A-ROD'S JOURNAL - Paying It Forward

Hi Alex, I can sense your full dedication on your new venture considering the fact of Winning the scholarship in the academy will add more motivation and fearless adventure. Just continue on your Journey. Hopping to read more of your success stories before your Bday on March 10. God bless you. LA

Hey A-Rod, It must be tough living in Boston with that name huh? Hope you really do make the best of it because I just found out today how much it cost to have coaches and its not cheap to say the least. WOW! Don't you dare take it for granted. If I knew how much it cost last week when they were asking for applications I would have submitted my own to try and win it myself. Anyway...Congrats, goodluck and GO PATS!!!! I anticipate a win by New England.

Yeah man, motivation is key! But, Im sure the academy will do doubt help with that. Youve got a team behind you so that will make it easier to stay motivated! Things that motivate me are when I get calls on the phone line, thats when it feels the most real to me! Cant wait to see your blog er, journal!
Best,
Shane

aka A-ROD
Thanks for starting your journal! I know you are one busy fellow, but who better to expect even MORE from! LOL
I'm not much into sports, but I'm glad all you guys have that in common!
Did you know while Casey is a REI legend, he is also a sports hero! (PLEEEASE forgive me for not knowing any more than that). You'll have to ask him.

Anyway, we look forward to keeping up on all the exciting things that are gonna be happening for you. And yes, don't limit yourself. You can do anything you set your mind to. I had a fortune cookie last night that simply said "Set high goals". I'll share that "fortune" with you, Alex. lol. Easy enough for all of of us to do. Takes a little more effort to "get there".

Have fun! Show us what determination will do!

God bless,

Rina

Congratulations! I have a feeling many will be following your journal, I know I will be. I'm looking forward to hearing about your journey in REI and wish you much success.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Thanks for the support, everyone!

Tonight I spoke with Casey again and he got me set up with the entire academy system they have in place. He also sent me some learning material through the mail that should be coming in a week or two. It seems as though they really want to get their students trained and provide them with all the tools we need before "winging it." I'm fine with it all, my job is to just to follow action steps and Mentorship while holding myself accountable.

Tomorrow night I have another call to complete a full assessment on my level of expertise and Investing techniques I could see myself starting. Then I'll be set up with a curriculum of training and action steps that's suited for me. I'm happy with the getting to know each other and learning, but I feel like taking action! Sort of like Shoot, then aim (Not Aim then Shoot). I want to make mistakes so the coaches can correct me along my path. However, It's all going to have to wait as I'm dedicated to taking it step by step with this academy. Just to avoid any excuses.

Sorry for the boring entry, but I've dedicated to write 5 days a week minimum; even without excitement. On a cool note, I took your advice Rina and asked Casey if he was a sports hero, haha. He was modest when he told me he played Tight End for four different NFL Teams! Pretty cool. We talked for a little about the Patriots game last night and how their defense is terribal.

Till next time. Oh yea, I realized that final company analysis report for my finance class wasn't due until 11:59 PM tonight! Therefore I'll be up all night again putting in some finishing touches! Just thought I'd add that. God is Good!

God Bless

A-ROD

give it your best Alex

you have lotz of people watching you

Later Fred E

Way to go A-ROD!
Have an energy drink and finish that report. lol
Thanks for filling us in. Feels like we were there with ya. Pretty cool.

Rina

Man the more I think about it the more I see the Academy is perfect for everyone.

I really like how they assess you to see what type of deals you are comfortable with and what works for you.

It makes you wonder why all Universities dont do something like that. I mean, I know there are assessment tests and things like that, but they are very general.
This really seems like something that is tailored for the individual.

I think if more schools/colleges did that, and worked on a one on one basis with students we would probably see the type of productivity and success stories that we see in Deans program, in every type of field all over the nation. That's awesome man! I look forward to seeing your accomplishments take place on a day to day basis.

So today I got a call from Drew, another coach in the academy. I'm now set up with a curriculum and can be off on my own from here! Of course there will be the occational call to check to see where I'm at and for accountability, but it's my job to start taking action and correcting myself along the way by calling the coaches whenever I need them.

To keep things short, tonight I'm going to take a marketing overview course and complete the workbook, tomorrow I'll take a course on finding buyers with the workbook, and for the weekend I'm SWAMPED! Haha. I have a business analysis project on my own real estate sales brokerage due monday and of course I've saved it for the final weekend. I'm starting to really believe in Parkinson's Law (a task will be completed with the alloted time given to it.) However, I'll be making a personal complete action step, deadlined, scheduled plan on focused tasks. I'll be sharing this with everyone sometime within the next couple of days. Drew really emphasized the importance of building that buyers list (Investor's buyers list) so ill be focused on getting that built.

I also wanted to mention that Dpuzo and I have a friendly competative challenge on who will be the first to reach 5 deals. David is also from MA and joined the academy just days after I did. We are at the same point as far as the academy goes and are both motivated to win this challenge. Should be fun. Off to take those training lessons!

Oh, and in case you're interested, I completed Dean's Fast Start Form and wanted to share it:

OBSTACLES:
1. Being 21 Years Old
2. Having NO cash
3. Un-reliable car (My first. I'm gonna miss that thing when it dies on me.)

OPPORTUNITIES:
1. Perfect Market Conditions
2. 8 different investor clubs to attend
3. Probates and pre-foreclosures to target

STRENGTHS
1. Academy Training & support worth thousands (for free! Good things will come to you too! Have faith)
2. Having an audience viewing my Journal to motivate myself and hopefully others as well)
3. Having all the tools & knowledge & accountability to make it happen.

ACTION STEPS
1. Follow Dean's academy and use their coaches whenever needed
2. Write in my Journal minimum 5 days a week.
3. Locate Investor Buyers, Motivated Sellers, and put them together (This isn't rocket science!)

GOD BLESS!

A-ROD

Alex, Just focus on the Opportunities, Strengths, and your Action steps. Ignore your obstacles just like what Rina would always say "Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission" by Dean G. I like this quote, seriously. LA

Alex,

First, congrats on your scholorship! That is AWESOME!!!!!!

Second, after watching Dean's infomercial last weekend (Thanksgiving weekend), I purchased his books, began reading here on the forum, contacted Dean's success academy and signed on yesterday (12/1/09). I too am now a student of the academy and want to network with others of a similar mindset. Nothing like pushing forward! Feel free to view my profile and get to know me a bit better; and PM me if your interested in sharing alternate contact info.

Finally, If you don't mind, I would also like to join you in a friendly competion on who gets the first/most deals in a given time. I believe this could motivate all of us, as well as building a healthy network of partners.

Again, congrats.

Rick S.
Revealing success through positive action.

Sport, ur more than welcome to join the competition. Hope it motivates you too.

Man, my head is spinning right now. I planned on working on my bus analysis project but just couldn't help take another course. They are a wealth of information but can suck you in and cause you keep learning. I got to get my priorities straight again. I want to put school on the back burner but just can't, especially at this point in the semester. Oh well, there's a lesson to be learned here somewhere. Who knows? I just need some sleep at the moment. haha

I saw a vacant house while walking my dog and it looked like it could have potential when fixed up. I debated to go inside but thought better of it. After finishing the walk, I wrote a quick note and jogged back to put it in a mailbox. The note asked if they were interested in selling and how we can close quickly and to call me back. If I do get a call back, it would give me urgency to find those buyers. Something told to just do it which usually leads to good signs. We'll see. Off to bed.

God Bless

A-ROD

Alex,
You can also call your local title co, or realtor and ask for the owners address (assuming it is not owner occupied). Then send your investor letter to the corrected address.

Wishing you the best!

oh, and you're right. Don't put your college on the back burner. Consider it another tool of the trade for future reference.
Sounds like your now pulling double duty. Hang in there, the semester's about done...for a couple of weeks anyways

Rick

Hey everyone, sorry i haven't posted the past couple of days. Yesterday I broke my pinkee finger. haha, i kno right. I actually popped it back into place but today is was badly swollen and bruised. And for the past three days I've been slaving on papers and what not. However, I did make time to to watch some of the training my coach assigned for me. I have to wake up very early tomorrow morning to pass in my bus analysis project by 10 am, take my car to the mechanic (no heat), and make an appointment for that little pinkee finger.

Although I am in a tough spot right now, these are that moments that define us. If you can stay positive during your rough times, imagine how great life will be during your good times. God is always with us and you need to just have faith. And no excuses as far as the competition goes. My main focus is to be the first to five deals. Nothing will cause me to lose focus and you can always expect me to be back on here ASAP.

God Bless

A-ROD

Today, I realized that I was getting too comfortable as I have in the past. In the past, I would mail a few letters to probates or pre-foreclosures, get responses and get momentum started. Then they turned out not to be deals or even worse, I wouldn’t follow up with all of them thinking that they weren’t deals! I know, how bad is that? But I want to make that the old me and now writing in this journal is the antidote to stay ACCOUNTABLE. Sure I have presentations and papers to do (ill be up all night tonight) but it shouldn’t stop me from taking consistent action in real estate. I’m DONE learning through material for the time being. Now’s the time to learn from implementation and making mistakes. We’ve been blessed with the opportunity to have support from others on this site.

I suggest for every chapter we read and topic we learn, we do something in the form of action and test what we’ve just learned. This is the only way to start seeing results. Something lit in me at this moment about this topic. Let’s forget about worrying about such small details and have the courage to do something not knowing what will happen.

I’D RATHER BE THE PERSON WHO KNOWS NOTHING BUT DOES EVERYTHING INSTEAD OF THE PERSON WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING BUT DOES NOTHING! I hope this spoke to someone besides myself.

Expect me to find some legitimate buyers soon!

God Bless,

A-ROD

I'm young too (20 in May) and I want to take advantage of the market NOW also. As of now I'm soaking up material on the wholesaling process. Soon to be taking REAL ACTION once I feel I have enough specialized knowledge to start learning from field mistakes. Anyway I just want to let you know I'm following you on your journey. I know your going to make progress& reach goals and that's going to add so much fuel to my fire. Following you from the time you joined the academy, to watching you build your buyers list, knocking out deals 1,2, up to 5, and every other milestone you reach will open my eyes (im sure others) even more that this can be done. SO GET HER DONE and keep inspiring those around you.

BY the way you HAVE TO IT"S A MUST beat dpuzo (mid45yrold) lol to those five deals. Represent for the youngbloodz on this great site.

Wish you plenty blessing and much love, Go after your destiny!

Alex, I like your profound statements about knoweledge Vs. Action! Nothing ever happens in life without taking action.
I would never have been married without being willing to approach my wife.
I would never of had 3 children without the process of reproduction.
I would never have bought my 1st house at age 27 if I didn't drive around the neighborhood I wanted to live in to find that FSBO.
The examples could go on and on! Anything accomplished takes action! Nothing in life just comes to you, and if it does...it's not always appreciated.

Stay strong, steadfast and determined my friend!!

I am enjoying following your journey Alex. I am sure you will do fine, you are young so time is on your side and you seem like you have a good head on your shoulders. Like you said ,take action and more importantly follow up on those actions.
good luck
Richie.

Alex,

Awesome journal, steps and motivation....it takes so much discipline to be motivated all the time, so congrats on starting this thing out with a bang.

I totally love this quote in your last post...
I’D RATHER BE THE PERSON WHO KNOWS NOTHING BUT DOES EVERYTHING INSTEAD OF THE PERSON WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING BUT DOES NOTHING!

I need to put that on my desk and stare at it, but also do twice as much DOING as STARING!

I totally believe the more we "get out there" and do stuff that feels like you're "just going through the motions" sometimes, the more things that truly do happen for us just because it is such a numbers game. And I need to get my numbers up!

Thanks for the daily dose of motivation...I look forward to following your journey.

I hope your pinky finger is better soon.

Cheers!
Louisa

Thanks everyone. Glad I can motivate.

It's just when you know you have all the tools you need to win, you begin to move forward and then see the simple things that keep you on hold. It's like there's something in this world that tries to hold you back.

I see the law of momentum as huge for me and anyone else in the starting stages. An object in motion tends to stay in motion. It works with all matter, including us. Small action steps lead to more and more action steps and then you're taking big steps before you know it not even noticing at the time. You're momentum begins to snowball!

Jerome, it's awesome to see young people on here going for it too. People who are unexpected to do great things (being young, broke, no credit, no education, etc...) have the opportunity to do even greater things than those who have one of the resources. I hope to hear from you in the future and see how far you've.

God Bless everyone

OK. I apologize for not posting the past couple of days. Truth is I'm pleased with the progress I've made given the time of year (final exams and presentations). My coach is completely understanding and wants me to simply focus on finding buyers.

I've managed to gather a list of ten buyers that seem legitimate. If anyone is not a member at a RE investors club, put that on your list! One of the clubs Im a member of has a database of all of its members. I contacted the investors who had a website and even got two referrals from a nice women who has investor friends in my area. You never know what will happen when you act and stay positive! I also did searches online with the terms "we buy houses MA" and "stop foreclosure ma". Ask yourself the question, "If i were a legitimate investor, how would I advertise?" I plan on adding to my buyers list on an on-going basis through referrals, networking, and foreclosure auctions. I developed a database of all the auctions that will occur around my area andfound a couple that I may be able to attend. An auction purchaser needs cash to buy so whoever you find should be legitimate.

Anyways, I won't assume whos legitimate until I find a deal and see who rises to the occation. Once the deals begin to roll in, it is then that I will update my "Legitimate" buyers list.

Keep at it, take small steps, and review your progress along the way.

God Bless

Thanks for your words of encouragement on my journal Alex! I don't know how you stand in your "Fantasy Football" but I'm pretty much out of my "Fantasy League" for this season. Had alot of guys get hurt and so on. OH Well...whataya gonna do?
I'll look at the positive side and spend more time now finding my deals.
Keep up the effort of building that buyers list.
Later my friend.

this is good a rod i will try some of your ideas on finding buyers I too am a bit short on the buyers list

keep goin

Thanks Fred E

Just got off the call with Dean and Jeff. I gotta tell you, everything Jeff said is right on with what they teach in the success academy. It's great and astonishing at how much valuable information is spread through Dean and everyone on this site. Just being a part of the DG family is like having an amazing real estate education.

So far, I've found buyers through a database that one of my investor's club has and reached wholesalers in my area through online searches. Next, I've still got to attend a real estate auction and create an advertising system that will continue forever (You should never end your search of finding buyers.) The proactive stuff is great but to free up more of your time, the reactive techniques is what you will eventually need.

I'm glad to say school is officially on break for a month! Aside from going to Puerto Rico on December 30 - January 7th for my Grandma's 90th birthday, all of my attention will be on real estate. It's important to remember the value we bring for these experienced investors. I try putting myself in their shoes. I would see myself very active and unable to waste my time finding deals proactively. If only I could find a young motivated guy to call me and tell me he's willing to dedicate his time to find me more properties, what a Christmas present that would be! Haha, little do they know there are people like me and you who aren't shy to help them out while helping ourselves at the same time!

God Bless

Hey A rod I was on the call too what excitement there was lloks to be a great 2010

Take care and Merry Christmas

Later Fred E

Right On A-Rod!!!

Have a great Christ-mas and a belssed New Year!

Rick S

Yesterday, I had my fourth interview with a real estate brokerage in the boston area. Well, I made my decision. I'm now a real estate agent for City Realty Group and will be conducting both rentals and sales transactions while in school. I'm also leaving my current internship as a property manager. Being in the field will not only give me more credibility, but also put me in the middle of buyers, sellers, and renters. I just see so many advantages to being a real estate professional.

During my interviews, I was asked why I wanted to become a realtor? Being honest, I told them of my passion for real estate investing and my goal of running an empire of cash flowing properties. In order to learn the market, get local knowledge, develop the ability to work with people and sales, I decided to have a job as a sales agent. (All businesses require sales skills and the ability to work with people. So what better way then to have a sales job in the field I want to invest in?) To my surprise, when speaking with the broker/owner, he was the third guy that bought real estate investments through auctions! I found three cash buyers while interviewing for positions. These brokers/owners have tons of cash through their business and are looking to put their cash into discounted properties.

Therefore, I recommend going on craigslist and searching through the real estate jobs section. If you live near a major city, you'll see many ads of brokers/owners looking for real estate rental/sales agents. Build a list of these brokers/owners (note: most of the time the person advertising will be a recruiter and NOT the owner/broker) and go on their website to find out who the broker/owner is. I will GUARANTEE you that more than 50% of the time, these people NOT ONLY have the cash to back it up, but they also LOOK to buy real estate investments. They are easy targets! Unfortunately for them, the only way they know how to find deals is through auctions. SO GO HELP THEM OUT!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND GOD BLESS,

good luck in your new endeavor

I sold real estate for about 20 years and i too have thought about going back into the business

Have a prosperous 2010

later Fred E

A-Rod,
Its an encouragement to follow you on your journal. Keep hit up those deals and pursueing leads. You should also look into talking to people about using their IRA's or 401k to invest into your real estate deals by transfering said amount into a Self Directed IRA/ ROTH IRA! Phenomenal returns brother! God bless, and may we never forget the true reason for Christmas!