Val's Journal

Crazy how once it finally starts rolling it just seems to roll faster and faster!

Karen

wow! it seems like my job is taking up too much of my time- I could do rei all day long 7 days a week!

I spoke with my PM yesterday, and it looks like a have a renter for House #2-yeah!

My agent is holding the signed contract until my handyman can go in House #4; either today or tomorrow; if he is not able to, I am withdrawing my offer...

House #3 still in escrow, just waiting for court to 'approve' sale.

I have been refreshing my bandit signs too... working it, working it!

Val

yesterday my agent contacted the listing agent so that she and my handyman could inspect the property (House #4); she told her to call the PM to make arrangements-isn't that just great? this is the same person that was bidding on the property too (!); anyway, my agent called PM, and scheduled to see property today at 4:30pm (to accomodate tenant's hours, even though my handyman stops work at 3:00pm), well, both my agent and handyman were there today until 5:00pm waiting for tenant and/or PM, but neither of them showed up. When my agent contacted me to inform me that they were outside the house waiting, and said that they would wait for another 5 mins. I told her not to; that instead she should just withdraw my offer... so that's the end of that deal!

the seller's agent is a scatterbrain, the tenant won't let prospective buyers view the property, the PM will make higher offers as soon as a buyer makes an offer... from the very beginning I've been having my reservations about this property, but I kept telling myself to go forward with it, even though I kept thinking that maybe I shouldn't... well today I finally moved on,... there are many other properties out there...

Learning and progressing every day,
Val

this is kinda funny, so I thought I'd post it in my journal...

two weeks ago, I put out 24 bandit signs; and then last week it rained for three days, so I knew that my signs would be blown by the wind or picked up by the bandit police.

well, we've driven around to check on them, and put up the fallen ones, but then I noticed that some have already been put back up by someone out there! I had a couple at an intersection, and I couldn't see them, then as I drove a couple hundred feet... there it was! somebody moved my sign! but it's still in a good location!

so I guess I have a bandit sign angel looking out for them

Thought I would drop you a note.. there are angels looking out for you (and your bandit signs) because you are an angel yourself, helping other people!

Keep on keeping on! See you at the Edge 2012!

Cris

your words are too kind!
I am looking forward to seeing you at the Edge 2012! It will be awesome for all of us, including your son!

We all have to keep moving forward; no other way.

I always remember my math professor in college; she used to tell us to 'either shape up, or ship out'. It kinda applies to everything we do...

I am learning and progressing every day!

That deal was REALLY getting to be a pain! Good for you for withdrawing. I'm sure your next one will be there very soon!

Karen

for your support; is has been a difficult deal from the very beginning, but I kept thinking it would get better, we would close soon and it would be all over... not even close! they have been stalling every step of the way... ironically, the owner is in San Diego...

looking forward to more deals

Looks like things are taking off great for you! Sorry to hear about your deal #4. I'm sure you'll find another property quickly to replace that one! You are doing a great job.

I am still in the midst of turning my company around, also 1 house at a time. Sometimes I think its much harder to turn a company around than it is to start from scratch, but then I see we all struggle. Thanks for keeping it real! There are some really tough decisions I need to make this year, but at the same time, this year should prove to be a great year, so I choose to focus on that (but still dealing with the tough choices as well). I too am looking to invest outside of CA more; but still giving the wholesaling here in CA more of a chance.

Its nice to catch up with DG family. Little by little. That refi fiasco really took me for a loop!

for your motivating words; I have been keeping up with your refi deal-you are helping many of us by posting your experience with it. Yes, it's good to invest outside of Cali, but like you, I want to get some assignments done in my backyard too; so we shall perservere- especially since you already proved that it can be done!
I did check out your video-very nice!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Edge!

today I received the appraisal for the property that I am refinancing-it's all good, so it shouldn't be long before I sign documents (hopefully!); because hubby and I are going to England on the 18th to visit my father-in-law, family, and friends... which reminded me of DG's blog this week about 'reason, season, or for a lifetime'; because we always make an effort to visit and stay in touch with them

I'm also trying to coordinate closing on house #3- final date to close is set for the 21st, but I won't be here then; my agent contacted the seller to see if he's ready to close sometime next week, otherwise I will need and extension

I also watched a webinar on buying properties that are underwater-it can be done! something to look into...

...staying busy; learning and progressing every day,

my agent was able to coordinate for me to close on House #3 before I go on vacation- quite an accomplishment!
the only hiccup was that I was to sign documents for refinance for House #2 today as well; and I needed to have funds to close, so yesterday I contacted my brother to borrow some money until my refinance goes through. Love my brother!
This house needs minimum repairs, and my property manager already has a tenant interested in living there, so it won't be long before I have it ready and rented.
I also found out that I have a tenant for House #2, so everything is moving forward.

so, now I can go on my vacation, and enjoy some time off... ahhhhh... of course, I will have online access, so can't promise that I won't be looking for the next deal while I'm overseas

looks like you are moving right along. just stopped by to say "hi" and encourage you to keep it going.

thank you for stopping by to encourage me! it means a lot to me, and you do encourage me to continue pursuing my rei goals! working hard, every day!

ok, got back from UK and no rehab started on House #3-very disappointing; I contacted my PM who informed me that handyman is tied up with another property that they need to get ready by end of month, but that hopefully they'll start with mine by end of this week (it's already end of this week!) or early next week. Not good... especially because House #3 needs minimum rehab: update electrical, install carpet in 1 bedroom, and seal a crack in the basement-that's it, the house is impecable!
I left PM a voicemail and sent her an email this morning asking her if she can contract this work out, because I cannot have the house just sitting empty any longer... argh! and that my friends, is one of the problems you're faced with when doing investments accross the country! ... gotta love it!

But then you have to stay on top of the others to make sure things get done. Soon as they know you are in vacation and at such a great distance, when the cat is away the mouse will play else where.

Shawn

Is it ready yet?

Karen

Shawn, Karen! thanks for stopping by!

well, house #3 is not quite ready, but at least rehab has started-yeah!
also, I am in the process of refinancing it too - 3rd no seasoning refinance! amazing! Especially because I am doing all this online- I have never met my banker in person! I don't know at what point the bank will say 'no more', but one of the coaches from the SA told me to keep asking until they do say 'no'; then I'll have to look elsewhere; but for the timebeing, I just put in my request, and when it gets approved, I do my dance!
So, hopefully by the time I have this house finished and rented, I will have another one lined up

this morning, when I got up, I turned on the tv to check the weather- it has been raining cats and dogs here for the last week or so! anyway, I accidently pressed the wrong channel, and who do I see on the screen? It's Makeba! and Jay! and John and Julie W.! and Randy and Laura! it's DG's infomercial for free 3 hour seminars here in the Bay Area!

so... 30 minutes later... after I registered for the seminar, I got in the shower, and eventually made it to work!

on the other hand... trust me... I normally put in more hours in my job than what's required from me, but I'm working towards my freedom, slowly but surely!

speaking of freedom... I booked my flight to Arizona- woooo hoooo! Ready for the Edge 12!; oh my goodness! I can't believe I'm actually going to the Edge next month- it is going to be a life changing event! can hardly wait!

Today I got a call from the appraiser in OH; they're going to House #3 on Monday to do an appraisal for the refinance... things moving forward...

Have to call PM now to get the written estimate of rehab and timeline (only gotten verbal)...

learning and progressing every day,

Your flight to az to make it to the edge 12, sorry I will not be there to meet you and all the others as well. I would really love to be there but things just did not work out yet the way I was hoping for me to make it there, maybe next time. Too bad I will be missing a lot of excitement and the like too.

Shawn

I missed it last year, and I was really bummed, but I told myself that this year I was going to make it, and so I am!
You have to make it a goal, write it down where you can see it every day- I promise, when you have your goals written down, they become real; they're not a thought, or a dream anymmore.

So, I will see you next year at the Edge 13! in the meantime, we'll keep meeting here and keep motivating each other to maintain our abundance mentality and be successful.

Keep at it Shawn! every day!

appraisal came in for house #3; good thing I pay attention and do what DG tells us to do...so I'm buying below FMV, because as the prices of most of the houses are still declining, I need to make sure I have an equity cushion, so that I can pull out my money when I refinance... which is scheduled for next Friday April 20th! yeah!

also, rehab is almost complete-turned out there were some minor plumbing issues in the bathroom and kitchen-no surprise really, since these houses were built in the 20's; Saturday carpet will be installed, and next Tuesday electrician will do his magic and 'upgrade' the electrical service in the house. So, by next Wednesday house should be ready for a new tenant...

in the meantime... I have been looking at more properties... in Missouri! oh my!... why MO? great opportunities, and a great partner with whom I have been looking at properties for the last month or so... I shall post more about it when we close on a deal

Just like Jen says... like-minded people seek each other, and do great things together...

I am blessed,

I am learning and progressing every day,

You are doing SO good! Working on those portfolio lenders, how INCREDIBLE that is! I can't wait until I can use portfolio lenders! Its coming soon! I have a few more things to work on before my numbers will be acceptable to them, but to see you out there doing it is so WONDERFUL! You are an incredible inspiration as well!

I've had some things happen with my IN property, but I think I've already formulated a solution with my team.

Were you able to do any wholesaling in CA yet?

Valerie, yeah it would be great to go there next year too since I cannot make it this year. Sure I keep up with all your post when I can too trying to learn everything I can too. I am trying all I can to see what works but like I was told go step by step as it is in Deans new book too. I guess I will have to put it in my van and read it every day before going to work and make a list of things to do and make calls too.
Would be nice to have internet on the go but right now it is not possible so I get all the phone numbers needed the night before I go to work and when I am waiting to go to work since I am always early I have time to make a call. It is just the messed up schedule I have that throws me off but I am working around it to.
Just keep going and do not stop or slow down not that I pass you up sooner or later, later no doubt than sooner.

Shawn

I shall fear no evil as I walk through the valley of real estate investing, ignoring all the nay sayers along the way while I try to make a better life along the way.

Tammy-thanks for the encouragement...I just keep doing what I've been learning from Dean and his successful students; it's amazing how when you follow his guidance, things just fall into place! of course, we know that it does take effort, time, energy, no sleep but I wouldn't have it otherwise.
Sorry about your IN property hiccup, but that's all it is, a bump in the road; it doesn't surprise me that you already have a solution for the issue- you always figure out ways to get things done, and you get them done!
Haven't done any wholesaling in Ca yet... I think Ca will be the last state on my list
Looking forward to seeing you at the Edge-yeah!

you are quite admirable; you never complain about your hardships; instead, you see what is holding you back, and you think how to get around it, and you take action-good for you! action=results!
I don't have internet 'on the go' either, so, like you, many times I do need to write things down so that I can make my calls on the go too... whatever it takes, no excuses!

You are doing amazing with your long distance deals. I am so impressed that you have made this work, seems like I have hiccups in my own backyard, so to make it work from accross the country and get a team inplace takes a lot of courage. You are definitely a risk taker which I really admire.

Looking forward to meeting you at the EDGE

Judi

I think that when you start with the 'hardest' thing to do, everything else seems easy.
I truly feel like I can buy in any state I want to (except my own! haha); so give yourself a pat on the back for actually getting a couple of deals here in Cali.

I saw you from a distance at the event, and both Jen and I were looking for you to talk during one of the breaks, but there were so many people, that it was a more than a challenge to find someone! Maybe we can hook up here in our area some day!

Good luck with you investing!
Val

all I can say is WOW!!!!! That was incredible! What a treat! If you've never been to one, you have to make it a goal to go to an Edge Event; the energy is phenomenal, the people you meet, the things your learn, and meeting Dean in person??!! no words to describe the experience!
This event alone will help me(more like 'make me')take my rei investing to the next level. I am so energyzed and have so many action items that I will be doing in the next days, weeks, months!

I will definitely attend the Edge 2013, no question about that!!!