OfflineOkay. First of all, I am quite new here, so if I've posted this to the wrong place, or done anything wrong, please forgive me and let me know.
A Little About Me:
My name's Janisse, but I go by Ravenstar online. My situation is quite grim at this point, but I am anticipating that it will get a lot better soon. I bought Dean's book awhile ago with money that I did not have. I am on Social Security Disability(As you may have seen in my recent posts.), and that only brings in $700 per month. This is after having had a job that paid me about $2000 per month. I can't live on the $700 with all of my bills. I have rent to pay, electricity, some loans(A total of $500!)I took out because I was involved in another work-from-home deal that was supposed to make me money. This is not counting my two school loans.
I'm 52 years old, and no one wants to hire a 52 year old, overweight amputee. (I'm in a wheelchair right now due to a below-knee amputation of my left leg due to diabetes.)
So this is my new start. I'm terrified. I don't have millions to invest - heck, I don't even have enough money right now to go out and buy a newspaper. And I have a terrible credit score. But I'm going to put everything on the line and make this work. As someone in one of the other journals that I've read said, "Failure is not an option."
So stay with me - I may not post every day - but I will post as I have things to say and news to give. So you guys will be the first to know when I make my first deal, and then my first million! How's that? 
When you take responsibility for everything that has happened and will happen in your life, you will be able to create what you want for your life. You are on the right path. God Bless You
Hi Janisse
First I want to say welcome to Deans board he has created for people just like yourself who want a better life. IT sound like you will probably want to start out wholesaling properties. This is where you get a house under contract for 30 days or longer. I always get mine under contract for 120 plus days...just to make sure I have time to market to all my investors. I have a bunch of them!
After you get the house under contract you start immediatly contacting your investors and running ad's on Craigs List and all the other free sites on the web.
Make sure to put a For Sale By Owner sign on the house with all your contact information.
Do you have Deans books? If you do have you been able to read them and have an understanding of what he is saying? Dean has really made the books pretty easy to understand and follow.
Do you have a vehicle to drive around your area and look for FSBO (For Sale By Owner) homes? If so drive around an area where there are a lot of vacancies...write down the addresses of vacant and FSBO houses.
Then go to the web...look up the county Tax Assessors web site. (County the house is located in)
They will give the owners address but not their telephone number. IF you can't find them in the phone book or on the internet...then write them a letter and let them know you are a local investor/wholesaler. Tell them you are out scouting properties that fit your investors criteria and their house at (ADDRESS) looks like a good prospect. Tell them to give you a call (give your number, email, cell phone number)
When they do finally call talk to them for a while and kinda get an idea as to why they want to sell. IF they don't seem like they NEED to sell you probably are not going to get the house for a cheap enough price that you can make a decient wholesale fee.
Before they do finally call do your research of the neighborhood and see what current sales are for properties like the one they have. You can look at Dean's site to get an idea of local home sales in the area where the prospective house is located. www.totalviewrealestate.com
You will type in the address of the empty house and it will bring up all sales in the area for the past few months.
IF you see the average 2 or 3 bedroom home in that area is selling for around $50,000...then look at all the repairs that are needed on the property...figure up appx what it would take to bring that property up to being worth $50,000.
IF you figure it will take $15,000 to make all needed repairs...subtract $15K from the $50,000...you get $35,000....then you figure you would like to make $3000 off the deal for yourself....subtract $3000 from the $35,000 and you have $32,000....then figure the investor who buys this property (Contract) from you he will need holding costs (holding costs are utilities, lawn care service, taxes, mortgage payment) for at least 3 months....holding costs might come to around $4000......subtract $4000 from $32,000....tell the owner you can offer him $28,000 for his property.
Tell him your investors usually pay with cash and there will be a quick closing.
Or they can advertise the property through a realtor and because the banks are so strict on making loans to people (even with good credit) that their house may sit on the market for a year or a lot longer. Meanwhile they are having to pay taxes, insurance and maintance costs on a vacant property that in the long run may not bring no where near what they want.
OR they can sell now for cash and not have to worry about the property and possible vandalism and property taxes and all associated with owning a vacant property. If they still are not really sure...tell them to call you back...or in a few weeks you call them back and they might change their mind and will be ready to get a contract on the house.
This should get you off to a good start. If you have more questions come back to this post and ask any new questions. If I am not here to answer someone else may have an answer for you.
I have all faith in you that you can do this and make a better life for yourself.
You know how hard it is to live with disabilities and having to live on not enough to make all your bills. That is going to be a big motivation for you to make this happen. We are here cheering you on and watching your progress.
Sissy
"THE ARCHITECT OF YOUR DESTINY IS YOURSELF"
"SUCCESS WALKS HAND IN HAND WITH FAILURE"
Hello My Name is Johnny i just got the book and almost have way done. I love what i have read alread,I will be joining the Succes Academy on friday I am pumped and ready to going on my first 5 deals
For your good advice! I do have several questions for you, though. How do I get investors? I've only just started reading "Profit From Real Estate Right Now", and I don't think that he's gone over that yet. I don't have enough money to buy the other books right now, but I'm hoping to in the very near future.
How do you get a house under contract? And is there a special contract on the website somewhere that I can copy? I haven't had time to go over the entire website yet. I hope to do that tonight after I get done writing you.
As to whether I have a vehicle, no. I just take the city bus right now. I do have a valid driver's license - just cannot afford even a used car at this time. I was thinking of looking them up in the newspaper if I have enough change to get one. Or possibly look them up on the internet or at the County office (We're not online here in Spokane, yet.)
I understand what you said about getting a decent wholesale fee, but right now, ANYTHING would be a godsend.
I can already hear the "cheering section"! Thank you for your help. I will do what you told me to do as soon as I can do it! Thanks again! You've given me a direction to go in first. I see that first of all, I have to find a way to get investors. And then, go from there. That will not be a problem.
The point that I'm at in the book, though, is just at the part where Dean talks about running ads and "Make the Great Deals Come To You". So does Dean have ads that I can copy on the site, or do I have to write my own? I can write some pretty good sales copy, but I'm not the best. And I want the ads that made Dean a multi-millionaire. I want to learn from the best in the business. That's always been my work philosophy, and it's made me one of the top salespeople in every sales job I've ever had.
So I am definitely going to keep your advice on this page, and refer to it often. Again, thank you so much!
Janisse A. Russell
Bravo, Johnny! Eat 'em up, Tiger! Way to go!!! Let me know when you make your first deal! I'm trying to get a business credit card so that I can join the Academy too! So, maybe I'll see you around!
Janisse
that this program is designed for - EXACTLY!
It's not magic...take the time to read the book, comprehend what you can and ask questions here (just like you are doing) and listen to people like sistreat and others on this site.
You are the one that will have an INCREDIBLE story IF you stick it out with the determination that it takes to ride the ups and downs of - not only life - but real estate investing and all things with which you'd like to improve in your life.
You are in the right place (and no, you didn't do anything wrong posting your question here)with the right people and the right plan.
Here's to your future success!
Mike
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)" - Mike Spillman
"As long as there is breath there is hope!" - Mike Spillman
Janisse,
I'm fairly new here too... I'll be cheering for you and looking forward to hearing about your first million!
Valerie
Valerie
“And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!” ― Dr. Seuss
"I believe in angels, the kind that heaven sends; I am surrounded by angels, but I call them friends" - Unknown
My journal: http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59110/...
i was scanning the paper this sunday and found a deal hear in veva las vegas
and i looked at a 1/1bath condo its next to unlv so it would be good rental property the owner ask 35,000 i offer her 29,000 she said yes only one problem i dont have this cash i just was guessing what i would pay she maybe would take less but now im wanting to save this deal what can i do
It is when fear hits that you hang on for dare life. That is a good thing. So Hang On. God Bless.
Sandra
"You can never get to the top, if you are not willing to climb. Do not look at the difficulty of the climb, only anticipate the view from the top."
"Can't even walk without you holding my hand." (Song)
"Is anything too hard for the Lord ..." Genesis 19:14
"In all things, wait on the Lord."
"Think not of your own deliverance, but trust in God who will give in abundance."
"When you are down to nothing, God is up to something." Unknown
"Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about those things that really matters." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Hi Ravenstar,
after reading your post I would recommend that you brainstorm to find all the resources online to locate leads that you can work. You sound like someone that wants to really make a change in your life so to get you started in your brainstorming, you say you don't have enough money to buy a newspaper.
Well you should go online and look through the ads and locate some sellers that you can call to talk too. You can find some really good deals in classified ads and speaking of classifieds you can look for sellers on craigslist and call them or send them an email.
There are ways you can find sellers without leaving your house but it will either take plenty of time to devour the internet or you will need some money to implement a blend of strategies, but if you have no money then you will have to be willing to put in hours on top of hours to make something happen.
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It's good from people who are just starting out like me. I ordered Dean's book in July and so far it's been eyeopening.
About me I lost my job two years ago and as you all know it's hard to get another job when you're over 40 in a field like journalism. But, I'm positive that I will make it though real estate investing.
My plan is to wholesale properties until I can improve my credit. What I am looking for is good real estate agent. Does anyone know how I can find one?
Wilbert
Hi Ravenstar:
I just read your post and am pretty much in the same boat your in. I am 53 years old and was involved in a work place accident a few years ago that is still pending. I am unable to return to work and I have no disability checks coming in to help me. Right now, I cannot afford a newspaper either...But, how far are you from the local library ?
The Library , for me has been my window to the world, I have yet been able to close out my first deal but have a written goal to complete my first no money deal by months end. If you have any of Deans books, read them, then re-read them, underlining and highlighting anything that might apply to you.
Three areas you might want to consider might be,the Discount mortgage note (Cash Flow business.) Assignments, and/or Lease Purchase Options. There is a whole section dedicated to ( Greg Murphy.) The King of Lease purchase options.
Just take a deep breath and take it, one step ata time. Dont overwhelm yourself , other wise it is going to seem impossible, its not. Assemble your team of professionals, and assemble your buyers list, then start hunting for wholesale deals...
don't forget to check out Carol Stinson's journals and her wholesaling website. she had to do everything from home because she has several children, one of whom is handicapped. if she can do it, so can you!
Linda, Army EOD Mom
you can follow my journal at http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/45351/...
IT'S ALL GOOD AND EVERYTHING IS WORKING OUT PERFECTLY FOR ME!
Fear equals:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
Hi Janisse, my name is Mike and im a Newbie too just hang in there, read Deans books and learn as much as you can from this website. Everyone on here is just terrific. You Will Make It!!
Welcome Aboard!
We are all here to support each other. I haven't made my first deal yet but its getting close (I can feel it!) You don't need millions to invest, but you can make millions from investing! I admire your determination, and wish you lots of success.
Together, we can be successful!
Hi everyone and ravenstar you can do this if you put your mind to it,there
should be someone in your life who would not mind helping you do your
business,don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something.Keep your
head up.Everyone has different problems in there life it's a matter of
over coming them,or push threw them to what you want to do for you.
God bless you !
Wilson
Do not let no one stop you from knowing more knowledge and initiative.
Just like some of the folks here I am brand new to this site... I live in the state of New York,,,,,,, I saw Dean's program this morning sounds too good to be true.... but I'm looking forward to getting started..... I'm not quite sure where to start.... I guess by reading the books which I haven't gotten them yet, d/t just getting the information this morning.... so here's looking to the future.....
Sherry.............
I really appreciate your heart warmed advice and sincerity( smasuda25.)
I like you, have not yet completed my first deal, but ( I too can feel it.)
I dunno why, taking that first step is always the hardest. But this weekend I went out to look at a property I was all fired up about seeing. When I actually went out and found myself standing inside the living room and walking around the place,I realized it wasn't for me after-all. But the one factor that really helped out, was conversing with the Agent who could see I was wet behind the ears with the questions I was asking him. That breif conversation made me realize, what to say and what not to say on my next time out. Instead of being intimidated by a seasoned professional, I can clearly see the advantage there is from picking up little tid-bits of advice and information from these people who are a gold mine and a well spring of knowledge to learn from...Now I know these are baby steps, but it was just enough to get me all fired up and ready to go out for my next walk through. I am not nervous as I once was, I am looking forward to it.
I understand where you are coming from. You can make it happen if you take action. Which is what you are doing by getting started here.
See Carol Stinson's Journal if you haven't already. She took action before she even received her book. I am also on SSI but have downsized in order to live within my means. Which I am now able to do. But I don't want to live on peanuts. Hang in there and do all you can, however you can.
Live in freedom or live in feardom! Your choice.
Blessings.
Daryl
For every adversity there is the seed to an equivalent or greater benefit
( W.Clemente Stone ) Founder of Combined Insurance and Author of The Power Of OPM
I realize how a little bit of money coming in each month may not pay all the bills to live a life of extravagance, but that little bit of cash deposited directly into say, an account ata place like the credit union could turn that Paupers pay into a Kings ransom if it was invested correctly.
At least with disability coming in, that will allow me to take out a small secured loan to help pay some of those nasty bothersome uncollected bills that are effecting my credit rating.
And aside from that, I can also afford a daily newspaper and air time on my cell phone so I can stay in touch with the rest of the world.
It sure beats, going knowhere in a hurry and running out of gas getting there.
(Every little bit helps.)