Val's Journal

thanks you for your words of encouragement-you of all people knows firsthand what it's like to have a 'skeptical' someone in the home... you inspire me!

yes, I am trying and I will not give up!

I love doing rei! hard work, but so worth it!

When are you going to make a deal, whats taking so long, its not going to work why should people come to you when they can go to an agent. This person is some what impatient and expects things to happen fast and yes I know it has been a while since I have started but I have also put bids on several properties some got accepted and my tenant buyer changed his mind afterwards but for me all this is a learning experience under my belt so valerie we are on our way doing it one step at a time too. Just keep on baking and send some of those muffins my way so I can try them lol.

Shawn

you know it!
we just have to keep coming to this site for encouragement, and keep working at it!
We are not giving up!

hmmm, muffins came out pretty good-will bring some to the Edge next year and share some there!!

We'll share our rei recipes!!!

Valerie that gives me plenty of time to work on some deals to pay for the cost of the edge itself. Been to phoenix several time when I was driving a big truck so there is no problem getting there.

Shawn

that's the spirit! we have a goal now- get to the Edge 12 paid with REI money!

you already know your way there, so you only have to get some deals done! one step at a time... before you know it, you will be there!

wishing you success!

have a goal now and one that we no doubt can reach too, nothing out of the world either. Thanks to a great idea from keith here I am looking at a couple of properties up north for a great price too. Have contacted the listing agent and waiting on some more information about this one so in the mean time I am doing my research on these also to see what I can come up with. Just have to wait until I hear back from the agent and see what he can tell me.

Shawn

We should start a support club to deal so we can all cope with the negative comments and skepticism we face daily. It is so draining and stressful!

Keep your head up and try to let it go in one ear and out the other... although that is easier said than done, I know all too well!

And, if this is encouraging; I was in the SAME position last year wanting to go to the EDGE so badly. I made my goals and went this year. You can do it and you WILL!

I know what you mean... I have been reading your journal since I first came to this site-it really is very inspirational for newcomers to see that everyone here has started from the starting point, and we all have to put in the work to make it happen!
I don' t think I would be able to accomplish anything in REI without the support I've been receiving here... and it makes me want to succeed even moreso.
Yes, we will always face negativism and criticism, but we shall move forward and make DG proud!

... still jealous of your pic with DG I'll get mine next year!

I hope tosee you at the Edge 2012!!!

wishing you success!

Keith,

so my offer was rejected... for the third time now-even though it's the same amount that was approved last week-figure that one out! no counter, no nothing. Just rejected, and house back on market.

Today I put in an offer for another house...it is so cute! I have to wait until tomorrow to find out if offer is accepted or not... I'll let you know...

I'm going to give the other house a day's rest, and then make the same offer again... I don't want to increase it, not because it would make any difference to me, but because now it's getting personal it's my pride

Haven't heard back (yet) from homeowner that I sent letter to; I'm thinking he may be a bit shocked that I contacted him, maybe he won't answer, but I had to write it or else live the rest of my life wondering if I should have done so... I think I'll be just a shocked if he does call me back-better get that script ready!

Short sale... four months and still going... I think I'm going to have my five deals done and the short sale will still be pending

Hang in there, Girl!

where have you been girl??!! you've been awfully quiet since the Edge-I know you must have something cooking there!

Still haven't gotten my deal, but I'm getting there...

A good idea Tammy, but all this is a big learning experience as well. Some just have to have more patience too as the world was not created in a day either and rei is one thing that takes just as long and if not longer. It is something one has to work on and stay at it even though there are times when one just want to say the heck with it all and give it up like I have before and not just once either along with a lot of others as well and this site is great for giving out the needed encouragement as well.

Shawn

after the long weekend, I finally heard back from the bank...cute house... outbid!!! arghhh!!!

Today I put in an offer for the other house again - it's still on the market, but I don' think it will last much longer. I'll find out tomorrow...

I don't think I'm at my 25th offer yet... but getting there...

Homeowner still hasn't responded to my offer letter... I already have a couple of more alternatives to propose in case he calls...

I still need to finish a couple of chapters of the SA... been putting if off to focus on getting a deal done. (Also very busy at work!)

I can't believe May is gone-it is still raining here!!

June already... I wasn't going to write in my journal today because I really don't have any deals to share, but then I thought to myself, maybe I'll write about by 'no deals' and my 'undeals' so that one day I will look back and read about this...

My 'no deal': My HUD offer was rejected on Monday, but today I got a notice saying that they will accept a counter offer from me... this bank is driving me crazy-I think it's personal now (just kiddin'); so believe it or not... my counter offer to them was less than my original offer- I'm expecting it will get rejected, but I thought I have nothing to lose at this point...

My 'undeal': Today I got a notice from my tenant in my little house in Texas that she is leaving at the end of the month-what??!!! she is the best tenant! a schoolteacher, pays on time every month, keeps the house well-maintained, was at one point interested in buying it.... tonight I found out the reason: she and her fiancee (who had moved into the house last fall) broke up, so she doesn't want to live in the house by herself anymore.... I'm not going to say this outloud, but... men!!!! everything was just fine before he moved in!
Ok, so I'm trying to approach this as any DG investor would do: I already got an add in the classifieds coming out the next four weekends; asked my sister to put a sign at the corner store too. I'll try to get a lease to own or carry the note, we'll see...

I hope that when I read this post again, I will have many deals done, so that I can say that I did perservere... and how lucky I am!

wishing everyone success, and many deals!

Good tenants are wonderful, aren't they? The good thing is there are actually lots of good tenants out there.

I always blog about my deals, whether they go through or not. Its realistic, it shows that REI don't get every deal they try for, and its a good thing for people to read about what REALLY goes on.

Hope that HUD goes through for you! I've heard of lower offers actually going through. There's hope!

You'll get a deal; don't get discouraged! Look how many I've had that have fallen through the cracks! I think I hold a record here sometimes, but I know that isn't true because ALL investors experience this. Its all a part of it!

It is CERTAIN we will SUCCEED!

I just realized that I have been a DG member for one year-wow! how time flies!

I haven't done a deal yet, but as I think about what I have learned in this past year... well, everyone who has been here for a while will know, it is amazing the amount of knowledge and experience that you get at this site.

I think I've put in about 20 offers now... I'm not counting...(on purpose) and they have either been rejected or otbid! but I continue looking for that great deal, and I know that it's only a matter of time!

This past year has taught me many things, not only rei, but also personal. I have been so fortunate to meet and chat and laugh and feel frustrated with a wonderful group of people here, who's friendship, and advice I will always cherish and remember.

I feel humbled by the newcomers (who I shall never call newbies!) who send me private messages asking me for my advice and/or opinion. Not only do they make me think with their questions, but also they make me do research and learn myself something if I don't know the answer(s).

... and so, my rei journey continues...on to another year... of success!

what would I do without everyone's encouragement??

This site is so amazing!!!

Thank you!!!

ok, I don't think I've heard this one before... so I will share it with all of you.

Last week I put in another offer for a bank owned house that I've been trying to buy, and they rejected it, so I raised my offer by $100, and it was rejected again. I asked my wonderful realtor to put in my original offer again (-$100)... rejected again (which I expected-just trying to make a point)... but that was it- I said to my realtor that we would not put in any more offers on that property. (The bank told her that they would not take less than the asking price.)

Well, last evening, my realtor calls me to inform me that the bank has accepted our offer! What offer??? We are both puzzled, because we did not put in an offer!
Apparently, the bank has accepted our 'not' last offer, but the one with the $100 increase! I guess they realized that this train was leaving for good!

Will post details once we sign docs...

Wishing everyone success!

Today the bank finally approved and signed contract for the house I'm buying in Ohio!!! Never been there, but like the town already!!!

My realtor opened escrow account and will close within 30 days... woohoo!

It's also my son's Birthday, so celebrating all the way!!!

Oh, and Karen is visiting too, so we are celebrating, oh yeah!!! Look out S.F. Party night tonight!!!

wishing everyone success!

isn't this a wild deal??!!

Very challenging to say the least, but how much have I learned?!! Can't wait 'til escrow closes so I can get my handyman in there to get the house sparkling again, and ready to rent!

Looking forward to many more!

Val

Val,

Congratulations! Glad to see your closing is moving forward. Good luck.

Cheryl & Dave

thank you for your well wishes! working hard to keep moving forward and learning and applying Dean's strategies.

Wishing you success,

Valerie

On the deal that was not expecting any more. So how are you financing this property as well. Been having computer problems the past week so I have had to reinstall windows 5 times until I found out why, a darn virus like always and have never had to worry about these until now. To make it worse I got in on my external hard drive where all my import things are stored. I did a backup earlier but not recently so there are a couple things I still have to try and recover too. Now I have to get back more into rei as I have really slacked off on this and get caught up the best I can.

Shawn

Just want to say congrats and wish all the best. Can't wait to hear about your next deal.

Josh

I wasn't expecting it either, but things happen for a reason... who knows!
sorry about your computer problems-it's amazing how much we need our computers these days! I had a virus on mine a couple of months ago, so I know how you feel.

So, back on the saddle again... and keep going where you left off...

You can only look forward now...

Valerie

you're catching on quickly! way to go!

Thank you for stopping by and posting on my journal-I am looking forward to hearing about your deals too!

wishing you success,

Valerie

I wasn't going to post until I had some news about my recent deal, but I thought this might be of interest to some of you if you ever buy any HUD properties out of state.
Early this week my realtor sent me a message letting me know that the closing company will not mail out documents (for HUD properties), for me to sign and notarize over here in Cali; that I can either fly out there and sign or give power of attorney to someone over there to sign for me...
Luckily, I have a friend who lives in Ohio who will do this for me, and even more luckily, the title company will go to her house where she can sign the documents (that is really great, because I did not want to inconvenience her too much!) wheeew! another hurdle behind me...

Another small deal in the making: a relative wants to rent to own/ seller finance her home, and she asked me if I could help her set it up/ prepare the documents, and she will pay me $500 for doing so... I would have done it for free, but another deal, no matter how small, is another deal!

You have to tell everyone you know that you are an investor! Whenever they know of someone who is buying or selling, they will think of you first!

Wishing everyone success!
Valerie

I think you're right about this little monster created... once you start doing this, you just can't stop!

spent half the day today out and about checking out properties in my area- love doing this!

I was wondering where you were-you haven't been making much noise around here

glad you received it- enjoy it!

thanks for your support and your motivation-keeps me going!

Today I did something I had not done before: I went to an auction at the courthouse-wow! what an experience! I didn't go there to just look; I was actually planning on bidding on a property that I had done some research on! I had gone to the bank, gotten a cashier check and some cash too (cash is King I've been told!). In the end, it didn't happen, the auction for the property was postponed... so I just stayed there for a while, met some other investors, a lender/property manager/investor; and then I saw how the properties were being sold-very interesting to say the least. So, no purchases at the courthouse today... but something that I can certainly see myself doing in the near future.

Anyone who reads this- you have to go to a live auction! great place to network!

I am learning and progressing every day!