Mr. Achieve's Real Estate Investing Journal- Part 1 The Beginning

3/27-3/28- went to Myrtle Beach. While I as there I noticed a lot of 'for sale' signs on beach front property.

3/29- nothing related to real estate investing
3/30- completed taxes for 2009. Went to the city planning and development building to look at building permits. I noticed a lot of residential (mostly mobile home) sprouted up in the area. Very few commerical properties. The secretary email all of the building proposals for 2007-2009 and up to 2010. This can prove to be helpful
3/31- Online search of foreclosed properties. Most of the ones that interested me are in a horrible condition once I drove around to find them. I am getting frustrated because rehabs take more money than I am willing to put into. I am getting even more frustrated because this can get quite expensive with all of the closing costs, real estate agent fees, rehab work, loans, and etc. I really need to view more 'no money down' techniques

4/1- I read more great posts and journals from the DG site. I also listed my first ad on craigslist and stated on the process of my voicemail system with coanetworks.

4/2- My voicemail system is now complete. All I have to do is record my message and make up some flyers, and bandit signs. I will work on my buyters/investor list first. I will be focusing on distressed properties. A friend of mine (a business partner in another business) fathers purchased a lake home for $440K. The home orginally sold for $1.8 million in 2005. Distressed is the way to go... I think. I now have to work on finding a realtor (that is some what knowledgible on assignment) and a mortage broker. I may just become a mortage broker myself. Thinking outside the box.

4/2- So I'm sitting here thinking " Can I find some sort of funding for my real estate investing and can I truely complete no money down deals and be profitable" Its getting a little overwhelming, I need to pull back and chill for a few. I gotta think this through!

but don't over analyze. You'll encounter analysis paralysis, and it will stop you dead in your tracks. I myself have to constantly focus on this as well as I tend to want to analyze everything to death. Keep doing what you're doing. You'll learn as you are doing. Build a power team and a buyers list and know and believe that YOU can do it! Best to you!

Thanks for the words of encouragement.. Sometimes I do think too much, but I will break this habit. I just want to have multiple backup plans in my real estate deals to cover my behind lol. I know a 'buyers list' is key so I want to get that part started first because it will take some time to develop. I want to close on deals that I can refinance and 'pull some equity out'. This is an ongoing theme that I constanlty hear on the DG site and especially in the 'Deans Media Success Stories'. I've watched about an hours worth of videos. They have added some fuel to my real estate fire.

4/4- After church, my girlfriend and I, rode around time looking for 'homes for sells'. I was trying to spot an abandoned home in a good neighborhood but all I found were homes that were out of my price range. I think I will just stick to distressed properties for now. I did see a sign that state "100% financing" I will call the bank to talk to them.

4/5- Just getting started for the day. I will make a stop by my local tax office and try to find a great realtor. I will let you know of my results. I would be nice if I can close on a property before 5/1 so that I can cash in on the 'tax credit' refund.

Hearing NO is a can thing. It just lets me know that I am on the right track. I anticipate a lot of NO's today... NO Problem!

4/5- I finish they day talking to a realtor (who works for a realty broker service). He pretty much stated the same info on the DG site about finding a realtor that I feel comfortable working with. He was nice but I need to interview more. Another realtor called me about a foreclosure. The banks wants $36K for it. It is a duplex. I have to check out the neighborhood and the numbers on it.

4/6- I rode around my town looking for properties. I found some fsbos that were in a decent neighborhood. I need funding.

4/7 -4/9 I talked to two mortgage brokers that work at community banks that I bank with. They both started with the same thing "we have FHA loans". I know that there are other types of mortgages besides FHA. I really wanted to find properties that had positive equity and then refi to pull some money out, but talking to these two brokers gave me an expression that refinancing is not an option. The first broker told me that if I were to used this as an investment property that I could not refinance, and the second broker told me that I could refinance probably after 18 months! That is tooo long for me. I was expecting to refinance after a month or two.

4/12- I talked with a mortgage broker. Once again, it was 20% down if property was going to be used as an investment property. He also state that banks are not allowing people to refi to pull money out. I could buy a property for personal use as in a place to live, but I dont think I could rent it out. I could sell if, if I decide to go with this route, I would be doing alot of moving around town. But if I'm making $30-$50K a house it might be worth the hassle.

4/13-4/17- I have talked to two more real estate agents. One suggested that there is a huge re investor in town (I cant wait to meet him) and the other one seemed easy to work with. They are not full time agents, as they both have full time jobs in other fields. I will be getting back with one of the agents on Monday. Still looking for funding, I have had some good leads and I can not wait to check them out. I am getting more familar with my current city via the county website and the gis maps. It allows me to search areas that I may have missed just by driving. It also gives me the oppourtunity to know 'who owns' the propery, the property card and other great info! I am also discovering that my home town, which is two hours away, is booming. I familarizing with that website as well. My brother, mother, and father are on board for when I take my DG knowledge back home. My cousin is looking to start a trailer park. I will be calling him today. I also have a lady that is looking to buy some land about 1-1 1/2 acres. I will help her find some for a good price and she will give me a finders fee.

4/17-4/22- I am researching funding oppourtunites for my RE Investing Company. I need money. I am looking into government financial assistance, grants, and low interest loans. I also received a called from a success academy member. I may sign up, if I feel I can close the deals and make the money that I want to make.

On 4/21 I received a call from someone on the success academy. This was my 3rd phone called. I explain to him some of my concerns and some current obstacles that I am facing in my home state. He assured me that the success academy are using current trends that work. I will join on Monday, and I look forward on closing my first PROFITABLE deal. I have researched some funding opportunities in the form of grants and state, local, financial assistance. These types of funding are not easily obtainable. But I well press forward. In the words of a great inspirational speaker John Maxwell, " If you are going to fall, fall forward".

On 4/26 I joined the Success Academy. I look forward to things to come.

Great Job Keep us posted on your progress

I took a trip to L.A. and It was great. When I am proficient and profitable in my real estate investing, I will make L.A one of my cities to invest in. I also want to stay there for 3 months out of the year. I hooked up with a real estate agent and she can find a good place for me to stay for around $700-$1000 a month.

So, I have had my orientation with the Success Academy, and the consultant walked my through my PMI Educational Courses. I have my goals in place, and I need to carve out some time to run through these courses because I need to buy and sell two homes by the end of the year. It shall be done!

sounds like you are off to a good start!

Well, I have to say that I'm truly impressed at your spirited drive and constant progress for a newbie.You have helped boost my drive with the goals that you have been reaching in the short time you've been at this game.It's so obvious that a long journey starts with just the first steps, and that you have covered a lot of ground already.The academy is a great way to go and can supply you with an immense amount of knowledge to help you along your way.Study hard my friend and you'll be able to apply all that towards you're first deal.I look forward to reading more about your progress and growth.All is possible with "FAITH".

Thanks for the words of encouragement Jeff, and to Linda I will follow your journal. I love to read the progress of others.

Well since my last journal post...
I have began my Success Academy Courses. There are six main courses. I did not intend for them to be so indepth, but I will be worth it. There is a ton of information at my disposal and I can call a go at anytime, not to mention they gave me 'instant message' capabilities... too cool.

A buyers list is KEY and I will work hard on my days off to search, research, and list some potential buyers to put on my list.

Course Lesson 1 has about five lessons in it, I need to finish that by the end of the week. Lets Get It!!!!

I'm inspired with your focused on overcoming all the challenges that stand in the way of your real estate success. So, a short note to offer thanks for your journalling and encouragement for your future achievements. Can't wait to hear more.

I'm just wondering how you're doing with the academy and how your progress is going! Keep up posted! It is CERTAIN you will succeed! Happy investing!

Thanks for checking with me. Even though I have not bought my first investment property, the success academy has already help me in the form of guidance and answering tons of questions. I just like the fact that someone will be there for you to answer your questions. Since this is a service that I'am paying for, I can call as many times as I want lol. The courses are WONDERFUL. They allow you to study at your own pace, and they are a good reference tool because you can access them anytime you want. REI investing is laid out for you with the Success Academy. It is worth it, if you can afford it. I have to bring my own lunch to work, and cut out some 'going out to eat' meals to save the money neccessary to pay for it, but it is worth it.

Just working through this thing call LIFE!
I am back with a Vengeance lol
Please stay tuned and try to keep up

WWWWWHHHHHHHeeeeeeewwww... that was a lot of information. My knowledge of real estate has increased exponentially. Not only just that but I can use the courses as a good reference tool, and the success team is on-call ready and waiting for me anytime I have a question. It has been a struggle getting back on here on a daily basis. It is time for me to plan for my local tax sale. I have to research dozens of potential properties that I would like to bid on. I have three properties from last year that should be clear for me to own in about a month. I am excited about that.

Ok Iam going to my second tax sale this year. I need to land some good property so that I can make a huge profit off it. C'mon Monday morning lol.