All Forum Posts by: Steve Milford

I send 5-second post cards. Meaning 5 seconds before they are in the recycle bin. I personally dislike spending money on them but people call me from them. And I am not consistent with it cause it's a pain to me lol. But people tell me that my card sits on their fridge until they get tired of looking at it. Now, I am a Realtor. What's my message? "Know anyone that wants to sell? Say NO to 6%. My sellers pay avr of xxxxx less to get their house sold versus using someone else. Call me anytime!" Or some version of that. My xxxxx is my running average of how much people are saving, currently $9,800. And then on the flip side I have my picture and contact info.

@Daniel Trang

I would advocate that you embrace your creativity and use it to your advantage. There are so many ways to approach this industry and find your niche. And who knows, your creativity might be something that pushes you. I.e. I became a Realtor to learn the ins and outs and to generate cash for future investing. I actually tell my clients that sometimes, I learn as they learn. My model is to over-explain, and give lots of info/education. Yes there is a point that I have to slow down the volume of my education and information to my clients so that they don't get confused, though I have a knack for explaining the complicated toward the simple. I haven't yet cracked the code to getting more sellers, like most brokers tell me is crucial to my business, but I have cracked the code (at least for me) for buyers. Most of my buyers are first-timers that looked for a bit and then stopped because their previous Realtor wasn't patient enough or didn't explain the process enough. Great for me, because they are already motivated - they just need to find the right home. Answering questions for others takes time, though is GREAT for referrals. Keep at it and PM me if you want more info.

@Mike Smith @David Marsceau

There are many ways to get started in this game of real estate. At some point you are going to want to start trying out the different ideas that bounce through your head, and I encourage you to explore your options. I don't know anyone where it worked out exactly as they planned - most zig zag along switchbacks like in the Gorge.

Personally I have been interested in real estate for a long time, and one day in 2015 just decided to get my RE license. This one step has increase my education so much and has been a source of income as well in addition to my day job. As I was talking with a client yesterday - I help anyone I can because it is a win-win - we both learn by asking, "How can we...?" In this case, I have never been involved in a land-development deal yet and this is how this one is turning out.

If you are open to coffee and would like to bounce ideas let me know.

Get a box of cards and give them away as fast as you can one card at a time, anywhere and everywhere. And give away 51% of what you know. The other 49% is how you get paid. Lastly, I have found that those I meet electronically never turn into referral sources, so always meet in person whenever you can.

Yes, get your RE license. That is the best educational value, especially if you make a profit immediately.

This whole thread cracks me up! I post and share so I can learn. Anyone can "get lucky", but repeatedly being successful, that takes hard work. Success to me is about being smart not just churning money. And there is not very many doing that.

@John Spina jr

I use the local post office for the box. I don't want my home address "out there". I have no idea regarding the LLC, contact a lawyer in your area, to discuss what your goals are and what you are trying to accomplish.

Just remember, if there was an "easier method" everyone would be doing it. You just need to find out what works for you.

I don't remember who I used. Low cost and effective, it was an online firm. I just got the approved school list from the state and looked up each one.

Do what your comfortable with. I enjoy having a hand in some of the work and do it to understand what it takes to get the job done, and I have found that it also me with creative solutions. Sometimes that helps me the next time I the same question, because I call the contractor immediately with what I want. Sometimes it works the other way. Plumbing work I farm out immediately. New laminate floor, I do myself. Tile work, depends on the complexity.

@Joey DeClercq

Yes, it really depends. My suggestion to you is that you consider your risk tolerance level and what kind of business model you want. I like the School of Hard Knocks - it is where I learn fastest. I also interviewed more than 20 firms before deciding on one and chose one that wouldn't break me if I was slow coming out of the gate. 

I recently completed a thread on this same subject - look at my profile and take a look.

Steve