OfflineFortunately, we have no children living with us but the situation, unfortunately, is just as dire.
I got up this morning to news from my husband that we had to make a decision on the bills. Our electric is about to get shut off; without that, we have no Internet or hot water, or anything else for that matter.
But the Internet had already been shut off during the night, so without that, I couldn't see if I was getting any orders or responses to any of our posts and no phone calls; (we got Magic Jack VoIP a while ago during our cost-cutting efforts). And our cell phones were already suspended the other day.
So we decided to pay up the Internet bill because that will get our home phones back too, and hopefully I might get a bookmarks order to pay the electric before it gets shut off. And we'll hold our breath on the electric, and get a pay as you go cell phone just for my husband to hold us over till the cell account gets paid.
The only thing that we haven't fallen behind on is our mortgage, which is why everything else is falling apart. Social Security Disability, which is what we've both been on for years now, just is not enough, especially when they keep increasing the medical payment part without increasing the amount you get to go with the rising costs of everything else. Lovely.
And selling our own house and moving is not an option.
We've both been trying to supplement our tiny income by working as freelancers - transcription, typing, drop-shipping businesses, but the economy pretty much dumped on everything.
We cannot get refinanced; we tried that, so we're not able access any of the equity we have in our house. And we have no one to borrow from; it's just us.
So I told my husband this morning that I was going to post this here today because we have got to make something happen fast but I'm just really confused about which way to go and how to start! And we're so freaking stressed out right now that we're not sleeping right and it's making it hard to think straight.
While I still have the Internet, I created flyers to "Rent My Skills" then created a new website page out of that and posted those on Facebook, LinkedIn and anywhere else I can think of.
I've been marketing my bookmarks business to high heaven but that's really sporadic. I bought Dean's book from my last bookmarks order about two to three weeks ago.
We are willing to bird dog or whatever else we need to do to get this moving.
If there's anyone who's familiar with the Pennsylvania area - Berks County, the city of Reading or any of the surrounding areas that has some time to be a mentor, we will be forever grateful!
Thank you!
Berks County, PA Property Finders-RE Property Locators for Cash Investors: http://berkspropertyfinders.com/
Berks, Schuylkill, Lehigh and Immediately Surrounding Areas
KSmusselman; Do not despair. drop me line anytime for advice. I have some ideas.
Pertaining to re-financing. Because you are on time with your mortgage, your lender does not know you are in trouble. Before you get a notice of default, let you lender know before default happens. Once they learn that you may start missing payments, they may be more open to working with you.
Also you can ask your lender for a favor; explain that you are having financial hardships; maybe they can let you pay the interest only for a one, two, maybe 6 months. Can't hurt to ask. Don't let your pride stop you. There is no shame in asking for forgiveness.
Keep trying with other lenders to get re-finaced.
The fastest thing to do is wholesale a property. Build a list of buyers. Finding buyers who are investors is easy; just call anyone advertising that they buy properties or anyone advertising rentals; most are nice. Make an offer to sellers for %30, %50, even %70 below asking price on several properties. If anyone accepts, advertise it as an amazing deal way below market value with plenty of equity remaining. Rents in reading are average for the US. I just checked; Apts $665.00, $750 Houses $1300 2BR single.
You get an offer accepted for $32,000 and it can rent for $750 month, that will generate a return $424 month (not including annual Ins and Taxes) on a 15 yr mortgage at %6 in the first year; thats attarctive to an investor; some investors are happy making $200 a month)
Can you take in some boarders to get some rent? A room can go for $300-600 month.
If you have a garage, maybe you can bring in some monthly rent to someone needing storage. Garages rent for $100-200 per month
In the meantime you can generate some extra cash with Craigslist.
Sell some stuff; I made $1000's selling all kinds of stuff. It was enough some months to pay the mortgage. Craigslist works! People come to your house, pay you and take it away. You'd be surprised how much people will pay for your stuff. (Bikes $50-150 each, pictures, dishes, knives, towels, chairs, tools, flags, speakers, albums (especially jazz), vases, lamps, coffe tables bedroom sets, wardrobes, nothing is too insignificant.
Take it a step further and ask around to other people that want to sell stuff, find out what they want and sell for a profit!
Take it even further. People throw out good stuff all the time. I've recovered their trash and sold it within 24hrs in some cases. (IKEA stuff sells fast). The end of the month renters move and post there stuff often or just put it to the curb.
Today Scrap copper $3.00 lb, aluminum doors, siding, windows, stainless steal, brass $1.65 lb, copper wire $3.30 lb car rims, all command good return at a scrap yard.
Many people post free stuff on CList. Pick it up, and sell it.
I sold my home last summer and it saved my credit.
If you start missing mortgage payments, Selling and moving may be necessary.
As far as internet goes, many places (Starbucks; etc) offer free wireless service, assuming you own a laptop. You can sit ther all day.
My girlfriend make $20/hr cleaning houses locally. She filled a pullman carry-on suitcase with supplies and away she goes.
I guarantee if you try a few these things you can easily make at least $100-200 a month.
I'll be sending you a PM.
Berks County, PA Property Finders-RE Property Locators for Cash Investors: http://berkspropertyfinders.com/
Berks, Schuylkill, Lehigh and Immediately Surrounding Areas
Hi i am new to the DG family, working on 30 days quick cash i am stuck on cash buyers its not working for me i have done everything dean and the mentors told me to do. I posted on craigslist,did bandt signs even have a website i am not getting any calls or response at all what am i doing wrong? Can somebody give me a tip on how to get cash buyers please. Thanks