The Beginning

If you have not completed reading Dean's book(s), then you will be missing out. I would urge you to be persistent and finish the reading. It is good reading, written by someone who knows ALOT about the topic! I have read mine 3+ times now. Each time I go back to reinforce my learning I discover sometning else in there that is helpful. I beleive that DG is the real deal. Someone once told me, "The only things that will change you in one year are the people you that meet and the books that you read." I beleive it and I live it. Dean's book is changing my life. Be persistent and do not lose sight of your goals!

Thanks, DS for the words of encouragement. I received my books two days ago and I am soooo excited. My wife is tickled because everytime she walks into a room I have Dean's book in my hand,reading. I am enjoying the stories of the investors in the book and keeping my radar on for the strategies that will fit my life's circumstances. But I will keep reading. I believe in Dean and everything the DG Family is saying. And the responses I read to Kendall say it all. There is Love here at DG and that means a lot to us uninitiated newbies. Thanks guys!!! I'm going back to my book.

It is always great when someone new joins our family. You have the tools that will lead you to success, but if you refuse the work them, the results will be negative. As you read, also research to see what is out there in your area in the form of deals. You success will be based on you outlining your goals and then taking actions to achieve them. It is only you to make you successful. God Bless.

Sandra

Advice: Read and learn, read and learn. Stay on this site, ask questions through a post, read and learn more, ask questions----------TAKE ACTION.
You can read all you want 24/7, but if you don't take action what is the sense in going any further. Now do it and don't ever give up.....Jan

Hey Guys, thanks for the warm welcome and all of the great advice you have given. My goal is to explore the entire DG site as time permits on a daily basis. I have the urge to rush through this because of personal needs, but I am going to take my time. It has taken me years to get to this frame of mind and this website; a little longer won't kill me. You guys are great! Anyone in the Philly area, please chime in and let me know what you are doing or if I can do anything for you.

Ogal

Since this is my journal, I need to be more accountable to you guys about my investment accomplishments. Only, I don't have any yet. Then I read Rina's first journal and realized that I have to start somewhere...so here goes.

It's Friday afternoon and I just got home from my job in the psych hospital (it's really crazy!!). Although I am totally drained from the patients all week, I take out this time to read some hope from my DG family. I've just finished Dean's "your Town, Your R.E. Profits", and I am about to start "Profit From R.E. Right Now!". Even though, I'm looking at 16 hour days for Saturday and Sunday, I am excited about starting this book. I didn't read them in the right order I think, but no matter...I'm gonna read 'em!!!!

I have no money and bad credit but I see these books and this site and my Family as the way out of a job that is slowly draining the life out of me. I haven't walked any houses since last month because I want to work on my thinking now. But I will read and read and read until I get it!!

So, Rina...keep writing-- you give me hope. And to everyone else as well, keep on swinging at the ball. I will be rooting for you on the sidelines until it's my turn at bat. Well, back to the book...

Hi DG members,
I have a question regarding craigslist searches. At the end of the description it says "Broker" or "Owner". I assume that we are only contacting the Owners? Or is there a way to do a deal with a Broker.

This questions refers to assignments???

Any help offered would be greatly appreciated.

Wow! I just finished reading chapter 8 of "Profit From Real Estate Right Now!" and I am blown away!!! The stories have definitely captured my attention, and I am loving the possibility of being able to do what everyone is doing.

I still have that little voice whispering that this won't work for me. But each paragraph makes my heart beat a little faster and I believe a little more. I really need to do this for my family AND myself.

Dean gives us sooo much information in such a comprehensible way that it's hard not to believe in the possibilities of success. I will keep reading though. I will complete this book and begin to put the strategies to work. Stay tuned...

I just finished reading your journal, thanks for sharing your story. I wish you lots of success and look forward to hearing about your progress.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I see that you are an active investor. I'd love to hear some of your story and the bumps you rolled over. My biggest obstacle seems to be me. No money, poor credit score, tried other things... the same things I'm hearing that others overcame, and yet, I keep telling myself without money this will never work in Philly.

I'll keep reading until I get it down, but I'd love to know how you did it.

Ogal

For me the biggest bumps have been fear that I overcome each time I do the very thing that scares me. In the beginning I was soooo afraid to talk to anyone on the phone (to experienced cash investors, homeowners facing foreclosure, you name it) for fear of sounding ignorant. The 1st time I called for rent signs in an effort to build my buyers list or find a seller of a property a 'bully' answered the phone and angrily asked questions I didn't have answer for, he let me have it and I nearly fell off my chair. But I survived and things like this aren't scary anymore. As I learned a little bit more every day I became more comfortalbe and a little more confident talking to these folks. Dean also tells us that it is OK to make a mistake - this was huge for me. Now I absolutely LOVE talking to these people! We (Denny & I) are working with homeowners who are facing foreclosure. Each of these people have their own story and desire for their home or rental/vacant property (some want to keep their home, others want to sell.) Our partner specializes in short sales and has done L/O. We haven't closed on any deals yet but have some in the pipeline and are always working on getting more.

You've got a good plan, continue reading Dean's books, read them again, come to this website read and ask questions. The DG family members here care about you and want you to succeed in REI. Do you already know that you can search for information on this website by going to the top left hand corner where it says search? You can enter whatever topic you are researching and all kinds of information will come up for you (i.e., bad credit, etc.) Is there an REI group in your area? Talking to investors and like minded people will be awesome for you.

Our minds and outlook on life is powerful in all that we do. If you tell yourself that you WILL succeed you WILL discover and create ways to make it happen! Matt Larson is one great example of this. Carol also has an amazing story and there are many others. Dean once had an exercise where he asked people to write down their accomplishments on a piece of paper - 50 of them. The things that you may have thought were not possible but you found a way to make them happen! We all have these. This doesn't have to be REI related. Try this and and you'll learn some good things about yourself.

Sorry I'm rambling on in your journal - better stop now.

Take care,

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Surely, I am grateful for your "ramblings". These are more of the things I need to hear from the members of my family.

My heart is racing now! I have finished reading Dean's books (I haven't completed a book in years- now I've read two in a month!) and have taken my first step. Without having house one on the radar, I placed 3 ads on Craig's list: 1) For investor Buyers; 2) For Tenant Buyers; and 3) For Motivated Sellers. Why am I so nervous?

Dean says to take action and this is only my first step. I just wanted to share that with you as you have been very kind. Thanks! Oh, any time you feel like rambling feel free to do it here. You will always have a listening ear. Stay blessed and continued success!

Ogal

Taking a page from Rina's journal, I am gonna put down my day, whether I do anything for my business or not. So...I have been off since yesterday and won't go back to work until Monday. Working with a mentally ill population is extremely stressful and, as my wife pointed out I act like the place won't run without me. So taking days off is a big deal for me!

But I did not waste that time. I completed the 2nd book from DG and highlighted the strategies I want to start off with. I also created my free website: phillywholesale.usapropertywholesale.com and edited it to include my information. Finally, as I mentioned above, I placed 3 craigslist ads to begin to drive people to the website. This is exciting and scary! But why? It's not like I'm going to get calls right away. Anyway, I feel good about taking action.

While waiting for my wife to come home, I will look over listings my realtor sent me. She has been on my team for a year despite me not doing anything productive in that time.

We are going to Baltimore this weekend for our granddaughter's birthday. I am taking my books to see if it is feasible for me to look at out-of-state deals while I'm there. Am I changing already??? Wow...

Ogal

Since I did not have to work today, I spent the day educating myself on different websites and gaining info that may be useful to me. While surfing I ran across an interesting woman named Carol Stinson. What grabbed my attention was the fact that she grew up here in my hometown. Reading her journal was so inspiring for me... we had similar backgrounds and upbringings and she still overcame! I explored her website (which is very good) and decided to do the thing I hate most about RE Investing. RESEARCH! I learned from Carol and Dean that without research, my ventures are dead in the water. So that is how I have spent my day. It's not so bad, really. Especially if it will get me away from a job that is robbing my soul.

It's a shame because I enjoy what I do- which is help people live better lives. But the powers that be seem to always come along to muck up something going well in the name of MORE profit. Well, it's time for me to profit from my efforts! Following Carol's lead, I am going to carry a notebook with me specifically for writing down addresses that I can search for later.

Thanks Carol. I hope to actually meet you and shake your hand one day.

Ogal

I got a response from my CL ad. A gentleman from Chicago is considering a move here and my rent-to-own ad caught his eye. Only problem is I do not have a house for him to get in. So now I am scrambling to find some motivated sellers that would allow me to do a Greg Murphy type lease option. I continue to read on this site,though, trying to glean that tiny bit of info that will help me over my latest stumbling block. Keep it moving!!

Well, hey Family! I've been cruising the journals today looking for inspiration. I only have two weekends a month to really sink my teeth into this site but I make the best of it.

I was reading Homeless in Md and really admire his determination to succeed. He made a case for a partner in MD and that seemed like a good idea. If there is anyone willing to partner on a deal that I come across in Philadelphia, PA., do not hesitate to respond. I know most of you guys are already doing your thing, but there may be someone out there who has the money/credit and hasn't made a move. If so, we need to talk and help each other. I have learned that God blesses us to be able to bless another. Dean lives by this, as you can see here. So please help a brother get his foot in the door. So I printed out the 87 listings my realestate agent has sent me and will begin the weeding out process we call research to see if I can put a list together to go look at. I have a small buyers list but most of them say they already know about the deals on the MLS so I've got to find some houses they don't know about to wholesale to them. So I'm going back through my DG library to find other ways of finding houses. It's not easy on a very limited budget, but it can and WILL be done! Okay, I'm gonna look through these listings. See ya!

Ogal

I just finished reading randy428's journal and all I can say is WOW! This man had his back against the wall and is still swinging. I love it.

As for me, I woke up at 5:30 am and got to work at 6:45, as usual. But since reading those two books by Dean, I am more dissatisfied than ever about the state of my life. Over the weekend I saw an email from my real estate agent. She sent me 87 SFR listings and 43 multi listings. I printed the SFR and I'll be going through them tonight to see if there are any worthwhile candidates for any of the strategies I have learned so far. Then I will print the multi list and do the same. the plan is after weeeding, I will do some drive-bys to check out areas. The it will only be a matter of doing walk-thrus and try to make a deal.
I gotta make Randy another on my list of heroes along with Rina, Carol and Thomas. You guys make us wanna do MORE! Thanks!

Ogal

After reviewing my journal, I must say I am disappointed in myself! I want so much and plan to do alot but the J.O.B. beats me down so bad that I veer off track. I have connected with some people on this site that are headed in the right direction and just talking to them stoke my fire. I have been sending out letters to previously visited houses to see if the level of motivation has increased. No replies yet. After talking to PhillyStan, I think I need to find another realtor because mine has gotten so busy I don't think she has time for me anymore. But I know this investing thing is the way out of my life-sucking existence...if I don't give up. And I thank the members of the DG Family for keeping hope alive within me. I got a lot of work to do since I only get two weekends off per month, so I'm going to Craigs List and place another ad for buyers and sellers. Talk soon!

Glad to see your post and I'm glad that you have connected with other DG family members. Keep on keeping on and you WILL succeed in REI.

I have a lot of respect for the work that you do. I used to work in an assisted living facility with the residents in the activities dept. I loved my work with the residents and had fun. However it was a J-O-B working for someone else. As rewarding as it was it was physical and emotional (J-O-B) so I understand how tiring it can be at the end of the day.

Continue with your plan(s)to use your time off productively. I know your REA is out there, you just have to find the right one. I know you can do this and look forward to hearing about your REI success

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Lea, thank you for your kind and supportive words. This is what I mean about my family members keeping hope alive within me. We all have obstacles, set backs and struggles, but that's what makes victory taste so sweet when it comes. I've taken a page from Matt Larson's playbook and sent out letters to RE agents to find a new team member. Now while waiting, I will be scouting for more houses. Thanks again. See you at the top!!

Ogal

While the job stomps on me I keep kicking back! I spoke with an agent today that may possibly be the one. We'll see how he does in the next few days. I've been cruising streets looking for FSBOs, and calling "We Buy Houses" ads. Not much of a response there yet, but it's cool. I like what Carol had to say about the Edge Event. She is sooooo pumped! I mention her a lot only because she is making history in my market...Philadelphia. But the fact is I have many heroes on this site and all of them give me the courage to get up and out there.

I've spent the last 6 years of my life involved with real estate in some form but right now I am feeling like a fish out of water. I am not in my comfort zone but I read how others persevered in spite of their fears. I can do it to. I'm gonna stay out of my own way and let you guys lead.

Gonna see what this agent sends me tomorrow. G'night.

Ogal

Well, I got a new realtor!! Since I never got any replies from the realtor letters, I was feeling down and on the verge of quitting AGAIN. But I came here and read some journals and re-read my 7 levels deep exercise and I came back to life. So on the way home from work one evening last week, I passed a Real Estate office and on a whim, I called and asked for an agent who works with investors. I was connected with a man named Frederick.

We talked for a few minutes as I explained what I needed in an agent and what type of properties I was looking for. I was very nervous but my wife says I sounded confident; like I knew what I was talking about. Anyway, the next day he sent me 195 listings according to my criteria! I said okay, great.

Well I had to work the weekend (I work every other and do it for 16 hours each day) but I took my folder of listings to work and began the weeding out process. I have it down to 49 possibles at the moment. The next thing I did was go to total view real estate to get my list whittled down even more. I am not the greatest when it comes to research of any kind. I think I lack the patience necessary to be effective. But when you have grown as tired of the way your job treats you as I have become...when you hate being stuck in traffic for an hour and a half to get home after 8.5 grueling hours...when you read your 7th level of your WHY and remember how close to tears you were, you become willing to learn to become effective at the things you don't think you do very well! That's where I'm at right now. So I'm looking through Dean's book for the section on researching properties so I can get to the time for walk-throughs. I want to do this right even though you all say I will make mistakes. Let's keep 'em to a minimum. Carol Stinson also shared some great websites to assist with the research part. I'll hunt down those emails and use them in my strategy as well.

Incidentally, my exit strategy will be wholesaling when I get the deals locked up, so if anyone reads this and wants a deal in Philadelphia, PA. you may want to pm me to go on the list. I AM going to get at least one deal done before the summer ends. That gives me two months! Thank you to all of my inspiring heroes here at DG family! I can't do this without you.

Ogal

I have spent the evening reading Carol Stinson's first journal "Rags to Riches" and all I can say is WOW! Reading her journey shows me the kind of tenacity and comittment needed to become as successful as she has. With that said, you should know I made appointments to look at the first 5 of 25 properties I decided to investigate. Having shaved my list down from 195 listings, I believe I am doing pretty good but I can do better.

This will be my first time out with this realtor, but I like how quickly he gets back to me. Like in 30 minutes! My last realtor would take up to 5 days.

Reading tonight also reminded me to continually push to build my buyers list, so that is on this weeked's agenda. And I'll be putting out signs for the first time. But I just had a thought: Am I crazy for doing this NOW? In 3 weeks I will be in the hospital getting a hip replaced. The upside is I won't have to work for the rest of the summer and can devote more time to RE. The down side is I don't know how long I have to be in bed. My wife thinks I'm nuts! But I think I have to do everything I can when I can to get into the game with my DG heroes. I want to be at the edge next year. And I want to give my family the life they deserve...#6 on my 7 levels deep exercise. Whatever it takes!

Ogal

I just read your journal and it is encouraging to see your progress. Congratulations on the actions you have already taken with your limited time. Your progress is amazing considering the limited time you have to devote to it. I find your journal interesting because it seems to me that you are taking all the right steps to eventually get that first deal. Its also good to see that you have not let discouragement or disappointment hold you back.

Roger

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am following the path of those who have gone before us and that is what gives me the hope and certainty that I will succeed. I read your profile and, like you, I will follow my passion. I wish you much success, as well. BTW, did you get that deal done yet?

Ogal

In an attempt to stay accountable, I am making another entry. I have just gotten home from the first day of a 2 day seminar. It's not Dean Graziosi and it's not the Live Edge event, but it is information and it's free. I won't mention the guy's name but it centers on apartments.

I knew it was going to be a sell-a-thon, but my intention was two-fold: network with other like-minded people and gain some useful information. I was successful on both counts and didn't buy a thing... couldn't have if I wanted to. My loyalty stays with Dean and the family! Some of what I heard today I had already heard here. Some things I heard were new or just enlightening. What's important to me is that I continue to use every opportunity to tell the world I am an investor and also, continue to educate myself on this huge thing we call Real Estate Investing.

Haven't gotten any responses from my Craig's List ad yet, but marketing for buyers is my priority now. Well let me go enjoy wifey for a couple hours because at 9 pm I have to go to the hospital to do a sleep study. My surgeon believes I have sleep apnea. Boy, just when you think you can chill a bit...

G'night family. We'll talk soon!

Ogal

Well, this week is over for most of the American work force. Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on your perspective), I am not included in that bunch. This week I have lost my new realtor because he wanted me to provide a bank statement or proof of funds before we could go out and look at properties. I explained everything during that first phone call and he was fine during our follow-up emails. I guess someone in the office told him to do what he did. Oh well, the hunt continues. I may have to stick to FSBOs for the time being.

I've also been getting all of my testing out of the way for surgery. I'm getting a new hip in about two weeks and I wanted to have something under contract before then. It's starting to look a little less likely everyday. But I keep swinging because that's what DG family members do! While I do have to work this weekend,I will be reading one of Dean's books, looking for more success clues. My success is out there looking for me. I must help it find me! See you guys later!

Ogal

This is my first day not working because of my hip surgery on Monday. I am both nervous AND excited because I won't have to suffer with pain anymore. And as I think of that, I realize how much real estate investing is similar to my journey with this pain. I have been suffering for years with this pain and have tried many remedies that only had temporary results and relief. All in an effort to avoid the ONE thing I know will end the pain...surgery! On my job, I am on a set schedule that someone else decided was best for me, given just enough pay to live a reasonably good life, though not too extravagant, once again, allowing someone else to say how much my time and me are worth. And like with my hip, I've tried many other things to fill the void: part-time jobs, multi-level marketing, lottery tickets. But they were all temporary remedies. The one thing that I knew would work is the thing I tried not to look at too hard, because if I failed at that I had nothing else to hope for. Real estate!!

If anyone is bothering to read this, I know it doesn't make sense to you. But it makes total sense to me right now. I have not given my all because of the FEAR OF FAILING! When I read of the members here and their successes, despite the circumstances, a little voice inside says,"not you". When I make calls to owners, the voice again says, "not you"..."no money, bad credit...not you".

Well, darn it! I'm here to say YES ME!! I'm tired of life on the sidelines and barely living. I want more for me and my family!!!!!

Whew! As I was constructing this, I got a call from my ex-realtor. She asks me why I haven't contacted her lately. When I explained how I emailed her and never got a response...well we got it straightened out. So that it one thing out of the way. Funny how things happen once you really make a decision. This ain't over family...no way!!!!

Ogal

I have been on my back since my hip replacement surgery and I am truly getting antsy! I'm on crutches, but I want to be in the trenches. Dean is teasingly giving us tools to be successful, but that won't amount to a hill of beans if I'm not out there doing it! I've got about a month and a half before I return to work and I wanna get SOMETHING accomplished. Oh, POWERS THAT BE, please heal me a little faster so I can begin to work toward the life that I deserve!!

Ogal

Thanks to this site, Dean Graziosi and Carol Stinson, I am getting back on track. Dean is getting ready to do the Set For Life presentation next week and I am excited about that. But that is next week. In one of his videos, he gave us access to some marketing materials to drum up leads. I copied Carol Stinson's expired listings letter because she is one of my Sheroes.

I sent the letter to 26 properties in my first batch on Monday. I've gotten two calls today from the owners and I will have to set a time and day to go see the properties and make an offer. Dean spoke of the fences in our mind and mine materialized as soon as the people identified themselves as sellers! I was petrified, but luckily kept the nervousness out of my voice as I asked questions. I kept thinking a familiar phrase: "If not real estate now, then what, when?" I am the only one who can change my situation and FEAR cannot stop me this time! It's time to practice what I quote on every post! It's time to take action. We'll talk soon.