Originally posted by @Matt K. :

How goes the wresting match

Hey Matt! Well, after some more education and "playing business" it's taken me a little while to get footing and I'm still working on my processes. However, now that I'm beginning to take actual action for MYSELF and lessen my focus on JVing with others, well I'm looking to close on my first deal soon and get another under contract this week. I'll never go back! That's for sure!

Originally posted by @Matt K. :

How goes the wresting match

Hey Matt! Things are going well. I'm looking to close on my first deal within the next 2-3 weeks and get another under contract this week. I'm getting my systems in place to make this process run a little more smoothly and enrolling the toddler in childcare as my prior arrangement isn't working out so hot anymore. Once that happens this whole venture is really going to take-off. Never surrender! Never go back! I'm all in baby and it's pretty glorious!

@MelanieHartmann you mention closing on a deal in the next couple weeks.  If so, are you doing a double close?  How did you find the deal?

@Melanie Hartmann your approach is FAR better. Training wheels in the trash!

Let me know if you'd ever like to trade ideas, cheers-

Originally posted by @Paul Bowers :

@MelanieHartmann you mention closing on a deal in the next couple weeks.  If so, are you doing a double close?  How did you find the deal?

Hey Paul! This will be an assignment of the purchase agreement as the spread won't be large enough to justify a double close. This was only the 2nd seller I had really spoken to who was interested in selling their home and the first "motivated" one. I believe this seller came from an online ad somewhere but I haven't asked yet. They called my phone and did not leave a VM but then immediately went to my website and input information regarding their property. 

I certainly made some rookie mistakes but it's all part of the learning process. I have not met the seller or met the potential buyer yet. It will take a little while to close due to the potential buyer's circumstances. 

Any updates ?

Originally posted by @Derrick Burtle :

Any updates ?

No closed deals yet. Had one but it fell through (and that would have been mostly virtual - never met the seller - the "buyer" REALLY screwed me on that one). :/ Almost had another under contract, but that situation got sticky real quick and I pulled out.

So close though... so close... got some things in the works and adding leads to nurture every day. I hear on average it takes 90 days from the first day of contact to close on a deal. So... maybe in a couple months. 

My strategy has switched to cold-calling primarily as of this week. With some other things to help bolster that. 

Figuring out a niche in marketing is my current barrier. Haven't gotten any truly "motivated" sellers that I can help given where their properties are located.

Have about 650 buyers of varying quality. 

Networking - got some partnerships going for JV's and a lease-to-own option partner. I'm also beginning to team up with folks who take my "dead" leads and through me a bone if they are able to close em.

Eventually I'll get into the creative financing side but for now quick cash, lease-to-own, and realtors are my "solutions" for sellers.

The anti realtor selling to realtors lol interesting.

More power to you @Melanie Hartmann !! I am SO DISGUSTED by all the people who jumped at the opportunity to immediately judge your actions as wrong. So many successful people tell you that you need to go *all in.* I wonder if you would have gotten such a horrendously negative response [from mostly men] if you weren't a poor, ignorant female who was taking the awesome risk of BETTING ON HERSELF.

Ugh. Done. 

You're awesome.

Originally posted by @Derrick Burtle :

Any updates ?

I officially closed my first wholesale deal last week, have recently accepted an offer on another that will (hopefully) be closing this month, and have a few more things in the works. It's taken me 6 months (almost to the day) from the day I decided not to return to work to the date of my first close.

No, I'm not posting the amounts or the checks - so feel free to say I'm lying! Before I got started, I thought I would want to post checks but wholesaling is not about the money. It's really about the freedom the money provides (and the ability to purchase investment properties in the near-ish future).

Granted I knew very little about wholesaling when leaving my job. However, I do NOT regret pursuing this full-time. I'm loving this business and the vast majority of people I get to interact with. One of the BEST things about this business is CHOOSING who you work and surround yourself with! Another added bonus is helping people out of bad situations - helping them to move on and connecting properties with new owners who are excited to take them on, even if only.

My main struggles have been childcare and consistency. So, for those who have time and NO kids, there's really no reason you couldn't crush wholesaling. It's taken me a while to find my wholesaling legs (for various reasons and some excuses). 

Recommendations for fellow newbies: Even though I went full time, I would recommend starting out part-time - learning, networking, building a buyers list, going to REIA meetings, getting on other wholesalers lists. Other wholesalers can really help to close deals if none of your buyers are interested. Also, if you go hard/full-time and more than 3 months go by without closing a deal - find a mentor who can assist you over any hurdles you're facing and help you strategize/tailor your marketing plan to your market and your budget to maximize results.

Cheers to everyone! It's crazy to look back on the past 6 months - I have so much more to learn but I'm very happy to be on this journey. I've connected with and met some really great folks as well and am looking forward to building more relationships with like-minded and uplifting folks.

@Melanie Hartmann @Meggan Kaiser

Melanie, I hope you have done great in your journey.  I pray you have been blessed in abundance in your deals.  Thank you Meggan for giving those encouraging words to Melanie.  Even if wholesale deals have not happened over this past year (I don't know if they have), then put your name on lists as a cash buyer.  Have wholesalers send the deals that don't need as much rehab (5-10K cosmetic), get the funding for the deal, make sure the numbers make sense, close the deal yourself, and take it to retail.  Just pay the money costs and make even more money as the end buyer.  Continue failing forward toward your goals and be a blessing to others!

@Melanie Hartmann been about a year. How many deals have you done?

Awesome, congrats

@Melanie Hartmann - Don’t listen to the naysayers. So many people stay in a job they don’t like year after year after year after year after year... then they’re dead! You’ve already achieved one of the harder hurdles to overcome - your own self doubt and instinctual desire for security. I have no doubt you’ll make this work. Remember to stay consistent. Even when it seems like nothing is happening. Good luck!

Originally posted by @Meggan Kaiser :

More power to you @Melanie Hartmann !! I am SO DISGUSTED by all the people who jumped at the opportunity to immediately judge your actions as wrong. So many successful people tell you that you need to go *all in.* I wonder if you would have gotten such a horrendously negative response [from mostly men] if you weren't a poor, ignorant female who was taking the awesome risk of BETTING ON HERSELF.

Ugh. Done. 

You're awesome.

 I would ask anyone who was successful in their job to the point they could save a ton of money why they'd just walk away with no real detailed plan....regardless of gender. I'd also ask why someone would chose a job many take as a stepping stone because they either lack resources or funding why they want to pursue that vs something else (like a realtor).

I get not liking a job and money not being everything and taking a risk....by why not reduce the risk and line yourself up to be successful from the jump. Going from making enough to save when many live paycheck to paycheck is something to be proud of...to nothing for 6 months. 

this isn't about her gender or being helpless it's about asking questions or providing input in how to be successful.

Maybe you can help me understand the major difference here between a realtor and wholesaler? 

@Account Closed , I see that you have posted 19 of your 20 BP comments within the past 24 hours. Add that to the facts that (1) your profile photo has a shutterstock logo at the bottom, and (2) the comment you left here is obviously trolling, I'm going to conclude that yours is a sham account. After reading your other posts, my guess is that you have some issues. Save it for somewhere else. Good luck!

  @Matt K. :


I totally get asking someone about their motives. That's healthy. My response was to the people who *immediately* shat upon her plan. I've known SO MANY inspirational RE people (mostly males, maybe some female?) who've encouraged dropping everything (y'know, reasonably speaking) and going for it. I've never seen backlash for the idea except for here in Melanie's post (though admittedly, there's a good chance I've missed others). 

In the third sentence, she explains that her partner's job brings in enough money to cover the risk. So what gives?

@Melanie Hartmann

“But again, it's my life and my decision. I really only need the support of my inner circle regarding that decision and I've got that. I made sure of that before jumping.”

Amen!!! Go get it lady boss! You’ve got this! Plus, you prepared well by saving up an ENTIRE year’s worth of expenses! You’re obviously smart and capable and don’t need anyone to “Monday-morning-quarterback” your decisions! Woot! Best of luck to you! (But you don’t need luck because you’ve obviously got brains!)

dsfOriginally posted by @Heather Hall :

@Melanie Hartmann

“But again, it's my life and my decision. I really only need the support of my inner circle regarding that decision and I've got that. I made sure of that before jumping.”

Amen!!! Go get it lady boss! You’ve got this! Plus, you prepared well by saving up an ENTIRE year’s worth of expenses! You’re obviously smart and capable and don’t need anyone to “Monday-morning-quarterback” your decisions! Woot! Best of luck to you! (But you don’t need luck because you’ve obviously got brains!)

 Thank you Heather! Exactly! Taking the path I took is NOT for everyone, nor would I recommend it. However, it was right for ME and my situation. It was a risk, a calculated one, but still a HUGE risk. Through a lot of determination, I've made it work and I'm NEVER looking back!

Originally posted by @Matt K. :

Originally posted by @Meggan Kaiser:

More power to you @Melanie Hartmann!! I am SO DISGUSTED by all the people who jumped at the opportunity to immediately judge your actions as wrong. So many successful people tell you that you need to go *all in.* I wonder if you would have gotten such a horrendously negative response [from mostly men] if you weren't a poor, ignorant female who was taking the awesome risk of BETTING ON HERSELF.

Ugh. Done. 

You're awesome.

 I would ask anyone who was successful in their job to the point they could save a ton of money why they'd just walk away with no real detailed plan....regardless of gender. I'd also ask why someone would chose a job many take as a stepping stone because they either lack resources or funding why they want to pursue that vs something else (like a realtor).

I get not liking a job and money not being everything and taking a risk....by why not reduce the risk and line yourself up to be successful from the jump. Going from making enough to save when many live paycheck to paycheck is something to be proud of...to nothing for 6 months. 

this isn't about her gender or being helpless it's about asking questions or providing input in how to be successful.

Maybe you can help me understand the major difference here between a realtor and wholesaler? 

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to share your thoughts on the matter. The path I chose wasn't the "smart" or "safe" option and I wouldn't recommend it for most people but it has been right for me. To answer your question, Google and YouTube will be your best friends in helping you understand the basic difference between a wholesaler and a realtor.

@Jerryll Noorden - Thank you again for your encouragement and support in the beginning and throughout my real estate journey. It meant and still means so much that you cared enough to do so. 

Originally posted by @Michael Ring :

@Melanie Hartmann - Don’t listen to the naysayers. So many people stay in a job they don’t like year after year after year after year after year... then they’re dead! You’ve already achieved one of the harder hurdles to overcome - your own self doubt and instinctual desire for security. I have no doubt you’ll make this work. Remember to stay consistent. Even when it seems like nothing is happening. Good luck!

Thank you Michael! It was rather funny to me how folks reacted over my decision. If we all listened to "the pack" and took the "smart" and "safe" option great things would rarely be achieved. It's was a rough year but I'm thankful for having the opportunity to take it and it's worked out in my favor. The foundation has been laid and set, now it's time to start building up!!

Originally posted by @Melanie Hartmann :

dsfOriginally posted by @Heather Hall:

@Melanie Hartmann

“But again, it's my life and my decision. I really only need the support of my inner circle regarding that decision and I've got that. I made sure of that before jumping.”

Amen!!! Go get it lady boss! You’ve got this! Plus, you prepared well by saving up an ENTIRE year’s worth of expenses! You’re obviously smart and capable and don’t need anyone to “Monday-morning-quarterback” your decisions! Woot! Best of luck to you! (But you don’t need luck because you’ve obviously got brains!)

 Thank you Heather! Exactly! Taking the path I took is NOT for everyone, nor would I recommend it. However, it was right for ME and my situation. It was a risk, a calculated one, but still a HUGE risk. Through a lot of determination, I've made it work and I'm NEVER looking back!

See she is just polite. I am not. The path you took is for ANYONE.... that can realize that challenges are there to be conqueeed. Anyone that is so fed up of the 9 to 5 grind . anyone that simply sees and understands that failure is not an option and that can grow from the person they are into the person they need to be to make it.

Period. She did it. I did it. Many many more people did it.

Those that said how stupid it was for her to quit first... it not their fault. They are not the person they need to become to make it happen no matter what.  

become that person!

Originally posted by @Chris Anderson :

@Melanie Hartmann @Meggan Kaiser

Melanie, I hope you have done great in your journey.  I pray you have been blessed in abundance in your deals.  Thank you Meggan for giving those encouraging words to Melanie.  Even if wholesale deals have not happened over this past year (I don't know if they have), then put your name on lists as a cash buyer.  Have wholesalers send the deals that don't need as much rehab (5-10K cosmetic), get the funding for the deal, make sure the numbers make sense, close the deal yourself, and take it to retail.  Just pay the money costs and make even more money as the end buyer.  Continue failing forward toward your goals and be a blessing to others!

Thank you Chris! I'm actually selling my first wholetail deal today. I bought the property, had the front door boarded, the grass mowed 2x, spent 15 minutes cleaning glass up from the storm door that fell down, and am flipping it to an investor who's going to tear it down and rebuild. Not including taxes, I'm netting more on this deal than I cleared my entire last year of working my W-2 job. Real estate investing truly is a life and game-changer and I can only imagine what the builder is going to profit on this deal!