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!"
Karen,
Amazing things from an amazing investor!
You are so dedicated, and I know how hard you've been working, and I'm so glad to see you're deals rolling in...
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/...
It is always wonderful to hear from you!
I wish you the Merriest of Christmases and Happiest of New Years!
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!"
One of my biggest obstacles is I build such great rapport with all my customers that I have to VERY CONSCIOUSLY make an effort to figure my numbers w/o letting the emotions play a part. I DO that but often it is a struggle for me!
I get so many older customers because this is a HUGE retirement mecca. Many are getting into failing health or just wanting to be closer to the grands and their children. But many of them don't have much besides their investment in their home to fund setting up in a new place.
One of my latest is a policeman's widow. She lives in a very beautiful, prestigious neighborhood. She doesn't trust ANYBODY! Her house is one of the smaller homes (which is a GOOD thing). But in the 20 years she has lived there, she has done NOTHING, NADA as far as maintaining! That means it is very dated! Of course, this is what she loves about the house!
So in explaining to her how I come up with my offer, I have to be very tactful not to slam what she loves and make her understand other buyers will not share that passion for a bathroom with a red sink, a white commode and a turquoise tub. OUCH!
Even though it is a basic formula for figuring the offers, I was turning them backward, forward and inside out trying to squeeze as much as I possibly could for her to get and still be able to move this property. I finally just sucked it up and had my number. By using the basic formula! Yes, I was definitely feeling the required embarrassment of a good offer!
I called a couple of times and got a busy signal. (so relieved) Called again. Answering machine. (relief again) My denial said "She must be avoiding me. I'll just send her a card with the offer."
She returned my call. We did our friendly little chit chat and I blurted out my
number! $125,000. Silence. My eyes were closed and I was shaking my head.
Then she said, "Well, I had decided $150K was my bottom number. I paid $147k. (I knew that already from my due diligence) My neighbor who is a realtor came over and says he can definitely get me $180k. No problem. I think he just wants my listing. If I sell, I want to sell to you. I think my son will tell me 'Take it!' I'll call you back in the next couple of days, but I can get a new condo in FL for that!"
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!? Seriously, these things happen all the time! But it still sometimes amazes you!
Get over yourself! Do your numbers! Stick to them! Let your customers know you are there to help. Build rapport!
How many times have you also heard, "People do business with people they like"?
All these tired sayings are sayings for a reason!
I am making my good luck happen!
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!"
Sounds like that was a nice deal and a little hard on you to make the offer to her.
From the all the people i have talked to from my bandit sings i have found a lot of people who just need help and you do feel for them and what they are going through, so i can see how it can be hard to give them a offer that makes you embarrassed about.
Good luck and happy Christmas
you give a lot of great advice and I hope one day i know as much as you do about l/o
I was working for them now i work for me !
If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” - Bruce Lee
Dean tells us if you aren't embarrassed by your offer, it is too high. He is, as always, completely right! I spend a lot of time in the state of embarrassment these days!
But it DOES pay off!
You are doing great! Just take one step at a time. It has not been that awfully long since I was right where you are.
Merry Christmas to you and yours also!
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!"
Delta Burke, she played Suzanne and she is fantastic. I see the connedtion Jim. Karen really does have that spark and personality that people gravitate to. Thanks for making that connection for me.
Karen, you have a way of making people feel great by your comments and positive reinforcement. Thanks for being so involved.
Lisa
Thank you so much for this! That was such a nice thing to say.
This site and the connections I made here are what kept me going in this business! I am so very thankful to have found it. Jim is still one of my very close friends even though he has been gone from the DG site for over a year. We are still in touch and he is still doing amazing rehab work in Rochester, NY.
A little over three years ago there was a group of us, maybe eight or so, that got very close on here. We were always here until the wee hours. Val and I were both on the west coast then and the east coast people were starting to ck in here before work in the morning and Valerie and I would still have not gone to bed.
Then on Friday nights, we all hung out here for hours! It would get crazy fun! We talked all kinds of RE but also recipes and just nonsense. This site had more activity and people participating then than it ever did. Everybody wanted to come to our party! But we got in LOTS of trouble for getting off subject some. Often. So now we are more mature. Most of the time.
The important thing is, build friendships. It will help you survive the hard times.
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 hope you make lots of money $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
ALL THE BEST,
WALT
So how did it go with the lady selling for 125k? I hope yiou get that, congrats on your investing, taking action nice. Nice chatting with you today on IE btw, I will follow your journal.
Tony
Go faster do more! GFDM!
Your 1000th Post. Congratulations woohooooo you go Karen best of luck in your Real Estate endeavors my friend.
She called me back this morning. Asked if I could go a little higher. I told her I had squeezed it as high as I possibly could.
She said her neighbor/realtor told her she was crazy if she sells it to me for that. That she is giving it away. She told him it is worth it to her because I can move it faster.
She is going to call me tomorrow (Mon) night or Tues morning to give me definite answer. But then she said she needs to sell it because of her health. She needs to get to FL with her son.
I have a very good feeling on it.
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 would be honored to have you be my 1,000th post but I am already over 3,200!
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 am the 1000th post in your journal. And I'm honored to be so.
Oh, oh, oh! I could not figure out what in the world you were talking about! Yay, you!!
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!"
weekend training completed need to get started
Good luck on your deal, hope it works the way you want it to, "WIN WIN WIN" I know thats the way you likem.
Aaron
yea girl 3,200 posts nice i am on i think 1000 i could be on crack right not and wrong but anyway yea i am praying for you for this deal and holding or crossing my fingers and toes and eyes. Soo, see you at the edge & am in mex btw mex city area seeing my wife but still working.
Tony
Go faster do more! GFDM!
Spending Christmas in Los Angeles with my girls! Got here night before last. I really love being somewhat bicoastal. I love LA and Cali but it is so much more fast paced. I spent the day running holiday errands with daughter #2. She couldn't get out of the "stressed over so much to do" mode and the tension was even starting to rub off on me. I love being so much more laid back in SC because that is definitely more my personality.
Update on my lady that I offered the $125k above. Tues morning when I got up, I saw that she had texted me saying she absolutely could not take less than $140k for her house. I just ignored it and decided to let her simmer. It worked! When I woke up in Cali yesterday morning (FRI) she had left me a VM saying that she and her son (house is also in his name) had decided she would take my offer! I called her back and she is SO excited!!! Says she is so very happy she met me.
This is so crazy!!! Out of the five very motivated calls I got from my Thanksgiving BS, I got four offers accepted! And every single one is embarrassingly low and by the formula Dean teaches us! I knew that even though there are less people thinking about buying/selling this time of yr, the ones that are are serious as a heart attack!
Awesome!
Merry Christmas to everybody!
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!"
That's great! Congratulations!! Your intuition to just let the seller simmer was right on. Enjoy your holidays with your girls in So. Cali. My family just had our Christmas together today and it was awesome.
Merry Christmas!
Teresa
College Station, TX
**********************************************************************************
"Declare that you will prosper despite every difficulty that may come your way. Don't just survive; thrive!"
-Joel Osteen
Karen that is awesome, you inspire me. I am going to make my offers embarassingly lower, like Dean teaches us I have been offering too much lately. Love your instincts way to go champ. welcome back to the West Coast, i hear you LA can be kinda busy which is why i love San Diego it is more laid back you should come n visit some time too. I am spending xmas in mex city area with my wife, enjoy!
Tony
Go faster do more! GFDM!
Just drop by to say Congratulation!! Merry Christmas!! You are so inspiring to all of us. Great Job!
Stopped by to say hello and read some of the last few weeks posts! That is awesome! The move to the east coast is proving to be a great boost in RE for you and I'm so happy that deals have been coming your way! You're inspiring me to keep working. Thank you and happy holidays! Enjoy your time with your girls!
Thom
I am a Professional Real Estate Investor! And I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of the J.O.B. You've come to fight as free men/women... and free men/women you are! What will you do for that freedom?? Will you fight?!! Lets fight for it together!!!!
Totally awesome Karen. Keep us posted on your progress and thank you for inspiring me as so man others
"Don't tell me I can't, Tell me how I can."
Congrats on completing the training! Your journey is beginning.
Best wishes!
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!"
Aaron
Thanks! Makes me anxious to get back to SC and get things rolling!
Merry Christmas!
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 know that you are SO happy to spend Christmas with your wife. Be safe and enjoy yourself.
Merry Christmas!
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!"
Merry Christmas!
I am enjoying being here. I am glad that you guys had a wonderful time!
Merry Christmas!
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 am so glad that you came to my journal. I see that you are new on the site or at least officially joining, so Welcome! Would love if you would put some additional info on your profile so that we can know where you are located and start getting to know you.
I wish you much success and a very Merry Christmas!
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!"
Thom
I'm very happy that you stopped in! Yes, the move to the east coast has been the very best thing ever for my investing! I am loving it!
You are doing a great job, too,! keep it up!
Merry Christmas!
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!"
Thanks for dropping in! I know that you are a busy bee! Just take it as it comes and don't let it overwhelm you. I know you have great things happening and you are the girl to "doo" it!
Hugs!
Merry Christmas!
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!"