From This Day Forward-Kareng's Journal

From This Day Forward-Kareng's Journal

Well, 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!"


Hello and Impressed, Inspired

I have read through your journal and memebers commemts. Your postive attitude and onward/upward claerly displays a person who follows her dreams and understnds the value of planning, pursing and achiving goals. Don't stop dreaming and keep on driving toward your goals.
2010 is almost over 2011 is rapidly moving toward us; Blessing and Prosperity are here. My theme for 2011 is: I am a sucess, therfore I bless.

Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find, Knock and will be opened

Be Blessed and Prosper
BBG Greenman


Hi Gary!

Thanks very much for stopping in and taking time to read my journal.

Welcome to the site. If you use it you will find that is has great value. There is a lot of knowledge shared here and we are an amazing support system for one another-which is invaluable since you will also experience much frustration in this business.

I don't know how experienced you are in RE, but no matter how much experience you have, you can always learn something else.

Stop in anytime, you are always welcome!

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!"


Wednesday, December 28

Got a great letter formulated to send out to realtors to entice them to work with me on L/O by bringing potential sellers and tenant/buyers.

Redesigned my business cards and got them ordered. The other ones just looked too dinky. They didn't print my name and my business name large enough... I do NOT want to be embarrassed handing them out.

Tomorrow I am moving my storage unit. Big undertaking. I am not looking forward to it. I have hired two guys to do the heavy lifting. I am so excited that I will have more room in my apt to set up my office, since I am getting some of this junk out of here!

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!"


Making room

I guess we'll both be doing something similar tomorrow . Hope your evening with the family went well .


Cell Phone or 800 #

Hi Karen,
Thanks for responding to my PM and I will put it here so others can add their opinion. And my question was whether to use my personal cell phone or use the 800# phone system. I try to cut corners whenever I can, so thank you for confirming my thoughts of using my cell phone. More and more people that I know are disconnecting their land lines and strictly using their cell. A blue tooth also frees up the use of your hands to write down important information, I don't know how I lived without one for so long. Eye-wink.
I'm a beginner also, and my goal is to do a deal, possibly a lease/option or assignment during the month of January. Wish me luck and keep up your journal, I enjoyed reading it.
David


Hello Karen How are you

Hello Karen

How are you doing today? staying out of trouble I hope. Well not much to say so I guess If I don't see you threw the week I'll see you threw the window.HA HA


Get-er-done ?

Dream Angel Karen . Hope you achieved the goal of moving the stuff without over doing it . Did you get a chance to try out that new letter ? Be interested to know if it worked . Your inspiration was missed last night .


P.O. Box

Karen,
I just remembered today when a friend of mine told me that she is going to get a P.O. Box. The US Post Office offers P.O. Boxes for $40.00 a year, where smaller sub station like mailing centers or UPS rent them by the month, but are quite expensive.
Hope all is well.
David


Thursday, December 30

Got my storage unit moved yesterday and I was EXHAUSTED!!!

I have been so sedentary for the last few months healing my knee. Even though I had "hired muscle" for the moving, I walked back and forth from the unit to the truck every time to put in access codes, etc., so I was on my feet for hours! Needless to say, my knee was quite swollen by the end of the day. I will recover.

Daughter #2s boyfriend flew in last night from NY to meet us for the 1st time. We all went to lunch down at the beach today. It was FREEZING (55 degrees) and windy but SO beautiful and clear today. The BF is a cutie and really a nice guy! He even works for Make A Wish Foundation (the one that makes wishes come true for kids with cancer)! How NICE is HE? Lacey is the same way though, so they are a very good match.

Didn't get much done w/RE today. One of the tenant/buyers on my list called yesterday in the middle of my move to see if I had found her a house yet. Gotta get busy on finding sellers now.

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!"


Michael

Haven't had a chance to send out my realtor letter yet, but I am hoping I may have time to zip a few out tomorrow. Hope I can find some email addresses.

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!"


David

Thanks for the note about the PO boxes. You know, I had one at the PO once before. I'll have to ck that out. DUH!

Sometimes I'm just not connecting on all my circuits.

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!"


connecting ...

unfortunately it happens to all of us . not fun .
good deal the move is done . bad for the knee .
best wishes on the L/O so you don't lose it .


California David

I think the use of 800 numbers stop people in their tracks on calling. A lot of people think it must be a scam or you are a big conglomerate. I use a different cell phone with the specific area code for any area I am selling.But anyway, I vote for the cell phone not the 800 number.

__________________

Always Looking to Acquire Houses | Always Looking to Amaze Investors


choice of phone

Thanks for that tip Bill . Hey Karen a ways back you kind of were curious about that too weren't you ?


Looking like a regular person

Yes, I considered the 800# too. I decided not to go with it for several reasons.

1) It is an expense I can forego right now
2) Like Bill says, I am personally turned off if something looks too "done"

For example: I have seen other people here in LA advertising L/O on CL but I never contacted them because they had all these "slick" ads with the website look, etc. On mine, I am very simple and post boldly "I AM NOT A REALTOR" so I think they feel more comfortable contacting me. It is not as intimidating.

I am sure the 800# works well for some people and in the future when I get extremely busy (fingers crossed) I may have to reconsider one. I think Dean gives us lots of different ideas to try, knowing everything doesn't work for everyone and in every location.

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!"


Michael

I think that you are probably in a tough area also. It looks like it is a small town, but when I googled it, it says there are 10 other small towns in a 15 mile radius. You have the opposite problem that I do. My area is so large it is sometimes overwhelming. And the prices definitely are. I just can't let that stop me.

You will just have to see which niche will work for you there. Just don't give up.

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!"


Kareng,

....In regards to your large area, look for the pockets of opprotunity. When contacting realtors inquire where other investors are buying right now. Once you find an area you like advertise, advertise, advertise for leads. Some of the best deals you might find do not even have a for sale sign in front of them.

I had the pleasure of visiting the southern California market a few times this past year. There are pockets of affordable deals, just cast your net a little wider. The key is knowing your exit strategy when making the offer. A buyer's list is key and network, network, network. Good luck and you can do it! Believe and Achieve! Smiling - Joe

__________________

YOU TUBE CHANNEL - Follow me on my You Tube Channel at Joe Jurek Real Estate Investing Adventures
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiko62V79zLKX_owbirAYNA

TWITTER - Follow me on Twitter at Joe Jurek CPA
Joe Jurek CPA
https://twitter.com/JoeJurekCPA


Friday December 31

Well, it is the last day of 2010!

I spent many hours today and emailed my super duper L/O letter to 175 realtors!!!!

Can't wait to see what kind of response I receive!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 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!"


Indiana Joe

Thanks very much for stopping in and posting in my journal. And for your words of wisdom.

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!"


Saturday January 1

Happy New Year's Day!

I already got one response back from my realtor email blast. She sent me a return email telling me to call her. Will probably do that tomorrow,

I am certainly hoping to hear from quite a few more. I am assuming that they don't ck their email until they get to work or actually take time off on holidays!

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Tomorrow is my baby's (daughter #3) 21st birthday. Wow! How did that happen already? My middle daughter extended her visit from NY so that she and her boyfriend will be here to celebrate with us. I am getting too old to party this many days in a row...

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!"


Realtor +

That is good news !! You composed a real attention getter . How is the knee ? Hope you have recovered from the day of moving your shed stuff .

Wow ! Multiple things to celebrate and caring family to do it with .


Karen good morning Looks

Karen good morning

Looks like you could be very busy if all 175 Realtors start calling back at the same time.


Michael

The knee is much better. Thanks for asking.

Yes, there is lots to celebrate. Life is good to us. Can always use more money, but hey, that's the American way, right? LOL!

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!"


Jim

James Kendrick wrote:
Karen good morning

Looks like you could be very busy if all 175 Realtors start calling back at the same time.

Things could be worse!

__________________

"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!"


E-mail Blast

Great job on taking action with your email blast. Many happen returns for a GREAT 2011!!

Hope you are enjoying the time with your kids. I know you cherish every moment.

__________________

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


Good luck

on your Realtor project. I know it took a lot of work to get the stuff in alignment for the mailing; now you just have to wait for the results. Lastly, remember they work for you (not the other way around) and if they are going to get a commission from your efforts, make them be part of the team, or send them packing. Talk to them about hypothetical situations so you know their strengths and weaknesses AND you know up front what they are willing to do for you.

Best of luck; great way to start 2011!!

__________________

Always Looking to Acquire Houses | Always Looking to Amaze Investors


John

Thanks very much for stopping by and posting.

You're right, I really enjoy spending time with my girls.

I read your post about your daughter that you had not seen for quite a while coming for the holidays. I know that that was such a special time for you. I was very touched that you shared that joy with us.

2011 is going to be wonderful for all of us that choose to make it so.

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!"


Bill

Thanks for your input re my email blast. You're right, it was a lot of work, but it was very rewarding in the fact that I felt I was really accomplishing something. With the market as slow as it is, I cannot imagine that a number of them won't contact me just to see what I am offering and what they will need to do.

Of course, I will keep you all updated.

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!"


Towns ?

Laughing out loud Yes ! Blink to hard & you'll miss them , except going south or southeast . I'm in the far northwest corner of that mailing route making the miles farther to the one major one . Guess I'll take the lessor of the 2 evils . Now if I could just fix the climate. Think we could average our situations out ? Laughing out loud Thank you for taking the time to look it up! Niche , yes .
Where is my snowshoes !


Karen,

Even though I don't always post; I usually stop by. You are so positive that I always feel better when I do. Thanks for the great attitude...it is contagious. And yes; I DO chose to make 2011 THE year I finally breakthrough!!!

__________________

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


Syndicate content