OfflineWell, here I am! After seven weeks of devouring this site every single day for six to eighteen hours per day, I am finally starting my journal.
I never saw any of Dean's infomercials, but I did see the last five minutes of The Hansen Report when he was on as a guest. So I ordered the book. I was just ready. Of course, I had been "ready" many times before. Like so many of us, I have purchased thousands of dollars worth of "Get Rich Quick" deals and none of them ever worked. I have participated in dozens of the MLM deals and (sigh) am still dead broke.
But this was just a small investment, and I took the chance! What the heck! I could always learn a little more. I am admittedly, a self development addict! I know enough about MANY things to hold interesting conversations with just about anyone, but I am an expert on nothing.
But that is going to change! I am going to become an expert at REI! I had just gotten my RE license here in CA a few years ago when all heck broke loose and the market collapsed. I worked my tail off for six months or so without making a penny and when I was going to have to invest in more classes or let my license go, I had no more money to invest and let it go. My husband had recently died and I had to go back to work for money. Ugly thought...
When I got Dean's books, I knew enough about RE to see that this one could REALLY work. He gives us ALL the steps!
My three daughters are all grown and gone from home, so I have no distractions there. I do have a full time job, but whatever...
I devoured Dean's books and immediately got on this site, where I have been planted for weeks! I saw that Anita was in Southern CA and tried to contact her, but no luck. Then paydirt! On one of her websites I saw that she was having a probate workshop and signed up! I was SO excited! I made up an excuse to be off from work that night and my daughter got out of her plans so that she could go with me. The night before the workshop, I went back on Anita's site to copy the info and realized it was dated 2009! A year ago! Thank goodness, I didn't make the three hour round trip. But what a bummer!!!
But now a lucky break! I am having to have my knee replaced (well, that part's not so lucky) but I am on temporary disability leave with my job for at least three months! I actually am not planning on going back until after New Year's, but they don't know that yet. Should give me some good time to get things started with REI!
Like Carol said when she started, failure is not an option! It is what I must do! I am closing in on retirement and I have no retirement plan. My job is very physical and I cannot keep doing that! (explains the bum knee) and I cannot have my children having to help me pay my bills! I have been totally independent since the age of 16 and am not planning on that changing.
Today is my birthday! Both in real life and symbolically with my RE journal and my new life as a Real Estate Investor!
I am thrilled to be one of the new Graziosi Investor babies! (I did NOT say babes!) So here's to us and many years together sharing our highs and lows!
Salut!
Karen Griffin
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
There are a lot of days when I DO really miss the South. It is a whole different world here. Not that it is all bad. Just different. We have been out here now for almost nine years so it's not just adjusting, I've adjusted. (shrug)
The weather here is really, really nice. But traffic and cost of living is excessive. Trying to do RE is, as you've heard us all attest, very difficult. I WILL get it done, but it is a challenge.
People here are the biggest difference. Can you believe I have lived here for almost nine years and have not been invited to ONE church!!!!! LOLOLOLOLLOL! (You gotta be Southern to get THAT joke!) In other words the "sincere" friendliness is not here. Especially in Los Angeles. Most people here are in "the industry" or wannabe. When you meet anyone you can see the little wheels in their brains turning- "Is this person in any type of a position to help me?" Very superficial. Not all, of course, but many, many.
Who knows what the future holds.
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
I felt that way about the meeting at first but I got over it. I always do.
I actually left having enjoyed the presentations. I always enjoy new concepts and opportunities.
I hope you and Mary are making progress. I'm sure that you are. It's good that you are both interested in this. Makes it much more fun.
Karen
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
My head hurts. Your journal is amazing. I say my head hurts because I'm trying to digest it all so quickly
and it's spinning 
Loving it!
A couple things I noticed...
Your recent comment about "no one has invited you to church in 9 years" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Cracked me up! I'm from the South and you ARE EXACTLY RIGHT!!
The fact that wisepeoples or whomever it was that hijacked your journal with a nasty post about DG that thankfully was erased although not personal to you -----the fact that they posted in YOUR journal says something
That they figured out that YOUR journal was the place to post to get the word out about something!! Isn't that cool?!
Your recent realtor troubles ----I just know the right person will come along at the right time for you. It has taken me a year and a couple months, and the right realtor just fell into place for me this month. It was almost like I couldn't control it, or control the timing of it. It just clicked as if it was meant to be. If I had searched high and low the entire past year (which I haven't), I'm not sure I would have found him. Although I did seek him out (by looking up the top agents in my state, and finding one in the top 10 that happened to be in my little area), it's almost as if the timing were just right.
Your Lease Option stuff is great....I've got to re-read some of it to digest it but loving your approaches so far. You've got so many people bouncing off your journal, it's exciting.
Keep it up!!! Wishing you all the best!
Cheers!
Louisa
Current Journal on Dean's site: The Second Chapter: http://tinyurl.com/p986al3
First Journal on Dean's Site: From the Beginning: http://bit.ly/ocv10
Thank you so much for coming by to visit for "a spell"! I was thrilled when I clicked on here and you had dropped in.
Yeah, the church thing says it all! I am sure I will get some guffaws from some of the other "down home" guys and gals!
I had not thought of it in that way as far as wisepeople coming to my journal. I was just very touched that all my friends here ran him off before I even knew he was here. Those are good friends to have.
The realtor business.... What a pain! Eventually it will work out. I just put it out there to the Universe (God, Allah or whatever other names She goes by
) and things will happen as they should. Not meaning that effort doesn't have to be put in on my part.I will do that and know it will happen. I did meet that couple who are realtors at Dean's function on Thursday. I still have to contact them. It was actually rather funny. They came in and sat next to me. I said, "Hello. Are you investors? She replied "No, we're realtors." Ka-Ching!
Since I know you are online, I will check out your journal because I assume you will be updating it. Yours always impresses and motivates me.
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
Karen I just was dropin incheckin onya maken sure that scondral wasin hangin round.
http://kendrickpropertymanagement.com/
http://rochesterapartmentrentals.com/?page_id=10
We are having too much fun today!!!
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
We are cracking me up!
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
If you ever in Powder Springs Ga. let me know and you are invited to my church. I bet you knew that though. Just caught up on your journal, glad you looked at the positives of that fuction. Your realtor will show up at exactly the right time. The funny thing about it is they are looking for you too (can you tell my Dr. Wayne Dyer reading is rubbing off)?
Best Wishes!
- Dan
Dan
www.danbuyshomesfast.weebly.com
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!
Another "good ole boy" checkin' in! YeeHaw!
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
I had some pretty daisies for you (frozen stiff) I found digging out the snow but when they thawed out they feel apart.
. 
Glad you borrowed my horns & pitchfork at the meeting. Poke softly now!! But get'em!!
Well, I always thought that I had thick skin (something to told me to get) from the years of dispatchers, agents, shippers and receivers in trucking but this battering I'm getting in RE is worse. At least there I could (but didn't) tell them to take a long walk on a short plank and still come out ahead! Splash!! there went another plan.
Michael Radtke
www.nationalpropertyscout.com
Slide Show:
www.nationalpropertyscout.com/Slide-Show.html
There are 5 churches within two miles of my house (really) and guess what...you're invited to all of them!!ha!ha! Seriously, you would be invited to church here in a heartbeat. Get this. One that my wife went to for a revival last week, does not allow it's female members to wear pants. Don't want to get too deep into religion here, but you KNOW that's DOWN HOME!!
John
Quitters NEVER win - Winners NEVER quit!
"P.U.S.H. = Persevere Until Something Happens" Dean
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas A. Edison
Check out my Road to Redemption journal: http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/88171/...
www.windfall-properties.com
Why not, its so tempting, so many of them talk out of their arse here.
"I'll give him until tomorrow and then shoot him an email".
Don't go shooting any agents, not just yet anyway!
Best Wishes!
-Dan
welcome to come to my church Karen. (Maybe I don't count as Southern Californian because I'm originally from WI.) I seem to stick to where the cheese is at.
did someone say they had cheese?
Always Looking to Acquire Houses | Always Looking to Amaze Investors
Glad you borrowed my horns & pitchfork at the meeting. Poke softly now!! But get'em!!
Well, I always thought that I had thick skin (something to told me to get) from the years of dispatchers, agents, shippers and receivers in trucking but this battering I'm getting in RE is worse. At least there I could (but didn't) tell them to take a long walk on a short plank and still come out ahead! Splash!! there went another plan.
Where you found those daisies-- there weren't any missing realtors in your area lately were there?
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
I have never seen as many churches anywhere as there are in that part of the country! And they are the most WELCOMING churchgoing people EVER!
I would not be able to go to that church. I don't think I even own a dress anymore.
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
"I'll give him until tomorrow and then shoot him an email".
Don't go shooting any agents, not just yet anyway!
Best Wishes!
-Dan
We could have a spinoff of that movie "They Shoot Horses Don't They?"
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
I heard you had cheese! That's what started Jim on his latest tangent! Geeezzzz!
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
Just have some more pie...
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
I'm all caught up again!
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
Karen if you weren't cutting and pasting all night you wouldn't have to catch up. I got my points far.
http://kendrickpropertymanagement.com/
http://rochesterapartmentrentals.com/?page_id=10
Hey! I just noticed I got another badge too! Knowledge Discovery!
Again, I am not really sure what that entails, I guess all Jim's knowledge is rubbing off on me.
Who would of figured?
Now, to get that diamond...
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
In talking with Bill about how he finds his L/O houses and John Jackson from TX, who are both very successful with it, it looks like they get most all their leads from mailings.
Obviously, I am not in the position to mail out 100,000 cards. I cannot even wrap my mind around that! But I figure I CAN order 1000-1500 from Vistaprint and get a chunk of them mailed out. Then, every payday, I will send out at least another 100-200 more.
Of course, when I start getting deals, I can send more. Hopefully, the cycle will feed itself--not to mention ME.
Karen
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
I no longer have to give you advice as you are now a DG Superstar! You're now the teacher and I am the student since you have the "knowledge discovery badge". Way to go Karen.
Always Looking to Acquire Houses | Always Looking to Amaze Investors
Karen I don't care how many stinkin badges you have,when are you and Tammy going to get over to my place and clean up that mess you left.
http://kendrickpropertymanagement.com/
http://rochesterapartmentrentals.com/?page_id=10
Here are my thoughts on that.
People buy Dean's books because they would like to improve their lives.
They come to this site out of curiosity.
They like the site, so they sign up to be a PART of that.
Most people aren't like us who will blab to the wall if it will listen, so they don't ever say anything. So they are never acknowledged.
I, at least am saying "Hello" to them. Acknowledging their existence. Yes, I am cutting and pasting my greeting. It would be impossible otherwise.
And as i am doing the same to the next new people, I see where the ones from the night before have answered thanking me for acknowledging them and I answer again. (No, not the same cut and paste msg)
So what's wrong with that?
That's why I haven't had time to come clean up your place.
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
All I can say is you need to study, study, study and read, read, read and someday soon you may be as successful as me!
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
You're starting to sound like a GIRL!
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
At least you have completed your bio, so that is a good start.
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
Congrats on the new addition of medals to your war chest and your DG Superstar title. It shows that DG admin is paying attention to the following of folks that you have gathered, along with the continued progress you are making. You are our DG "butterfly" and obviously adored for it. Who better to welcome and acknowledge the "new' ones than you?!
Postcard campaign...gotta make it a priority, also! Thanks for the reminder.
John
Quitters NEVER win - Winners NEVER quit!
"P.U.S.H. = Persevere Until Something Happens" Dean
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas A. Edison
Check out my Road to Redemption journal: http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/88171/...
www.windfall-properties.com