Gena's Gernal AE (After Edge) :)

I guess we'll both be picking on the same area. I didn't need Matt to tell me it was a good area. Just a little different type of acquisition.

Just for the record, I told Matt, he agreed.

You are taking a great step! I too took Nathan's presentation to heart (or maybe the markers got to me too much ). It was really great to meet you!

I, too am focusing on a little different strategy right now right here while I'm in PHX. But, I'm more like Rena, I've GOT to try everything, so if I'm ever in a bind I can fall back on one technique or another. Since CA wasn't working too well, I researched this area before we got here. Get this, what has not happened yet in CA (getting a realtor) happened here in under an hour, its NOT me! LOL I have 2 investor friendly realtors working with me! They also have several reliable contractors and HMLers. WOW, its just too easy outside of CA! I'm waiting to see how it will all unfold.

But, I am remaining focused on this for a while before jumping back into rehabs, I have my magnifying glass next to me right now.

Great job, just wondering, the 17 Bandit signs you put out? What did they say on them?

Thanks
Curtis Fillers
(Charlotte,NC)

Sounds excellent! Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your progress.

It was nice to meet you in person. I wish we were able to spend a little more time together talking but I did enjoy the time we did talk.

I wish you and your family more success.

God Bless.

Steve and Veronica.

It was great meeting you and husband at the edge.ISN'T it awesome to be fired up from the edge with a newfound passion to reach even higher goals!!!!! It is soo cool to hear what each one of us is doing immediatly upon getting home.keep up your inspiring goals ..it motivates us all to strive higher!!.hope to see you guys on the cruise! !!
Jay

Tammy - I did enjoy meeting you, seeing you on stage and asking questions - you are a seeker of knowledge and success! Knock and the door will be opened... I love that you researched Phoenix before you came, how smart! Go get 'em and keep us posted. I've got it going in a small way in Seattle-area and will continue, but I want to shake up Cleveland real bad!

Curtis - I'm doing exacting what Matt Larson knows to work!
"We Buy Houses
Any Condition
local phone #"
At the edge he did vary it the littlest bit and said "I buy houses!"
Yellow corrugated plastic 24x36 from signwarehouse.com - call them and ask for free shipping. Hand written with black magnum permanent market

Steve - thanks so much for coming over to talk briefly. I do regret we didn't get to really chat and I didn't ever meet Veronica. But,now you have real face and voice in my head. Let's definately stay in touch. I want to know the new things you do!

Jay - You are just a blast! Your energy is magnetic! Loved meeting you and seeing the familly. Handsome boy you got there! You have a spirit of adventure and zest for life. I hope to see you again and again.

Now, onto the to do list. I'll post progress tonight.

God Bless your days all.

Psalm 1:1-3

so glad to see you posting a journal now!

Allen, Denise, and Linda - thanks for the greetings. It means a lot.

Hello DG Fam,
This has been an A+ day. I woke up ready to roll. Got my start on a power team in Cleveland by hooking up with the president of the REI club there who promises to send me lots of referrals. Also pouring through youtube and craigslist for contacts in Cleveland. Also took care of some details on the current listed rehab and made 5 offers on houses locally. Not too bad if I say so myself
I have no doubt I am going to find investors for this ridiculous opportunity. I already have a buyers list of course, but this goes beyond a simple assignment (listen to me - I haven't even done an assignment before LOL)
Man, am I pumped and optimistic, no beyond optimistic, confident without a doubt that this is going to happen in a B I G way. Even "doubting Thomas" hubby is excited and believing. LOL He's such a good man. I didn't even realize how discouraged I had become, despite doing a few deals - I want the Rock Star achievement status, and after the Edge, I can see it, I can see it.
Nothing but blue skies...
Blessings are all around us, we just have to open our eyes.
Gena

Come on now - step forward. It promises to be a thrilling ride.

but, I'm cheering you on. I'm getting ready to start in Detroit, so maybe we can share experiences.

Bill Pohl is in Cleveland.

like your butt is on fire too from the EDGE! WAY TO GO TAKE ACTION!

It is CERTAIN WE WILL SUCCEED!

you know better....I'm in Cincinnati. Tammy knows better too!!

I'm just thinking OH! Naughty me!

Its not my fault really. Nathan street had me writing on that board that Dean uses to do his teaching videos, and those darn markers are so strong and intoxicating that they've affected my brain!

I am so glad that I got a chance to meet you and your hubby. Of course, you look NOTHING like your picture!

I know you are going to do great things. Good for you on your jump start on the rest of your life!

Karen

awesome!!!!! Yeah what a burning desire that the edge creates in all of us.We know with the wisdom and tips we received that there is no reason we cannot take this to the next level.we have it in us now and the only thing to do now is take action every day full bore ahead!! Congrats on cleaveland investing...go get it! !!!!!!!!!
Jay

Hey Gena!

Congrats! You are going to do well! I think your hubby has finally leached on to the concept! I can see that he believes in you. Keep up the hard work!

Jeri Berry

So there is one thing (technically four things) that I always put before my REI and sometimes it sets me behind on my goals. That one thing (or four:))is/are my kids. My son turns 25 tomorrow. He's had a year contract job that just ended and he was hanging around the house this morning and felt like talking. Now just what would you do? Show him the to do list and say "Sorry I'm busy", or soak in the warmth of a 25 year old who still likes to hang out with his mom? So much for the morning's goals.
Then the tree guy called and needed me to approve his work and pay him. Cash - no receipt - Hey I still need that receipt buddy. My accountants have me on the straight and narrow. Man did they rake me over the coals for no 1099 intent earlier. I debated that issue at length and decided I'm in this for the long haul and am just going to do it all legally/ethically/morally, even it that isn't always the more economical route.
Then my accountant called and wanted a meeting - the same accountant who had me trembling in the last meeting about the 1099's or lack thereof - actually a great guy who found nearly an additional $5K refund in my 09 tax return the THE TAX CLUB failed to do (not a good experience with them). He spent 2 1/2 hours educating me today (so much for the afternoon to do list). This starting a business stuff is no small deal. I'm learning so much - this is a good way to stave off alzheimers. And tonight my youngest daughter was inducted into the Junior National Honor Society. What? was I going to miss that for the to do list? No.
Am I rambling? It's been that kind of day. But I did make more progress on the Cleveland Power Team and actually approached my brother-in-law for PM. We'll see what happens there. He's from Cleveland too of course, so maybe he'll bite. Also bugged my realtor about the offers I gave him 2 days ago and he has STILL NOT submitted. Hmmmmmmmm.
So those of you with little kids - don't neglect to enjoy. Then they'll still like you when they are 6'4" and a quarter decade old.
Tomorrow's another day and I'll hit it hard, before and after I take my son out to breakfast for his birthday.

Ronnie - Thanks for dropping by - best to you!

Delta, oops Karen- it was wonderful to meet you. Can't wait to here about your soon coming deals!

Jay - ya, despite my day the fire is burning - there is no stopping me - only little delays for life

Tammy - you are a tiger - go get em girl

Bill - I'm gonna give you a call soon about thie remote team set up. You are an expert.

Jeri - I love what you said about being able to see that my husband believes in me. Thank you. I'll be in touch before long.

Are you really supposed to be giddy excited when you work?
I just got off the phone with a realtor, very knowledgeable about investments, in Cleveland. He's the broker and has been doing this for 35 years. We talked at length and man, do I sound like I know what I'm talking about! He's sending me listings. I may have found a great member of my team and he knows all the other components needed. I can't wait. This is crazy.

I own about 3 dozen properties in Cleveland and am netting at least 12K monthly. I do a flip every month or two and bring in another 40K; I also assign a lot of homes to my private investor network and make about 20K monthly doing that. Nick has quit his job and is acting in local theatres. We've both lost a lot of weight and exercise regularly. All our credit cards are paid off. Tuition for my two youngest college bound girls is no issue at all. We take two vacations a year and bring all the kids along with their spouses. I've got 8 piano students who really love to make music with me just cuz I want to. Our mortgage is paid off, and we moved to Edmonds where we can walk into town and to the beach. Of course, we have someone clean the house and cut the lawn weekly. We often spend weekends on Orcas or Whidbey Island. I've bought several paintings from James Hardman and other artists I love. Also, I'm learning to play the harp and hammered dulcimer. It was a lot of fun picking out those instruments. For Nick's birthday in August, I'm getting him a Grand National; he's always wanted one.

I almost have tears in my eyes.

I've never ever been able to believe these future facts before.

Got 2 private money investors, one likely to become a partner. Got Nick's 100% support, got a self-directly IRA on the burner, got a realtor in the know and a GC ready to go.
Watch out . . .

This was a big day. I had a friend in Cleveland meet with the realtor I found and look at about 7 houses. First of all, seems like the realtor is a winner - honest, educational. There was one house that looks like a good moderate fixer (really don't want to deal with standing water in basements from cracked foundations on 100 year old homes). Apparently, the good REOs move pretty quickly there. This has only been on the market about a week. The realtor said using an inspection contingency will be non-competitive, but there's no way I'm foregoing that safety net. I also have found a realtor for the other side of town.
I just can't make this happen quickly enough. I'm biting at the bit. I actually do wake up anxious to get to work.
I'm still looking for a no-season refi in the Cleveland area. No luck so far, but it has to be out there. Anyone know of someone you suspect might be licensed in Ohio, I'd sure appreciate the lead.
On the home front, went shopping with my youngest for her ninth grade party dress. Found a beauty. Such delights in life.

In my Cleveland RE journey! I didn't actually make any offers in Cleveland until yesterday. The realtor I am working with on this first potential deal warned me away from the home I was planning to offer on a few days ago. Said the neighborhood was heading the wrong direction, and I could do better. Now, you've gotta love a realtor whose first priority in NOT the fast buck. He understands my goal is to buy 10 houses in 12 months and repeat it each year. That helps. But yesterday I did put in an offer on an estate property, less than 50% ARV, with a 23% ROI. Unfortunately, like so many good listed deals, there are multiple offers on the table, but mine is pretty strong. So we'll see; they are taking their time responding.
Today, with a second realtor I'm working with I'm putting together another offer, similar values.
Also - TADA- I have found a no season refi lender!!! Yes! Thanks to a tip from another DG fam member. Big smile:D
And - I had to make a tough decision this week about whether or not to enter into a partnership with another investor. After weighing the pros and cons, I decided against it. That was tough.
I'm on the rampage for PM. I've got at least one committed. Also working on setting up a self direct IRA.
So far, I love this remote stuff. It feels way easier than working locally here in Seattle.
Once I'm fully established with my team, I'll find someone to pound those great bandit signs in Ohio soil.

Gena

What an inspiring journal. I think you were sitting in front of me at the EDGE 2011 on Sunday. I tapped your shoulder and asked you about the additional training you were going to do through DG. Is all of this new action described in your journal and out of town investing like in OH a result of that? If so, I too will go for it.

Your story is what it is all about, being able to support family and friends and do as much or as little as you like. It looks like the remote deals have an appeal. Was it hard to set up a team from afar? How did you go about it?

Keep it up,

judi

Thanks for your comment. I've taken a lot of education with Dean's groups. I started in the Success Academy, did my 5 deals in 12 months and got my tuition back. I got a bit detoured (long story), so I needed a new kickstart which I did with the Insider's Edge training. That included 2 classes at PMI (Fast Cash & Cash Flow) that were excellent, the Buying Summit and -gasp- a 3 day mentorship with Matt Larson - double gasp-! The Edge was the last event I attended (Thanks to Dean who paid our way because I was runner up in the Send Me Away contest:))
At this point I'm not signed up for anything further, though I would LOVE to do the 3 day with Dean himself. Ahhhhh.
So the knowledge and inspiration and confidence it took to get this going has been an accumulation from all the above. I feel like I had to plow my way through a slow year and a half to get to this point where I expect it to explode.
It has not been difficult to set up a remote team. I spent a couple days researching online - facebook, linked-in, youtube and just searches about investing in real estate in Cleveland. Came up with lots of names and started calling and sifting through. My team is still in formation, but I'm confident in what I have and where I'm headed.
Wishing you (all) great success!

It's been a while but I am so excited for you and proud of you. I too am experiencing a resurgence but nothing like the one you're on. I was out of the business so dissillussioned and down on myself until just a few weeks ago. I'm still trying to learn everything about everything but I'm getting answers faster and it's getting me more focused on what I want or need to do rather than getting me confused and overwhelmed like before. I need to ask you about some of these local issues such as the tribe in Marysville (I am also interested in that area). Anyway it sounds like you probably don't have time to explain all that now . I may have to look into operating out of state someday after I get some deals under my belt. I'll have to have you explain to me why it's easier to get things done there than here,,hmmmm.

OK I've eaten up enough of your time. You can get back to actually doing this stuff.

Thanks for sharing with this journal. You have already helped me with it.

Maybe I'll see you at REAPS on the 23rd?

Later
Steve

Never to busy to share! I plan on being at REAPS on the 23rd. I did do some research on Marysville and the tribal land, which is basically everything west of I5.
Steve, pick on thing and DO IT.
I am glad I started in my own back yard (Matt Larson's advice) because I have touched everything first hand.
But it is numbers. Consider this:
The last house I bought in Seattle area was $200K (so if you got one for $100K, that's really amazing, right). I could have a lease option tenant in there for about $1600. Now, in Cleveland, I am buying a house for $25K (1/8th the cost), and I can lease it for at least $800/mo (1/2 the price). There is just no comparison of ROI. And the $25K property has a FMV of around 50K, so still lots of equity too.
Plus, I'm not compelled to clean the windows, and pull the weeds myself to save a few bucks, while I'm watching deals go by.