Tidbits from the Trenches:

Tidbits from the Trenches:

The most frequently asked question of me, as President of the SJREI Association is "where and how do I begin to invest Geraldine?"  Just take the first step, that is the most difficult one - I know because I have been there.  Investing in real estate is challenging - it requires discipline, education, focus, connections, and tenacity.  There are no short cuts.  I have experienced the frustration of feeling, "I've done the work, why are things not happening?"  Unfortunately, one cannot attend a seminar or workshop and then have all the answers - it's a journey, each day you take steps along the path.  Build a solid foundation, and you will make the right decisions, and yield the best results.  Becoming educated and systematic will give you the courage (yes, courage is required) to move forward. I continue to learn every day.  Don't rely on others to make those decisions for you, become your own expert.

Not only am I an investor, I'm immersed in real estate, interviewing investors big and small, as publisher of the REI Voice magazine.  Common characteristics emerge among this group - they are not afraid of hard work, they persist, they recover from failure and everyone I have spoken with has succumbed to failure, but they don't give up. It is an uphill climb, but the view from the top is worth it, if you can stick with the path.

I love my life and what I have created - how did that happen? It was not always the case, my parents thought me the secret - hard work, focus, integrity, discipline, patience, and realistic expectations.  They encouraged me along the way, and always believed in me even when I was unsure of myself. Now I am confident and able to fly alone - that was a gift and I relish the fact I have had such great influences in my life.  I have experienced failure, but understand that this is part of life, and if we learn from it - there was a reason for it.