I applaud all who come to this web site for the value of the postings and responses, which help not only the beginners but all of us. This is probably the best free resource on the Internet for those of us in this business. We all continue to learn from the postings here.
HOWEVER, I continue to see the same postings (many of which I have answered) that absolutely astound me. So I would like to offer my suggestions here (before the questions are asked again):
Q. I want to hire a live person or answering service to take my phone calls.
A. Answer your own phone; maybe get an extra cell phone and use that number on your flyers, ads, etc. People calling on your ads DO NOT want to talk to anyone except YOU–the person who placed the ad. To the caller, YOU are the information person. And, after all, don’t you want to take the calls and get your deals rolling?
Q. I am having trouble finding birddogs in my area. What should I do?
A. Be your own birddog. Look for properties yourself on your way to work, on your lunch break, on your way home, on the weekends, etc. Check on your local Internet bulletin boards for FSBO ads, etc. You only need ONE property to start your first deal. After that, you will have so much more experience, you may never need a birddog.
Q. What real estate books or courses should I invest in to learn about the real estate business?
A. All of the free advice, information, articles, forms, etc. on this web site will give you a well-rounded education, and you may never have to spend a dime on any further education.
Q. How do I know if I can be successful in this business?
A. This business takes energy (not three hours per week as stated on the infomercials). It takes diligence, perseverance, and the ability to laugh at yourself. You will have disappointments, and your heart will probably be broken more than once. If you believe you have the ability to hang in there and be diligent, you will be uplifted over and over by the many successes you will have.
NOW, for some motherly advice: Getting into the real estate business is no different than starting any new job. You have to invest yourself emotionally, mentally, and sometimes even physically. (Wait until you have to clean out an abandoned house.) You have to prove to yourself that you can take the disappointments along with the rewards.
And guess what? You will be SO PROUD of yourself (and so will all of us here on CRE Online) when you go to your first closing. And as you learn and grow in this business, you will be posting responses to questions from newbies because you will no longer be one.
Now, go out there and pursue your dream. Find the property, negotiate the deal, get your contract in place, and start wheeling and dealing, and walk away from the table with a big smile and a big check. Good luck to everyone from Elizabeth (NJ), otherwise known as “everybody’s mother.” Stay tuned for Advice for Beginners (Part Two) soon.