All Forum Posts by: John Baker

Rats! I didn't do so well in art......

Starting out, not knowing who to market, how to market, or how to finance the marketing.

I wanted to come last month, but life happened! Barring any pop ups, I'll be there.

In this hot market, its discouragement.  I bird dogged for six months, and starting in January have been trying, part time, to get my own leads. I would love to make 50k before the end of year to get out of debt. I would love to grow this business to a place I could quit day job and focus full time. 

@Shaun Caldwell You said "When presented in the correct way...." could you expain a little more please?

A lot of good points here. My opinion.... It depends.

There are so many things to consider, that we shouldn't jump the gun and say don't do this, or do that.  Using the analogy of cars, if the point is to go from point a to point b, is a 2015 BMW better than a 1972 Dodge? Now for the considerations...What is important to YOU (which probably is different from me)?  Style, Gas mileage, comfort, high tech, old school, etc. Might the road you take from a to b help to determine your ride?  Dirt road = truck, Highway = convertible.  And lastly, why do some people prefer stick to standard?

For some, cost isn't a factor. Others may consider their time versus cost the factor. Still others need to have their hands involved in EVERY aspect of the business, while others don't feel comfortable with technology.

To summarize,  a website is a much needed aspect today. It can be done without it. Somehow (lol) our business did just fine before PCs. Your website presence should reflect who you are, not who built it. Should we have a thread on how much we pay for business cards?

Welcome to BP! I am also new, from Colorado. Everyone here has been very helpful.  Ask your questions and the replies will come.

All very valuable suggestions.  Thank you all. I do have a plan now. First I have a question for @Kim Knox. I am a home owner. About 12 years.  Could you explain more about Tax free real estate profits for owner occupied homes? 

After speaking with my wife, we are looking to downsize. Sell our house and use profit to pay off bills. Without that debt, we should be able to afford a smaller to same size house. Next regarding karaoke, I make $25 an hour. BUT I don't use it to my advantage (more on that in a minute). And regrettably, the last three weeks I have spent my REI time here, looking for answers that should have been obvious if I only stepped back and thought about it. But I like your voices in my head better!

I have been holding off on business cards.  I will commit to handing out 5 a day. I am working NED's, but need to broaden my scope.  I have a web site from donedealwebsites and will start posting to Craigslist and directing them there. My wife and I will start driving in separate cars on Sundays, looking for abandoned properties.  And I am reading up on probate.  

With all this, I hope to at least get some leads, (good or bad) in the next three months.

Thank you for your motivational thoughts. Some days I REALLY need them! 

I'm not looking for hand holding, its just aggravating to keep reading things like "find a motivated seller." Great.  This is where I'm looking for help.  You'd think foreclosure would motivate. But they are angry and in denial. Maybe divorce? Same thing.  

My question, after refinement, is how does one pick and choose clients and turn them to motivated sellers? What do you say to make them understand you are offering them a solution, not a shark feeding on their misfortune?

Apparently, I can't explain my life in one post. So here is some clarification.

1. I work a 45 week job. I also have a 15-20 hour week "hobby" as a karaoke host which brings in a couple of dollars.

2. I am/have been committed to RE.  I spend 15-20 hours a week on this. 

3. I have tried door knocking, multiple mailings, and now deep research to find working telephone numbers and calling to owners

I never meant to imply I thought this was get-rich-quick. I am looking for hints to help, little things I might be missing to help me. A good book to read, a good script, a direction to go. @Brian Gibbonssuggestion of not being a one trick pony was very helpful. @Account Closed  thoughts about absentee and probate. 

I have been searching BP and have taken advice form here....but its so BIG!!  and when one is starting out, you're not sure what to search for.

That being said, Thank You All, for your help, thoughts and concerns.