors on the fast track for success with real estate.

On another note, recently, I was invited to guest speak at a REI club in the Quad cities (Iowa/Illinois) area. I met several DGers and had a nice time attending the REI club meeting. I have not made it to Ohio yet. If I make it out East near Rhode Island, I will let you know. I may be heading towards Baltimore in the next few weeks. Hope you have a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

.....Monday is back and checking the calendar it is the last Monday of 2010! After a long holiday weekend it is always hard to get back into the daily grind for some. When you enjoy what your doing like real estate investing it is not work, it can be exciting and fun. You want to make the most out of each day and don't worry 2011 will be your year!

I decided to take out and watch the DVDs from the Gain the EDGE 2010 event. I really believe these events are not only informative but they really motivate me each and every time I watch them. I get more and more ideas and I hear things I missed the first few times I went through it. We are looking so forward to the EDGE 2011 event!

I have been contacting realtors through-out the day and making offers on various properties. This is the strategy that it is a numbers game. If you want more deals, review more deal opportunitites amd make more offers to make things happen. I am excitied for everyone out there taking action becuase it will happen if you are persistent.

I was a little surpised that many realtors decided to take off from Christmas through New Years. I have made a number of calls and they are out of there office until the first week on the new year. Thus, I called other real estate agents to find one that could assist me. I hope everyone has a great week as we get ready to ring in 2011! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”
- William Arthur Ward

You and I are just alike. I don't want to stop because of the holidays either. I had a hard time not being on the internet on my phone when I was at my family events! lol I had to leave my phone in the car so I wouldn't be on the DG site or networking on facebook or looking up properties on Zillow! haha I am working hard on my buyers list and trying to find as many cash buyers in the QCA as I can. I feel like I am not moving fast enough but that is the way I always feel. I always feel like I haven't done enough in one day or wish I had more time to do what I want to do for the day.

I do like to watch the DVDs from the edge also they helped us a lot. I hope you are not snowed in. You guys have received a lot of snow so far this season.

Bears first round bye good stuff. We need to go to a Bears game together. I would love to go see a playoff game, but I can wait till next fall when it is a little warmer.

When you have time Joe check out our video for the send me away contest the link is on my post.

Take care Joe and tell Stacey we said hi.

Steve and Veronica.

....Keep up the good work and keep building your buyer's list. One of the keys is to pace yourself like a marathon runner. Yo uwant to do a litle each day and not go all out to cause burn-out. The great thing is over time you will find ways to create systems to leverage your time and money. Have a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

....Thanks for stopping by. The Bears are on a roll, I hope that can keep it going to get to the Super Bowl. We have had snow on the gorund for the past few weeks. We did have a white Chroistmas as we got about 4 inches of fresh snow. I almost can hear the crack of the baseball bat as Spring Training is only a few months away. Good luck with Dean's Send Me Away Contest, I enjoyed viewing your video. Have a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Best Wishes for a Happy and Properous New Year.
-Kay

...Thanks for the birthday well wishes. I guess like a fine wine I am getting better with time (lol-at least I hope). I can't belive how fast the years fly by. It is always fun to celebrate with friends and family around the holidays. Have a very happy, healthy and propserous New Year! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...Well, I am energized after my marathon. I watched all the DVDs from Dean's Gain the EDGE 2009 and the EDGE 2010. Based on my excitement and drive to take action, I decided to make 50 offers (this week) by this year end (12/31/2010). I have made close to 25 offers in the past 2 days (12/27/10 through 12/28/2010). I am spreading the offers out amongst 4 different real estate agents in various areas. I do not want to burn any out being so close to the new year holiday it is easy for them to hit over-load. If I get at least one deal out of the 50 offers, it was worth my time!

I am finding so many potental leads and deals because with the winter activity is very slow this time of year. I have to admit, I have been putting the "professional press" on lead generation from realtors to FSBOs to asset managers and its paying off. One realtor today even thanked me (twice) for having them right up so many offers. This is the eager type of realtor that I want and you need to find too. Also, I have a FSBO on my radar that needs no work that would make a good rental but the seller is not yet down to my price. He dropped $15,000 in the past week but it will take another $7,500 to get it where I want it.

Don't let anyone hold you back! Keep pushing forward and you will be making progress. Finding the right Power Team Members can make all the difference. Next year when your on the beach at this time of year, you will reflect back and realize it was all worth it as you have another cool drink while relaxing in the sun, sand and surf! I can hear the ocean just rolling in.......

The New Year is almost here! Do you have your goals and resolutions completed? What about your real estate goals? How many deals do you want in 2011? How many offers are you willing to make? Make sure you devote time and effort for a great work life balance. However, plan on some time and $ for your education. Now would be a great time to plan what programn or events you want to attend. I know one education goal on my list will be to attend the 2011 EDGE event. I hope to see you there! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"Genius without education is like silver in the mine." - Benjamin Franklin

.....I went to meet my realtor for lunch and we were able to knock-out another 14 offers today. Thus, my total offers for the week stands at 38 offers. I will try to get 12 completed tomorrow to reach my goal of 50 offers for the week. I know Friday (New Year's Eve 12/31/2010) will be a day that most people will take off for the holiday.

Be sure to get to the grocery store early and get those snacks and tasty treats for the new year. I know that New Year's Eve can be one of the busiest days of the year at the grocery store especially the snack isles. Don't forget the pizza along with the chips and dip. Out with the old, in with the new! 2011 here we come!

I hope everyone is having a great week. Whether your weather is 8 degrees or 80, its time to celebrate the new year! Do the things this week you have been putting off. It will make next week a little easier as you begin to get closer to your goals as a new day of opportunity awaits. The door to 2011 is only a few days away. Have a great day! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Small one. Get one deal done in January. Plain and simple, get my first deal done. I am getting closer and closer! I can just feel it right around the corner. My networking is coming together, I am adding 1-2 buyers a day to my list. Just had 2 more people contact me wanting to partner up and wholesale with me. Things are coming along fast! Also just checked out the post on here named "UPDATE!! HARD MONEY LENDERS LIST!!!". There are 7 hard money lenders in Illinois that I am going to contact asap to help me out because I have none of my own cash to invest. I am on my way to the top I can feel it! I will not be stopped! I hope you and Stacey and the boys have a great New Years and I will see you at the EDGE 2011 in May!

...Keep having those productive days and good things will happen. I bet 2011 will be a lot different for you than 2010. Once real estate investing is in your blood, you will have the "fever" for life. Keep moving forward and keep creating your contacts before you need them because when you need them they will be in place to keep moving forward. We wish you and your family a very happy new year. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock - the new year is a day away! I heard you speaking with a realtor and it was almost 10:00 PM. Did they answer the phone or yell at you for calling so late? What offer number was that this week? Just wanted to stop by your daily adventure journal and wish you a very happy new year 2011! New Year's Eve is a holiday for most realtors so be sure to have a day of rest. We won't be at Disney World this New Year's Eve but it will still be a blast with the party hats and whistles from prior Disney Days! Carpe Diem! :0) - Stacey

Happy New Year, Joe and Stacey!!
Blessings beyond measure to you and yours!

Rina

Im sure you got your 50 offers in. Looking forward to seeing how many get accepted!

Karen

A Very Happy New Year to you and Stacey & family!

Looks like you are getting off to a great start!! If Matt's formula is correct, you should be getting two offers accepted!

Joe, where are you getting all the leads from? I have found my leads from the MLS have been slowing down. I have plans on place to find some new sources.

Keep up the great work!

........The realtor was actually happy I called and it was only 9:58 PM (lol). Any calls before 10:00 PM are fair game. Just remember what time zone you are in and what time zone you are calling. This offer at 9:58 PM was my 50th in the past 4 days. I made it before New Year's Eve. The only thing is most agents said we probably won't get a reply until Monday, January 3rd. I am anxious to see the accepted and counters. This year won't be fun in the sun for New Year's but there will be plenty of good stuff to celebrate. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...Thanks for stopping by the daily advetnure journal. We look forward to seeing you at Dean's Gain the EDGE 2011. We wish you a happy, healthy and propserous New Year! Believe and Achieve! - Joe and Stacey

...I made my goal of 50 this week. I am rather excited to see how many I get accepted or countered. Some were my bets and final offers where a few others may have some negotiation room. I hope these sellers are intersted in moving their proeprties. I will keep everyone posted. Have a Happy New Year! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...Thanks for stopping by and the New Year wishes. I look forward to seeing what happens with the offers. Even if I only get one I will be happy. I do have several other properties to make offers on starting in January.

There are a number of ways to finding leads. I believe a key is network with everyone and anyone you know. Pass out your business cards every chance you get. You never know when a business card you pass out today becomes a boomerang deal tomorrow.

I focus on three ways for building and finding leads:

1. Realtors/MLS listings - the more good realtors on your Power Team, the more leads coming to your in-box each day
2. FSBOs - advertise and drive your local target market areas
3. Best Kept Secrets - the Homes that are "for sale" or will be for sale but don't have a for sale sign in front of it.

Have a Happy New Year. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Thanks once again for your advise!

I just ordered new business cards from Vistaprint (they have new ones that look like money). I made them very simple..I buy houses....any condition....phone #...web page...ask about our rewards program...

I have a new focus on Probates...and into new areas

...Sounds like you are planting all the right seeds. In regards to business cards sometimes it is good to get more than one type based on the audience you are passing your card out to. The card you give to FSBOs may not be the same card you give to someone you are trying to get you leads as a "bird-dog." A tip on cards is see how long it takes you to pass out one box and your goal should be to take less time to distribute and pass out the next box. I would suggest write the date you open the box and the date yo upass out the last card. This wil lgive you an idea of how long it takes you to pass out each nex box. I hope this helps. Keep up the good work. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

....Well, I did it. The 50 offers are in the books for the week. It took 4 days and 6 different agents in 5 different target maret areas of mine but I made it happen with my Power Team of Realtors. This team is good in 2010 but if thy work a little magic and I get a few offers accepted they wil lgo to great! The best thing about making these offers is, it did not take me a lot of time or effort.

The key with real estate investing is getting to know you target market area. Once you know your market, what others will pay for a deal or rent, its just a matter of fidning the deals that fit your business model. Now the business model is not complicated at all. It's just a matter of running the numbers on revenues and expenses and backing into your maximum purchase price.

I had an opportunity to speak with a good friend of mine yesterday. It is always nice to speak with friends during the holiday season. It is nice to know there are people in the world that care and want to help others. These are the best people to surround yourself in your sphere of influence. Good friends make you a better all around person.

I hope everyone is having a great week. Remember it is time to get our with the old and in with the new! Its time! Next year is almost here! Get the drinks on ice and get the frig stocked with goodies. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~ Benjamin Franklin

.....Well, as I was typing I just got an email from one of my realtors. They told me that they received a "verbal" yes (acceptance) on one of my offers. What a way to start the new year (or end 2010). Now I am excited but I will not become totoally stoked until I get the signed paperwork and compelte due diligence on this property. There is a tenant already in place and the property will cash flow.

The best part of this deal was the realtor kept telling me the seller would not take anything less than a specific number. I came in well below that "number" and they took it. You know what that means more cash flow in the old pocket each month. The key here is make your own offers and do not be too influenced by what your realtor wants you to offer. What sellers are motivated, who really knows, but as you make offers you will find them!

Remember it is your offer and your realtor is helping you to present it. I would make sure your realtor presents your offer in the best way possible. This is where you can tell them to "work their magic". Real estate agents are dealing with sales and part of the sales process is selling either the seller or buyer on the offer.

Is your agent helping to sell your offers? If not, make a note on another new year resolution (which should be part of your Top 10) find a new real estate agent! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

I'm happy to hear this great news! What a great way to start the new year!

Lea

...Thanks for the congrats. I believe it is a great way to go out of 2010 and a wonderful way to begin 2011. I will keep you posted on the status of the other offers. Hope yo uhave a wonderful New Year's holiay weekend. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Hi Joe,

Just stopping by to shout out a Happy New Year! to you, Stacey and family. Congratulations on a great 2010 and best wishes for 2011!

Roger

....Thanks for stopping by my daily adventure journal. We wish you and your family a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. I hope all is going well and the snow is not too bad this time of year. When I make my next visit to the Twin Cities maybe we can meet for lunch. Have a great weekend! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Those late night calls to realtors are paying off. I can't wait to see what Monday may bring! Carpe' Diem! :0) - Stacey

Just wanted to say Happy New year. I have plans to make it to this year Edge Event and maybe getting to know you guys there as well. This is going to be a great year.