Skip to content
Two investors reviewing resources on a laptop

Get industry-leading resources — for free

Unlock resources for every investing strategy and stage with a free account.

By continuing, you agree to BiggerPockets LLC's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

×
Take Your Forum Experience
to the Next Level
Create a free account and join over 3 million investors sharing
their journeys and helping each other succeed.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
Already a member?  Login here
Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed People Followed Locations
Starting Out
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

User Stats

6,413
Posts
3,692
Votes
Bob S.
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
3,692
Votes |
6,413
Posts

NEWBIES need to STOP doing this.

Bob S.
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
Posted

I see post after post after post, hey can I get a list of your contractors, PM'S and hey how about a call so I can learn. We all worked hard for years; we are not just going to give it away. Have a read

A good friend shared this story recently; a nice story about effort vs. skill – a good reminder that in many areas of work/life time and outcome aren’t always aligned; especially in the space…

A giant ship’s engine failed. The ship’s owners tried one ‘professional’ after another but none of them could figure out how to fix the broken engine.

Then they brought in a man who had been fixing ships since he was young.
He carried a large bag of tools with him and when he arrived immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship’s owners were there watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away and the engine was fixed!!!

A week later, the owners received an invoice from the old man for $10,000.

What?! the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything..!!!”.

So they wrote to the man; “Please send us an itemised invoice.”

The man sent an invoice that read:

Tapping with a hammer………………….. $2.00

Knowing where to tap…………………….. $9,998.00

Effort is important but experience and knowing where to direct that effort makes all the difference.

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

28,242
Posts
41,509
Votes
Nathan Gesner
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cody, WY
41,509
Votes |
28,242
Posts
Nathan Gesner
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cody, WY
ModeratorReplied

I've seen this story before and love it. 

  • Nathan Gesner
business profile image
The DIY Landlord Book
4.7 stars
246 Reviews

Loading replies...