Lisa's progress journal

So far I have really centered on trying to play this game through a real estate agent and following the rmls to find houses. I really felt why try to find houses that arent event on the market when there are a wealth of them on the market. Well that has only gotten me frustrated because agents refuse to see the potential we investors have for them and the rmls is all about agents.

So Im going to approach this the hard way. It least it seems the hard way to me because now I have to go in search of potential sellers that may not even know they need to sell or think they couldnt sell. So that means marketing, marketing, marketing. I know this is what Dean has been teaching through the bandit signs and flyers, etc. But I really thought why go to all that work when there are houses all over on the market. Unfortionatly those are a dead end street because you have to deal with the dragon at the gate (agent) who is closed minded. So Ive dwelled on this long enough time to move on.

I set up a Google voice account today with an alternate number to use on marketing material. Bought some bright colored paper for flyers and going to set up a system of who is my target and where best can I reach them.

Its a start in another direction and mabie that door I am looking for.

Lisa, thank you for this thread. It's quite eye-opening. It's also quite inspiring that you keep taking those steps forward in your real estate investing career despite the hurdles and frustrations.

Since I last wrote I had to put down my beloved dog, one that was a very special companion. That put me into a bit of a funk and have not felt like writting. However I have tried to persue a marketing plan. I went door to door putting out flyers on a neighborhood I had picked for potential sellers. Put out 50 flyers but didnt get one response. In the mean time my partner and I found a house to buy that we absolutly love. We had been looking for acreage in the country but thought we couldnt buy anything due to prohibitive prices. But because prices are way down we were able to find one and able to use USDA financing. We are close to closing, hopefully next week. Now I need to find renters for a home that I have owned for some time. I have never been a landlord before and am trying to learn everything I can. I have joined the local Rental Housing Association to get the proper forms and now I need to place an ad. Since I have owned the house for some time I should be able to profit about 400 a month on it. So this is a start, not how I wanted to go about this but a start.
Still hope to do some assignments but need to get back to the marketing plan.
The market here in Oregon was not hit as hard as the rest of the US and so far Im not finding the deals that other people say are out there.
The next month is going to be about moving and getting a renter in my place. Im sending out thoughts to the universe that the perfect renter comes my way. Thats all for now.

Hi my name is Angie and I live in Salem, Oregon. I'm thinking that maybe Portland is the wrong place for you to be investing right now. Maybe you should move your investments here to Salem. It's a bit of a drive to see the houses but there are lots of possiblitys here on Craig's list and agents that seem to be a lot nicer than the ones that you've been bumping into. (you poor thing). You seem to be a really motivated and positive person. Maybe we should team up. I've been having problems with the buyer's list. Anyways, it was just a thought. I've got a Broker here who's been helping me out and he is as nice as he could be and says he loves to help people who need help in Real Estate. He's willing to do what he can. I am also meeting with a Mortgage Lender who is also such a nice person and wants to see what she can do and is so willing to help someone out with not so wonderful credit. But, you may want to think on that. Maybe move your investments over to the next city and see what you can do. Good luck to you! I enjoy reading your journal!