Captain777's Daily Journal

Tim, keep it up. Glad my journal helped!

Tell your realtor to run the following criteria (I got this from Matt)

- been on the market for at least 90 day
- had at least one price reduction
- being sold "as-is"

Then make offers between 50-70% off the list price, and make a lot of them!

As for the tear off tags on the signs, before you hang it, rip one off!

Hope this help my friend!

Chris,
Tearing off one tab. I didn't think of that but I understand and I will do that from now on. Thanks.

Tim

I have spent several hours getting caught up on many of my friends journals. I am so pleased about all of their successes. My daughter is in Gatlinburg with the Girl Scouts until the 18th, therefore I am alone and I will be able to focus more on building my REI. I am going to contact Chris and Jay this week and talk with them about some things I am not so sure about. There is a FSBO down the street from me and I want to look inside. The owner has just cleaned and fixed up the property since it went vacant a year ago (tenant died). I think she is an older lady and owns it outright. I will see if she is willing to deal with me on the property. I will offer (Chris's and others methods) a full price deal if she will hold the paper with decent terms or get a better price and move it as quick as possible. Maybe sandwich lease or flip. Just don't know which way it will go until I talk with her and look at the inside. I have been studying the Academy lessons again and talking to others on here to prepare for this potential deal. There is another FSBO on another street close by that has had a sign out for over a year. I am hoping they are ready to deal too. I am going to take it one day at a time and evaluate both potential deals by the end of this week. I have so enjoyed reading everyone's journals and it has infused me with more ambition to work a little faster. I am part of the growing group of investors enjoying the freedom this business provides.

Tim

just read through your journal. you have come a long way. congrats on everything you have accomplished and everything you are doing. you also have a daughter you can be very proud of. i have 2 daughters (one in banking and one in oil and gas) and one son (he is Army EOD) that i'm very proud of. they grew up well in spite of their parents. keep it going!!!

Thank you Linda for your responses. I have 8 children total,but just one at home now ( the last one ). I hope to have some real info on 3 properties in my own neighborhood this week and maybe at least one will work out. I just viewed Dean's latest video and I can't wait to see what he is preparing for us. I have been watching your posts and I am expecting to hear great things from you regularly.

Tim

It is now 2:43AM and I was checking Dean's site before going to bed (about 2 hours ago). I noticed his announcement for the conference call and I got caught up on his videos. I don't know how I missed them as they came out. I am registered now. I have been laid up with a bad back problem. I believe the piriformis muscle is the problem. I researched it last night (couldn't sleep again). The VA, after several x-rays and MRI and on and on, only came up with Oxycoten. Today I arranged with them to get a walker. I feel like all those people that are really physically impaired and quite elderly. I won't give up! I believe that it might be on the mend tonight. I made stuffed peppers for Molly for when she gets home from camp tomorrow. I wish I could give everyone some news on REI, but that has had little attention lately with my physical problems. I intend to get moving again NOW! I am all fired up after getting caught up on the videos from Dean and I can't wait for this new tool he has been teasing us with for the last two months. I read Rich Dad Poor Dad and that has me all excited too. I will try to get caught up on everyone's journals asap, but it may take a while. I have been distracted for at least 3 weeks now. I believe that God put this dream into my heart and He will bring it to fruition too. I feel for all those others on this site that are struggling to get it going. I really understand the inner struggle. I have also noticed that I am not alone with difficulties making it nearly impossible to make progress. I have also found that no matter how bad it seems, someone else out there is experiencing something harder. I pray every day for all those that God brings to my heart. I am so sorry for not keeping up with everyone on this site. I am not allowed to sit very long at all. I am supposed to stand or lay down. I have even been to the chiropractor 3 times in the last week ( I have never gone to a chiropractor before in my life) and that seems to have given very little relief. I am so encouraged by all that I have read about everyone's progress. If anyone reads this journal, I want you all to know that hearing of your progress encourages me to keep on keeping on!

when i hurt my back last year, i found a great young chiropractor. he did a great job and encouraged my back to do the work. i didn't go all the time because we were trying to get my back to do that work on its own as much as possible. but, one thing i did that i felt really helped was...after my treatment, i would immediately go to the next room and have a reiki massage. it's a healing massage and that helped me so much! i really believe the 2 working together is what made the difference. i also did ice packs for a specified amount of time and did a very simple stretching exercise. don't know if this would help in your situation, but thought i would mention it. glad to see you back. sometimes those setbacks are what makes us more determined than ever!

Just read your post about your back in my journal. Been wondering where you were! I am happy to read that you feel you are on the mend..sure hope so! I agree with Linda that chiropractic can be very helpful....3x wont show any difference in your situation - it will probably take a bit longer. So keep with it for a while if you can, and add the massage. You just never know what might trigger your inner healing mechanism. The fact you are still focusing on real estate at all in the midst of this shows your great determination for success and is quite an inspiration. Get better soon my friend and keep us posted when you can!

I have been slowly getting better and now have a walker to help. The VA said they are going to setup physical therapy locally so I don't have to drive to Tampa. I am not used to all this attention, but it is sure welcome. Molly is a great help in food shopping and it is good training for her too. We are all set for the new school year and she starts next Monday. She is so excited and has been planning and talking to all her friends in her preparations. I have ordered the SFL and can hardly wait for it to arrive. My sincere intention is to get 3 deals under my belt before September 30. I have been perusing many journals tonight since I woke up at 4AM and I could not go back to sleep. I really appreciate all the encouragement from everyone on this site. Every time I make an entry in my journal several DG'ers are there to post about it. The care and concern from everyone is hard to believe.
I have been trying to locate the owner of a house not far from my home (hopefully before Foreclosure) to make an offer on his house. It is in bad shape and one neighbor told me most of the issue is from the 4 hurricanes in 2004. The property (not considering the condition) has an assessed value of about 147K. I have had a rough estimate of repairs and they came in at about 60K. I believe the property's ARV will be close to 200K. I am offering 20K for it as is. I think the county is mowing the yard. I have talked to neighbors and other people involved with the owner, etc. without any results so far. I am told he is in Texas doing construction work but no one knows how to contact him. I have tried searching Texas for him with no luck yet.
I have two other properties I am working at finding the owners also. Now I found two additional properties last week while locating a property from Craig's List (once in the car, I try to capitalize on the opportunity because getting to and from the car is really hard). These could prove to be good deals if they go through. At least I have some targets to shoot at. I seem to be able to locate potential deals, but I have a hard time bringing them "home".
I have had a lot of time lately to think about why I am experiencing a slow start(since walking is hardly an option). I believe funding is a large part and partly because I am behind in my mortgage payments and now the taxes too. I believe 3 or 4 deals will start to take some heat off of the situation too. Molly is my greatest cheerleader. When she looks at me while telling me I can do it and we WILL do it, it confounds me how much she trusts me to make it happen. It is hard to explain the inner feelings she creates in me. Oh to be young and innocent again... And invincible.

Hey Tim, glad to hear your feeling better, sounds like Molly is very special and to have someone like that behind you is a great feeling. Keep trying to find that owner and look for others at the same time, focus on more than one to give yourself more opportunity to succeed.
good luck and Never give up!!
make it happen.

Richie

Molly is awesome! Join her in her mindset - with the two of you believing that strong there will be no doubt you will get deals done! There is a ton of work you can do right from your home on your computer and with your phone...as it seems you are doing. So utilize your 'down' time as a blessing. The perfect excuse to spend hours on the computer searching deals I have said before and will say again that I am SO inspired by you sticking to real estate in spite of so many personal obstacles - thanks for always keeping us up to date. And I repeat to you what you said to me "Thanks for being YOU"

glad to see you are doing better. i pray it continues and you are able to now move forward with your investing. how wonderful to have your daughter's love, help and encouragement. i can tell how much it means to you. have a great week!

....Glad to hear that you are feeling better. Each day can be a new opportunity so keep searching for that next deal. Im regards to the homw owner you are searchign for, go on-line and check the county assessor records for Osceola or Orange counties, where ever the property is lcoated. That should give you the information you need. I know most counties in Florida have the information on-line.

Keep up the good work! As we discussed at the Gaine the EDGE, keep doign all the right thigns and the deals will come. Have a great weekend. Your friend, - Joe

I was working on the HAMP program as well as looking at a Duplex in South Lakeland. I found a website while investigating the VA benefits pages that lists all of the homes that the VA is holding for sale. See the quoted post below for the info I posted in Indiana-Joe's Guidemap to finding REO's. I had a real hard time walking the property because I couldn't use my walker. I took many pictures and I hope I am not too late to put in an offer on the property. The Agent said the offering is supposed to close at 4:30PM today. Since it is Friday evening, I hope I can slip it in tomorrow because I didn't finish until 4:30PM. This duplex has a lot of potential. I have to get a proof of funds to submit with it. Well, here goes.

New Post on Finding REO's:
I have read many posts, but I have never seen anyone post about how to find all of the ( Veteran's Administration Foreclosures ) VA REO's. If you go to https://va.equator.com/index.cfm?, you can choose your area and stipulate criteria to match your needs. The VA has many homes available and they list the descriptions and include the address, asking price, realtor to contact, and a picture. I hope this helps.

I couldn't get a hold of the title company to get the proof of funds (her husband does extremely short time funds), so I will try first thing Monday and try to put in my offer anyway. Can't hurt to try. All they can say is no. I looked at other properties on the way back home and I may have several potential deals from that. I will post here of the outcome of this effort.

Tim

I finally had time to get on my journal. I have been to three PT's over the last two weeks. It seems to be helping. I can sometimes walk without a walker now. I am scheduled to do two appointments each week to work this problem out. Having the determination to squeeze in the exercises at home is sometimes a real challenge.
I have been working on a block house on a corner lot. It sounds like it could be a good deal. I am meeting with the niece of the lady that died who is managing the probate. I had contacted her several weeks ago based upon a probate listing in the "required" newspaper. She got back to me and I met her and looked the property over and took many pictures. I don't think it would take more than 5K to renovate the property to prepare for sale or rent. I would like to keep this property to rent for 600 to 700, but with all the challenges now I am going to try to flip it. I am going to meet her this Wednesday or Thursday to get a contract and offer signed pending a Oct. 3rd probate closing. We have discussed the possibility of a cash deal and a owner financed deal. I tossed out a figure to her and she is amenable to that.
I have started to have issues with the A/C in my home. It appears that I will have to replace the entire system. If I do, that will be about 5K to 6K. I am going to see if I can work several angles with this to survive. Right now it is 85 degrees in the house and I can get it down to 80 degrees at night. Oh boy, another opportunity to talk to some new people. This is another chapter to the toxic experience I have had here in Florida. I am going to make this work in spite of all the issues.
I am also working on a modification of my mortgage. Please pray that I can meet all their demands and be successful in this effort.

Tim

Man, its always something isnt it? You sure seem to have one obstacle after the other arise for you. But you are strong and determined and always manage to overcome them! I wish you all the best with the probate property and hope that deal comes through for you. It sounds like you have a good shot with it! Keep us posted.

You've been reading my journal and I had to stop by and check out yours! Wow is what I can say! You have been through so much! I am so sorry about your wife. I hope they got the memorial garden back up by now (I have to read one more page of your journal.) You are such a dedicated dad! I know it must be so difficult to be a single father. Both of you are there for one another and that is so great to see (hear).

Your dedication to REI will pay off; just never give up! Reading your journal is an inspiration, you just keep getting up and going! How is the success academy going for you? I am on an 'assignment of contract' course, and of course, I have headed another direction. LOL It took a while to figure out what will fit ME and my life and strengths and area.

Its intimidating getting into the deals, but it is by far the best part! SOON! You'll have that 1st deal; and before you know it, you will be on deal 51.

See you on the boards!

GOD BLESS YOU!

Well, yesterday was the first day I could walk without a walker! I immediately got caught up on grocery shopping, but over did it a little. My back is really tired now. The PT lady said I should maybe plans on graduating Wednesday, the next scheduled appointment. I looked up an acquaintance from a few years ago and asked him to look at my A/C. When he did, I noticed he looked familiar. We both determined that he was my student at Polk State College back in 2002. After he finished working on my A/C, it works really great. I should be grateful, but the $400 price tag is a problem. At least the house is much more comfortable.
I met with the probate house lady and her sister last week. The price(s) are apparently not a problem. She said she wouldn't be signing anything until her lawyer looks over the agreement. Therefore I gave her an intention to buy with all of our agreed upon details. I will do a FarBar when the deal is ready to close. Both her and her sister seem very comfortable with me and that is a plus. I also found out that nothing will progress until AFTER Oct 3, since that is the last day creditors can join the probate. It is sounding like the last of October for the deal to complete.
Molly received an invitation from People to People Ambassadors to go to Japan next year. We went to the informational meeting Sunday in Orlando. Molly made an appointment for the first interview on October 9th. When we got home, we finished the application and deposit on the Internet. That deposit really hurt. If Molly doesn't get accepted, we get the deposit back (Whew). They have scholarships (several) and many helps for getting help with the tuition which is pricey, but the experience is well worth it. Also, 84% of their alumni get accepted to their first choice college and one person said he couldn't get into the Naval Academy with the best credentials but after doing Person to Person Ambassadors he was accepted immediately. The qualifications are really stiff but I believe Molly with all A's and other things has a really good chance. I will let you know how we make out with this opportunity. I shared with Molly several things about Japan from when I was there, but that was in the 60's.
Back to REI, I found some more properties to work on, but I need to get the SFL going. We have another webinar today at 3PM. Situations have made it so distracting and hard to concentrate on REI and that starts to bring on the discouragement. I am fighting that as hard as I can. Oh... today maybe I can fix the hot water pipe to my bathroom so I can shave and shower easier. I haven't been able to fix it with my back and hip problem for almost 3 months. It is a good thing Florida's city water isn't as cold as it would be in NY. Cold showers can be a blessing, but shaving in cold water isn't much fun. Last week I met the deadline for submitting my HAMP application, now I must wait to see what they determine.

I must get moving today on my REI efforts. I will update again as soon as I can.

Thank you Tammy for you encouragement. I really enjoy reading your journal. I have gotten several tips from reading it. I hope to meet you at Edge 2011. See you at the top.

Exciting new all around. Tell your daughter congratulations, you must be very proud. Hope all goes well with the probate property. What is a FarBar?

Glad to hear you are feeling better, I hope you continue to improve.

Cathyb

i second what Cathy said. good to hear you are moving forward and your daughter has something great happening.

I have been so busy with getting things together for Molly and for the HAMP and making an appeal to the VA that I have had hardly a moment to work on REI. A Far/Bar is the Florida Bar Real Estate contract. It is the one accepted by everyone to contain all the necessary legal "stuff". I am pretty sure that is the correct nickname for the contract. I just checked it out on Google an I guess I left out the "/" between Far and Bar.
It has been a busy week, but not much on REI. Tomorrow Molly is going to Orlando with the iMag Group to visit the IKEA and Apple stores. The iMag Group teaches the kids how to do marketing and design. While she is gone I intend to put out some bandits. I have quite a number of them from 2004. They are the sign and wire stand, so all I have to do is install the stand and poke them in the ground and run.
Molly made dinner and a cake just for me this week to celebrate my birthday. She is so caring and sweet. She tried so hard to make my day extra special.
I noticed Tammy changed her picture. I like the new one. Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my journal. I really appreciate all the suggestions and recommendations. I truly appreciate all my DG friends.

with the probate/estate property! Way to take the bull by the horns. Keep on pursuing it. I had to wait almost 2 months to start on mine because it was listed with the realtor who happened to have been the property manager that was working for the owner's TENANT instead of for his property, what he was paying her for!

Thanks for the compliment on the picture. Its very hard to get a decent picture to not be fuzzy on this site. The last picture was my first deal. This is my youngest eating one of her favorite foods

I finally got the hot water pipe fixed for my bathroom and shop. I also trimmed most of the hedges which I haven't been able to do all summer. Only got stung once, but removed 5 wasp nests in the hedges. I also replaced many O rings in the solar heater trying to stop the leaks. I found there are many more to replace. Molly and I finished all the chores around the house but didn't get the bandits out. I am determined to do that today.
I just listened to Dean's blog and it really hit home. I wanted to be so much further along by now, but I haven't made it happen yet. I really needed to hear what he gave us this week. I always get encouragement when I take the time to visit this site and read the journals. I have listened to Dean's blogs over and over and the build up is very helpful. Thank you DG.com and all my DG friends!

I finally got some of my bandits out and did the grocery shopping. I am getting caught up on everyone's journals. I reviewed Randy's video for Send Me Away Dean and I have decided to try some homemade signs like his. The ones I have now are from 2004 and they were professionally made with stands and all. I am trying to get updated on all that has happened on DG.com. The weather has finally cooled downa and the humidity is down too. I shut the A/C off and opened the windows. It is nice to have fresh outdoor air again. I also found out the stretches and exercises keep my back limbered up and me walking.
I called the probate woman last week and she said they haven't made any decisions yet, but October 3rd hasn't arrived yet. I am going to call her again this week just to keep me on her mind. I want to meet her again the next time she is up here in Lakeland. She lives in Homestead and it is a long drive so I want to be sure to catch her the next time she is here.
As soon as I finish here, I am going to get out and plant some bandits and maybe pick up some signs and wire to make homemade ones like Randy uses.
Still waiting to hear from Wells Fargo. I have too much office work to do. I really want to get out and check on some properties etc. doing REI work. There are so many wonderful journals and blogs here on DG.com that it is hard to keep up on all of it.

great to hear you are getting around better and hitting the rei pavement!! i hear you on deans blogs!! he is sooooo persistent in seeing us succeed !!!
keep taking action my friend every day no matter what or how big or small the project as long as it is real estate and each bit is building day by day to reach new heights!!
jay

Thank you for visiting my journal and your encouragement. I try to keep up on your journal as often as I can. Dean's blogs are really great, especially in view of his great achievements.

Baby steps remember, you are taking action and thats what it takes. Hope all is well. How did your daughter do on her interview?

I am getting more bandits out and starting to get results from the ones I have already put out. Today I am going to buy the signs I need from Walmart as Randy and others have done. I received a call from a guy that wanted to flip 3 properties to me. I called him back and told him that right now I am trying to flip several too. Another response I got from the signs was from a management company. When he heard my announcement he grunted and hung up. Nice guy. It was M&M Management. I think that is a national franchise. Molly told me last night that God has told her to urge me to spend more time on REI. She is holding me to 4 hours in office and 34 hours on the road. We will see how much progress that brings in. I believe everyone needs a mentor to urge them to move ahead. Praise God that I have Molly.

The only area in the Bible that God challenges us is in Malachai, and he promises to give us tenfold what we tithe. I have a great personal testimony that can attest that every word of that is true, and it does have to do with REI as well.

Good work on getting your signs up there. I need to find a spot where signs don't get snatched. With the election, and signs all over, I can take advantage of the political signs and stick my bandit signs with them. Otherwise they get taken as soon as I put them out. I've even tried smaller streets with no luck.

YOu have a very wise daughter!