What's next?

[Christian Belleque]

How's everyone doing? I started doing real estate investments just about 3 weeks ago. I'm focusing in on pre foreclosures in my neighborhood in hopes of getting ownership of a house for little to preferably no money down or financing on my part. So far I have knocked on doors, sent out letters, made a website and business cards, and posed signs in the area. I am not a person who is content with sitting back and waiting for things to happen. I'm planning on making my next round of door knocking this weekend. In your opinion, what would be the best next step in my journey? 

[Brian P.]

Christian

I'm old school, and hitting doors is always been the best approach for me even though I was very fearful in the beginning of what kind of nut I might run into. but if you approach them the right way almost all the receptions I got were good. One bad one was a shotgun when the door opened and a loud burst of profanities. I said good morning, who the hell do you think I am and why are you sticking that scatter gun in my face. I was really amazed that came out of my mouth, and I didn't wet my pants. 

He said aren't you from xyz bank? I said hell no, I hate xyz bank they screwed me over once. What's your problem with xyz bank? Definitely not my usual opening statement. He said they are trying to steal my house from me. I said that is interesting , how are they planning on doing that? He tells me his story and then said what are you doing here? I said I wear three hats, one is I'm a real estate agent, and I'm knocking on doors in the area  trying to find people that might be planning to sell in the next year but I wasn't planning on finding you. 

I know a lot about foreclosure law so how about we go inside and sit down and maybe I might know something that can help you out?  I was able to help him out and he kept his property,  and he became one great referral machine for me. One thing I found out in my early years is that face to face rapport building put me in front of all those competitors that phoned and mailed and put a flyer on the front door. Competitors told me yes but while your hitting 5 doors I can mail out 100 letters. I said how many deals do you get from those 100 letters, they said usually one.  I said that's nice I usually get 2 from my 5.  Of course I did mail outs to the houses not in my immediate market area I didn't intend to pass those up as possible business. Also I bet I got about one deal a month by paying attention and driving 4 $ on the way to those leads and back. Well some were deals, some were listings.