All Forum Posts by: Ken R.

I recently ran across a nice property "For Rent" in Oklahoma City and decided to inquire about it. Found out the property is owned free & clear. The home in a very nice quiet area. Haven't seen the inside of it yet but I'm told the home is totally remodeled. No repairs needed. I asked the owner if he would consider selling the property instead. Owner said he would consider selling the home but quoted a retail price. Of course that won't work for me. I told the owner I'm not looking to buy anything retail. I'm looking for a good deal on some investment properties. After talking for a bit the owner said he will consider a lease option but wants 60k down. I did not bother to negotiate over the phone.  Based on comps Property is worth about 161k. Owner wants 185k. This obviously is not a wholesale deal and it doesn't appear to be a good lease option deal either. I wanted to check the motivation level so I asked why is he selling the home and the owner mentioned "AGE". After further conversation the owner mentioned he has quite a few other investment properties as well and is considering downsizing. I asked about those other properties the seller had in order to see if there was a better deal available but the owner insisted that I should take a look at this one first and go from there. I know everything is negotiable sometimes but I don't like to waste time kicking tires. Seems like this could be an opportunity in disguise. I went ahead and scheduled to go and take a look at the property but now I'm having 2nd thoughts because from the the looks it doesn't appear to be a solid lead but you never know. Do you think it would be wise to take the time, go see the property, build rapport, and make a counter offer on both cash and terms? Is it something I may be overlooking?

 Thank you @Caitlyn J. I appreciate those words. I felt the same you felt for a while. I had to shake it off and take that first leap. I was once told that when you jump either 2 things will happen... God will catch you or give you wings.  You got this Caitlyn! Success awaits you & I both. We just have to continue moving towards it. Join a few meet ups and attend.  Richard has a great new meet up group. I would recommend it as well. It's a great place to network and get in on the action. Thanks for sharing your input. I'm sure there are many others who feel the same you did.  Keep me posted on your progress. We'll be looking back at this one day, laughing, celebrating, & and enjoying the fruits of our labor. 

 JD you're right brother. Thanks for the input!

After almost a year of analyzing, reading books, ebooks, attending seminars, listening to tons of REI podcasts, going to a few REI meetings, and lets not mention the countless youtube videos of the gurus, I finally understand what analysis paralysis really means. This was the moment when it finally dawned on me that experience is the best teacher. I made a commitment to jump into REI head first. I've also learned that its ok to look stupid in the beginning because everyone had to start from somewhere.

When you're the smallest guy in the gym for the first time, everyone around you looks like professional athletes. The keyword was "LOOKS like professional athletes. That doesn't mean they are professional athletes. What it means is that you all have something in common. What is it? I believe it is Motivation. That motivation is your "Why" your "why" is what led you the gym in the first place. Wether it's the gym, REI, or any other place your heart desires to be, everyone has a story that changed their life and from that day forward they were MOTIVATED to make a change in their life for the better. I definitely have a story but I'll won't bore you with it today. But my biggest question was where do you start? Well, newbie, you start from the bottom. There is no way around it. I said all that to say this, I've learned more from my first property being under contract then I could've ever learned from just analyzing REI from the bench. It has also forced me to answer the questions I wouldn't have known how to ask. I believe that learning REI is like learning how to drive. Although necessary, all the education in the world won't teach you what it's really like behind the wheel. It's a big difference. At some point, you have to get behind the wheel for it to really all make sense.

Experience is the best teacher. As I struggle in my first year of REI, I'm forced to remember what it felt like when I ran my first mile and was out of breath. People twice my age were sprinting right past me. I thought to myself...."Wow, I wonder who they had to become to get there?" 3 months later I completed my first 10k jog. It was very ruff. Ok, I'll be real with you. IT WAS HELL! But, it was a also humbling experience. Although is was ruff, I learned to appreciate resistance. Resistance is a big part of this journey of life. It is the moment that you learn to push through the resistance that builds strength, muscle, and heart. I will push past this resistance I'm experiencing in REI as well. Oklahoma City is a great market full of opportunity. I'm proud to be here. Thanks to everyone on BP who has taken a moment to share some REI wisdom with me, some positive words, or their own inspirational stories that I will remember on my journey to success. Much success & blessings to you all!

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Ken

 Thank you Shelly! Things are moving forward. Getting closer and closer everyday. Being a newbie and escaping the newbie curse is a challenge everyday. I know being on top has it's perks, but it's just something about the journey to the top that really inspires me even more. It's this journey that is such a humbling experience. Imagine who you'll have to become to get there. But to get there and still have integrity has gotta be the ultimate feeling. I believe that says a lot about  a person. We'll get there Shelly! Just keep believing and keep planting those seeds. Keep me posted on your success so I can celebrate with you from the middle of the map in Oklahoma City. Blessings to you! 

 Thanks brother Dmitriy. I'll take your advice as well. Blessings to you!

 You're welcome and thank you Jonna! Blessings to you!

 Thanks Gino, I appreciate those words! Blessings to you!

28 new Oklahoma City properties to follow up on in less than 24 hours. Of course this is nothing to brag about at all. I know there will be thousands of calls to make moving forward. It's just something about getting closer & closer to my dreams with each phone call that is one of the things keeping me motivated. I'm grateful for the opportunity to experience the ups & downs of life so I understand that they both can come in abundance depending on your decisions. Abundance was the key word. That's my mentality now. I've learned to judge each day by the seeds I've planted and not by the harvest. From wholesale deals, fix & flips, buy & holds, & creative terms, I will be successful! I will be successful! I will be successful!  One step at a time.  In the words of the late Earl Nightingale...."You become what you think about." If you have never read  or heard the audiobook from Mr. Earl Nightingale called "The Strangest Secret" please do so. It's very inspirational. He was like the "Napoleon Hill" of his times in my opinion. If you recommend any other inspirational books I should check out feel free to share your thoughts. Blessings to you all!