OfflineHello All,
Coming in as a runner up has really lit a fire under my tail and I am more amped than ever to get this thing started. I thought I would get on here and document some of the things I am doing for a few reasons.
1. I want to look back and see all the things that I have done and how they worked out.
2. I also want to document for others what worked for me and what didnt and maybe something I did to change up a strategy.
3. I would also like to offer tips once in a while with things that have been successful.
So here goes a short version of the things I have done in the past 6 weeks or so and the success I have seen from them.
1. The very first thing I did was read the book!!! Cover to cover. I highlighted pages and I took notes.
2. After reading the book I took action and set up my phone line. I can read all the books I want, even watch all the flipping shows I want, but nothing will come out of it If I dont take action and follow what the book says. So my first step was to set up the phone line. I set up all the extensions right away. Im not sure if I can post my phone number up here, but if anyone is interested they can PM me and I will give them the number and you can call and hear it for yourself. I admit I sound funny, but overall people seemed to have enjoyed the message.
3. I started making fliers and brochures. I made fliers using a template in my computer to attract home buyers. I used the bankruptcy message from the book, the one you are supposed to use for the phone line and I wrote it all out and turned it into the form of a brochure (also using a template on my computer).
4. I took the fliers to places like gyms, laundromats, apartment complexes, I attached them to the apartment finders.
I took the brochures to Credit Counseling Centers in my area.
5. I emailed about 65 Real Estate agents using emails I found on Real Estate Forums. Until I found the one I liked. I had a huge call back from the agents.
6. I sent out emails to about 15 mortgage brokers in my area. Not much success here, I need to fax some others I think.
7. I started looking at houses off the MSO and looked into the REO's
8. I placed an ad in our Thrifty Nickel. Actually two ads, one looking for buyers, and one looking for foreclosures.
Results:
The results have been absolutely, nothing short of amazing!! So far I have found a decent REA who sends listings right to me. Its good to keep an open line of communication with your REA even if you're not buying at the moment. Let him know you are working on your end too. Send him emails of the ads you are running so that he knows you are just as serious as he.
Today I got a couple of phone calls from people looking for houses. These people left messages. One of them seems to fit my criteria.
After reading the book I am heavily considering doing the Auction method first. This is no money down and I think I have an open opportunity to try it. This is because I have told everyone I know that I am investing and people have come to me with their suggestions and people they know.
Well thats it for now. I hope this may help people get started. My suggestion, start with the phone line first. Once thats up, everything else picks up!
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
Heyy Shane. It's nice to see you taking action. I look forward to following your journal!
God Bless,
A-ROD
"FAITH is being Sure of what we hope for and Certain of what we do not see." -Hebrews 11:1
Later I plan on making a blog/journal about how to do things with very little cost to get started. As well as some things you can do to make money while you are still working out deals.
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
Dec.1.2009
I called my two potential buyers back. One saw my ad on craiglist the other saw one of the fliers I left at a laundromat.
The one from the laundromat is probably not the best candidate for lease optioning at this point. However, maybe come tax time we will be able to work with her.
The second was a great lead. This guy works for the DHS and makes 30k a year. This poor guy was a victim of identity theft. He wants a house and has 5k to put down. He cant qualify through traditional loans because of his credit. I'm really hoping we can help this guy. Now I need to find him a house on the side of town he is looking for.
I also sent an email to my REA letting him know we placed some ads in the Thrifty Nickel and gave him the links.
Since one of the caller called from Craigslist I am going to put up another ad. I'm thinking it should look like this:
5% DOWN MOVES YOU INTO YOUR DREAM HOME
While you repair your credit
Call 1-888-522-2019 to find out how.
While I'm on here, I notice a lot of people having great success with their phone lines. Does someone have a particular method they are using to attract callers?
Are you using any size type of ad? Any special trigger words that are working for you in your area? Have any great ideas on where to place fliers?
How about the bandit signs? Do they work for you?
Any suggestions or information is greatly appreciated. I know these things are in the book, and that's where I am starting, but I want to know what has been working for other people here on DG. Maybe they've thought of something I haven't.
Best,
Shane Weller
REI
Weller, Brown & Associates
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
There are two things that I do that give me the opportunity to check out real estate and get paid for it as well as give me some starter cash.
1.) Installing peepholes. Sounds weird huh?!?! Well check this out, you can buy some peepholes for about $2 a piece. I go to all the new housing developments and let them know I am in the area installing peepholes and that I noticed their door didn't have one and that I wanted to see if I could install one for them. You get a lot of "no's" and at that point you just politely thank them for their time, continue your rounds, and come back to that house next week.
I charge $20 with the installation and it only takes me about 5minutes to do. I sell at least 1 per hour. And I do this on the weekends.
The plus side is you can check out all the houses that are being sold in that area or are REO's. You can also find people who are considering moving. You know this when they say "No thanks, I don't want a peephole because were planning on moving soon." Bam, there's a guy you can add to your sellers and buyers list. You can also find FOR RENT signs in these areas and call them up about selling their home.
2. Call some property managers in your area and let them know you are in the junk hauling business and you will gladly take trash and junk from abandoned houses and throw it away for a price. These guys usually have a lot of abandoned properties that are filled with furniture and junk. These are usually from homes that are being rented out. Sometimes these people are so fed up with renting they will sell. If you ever get to meet the owner you can pitch it to them. If not you can haul the junk away and keep an eye on the area and the houses that are for rent and sale or are REO's. Put these addresses down in a notebook and call on them later.
Like I said, I like to do these two things on the weekends in my spare time. It gives me a chance to look at RE and make a little pocket money to get me started. You can use this cash to start your phone line or to place ads. You can use your time hauling trash and doing peepholes to determine trends that may be going on in your local area.
Hope these tips help someone. I know they have helped me.
Best,
Shane
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
Congratulations on taking action and finding a way to get started. Great motivation for us "fence sitters". Thanks for sharing and keep on postin' on how its goin. They'll call you the successful peephole guy who became a real estate investor maybe...
JER 29:11 Thoughts of Hope; thoughts of a blessed Future
Wow! Thanks for starting your journal. It's already packed full of good stuff!!
I LOVE the peephole gig. Sort of the opposite of a peeping Tom, no wonder peeple are glad to see you! lol. That was a great idea (for $ AND leads!)
Congrats on all the activity you're getting from your marketing! That first deal is just around the corner, I believe!
Rina
P.S. Love all the other tips, too!
"Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission." Dean Graziosi (BARM pg 101)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
For a little about me, welcome to the site, and a few tips for new DG family members, click on this link: http://www.deangraziosi.com/user/3249
Wow! Just got a really huge lead, or at least what I consider a huge lead. I will have more details on this tomorrow! But Rina, I think you are right, I think my first deal is right around the corner, and I dont want to count my chickens before they hatch, but I think its going to be a BIG DEAL!!
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
I got a call from a flier that I left in a laundromat. This lady already owns her home as well as a business in this town for 12 years.
According to her the IRS attacked her and caused all sorts of problems for her, put liens on her and messed up her credit. She claims that it was a mistake on the part of the IRS and that she said that her credit can be fixed within a year.
She is looking for a house in the 300k-400k range. She already has two houses in mind but one of the listing agents said the owners are not interested in something like that. I may be naive but I think this is just the Listing Agent talking and not the owners.
This buyer is definitely interested in a Lease Option. In fact she is the one who brought it up!!! She is even willing to put 5% down!!
So I am looking for houses in that price range and in that area to see if I can find someone who is willing to work a deal out.
I can' believe this. Its like its all working out just the way the book said it would. I have never, not ever seen real world results from any text book I have ever purchased before.
In school you work to get "A's" and that is the most profitable thing you will see in all of your hard work in college.
With this one book, you have the potential to make thousands of dollars with just one deal mentioned from the text. Amazing, simply amazing!
Rina,
I believe you when you say my next deal is right around the corner. ITS LIKE I CAN FEEL IT!!!!!
Best,
Shane Weller
Weller, Brown & Associates
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
Hello All,
I know I have not been up here as much as I should be. However, I have been studying and applying. I wanted to let you all know that as a runner up I received the EDGE training program! That thing is so awesome!!!
Possibly the best news to close out 2009 for me is that TODAY I got verbal confirmation that a home that the owners of a home I was looking at are going to allow me to AUCTION off their home!!!
The auction will take place 11-16-10 and 11-17-10!
I go on Saturday to sign the papers!!!! Hopefully it will sell. If there is anyone out there who has done Auctions and can lend some insight or an extra hand let me know!
If not I will be proud to be one of the first to pull it off!
I hope everyone has a great year!
Best,
Shane Weller
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
Nice way to start the new year! I will be meeting with the owner of the property in one hour to sign the contracts. We will both be signing:
Investor Disclosure Form
Purchase and Sale Agreement
Seller's Disclosure
Discharge Agreement
Then I will find a qualified buyer by showing the house to interested parties over the coarse of the weekend.
Wish me Luck!
Best,
Shane
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
Have had some hang ups on the auction property. The names were incorrect in the contract as well as the price due to the fact that the owners had made their payment this month, lowering the sale price.
Also, they must get the roof evaluated to see if it had damage. This is a good thing because if so then the new owner gets a new roof and if not then I can place the fact that the roof is in good condition inside the bidding packetts.
So for now I am waiting. But noone gets paid for waiting so I went on to a FSBO website and started going through each and every property that is not under contract and getting all available information on them.
Once I have a list of about 25-30 I will start calling on them, finding out why the are selling and make offers 40% less than asking price.
If I lock them up I will pass them off to another investor for 30% off and keep 10% for myself.
So, while I wait, I work.
Best,
Shane
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
So my two main tactics right now are auctions and assignments. I had been stressing the assignments but was eager to take them on.
I started calling buyers and ran into investors. I probed those investors and asked them if they would consider me as a bird dog. then I asked if they were cool with assignments, turns out EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE INVESTORS (we buy any house any condition) are cool with Assignments. I never knew that. I thought it was some sort of secret weapon... LOL
Not only that but there are many title companies that do double closings. Here in my town, they are called simultaneous closings.
So the thing I was most worried about is one of the most common things in my area! Pretty sweet info if you ask me!
Now my only problem is finding sellers that will agree to my low offers. I cant find any of them. I have a bunch of buyers/investors, but now I need to stock my shelves. and I only want to do that with NO MONEY DOWN.
Any suggestions on what I can do to attract more SELLERS???
I have run ads on craigslist and even Thrifty Nickel. The Thrifty Nickel did not provide me one call. However craigslist did, but only for buyers.
I really need help finding sellers if anyone can help me at all it would be greatly appreciated. Right now I am going through every house in my area on the forsalebyowner.com and looking for distressed houses.
like I said any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Hope everyone is having a great year so far, I know I am!
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
you know. my town is actually a great place for people to move to Real Estate wise, because our houses are dirt cheap. I mean a $250,000 would easily be worth a million dollars in California.
how can I use that to my advantage?
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
Check this out, the best way to find out how or if Assignments work in your town is to do this:
look up those guys in the thrifty nickle, the ones that say "We buy any house any condition", call those guys and ask them if they ever need bird dogs. If they say yes immediately ask them if they are cool with assignments.
If they are then you know they are done in your area and are a common practice with these investors. Once I started asking this very simple question and finding out these investors knew what I was talking about I knew that this was a very common practice.
By doing this it will not only let you know if Assignments are done in your area it will make your life that much easier and create a huge comfort in the fact of knowing that you are venturing into familiar territory.
Thats my latest tip for 2010.
Best,
Shane
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
YES!!! I HAVE MY FIRST DEAL IN PLACE!!!
I locked up a property and am using the highest offer method. I have gotten so many calls it is ridiculous!!! Over 54 so far!!! Even if I dont sell the house I have on great buyers list on my hands!!! THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!
Send positive vibes my way guys! Lets make this a sale with a qualified buyer!! Or even better a CASH BUYER!!!
Dean your EDGE program played a big part in this. Even though you didnt talk about Auctions in it, I learned a lot from it. Any other EDGE attendees or others that got the DVD set?? Hit me up I would love to learn some of the methods that you have applied and that worked!!
So Excited,
Shane
Runner Up and Proud!
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
Hi Shane,
All i can do is WISH YOU GOOD LUCK and hope to succeed because i can see that you're very passionate about this business. I'm new to this business myself but i can see that this will be your first deal. I will pray for you to succeed.
Bariya
Baria
had the first day of my bidding process today. I started at 74,500. I am already up to 112,000. One more day left. Lets hope I meet my reserve.
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!
was a flop....... I am still licking my wounds. man that hurts.
There are a million reasons why you CAN'T do something. You need to find the one reason you CAN, and run with that!