Shawn's Road in trying to be successful

Hey Shawn I feel ur pain. At the age of 49 I traveled to a small tropical island part of the Philippines. I got me a gorgeous young wife. I just didnt want to deal with these overweight hags my age. It was the best thing I ever did. I'll take you with me next trip, I spend 4-6 months there every year. Lets also do some Real Estate. Randoskie It seems u need a good kick in the butt to get u in gear.

kick me in the butt but make it so hard i fly out of this world. In the mean time I have contact with two people that are currently selling their properties, still trying to get all the information as to why they are selling and such to see what comes out of it. Ran an ad on cl and at least I did get two answers to my ad and then a call out of Ca as well to my 800 number and some one actually did leave a message this time to for once so have to listen to this and see what this one is all about. Who knows things may finally start to get to rolling but do not want to get my hopes or any thing up just yet but just take things as they go. I did send you a pm as well was wondering if you got it or not.

Shawn

Ok something new and interesting to post on here for once. I have a 4 Br 2.5 Ba built in 1977 with 2200 sq ft, brick home, 2 car detached garage in a great neighborhood. Asking price is 100k, fmv is 144k, needs minor work like carpet and paint so would say 5k for this leaving 40k equity. The property location is in the outskirts of houston tx and would make a good rental property or some one could live in it themselves. If any one here would be interested in this property then contact me, now I have to get busy running ads for this property and try to find a buyer for it else where as well.

Shawn

Well took more action today while I was in town I drove by two properties, one for rent and one a for sale by owner property. Contacted both parties, the property for rent was not for sale but the person I talked with is also an investor too looking to by more properties in the area for rental properties and pays cash for them so got his info and what type of properties he is looking for, he also drives around the area looking for properties also. As for the for sale by owner, he admitted it may be some what over price but is going by what other properties in the area sold for and are listed at. He would take less for the property due to it is a house decorated the way he likes and some buyers may not care for his taste. He is selling to move out of town and looking to build his own house on another property. Will keep him on my list, also asked him if he would be interested in other kinds of financing and would give it thought and yes rando I did ask about what we have discussed to and said he would think about and let me know but I will contact him again in a couple weeks.
Since I have a new work schedule it gives me more time off than I had before so utilized this time to go drive around in town while getting things done. These two properties I have seen before while shopping but just did not take the time to write down the info but this time I went out of my way no matter what to get this info to call them and check out the location where they are located for more properties.

Shawn

A seller recently contacted me about him wanting to sell his property, after description and all it sounds like a very nice place but I do not think I can do anything with this one, here are some of the details, 4 br 2 ba, 2 story home, custom built, 160 acres, five ponds, and a barn, waiting for the address so I can run comps to see what the property would be worth, there is a note on the property for 190,000 he is still paying on at the moment. Still thinking to see what I can do with this and how to make things work out as well so any one here looking for this type of property just let me know.

Shawn

That wants to work with me in my real estate investing venture. This agent had contacted me some time ago actually asking me if I only invest in the Dallas Ft Worth area only and I had told him no not really and that I would be interested in other areas as well if there are good deals there to be found. This agent has contacts with closing offices and will run cmas for me with no problem when I need them and can send me pictures of the properties I would be interested in too. He also has access to Reo and foreclosures as well which will be a great asset to me also. So right now I am working on putting my team together from getting a good mortgage broker, lawyer, and hard money lenders in his area as well. So maybe I can get things started in La since I have had some problems finding agents to work with in other states.

Shawn

I just thought I would give you a quick tip when looking through the properties the agent is sending you. 99% of listings that are listed by an agent will be listed very close to the market value of the area. It is there job to try and get as much money as possible for their seller. That does not mean they expect to get that much- if there are any clues in the comments such as "motivated seller" "bring offer" or if you tell your agent to let you know which ones are vacant these are all good signs that they have much more room to move on the price.

For that great information will keep that in mind like always, just some of the things I usually look for in the listings mostly along with how long the property has been on the market too.

Shawn

I know you've been working a lot, and not much time left for your rei; but even if it's a little every day, keep at it. The things we can do with the internet these days is amazing, and having an agent on your team will take care of a big chunk of your time!

Wishing you much success,
Valerie

First post since the new year has begun and I would like to wish every one here all the best in this new year. I have looked at a property close to where I live and after doing some number running and the such the property could be rented out as is for a positive cash flow but the owners do not want to do owner financing on it as they are needing the money. This property is still empty due to the high price or nobody interested in it at all so I will be contacting the sellers again to see if they have changed their mind as to price and the like and let them know what I have come up with a fmv of the property in this area. Seeing how it is so close to where I live it would be easier for me to keep an eye on it when it is rented out. Since I have looked at this property another one around the corner is up for sale but with an agent instead.
I need to get my mind more back into real estate investing since it has gotten to a point when I get on my pc I just sit here and look and just do not know where to start any more or what to do, seems like all the information I have read about and the like has just left me or something. I think I am losing or have lost the drive in this stuff even though I still go over the books I have when I can and even deans new one as well. I just might have to start all over again from the beginning and see where this takes me.

Shawn

We all start over everyday and I too have started over many times. recently I started reading, doing the lessons, home etc. in 30 days to cash. It has helpded me to see a task and complete it. Perhaps that would be of help toyou? It has definatly given me a little more percise direction and is making it easier to see the tasks in order and to work them.

Wishing to success!

Is no doubt what I am going to have to do because of my work schedule in the past has kept me pretty busy to where I was not home much at all to do anything but eat and sleep so I am having to redo all my schedule to make up for changes made and get back on track some where. I have lost a lot of concentration in real estate investing as well that I have to gain back too and just get out and put more in it than I have been for the past several months. A lot of things have been happening around in the family that has tied me up pretty much to try and keep it on track but have managed to get this taken care of so this will give me more time as well. So now I can get back to deans new book and start at the beginning of it and follow it step by step and see what I can get accomplished now and put other things so to say on the back burner now.

Shawn

Again after so long, been using the what little time I have. I looked at a decent property up the street from where I live that is a fsbo. The owners owners own this property free and clear so there is a lot of equity in it. It is a 3br 1ba house sitting on close to 3 acres. With a little bit of work this could be made back into a 2 bath home since the actual owner had the shower and toilette take out of one of the bathrooms. The metal roof, septic system and hvac have been recently replace in the past couple years. With some upgrades I could flip it or leave it the way it is and just rent it out since rentals are going pretty quick out here in the country too.
The sister of the owner is selling the property for her because she is too sick to handle this and then the one that is selling her husband has been pretty sick too so money is needed for medical bills. The asking price was the tax appraisal on the property of 55k. When I looked at the property she said she could go down but not much and had also mentioned there are others going to look at the property too.
After giving her a couple of weeks I called back and told her that I had done some research as to the fmv of the propety which is 40k which is what other properties of this type or close to it have been going for. The sellers of these properties have asked for more just like she did and did not sell their property so they are renting them instead.
Next to this house is a nice one that has a fmv of 110k but asking price was 79k and was on the market a week and it got a contract on it. I know of an investor that is also buying these types of properties so I will be contacting him to see if he would be interested in this one as well and then try for a rent to own or just rent it out for the time being.
On total view it cannot do a fmv on it so I am having to try other sources to see what I can come up with but my offer of 40k is pretty close to where as the appraisal itself will come out at around 60k so if the owner does owner financing then me refi later there should not be much of a problem there.

Shawn

Just got my decals for my van advertising that I am an investor and looking to buy and sell properties in the area so have to get busy now and get these put on before I go to town today to go shopping at wal-mart. Lots of people here that will see my ad on my van.
On my way to work yesterday another property went up for sale by owner again just up the hwy from where I live. Just got home at 1:45 am and hit the pc to do some research to find out these owners are behind on their taxes. This is just what I was thinking because here some time ago i saw the local sheriffs deputy at the property so he must of been serving them their tax notice. Will be visiting with these people to find out more and see exactly why they are selling and what are they looking to get.
On my way home I left them a business card in their mail box so they have it before I do make it by to talk with them as well. Maybe this will be a good wholesale property too since I came across a great web site to advertise to other investors as well in this area.

Shawn

I shall fear no evil as I walk through the valley of real estate investing, working on my way to a better life.

FEDERAL OFFENSE - I've heard you can get in trouble for doing that.. I wouldn't do that anymore. man I know it seems silly. but hey its uncle sams mailbox....... we will see what others have to say about it..

good luck....
WALT

this might be a good time to go talk to them and tell them what you did and could you pleeeeease get your card out of there mailbox before the mail runs today. the 14 april. hey look at this as an icebreaker. y'all can laugh and lead into conversation about there house.

Complaints from any one about this before but thanks walt will keep this in mind. I also have postcards now as well that I can mail out too. I look at it as an advertisement that gets put into a lot of people mail boxes with the exception I put it there. To me the mail box is owned by the home owner and not the fed, they only can do something if mail has been taken out that has been delivered by the usps.

Shawn

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

I read your post on my journal-sorry about your wife not being able to find a job; but I know you won't let that distract you from your rei goals! Keep visualizing where you want to be and then take steps towards your goal, you will get there! Only You can make it happen! so keep at it!!!

... and we will see you at the Edge Event next year!!
Val

By Val. Oh I am not letting this stop me one bit, it is just some thing that she thinks she has to do to find a job easier and this drives me more and more into rei as well. Yesterday I went out and put on some decals on our van for advertisement since she will be in the big metroplex Dallas during school so hopefully will get some calls from this area. I know where I want to be and I am bound and determined to get there as well sooner or later and will do what it takes so she does not have to drive forever. Seeing how I finally got a better work schedule now to where I am home at around 4 pm this gives me time after work to make calls and then all day Friday.
I have been keeping an eye on a property up the road that still has not sold yet either that the owner is trying to sell themselves. Made an offer but never heard back so will be calling them to see what I can do with it. One of those hard nuts to crack but I am working on it and then I am on another site that some one has mentioned here too called myhousedeals.com and have ran across several properties here that are being wholesaled that I am thinking about a fix and flip.
I have a couple of agents in the metroplex to call as well, have contacted a contracted as to what he charges to fix properties, working on the rest of my team here as well.
Just so much going on lately since I got my new schedule but am getting this organized too so just something that takes time.

Shawn

I shall fear no evil or naysayers as I walk through the valley of Real Estate Investing working my way to a better life for myself and my family.

Well I still cannot believe this is happening, here is what I am talking about, my wife has been driving around the Dallas area for the past three weeks, I have put window decals on my van, not a clunker or such either, a pretty nice one well taken care of, since she has been driving around these three weeks with the window decals on it not a single phone call. Is there not any one in the Dallas area not needing to sell. What does it say on the decals, here it is, My name, real estate investor, my phone nr, not an 800 nr, a local phone number listing, and then I buy houses any condition all big print made by vista print.com. Now this makes me wonder what to do next in a big city like this. Does some one have a curse on me or something just to make sure nothing works for me at all. Beats me but guess I will have to think of another way as well, cannot change the decals these were not that expensive but no cheap either and would be a waste.

If it was not for one thing going wrong some how or another then the next thing pops up. It is all just hurdles all along the way making me having to jump each and every one.

Shawn

Something just cannot be right or is there a curse on me trying to do real estate investing. Put window decals on the windows of my van, 2001 Dodge caravan, no dents, well kept and always clean. Have driven around Dallas Tx here lately 3 weeks on end and then once a week afterwards and not a single call from any one. Are there not any people in this area needing to sell or wanting to buy. My van was being driven around dallas in high traffic times and mostly stop and go too and nothing.
These decals cover almost half of the window on my van so they are not too small to be seen and I have them on both sides too. So this just makes me wonder what did I do wrong.
Next week I am planning on going to a rei club meeting in Dallas as well after I get off work so maybe this will be interesting too since I am having to drive 100 miles one way to get there and that is the closest one to where I live that is on a day I can make after work. I just need to do something to try and get things going before I just up and leave it all behind me and say it did not work, it will not work, I am cursed in my life to where nothing goes right.
There are times now that come and go where this makes me so depressed from nothing happening or going anywhere that I could just say the heck with it all, turn my back to everything and say no more, and just give up on everything in life or all that has to do with it because it just does not seem to be worth it any more. I shall fear no evil as I walk through the valley of death or the valley of real estate investing either it is all just the same either way it seems like lately.

Shawn

Well I am getting things done on my off day from work. Called two agents so far from Keller Williams, first one did not know which agents in the office worked with investors so she will research this for me. Second on I called was an agent setting at the front desk that works with investors himself. We discussed about what kind of properties would be good to look at and take into consideration for a fix and flip deal. We made a time to meet in person to discuss things and he will be sending me a list of properties that he thinks would be good for this.
I am reading deans book 30 days to real estate cash again for no matter how many times and going to follow it step by step and today was call agents day. I have set my mind to do more than I have been doing no matter what it takes or how I feel. Step by step, day by day, week by week I will make my way and shall fear now evil as I walk the journey of being an investor.

Shawn

Shawn,

One thing I have learned as a Coach for Dean is that convincing someone about Dean is not important. Dean teaches correct principles. These principles will help you make money. When you are teaching something that is the truth or that is correct you do not have to prove your point.

If someone is not interested they have the freedom to walk away. They even have the right to criticize and complain. We have to remember that we too can walk away from someone who is trying to bring us down.

Life is too short to give up on a dream that excites you. Spend time with those who encourage you and build you up. Rub shoulders with success and you will be successful.

Find your dream and then work for it.

As a coach, one of the questions I am often asked is, "How do I find an agent?"

Sometimes I think we go into overdrive when we start talking to an agent. We give them so much information that we may drive them away. Remember, they do not know what we know. By and large an agent does not have the same concept of what an investor is as compared to what we know. These differences can scare an agent off because he or she simply does not understand what we want to do.

Keep it simple. Tell an agent we are investors that have success by looking for particular properties. The following are what we are looking for in a property:

1. 180 days on the MLS
2. Vacant
3. The price has dropped at least once
4. The property needs rehab work

To convince any one about dean or his products nor advertise for him either. I am just mentioning for my own purpose and for those that are interested which book I am reading. There are always ones that take things the wrong way, I am not here to coach any one as well. I am here to make things happen and to take action to make things happen even though I have been on this site for some time now trying to make a better way in living than what I have or am currently living. As for nay sayers I do not have much of a problem with these because I do not hear comments like it will not work, you cannot do this or that either. I could say I just give up and the heck with all this stuff too it just does not work but no that is not my route or direction either. Giving up and such has been thrown out of my life a long time ago. I am not here to tell life stories or how bad things have been in the past either, it would take a book. There is always some one that has had it worse than me. I am always looking for a way just to keep on going and to get things done to try and make more accomplishments in life and get out the best I can along the way as well.
AS for the information to give an agent, no I did not say what I was going to do with the property but just fix, flip and sale, looking to make a profit of 20 to 25k, I want in and out of the deal in a short period of time. I told him what kind of properties I am interested in such as starter homes in good areas, empty, fixer upper and the like, and the price drop I will bring it up the next time when we talk.

Shawn

Hi Shawn,

I just read your blog and I have to say, I am surprised you've had such problems finding an agent to help you meet your goals. I am in the Dallas area, and I have been having trouble finding investors who have the means to snap up the deals I find for them! The DFW area is rich with discounted properties, whether foreclosures, REOs, or just regular home owners wanting to get out of their mortgage. I hope this isnt considered advertising (thats against the rules I believe), but more of a fellow student offering assistance to someone who's asked for it. If you have investors who are ready to buy, and you still need help from a Realtor to find the deals, PM me and we can talk!

Good luck,
Monica

Monica thanks for contacting me I have sent you a pm as well. I will be meeting with an agent tomorrow in Dallas. Been wanting to go to an investor meeting in the Dallas area but family problems have been keeping me away from this just my luck. Seems like when I make plans for it something will go wrong, no excuse it just happens this way for me.

Shawn

I think Monica is offering to help you and she IS an agent.

This is GOOD luck.

Karen

Karen yeah that is what I am thinking so I did send her a pm earlier too, maybe things will just turn around a little bit for the better side, I am jumping on every opportunity that knocks on my door and try all I can too.

Shawn

You know we have been buds since way back. I am going to say something here and please know it is sent with love.

I know it has been rough. And that you have hung in in spite of it all. I applaud you for that and am so very glad you are still here. But you gotta change your "stinking thinking". Please go back and read your posts. They are SO negative. The Law of Attraction is ABSOLUTELY real!!!

Start making a list every day of five things you are thankful for. Hey, you have a great family that has hung in there with you. You have a nice van that you can hang signs on. You have a job that is bringing in money while you get this thing rolling. You have us for support. And you found Dean and his program to give you your plan of action.

And now, Honey, you've been handed a realtor!!!!

I would say, you are a very, very lucky man! And good things happen for lucky men! Just start thinking about how lucky you are and luck will be drawn to you. It has no choice! It is the law! The Law of Attraction is as unexplainable as The Law of Gravity but do you doubt that?

Have a great evening and the rest of your life, Shawn with a "W"!

Karen

Shawn, unfortunately there are not enough words to convince when the other person has put up a wall and is not receptive. Please please do not give up! Those around you that are naysayers will be quieted when you are closing deals and putting cash in your account. You may have to minimize the talking and focus on the doing. I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this but you know in your heart that Dean is the real deal. I've been a real estate coach for Dean for 3 yrs now. I talk to students daily who have their own struggles similar to yours. The ones that stay focused and keep moving forward, close deals. Then the naysayers are quieted! Some turn and want to learn and others are just shutdown and stop paying attention. Unfortunately, alot of people are uncomfortable with others moving forward and striving for success without them. Don't let people like this hold you back. If it is your spouse then you need to use your best judgement. But when you truly love someone, you will support them in their passion and dream.

Don't give up! Keep moving forward!