finding buyers/sellers/and??

I can just feel the whole experience as you tell it!
What a GREAT example of taking one step at a time!

Thank You!

Deb

Sandi that is a great post and I enjoyed reading it Thanks for sharing.

How is your deal you were working on when we talked go any progress there? Maybe some of your new found REI people might help you with that one too.

Great Job!!

I am not activlly involved in these meeting but as you said Talk it up!

I was showing a house to a buyer the other day and he asked me if i went to the meetings I said no not yet and he said you look familiar. Told me they are Great just for learning more info.

Hope all works well for Ya!

Jay C

Just thought I would say I'm giong to my first REI meeting this Thursday.
I'm taking alot of bussiness cards with me and plan on giving a lot out.Like alot of others on here I'm a little scared but going to do my best.
Thank You this is something I needed to read.
Going to read again before going tomorrow evening to gian my confindence.
Spring is almost here and it's time to spring forward. Tim

When I walked in, even though I already knew it was the REI meeting, I went up to one of the tables and said, "I am looking for the REI breakfast, and this is the first meeting I've ever been too." The girl stood up and greeted me and told me where to sign in. I came right out and said I was a bit nervous, and immediately a couple of people started greeting me and saying how they were glad I came and not be nervous they are all new at some time.
The girl I first met works for a title company, and was glad to add her to my list!
So don't be nervous, just go a few minutes earlier and they will spend a few minutes talking with you. When I go somewhere alone for the first time, I always think.....if it gets that bad, I'll just run out!!!! And we know that will never happen, but tell yourself that's an option!!!
Good luck glad it helped with confidence.
Sandi

GOOD JOB!!! It wasn't that hard was it? REI clubs are a GOOD place to network and make things happen. CONGRATS!! Keep it going.

I volunteer at Nursing Homes and run into MANY special ppl who are VERY interesting and have alot to offer. I also go to the SPCA and take some 'special' pet friends to meet and LOVE them if only for a short time, it makes their day in a special way that they would not normally get.

It seems every time I go to the hospital I always runs into someone along the way, be it workers or patients or family members and strike up a conversation and seems to lead to Real Estate.

KEEP UP the GOOD work...and remember to HELP people...it comes back around.

Mike

This is such a great post!

I can tell it has gotten you very excited, as well it should.

Even though with my postings on here, you would probably never imagine that I have a real problem, too, just walking up to people and introducing myself in person. It strange because I have no problem starting conversations in smaller settings like restaurants, elevators, etc, but introducing myself one on one in big groups I freeze.

At the same time, I can get up in front of the large group and do a presentation--no problem!

My daughter #2 is in sales in NYC and is the most social person you would EVER meet. I have started playing a game when I go to REI meetings, etc. I pretend I am Lacey (daughter #2) and will just walk up and DO IT!

I know that sounds absolutely crazy! But it works.

It sounds like things are really starting to open up for you and I am so glad!

Keep us updated. You have been through a lot. Your time has come for good things to happen.

Karen

This a great example on how to find great deals. Question, can someone sum up for me to help me understand more what bird dogging is?

Wasn't hard at all and was really exciting to meet all these people. And I have always loved helping people, you learn real compassion when you work in emergency settings.
And even rescuing animals and "many many" horses, you can't help them and not have your heart go out to them.
Several of the docs and nurses I worked with, told me when I left the hospital, if RE works for you, come back and get me! I told them I will!! So I have to get a ton of deals done soon to prove to them it works!
But helping people is my passion. It is one reason I recently went back to find a part time job back in the ICU. And I do need to make a living at RE, but I know the Lord will bless this business because I also keep in perspective, why I was drawn to this.
Thanks for your post.
And for the good work you do to help out people and our critters!
Sandi

Thanks Karen, and I was scared to stand up and introduce myself, like you I can do it in small situations, but a big crowd, I was shaking inside!!
But remember, half the people in there are also feeling the same way!
I will let you know how things work out on these deals.
Barry, I know we have had several posts on bird dogging, don't know off hand what it is under. But I just got 2 of them working for me now, and that is how I found some of these deals already.
They find the property and get all the info they can for me. One does talk to them and gets me good info and I take it from there. Another just finds me some good places and I run the numbers. But I have bird dogged for investors. I had to find the property, talk to the owners and run numbers. Then you sell that info to the investor/buyer but you only get paid if they do a deal on it. It depends on what your investors want you to do. Simply ask them.
And always have a contract between the two of you.
If you need more help and can't locate it, send me a PM.
Sandi

Congratulations on your success Sandi!!

REI Meetings are a must. The benefits out weigh the time and the drive. Way to go Sandi. Best Wishes on your REI journey. God bless!!!

Thank you for sharing your experience, it's folks like you and others that help to keep me motivated! I can't wait to try and make it to a REI club meeting myself!

Thanks for the great post. Im right there with you, Im new to this also and have just started to build my buyers/ sellers lists. At first, I thought that finding 30 serious buyers would be impossible. But after watching a couple videos and reading posts like yours my mindset has changed completely. Ive learned to treat every lead, every ad, every new contact as a potential buyer or RE deal. And most importantly to be myself. I dont have to act like I know everything or say excactly the right things to be good at this. The opportunities will come if I put the work in. Thanks again good luck with your new contacts!

congrats on the breakfast I'm glad you went and it worked out for you. Thanks for the post, I have told a few people on this site how important REI clubs are and you just spelled it out. As I said yesterday when you treat people right the money will follow and you are proof of that. let me know how you make out Friday and I hope the other program worked out for you.

I am glad it has helped those of you who needed a boost! I look back and wonder why it took me so long to go to the meetings. Just be yourself. I had always thought these people would be "above" me. Being a farm girl and raising cattle and horses all my life, and being in scrubs at work, I really thought I would not fit in. But one man that I had been talking to when I first called about the meetings, told me show up in blue jeans, they are all just down to earth people. I did better than blue jeans, but everyone was so casual and easy to talk to.
Don't be afraid to call the phone number posted on the REI sites and just ask some questions first. They usually say, let me know who you are, and I'll be watching for you. Remember to ask what their fee is. This one is $15 each time you come to the evening meetings, or $99 a year, which is cheap. But the breakfast meetings are free, just pay for your food. Another plus........they have their own website where all of us, even if you are not a member, can network with each other. So think of all the good from these clubs.
So let me know when some of you go and tell us how it went. I posted this under local networking and discussion, so add on and let us know!
This may be what finally gets your business going. So go and have fun!!
Thanks everyone for the inputs, didn't think it would go this far!
Sandi

Did it cost you anything for the meeting and/or breakfast meeting? Where was the breakfast held? I think it's awesome you broke that barrier, Sandi! Congrats! The only meetings I now about are monthly and they are in Phoenix at the convention center and/or somewhere in Mesa/Sun Lakes (Arizona), but they are once a month and I am not apart of their email system or anything like that (if they have one). I wish there was one in Pinal county though, something a little closer. I would even go for a breakfast or a lunch meeting somewhere. I even thought about starting one for the local area, sometime. What do you think?

***

sandiboots wrote:

When I walked in, even though I already knew it was the REI meeting, I went up to one of the tables and said, "I am looking for the REI breakfast, and this is the first meeting I've ever been too." The girl stood up and greeted me and told me where to sign in. I came right out and said I was a bit nervous, and immediately a couple of people started greeting me and saying how they were glad I came and not be nervous they are all new at some time.
The girl I first met works for a title company, and was glad to add her to my list!
So don't be nervous, just go a few minutes earlier and they will spend a few minutes talking with you. When I go somewhere alone for the first time, I always think.....if it gets that bad, I'll just run out!!!! And we know that will never happen, but tell yourself that's an option!!!
Good luck glad it helped with confidence.
Sandi

The regular monthly evening meetings are $15 to come to. Or you can join at $99 a month.
We have another in Milwaukee and Madison, and I think those were $15 or about $200 for the year.
The breakfast meetings are free. They meet at a large restaurant and have a separate room, and you can order a breakfast, or not. They said today they are going to just do a buffet for $5 which is easier.
But I didn't know we had one in Brookfield. Someone on DG mentioned a site to go on and find the REI's in your area. And was glad to see this one come up. But just call one of them and they may know of one closer to you. Or maybe try and find other investors near you and ask them.
Starting one may be a good idea too. They do have special speakers come to the evening meetings and talk to everyone about different subjects. Like title insurance, IRA investing, and other people.
Let me know if you can find one, or try to start one.
Good luck
Sandi

I just checked and I found this by typing in REI clubs Wisconsin.
So try it with your state. I just put in REI clubs Arizona and it brought up the ones there. So check it out, and even call one of them and see if they know of smaller groups in your area.
Sandi

I just found an REI club that I didn't know about. So much to do; so much to think about.. It's great when you have others thinking also!! Thanks for sharing.

Glad you found one. Really is worth it. If they are too far for you, call them and ask for others in your area, or other investors. But these REI's have web sites that have tons of info and you should be able to go on without being a member.
So hope you can get into one. Let me know.
Sandi

They have a few in the area. I actually do business with the president of one. Just wholesaled to him last week. I've not been able to make their meetings, because it's on my Bible Study night. However, he's passing the word about me. I think I'll ask him, if he's ever considered a breakfast.

The other that I knew of, dissolved. However after the search, I found another one that I knew not of. I'll be contacting them to attend.

I will give this a try.

Thanks,

Tony

PS. Good Luck and God Bless!