30 Days to Real Estate Cash

This is an open challenge to any and all newbies like myself and Jazon12. I am going to cut & paste a bit from our discussion from a question he posted on another forum topic, but it really belongs in this category.
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Today, Saturday 14 July 2012 I am going to begin and follow Dean's blueprint EXACTLY as he has laid it out in '30 Days to RE Cash'. I challenge you to do the same thing beginning today also. Let's push each other so that we can both be success stories roughly 30 days from now; no excuses.

We each have a small hurdle that the other doesn't; but we can both be successful and push the other to success also. So Jazon12, are you in? Can I count on you pushing me and will you accept me pushing you (towards success)too?? Waiting to hear back from you; PM me AND post your response either way on here, as I want to be accountable to the entire DG family.

Other newbies are welcome and encouraged to join in this quest also....the only catch is that you must follow Dean's "30 Days to RE Cash" so we can all discuss our successes, hurdles, and small step triumphs along this journey. Anyone other newbies who want to join in?? PM me and respond here on this thread....we will all push one another; hold each other accountable for our actions or lack thereof; and all celebrate each of our successes (and successful little steps) along the journey....that is RE Investing!!

To our success!!

--Walter

"If it is to be, it is up to me". -Unknown

Walter, this site needs more individuals like you! Great challenge and I hope every newbie joins you
Ray

http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/everything-else/86517/30-...

Hey Walter,

There is a thread that some members did that followed them through the new book. Here it is:

http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/everything-else/86517/30-...

However, it wouldn't hurt to start up another one. In my opinion, there is something to be gained when the thread is in "real time". There are a lot of new members who I think you would attract to share their stories and you end up being a support for one another.

Just a thought,

we already have that thread and it is posted from time to time.

Day 1 - 5; Phase 1
Why Me? Why Real Estate? Why Now?
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S - M - A - R - T Goals written down in my REI journal. SMART is an acronym in goal setting term that stands for:
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Realistic
T - Time bound.

I'll share (some of) my goals here with my DG family, as I previously indicated that I am holding myself accountable to all of you. Short term goals for the remainder of 2012 are:

2012 Goals:
I will average one (1) wholesale deal a month through the end of this year netting me at least $3500 on each deal. July is half over, but I will still complete (at least) six (6) Wholesale deals in 2012.

2013 Goals:
I will complete 18 - 24 Wholesale Deals in 2013, averaging 1 - 2 a month but I must complete no less than 18 for the entire year @ no less than $4500 gross each deal. I will also take on two (2) light re-hab projects in 2013, buying, fixing and selling them for a profit of at least $20k each.

2014 Goals:
2 Wholesale deals a month netting at least $5k gross each; that is 24 deals for the year, no less. Four (4) light re-hab projects for the year, again netting at least $20k each deal.
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Why Me? Why Real Estate? Why Now?

This is very personal, so I won't go into a lot of depth here. Suffice it to say that part of my Why? is because I am the current generation caretaker of something I don't own but need to maintain for future generations and to ensure that this thing won't be a financial burden to future generations. It has been passed down four (4) generations and needs to be established with the financial means to continue it for future generations into perpetuity. I will never get a dime from this thing, but will spend considerable sums in maintaining it for the others to come.

I also have other (too personal to disclose) Why's that I won't disclose here, but again suffice it to say, I know who they are and they know who they are. I remember this 7 Levels Deep exercise when Dean presented it to us and had us do it at the EDGE 2009 conference; in a word, POWERFUL.
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Blowing past the Negativity of Others -- "The Naysayers"

I know none of you meant any harm, and I certainly don't think I am the only one to write about Dean's book. However if I want to write this thread and/or challenge other 'Newbies' to join me on this journey, so be it. If you don't want to read it, don't.

Other Naysayers include cousins, an Aunt, and some friends. Funny thing, two (2) of these friends are in fact Landlords themselves yet they are not really supportive of my efforts. Oh, they say I should go get my RE Salesperson's license and they think I would be very good at it; but I don't want a Salesperson's license and I don't want to work for roughly 1/2 of a 3% commission (not knocking anyone who does; I just don't want that for me) as that is not my goal or how I want to be involved with RE. RK says look at who your friends are now and as I continue in my RE Investing career, I will be surrounded by different friends in five (5) years.
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I still encourage others to join me on this odyssey. This is certainly not my own quest, but rather a Vision shared with all of us by Dean himself. If you are new to RE Investing; and have access to Dean's book either in print or online (I think others' have shared a link to access the book online), then I challenge you to begin the journey and to post your comments on this thread as well. We can all push each other and be accountable to each other, ensuring our mutual success!

Onward to Day 1 - 5; Phase 2.

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'. -Unknown

Was fighting a bad tension headache all weekend and even today, 2 days later. This is just a small hurdle that I must deal with as I continue on Dean's blueprint outlined in his book '30 Days to Real Estate Cash'.
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Made a great contact today with a RE Agent / Investor. I am certain we can work together on some transactions and glad I bumped into her again at a seminar. Old familiar contacts can be the best vs. trying to 'train' a RE Agent how Investors think.

Walter, I accept your challenge. I've been treating RE investing like a hobby and have been getting "hobby" results. Now I don't have a choice, my back is up against a wall and now I need to make some money in the next 30 days. I'm going through all of my past emails/contacts. Time to take MASSIVE action. Let's do this. It's going to be a long night for me.

To Walter and Josh,

Count me in! And to LonestarGrumby, Do It With a Headache. As for JoshV, Let's do this. I'm a true NEWBIE, yet, I'm game. I could use a challenge with a little push. Well, heck it's just been sitting on the back burner waiting for me to tackle it, I think it is about time that I do something with it. Let's go!

Ronda

Signing out,
Romaluv22

Hello

Everyone I'm In for the challenge.

Josh, Ronda and Shelby; welcome to Dean's challenge to each and every one of us. That is precisely why he wrote the book, to give us each a blueprint so that we would all be successful in our RE Investing careers. He certainly did not write the book just so he could sell another book and we could add another book to our bookshelf collections!!

Let's all read the book, section by section; completing the assignments as we come to them. Post your thoughts and comments here motivating others and also coming back yourself when life's little distractions (or headaches) get in the way! Looking forward to seeing more posts and comments on your progress from each of you, and anyone else also!

To our continued success!

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'. -Unknown

Day 1 - 5; Phase 2
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I tried to follow Dean's link and download the agentfinder script that Matt Larson uses and Dean references in his book '30 Days to Real Estate Cash' on page 41, (www.deangraziosi.com/agentfinder) but when I download the Word document all I get are unknown characters and wing-dings. Has anyone else had a similar experience?? This is the second time I have attempted to download the document and received the same non-legible message both times. Now I will try to download the message at an office computer.
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My previous post yesterday about finding a RE Agent; well after re-reading Dean's book I realized that I was deviating from his blueprint.....so I will keep her in mind for other things but will go back and follow Dean (and Matt's) blueprint advice to the letter (not trying to reinvent the wheel here or to invent a 'better' mousetrap {like I could really improve on anything Dean or Matt have come up with.....hhmmmmpppphhh, silly me}).

Keep at it everyone. Get Dean's book, read it, and follow his advice to the T (or is that to the bank?!?!).

Edited to add: I guess it is just my laptop that cannot read the Word document on Matt Larson's script to find RE Investor Friendly RE Agents. Follow the link from the book (www.deangraziosi.com/agentfinder) for a great five (5) page script for holding a meaningful conversation with potential RE Agent team members!! Thanks Dean!

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'. -Unknown

I'm new to Real Estate, Real Estate investing and to this site - a complete newbie! I just ordered Dean's book "30 Days to Real Estate Cash" a few days ago and have begun reading it and I'm loving every minute of it so. I look forward to interacting with the group and creating forward momentum to the attainment of all of our goals!

Marlon

http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/everything-else/86517/30-...
30 days quick cash formula

also see other links below

Hello Everyone,

I am also a newbie, reading DG's 30 days to RE cash and I am currently in the day 1-5 phase of the blue print. I am totally excited and movitated to putting his blueprint to use and following this book step by step to earn a great income and ultimately pay off my student loan debt (totaling over 100k).

I am going to need help from you guys and the DG superstar's on this site to keep me focused and informed. I also want to help motivate my fellow newbies and share information and progress. Feel free to contact me anytime. I am so excited to start this book and my real estate journey to financial freedom!!

Good Luck Everyone,

Kimberly

Marlon & Kimberly,

Welcome to the DG family and especially to the 30 Days to Real Estate Cash challenge!! Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us; just get Dean's book, read it, follow his (Dean's) advice to the letter, and we will all profit!!

Marlon & Kimberly, continue to post your thoughts, successes and tribulations while going through Dean's blueprint here on the thread. When you need a friendly nudge to get back on the track, we are all here to nudge you. When you want to shout from the highest mountaintop that you have a success (no matter what the success), then we are here to celebrate with you also!

We do mean any success also. When you find the right RE Agent to join your team, post it here as that is a major accomplishment in the blueprint and a necessary point in Matt's 25:1 formula for success.

That is my goal for lunch time today. I have a list of seven (7) RE agencies (Remax and Keller-Williams agencies only) to call and try to find an investor friendly RE Agent. Meaningful conversations, to find out where their head is in regards to how we can be mutually beneficial to each other. Looking forward to it and will keep everyone up to day.

Keep at it everyone; celebrate the (little) accomplishments on this journey!!

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'. -Unknown

Okay, I heard back from a Realtor that I was not the winning bid on a bank owned REO on which I had bid. That's okay; it just brings me that much closer to the one that I do get.

Using Matt's formula, 1 down; 24 to go!!

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'. -Unknown

Way to go Walter!!!

Going to put in some offers tomorrow and working on my buyers list. Things will happen this week. I can feel it.

Okay, it has been a while since I have posted, so I need to update everyone. A few things have been happening to knock me off course (once again), but not out of the game.

Spoke with a few RE Agents today following Dean and Matt's direct blueprint. Had great conversations with two (2) of them; the third couldn't be bothered. These were all Keller Williams Agents, btw (again, following the blueprint to the 'T').

Both of these Agents are going to be sending me some listings that fit the criteria outlined by Dean and Matt. We will look these over, run the numbers, AND place them into Dean's program PROPTREND to see how that software analyzes these properties for us. Will certainly calculate our MAO on each of the properties, and *IF* the numbers work, make some more offers (from my previous post, 1 down; 24 to go).

Gotta continue to work on my buyer's list also. I really need to put the names into a customer management data base as Dean suggests.

Keep at it everyone. Get the (Dean's) book; READ it, and then put it all into practice EXACTLY as Dean suggests....30 Days to Real Estate CASH!!!!

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'. -Unknown

Another separate update: the 'boss' called a meeting late this afternoon: Business is down in my J.O.B. (i.e. Just Over Broke) under-employed part-time position.

I need this RE gig to work even more today than ever. That isn't my only motivation, but I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS RE THING WORK!!!

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'! -Unknown

Folling Dean's advice exactly as outlined in the book, and spoke with an 'investor friendly' RE Agent in a KW office. We actually had a great conversation about RE investing in general, the market conditions, and what I was looking for in order to make some money in investing.

The Agent requested that I send over a short e-mail outlining the criteria that we had discussed (Vacant, As-Is, price Reduction, exceeding avg DOM, etc.) and requested MLS listings or one-liners on about 6 - 8 properties that fit my criteria.

Well this Agent far exceeded my expectations and sent back forty-eight (48) listings, a CMA for all 48, and photos of the subject properties!! At first glance there seems to be some real gems in this list, so I will have to get busy sifting and sorting through the chaff to get to the best of the best! I think that there may be some potential of working well with this agent.

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'! -unknown

Update: 22 Aug 12
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Still working on finding the exact right RE Agent to work with. I have tried Dean's method to some degree of success, but not getting exactly what I need. Limited ourselves to KW and Remax Offices, just as Dean suggests in his book. The calls to the offices met with varying degrees of reception. Many spoke to us on the phone, but never followed up to our e-mail. Other's tried to get off of the phone as fast as possible. I gotta say one thing for sure, I am very comfortable speaking with the RE Agts now; no hesitation on my part whatsoever!!

1 RE Agt was very much a go-getter and he sent me 75 MLS 1-liner's, a CMA for each of them, and listing data. Worked my way through the 75, and sadly only found about three (3) potential properties as almost all of them were already completely repaired or remodeled and move-in ready. So he was sending me listings of properties where there wouldn't really be much opportunity to make money (i.e. no rehab, etc.) unless buying them with creative financing. Still working with this Agt, or trying to, if we can get him to understand (better) exactly what types of properties we are looking to buy.

Had another great conversation with another RE Agt (different area of town as Houston is quite large geographically). Again he seemed to understand RE Investing and what we wanted to do, along with the types of properties that would work for us. Followed Dean's advice and asked him to send us some properties that he felt met our criteria. Instead of getting a sampling of properties, he wanted us to sign a Buyer's Agt Agreement and to agree to paying a minimum of 5% commission to the Buyer's Agent, as "we were going to be asking him or her to do a lot of work for us".

Well, since he didn't provide us with a list of recent Cash Buyers or a list of any potential properties, I politely told him that there were too many RE Agents out there and that he had just failed the 'interview' as far as we were concerned. We anticipate buying 1 - 2 properties a month every month; we would have been his BEST customer providing repeat commission; but since he wanted to jack us around we just told him good luck and good bye.

So now we are trying another method, by placing an ad on CL. We are hoping to get motivated enthusiastic 'Thinking a Little Different' RE Agts to call us, if they want to work with us. We will still have to sift and sort through them, or so we hope. We just hope this is a faster approach than looking for the proverbial 'needle in a haystack' of a RE Agent.

Will continue to keep everyone posted as to our progress. Also the challenge is still open to all comers. Anyone and Everyone who has Dean's book '30 Days to RE Cash', read it, join us, and post your results!

To each of our success!!!

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'! -unk

Update 28 Aug 12.
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Making a few offers every day now; this is getting very addicting; honestly! A slight mild euphoria with each offer made....ya gotta love this RE stuff.
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Also have sent some Yellow Letters to Vacant property owners. I know that isn't really a part of the 30 Days to RE Cash blueprint, but came across the vacancies and they are not (yet) bank owned.

One had someone move out about six (6) months back, which the neighbor thought was the owner. He said she moved back to the Philippines and did not know how to contact her (the apparent owner). He then offered that his wife had a friend who wanted to buy the house, so I gave him my card and told him we had means of locating people even over seas. He also added that they didn't know how to find the owner at all.

Got home, x-referenced the address on my local County tax records and found the owner lives with her daughter about two (2) miles away from the house. Found her phone number and everything in about five (5) minutes. Oh, did I forget to mention that her Yellow Letter went out in today's mail?? LOL The best part is that I may have also found a buyer other than from my growing Buyer's list!

This stuff really is addicting!

--Walter

If it is to be, it is up to me. -unk

Hello Everyone,

I finally found a great agent that is ready to go and Is Investor Friendly. He has sent me several properties and I plan on putting offers in on a few of them. I already have a buyers list as well as a sellers list. Just waiting for the Offer to be excepted.

Count me in I got the blueprint last yr this time and but life got in the way although I have talked and worked w/a lot of realtors, have 2 now 1 in Ohio and 1 here in San Diego & have gotten about 7 deals under contract but didnt have the EMD or hadnt read through all the Blueprint or didnt have buyers 1st etc. But now am ready to get my deal & follow through the blueprint from start to finish & the 30days to cash, that was my original goal so here we go and I will read all the comments above I just read your 1st few comments Lonestar, and I do have a lot of great experience BTw a lot of tidbits along the way this past yr I learned that I can share with everyone here no doubt. Here we go!

Tony E.

Good Morning Walter,

I purchased Dean's books (Be a real estate millionaire and Profit from RE, Right Now)almost a year ago, joined this site in February of this year and watched the 3 video's and going to watch the 4th today and just stumbled upon your post and all I have to say is that I am wired up my friend. I ordered 30 Days to RE Cash on Sunday and being that I am a newbie I'm ready for the challenge and will follow "30 Day to RE Cash" to the letter.

Thanks for sharing Walter.

Alfred

Haven't heard anything from the offers as of yet, but I am not discouraged, I have sent out several letters to landlords, and recent property buyers. I received several responses, was networking with a few people on other investor sited and was able to gain access with a gentleman that works in the bank with the asset manager that can get Off Market Property listings. Will be calling my buyers with the details.

Shelby

Shelby,

Excellent work! Keep at it as you are well on your way.
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Found (another) a new RE Agt that seems to understand the Investor Business side of the equation, vs. just the Landlord Investor buy & hold a nice pretty house for CF and appreciation. Hopefully this one will work out as we have gone through a half dozen so far, and none of them really understand the Investor Business side of things.

Also put in three (3) offers through this new agent tonight; we shall see if we get any nibbles, counters, or what have you. Anything would be good, just to know they are biting!! (okay okay, I know I am using a fishing analogy.....gee, give me a break!) lol

Keep at it everyone, with perseverance it will work for all of us!!
--Walter

If it is to be, it is up to me. -unk

Getting a nibble from one of the three offers submitted last night; they are asking for POF (no problem, got that covered) and Earnest Money (again, no problem). So at least a nibble with offer number 9....loving this! Had a few others where it was a 'highest and best' scenario.....but that wasn't any fun (jk).

I really like the initial response and efforts by this new(est) and current RE Agt....she certainly seems to understand the "business" side of being a RE Investor and does not have a problem presenting or defending low (i.e. less than full asking price) offers.

Here is to hoping everyone finds their 'Star' (a play on Matt's RE Agt in Iowa) RE Agt! Keep at it folks, and never never give up! As Grandpa used to say, "To win the fight you have to first get into the ring".
--Walter

If it is to be, it is up to me. -unk