Doing all the homework

Once you have a good Power Team in Place everything will get alot easier for you..Just alot from the start..Just Hang in there

at least you have the luxury of focusing on this FULL TIME! I only WISH I could! It's not too much at all, I find as I access more info, I add it to whatever category it belongs to, then return to it when I need it.

As I read more (esp. on the forums) there is SO much priceless info (gems) to be found...that's it's like treasure hunting-lol! a gem here...a gem there...I keep adding it to my piles and am working on organizing my action plan.

that way, when I'm ready, I will know what to do (including contingencies)

This is in no way, any more than going to college-part time!

On the other hand, you will get out of this-exactly what you put into it!

I just wish I could do this a bit more full time...but that's around the corner...

What should REALLY excite you and spur you on to work faster, is this crappy economy and its downturn...CHA CHING!!!! Get moving!

Hey Jersey,

I am also new to this and it took me a solid week to get going but things are starting to come together. I looked at a fsbo wednesday and got another lead and then I finally found my investor friendly REA today. I am pleased with all the "little" accomplishments as they will get me to the independence that I crave.

Good luck to you

Jeff

I totally feel you, brotha.

Sometimes what helps me is to find ways to make each step more fun. That leads me to do some research with some good music playing, or taking my computer into bed with some PJs and potato chips. You get the idea.

I figure what's the use of accomplishing everything if I'm gonna be stressed as hell trying to meet a 30 day deadline? I'd rather finish in 40 and be happy and relaxed, than get it crammed in 30 and be sad and tired. Still, know that my perspective could lead to the 45-60-90-120-never never land blueprint, so I gotta be careful not to get lazy in the name of "fun".

Hang in there, Jers. Know that people all over the country are in the same grind and everybody's pulling for everybody, if only for proof that it can work for them too. Let us know when that first deal comes through. How SWEET will THAT be!?

I am a newbee but I have to read the books as I have no money to get the programs. Also I have been unemployed for 6 months I get SS so I am not stressed about money for bills but SS does not leave me extra cash to get the programs but I was able to get 4 books and the Think a little Bit Different program is in the mail to me. I am almost halfway through my second book my ad on craigslist fell flat as I had no books yet. I can use all the inspiration right now.

Thank you all for your inspiration. You guys and gals are nothing less than inspiring and wonderful. What a great feeling it is to know i'm not alone here.
And shine717 i'll let you know when I do my first deal. And for you kstonya, just know that if you read the books, study the loads of info. on the forum and do posting as you need to, you will be on your way.
It's midnight, I just walked in and I read all your posts. It makes me feel great! Thank you all for your input.

Tip for you "newbies". BUILD and QUALIFY your buyers list FIRST!! Don't do anything else until you get at least one liquid CASH buyer on your list and you know exactly what they want.

How to find liquid cash buyers: Have your agent pull a list of residential income properties that have sold for CASH in the last 90 days.

Take those property addresses and go to your county assessor and look up the tax bill address for the property. If the tax bill address is different than the property that was purchased you know you have yourself a Cash Investor.

Send that investor a letter stating that you too are an investor and you have multiple incoming leads and deals and you only have the financing to buy one of them at a time right now. Ask them if you can send them a property or two if you get some extra ones. Take their buyer criteria and right it down to keep track of what they want, where they want to buy. Then go out and find the houses they want buy and sell them to them!

Hi All,

Okay, now I am really getting outside my comfort zone... As per Dean's video blog today, I am reaching out for some support and assistance. It's been almost 2 weeks since I started the Rock Bottom Blueprint/30-day QCF and even though I have accomplished a fair amount (attended 2 local REIA meetings, got biz cards printed, called at least one realtor, lined up numbers to call from ads, etc.), I'm not doing as much as I want to be. If I had someone to check in with me occasionally that would be helpful. Of course, I'd also like to return the favor in any way that would be helpful to you.

I intend to make the 30-day into a 60-day plan so that I don't stress myself out (I get insomnia when over stressed). My "good excuses" are that I have a full-time job, a long commute and am caring for my elderly mother and 2 dogs. So that won't hold me back, I've spent the last week or so clearing out and organizing my office space and putting REI in my appointment scheduler so I can get down to work ASAP.

Now the rubber hits the road. I am a complete newbie REI, but am committed to changing my destiny in life.

Looking forward to words any of wisdom & encouragement.

G. (Oklahoma City Metro Area)

I was wondering when you did this technique, what were your results? How many letters did you send, and how many positive responses did you get? Also how long
(approximately) did it take for you to get those responses? I just sent out 80 letters and wondering what to expect.

Thanks,
Karemah

Hey,

Congratulations on getting started with the blueprint. I just got it myself.

Something that is helping me is staying aware of the most necessary parts of what it takes to make money with the blueprint. More seasoned investors might call this "Income Generating Activities." Basically, it's what Matt and Dean speak about when they ask if you are "results" oriented versus "in process" oriented.

That being said, I'm very mindful that a) building my cash buyers and b) finding amazing deals are the crux of what I am trying to do. Everything else, although it may be nice to do/have, is only useful insofar as it feeds one branch of those two income generating activities. There's no use getting burned out over any other detail (cards, website, etc.) unless I understand how it leads to finding more qualified buyers, or putting out some offers. In simplest terms, keep my eye on the ball.

Just my two cents. Please share any wisdom you've picked up thus far.

You're right, there is SO much stuff to do and take care of on a daily basis that sticking to the essentials is probably necessary, particularly in the beginning.

Something related to your comment about keeping your eye on the ball: for me at least, it seems that if I leave about a 30% margin for error for getting things done, then I'll usually have enough time to meet deadlines. In other words, things on average take at least 1/3 longer than I think they will to get done in the time I think it will take. Sometimes when I'm feeling particularly generous with myself (or just lazy) I'll just double it so there will be no stress at all involved.

Thanks again for your post.

Gardner (formerly 'gitaneros')

Great point, Gardner.

I also think that's why Dean and most success literature encourages us to reward ourselves for every plateau we reach. Because challenges always come up at every stage of the climb and results sometimes take longer than expected, my brain would just get discouraged if the only thing I did was celebrate a cashed assignment check or cash flowing property. Your post reminds me that a strongly assembled power team, a well made offer, an understood concept, etc. are all smaller things that deserve a pat on the back b/c they will ultimately stack into a more noticeable result -- increased net worth. I am rewarding myself often with emotional and motivational currency, in order that it will translate into financial currency. I think we all should do the same.

I wrote a note to myself this morning concerning my REI efforts that I thought would relate to this thread. It reads:

EFFORT BREAKDOWN: 80% buyers list, 15% strong offers, 5% automation.

Granted, this assumes the right mindset and the front-loaded effort of building a power team, but now that I am moving on past that stage, it represents how I think about getting the most bang for my buck in terms of time and energy management. Maybe it will help you too.

@ Shine

Yes, yes, excellent points! I'll keep your effort breakdown guideline (and its assumptions) in mind as I'm building my REI biz!

Thanks!!!
Gardner

Shine, Love your logo! Great advice on breaking down our homework into percentage categories. I'm trying not to get stressed out on this. I really want to get this rolling, but have had a lot of interference in my schedule. Stuff that cant really be avoided though. So GUess I will have to just take a deep breath and relax and go from here. Sharon/ Summerset Enterprises

WOW, I think this whole site is one big GOLD mine. But I am really glade that I found this post. I am about 3 weeks in and I still have not gotten my first buyers list. I feel like I am behind. Like you said here I refused to go further because from all the post, and videos and Profit from Real Estate Now it seems that the Buyers List is the Key.

Without getting to over whelmed, I have read quite a bit of post and seen alot of videos but I am not sure how deep to go when I really have not completed step one yet The Buyers List. When I call the REAs I get why do you need this? If Realtors Get paid when they sale a property does it really matter who buys it from them? Why do they seem to get Offensive when you ask for a Cash Buyers List?

Is there another way to develop a Cash Buyers List besides going through a REA? Please advise.

Thank you very much for this Post.

I am a stay-at-home mom who was trying to figure out what to “be” when I grew up. The timing was less than ideal when the RBBP was being offered, but something told me it was an opportunity I could not miss. I wasn’t able to get started until this past week.

I live in Richmond, VA and wouldn’t you know that we get hit with an earthquake and hurricane the week I am ready to start? I am caught up on the mentor calls, finished viewing the EDGE 2011 live DVDs and just finished reading the Marketing and HAN pdfs. I am on to assembling my power team and buyers list. I am so excited to put what I have learned so far into action.

This is a great forum to learn from each other and celebrate the small milestones that lead us to our first deal, even if it doesn’t happen in 30 days.

Thanks,

Gina

Adding to your buyer's list will be an activity that you will be doing for the extent of your investing career, until you find an ULTRA buyer, like Matt Larson has in Dean Graziosi. At that point, your job will be to make those ultra buyer's wealthier than they already are, and increase your net worth as a by-product and reward for adding value to those ultra buyers. That said, there are many many ways to add to your buyer's list. If you search the site and the forums, you will find at least 100 ways to market for motivated buyers.

As far as the agents go, many of them are very conventional in their thinking and are threatened if you propose anything that seems out of the ordinary. They will be quick to say that perfectly legit strategies are "wrong", "illegal", "impossible", etc simply because they don't have the will to hear you out and expand their minds and education (and make some cash by doing so!). Still, you need a great agent on your power team b/c he/she will be able to access the MLS for you, and open up their network and connections to make life easier for you and the rest of your team. The point: pick the RIGHT one. Trying to convince an REA to support your strategies is like pushing a rope uphill with your nose... a frustrating, horrible waste of time. Move on and find one that will be happy and eager to make money alongside you.

With that said, keep in mind that you have to be able to present your needs in a way that makes sense to an agent. If you ask for a "Cash Buyers List," it sounds like you are asking for names of people who bought houses for cash. Your agent can't really give you that. But if you say you'd like a listing of residential purchases that closed in cash over the last 90 days, your agent will be much more agreeable (even though, ultimately, it gives you the SAME THING). Even if the agent asks why you need this, you can say that the agent would be saving both of you a lot of time by helping you research which areas are more attractive to investors who purchase in all-cash. You can tell them that since you are doing the same, you would obviously be attracted to properties in those same areas where investors already exist. That saves everybody time and effort in the long run b/c it specifies your investment zones. You look like an efficient pro, and your agent pulls this info b/c it serves EVERYBODY in the end. Get it?

Best of luck.

Thank you for the comments. Yes, I have several approaches for building my buyers list, in the mean time, if a deal comes up, then I plan to use some personal money to get started. I was ready to start contacting realtors today, but Irene did a number on the area and 75% of Richmond is without power. I think I will wait for the area to recover before making calls. I also appreciate the advice on how to word things with realtors.

Thanks!

I am working on the 30 day program too. I am in the Success Academy too, but the blueprint has really inspired and motivated me. It has given me focus on which steps to do first. I had been working through the course, but since I got Dean's new book things have really been coming together. I contacted several realtors and have several that I am working with. Today I toured my first set of properties. Now I get to practice doing my numbers with actual properties. Who knows, maybe one of them will turn into a real offer. I have more work than I can imagine ahead of me, but I am so excited. I can hardly wait till I make that first deal! Good luck to you all. Keep up the good work!!

When we started it was all going to happen as quick as possible, birthdays, weddings, holidays or just simply being lazy. I bought RBBP, and I have to discipline myself and commit at least 2 hours a day to my future, or 15 hours a week. When you do go to a party or birthday, wedding or a get together, be politely pushy and give out your business cards and a little lip service, WOW thats a half an hour out of my 15 hours a week, talk to a couple more people and you have your two hours for the day done ( be careful because you might have a couple of people listening in on your conversation, Good make sure that they get your card too ) I belong to all kinds of clubs. Rotary, American Legion, Yacht Club, and know alot of people and they all want to be in a conversation if only just listening. I start talking about REI sometimes and soon half the room is listening to me, and I'm not that loud. See where I'm going with this, join a couple of clubs and talk to people, doesn't always have to be about RE, volunteer some of your valuable time and it will pay you back handsomely.Just have to talk or join in. I have a couple of buyers now and will jump in with both feet soon. I probably wont make it at 30 days, but it will be close, and I'm still going out and having fun. I honestly enjoy doing this Later ML