mbjoseph


All About mbjoseph

mbjoseph's picture
Name: 
Margaret Joseph
Location: 
Arizona
About Me: 

I work for a company that makes promotional products and I do the overseas purchasing. I've been with them for 18 years and have seen them through good and bad times. I was on a 4-day work week for a year and a half after the economy crash, but we all survived.

It's funny that real estate has been in my family for years, yet I have only discovered it a few years ago. My father had a real estate business with my uncle for many years, and even though my father and uncle are no longer with us, the business was passed down to my cousin who now runs it.

I have a small 2-bed house and from the moment I bought it, I thought of it as a starting over house and knew that I would sell it to move into something larger and in a better neighborhood. Then the economy crashed and I realized that I couldn't get my money out of it by selling. As I started to look into alternatives I began to realize that houses on the current market were going for incredibly cheap! And if I wanted to buy a better house, then NOW was the time to do it! Then late one night I was watching TV and there was this ad and this book to buy.....and it's all history after that.

My goal for the future is to flip a few houses and make enough money for a large down payment on the house of my dreams that I will retire in. Then I will work on buying and holding so that I possibly CAN retire.

I bought my first investment property in November 2009. That was supposed to be a fix n flip, but it turned into a rental because of a low appraisal. I learned a lot and just kept going. It's been a struggle and no, I didn't quit my job after the first year. I am slowly gaining momentum and have so much more experience than I did when I started.

Fast forward to 2014. This year ended with 12 completed deals and my first Lease Option that was also a probate deal. I'm gaining momentum and I know 2015 will be a great year.

Are you in my area? Sign up to be on my buyers list: http://buyphoenixproperties.com/

Interests: 
My main interest is music. I'm a flute player that is always trying to find more time to spend on my music. I play in flute choirs in the Phoenix area but also have an interest in jazz. I've taken an interest in the Native American flute and hope to expand on that, too.

Topics I've Participated In

TitlePosterRepliesUpdated
Hello Everyone! Michstan1926 years 39 weeks ago
Reverse Mortgage dgord195047 years 10 weeks ago
Investing in Occupied Rentals mikedogg838497 years 49 weeks ago
Giving Back jade_east168 years 12 weeks ago
EDGE 2009 to EDGE 2014 - If you attended any of these events, post here for your EDGE Badge Icons! Indiana-Joe1348 years 40 weeks ago

Basic Info

Occupation: 
Purchasing Agent and part-time Real Estate Investor
Children: 
Have Child(ren)
Education: 
Completed College
Status: 
Single

Guestbook

Hi Margaret

John A's picture

Just wanted to say hi & welcome you to the DG site Smiling Don't hesitate to ask me anything about REI to help you on your way to success, so ask away & stay in touch on your progress...

Everyone Can Make A Difference!
John A.

Hi Margaret

I too am a single mom embarking on this Real Estate Investing adventure. In 2 years I will have no source of income at all so I am very desparate and a bit paniced to get this up and rolling.Do you have any advice for me as to where to begin? I found a foreclosure that the bank has put up for auction twice and twice turned down the bids. I have no money and bad credit but I am going to approach the bank and hopefully assume the remaining balance of the loan. Any advice?
Also I am looking for 3 properties that the owner will finance for me in hopes of flipping them into low income housing trying to acquire a government grant I have heard about. Do you have any dealings with the government for grants or down payment assistance and if so is there a contact number for the government programs so I can talk with an actual person.
Thanks Margaret for inspiring me and giving me the hope I needed that a single mom like me can do this! Smiling
Ramona
Parker, CO

May You have Great Success

JJD's picture

May You have Great Success on your Journey!
Thanks For Coming Aboard!

JJD

HI Margaret.... From AZ Also

SJ_Backholm's picture

Im here in AZ also ( West Valley ), Just wanted to stop by & say hello. Id love to speak with you further at some point & learn more about your story & experiences with investment here in the valley...Also Im always building my local network and love teaming up with others. If you ever want to talk send me a PM & maby we can grab a cup of coffee and chat for a few

all the best

-Stephen

Giving Back

jade_east's picture

Hi, Margaret ---
Thanks for visiting my thread on Giving Back and adding your thoughts. I checked out your profile a day or two ago and started to sign in on your Guestbook, but wasn't sure what to say. Now I know ---- Congratulations on your first Flip! And on being able to give back to your neighbor; I know that feels great too.
PS Have tried the Native American flute and the pan pipes; just about passed out from all the breathwork, but I'm sure when you get into the flow it does great things for increasing your energy. Sounds like you'll put that to good use.
Best Wishes,
Jennifer E

Hi Margaret

MxChica's picture

Hello Arizona, probably will see yoi at an azreia meeting sometime.
Loved your story.

Why not use your investment strategies to get your dream home too? Forget the down-payment, it's a waste of money that's better to keep. Just sayin'.

Congrats!

add me to your buyers and sellers list asap

P.H.G. LLC.'s picture

Help a member out not begging just networking looking to be in arizona soon to pick up an investment a dark blue ferrari drop top with a dark blue top I used to stalk on a daily on my lunch breaks after I drop off my fair in scottsdale its hard to believe I dont have drive cab anymore not I run fleets with my cuzn chevy at discount cab better known as chaveras benson if ever need a cab tell him I referred you and that your DG family member

P.S.
Welcome to the DG family