Pursuing my Passion of a REI

So I know that I seem a little harsh on myself but when I go and read the last post it motivated me even more.

I got through the book and called Deans Academy. I was looking at two options to get in.
With persistence I put together the $$ that it took.

Now What.....ROAD BLOCK. But luckily I got all of you. I was staying up late reading other forums on DG.com and seeing what was working for others. So I took action.
I steped out of the box and went and visited my mortgage broker the help us purchase our first home in December. I told her that I was looking on getting into REI. She said that now is a great time if you have the funds.

That was a little setback because as I said, I have no income. We are losing $1500 per month.
But I did not let that stop me. I was a little down and frustrated on what to do next. so I called my coach and talked to him for a few minutes. He told me to keep on going through the courses and to Complete the action items.

Mental block... Tring to come up with a creative business name. I have been thinking about this for a week now and I can not come up with anything. If you have any Ideas I am all for it.

The next and smartest move that I did was to find a local REI club. Luck be have it there is one here in Charleston, SC. CREIA (charleston real estate invesors association) is a local group of investors that meets several times a month. They even put together a night of playing "Cashflow 101" I have read "Rich Dad Poor Dad" 3 times and still get more and more out of it.

That leads me up to today. I spent the day reading and avoiding action. About 1 pm I realized what I was doing so I took action. I looked on http://www.meetup.com and found a Realtor that was a member of the CREIA. I emailed him and told him that I was a brand new REI and that I was looking for advice and to see if we could work together. About 15 minutes after I emailed him he said that he wants to have lunch together and see how we can work together. so I am meeting him tomorrow for lunch at a local diner.

Time for some more action. Tonight I am filling out my application to become a member of CREIA. It is $179 for a couple. money that I dont have to spend right now but in the long run it will be my 4th investment on my way to the million dollar club.

Tony,

When I read your posts I definitely felt your initial pain of losing your job. I too lost a job a few months ago because I was told my position with the company was being eliminated. I was also told that I shouldn't worry because it would happen through natural attrition. I found out very quickly what their idea of natural attrition was and it wasn't pretty. I stayed on for 4 more months putting up with all of the garbage that they were putting me through and finally I left the company with my dignity and my integrity.

You are taking a huge step forward in your life. I know that the natural instinct for everyone around you is "When are you going to start making some money?" Even though my wife supported me leaving my last job because of the stress it was causing she still has the expectation that I will replace the income that we lost.

I believe that there are a lot of ways that we newbies can get involved in real estate investing by using OPM. I envy you in that you are starting the academy. I wish I had the support of my wife to go through the additional training. The bottom line is that I don't so I am going to move forward anyway.

I think that the best thing about this site is that there are so many people who at one time or another were in your shoes. These are the same people who want to see you succeed.

I wish you all the best as you continue your journey to the million dollar club. I'm looking forward to taking the journey with you.

It has been a few days since I have been able to get back up and running. Sorry that I have not been able to give an update. I have a million excuses due to everything that is going on here at home.

The update:

I met with a Realtor that is great. His only concern is that to have the money backing me if I put up offers. I understand his concern of a listing agent taking offers seriously so I am going to look more into fincing or see if I can find OPM to use to lock in the contract.
I did get a list of 100 properties in the areas that we know are still moving. I am sorting through these today and going to talk to my coach and see where to go next.
The good thing with this agent is that he is willing to make low offers.

Tonight the Real Estate group that I joined is having a "Cash Flow 101" game night. This will be the first meeting that I will be attending. Although there probably will not be many people there (7 or so) the president of the club will be there and I need to go to introduce myself and see what questions and information I can learn.

Time to call the coach and do some REI.
Have a great day everyone.

krupasemail,

Dean's book and the DG website is packed with great information. I would recommend to read and then re-read Dean's book. I get something new out of it each time Irevisit it.

You can then start to write out your plan of action and goals you set for yourself. Whether the goals are to work on your real estate team, find deals, or find a new job. Write out all your goals and each day work a little closer to them. At the end of the evening recap and get your goals ready for the next day. Good luck with your investing. Believe and Achieve! Indiana-Joe

So tonight I did go and play Cash Flow 101 with the local REI club. I did not get out of the Rat Race but came with in $2000 of making it.
The group was small but well worth the time. I met a few people who are REI and some just trying to get started like me. I am going back for more. I can see my vision of deals coming my way.
Good night and see you back here in the morning.

So I am up and at em today.

Todays goals:
1. Get up and get back on the Treadmill.
Done!
but painful after taking 6 days off. Kinda like taking a break from starting a business. If you dont do it then it gets painful. Lesson Learned!

2. Research Business Name in my state and start the paperwork to set up my LLC.
3. Get 1-800 # set up
3. Order business cards.
4. Order bandit signs.
5. Call in to the coaching and get help with Property software and forclosure alert
6 Work on Website.

Check back after 10pm to see how far I got.
Have a great day ya'll!

I hope things are continuing to move forward for you. Its great to have a plan and move forward with it. Any updates on potential deals? Believe and Achieve! Indiana-Joe

Well I did not get a chance to post here the other day. So here is an update

Did the The research and held the name TD Home Solutions.
T-Tony D-Dori (My wife)
Home Solutions fit with buying and selling problems

Phone # is ready for messages, my wife is going to help me record the messages tonight.
(877) 815-6544

Buiness Cards are printed. Went to staples and bought some Tempotarty ones till the real ones get here from Vista Print.

25 Bandit Signs are ordered, I have them say " Avoid Foreclosure Free Recored
Message (877) 815-6544

Called the Coaching staff and got an explaination on the software, Spoke to a coaching manager.

Worked on the website a little.

Now I am taking Joe's advice and going back and reading PFREN.

These last two weeks I have been beating myself up really bad. Like every newbie I just want this to work. I have to have it work. My thoughts are that If I can just do 2 deals by July 1st to get the ball rolling then I know that I can take off and run!
I am trying to learn everything first then take action.
I know now that is not going to work.

So working on a daily planner to see if this helps

Got to keep on keepen on

Today I am Reading the important chapters of 7-9 in PFREN and looking at the list of homes that my RE Agent sent to me. I am going to practice on writing a contract to make some offers this week.

I am pushing forward and know that by the end of this week I am going to get offers in and lock them up.

Way to go! That's great, you are taking action and working your plan. I am so glad to hear that. You are making progress, look back several weeks ago and see where you are now. The real measure of success is the knowledge you are acquiring!

The second time through, "Profit From Real Estate Right Now", I am sure you will pick up additional tidbits of information or having a better understanding of the concepts. I know I do each time I review it. Or if something comes up we look back at that chapter. My wife must have 100 tabs in the book for quick reference I look forward to hearing about your deals in progress and I am sure you will have those 2 deals locked up by July. Good luck with all your deals! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Oh I forgot one thing that I forgot to add.
Since I know that this is going to be my full time career I am putting my name out there.
Last Friday I was walking my dog in the neighborhood. He is a Goldendoodle and very friendly. My neighbors were outside enjoying the weather and as we walked by they asked what breed he was. I walked up to them and started a conversation. In the conversation I let them know that I was a REI. He came out and said that his friend wanted to buy a home but was 20 points short of qualifying. I said that this is what I do. I find homes that with a little money down that I may be able to get him into a home. I asked for my neighbors number and told him that I will call him on Monday (today) and get more information from him and possibly his friends # to call and see the What, Where and when they need a home.

Point I learned is to let people know what you do and they will start asking questions and it may lead to a new buyer/seller.

When you walk the walk and talk the talk. Good things happen! A simular thing happen to me the other day. I was in Marshall's and recognized one of my school mates. At first I wasn't going to say anything because I had my work close on. But thank God I got over the shame. She asked me what I was up to. I told her I do bathroom renovation. And of course I told her about adventuring into real estate investment. She told me she worked for a very large title company. To give her a call if I needed her. Just in a matter of a 2 minute conversation, she became a great asset. Can you imagine what I would of miss because I let fear and shame get in the way. I realize you've got to be a walking testimony. Positive thinking. Continued success..........Lubertha

Today I am putting my marketing plan together. I have a clear understanding of what marketing needs to be done.
I also got my signs today but I am a little disappointed in them. I thought that they were going to be plastic but turned out to be plain ole cardboard. Here in Charleston it will rain in the afternoons so I do not expect them to last long. Good thing they were only $14.
Just means that I will have to order more tonight and make sure they are plastic.
I have also convinced my wife to switch our phone numbers to a local #. We still have the area code from when we moved here 10 months ago. This will help people know that we are local be more comfortable calling.
I have looked up all the laundromats in the areas that I am focusing on and going to place ads in them if they have a posting board there.
Much more to talk about but I have to get back to work.

24 days till I need a deal to go through, otherwise I have to fill my obligation of going back to work that I promised my wife. Savings funds are going down and I do not want to hit the $0 mark. Time to get rocking and rolling.

Keep up the good work and don't give up every step counts. Just look at everything you have done so far. Than-yu for the website www.meetup.com today I was calling lots of real estate agents offices and only got a 3 calls from more that 40 faxes send. Only one looks promising he call my 1888# and ask if i was an all cash buyer or subject to seller finacing. I will call him tomorrow after i call my coach I don't have money currently unemployed for summer break work at a school back in 3 months.Thought i give me this time to work at being a full time real estate investor and get a deal done. I also like to play the Cashflow 101 game and read munerous books from Robert but thougt his real estate academy is to expensive. I like Dean because he gives you step by step action plans and not to mention this website!!

I was in the process of saving the funds for acadamy training, then I was told by my employer that I was being released. So for now I am reverting back to doing odd jobs just to come up with the funds because I know that being a REI is going to work out for me. I know that I just have to keep my head up and I will prevail. I am still studying Profit from real estate for the second time, I have also been looking at some properties and have talked to a banker and a real estate agent. I'm just stuck and fell that I dont have the knowledge or confidence to continue. But the more that I visit the web site and read of others sucess gives me the confidence that I need to take the next step. As I scrimp and save for the acadamy, I will continue to study Dean's books and refer to the web site for guidence.

Hi Decarroll,

Just a note to say welcome aboard. Things seems to be tough right now. But there is hope! Odd jobs are great. I was able to make a career from doing odd jobs. I was able to survive for years off the income. My grandmother told me as a kid, as long as you can use your hands to create, there will always be work! We have an advantage right now. We have been given an insight to a powerful technique that many are not aware of. You get to a point in life where you grow tired of just surviving from paycheck to paycheck. You desire to go to the next level. We are in the right place and the right time. Things happen for a reason. You fight the battles you can win! Look at losing your job as an opportunity to go after your dreams. Your on the right track by studying the book and by taking part in the forum. The idea is to keep moving forward, straight ahead. This is some of the ways to gain knowledge and confidence. Reward yourself for taking this step to this life changing event! I haven't felt this motivated in years about anything. Dean is a sincere and honest man. I know that this is the best opportunity to become financially free. The backbone of the country has always been in real estate. We have been exposed to a ground floor opportunity. Keep your head up! Your day is near. Continue success to you...........Lubertha

Lubertha,

I really appreciate people like you who take time to encourage those of us who haven't done any deals yet. We all have fears and it helps to see that most of us have the same fears.

I read this blog almost every day to see what other investors are doing and I always recieve encouragement to continue moving in the direction of financial independence. It's scary because it's something new but it helps to see people like you, Indiana Joe and Rina to name a few, giving words of encouragemnent and talking about deals being done TODAY.

Thanks for your responce. That was the first response that I have made on this site. It is vert encuranging and motivating that there are people that don't even know you first hand that will help you and encourage you to keep your dreams alive and motivate you to keep hope alive. This is the most insparational situation that I have been inbvolved in and I am determined to make this work, not only for me, but for the opertunity to get family and friends involved. There comes a time for people to make a move and make themselfs happy and take care of business. So far the corporate world has not afforded me the opportunity to make this happen, so it's time to take control of my destiny and make it happen on my own. Thanks for the encouragement.

decarroll