OfflineI've purchased Dean's last 2 packages. PFRERN and then the Your Town package. The first was last year and I read the book and began to poke around, but I didn't participate in the forums in any way. And I know that is really the best way to keep going.
Right now IS the best time to get started for me. I got hit by a car on 12/30/10 and have been off work since. My FMLA is up and I've not yet been cleared to return to work. My next appointment is 4/15 and so I'm going to spend the next 10 days staying focused and on track.
I know Dean has a website for us and I've purchased my own domain as well. I've got some ideas that I'm going to explore while I'm listening to the Fast Track Audios and following the directions.
I'm based in Princeton, NJ. I started poking around with the software and identified my 3 areas that I want to work with, but got distracted. I do that a lot. But I'm making a commitment to myself and the forum that I'm going to do each days activities before I do anything else.
Right now, I have nothing but time, so I'm going to make that investment in myself and make the next 30 days the most productive ones I've ever had.
John Archer
I have a new girlfriend and in our conversations she told me about this house she saw driving to work. It is vacant and looked like something I could help her with. I started structuring what I thought would be a good offer and while checking things out, discovered there's an offer pending. A little disappointed, but at the same time, I realized that I've gained a lot from Dean's books already.
Sooo, she visited me this weekend and we were talking about finding another house for us. She just started a new job last week and is commuting 45 minutes to work at the moment. We decided to do a search with a 10 mile radius of her new job.
Found a house that's listed for 72,200 down from 95,500. States it's a fixer upper. Been on the market for about 200 days. Going to see it Probably Thursday afternoon.
Sales in the last 60 days are in the 110k-150K. Go back a few months and there are more in the 200K range. Lots of schools in the area.
Here are my thoughts that I want to put into the contract. I realize I need to do a bit more research. But want to get some feedback from the forum.
1st idea is to make the offer for the asking price PLUS whatever the repair costs will be put into the loan.
2nd idea is to get an estimate of the repairs and deduct that estimate from the offer.
I am not in love with the property, I AM in love with the fact that I can do this and I actually have been paying attention.
Thanks,
John
The area the new girlfriend is located in seems to be pretty ripe for investment.
Found a 3 unit 2/1 listed for 125K. Vacant, but was Section 8 for 900 each. Certainly one to explore. Quite a few to look at. Getting more hopeful with every ad I'm reading and researching.
John
I'm still searching. Looking in Carrol County, MD area. Found a great site to use for research. www.redfin.com has a lot of information on it's site for listings, including recent sales, full disclosures, school information and a lot more.
I decided to google REO Maryland and discovered a site called REOMD.com I filled out a form and got a phone call from a realtor this morning. She told me that the firm has been in business for 15 years and they will work with me on every level. She's willing to follow the Matt Larson model which is what I'm concentrating on. I'm planning on offering 40% minus any repair costs that might be needed. Right now, I have about 25 properties on my list to look at. My appointment isn't until June 3rd, so I'm going to spend the next 10 days looking for buyers and funding.
One other development from this morning, I went to Dean's Facebook page and while scrolling through the last week or so of comments, I came across a guy who was asking for help and even put his phone number in the comment. I decided to call him with the actual intention of offering some encouragement. Turns out that he's read Dean's books and is working on his 4th deal. He hasn't even joined the forum yet, which I urged him to do. He wants to ramp things up a bit and also wants to support others as well.
So a very busy few days that are telling me that my time is NOW and I'm taking action