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!"
Let me know when you get settled in SC. I talked to Valerie and she suggested I talk to you about possibly partnering on some deals. Let me know if you are interested. You can PM me and I will give you my contact info.
I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Just wanted to say welcome back to the East side of the country. Spring is on its way, so you'll be just in time to watch it!! Woo Hoo Where in SC will you be moving to?
Karen L
I hate to disillusion you but there is little fun in working at the happiest place on Earth. I've talked to many employees there and it is really a difficult place to work; great place to visit; but hard place to work. Try finding a job at CityWalk, Downtown Disney or Universal as you might find the wages better and the atmosphere not as hard to take. IMHO.
Always Looking to Acquire Houses | Always Looking to Amaze Investors
Thanks for the info Bill. I have been to WDW a few times and I have talked to the over 50 year old workers like me and most of them tell me they like working for the mouse. But most are retired with income other than WDW. I will have some retirement money as well. My wife Veronica likes the weather here in CA better than FL so she is not crazy about moving. I like the midwest and East better than the west and IL and IN are to cold in the winter so I pick FL.
Good to hear from you Bill
Sorry Karen for taking over your thread. We are all friends here.
Steve and Veronica
Steve and Veronica's Journal.
http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/58073/...
http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/totally-fulfilled/72344/d...
It is strange to be posting on my journal after abandoning it for about a year, but it is good to see some of the old gang still hanging out here! And always good to have new additions!
Steve, you know I take no offense to you hijacking my thread!
This is one area where we don't have to follow the rules!
Hopefully, we can get back to meeting up here again. But the good old days at Fifth Street will never be recreated.
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!"
Two L/Os under contract with a lot of T/B interest.
Still negotiating on a prop found in Cali through DFD and a yellow letter. This is a distressed prop found by one of my BDs last July. The owner is in prison and received my yellow letter. He immediately contacted a realtor and listed the prop and then wrote me giving me her contact info. All correspondence w him takes FOREVER because of going thru the prison system by mail. He is being very difficult on negotiating also. He has turned down two of my offers but does not counter. He also ignores the deadlines on the contracts and waits a month OR MORE to even respond AT ALL! The house is in bad shape because squatters had gotten in. They have now been removed but this process has also caused part of the delay.
The upside of this whole thing is that since it has been such a hassle, the realtor has NEVER posted it on MLS or put a sign in the yard, so I am still the only one that knows that it is for sale. Next upside is the mkt here is rising so the ARV is now about $40K higher and speculative buyers are snatching things up. I am putting in an almost full price offer on Wed. SURELY, he will accept THIS ONE!
In the meantime, the realtor and I have built a great relationship, so she called me and asked if I would be interested in buying one of her "personal" investment props! Not on MLS and no competition! I am SO stoked! She and I are both cking our comps and will be talking numbers on Wed when I submit my latest contract to my jailbird! Keep your fingers crossed for me! How ironic would that be that after fighting for a deal in SoCal for three years, I decide to move and may get two!!!
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!"
sweeeeet!!! two deals in Cali on your way out! just like me getting offers accepted or closing right when I'm about to go on a trip... never fails! Makes going on trips more exciting!
Keep us posted; it's so much fun reading about the deals in the making!
as always, wishing you continued success...
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/...
Congratulations Karen! Hopefully he will except your new offer. Sounds like he follows his own rules, so hope the rest goes smoothly. Yesh, sounds like Murphy's law!
www.tw4homes.com website
https://tvallc.isrefer.com/go/RehabLite/reigirl/ FREE SOFTWARE FOR WHOLESALERS, REHABBERS AND AGENTS! Present professional looking deals to buyers and lenders as well as run your numbers and get the ROI.
Can't wait to hear about trip. I think I speak for alot of us when I say we're sitting in front of our monitors waiting for you.
Just wanted to say that I truly enjoy your journal. It is very imformative and inspiring. Enjoy your vacation!!
Don't Count the Days, Make the Days Count!!
Nice job Karen! You are very patient and creative. In this business you have to be both LOL! you will get the deal. No stopping you Sista
"Don't tell me I can't, Tell me how I can."
Karen I hope you got a coat, if not I have several. I know youre probably not use to this weather over here. Also, will be glad when you get back. I have 4 questions, 2 ideas, and need your opinion on 2 items lol
*Disclaimer I am not an attorney nor am I offering any professional advice, just some thoughts I am sharing*
It is really good to see you here. My departure has been delayed for a few days, so as of right now, I am still in Los Angeles.
This is going to be an actual move and not just a vacation. My furniture is all out of my apt and cleaning has been done but I still have a layer of boxes covering about half my LR floor to sort thru--throwing away and shredding what isn't safe to just toss, etc. (huge sigh!) REALLY just ready for it to be finished!!!
I am putting my furniture all in storage and taking whatever I can squeeze into my Corolla (I may need a shoehorn) and will be heading across I-40 soon!
I have a deal that should be closing in RI soon and that will be my travel $$. Hopefully, it comes thru quickly!
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!"
Right now, I am just so tired from trying to get moved that I have kind of put this whole deal aside. The realtor is interested in selling me one of her personal investment props also. I am just having to put it on the back burner. i hate to have to admit that but I can only do so much!
Thanks for your vote of confidence tho! I will get rebuilt!
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!"
All my coats are now in my storage unit! I have some wraps that I can make do with tho!
I can't wait to hear what is going on in that mind of yours!
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!"
For those of you who are not familiar with my move, I am relocating from West Coast (Los Angeles) back to East Coast (Myrtle Beach, SC) I actually moved from another area of SC 11 yrs ago to SoCal.
I will be partnering with John Trivett, who is a DGer that I met here three yrs ago. JT and I have communicated thru the yrs on the site, by PM, email and phone but we have never met in person!!! That will change in a few days.
All my furniture is now in storage and my Corolla is loaded and I am closing my second day on my cross country jaunt!
Yesterday, i drove 600 miles and stopped over in Gallup, NM. All thru AZ, I was coughing my head off! I was coughing so hard that I would actually get dizzy and have to take deep breaths to "reoxygenate" (I made that word up). I have determined that my lungs were in shock! They were not breathing in that wonderful "thick" air that they were used to in Los Angeles and probably thought they were being starved because they had forgotten that "real" air is actually "invisible"!
Today, no coughing. I crossed the rest of NM, TX panhandle (I waved to you, Amarillo Rick!) and am now in a heavenly bed in Weatherford, OK. (approx 60 mi W of OKC). I will go thru OKC early Sun morning and miss the traffic. (That is actually funny! I left LA in Fri morning rush hour (eight lanes each side) and have battled it now for 11 yrs. How bad can traffic be in OKC?)
Oh, BTW, 600 miles again today. Should be stopping somewhere between Memphis and B'ham tomorrow night. Prob in MS.
Good night!
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!"
Make sure you get plenty of rest ! Drive safe. Im glad to see youre out of that horrible LA Market, and that LA Air ! Will be glad to see you back on here when you settle in
*Disclaimer I am not an attorney nor am I offering any professional advice, just some thoughts I am sharing*
Wishing you a safe journey. Keep us posted on your progress.
"" They were not breathing in that wonderful "thick" air that they were used to in Los Angeles and probably thought they were being starved because they had forgotten that "real" air is actually "invisible"!"" ROFLMAO !!!!!! KAREN you are so funny! CHECK YOUR PM RIGHT AWAY PLEASE IF YOU CAN.
WELCOME TO MISSISSIPPI MISS KAREN. I wont be able to see on your journey
through the Magnolia State. But I'll be in Myrtle Beach SC before you know it.
Have a Safe Trip,
WALT
I am in Tupelo, MS and I thank you Walt for the suggestion on the hotel. I took you up on it. I told them that you referred me and they were very impressed that you were my friend!
636 miles today.
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!"
safe travels and great investing.
whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.- Henry Ford
keep moving forward, rob
Karen,
Even in travel mode you find time to post here at DG. You are an asset to the DG web site and if it means anything to you, I think you should be compensated for your efforts.
Travel safe and enjoy the clean fresh ocean air in SC.
Coast To Coast Property Investments
GOOD lUCK KAREN AND DRIVE SAFE! Let us all know how it goes. I will the best <3
"Don't tell me I can't, Tell me how I can."
I used to live too karen, I lived in Aberdeen just about 20 min drive from tupelo. Still Have two brothers on that side of the states, I always stay at the comfort inn there in tupelo when I go, it is a pretty decent place and never had any problems.
ba
I've been thinking about your transition and wondered if you were there yet.
Be Safe!
Mike
https://tvallc.isrefer.com/go/RehabLite/renvestr/ Free tools
Madison, GA. Only 300 something miles today, but that was planned. I have a friend close by here that I wanted to visit. This is actually a friend NOT affiliated with RE. Go Figure!
Oh my Lord, Alabama! Way to welcome a Southern Girl home! Walked out from lunch with John Gillon (Southside Johnny) and as soon as I closed my car door the severe storm HIT!
Hail, wind blowing the rain sideways and my car felt like it was going to flip. Lightning hit the transformer close by me which exploded sending a shower of sparks and knocked the power out in the whole block. Traffic lights and all.
Decided to get the heck out of there. I went East on I-20. So did the storm. Trees down on interstate and since there was construction going on everywhere, orange and white barrels are all over the road. Exit signs all broken off. My car was blowing all over the place. I felt like I was living in a video game!
Geez! Earthquakes are SO much easier! !!
Thanks for all the wishes for safe travels.
Mike, I am due to arrive in MB TOMORROW afternoon!!!
It is time...
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!"
Karen,
Maybe next time (if there is one) you can stop by over in the Midwest.
Welcome back to the east coast! Hope you have safe travels and a great start to the REI business in SC
Lenee
www.allstarhouses.com
~Act successful! And you'll draw it to you.~
~Every achievement, big or small, begins in your mind. It starts as a thought.~
I have arrived in Myrtle Beach! Thank Goodness because the road ended! I have cked in to a hotel on the beach for the next three nights while I look for more permanent temporary housing!
Meeting John Trivett and Ericka for dinner/ drinks soon. I am ABSOLUTELY ready for the drinks part!
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!"
Glad you made it safely
I KNOW you'll enjoy the beach and sites!
Take Care
Mike
Mike
https://tvallc.isrefer.com/go/RehabLite/renvestr/ Free tools
Glad to hear you arrived safe.
Coast To Coast Property Investments