Rick's journal

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.

3 deals failed to complete. My story begains by posting an entry to my DG journal. Consulted with a private money lender/investor on a proposed deal. Confered with a possibale partner out of state. Set up voice mail. Inquired on a couple of prorperties. Updated website.Checked out reifax.com. Contacted a owner and started negotiations for purchase. Contacted by an end buyer satisfying sellers needs. After so many e-mails buyer became confrontational. Owner received a serious offer. I backed out before paper was traded as buyer’s demands became to excesive I couldn’t compete with owner’s new offer. Out of state offer was declined by owner. I decide not to persue another out of state opportunity due to incomplete research. Sought out funding for my deals. Found http://besttransactionfunding.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=fron... as a possible source.I investigated gobignetwork.com as another funding source. I recognize the fact that your support team (title company, funding, etc) has to be in place for a quick and smooth transaction(s).

Live and learn. On to next week.

I read over most of your blog, and I learned some things too. I've been considering whether or not to make my own blog for awhile now.

You said you had a problem with a POF letter for agents? If that is a problem you can pretty easily obtain a POF from transactional funding companies or hard money lenders. Personally I use http://www.coastal-funding.com/ for POF letters.

Due to various reasons there was not thatmuch activity. I posted an entry to my DG journal. Made a 2nd offer on a declined offer. Watched vblog. Contacted a title company to inquire about double closings and fees. 2nd offer rejected.

No crying over something that can't be changed. Onto next week.

I posted an entry to my DG journal. Updated my DG account. Fine tuned my goals/plans for REI. Renewed Backpage ads. Spoke to Anthony at Assure America Title Company regarding double closings and fees. I was quickly labled a crook and I was trying to take advantage of people. If you are reading this and you live in Florida. I HIGHLY recommend that you DO NOT work with these people…EVER!!

Think (Pointer Sisters) I've rediscovered a source of discounted properties http://www.hudhomestore.com/Home/Index.aspx?sLanguage=ENGLISH to exploit. A very calm week that started by posting an entry to my DG journal. Updated my website and selspider profile. Requested more info on HUD homes from my REI club.com. Read more REI articals. Watched a REI webinar. Also opened a dialog to sources of transactional funding.

More as events unfold.

I started by posting an entry to my DG journal. Joined www. Biggerpockets.com , Real Estate Investors.com. Studied REI videos. Placed new on-line ads for buers. E-mailed to “I buy houses” ads from CL. Added a new buyer. Opened dialog with several homeowners. Added another buyer to my list. Found http://www.homes.com/ to be a good source of information on subject property including comps. And http://www.trulia.com/ is a good souece. I also used Trulia to generae a list of sold properties in the las 90 days. Further research is needed to complete a buyer’s list. Made offer on a house. Offer was accepted by homeowner. Updated profile for networking purposes.

Whew! What a week?!?! There's more where that came from.

This week was very productive dispite my challenges. I started by posting an entry to my DG journal. Contacted several homeowners regarding buying. Discovered http://www.city-data.com/zips/33020.html which breaks down county details in great detail. It’s a usefull tool when suppling data to buyers interested in property/area. You can search from http://www.city-data.com/ on any city, county, state, etc.Submitted contract for purchase. Tweaked contract for re-submission. Updated website. Submited a revised contract. Used Trulia to find buyers. Placed CL ad for property owners who rent looking to increase my buyers list. Signed up with USFreeads (http://fl.usfreeads.com/) and posted free classified ad. Watched a REI video. Analyzed several properties for purchase. Notified buyers of available contract. Sent 2nd request for homeowners to discus buying their homes. Made an offer on a property.

Can't wait to get started on this week. Quoting Les Brown "In life if you do what is easy, your life will be hard. But if you do what is hard your life will be easy." http://www.hourofpower.org/messages/detail.php?contentid=7543 Fear, doubt, and trepidation has been replaced by excitement, joy, and contentment. I hope you get here soon, I'll save you a seat.

I started by posting an entry to my DG journal. Used Findcompsnow.com to locate cash buyers after signing up. Counter offer rejected by a homeowner, left otter available if reconsiders. Updated website and published property for sale. Watched REI webinar. Published deal for buyers in on-line outlets Reviewed settlement document. Printed closing document for signing. Partnered with a new “bird-dog”. Conttacted DGer to forward classified ad to buyers. Responded to buyer’s request for additional information. Patience is the key here. I see a deal coming together and opening the doors on other opportunities. I LOVE this stuff. How many people can say they like what they do for a living? What disibilities?

Ciao, for now. See you next week.

I started by posting an entry to my DG journal. Added website to SEO. Communicated with member of new network (real estate investors.com). Pulled all ads as deal fell through. Succesfully established a 800 number with Kall8 (http://www.kall8.com/tollfree/toll_free_included_features.php) with fax soon. Initial cost $4, 2 for set-up and 2 monthly fee. Updated profiles and Google places to reflrct changes.

See you next week. Happy investing.

You are working hard! I'm sorry to hear about the deal that fell through. 1 down and more to go! The good news is that you definitely learned from the experience. Take it as a learning experience that is going to help you with the next deal! The key is to never give up!

Keep moving forward!

Ellsworth, my signature is what exemplifies the way I work and in my personal life. Lately I've been in serious pain. With no answers I push foward, I DEMAND a solution. For me REI is the same. Thank you for thr words of encouragement.

That said, this week I posted to my DG journal. Signed up with Oodle Marketplace to find sellers. Updated business card to show current information. Sent email to auction companies.

Not much happened but I consider myself a success. Things planed, things accomplished. For the newbies, no matter how little you do at least do something that gets you to your goal. See ya next week.

That you're kickin' ace & takin' names, even if deals fall through, people tel you you're crazy for doing real estate, etc. This will happen, mostly out of our control. But, you just gotta push thru it & make it to the other side of the rainbow. Not every deal or every transaction will be peaches 'n cream, but it's about how we get hit and keep on truckin' that counts, and that helps keep us going. Nobody likes going through bad days, but it's necessary to get to the good days and the good times.

thishousebuyer,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I know going in that not every deal is going to fsll into place. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies before us and what lies behind us is of small consequence to what lies within us." I find that I'm always learning. Each deal teaches you something. My positive nature has armored me aginst nay-sayer, difficult situations, and failure. Being handicapped with all of my health issues I KNOW I'll get better. I'll repeat it (for the world) FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!!! I have been a success in soooo many areas, REI is only one area. I'll see everyone at the top.

Posted to my DG journal. Signed up with Oodle Marketplace to find sellers. Updated business card to show current information. Sent email to auction companies. Ordered new business cards. Copied Matt’s wholesaling process and adapted verbiage to suit my situation. Posted a new ad on CL.Moving on.

Dispite the loss of my e-mail account and doctor's appointments I managed to get work accomplished. I realize through all my set backs, I learn something new. I had a full week.

I posted to my DG journal. I discovered by Googling my business phone number my CL posts and other on-line ads appear as well as my website. Great free advertising!! Other search engines seem a bit slow and don’t show as much. Submitted my website to Bing, AOL search engines Altered website to new email address. Set several Google alerts to capture REI traffic. Signed up at magic bullets in REI (http://www.magicbullets.com) for networking. Updated Salespider, Linkedin profiles. Listed my business on Salespider. Listed an ad on Yellow pages classifieds.com. Sent email to “We pay cash for houses” ads from Google alerts. Against my better judgement I placed a CL ghost ad http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/reo/3270566302.html Sent an invitation to work with another REI in another network. Communicated with a potential buyers from ghost ad. Did I say I love this stuff. See ya next week.

Posted to my DG journal. Joined fiverr.com for cheap marketing.Sent e-mail to REI group getting buyers and sellers to test network. Posted solicitation in another group. Altered profile on real esrtate investors to show criteria. Created an account on Manta.com for profile an d company submission. Submiter company Information to SEO site for exposure to SEOs and other sites.

Due to a 3 week hospital stay and the loss of 2 email accounts, i'm back swinging again. I met a mtg broker who is a licensed REA. She's willing to pull whatever kind of list I need. See my signature. It seems death is the only thing that will stop me. And even THAT didn't work. See ya next week.

Posted to my DG journal. Signed up for Zack Childer’ automated deal maker system through REIclub at www.reiclub.com. Activated ADM system. Sent intro e-mail to Southeast Florida Real Estate Investors Association, Real Estate Millionaires Network, Broward Real Estate Investors Association, Florida Homebuyers Alliance, to network with buyers.

Getting back into the swing of things. Next week, buyers and little else. Until then, happy investing.

A very busy week as they all seem to be. Studied RE software and videos. Downloaded and altered a new “bird-dog” agreement. Scheduled a meeting with local radio station to be featured. Quiried DGers on cover letters. Continued dialog with possible "bird-dog".

Know that my marketing plans have been established and I'm putting more effort into the "business". As Dean commentted, secure your own "mask" before helping others. Here is where I end my weekly journal entries and shift to a monthly schedule. For those of you following along, feel free to PM regarding current events between journal entries.

To all happy investing and may the seson bring you joy and Prosperity. See you next year.

Well, 2012 went out with a Bang. Excitment is growing for 2013. I finished 2012 by receiving and altered a cover letter I can use for my initial communication with sellers. Met with local radio station regarding advertising. Got information on Aweber (http://www.realwholesaling.com/uncategorized/time-to-put-your-buyers-lis...). Updated Vistaprint account and profile. Signed up for DG conference calls. Ordered email addresses for marketing to homeowners. Ordered a press release for the company (fiverr.com). Received press release for the company. Successfully installed web form to “buyers”, “sellers” site’s landing pages to capture info to build and automate business. Tested above successfully.

Watch out 2013, here I come!

Well, February has come and gone. March is here and proves to be an exciting time. Not much has occured last month as medically I've been busy. I did manage to sign up with www.allthelistings.com to notify me of new listings. Posted Craig’s list ad (for sellers). Posted DG classified ad for partners to locate property. Asked a REA to pull a list of home for a 25:1 strategy (asking for 30). Sent inquries to www.fiverr.com on lead generation. Went to www.yellowletters.com to get a sample for direct mail campaign.

Time to get some green (for the Irish....oh course). See ya next month, Happy investing.

What a month!! March was a very interesting and exciting month. So much went on during that time. I know the trend will continue. I just got Dean's new book and can't wait to dive in. Hello 2am bedtimes (again) but it will be worth it. Last month I Continued dialog with central Florida buyer. Signed up on Netr.com and subscribed to get email alerts. Sent request to www.fiverr.com to find the hottest home selling zip codes in Broward County, Fl. Introduced myself to other REI clubs in Florida. Continued to send request to homeowner’s ads. Increased www.Linkedin.com network. Solicited other REIs to partner nationwide. Joined Alternative Resourceful Investors group on www.LinkedIn.com . Purchased software to enhance lead generation and marketing tips. Contacted REA to get a listing and recent sales.

Is that enouigh, I think not. I left a bunch of things behind. I'm psyched about April. I'll see ya next month.

As I look foward to Mother's day in celebration to all the mothers here and out there I wish them the best. Last month (April) I received and started reading Dean’s latest book (30 days…). Continued to expand my Linkedin network (112+ connections). Joined Real Estate Investing Marketplace (USA) group on LinkedIn. Edited my Google+ profile. Updated Google Places page. Expanded network in Google+. Used Google keyword tool to create a list of specific keywords for my website. All in all hoping April showers bring May flowers in the form of more money. To all you moms, Happy Mother's day. See you next month.

My fellow DGers,
This is May was a very busy month. I spent the last part of the month marketing. Some networking. I altered websites (link below) to reflect keyword modufications, Continued to expand Linkedin network. Updated Salespider profile and listed my company there. Updated webforms on my websites. Posted an introduction to a new Linkedin group (Flipping houses for profit) and others. Updated Manta profile page. Joined Twiter, Pintrest, Reddit, and Stumbleupon to boost my webpage's SEO rankings (and by creating a back-link to it). Updated Pennysaver profile. Posted a comment on my Google+ page linking back to my website. Created a Google business page for SEO purposes. Joined Real Estate Forum to boost website's recognition. Requested FSBO alert listings from owner.com. Joined cash NOW wholesaling, Distressed Real Estate Investor's Association groups and requested to join Wholesalers Network (Real Estate) all on inkedin’s network of professionals. Made it possible for my wesite to be eligible to show up on the right hand side of the Google search page for relevant queries and make my Google+ page more discoverable. Listed my company on Pennysaver and placed an ad there. Changed my SalesSpider notifications when a seller advertises their house for sale. Joined The National Real Estate Investor's Association (on Linkedin). Updated my main website with fresh content that includes targeted keywords. Posted an ad on USFreeads for services. Placed an ad on salespider. Posted an article to my company’s Google+ page and a back-link to my REI website. Posted an article on my Linkedin page. Joined Creative Real Estate Investors on Linkedin. I verified business information with Google+. Created a video for posting on the internet promoting my website’s ranking in order to generate leads. Declined to make an offer on a property due to various reasons. I did leave the door open as things may change. Watched a marketing video and read REI articales. Continued to increase my Linkedin network. It’s a good way to find buyers (and sellers if done correctly). Signed up for Google alerts for “FSBO's” and REI posts.

As I said, a busy month. To all you dads out there, Happy Father's Day. And to all happy investing.

Rick,
You have done a lot in May! I remembered the name of the website I spoke with you about...it's called http://mashable.com. Thought you might want to take a look at it.

I'll give it a closer look. I just might have a spare second tomorrow afternoon...I think.

Hey DG family. Well another busy month. I posted to DG.com journal. Open communications with a REA from Keller-Willims through Linkedin network. Uploaded company video to YouTube and posted links to social media. Continued boosting SEO for company by posting an article reprint to social media. Inquired other wholesaler’s techniques for lead generation on Linkedin. Inquired on different marketing techniques for lead generation on Linkedin with other wholesalers. Posted a link to my video on my Google+ business website.Extended PennySaver ad. Posted a CL , and BackPage ads Made inquiries on a few properties. Created a bord on Pintrest for my video on YouTube. Posted link to video with company contact info and a back-link to my website on Reddit.com. Responded to a twitter message regarding a property for sale.Posted comment on IQReal Estate.com board (with links in signature). Posted comment on my Google+ pages with back-link to my website including company phone number.Created contents for 2nd video for publication later this month. Created a Pinterest board featuring my 1st video and back-links to my website. Continued posting campaigns on my social media sites Google+ pages, Linkedin profile page, and Twitter account. Altered my websites’ title and subtitle content. Posted a page on my StumbleUpon accout back-linking to my website and referring to my video. Verified business listing with Google, should appear in a few days locally. Continued to post comments and articals to rank higher on Google. Contacted several FSBO ads. Added several REAs to my Google+ business page. Downloaded software to instantly analyze a deal for profitability. Did a search to test SEO effectiveness and found my Google+ gage ranked on the 1st page. Subscribed to REI Guru review. Started production on 2nd video. Posted another link on my Google+’s business page to my homepage. Made adjustments to CL ads and renewed them. Sent 2nd requests to a couple FSBO ads. Joined Connected Investors network. Customized my selling and buying sites there. As well as setting up my profile. Sent messages to my buyers network inquiring their criteria. Posted a comment on REIrefferal network requesting listings for off- market FSBOs. Added several REAs to my business Google+ page Posted a link from my Linkedin profile page to my Google+ business page. And vice-versa. Causing a back-link in both directions which should boost my recognition on Google. Posted and tweeted article on Google+ business page and Linkedin. Did a search and found a link to me on the 1st page, Success in marketing techniques it’s starting to pay off. Continually updating my business website. Introduced myself to my new REI group (Real Estatre Investors referral network) with a link to my business website (back-link) and a reference to my Linkedin profile page. Added a comment to my post with a link to my Google+ business page. Can you tell I love this stuff? Started a discussion on my YouTube channel offering a referral fee for properties I buy. Posted a link to my seller website in my “about” section on my YouTube channel. Contiued to make offers on houses. Added more people to my Google+ businessw page and continued posting articles to social media and my Google+ pages. Commented on other peoples posts in social media. Joined “We buy houses” community on Google + and posted an introduction with a link to my seller’s website. Published 2nd video and posted it on Linkedin and other social media.

As I look forward to July I'm adding a new wrinkle and preparing for kidey transplantation. I can't wait to post in August. I'm so excited! Much continued success to all and happy investing.

I posted to my DG.com juournal. Performed a search on keywords and realized much more work is needed. Opened dialog with a REA from my Google+ page. Shared several posts from my Google+ business page. Added more people to my Google+ business page. Signed up for a Yelp account and updated my profile there. Sent friend requests to my contacts. Listed my business wirh Yelp and wrote a nice review for it, and shared it on Twitter. Posted a link to my 2nd video on my Linkedin profile page. Posted an ad for a virtusal assistant onm CL and Backpage. Adapted a VA agreement for use by me. Posted an article to my Linkedin and Twitter pages. Sent VA agreement to two Vas. Rejecting to one due to terms. Incorperated a link to my 2nd video in an e-mail response to a FSBO ad. Embeded (placed inside) 2nd video into website. And considering embedding it into FSBO ad responses. Thus driving traffic. Sent embedded test e-mail to selected friends for their opinions and effectiveness. Based on a test e-mail sent to myself, I’ve decided to leave embedded link on website only. NOTE: above technique only works when inserting into html source on websites. Unknown if it works on other e-mail software. Posted a link to my website on my Linkedin profile page. Succes!, kinda-sorta. Googling my company, I noticed several sites. The best one was the 1st one that had the most information. It had a link to my website (naturally), my physical address, with phone number, and my google+ pages links. Posted an article on both google+ pages. Renewed my Penny saver ad. Updated Google+ and YouTube channel pages. Renewed VA ad on CL. Posted comments on my Google+ page with a link to my website. Requested to join Real Estate For Sale and Real Estate Wednesday communities on Google+ so that I can post comments (with back-links of course). Joned Jupitor Florida Real Estate community on Google+ and posted a comment with a link to my 2nd video. Joined Real Estate, Joined Admiral’s Cove Hames, property management, Home staging, and Idaho Real Estae communities on Google+ and posted links to my video and home page website. Requested a listing from a REA from my Google+ page. Posted back-links on probate lawyer’s Google+ page and add a few to my circle. E-mailed REA to use 25:1 strategy. Shared my introduction and links to my website and 2nd video on property managements companies Google+ pages. Renewed CL ad for VA. Con.tinued to expand my Linkedin network (277+). Made 2nd request to buy a townhouse. Continud dialog w/ REA regarding a property for sale.

And what a month it has been. August has seen updating all profiles and photos with new logo. Started a discussion on my YouTube channel with a link to my website and phone number. Made several comments on Linkedin posts. Established a new brand for my company replacing my current logo on several social media platforms and profiles through out the internet. Overlayed a links to my website, my Google+ business page, my Pinterest page and my Twitter page on my YouTube channel. In a search on YouTube channels for REIclub, I find my new brand/logo appears on the 1st page. Cool beans! Upon further searches I find not too many channels for REI. Posted a link to my 2nd video and website on my Google Places page. Added new logo and 1st two videos to my Google places. Picked up a contractor through my Linkedin network. Tweeted with a link to my Google+ business page. Added Dean to my Google+ page. Sarasota Real Estate has accepted my request to join them on Google+. Wrote a review for my Google+ page locally. Shared privately a post to my communities using Google+. Subscribed to Dean’s YouTube channel. Cancelled aWeber account due to no lead generation. Sent messages to a few REAs in my Linkedin network to start communication on 25:1 strategy. Joined Real Estate Lead Generation Support Services group on Linkedin and sent an introduction message including a link to my website. Opened dialog with group leader. Disconntinued discussion with Citrus County REA due to his lack of fallow-through. Produced and published 3rd video on YouTube. Using selected keywords I saw 2 of my videos ranked 1 and 2. While doing another search on my company I find one of my videos was picked up by Best Homebased Biz Opportunity. Posted a statement on my YouTube channel’s home page requesting viewers to respond by phone or e-mail. Crafted Matt’s letter for findung an REA to suit my needs for sending out. Posted an abterveted version on Linkedein (everyone that is linkedin). Posted several articals to social media. Shared Dean’s Weekly Wisdom http://www.deangraziosi.com/content/weekly-wisdom-250-5-second-mindset-f... on Linkedin and other social media. I used keywords in my Google+ business page’s cover image’s filename increasing my pages’ recognition and ranking. Posted links to my Twitter account and my Linkedin profile page on my webpages. Happy to say after a Google seaarch I found myself on the 1st page for two keywords. Bing is not as responsive unless I do a search for my company spacifically. Continued to build my Google+ business page’s circle. Almost daily my Linkedin network contacts grow (300+ at this time).Updated website with new photos utilizing company named file names, hopefully boosting Google recognition. Posted a request for more info from a Google+ posting. +1 several posts from other people and reshared a couple as well. Sent a message to a local Keller Williams office in order to find an REA for interview. Continued to comment and reshare other peoples’ Google+ posts. I receved an autoresponder from a KW REA with a 2-5pm callback. It's been a long weekend. Next month looks promising....we'll see. Happy investing!