Richard LaCelle's Journal

Linda,

That is a great idea. I am just working on FSBO at this time. No REO's, shortsales, or anything of that sort. I looking into the whole Land Trust way of assigning those kind of deals, but at this point it is just the FSBO. I did resubmit an offer for a house yesterday. I put in the offer myself a few months ago, but it was rejected (politely). I told the agent I would check on it in a few months. I noticed on Craigslist Sunday night that the property had an open house that day. I checked in on Monday to see if there were any accepted offers and nothing. So I sent in another formal offer. Will see how that goes too.

I am not too worried about all of this I am just getting anxious. I know what I need to do so I am doing it, but I just want it all at once. I understand it doesn't work that way unfortunately. I do appreciate the support from you and everyone else. This site, Dean's books, and everyone involved in the REI field have been just amazing. If anything it has given myself, family, and friends hope. We plan on getting all together on this venture, but I am the test subject. Fine with me. Here is to wishing everyone a great weekend and I am sure I will have some good news by the end of it.

Richard
Bothell, WA

I love Fishing (trolling) for tuna, swordfish, mahimahi.
Fishing is like a numbers game when they don't bite you
keep switching lures until they do.

Wow 100 offers thats awesome, just hang in there Richard
I agree with Linda about resubmiting and justifying your
offers.

Have your Agent attach a note with your offers explaining
WHY you are offering that amount which may open the doors
to communicate and negotiate with seller, just find tune
your offers and tweak your numbers slightly, just my
thoughts drifting with the currents

Go catch a big one, HAPPY FISHING

George41

George41,

I talked to my agent last night. She went through and explained how she gets her comps. With this new information I will relook at all my offers and see where I can tweak and where I can't. I do like the idea of attaching the reasons for my offers. This way it is not just a low ball offer, but rather "they" can see that it there is a justified reason for it. Thank you all for the advice. It will happen. With all the support here I know I can do it. Now I am going fishing!! By the way I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE Mahimahi! Ha-ha!

Richard
Bothell, WA

I just got off the phone with my agent and I feel a little better. It has been a long week. I am still here and that is good.

I was trying to figure a way to get my comps closer to where she was getting hers. Mine have been about $50K off on some of them. We seem to have worked out a system where I will pick out my properties and she will re-run her comps. If we are on the same page then the offer goes out no questions asked. If they are off she will call and we will go over them in detail to come to an actual price that would make sense. This is how I am not going to get a bad name out there. This is where being dillegent in your efforts will pay off. The last thing I need is to get a reputation of someone who just throws out low offers. Agents won't even give me the time of day if I get that rep. She is going to send me over a few listings on the low, medium, and high range that I was off on so I can see if there is a way where I can get my numbers when doing my comps closer to hers. Just trying to get us on the same page.

I have truely found an agent who is willing, and eager to put in the extra effort it is going to take to make this work. She is an "investor" agent. Not just a real estate agent. She gets it. It's numbers, and not so much of emotion. A lot of other agents don't get that. So we are working together to get our numbers together so we can make some deals happen. I will say that it needs to happen soon. It will. When it is meant to be then it will be. As long as I do everything I can in my efforts then that will be the only outcome. I hope everyone else is doing great out there and I wish everyone a great week.

Richard
Bothell, WA

Has it been that long? I can't believe it has been a few weeks since I wrote in here last. Oops.

Unfortunately there is nothing to update. Over 253 offers placed. 0 accepted. My agent is not giving up and neither am I, but I am scared. I tried to take my son for a $3.63 medium sized blizzard today at Dairy Queen, but my debit card was declined. Our power is going to be shut off soon, cable is gone, rent past due, and I can't even give my son is the only innocent party in all of this icecream to make him happy if even for a bit.

Days like this just don't make me feel much like a man, husband or father. I am still trying. We are only asking for 20% below FMV plus of course cost of rehabs. Some offers are only about $15K to $30K under asking price. Nothing. So another week to come. I figure with the laws of average we should be at 10 accepted offers by now. Maybe this will be the week and they will all kick in at once.

I think I may need to try sandwich lease options because I can give a much better price to the seller, but I need to get some money now or there won't be much left to fight with. I hope everyone is doing well. I will keep you posted this week.

At least the sun has finally come out today. It's a sign. I am sure of it. The rain has cleared and the future is bright. Trust in him and all shall be provided.

Richard
Bothell, WA

I am getting some responses from sellers with their prices dropping a bit. This is good. Not enough yet to make it attractive to other investors, but it gives me a bit more hope that people are starting to realize that the market is still not a sellers market. The buyers were plentiful at the beginning of this year with all the tax benefits, but now that they are gone sellers need to know that it will be awhile before they can find qualified buyers again. That is unless they want to take a hit for the benefit of quick closings. Here is hoping and to not throwing in the towel. EVER!

Richard
Bothell, WA

we're all with you. you're in my prayers. hang in there because just when things are the worst is when the answer finally comes (many times). it's all just around the corner and it is coming!!! try the the sandwich lease options. if you are an Academy student, get on calls with Greg Murphy. he is such a big help.

Linda

Thank you for the words. It is true. I will not stop.

I am not with the academy yet. My goal is on my second assignment to pay for the academy. I want to switch my focus to the lease/options, but I have so much time invested with assignments that I know it will pay off. Once I get a couple done, and I will, then I will still continue with them, but I will put my efforts into the lease/options to help build some steady income. That's what I like about them is that you can offer a lot closer to asking price, or even the full asking price provided it makes sense with it. I think it can be a lot easier as far as getting properties locked up. Thank you again and I will post on Sunday and see how this last round has gone.

Richard
Bothell, WA

Just hang in there. it's coming

George41

George41,

I tried calling the other night. I hope you guys are alright. Thanks for checking in. How are you doing? All we can do is our best and pray that it is right in doing so. Thanks again.

Richard
Bothell, WA

Keep on keeping on and please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. You have the determination to get this done and I know you will! I can't wait to hear about your first deal.

Happy Father's Day to you. Hope you have a great day with your family and loved ones. I know your son and wife know and appreciate how much you love them and how blessed they are to have you. When I look back on some of the fun times with my Dad it wasn't about what he was getting me but the good times (and some bad ones too) that we had together but through it all there was always a lot of love.

Take care.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Today I heard from one of my agents and nothing from the other in the last week.

When I heard from one of my agents I was not getting the normal vibe that I do from him. In short he said that he does not want to do the assignments anymore. He wants to do other options, but no assigning of deals. This wouldn't be a problem if, well let's say I had the option to purchase properties on my own, but since that is far from reality I guess I am stuck.

My other agent has taken a hidding tactic from me. No offers, no calls, no emails, no agent. I am needless to say a bit concerned.

I am tired, broke, and hungry. I don't know. Waiting for a sign.

Richard,
Bothell, WA

Do you attend an REI group? There might be an investor friendly REA in the group.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

going along with what Lea is saying about the REI club, might have someone who wants to do deals with you, lend, etc. worth checking out and they are great for encouragement too.

Hey Richard! call me, lets get together for coffee or icecream
We need to compare notes do some brain storming, my treat, I have
an appointment today at 1 oclock with Remax in the town center in
mill creek, will see what they say, I told them I'm looking for
investor friendly Agents to work with.

George41

Nothing new, nothing done, no responses, and no worse off than I was yesterday. I will write if anything changes, but I think I have a bad reputation up here for putting in low offers and I haven't got started. Dead in the water.......but still treading.

Richard
Bothell, WA

change happens, sooner or later. hang in there, my friend. i don't remember where you are, but what if you wholesale and use the internet to invest in other states? just a thought.....

Definately time for a change. My wife quit one of her jobs to spend more time at home with our son. I am so excited for her and my son. He has missed her so much and the smiles he produces is more than enough to light up any dismal day. If she can make that choice to let go of something she has worked so hard at for the better of our family then so can I.

I am going to start looking into lease options, and REO properties with double closings. I think I have put too much strain into assignments and our market up here is just more..... I will say challenging for them. Not impossible, but it just is causing myself more questions than answers. If anyone has any good forums that have already been created (I know there are a ton of them) that go in depth about these I would great appreciate their titles so I can find them easier. Round 1 here we go.

Richard
Bothell, WA

That title for the last post is not right. Power still on and cable as well.

Richard
Bothell, WA

Alright!! Let's get back up to par here. I just got my internet back after a month or so. TV is back too. Lot's of hours being put in at work just to get back to the point where I can actually pay bills.....Yay!!!

It has been a heck of a month. Now that it is almost over I can get started again on getting a deal done. Start from scratch and hope for the best. I hope everyone else is doing great out there. I am getting excited because my almost 5 year old son starts school on 9/13. I am just in awe of that.

It will take about a week or so to read everyone's journal and get caught up on how everyone is doing. As for us....we are here and not going anywhere!!

Richard
Bothell, WA

glad to hear things are looking up. take care.

Have you ever pondered on where to go from here? Where do I begin? How can I make things better, or how can I keep them from getting worse?

My son; who will turn 5 on the 26th of this month, last Thursday had an appointment with his doctor due to an issue he was having. My wife and I were able to take him together which is great. We went there and the doctor took a look at my son and went to go talk to another doctor. 5 min's later she came back and told us we had to go across the street to the emergency room. They were full, but they made my son first priority and got him a room. Our hearts had crashed immediately. After all the tests they did it turned out to NOT be what they were fearing. That is wonderful.

During these few hours we were there all I can think about is how much I love my son. How he makes me just full of life and love. All kids drive us crazy. That is their job. It is when they are there sweet self that makes it all worth while. I can't imagine what life would be like if he was anything less than what he is now. Just awesome in all ways.

My point to all of this is while I was freaking out I thought all about how much we struggle just to survive. How much I want to provide the life my family deserves. How much I want to be a good husband and father. Give them the things they need, want, and more. I want to make them happy. I know REI is the answer. I am working some not favorable hours per say, as my wife is to get just caught up. I am tired of it though. I am tired of the struggle.

I figure if I am going to struggle why not struggle through the trials of REI until it breaks open. The rewards will be greater. I am just lost on where to get started again. I am going to reread Dean's books to get my foundation back. Work the exercises again and go step by step. I will not go through this life as our parents have. Working till their last days and then not able to enjoy the last few years (especially) as they should. I don't want to miss out on this journey we call life.

If anyone out there is in the Seattle area who would like to talk, (George41, Gena I haven't forgot you at all) and maybe try to team up and sit down to make a plan I would love to jump back in. Motivation......more than I can express. My life is blessed with love, and I want to give the ones who have given my this gift all that I can in return.

Richard
Bothell, WA

It's nice to see that everyone seems to be doing quite well. My family and I are getting by. That is what we do. We survive. My son has started school and is doing great. We finally got a diagnosis of PDD-NOS for him so we have been able to get him the extra encouragement and attention he needs. Man he rocks! Halloween was great, and I am still plugging away 50+ hours at work to keep the lights on. My wife is working extra shifts to help as she always does.

I am without a plan when it comes to REI. That almost feels good. I know I had a reputation that made it more difficult for my assignments. Maybe since some time has passed they have cooled down a bit. I am going to look back into REO's, and lease options. I am also not going to deal with any agents for myself. I don't have a ton of time to invest with (to start), so I will deal directly with the sellers agents and if they want to can act as a buyer agent too. Extra motivation.

Bird doggin is always a plan if I come across anything that sounds good. Heck, where ever the road takes us. I am just excited for the holidays. I am such a kid at heart when it comes to them. May they bring us all some great memories. Talk to everyone later and I will see you all soon.

Richard
Bothell, WA