Lea's Journal

Congratulations on starting your journal. A journal is a great way to stay on track and reflect back on your progress. You can also track and focus on potential future deals that have yet to materialize. Thanks for sharing your information with the DG community. As you take one small step each day it adds up to something great. Keep up the good work. Good luck on all your current and future deals. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Good Luck on your new REI career. It looks like this short sale expert might be a good fit for you and a great place to start since foreclosures are not going to end anytime soon. Learn a bunch and ask questions, then come back and teach us all. Best Of Luck......Jan

Way to go, it sounds like you and your husband are headed in the right direction. I am so excited to hear the start of your story and can't what to read the rest as the stages fall into place.

Hey park you car instead of driving neighborhoods, walk and then you are taking care of both things at once.

Celebrate life and every step you take.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my 1st post and make a comment. Thank you also for your encouraging words.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Thank you for reading my first journal entry and for your well wishes, thoughts & input about the short sale expert. I read this morning foreclosures are 50% from a year ago in the town we live in. There is an opportunity here to help people and learn as we go along.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Thank you also for reading my 1st journal entry and taking the time to give me words of encouragement and make a comment.

Great idea about parking the car & walking. I couldn't stop laughing when I read your comment. Thanks

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Lea,

When did you join the Academy and how many deals have you made so far...Just curious.

Bimal

Hi Lea! So glad to see you have started your journal! I look forward to following your success.

I completely relate on the "health" front too and realizing as you get so much done daily in REI...really reflecting on your health/fitness goals. I have done the same!! And as I've told Tom on here, it is really difficult to pursue two big things that require so much discipline!! But this REI stuff is helping me put more in place and at least see where I need to "correct" on the exercise front (by say, including it in my daily activities...ha!) I want my life now (with the "corrections") to reflect my life in the future (without the J.O.B. replaced entirely by real estate) keeping work, health and life all in the balance! Easier said than done!

So great that your husband is a huge support so you all can "be in this together"...will be a great journey to go through together!

See you back here soon!
Louisa

Lea,
After you commented in my journal I had to come look to see if you had one, and of course, you do! It's great you started one! I have found it really keeps me on track and more focused. I suppose the word I'm really looking for is "accountable." The journal makes me accountable to myself. And I have fun with it and I think you will too. Many congratulations are in order: for the journal, for partnering with your husband on RE, for all of the action steps you've been taking and the success you are having.

We all look forward to reading more in your journal!
Enjoy!
Nancy

We joined the academy in June. We haven't done any deals yet. This week we put in 3 offers, 2 rejected (we will put offers in again in 30 days.) and we are waiting to hear back on the other one. We have more properties that we are doing our resesearch on and will put offers on those that fit our buyers criteria.

The coaches at the academy have been fantastic!!

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Thank you both so very much for taking the time to read my journal, for your encouraging words and kind comments.

This week has been one of those weeks where I've had 'information overload' as others have called it. What's strange for me is that I'm not usually indecisive about things. This week I've been 2nd guessing myself and every little thing seems bigger than it really is. Progress seems to be moving excruciatingly S-L-O-W. Does this make any sense? I wanted to thank both of you earlier for visiting my journal it means a lot. I sat in front of my computer like a zombie (Nancy, must be that Halloween thing again ) I remind myself that this too shall pass and that patience is a virtue.

Tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to GET MORE OFFERS IN!!

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Lea,

I wish you all the best with your deals.
And thanks for the information provided.

HAve you picked on an particular strategy or you will pick as you go by.

Joe suggested me that I should go with the assignment strategy.

Bimal

We are assigning properties.

Recently a friend told me about a house she has that is headed for foreclosure (not her primary home thank God.) One or 2 realestate agents have worked with her bank to get a short sale deal through but have not been successful. The short sale investor we are working with is going to help her. She and her husband are reviewing the paperwork at this point. It would be wonderful for this short sale to go through. She understands that it isn't over until it's over but it was wonderful hearing the hope in her voice. The great thing about the investor we are working with is that he is the end buyer eliminating the risk of a buyer walking away from the deal after 3-4 months of waiting.

Lea
SPR Property Soutions, LLC

one of learning about what has been working and what hasn't.

I attended REI meeting and added 2 more cash buyers to our buyers list. A 1st time home buyer responded to a Craigs list ad and has been added to our buyers list.

Last night we put out 12 bandit signs. These are handwritten signs We will be ordering signs (they actually cost less than the blank ones we bought.) We must set up 2 more phone lines for this so while the process is in the works we are temporarily using our business phone line. Our intention was to put out 20 signs (10 saying We Buy Houses, 10 Saying Avoid Foreclosure) We spent a good part of the day driving to different stores to find blank signs. Last night we started putting them out at 9:00 pm and finished at 10:45 - covered a 6-7 mile radius.

This morning I left a voice mail message for our RE Agent. I'm going to talk to him about sending us expired listings. The listings he has been pulling for us (over 150 days, motivated seller, etc.) have not lead us to 'motivated sellers.' All of the listings are asking 30%-50% over FMV. Many of these properties have been on the market for 6 months to a year.

Dean's successfest info is chockfull of helpful & good info. Thanks Dean. Thanks to the coaches also for answering my endlesss questions this week. And thank you to everyone on this sight for providing so much helpful information, knowledge, kind words and insight about so many different topics.

The weather forecast for tomorrow morning 58 degress a big change from the low 90's we've had this week. Looking forward to it.

Bye for now.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

finally went off this week. As I'm learning and taking steps in REI it has taken a while for my mind to absorb everything.

This week we have been refining our marketing strategies for short sale clients. Yesterday we had a 9am meeting with our SS investor/mentor/partner to discuss more details. He had to reschedule so we'll be meeting him tomorrow at 9am (Joe, if you are reading this do you think it is too early for pumpkin pie & coffee? LOL ) We will be mirroing what he has done that has been successful for him and I am so excited about this. Because the SS process takes 3-6 onhs I have to get moving on things tht will produce an income way sooner.

I has been challenging for me to see how this all goes & comes togeher but it is finally beginning to make sense . I have ben so determine to do assignments that I've been overlooking many other possibilities. Believe it or not I NEVER considered bird dogging even though there has been much talk about it on this website. It dawned on me this week that while we are marketing for SS's we could be bird dogging too. Remember I said earlier it takes time for me to absorb things.

A cash investor called this week. He needs LO folks for his properties (he holds & flips.) People respond to our ads looking for LO so it is a good fit and one that I believe will work well for other cash investors & SS's. The investor was very nice and said he would like to help us learn. I see a lot of potential here. After we hung up I thought of more questions. I left a voice Mail message for him to call me so I can learn more details about how we can help him reach his goals (while reaching ours too.)

I received a phone call from a lady who is upside down and wants to sell her property (I can't describe how nervous I was talking to her but don't think she picked up on it.) She has not missed any payments. Once again AFTER I hung up the phone with her I realized there were more questions I could have asked her. There are probably more options for her to consider than I realize (I had SS on the brain while we spoke.) I'll talk more to our partner about how to help her. I spoke to one of the coaches and he had some good suggestions.

I will be contacting more cash investors on our buyers list too regarding bird dogging for them.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

had to reschedule our meeting once again till tomorrow morning due to an ill family member. We had another call this morning from a prospective SS client, I wasn't afraid to talk this time (normally talking to people isn't an issue for me.) These are 'baby steps' but I feel that we are moving in a positive direction.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

we met with our SS partner. At the end of the meeting the plan was for him to return a call to one of the folks who called this weekend about doing a SS on their home (they will also be needing a rental property) and they asked that I call them this morning at 10. The call was on speaker phone so we could hear our new partner in action. Unfortunately, our potential client didn't answer the phone so I left a message. I'm starting to finally understand 'a little bit' more. We also discussed commercial properties.

Went to the courthouse for 'lis penden' of 100 names. The clerk said the list is available by 'when it is entered' so I asked her for last weeks and there were 61. I needed 39 more so she printed back till 10/5 (it was sad to see 350 from the 5th to today.) On the upside there is potential for us to help some of these people. I started checking the tax records to check the properties on the list. This week and every week I'll be sending out 100 letters to folks in pre-foreclosure.

Another potential SS client called sometime last night but I couldn't hear his return phone # and my cell phone doesn't show the ph# if it goes into voice mail. I tried guessing - but that didn't work got a wrong number, hopefully he'll call back. Denny will be looking into magic jack. It goes to e-mail & leaves message there with written ph#.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Just caught up on your journal. Boy, you are really on the move! Great job! I re-learned a whole bunch of stuff reading your entries. (you know how when you don't "use" something, you "lose" it? - guilty. lol)
It's great to see you overcoming obstacles and pressing on into unfamiliar territory. I look forward to hearing more about all your prospects! And seeing you get that first deal!

Thank you.

Rina

Thank you for taking the time to read my journal and make a post. You are so humble - but I'm not, I can brag now that Rina has posted in my journal

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement! I'm looking forward to the day I can tell you & everyone about our 1st deal.

Your Friend,

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

You've done a lot to encourage others in here. You DESERVE to get that deal! I'll be watching for the YAHOO!!!!

your DG sis,

Rina

Rina for your kind words and encouragement.

Today I finished going through the lis pendens list & checked the properties at the tax assessors website. I've printed out the 100 letters and have started the envelopes. I'm hand writing the envelopes so it takes a while. I learned the hard way to sign my name 'before' making 100 copies - LOL.

Received a call from a potential SS client today. Left a 2nd message for the gentleman we couldn't reach yesterday. Hope we hear back from him again. Waiting to hear back from the lady I & our partner spoke to on Friday. She has to talk to her husband but is considering a LO for her property.

Spoke to one of our cash buyers today.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

that I talked to a couple months ago and then I never heard sent an e-mail about a duplex she has under contract (18K it rents for $600 for each unit) and asked if I could find a buyer for her & split 50-50. I asked her a couple questions, haven't heard back yet. I looked up the property on googlemaps and it is in a town that most of our cash buyers are not interested in. The few that will invest there want properties close to the ocean and the duplex isn't near the ocean.

I was able to reach one of our potential clients this morning but he couldn't talk long because he was at work and asked that we call him tonight. Our partner will be calling him to follow up

Finally finished the letters today and they'll be going out in tomorrows mail.

Found an interesting property that is a short sale. I have a message into the owners to get more details.

That about covers it for today.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

the man who wants to do a SS on his property owns it jointly with his cousin and his cousin doesn't want to do a SS. So at the moment this one isn't going anywhere, he is going to talk more to his cousin.

Our partner will be talking to someone tonight who called saying he has an upside down property. The property owner has a couple homes that are paid for and wasn't sure how a SS would affect his existing paid for properties.

Had a great conversation with our RE agent today. After reading other posts and going through many negative conversations with agents I am counting my blessings. He is open minded, intelligent and likes people and I always enjoy our talks. He will be sending folks our way who are facing foreclosure. He also said that he has a mortgage broker who does loan modifications. I was happy to hear that because our mortgage broker (and friend) doesn't do loan modifications but does help people with their credit.

Spoke to one of our cash buyers today about ways to help each other. He said he would refer folks our way who are facing foreclosure. He rehabs & flips houses and every so often has a tough time moving a property. I'm trying to come up with a way to help him but haven't thought of anything yet. If anyone has any suggestions I'd be grateful.

Yesterday I spoke to our accountant and she said she would refer people to us who are facing foreclosure. Heck I even talked about referrals to a handyman that was at our home today - actually Denny talked to him. Isn't it just like a woman to say 'we' when 'he' did it - LOL

Caught up on paperwork today.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Read your journal and boy your knocking doors down getting things going. I know it seems so slow getting everything in place and finally start working deals. I'm still getting things in place and just starting to think about going after deals.

I love your soft spot for helping elders and those afflicted with Alzheimers. I find people on DG have hearts of gold.

I'll be back to read your progress.

My best wishes in your success in REI

Barbara

I was happy to see that you stopped by my journal and took the time to make a post. Thank you also for your kind words and well wishes.

It is exciting for me to have a plan in order to follow.

I took care of my Dad for 5 years (he was diagnosed with Alzheiemer's.) I have been hesitant to mention it here because I don't want to make folks uncomfortable. I grew up with him & my paternal grandparents (am an only child.) I learned early in life about some of the issues our elders face. They have my utmost respect.

During the time I took care of Dad I went to every Alzheimer's seminar, conference, caregiver meeting, read a lot, talked to the experts questioned them & questioned them again, talked to other caregivers and talked to those afflicted with Alzheimer's to learn about how to see things from their perspective. I can compare this to where I am now in REI. A beginner with a lot to learn and the resources on this website to help me become successful in REI.

I wish you much success!

Take care,

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

from putting out some bandit signs. This is the 3rd week in a row that we've put them out. At 1st it felt really weird and the theme song from the pink panther kept going through my head (I'm aging myself here.) Denny mapped out a good route so it is quicker now.

Talked to the coaches a couple times today. They explain things so well and I enjoy learning from them.

Had the pleasure of talking to another DG family member today who is about an hour north of us.

Haven't heard back from the wholesaler who has some properties she wants us to find buyers for. I need more details (i.e., comps,repairs needed & cost.)

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Keep up the great work and don't be afraid to make those offers.

Build assets for stopping by to read my journal and for your nice comment.

Denny found a couple properties that our RE agent e-mailed that are pre-foreclosure properties. I'm calling our agent tomorrow to get comps on them. Wasn't going to mention it until I knew more.

I wish you much success in REI.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

totally made me laugh and I can see myself doing that while putting up bandits (which I haven't done yet!)

Just catching up with your journal and you are BURNING IT UP!!! Awesome! Lots of marketing stuff going on which will propel everything to come together. You inspire me to get that "foundation" built that I need to take note of in my own business!

I look forward to continuing to see where all of this goes for you.

Thanks for sharing your progress with us!! I look forward to reading what's next!

Cheers!
Louisa

Louisa for stopping by my journal and for your encouraging comments. Glad you like the Pink Panther Song. It takes some of the stress away while putting out signs.

If you should ever put out bandit signs be sure to put them in a different place each week. Less will be taken down that way (per other investors who do bandit signs.) We learned that the hard way - 13 of 17 were taken down last week. We didn't get any calls on them so they must have come down early. I had thought at first people seeing our signs over & over as they run weekend erands/outings it would establish trust.

Not sure about the the man who has an upside down property. Haven't heard back yet.

I had decided to call people directly who are in pre-foreclosure to find out more about their circumstance and what direction they want to take. Had gone to yellowpages.com on the 1st one and got lucky but seems nobody has land lines just cell phones (not listed in yellowpages.com)

I spoke to a DG family member about referring people to us who are facing foreclosure. Having a DG family member on my team rocks!

Someone responded to Denny's CL ad looking for a LO (actually several but Denny is handling the others and I don't know details yet.) Our partner does LO and may have something that fits their criteria. There are a couple other cash buyers on our list who are renting properties but they may be willing to do a LO.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC