Rick's journal

Looks like you had a great first week. Lookingforward to seeing your progress! best Wishes, Merry Christmas. Nice present to give to yourself with a great start day!

Now that week one is in the book, here's week two.

Posted 1st week’s activities to DG journal. Listened to BARM. Explored more DG site. Posted greetings to investors group requesting finder’s fee agreement and joined other groups. Found the following foreclosure site http://www.bankforeclosedlistings.com/foreclosure-homes/?adid=28112&cid=... it provides a listing and upcoming alerts for a fee. Read some real estate articals. Updated DG profile including separate REI e-mail address. Offered to split finder’s fee on successful foreclosure leads to one DG member. Contacted DG staff regarding a digital copy of a finders fee agreement. Explored http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/homes_for_sale houses offered by the government. Listened to next BARM chapter. Read more forum posts. Continued listening to BARM. (part 17) Found additional sources of foreclosures. Listeted to BARM (part 19). Copied finder’s fee agreement. Read more posts on DG forums. Sent message to partner with another DG “family” member. Found http://www.myhousedeals.com/cities/southflorida/index.asp?mmid=560&invad.... for South Florida property investment list. Reviewed part 19 of BARM.

Man this is hard work! But you know, it's worth it. Just imagine if I did this full-time. I look at it this way, after gaining the knowledge, I'll be able to help more people which is GOD's purpose for my life.

On to week three. I hope everyone have a safe and profitable new year (even if its not monitary). See ya next week.

It would seeem as though I'm slowing down. At least I'm increasing my RE knowledge. Baby steps I guess.

Nonetheless last week's activites included the following. Read additional posts from DG site. Decided on a game plan (wholesaling and working for a finder’s fee) and mapped them out. Crafted a buyer’s introduction letter. Reformated purchace agreement for future use. Wrote to fellow DG family member. Explored more on DG site. Contacted DG members re: Craig's List & Backpage advertising for pre-foreclosure and buyer solitation. Drafted my own versions pendin DG member response. Listened to the rest of BARM. Posted buyer’s ad to Google, Craig’s list, and Backpage. Reviewed last part of BARM. Reviewed and fine tuned goals. Created a financial statement. Searched for suitable example of an income statement and decided to have one prepaired by a pro. Reviwed lart part of BARM again. Created goals list. . Posted another buyer’s ad on Craig’s list. Activated Google buyer's ad. Explored more real estate sites. Consulted with a credit repair company and found out my credit score.

For those of you reading along, I hope this is insightful. I have some very important steps to take this week.

Good luck to everyone and see ya next week.

Hi Rick! Just checking on your example so I can get a clue. Thanks for taking the time to shoot over a helpful hint. See what I mean about me having fun with this? Thank you too, for your patience.

Well, the weeks just keep fling by. Here's another installment to my journal.

Posted previous weeks activities to DG site. Made reading DG posts an everyday event. Explored more RE and legal sites. Updated my DG profile. Searched internet for suitable RE agents, local title companies (that perform double closings) and RE lawyers leaving introduction e-mail. Read e-mail and posts on DG site. Took steps to clear up spam infecting my REI inbox. Checked on ads progress. Explored DG posts to get some ideas on getting business (RE agent,buters etc) to come to me based on my situation. Contacted DG family member to get a clearer view on “bird-dogging”. Drafted an intro letter to build my RE team. Posted lntro letter on Craig’s List, Exigoo, Backpage. Contacted South Florida chapter of Nation Assocation of Real Estate Broker s (NAREB), National Association of Independent Real Estate Brokers (NAIREB), The local chapter rep, Christian Real Estate Agents Association (CREAA), and local realtors in order to build my investment team. Continued to e-mail local RE professionals. Choose a website design to be altered later. Started reading “Dean;s list”. Reading more posts and from “Dean’s list”. Decided to fund my credit repair project from “bird-dogging”. Posted a buyer’s ad to google.

MAN, it dosen't get any easier? But it's alot of fun and the end result is worth it. Like any business, there is alot going on in the background.

As I look to the up coming week, I plan to put a dent in my goals list and see some real fruits of my labor. I'll see ya all next week when some real gains are made. And all, good fortune to you.

Wow Rick! With action like that how can you NOT succeed! Thanks for your great example! I got some "tough love" for my "jounaling". I guess it was just too much "talk" for someone but that was just me talking to "myself",really. Huh?! Anyway, yea, thats great! I will look forward to posting some of my own "action" steps here soon. In actuality, I have made some great "infrastructure" moves. ( joined the local REI club, contacted a Real Estate Broker/Realtor/Investor who has taken me under her "wing" and who also belongs to the club, joined a local Business "networking" breakfast club, at the suggestion of one of my clients-a retired CPA who has deep "contacts" and I have been able to get "close" to our State Senator as a result of being a member of the business club. Drafted my 24 hr recorded "robo msg". Set up my "home office" equip/supplies/etc, I have also hooked up with the Real Estate Investors Academy, and am in the beginning stages of getting started-beginning my second week in it. I read somewhere (in the book I think) Actually, "Elena Margaritis" chapter 7- story at the end, mentioned she believes this is a "peoples business". I would tend to have to agree. I really have a feeling that this "networking" is going to pay off big in the long run. Man!..... keep up the good work! THANKS for sharing! and.... will be following along.

I actually accomplished all items on my "to-do" list. In fact, I had to add to it 1/2 way through the week.

It all started with Posting the previous week's activities to DG journal. Started to develope webpage content. Responded to e-mail queries. Finalized home page design and content layout. Published my REI website (the link is located at the bottom of all my posts). Created a Google account (for ad/words). Responded to the 1st investor ad placed on Craig’s List. Updated signatures in DG profile and e-mail to include REI website link. Reviewed buyer’s list auto-pilot article. Explorred the county’s website. Contacted “We pay cash for houses” ads from local paper, Craig’s List, Backpage, and on-line ads. Set up Florida group (of buyers in Florida) in my contacts address book. Created a “bird-dogger” buyer’s spreadsheet to put buyer's information on. Read more posts and explored more of DG site. Posted quiry to my group regarding attracting buyers. Contacted South Florida Board of Realist. Followed up on group query. Responded to e-mail response. Signed up to be on e-mailing list of the auction companies and asked that they pass on my information to any interested buyers. Updated DG user profile (again). Contacted local title companies and also asked them to pass on my information to any interested buyers.

The pace quickened since last week. I hope it continues. I'll see you next week and good luck to everyone. Happy investing.

Dispite my many disabilities and challenges I manage to get quite a bit accomplished. And I added to my "to-do" list as the week progressed. My ritual started by Posting previous week’s activities to my DG journal. Posted RE ad on 456list.com (free service). Designed business cards (shipment pending). Posted ad on 456list.com (Broward county). Checked on all ads status. Varified Ad/words validation. Explored REO network.com. Explored local REI clubs’ information. Discovered a buyer’s listing (for $97) website and an excellent source of discounted property. Contacted MyHouseDeals.com to pass along my information. Read RE articals. Identified additional sources to market to for buyers. Selected test properties to get ownership information. Contacted local REI club requesting to share my information and subscribed to theire e-mail list. Contacted local contractors. Read more RE articals. Altered The Dean’s list so I could read it better. Joined local electronic RE message/Bulletin Boards. Contacted local Home inspectors and left information. Continued reading RE articals.

Okey, I caught my breath last week. This is too enjoyable to quit. I'm looking to do get alot accomplished this week. What handycaps? For those of you reading along good luck to you and good fortune to your family. See ya next week.

January was a very busy month. I gained alot of knowledge and a clearer picture on how to proceed as well as useful tips.

So lets dive into February. As is my weekly custom, I Posted to my DG journal. Read the Dean’s list. Checked all ads status. Contacted “Properties Wanted” ads (for buyers). Read RE articals. Reviewed Dean’s list techniques. Read more RE articals. Continued marketing campaigns (for buyers). Send e-mails out to potential buyers. Continued to read more RE articals. Send out more e-mails to potential buyers. Decided on a target area. Searched classifieds for buyers. Checked ads status again.

The future is very promissing. See you next week.

This was a slow week. Due to dialasys I took a day off from my business. However, my vision / direction became clearer. I started by Posting previous weeks activities to my DG journal. Discovered multiple ways to wholesale properties. Created and posted new buyers classified ad with new verbiage using selected keywords. Continued marketing campaigns. Posted to REI message board. Created a mission statement to show future buyers. Read RE articals. Continued marketing to buyers. Joined another RE club (for access to funding) and e-mail subscription. Sent e-mail to clearify a contracting question. Copied and altered an assignment of contract and customized a standard Agreement to Purchas contract. Both for future use. Read more RE articals. Updated my DG profile. Posted to REI group for networking purposes.

That's it sports fans, see you next week.

Who steped on the brakes? This week's activities are not as many as prevous weeks.

Of course the usual posting here. Started to build a business plan (which given how I plan to proced doesn't fit). I felt it mighgt be neccessary and to get a start on it. Continued to market to buyers. Read more RE articals. Sent out a series of e-mails requesting info on business plans to DG family. Finished correspondences from DG family inquires. Decided to put creating a businrss plan on hold. Posted new ads for homeowners and/or "bird-doggers". Posted more ads to homeowners (with slightly different verbiage). Completed posting to other on-line classifieds. Discovered a good REI resource website (http://www.nationalreihomes.com/tips-and-links.html).

Yeah, a short week. Looking ahead I can see how this "business" can work for me and the stress-free life I plan to lead. See you next week.

Aside from my daily duties of finding motivated sellers, e-mailing potential buyers, building my RE team, and reading RE articals I signed up with http://www.homesbyowner.com/broward/home.asp to get e-mail notices of new FSBO property. Found additional sources of FSBO”s at http://www.barbarasellsflorida.com/ and http://flhud.com/states/florida-foreclosures and http://www.fsbozone.com/whippoorwill/fsbo/?event=index&subEvent=index&do... Posted to REI on-line message boards. Signed up to receive e-mail for newly posted property and message board entries. Prepared finder’s fee agreement for new buyet (to "qualify" them to see if they were serious buyers). Sent buyers finder’s fee agreement. Registered with a property search engine http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/ Corrosponded with other buyers. Did some property searches. Prepared a list of properties for my buyers.

I did all of this while taking a couple days off (due to health reasons). I've got another week coming up and am excited about the outcome. Look to see you next week.

Due to health issues not much going on. Aside from some additional tasks, this week was the same as the previous week. I Posted to my DG journal. Completed necessary corrections to Agreement to Purchase agreement. Renewed Backpage ad. Sent Finder’s fee agreement to new buyer. Found http://realestateshowcase.com/broward/Fort_Lauderdale_Real_Estate.html with lots of usful links. Signed up to get mass e-mails from Craig’s List matching my search criteria. Renewed some of my CL ads. Corresponded to buyer’s request and other e-mails. Listened to conference calls. Finalized business card design.

That's a wrap sports fans. See you next week.

Due to a down network and health issues this has been a slow week. Started by weekly DG journal posting. Created a DG group post. Listened to more conference calls. Replied to estate sale ads. Set CL to mass e-mail based on new search criteria. Researched some FSBOs. E-mailed a buyer on possible property that was available. Refined search techniques. Sent search results (3) to my buyer. Signed up on totalviewrealestate. Checked out Homepath.com for possible property leads. Altered a non-disclosure/confidentiality agreement. Crafted a generic letter of introduction for potential realtors. Sent buyer e-mail regarding possible deal. Sent e-mail to advertiser of estate sale. Inquired on purchasing an available HUD home.

See you next week.

Thanks to jjensen for his short list to find buyer (and adapted to find sellers). He provided a list I used as a guideline to market with.

It end a busy (and promissing) week. It started by my weekly DG journal post. Set up Google alert for "estate sales" locally. Responded to realtors requests. Requested a foreclosure listing by e-mail. Reposted CL ads. Created text for next generation of ads. Found http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/FL/Miami-Fort-Lauderdale-West-Pa... to locate estate sales to contact admins to send intro e-mal. Responded to Google alerts. Signed up to receive e-mail notifications of upcoming estate sales. Sent e-mails to local estate sales. In going through the DG forum I found 98 ways to attract buyers. Adapting to suit sellers as well. Using Excel, created a spreadsheet for contacts (marketing & e-mail campins). Continued e-mailing to accountants. Contacted 3 locaal appraisers. Responded to appraiser’s call back and he is going to send contact info of other RE professionals so that I can start to build up my RE team. Corresponded with other appraisers. Set up free account at PennySaver to post my ads. Contacted chamber of commerce, home inspectors, Property Management Companies. Checked out Classifidesforfree.com. Signed up to get e-mail alerts from sell.com. Explored Upillar.com and Usfreeads.com. Contacted house for sale. Checked out oodle.com. E-mailed RE office and other listers regarding property availabilities. Read REI posts and articals. Completed free on-line advertising suggestions found in a post by another DGer (98 ways to attract a buyer). Other 86 requires some money and will have to wait.

"Winners never quit and quitters never win."-Vince Lombardi. See you next week.

Posted to my DG journal. Inquired if newly listed properties were still available. Corresponded with fellow DGers through PM regarding next generation of seller ads and marketing stratagies for finding sellers. Opened dialog with a realtor using 25:1 method (actually 25-30). No reply. Declined an offer to buy a home (not within my investing profile). Going into it, something didn't "smell" right. Descided to stop persuing another deal as the realtor was hesitant on giving me the property address. Another realtor I won't do business with. It almost seemed like it was a trade secret. Altered my sellers ad as per suggestions from other DGers. Posted ad to CL, Backpage, Exigoo, and PennySaver. Contacted local realtors in order to build my investment team and to use the 25:1 stratigy. Adapted a buyer’s ad I found on DG forum for my needs. No “ghost ad”s. Listened to conference call. Read more RE articals. Altered business card design. Edited a buyers intro letter for future use.

It would seem the more I read and grow the clearer my focus. Until next week...

Posted to my DG journal. Read RE & DG posts. Contacted over 20 local RE agents. Completed marketing plan. Renewed CL ads. Crafted template for my buyer’s (e-mail porpuses). Reviewed 3/1 conference call. Replied to 5 of the 24 realtors responding to my initial query. Requested a copy of Matt’s buyers e-mail template from DG admin. Contacted county requesting a list of cash buyers who have purchased in the past 90 days. Downloaded copy of Matt’s buyers e-mail template. Ordered local search profile to make it easy to find me locally and searches. County tax collector’s office was not privy to recent cash buyers. Contacted local title companies to get cash buyer’s list and ask about double closings. Altered Matt’s buyers e-mail template to suit me. Contacted 2 appraisers requesting their realtor contact me so that I can use the 25:1 stratagy. Started studing wholesaling techniques as described in DG forum post "Wholesaling basics 101". Sent another PM to a fellow DGer in the hopes to emulate her actions given my disibilities.

A very insightful week. To ALL DG superstars posting a heartfelt THANK YOU for your input. Michael, Anita, and Elana much appreaciation! It has proved very valuable. I'm so excited about next week. And Matt you're right, even the little things have a way of "snowballing". And of course Vince Lombardi. I'll see you next week. Happy investing. And a blessed Easter.

Another busy week. It started by posting entry to my DG journal. Finished studing “Wholesallng basics 101”. Renewed a Backpage ad. Sent e-mails inquring about property availability and called a few as well. Contacted several local divorce lawyers to generate leads. Responded to contractor’s response to my Craig’s List ad. Sumbitted ALL versions of my seller’s ads (5) to on-line advertisers and in print. Explored REI free classifieds at http://www.reifreeclassifieds.com/index.php?region=region213 a great site to market your property. Contacted county clerk’s office to get a list of recent cash buyers. Contacted local estate lawyers. Spoke to property owner (who later turned out to be an agent) of an available property. Created/altered web site content. Checked out PMD Properties.com. Checked out rehab/wholesale tool website. Checked out Tfunding POF letter website. Renewed another Backpage ad. Published my new website http://rickcooperinvestments.usapropertywholesale.com/ . Adding a link to it on my signatures. The old one will remain active for a while. Created a profile on Google+ to have searches find me. Submitted new website to SEO (search engine optimization). Checked out http://findcompsnow.com/index.php for finding “comps” and other data for free. Renewed all CL ads and placed a couple of new ones in real estate services section. Signed up with Salespider.com to post my ads and alert me on nrewly listed available properties. Listened to 9/14 conference call with Matt Larson.

Going back to last weeks comments, the more I involve myself on this site the more I'm blown away by the amount of knowledge found here. Alwayts tripping over nuggets. That's a wrap sports fans see you nexy week.

Anothger week has flown by. And as always filled with exciting new things. I started by posting an entry to my DG journal. Priced out OneBox and eFax packages for future communications use. Found Fax87 http://fax87.com/index.php?gclid=CMvN9dWTpa8CFQLonAod4zZ0YQ to be cheapest ($6.99 monthly). Requested quotes from property management companies and insurance companies to fill in the blanks on a proposed property offer. Placed an offer on two properties. Responded to possible deal with 2 houses where landlord is relocating. Activated a free Google voice account (754) 300-8359 and added it to my signatures. Altered agreement to purchase to include satisfactory escape clauses and terms. Listened to 9/14 conference call again. Made offer on a property after an earlier deal fell through. Renewed all CL ads. Intervied one realtor based on 9/14 conference call with Matt Larson.

A less busy week but no less exciting. The learning continues. See you next week.

Posted an entry to my DG journal. Placed ads on Exigoo, Pennysaver, and Backpage. Updated on-line ads and updated seller profile at Pennysaver. Renewed all CL ads (after editing most). Created a spreadsheet to track effectiveness of on-line ads. Watched most of the live vcast Monday night and them the replay. Sent an e-mail to all Broward County Re/Max outlets after talking to an agent. Requested a buyers list from a title company and county records office. Opened dialog with a REA and requested a list of buyers. Sent out e-mails to fellow DGers requesting that they pass along my contact information to their REAs. Sent e-mails to REAs from CL ads. Updated my profile with local REI club. Sent additional emails to REAs from my local REI club. Replied to “for rent” ads on CL and Backpage. Posted on DG site to ask for help in networking in Florida. See you next week.

I found your postings and I just want to say great job. Im fairly new myself and am still working at it. I think my biggest fear is going out there and talking to people. Even though I work in a field where I talk to people all day long, when it comes to doing business Im afraid to do the wrong thing. Keep up the good job!

Hi Rick
Just read your journal. Keep posting on a regular basis, it keeps you accountable. Sounds like you are making great progress and yes, this site is full of great information and many people with a ton of success and experience willing to mentor, answer questions and help in any way they can.

Judi

In dealing with a few REAs (up to now) I find one key factor that they focus on. Being furnished with a POF letter. WHAT A BUNCH OF #$%^&!! It's very simple, since I'm not buying the property (my buyer is) I don't need a POF letter. And really, at this point all I'm doing is asking them to pull a report of cash purchases in Broward County in the last 90 days. A couple key stroke. It's only going to benefit them when I need to sell a piece of property retail.

Getting off my soapbox now. That was part of my week. The rest was alot of fun. It started by me posting an entry to my DG journal. Signed on to linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/ for added exposure and updated profile there. Sent PMs to DGers in my Florida group for REA networking. Renewed all CL ads. E-mailed REA I met with last Friday and requested a buyers list. Joined another local REI club forum and posted requesting to have RE professionals join my team. Crafted a letter to send to sellers. Requested a buyers list from another REA. My patience is wearing thin. I’ll give it to weeks end to produce results in finding an investor-friendly REA and then I’m moving onto something else. But staying with REI. There‘s more than one way to skin a cat. Sent e-mails to county reps to get a buyers list. Sign up for REIClub . com http://reiclub.com/ established a networking presence. And explored thier website. Contacted Broward County Landlords Association, Florida Homebuyers Alliance, Real Estate & Business Network, The Millionaires Group to network for networking purposes. Altered a Letter (from DG site) to Cash Buyers. Registered with eBay and signed up for e-mail alerts on FSBOs. Checked FSBO ads on eBay and responded to ones I found fitting my investment profile. Checked status of all CL ads and searched through FSBOs. Sent e-mail to FSBOs found there.

Getting stoked on this next week. A couple new ideas I'll be working on. I'll let you know how they pan out. So I'll see ya next. Happy investing.

Well, another weel comes to an end. Full of surprises. I started the week as I do all my weeks by a posted entry to my DG journal and blog. Responded to e-mail queries, most from other than homeowners. Priced out cost of direct mail from Vistaprint.com. Posted ad for REAs in CL and Backpage. E-mailed REIclub’s admin requesting that she pass on my contact information for networking. Listed my company on Salesspider’s (no cost) businesses directory. Inquired on availability of a property. Worked up several offers. Renewed all CL ads. Through Linkedin I joined several REI groups for networking purposes. Sent e-mail introductions to group administrators. Renewed a Backpage ad.

The week went by much too fast. I'll see ya next week.

Whew.... A short week. There were some srprises and some disappointments. But that's life and you keep going. A personal reflection on my blog "Get to stepin".

I sarted as I do every week by posting an entry to my DG journal. Renewed expired CL ads. Added a confirmed buyer to my buyers list and sent him a CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-DISCLOSURE, NON-CIRCUMVENTION, NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT. Found a way to watch weekly wisdom videos and watched several and an audio webinar from REIcub. Joined a network for professionals. Sent e-mail dead lining offer on a property. Signed up to attend a webinar on REI from my local REI club. Sent query to local financial planners. Reviewed old DG blogs.

I look foward to next weks challenges. I'm so excited! This REI stuff kicks butt.

I posted an entry to my DG journal. Worked up several e-mail forms for buyers e-mails. Contacted REAs and made several offers. Continued communications with out of state REI & REAs regarding opportunities. Received nondisclosure agreement from local REI. Requested a list of sold properties for a REA. Requested REI partner place bandit sign in car window for lead generation.

So no positive results. See you next week.

I enjoyed reading your journal. You are doing all the positive things to keep you going and learning so much. I've copied some of the links on here to help me keep the ball rolling as well. I am doing property finding as well as whole selling.
I wish you much success in the future. You have the drive! Good luck to you!

Posted an entry to my DG journal. Worked up several e-mail forms for buyers e-mails. Identified zip codes containing highest number of sales last quarter in my target area. Sent e-mail offers on several properties. Found 2 more “bird-dogs” (unoficially).Updated to new phone number for website, e-mail signatures.

See ya next week.

i love your blog, i am learning some stuff that I missed. You are an inspiration, can't wait until you actually get a deal done. I have questions though. Where did you get the non-circumvent/ non-disclosure/ non-compete agreement? Have you found an agent yet or did you decide to be agent-less? I'll keep reading your future blogs, I wana keep following your possible success.

-Winnie, SoCal

This week was a very interesting week. After last weeks foray of several offers. I find a great opportunity. Unfortunatly, it is outside my investment profile. Pushing the envelope is a good thing. “The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.“ Arthur C. Clarke. I see at this point I have two options, 1) I can continue this course of action or 2) quit. Thus failing. I am reminded of the saying failure is not an option. Why would I go back to that life? So...

I posted an entry to my DG journal. Updated Linkedin profile adding link to website. Updated Backpage ads with new phone number. Updated Google place entry with new phone number. Updated IQrealestate signature. Listed business with business directory on salespider.com. Contacted 2 owner about their properties. Sent offers to DGer for input/feedback. Started to put together an offer on mobile home purchase.

I think you see what choice I made. See you nest week.