Foreclosure specialist from Southern California

[Natalie Vega]

I started investing in September 2012...does that mean I had my first deal in September?...NO.

I had not yet developed the confidence (nor the capital) to say proudly to all my friends, family and strangers, that I was a real estate investor...and that I, above ALL real estate professionals already available, was able to help them!

My main objective in the beginning was the "PAY DAY"...my first check to show to all the naysayers (including my brother, mom, and some friends) to politely and bluntly say "SUCK IT!". Although now I would not say that, but instead take them on vacation and not explain why until we reached our destination then show them the check and quietly explain to them that it was their negativeness that was my motivation, and that this trip was to thank them for being what they were. (I still use that same motivation to this day!)

Quickly, I found that with that money mentality, out comes your own personal issues and that prevents you from really being authentic and present with homeowners who are in distress. Their issues could matter less to you and they do not come before yours when this is your mentality.

For those of you that have not seen my profile, my business is solely based on helping homeowners in pre-foreclosure/foreclosure who want to keep their house but do not have the right information to do so...(I also am a coach and I buy houses cash). When speaking with them I would explain that all of my information and contacts are FREE...but could not understand why they were not calling me back...

Shortly after I began investing I started working on self-development, listening to inspirational mentors (Such as Darren Hardy, Jim Rohn, Dave Ramsey...just to name a few) joined a mentorship class through my investment club, started volunteering at my kids schools and church. Started taking seminars, spoke to friends and family that I had a falling out with and in doing all these things for myself it helped me realize that I was not being all I could be...even in my business.

With all this new (not so new, but newly found) knowledge I was reminded of all the homeowners I had seen but was not genuinely there for, all those homeowners that I had come into contact with up until that point. That all I saw when I looked at them was potential dollar signs.

I did not view them as someone who was possibly broken or who was quietly suffering. That they were anxious and nervous with a daunting feeling. They knew that anyday one of their most precious assets would be stripped away from them. With the feeling of hopelessness lingering in the back of their mind through every activity they were undertaking. Unable to reach out, for they knew that whatever caused them to be in this situation was inevitably their fault, so they do not feel worthy of help or are too ashamed to reach out for it. You may even know someone who is experiencing this in their life now or they are to critical of themselves to have even had the conversation with you...It is weighing on their wellbeing.

Going into a conversation with them I knew what they were going through, but I did not have an understanding.

I started empathizing with who it was I was speaking to, I may not know their personal story but I went into every conversation as if I could be their superhero, their saving grace...their angel in disguise. With this way of thinking I have gained so much confidence and self-assurance that even though I may still not have the capital I want...I sure damnwell have the information, attitude and initiative necessary to be just as successful as my mentors.

I personally may not know Jim Rohn or Dave Ramsey, but I still imagine having them on my "team". After attending real estate seminars they all had a common theme...to go out and build your "TEAM" but what they did not not tell me was that I too had to be built up. All I had was a 1800 number to call and a "coach" states away with no concern or expectation of my success. This to is what contributed to my diminished confidence. I had a roster to fill but no contacts to fill it...

This is why I am so grateful and blessed to have found my investment club I have now been apart of since 2012. I had been researching and gathering information about real estate for about 2 years before and considered myself to have been an investor, but when I joined them I KNEW I was one.

Life before them (I call those my dark days) I did not have the proper information, systems or people to confidently share and say what I was...I would nervously say, "I am a real estate investor(...?)". Praying they would not call me on my bluff or be in the business as well. It was not until after I met my coaches and mentors and joined my club, that I knew I could proudly say to anyone "I AM A REAL ESTATE INVESTOR!" and securely follow it up with "How can I help you or someone you know!".

If there was some advice that I could go back to my "dark days" and bestow upon myself...as well as those of you who have just joined this industry...I would say

"Do your due diligence, do not be afraid to ask for help!!!! Never lose the importance you bring to the people around you! Surround yourself with like minded people! Just because the naysayer says so, does NOT make it so! It is ok if you are inspired by "not-so-nice" motivation (such as my "suck it" chronicle) and go out and build your team, but do not forget to build yourself up because you are worth it!"

Hope this read was helpful to those of you who just got out of a seminars this past weekend or have been trying to get out there and figure this thing called investing out. Just remember...you can over come anything as long as overcome yourself!!!!!