Offline06.15.09: After seeing Dean Graziosi infomercial (yesterday-Sunday), I had decide to conduct a Google ™ search to do an investigation to see whether there were reviews/complaints regarding his program like others, before deciding if this program was right for me after my experience with the Carlton Sheets program a few years earlier. To my surprise I didn’t find any well I hadn’t actually dug deeper to look for any. So I backspace & saw the web link for the DG site, click it & after reading a couple forum threads; I said what the heck and decide to join the DG site.
I had also been browsing houses earlier on Realtor.com and thru email mailing I was getting from Realtor’s site I had sign up for last year.
06.15.9-06.19.09: Quickly discover DG is addicting. I interacted on DG asking ?’s & answering ?’s only those were I felt knowledgeable. Sign up for acct on Zip Realty to view properties
06.20.09: After reading other’s experiences after they’d read BARM. & only after seeing infomercial again for the second time. I decided what the heck, I ordered Dean’s BARM & PFRERN, I said to myself “my circumstances couldn’t get any worse than they already were.” So I took the plunge. Took a time out from DG to go take my Son to BD party he had been invited to earlier in week. The Marta bus came 50 minutes late after we mad transfer from first bus we got on. A hour & half later we still hadn’t made it to Mill’s BD party after all after discovering the directions I printed from Google ™ Maps for skating rink were bad. I decide we’d head home b/c heat I was getting cranky so was my son.
06.21.09: Woke up, did the usual, until something miraculous happen I decide I write a proclamation statement for myself if I wanted Change and hung it on refrigerator with a couple starfish magnetic. Can you guess what it is? Go ahead! Here’s a hint (look at my sig).
06.22.09: Bad interaction on DG. Remember 2 of Jay Z songs. Making money, main priority. Concentrated on finding properties. RE agent called later, in evening, to confirm scheduled property tour appt time to view I wanted to tour.
06.23.09: Woke up, usual routine, jump on DG, call AiA to find out ‘bout class Grades. Went and got lunch came back. Waiting for school bus to arrive; immediately left to go meet Agent at property. Played phone tag w/ Agent; train held up by another train on wrong track, & me seeking directions to property. Finally located property, Agent pulls up afterwards, he gets out car arguing on phone with somebody about mess up payment of some kind. Front door key doesn’t work, agent walks around back still arguing on dang phone. He comes back around front says “someone is inside watching tv”. Knocks on door, young man answers door. We both look at each other; we assume the property was vacant being that it was Bank owned. Teenager closes door to get adult. Adult male returns to door; smoking cigarette & in Joe boxers. After few minutes of going back & forth trying to see if we could tour the house. Him explaining he had just gotten home from work. Let him know, that was ok, we would reschedule to tour property later. Agent gives us a lift to nearby Marta station. Stop got dinner from Wendy's headed home. Search properties on Zip Realty and few others. Schedule tour for another property I really want to see. interact more on DG, later went to bed myself.
06.24.09: Woke up, went through usual routine of getting son ready for Bus to arrive. Decided last night I would get a jump on locating where property was I want to tour so there be no confusion like yesterday. My dilemma is I got to travel to properties via Public transaction b/c truck is in shop. Also decide to check out two others houses I had saw earlier (on Realtor.com) one of them I let my agent know I was interested in seeing, that were in same vincity as property we tried to tour yesterday.
Didn't exactly locate where property was, got confuse on my bearings again, in which direction the property was so I headed back to Station to get back home in time to beat School Bus before it arrive. Stop and got lunch at local eatry. Check email, Agent inform me one of properties was already under contract, double check with him to see which one it was exactly, also stated he was still trying to get in touch with both of listing agents to find out more about property & reschedule tour and get access code to other property I want to tour tomorrow. That's been my week thus far. I'm hung up on on what offer to possibly submit to the prospective Lenders for either these two properties. I'm looking at properties in $15k under range to purchase as owner/occupant. My target is to come in under $8700 I have to pay in Cash & closing expenses on either property. I'm hesitant b/c I don't know what the bank is willing to accept or whether they will buck at my offer. It's been awhile since I been at closing table. Somebody refresh my memory. What closing costs does the Seller customary pays and what does the buyer pay? What costs can I ask for the Lender to pay (so my expenditure out of pocket is less ; I want retain some of my funds for other purchases to spur up place that I do hopefully get)? Another dilemma I'm running into is low price properties being snatch up by other investors (with deep pockets). I need a nudge from DG fam.
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
Contacted some more fsbo regarding their properties for sale. Due to the Falcon's game this Sunday. I'm waiting for them to email and/or call me back. Also went to meet my real estate agent, David, again. This time I signed two copies, one to be hand delivered to HUD office on Monday. Also been working on some advertising ideas for flyers, I want to put out around the metro before the end of the month and postcards to be sent out next month.
R.E. investing is like playing Cat chases Mouse (Tom tries to catch Jerry). Sometimes when the deal (mouse) is within your grasp, along comes some hiccup to your plan (one of Tom's corky ideas backfires) and the deal(aka Jerry mouse) slips away from you. The goal is to keep chasing the deal (that pesky mouse) til eventually you catch your deals (mouses) or end up running into your sworn enemy "the bulldog").
The moral of the this story, whatever backfires on you, don't give up!
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
Some of the for sale by owners that I called or emailed returned my inquiry. Many sellers are under the ocean with their mortgages, in my area. Which means I need to switch my run up with a different play from PFRERN "game" book. By the way which reminds me Falcons held out to beat the Chicago "Bad News" Bears Sunday. While searching for new listings in different n'hoods, to possibly contract up under contract, on one of the metro area Realty websites. I had notice a correlation with some of the Atlanta craiglist ads posted real estate-by owner. Seems as though some R.E. Brokers (alias real estate-by owner) are in the game of doing "assignments" too.
In other good news, my Realtor David, contacted me this evening letting me know we could close as early as Tuesday the 27th October! (I'm doing cartwheels) He has to get the attorney to confirm a time. God willing, I am praying that she will schedule us in the morning round of closings. He assure me he would get the HUD-1 to me asap. I can't tell you how happy I am, I so giggly right now. Now its on to prepping for the move, getting utilities turn on and getting out of this rental I'm in. Hooray.
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[10.20.09] 08:00a.m.-Temps dip, for the second time in a row near freezing this morning. I receive confirmation from my Realtor David that the closing is schedule at 10:00a.m. Whooray!
(jumping up and down). He told me "That the attorney would have the HUD-1 ready 1-2 days before the closing. I'm still waiting on that information.
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[09:00 a.m.] - I was looking forward to my Lindbergh Prospect returning my email, to set up an appointment and go look at her home to discuss the price she wanted for her home and see the what stage the renovations were at that still needed to be completed. After waiting around for awhile, I headed out this afternoon to enjoy the warm spot of weather we were having before the cold front & rain reached the ATL metro area this weekend. I stop in at Staples and pick up some school essentials for my son. I also brought Socrates Real Estate Forms Library (CD-ROM)(Retail $54.99), since the attorney I talked to last week hadn't sent over the contracts he supposedly said he would. As well as sign up for a Staples Reward Card for future purchases and discounts.
Lindbergh Prospect presents itself as a great opportunity for assigning to another investor who can complete the renovations that the Owner themselves can't finish due to recent illness or doing a lease option with a retail buyer who wouldn't mind putting in the sweat equity to live in an affluent area of the Atlanta metro. The deal will depend upon whether the Owners would be receptive to creative financing and the amount of renovations still needed.
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
Here are the numbers (HUD Settlement Statement) for my Deal#1:
J. Summary of Borrower's Transaction
100. Gross Amount Due from Borrower
101. Contract Sales Price $6,000.00
102. Personal Property
103. Settlement Charges to borrower $95.00
104.
105.
Adjustments for items paid by seller in advance
106. City property taxes 10/28/09 thru 12/31/09 $163.07
107. County property taxes 10/28/09 thru 12/31/09 $76.79
108. Assessments
109. Sanitation 10/28/09 thru 12/31/09 $73.20
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
120. Gross Amount Due From Borrower $6,408.06
200. Amounts Paid By Or in Behalf Of Borrower
201. Deposit or earnest money $500.00
202. Principal amount of new loan(s)
203. Existing loan(s) taken subject to
204.
205.
206.
207.
208.
209. Sales Allowance $1,000.00
210. City property taxes
211. County property taxes
212. Assessments
213. Sanitation
214.
215.
216.
217.
218.
219.
220. Total Paid By/For Borrower $1,500.00
300. Cash At Settlement From/To Borrower
301. Gross Amount due from borrower (line 120) $6,408.06
302. Less amounts paid by/for borrower (line 220) $1,500.00
303. Cash From Borrower $4,908.06
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[10.24-10.25.09]: This weekend was tranquil. We (me and my mini me) went out to Home Depot this weekend to schedule a Measure for Home Depot installation specialist to come out and give a quote to install 2 new doors at the new place plus get a new heater. The heater we had clunk out on us, so we had to make the trip, with the weather turning colder every evening. After getting the heater while heading back to catch the #71 Bus at Marta stop, we were passing by a storm drain, I heard a kitten crying out. For a moment I thought I was hearing things. So I double back and stop for moment (by the storm drain) and listen tentatively to make sure the wind or my mind wasn't playing tricks on me.
I bend down and look into the storm drain by the curb and sure enough there was a orange tabby kitty crying out for its mother. I tried coaxing him or her out of the storm drain to try take home with me out of fear he or she would get hit if it venture out of storm drain into the street. But the kitty wouldn't come to me because it was too frighten & overwhelm by the cars passing by and possibly by the excitement of my little one jumping around. Eventually, I gave up after some time essentially due to the cars whizzing by and my son jumping around on and off the curb. I said a prayer for it and went on my way to catch the next bus. I prayed that the kitten's mother would come back for its baby. When I return home, I recalled that I need to get the electrical turned on. Not knowing whether I could schedule the service transfer via Georgia Power website, I call their Customer Service. I soon discovered from the Georgia Power Rep that since the house has been vacant for longer than 6 months (since April '08). I had to get the City of Atlanta to perform a building inspection before Georgia Power would come out and restore electrical service. The Rep gave me the phone number to call the City of ATL in morning to schedule an inspection.
[10.26.09]: Watching the Ch 2 News this morning, seeing that we were in for a 80% chance of rain, made my heart yearn even more that I could have gotten the kitten out of the storm drain. I push the thought out of my mind of going back by HD today to check on the whether the kitty was stil there but I had other things on my agenda that had top priority. I put it in God's hand and let nature take its course. In preparations for moving in, I went over to house to perform my final walk through (killing 2 birds with one stone) before the "Big Day" tomorrow. And to meet the contractor (referral from Service Magic)-- whom I had schedule appointment with-- to receive an estimate to replace and install 2 entry doors. I was taken back by the price ($900) he quoted, for starting labor and materials, for installing 4 doors. Might as well get all of them done at the same time. I wasn't expecting the installation (labor) cost, to be the same in price, as the cost of the doors themselves. I called HD to see when their Home Installation Service Contractor would call. The Customer Service Rep confirm that someone would be calling me on the 27th. If someone didn't call by then I could call back and get a different contractor to come out and perform the Measurement service.
There wasn't much difference ($6) in price from a different referred Service Magic contractor. He sent me an estimate quote site unseen subject to my exact measurements which would mean at the contractor's discretion, because closing down the frame opening would mean extra labor and time involved so that a standard door would fit, the price was not guaranteed and could change. I also got an email quote from Two Men and Truck to have their Movers help out with the my move. That quote didn't shock me as much, as I was kinda expecting to pay $325 to hire movers for 2 hrs to help out with moving.
Hiring movers they provide the use of their truck is less expensive actually compared to reserving a Uhaul truck, for a one day move, myself. In addition to hiring individuals (whom I don't know), from emove.com, to help out as day labor. I just have to make up my mind whom I'm going to use to install the entry doors then I can confirm my booking date (definitively) with Two Men and Truck to perform the move prayerfully before Saturday (cause that is when their moving rate increases by $5). Today has been a long day, so I'm off to bed, to get up in the morning and make it to my closing on time.
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
{08:20 a.m.}-It started sprinkling, this morning, when I left out to go close on my house. 'Bout time I arrive at the Lingbergh (Marta) Station at 09:03 a.m., to transfer to the #30 Marta bus to go to my destination, the rain was coming down in sheets. The coolest of the air made me wish for a cup Starbucks coffee but the bus was running behind. Plus the rain stall me from leaving the station to walk to the nearest one. Thinking I would be an hour behind, I call my REA to have them push back the closing til I could get to the office where the closing was being held.
When I arrive there (at the closing location) it was only me and the closing attorney representing the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Seller). My agent arrived shortly from another obligation of his this morning. The closing went really quick, since it was an all cash transaction. I sign a few pages, so that everyone would have original copies, handed over the Certified Funds, and converse with David my Realtor for a few while they disburse the checks. When the closing attorney returned, I got a Homeowner's Title Insurance policy (Old Republic Title Insurance), all the originals of the paperwork I had signed earlier. Along with a Deed Execution Acknowledgment and Special Warranty Deed. But no keys!
Keys wouldn't of been of no use to me anyways. All the doors & trim were in such bad shape anyways, so they're all being replace including the locks. I also have to replace the lock on the crawlspace access door.
I arrived back home around 1:40 p.m., after I had stop by the City of Atlanta City Hall to pick up a Public Utility Permit & make sure I was on the schedule for tomorrow. The City's Inspector will come out tomorrow (between prescribe hours) to inspect the electrical wiring. If they don't find anything wrong, he or she will send notice over to Georgia Power to give them the go ahead to come out and restore electrical service.
Around 2:13 p.m. the Home Depot contractor called (yahooooo) to set up an appointment to come out and measure for the doors. He wanted me to meet him over there at 4 p.m. but with the rain still coming down hard & my son arriving home from school soon. I informed him he could access the house easily, without me being there to let him in, to take the measurements. I will have to check the status of my installation order later on this evening or tomorrow morning to if HD has updated the status. I'm keeping my fingers cross hoping that the quote is much lower than what the previous two contractors (referrals from Service Magic) quoted me.
I also discover that the roof of where I'm renting is further deteriorating. The ceiling in my bedroom is leaking water. I email him to inform him of the problem, haven't gotten a reply back from him yet. Oh well I'm leaving this place shortly, I'll be sure to let my next door neighbors know about the condition of the roof. So they have a heads up, if they aren't already experiencing the same thing I am over there in their unit.
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
Yesterday the City Inspector came out and did the inspection concerning the electrical. I was late getting over there to meet him. By the time I had arrived he had already move on to the next job. But he did say he did the inspection and would post the report when he returned to his desk. I got lucky there, only because he had available access to get inside. I have to call this morning to find out rather the inspection pass or not. Prayerfully, I can schedule a turn on date with Georgia Power for my electricity this week. The other utilities and cable/internet service transfers more smoothly going and will be turned on by this weekend or be installed early in the week next month.
Requested for a 'Herbie Curbie' (which is what they call trash containers around here) and a Recycling Collection bin to be delivered to the house. The Home Depot contractor hasn't generated the door installation quote yet. They will have that back later this evening, hopefully. So I can go there to purchase the doors & have the installation scheduled to hopefully be completed by this Friday also.
I've been eyeballing another potential property which I'm trying to acquire for the parcel and/or possibly wholesale to another investor for All Cash offer. The treat is going to be tracking down the current owner on record at Tax Commissioner's and making contact with her to see whether she would be interested "motivated to sell" in selling the property outright to me, possibly split the profits or possibly convey the property to me for the amount owed on past due (including the current year's) taxes.
The only other thing I need to do is book a moving date for Movers to help with the move.
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
Doors were installed, temporary electrical set back was taken care of and we're all move in. yippee
Comcast cable guy came yesterday and installed the cable for baby's entertainment. Got a few loose ends to tie up and everything will be peachy. 
Looking at starting another side business and keeping eyes fixed for next possible deal to come along.
"I will NOT BE BROKE! ANYMORE!"
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
22.He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: The Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God: the King, the Holy, the Author of Peace,the Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (with Him)!
24. He is Allah: the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.