OfflineHello everyone. My name is Joe and I live in Ohio. I just recently completed my 1st wholesale deal and just wanted to share with everyone, especially the new investors who haven't done their 1st deal yet.
I got Deans book "30 Days to real estate cash" and read it and basically did what it said. The first thing I did, was I went out and found a local title company that did double closes. It wasn't hard to do because the first one I contacted said they did them all the time, so that made me feel less worried. Next, I ordered 25 bandit signs. I got the 18 by 24 yellow signs, and wrote on them with a black marker "I BUY HOUSES, ANY CONDITION" then put a google voice number on there for them to call. Google voice is free, and I did that because I just didnt feel comfortable putting my cell phone number on them yet. From the 1st day I had the signs out, I got on average 3-5 calls a day, and one day I had received 9 calls! I was shocked at how good bandit signs worked to make the phone ring. Let me say this, a fear of mine while putting these signs out was I knew I would be getting calls and that I would have to be talking to people on a daily basis, and that really made me nervous because I'm not the best at communicating especially with people I dont know, I just get nervous and stammer most of the time, so getting past that fear was the hardest part of this whole process for me. So, I put the signs out in my city and 2 surrounding cities. I was receiving calls everyday, mostly junk leads, but a few that were good. Then I got a call from a guy who's mother passed away 2 years ago, and she left him the house and it was owned free and clear and it had been vacant for about the past 6 months as well, and it was in a good area of my city. So I immediately asked to go look at it. The house was in great shape,except it needed minor work like paint and carpet. while walking through the house, he said he would like to get 55K for it, and I just walked around with him while he spoke about the house. I told him I would contact him within 24-48 hours with an offer. I did the 70% of ARV, minus repairs, minus my fee which was $3,500, and had an offer price of $37,500 which I thought was low and he probably wouldn't take, but you never know until you ask, right?! I was nervous as hell when calling him back because I didn't know if he would scream at me for such a low offer or hang up on me, but I stuck to my guns and made the offer, and he accepted it, as long as I payed all closing costs, so I said ok.
So we signed the contract and now I had to find a cash buyer to buy it for 41K, which I thought was a great deal at that price. I sent emails to real estate agents in my area through Realtor.com, saying I know most agents have investors that they work with, and if they showed this deal to one of their investors and they closed on it, I would pay them $500. 3 agents reponded and one wanted to see the house that day. So I arranged for it and the agent showed up at the house with one of her cash buyers, he walked around for a few minutes and left. She called me the next day and said they would take it! So, once I had both contracts signed I took them to the title company and they did the rest. Once it was all said and done, I had to pay the agent $500 for sending me a cah buyer and I payed my side of closing costs which was $900, so I received a check from the title company for a little over $2,100. I wanted to say that this whole process wasn't hard at all. I didn't know all the answers to everything like I felt I needed to, but I still took ACTION, and thats how I got this deal done. I want to thank Michael from mdhomeacquisitions on the DG site for his help and words of encouragement through this whole process as well. So to all of you who are still looking for that 1st deal, just stick with it until it happens, because if you take ACTION and just do what your supposed to, and not listen to the negative people, you WILL make it happen. I had a broker tell me that he tried all the teqniques and bandit signs and all that, and that it doesn't work, and had I listened to him, I would have quit, but I didn't, and thats why I succeeded. Take care
Ist DEAL DONE!!!
Posted on: Thu, 02/16/2012 - 16:32
Ist DEAL DONE!!!
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Thank you for sharing. It was real inspiration.
So very, very awesome!! Thank you for sharing that. Congratulations! I'm doing the same thing, just a little behind you in the process. It's exciting to see it working for someone else. Love that you took action and pushed through your fear, calmly ran your numbers and stuck to your guns on your offer. Bravo!
Keep going. Looking forward to seeing more deals from you!
Rachael
you contacted the realtors to find you a buyer. Smart thinking and thank you for sharing your story.
www.tw4homes.com website
https://tvallc.isrefer.com/go/RehabLite/reigirl/ FREE SOFTWARE FOR WHOLESALERS, REHABBERS AND AGENTS! Present professional looking deals to buyers and lenders as well as run your numbers and get the ROI.
Hey Joe! Nice to meet you! I am truly inspired by your story & I am actually right behind you, I just read Profit in RE Right Now ... I'm ready to hit the ground running running, but wasn't sure exactly where to start. I was just skimming through the site looking for some guidance on the LLC topic. And so, what I've learned is that if you don't have any assets, meaning anything to lose, you don't need one. So, being that I am in "pre-school"
I will do my first few deals then go for the business name. Do you have an LLC or anything? And if not when the title co cut your check they just cut it in your own name?
Anyhow, I'm so glad I came across your post, I'm going to google title co's in my area, make some calls, and I heard that walmart sells blank bandit signs for under $2. Don't know how true it is, but I will let you know... There are walmarts all over the world
LOL Then I will do the same thing with them & wait for the phone to ring. How long of a message does Google allow you to leave? I'm going to check that out too! I was thinking of mobile phone w/o a contract.. but I like your idea better 
Well Joe, thanks for your story! Hope to hear many many more from you!!!
~Michelle
To An Abundant Life!
~ Michelle B Cruz, NJ " It's TIME to make it HAPPEN "
"Changing Lives One Card At A Time" I use this tool to build massive relationships: https://www.sendoutcards.com/mbcruz/
What Amazing Tool For Real Estate Investors, Rehabbers and Wholesalers
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I too ordered Dean's book and I'm working on my Buyer's List. THANK YOU for writing about your first deal at the time when I needed inspiration. CONTINUE TO SOAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to think outside of the box! I also use Realtor.com but I didnt think to use it in this way.
Lenee
www.allstarhouses.com
~Act successful! And you'll draw it to you.~
~Every achievement, big or small, begins in your mind. It starts as a thought.~
Good job Joe. You took action. Now you are off and running. I appreciate the kind words and was glad to help but, YOU did it. I have given the same advise to many, many people on this site and they have done nothing or have given up or spend their time blogging!
I look forward to working with you in the near future. We will dominate your area!! Action taker Joe!! On to the next one
Michael Mangham
Mentoring/Team Building Nationwide
MD Home Acquisitions LLC
Knowledge is power, but execution trumps knowledge. Tony Robbins
http://www.mdhomeacquisitions.com Seller site
http://www.mdhomeacquisitionsbargainhouses.com Buyer site
http://www.mdhomeacquisitionshousehunter.com Bird Dog Site
http://www.mdlodeals.com Tenant/Buyer site
This story is inspiring.
I havent got any calls from my bandit signs ...not sure if the hand written ones work here...
"dump the clutch and nail the throttle"
"Just do it, Get it Done!"
--Matt Larson
Hi JB great job and now dont look back your on to the next one, Jim
jbischoff
A few questions...you say you ordered 25 signs. Did you put all 25 out? Where abouts did you place them? and How long are they out there for? Just the weekend, all week? Just curious.
Rachael
I put the bandit signs out at busy intersections and at the highway exits in my city. I put them out and just left them there. Most of the signs lasted a good 2-3 weeks, but as I was noticing that they were disappearing one by one, the calls also stopped comimg in...so what did I do? Bought more signs...and put them out again...and the calls started again!! To get leads, I also use craigslist and local "penny saver" newspapers. I have an ad running all month long in the local penny saver that says the same thing as my signs, "I BUY HOUSES, ANY CONDITION" and my number. The ad only costs me $38 a month. I know for sure that bandit signs work, because that's how I got my first deal
It only goes to show that determination is key. God Bless.
Sandra
"You can never get to the top, if you are not willing to climb. Do not look at the difficulty of the climb, only anticipate the view from the top."
"Can't even walk without you holding my hand." (Song)
"Is anything too hard for the Lord ..." Genesis 19:14
"In all things, wait on the Lord."
"Think not of your own deliverance, but trust in God who will give in abundance."
"When you are down to nothing, God is up to something." Unknown
"Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about those things that really matters." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Being a newbie it's the stories like that that keep you pumped up. Will be putting out signs this weekend and looking at properties. Thanks for sharing that with us!
I am also on a journey for my first deal and every time I read a post like yours I feel like I am living that experience as well. Thank you for sharing your success. Can't wait to hear about deal#2.
Good job on your first wholesale. Thanks for the great story.
Roger
Jaguar Investment Group
URL for Journal : http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/43293/...
All things are possible to him who believes! ----- Mark 9:23
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity ------ Albert Einstein
Thank you for sharing your awesome story! I'm working on getting my first deal, and your story is definitely added motivation.
Thanks again,
Stephan Roberts
"In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia!"
Here is a FREE property analyzer I've found:
https://tvallc.infusionsoft.com/go/RehabLite/sroberts/
It's a great tool to use to help analyze your deals (and did I mention it's FREE)! But, you really should spend the $97 and get the full premium edition! IT'S AWESOME!!
Hey congrads to you Joe, The key was facing your fear, taking action, and just getting it done, Good for you. And dont ever put your cell number on a bandit sign, code enforcment well locate you and, always use a untracible number such as goolge voice or magic jack is what I use, now do it again and make some more money.....Action+Knowledge=Success..$$$$$$$$$$$ in the Bank....John H.
"Action and Mistakes" always-outweigh "Analysis Paralysis"
...Just do It"
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/john-hoening/23/2a3/164
"Action+Knowledge=Success....$$$$$$$$$.....
www.WeFlipDesMoines.com http://facebook.com/desmoinesinvestmentproperties
www.iowarealestateflipper.com
Keep up the hard work and the second deal should come easier
I just set up my google # what kind of messege do I use,do I need to have multipal # 1 for sellers & 1 for buyers.
Thanks for the info about google voice it will come in handy.
Keep the faith Matt
thinking outside the box with Realtor.com. That is good advice for all! WTG.
shirley
Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end.
You have not lived a perfect day, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you. Ruth Smeltzer
It is what it is 'til you change it.
just follow the directions and take no shortcuts
Good Job!!
Did you use the lead sheet to gather information about the house?
Mike
https://tvallc.isrefer.com/go/RehabLite/renvestr/ Free tools
Woo-Hoo
Congrats on that deal.
When you trust in yourself, you are trusting in the wisdom that created you.
Matt b, I only have 1 google voice number and its for when the "sellers" call my signs. It basically says "I buy houses in any condition and can close in as little as 10 days, so please leave your name and number and a brief description of the property you are trying to sell, and I will get back to you within 24 hours"....reinvestor42, I have the lead sheet memorized so I just go off of that
Great job Joe and very good post. Thanks for the elaborate scenario. Congratulations, keep it up.
nicely done! very inspiring story! gotta love OHIO!!!
wishing you many more deals,
Valerie
“And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!” ― Dr. Seuss
"I believe in angels, the kind that heaven sends; I am surrounded by angels, but I call them friends" - Unknown
My journal: http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59110/...
and way to stick to your plan!!! Great job!!! May it be the first of many to come!!
"Wolves, the Original Man's Best Friend!!!"
"Don't start none.. there won't be none! Get busy!"
Thank you for this post. I have been dancing around getting into investing for way too long.
Your post has Re inspired me. One of my mental blocks was phone calls and phone numbers.
I never thought to use google voice. I would like to talk more with you about your deal.
Thanks Much
Congratulations! Your success at this inspires people to NOT stop trying! Thanks for posting! And good luck on your next deals!
Cris
Hi to all, this is a really inspiring post! I too use bandit signs ((( http://bit.ly/zTdDn9 ))) Generally I will post them near major intersections that I know lead to the downtown area. I mostly post them higher on the telephone pole using a sign holder and extention stick with my hammer , this way as morning traffic is held up at the intersection, they read and call on my sign. I use simple easy and quick to read signs "" I buy houses in 30 days or less & my cell number "" I get alot of calls. If someone complains about the signs, I just take them down. I also put up the signs on the "drive home" routes. If you need signs check this out :: http://bit.ly/zTdDn9 :: Great post keep up the good work ! ~Bob
Thanks for taking the time to write all about your first deal..
It was so informative and encouraging to hear your story..
Especially , when you told us how you got that buyer !!
I also signed on in July...having a slow start...but,
I am right behind you !!!!
Can't wait to get my first deal done.!!
Thanks again for that fuel to my fire !!
Best wishes for your continued success.
Many blessings.
Peace,Love and $$$
XO
Angie