The Journal of the Daily Adventures of Indiana-Joe

.....Alaska is an amazing place to visit. So scenic and so much to see and do. They often call it "the last frontier". Many of the car license plates (or tags) have this as the slogan. As you drive and see the awesome landscape and majestic snow covered mountians, it is picture perfect. The real estate market is strong and it was great seeing some properties and crunching the numbers. It is great to meet Dean's students from all over the USA.

The Fur Rondy festival was also going on as I saw some great fireworks over the water. One cool thing was there was no sales tax charged on anything from grocery items to shopping at the local Wal-mart. This is a great place to visit again and again. Good luck to my new friends in Alaska! You can do it! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...As I see all thew snow and lights around me it sure has a holiday feel. When I check the calendar Christmas is 10 months away but there is a hint of that festive mood in the air. I was going to look at more properties today and meet another new realtor. Sometimes it is best to see if the realtor knows what makes a good deal as well.

We met the realtor and looked at several proeprties. Soem needed a little work while other needed a lot of work. When you are beginning it is always easier to tackle the deals that need less work. I once heard of this s the "splash and dash" type of deals. The key here is doing volume and perfecting what you do.

The new realtor we met was very prepared with market data and resources. This was the first realtor that I met that provided a copy of more information in a first visit than I had ever seen before. This was a great way for the realtor to make a lasting impression.

I hope everyone has a great week. Be sure to check out some new deals, run the numbers and make some offers. Go out network and meet some new people and make some new contacts. Good luck. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“Our moments of inspiration are not lost though we have no particular poem to show for them; for those experiences have left an indelible impression, and we are ever and anon reminded of them.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

...Can you believe that February 2011 is almost in the books? Once we get through February, the hint of Spring is in the air. Once March arrives it should be the wake up call for a new time, the do over, the fresh start of a new season. Can you hear the birds in the morning, the smells of spring and the "crack" of the baseball bat (of Spring training) in the distance.

Today we went out to take a look at several properties. As we took a closer look they would not cash flow. The realtor began to open up the more homes we looked at. After the 4th home, I informed the realtor they were very nice but would not cash flow. The realtor then began to open up about other ways to find better deals such as the court house.

As we spoke more and more, the realtor offered to share more information with us and invited us to attend an action with her group of investors. This was an excellent way to network with so many new investors. It also taught me a lesson that the more rapport you can establish with real estate professionals, the more information you can get and share with others.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Make sure you check out your area this weekend and see what might be available. Good luck locking up that next deal. I want to wish my new friends in Alaska Good luck. You can do it! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.” ~ Mark Twain

....The day started early as the temperature was dipping below 20 degrees. It was great to be out in the cold fresh air. The funny thing was there was a strong breeze and wind. Once I crossed the street, the strong wind almost knocked me over and this takes some doing.

Once I got back to the area, I decided to take a look at some additional properties in the area. I determined there were several properties that I would be taking a look at on Monday. I emailed my realtor on Monday and was set to go on Monday. Each week can be an exciting week based on what you do and have planned.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. The choice is up to you whether yo utake action today, tomorrow or sometime in the future! 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

....The last Monday of February 2011 is here. I started off the day making some on-line offers for auction properties. You never know what you might get, but if you have a low enough bid you can deal with the unforseen items. I also met up with one of my realtors to look at a multi-unit. This building had great potential but the key was gettign it at the right price.

I have been a little surprised that some of the inventory has been selling rather well in my local target market area. There are some really good deals out there so it is vital to continue to fire off offers each and every day. I am having more and more realtors send me listings as well.

I went into a local bank where I have an account. The comemrcial bank manager bumped into me and wanted to introduce the Bank's President and CEO. I never wanted to waste the opportunity so I inquired about business and some of the REOs they had on their books. They looked rather surprised that I knew about them but a little research goes a long way. I asked if I could get an updated REO list and the Bank CEO cheerfully stated "YES" and darted to his office. A few moments later he came back with a REO list marked "CONFIDENTIAL" at the top. Just with one question and a chance to seize the opportunity I got the list. Now, when I call the asset manager and explain the CEO provided me with this REO list, I will probably get a little more attention then the average caller.

This is an important lesson. When the opportunity is in front of you, seize that opportunity! Don't let anything or anyone hold you back. You never know what you might get, all you have to do is just ask! Have a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.” ~ Robert Frost

That is some great news. It is good to know people.

Steve.

....Thanks for stopping by the daily adventure. Keep networking and getting to know as many people as possible. Your sphere of influence can play a mjor role in finding deals and finding great people to work with. Have a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

.....March is here as the new year is just cruising in high gear. How many of your goals have you achieved the first 60 days of the new year. Don't worry because you still have more than 300 days to go for the year. There is plenty of time, you just have to start working your plan.

I went to take a look at several properties this afternoon. There were some that had a possibility. I have to crunch the numbers later and see where we want to come in with our offer. Have you been reviewing potential deals? How many offers will you make this week? Time to get going and start making things happen.

I hope everyone is having a great week. What is your best way to generate leads? Make sure you expand that way to get even more. The more leads you review, the more deals that may come your way. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible." ~ T.E. Lawrence

.....The day started out filled with sunshine but the rain clouds rolled in as the day went on. Any day can be a good day for real estate investing. While the weather may keep some home, others are out and about still looking for deals. As you drive the area, always keep your eyes open because you nevber know what you are goign to find.

I am looking at another new area as there are some good opprotunities. The key is to learn as much as you can about where people are buying. Once you find the deals that others are looking for, you have variosu options of what you can do with the deal. The more equity you have locked up in the deal the more options you will have.

The week is moving. Are you going as fast as your week? Don't let time pass you by. Now is the time. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” ~ Albert Einstein

...It was a busy and productive week. I had an opportunity to make some new friends thsi week. It is great to knoiw that there are alway others out there that are in pursuit of their real estate dream. One day they may look back and realize that you helped play a small part of another person's sucess. This is veyr gratifying to know that through lessons in life you can help others to go over, go under or go aroudn any obstacles they may face.

One key that was learned by several real estate investors this past week was not to judge an area of town you believe you know. Through the years, areas can change. See and drvie the area for yourself. Make your own conclsuions based on an area after you have compelted your own review and due diligence.

There was one part of town that people did not like. As we drove to that area, the area had changed and grew with development. it was not the area they remembered and may be a great target market are for real estate investing.

I hope everyone has a great week and a terrifice weekend. I had the pleasure of mkaing many new friends this weekend and I want them to know that they can achieve whatevr they are willign to set their mind to. You can do it! I look forward to reading about progress and future deals on DG.com. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"I could never convince the financiers that Disneyland was feasible because dreams offer too little collateral." ~ Walt Disney

....Another week is off to a fresh start. There were a few open houses that I wanted to take a look at today. I also am trying to plan out which homes to view during the week. I am excited because there are a few really good deals on the market. I better get started so I can get under way.

Be sure to drive your neighborhood and check out the local newspaper. You never know when the next deal is around the corner. I hope you have a great week. Make sure you get a few things completed on your to do list. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

sounds like you get to meet some exciting people and are in a position to help them learn a great deal !!! awesome stuff.....
when is a good time to call and talk about the dg cruise ?? i compiled a little bit of info for a trip to the caribbean in feb 2012 on the cruiseship "DREAM" .....
the edge will soon be upon us and excitement is building.I am sure this will be an incredable yr for many in real estate.let me know what is good for you to brainstormm on the cruise and i will contact you.hope all your knowledge shared is absorbed by action takers !!!!!!!
jay

....Thanks for stopping by my daily adventure journal. We are looking forward to Dean's gain the EDGE event in May. I am sure this event will be packed with techniques, strategies and many tips. I know the Cruise will be a great idea especially after this past Winter. We can chat in the evening during any of the next few days, please feel free to call me and we can brainstorm. Have a great weekend. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...The week got away from me as I was finding some fun in the sun of Florida. It was nice to get away and enjoy some nice weather, meet some other great investors and take a look at some deals in the Sunshine State. I also had an opportunity to drive by a few malls that were packed with cars. It seemed like the economy may be picking up a little.

As I had the opportunity to see a few markets first hand, it remined me that there are deals everywhere you go. If you look for them, you will find them, just be persistant. You never know what you might learn along the way.

I want to wish my new friends good luck with real estate investing. We found some real gems and we discussed many golden nuggets of information. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading about your future real estate deals. You can do it! Best regards from your friend up-north. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
" Real Estate cannot be lost or stolen. Nor can it be carried away. Managed
with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world."
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

...The weekend went by rather fast as I enjoyed my activites for the past few days. I always like meeting new friends and finding new deals. I am planning my activities for this week as I have found many new deals that are worht takign a look at. Ican't believe what has happened to rpicing in soem areas because hoems are cheaper to buy than if you even built them.

It is a great time to buy and create deals. the key is have a plan and work your plan. Each area has an opportunity and try to find your niche and work that opportunity. The opprotunities will come and the deals will follow.

Have a great week. Make sure you are doing what you can to fill your lead bucket. Once you have your lead bucket, continue to fill your Buyer's bucket and bring the two together. Have a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." ~ Walt Disney

......It has been a busy week as many new deals are on the market. March is going by at warp speed as we have had a slight taste of Spring in the air. It is always fun when temperatures hit the low 60's. People are in shorts and have their windows down. You even spot motorcycles and convertibles cruising the neighborhood. Just as fast as the warm weather comes...BOOM...it drops to 30 degrees. So be prepared to not put that jacket away just yet.

There are many new properties being listed everyday and many low priced properties are selling fast. Realtors do not change the status of a property as frequently as they need to from "active" to "pending". Sometimes I believe they do this just to generate calls. In any event make the most out of the call by getting a nugget of information from them. Maybe your nugget is a pocket listing, a new contact or even information about a specific area or neighborhood.

The key is to continue to network with as many investors and power team members as you can. Some will help you more than others will. Work with those that are willing to help you. As you progress you will discover what members are helping you and giving good information while others may only giving you part of what you need to succeed.

I hope everyone has a great week. Keep looking at deals, keep running the numbers and keep making offers. Spring is in the air and so is your next deal. Plant the seeds today and the deals may pop-up in the next few weeks. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.” ~ Paulo Coelho

.....The day started out with a light rain and temperatures in the low 40's but became sunny and around 56 degrees as the day went on. I decided to go to a few open houses in another city of Indiana that I am making offers in. These open houses are a fast and efficient way to see what other homes look like in the area and often you can get ideas from materials used.

Later in the day I stopped at a realtors office to get some home books. The office was closed but they had 3 different home books in the self service kiosks. These books contain many listings but also some good contacts to build your power team as well. Be sure to go through the books and learn more each day about your target market areas.

Have a great week. Be sure to keep on the right path no matter what distractions you face. Sometimes in life distractions or road blocks are put in front of you to see if you have what it takes to keep moving forward. Never let anything or anyone ever stop you! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“People will always talk about you, especially when they envy you and the life you live. Let them... you affected their lives, they didn't affect yours.” ~ Unknown

......Another Monday has arrived and so have the mild 50 degree + temperatures. Just when you think it may be safe to put away that heavy coat, just wait because the end of the week is forecasting snow. With the break in the weather there are more homes coming on the market.

Now is the time to take action. Be sure you do not miss another opprotunity. Drive for dollars by getting to know your target market area. Look at several properties and get familiar with the style and layout of homes. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.” ~ W. Clement Stone

......What will you do today to move you closer to your goals? Keep moving forward and keep a positive attitiude. The next deal is closer than you think. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day:
“People are very open-minded about new things - as long as they're exactly like the old ones.” ~ Charles F. Kettering

....I am looking forward to seeing a new area and working with several real estate investors. It is so much fun to see properties in new areas and help people as they strive to succeed with real estate. Don't just look for great deals, make offers and create the great deals you are searching for.

This is going to be a great week even though the temperature dropped down to 30 degrees. Have a great week and make the most out of each and every day. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction.” ~ George Lorimer

.....I met some new friends in another area. It was great to have a chance to see a new market, look at some listings and even attend a local real estate auction. Each deal you look at, run the numbers or make an offer better prepares you for future deals. We some some good areas that could be a niche area. The key to successful deals is to put in the time to find what people want and then take action to find it!

Build your buyers list and find place where others want to invest in or live. Once you create or locate some deals, the rest might just fall into place. Never get discouraged keep pushing forward. Each day is a new opportunity. Are you ready to take action?

I hope everyone had a great week. The weekend is here and hopefully the warm weatehr is not too far behind. I want to wish my new friends in Ohio good luck with real estate investing. You can do it! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

.....The day started out at 4:30 AM as I headed to the airport. It was going to be a long journey but the destination will be worth the trip. I was on my way to Hawaii and would be leaving the cold weather on the mainland behind. The trip is a very long flight almost 11 hours in total but the reward is worth it.

Real estate investing can be like taking that great trip or vacation. You might have to puting some time but the rewards could be well worth it. Its the saying of do today what others are unwilling to do and do tomorrow what others only dream about.

I had to make a connection between 2 different cities so my commute took 15 hours rather than the 11. However, upon arrival the fresh fragrant breeze, the warm trade winds and paradise was found. I could not wait to get started. It isalways fun to make new friends and see new areas. Hope you having a great week. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"Having spent the better part of my life trying either to relive the past or experience the future before it arrives, I have come to believe that in between these two extremes is peace." ~ Author Unknown

.....Monday started out at a brisk 4:00 AM as I could no longer sleep for the evening. I went for a walk along the beach and had a opportunity to see the sun rise. It was warm as the bright orange/yellow sun rose in the sky.

I made many new friends this week: Jacqueline, Corinna, Patricia, Ryan, Clifton, Dolly, Corinne, John, Ryan, Beverly, Margaret, and Gail. It was a wonderful time to teach, review and assist others with their real estate investing. We found some great deals and I am sure these real estate investors will become even more successful in the future.

I hope everyone is having a great week! Believe and Achieve!

Aloha and Mahalo! ~ Joe

Hawaiian Quotes of the Week:
- Kulia i ka nu'u (Strive for the highest).

- A'a i ka hula, waiho i ka maka'u i ka hale (Dare to dance, leave shame at home).

- Mai maka'u i ka hana, maka'u i ka moloa (Don't fear work, fear laziness).

Took one for the team this week did ya Joe. If you have to go to Hawaii you have to go to Hawaii. Have a safe trip Joe.

Steve.

....It has been a great year as I continue to work with investors through-out the country. It is a long flight but worth it. Having a great time in the Hawaiian islands. It is always fun to find time to see some of the local sites. Found some great deals in the islands and I am sure our new friends will have success as they take action, review deals and make offers. Have a great weekend. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

....Can you believe we are 1/4 the way through the new year? Where did the time go? How are you doing on your goals? It's time to take score and make some necessary adjustments where needed. There is still plenty of time left in 2011 so be sure to get in gear if you are out of gear.

As I am fortunate to travel and meet new investors across the country I have learned that many markets are similar. I have learned several lessons of sometimes realtors want to size you up to see if you are a "window shopper" or the real deal. The more you review deals, the more you get to know the "Lingo". As you talk the lingo, it gives you mroe credibility with power team members such as realtors.

There is no better time than right now to take action. Be sure to fill you weekend with some deals to review. Make agressive offers to motivated sellers and good things will happen. Have a great weekend. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the day:
“If a man could pass through Paradise in a dream, and have a flower presented to him as a pledge that his soul had really been there, and if he found that flower in his hand when he awake - Aye, what then?” ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

....The weekend was filled with sun and was a great opportunity to see the sights of the lcoal area. i stopped at a few open houses, met some new realtors and leanred a little more about the local area. Open houses are a great way to see other homes in an area, the types of materials they use and how the homes get decorated. Make the most out of each open house you see.

As I stopped at the local Wal-mart to pick up a few goodies, I noticed there were not any bandit signs any where in the area. Sometimes the opportunity can be right in fornt of you if you are willing to take action. You have a greater chance at success by doing more things to attract more leads.

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Major league baseball is back and is in full swing! Have fun, relax and review some deals. If you review some deals and the numbers work it could be your offer that gets accepted. The time is now, how many offers are you going to make this weekend? You can do it. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quotes of the Day:
"It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!" ~ Ernie Banks

"I learned from Mr. Wrigley, early in my career, that loyalty wins and it creates friendships. I saw it work for him in his business." ~ Ernie Banks

....The month of April continued to move by as I was fortunate enough to visit another truly special and wonderful place. The place was special because of the scenery, the beauty, the weather and the warmth of the people. When you live in a large city people are often in a hurry rushing to do the next thing on there agenda. They are driven by the job by the hours in the day. Driven to do what others want rather than what they want and living life.

I had the pleasure of spending some time on the Big Island and I was able to make new friends and see antoehr real estate market. There was opportunites all aroudn and I know my new friends wil lsucceed if they apply what they have learned and take action.

Once you gain the knowledgae and apply the knowledge success is not too far behing. Once you share the knowledge you become more than just an investor you become someone that can change lives. Go out htere and live life and make it happen.

I want to wish good luck to my new friends in Hilo. You can do it and I am proud of you for taking action and making the decision to change your lives. You will be able to help so many others along the way. You can do it! Believe and Achieve! Mahalo and Aloha! Your friend, Joe

Quote of the Day:
"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advise, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." - Henri Nouwen

.....The week was moving by at warp speed as I visited another area. It was great because the weather was in the upper 80's. I started to become use to this nice weather. As we began to assess the real estate market there was opportunity in many of he local markets. There were several price points under $150k and some even under $100k.

We looked at some potential deals where we discovered some duds and some gems. The detail is in running the numbers. Once the numbers tell you deal, the next step is to be sure to make the offer. Most great deals are created from offers that are made. The more deals you review, the more offers you make, the better.

On Saturday night I had a chance to go to an AA Major League Baseball game. It was a true taste of Summer and we had a great time. Baseball and Summer were in the air! I want to wish my new friends in Texas good luck with real estate invetsing. You can do it! I look forward to hearing about your future deals and success. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Quote of the Day:
"The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, learn about them, or even seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them." ~ Denis Waitley

your positive actions lead to positive results and I tell you it's contagious!!

Thanks for sharing Joe.

Luiz