Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Wholesaling
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

Updated over 11 years ago, 05/27/2013

User Stats

447
Posts
81
Votes
Sean Brennan
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Manchester, NH
81
Votes |
447
Posts

Quick Update :)

Sean Brennan
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Manchester, NH
Posted

I found BP in January. Quit my job 3 months later in March.

Since then, I've made about 50 offers, knocked on doors, put out signs, battled with the post office, sent 1200 yellow letters, and have no deals. boo hoo. I am the happiest, most excited and most motivated I have ever been. Close to a tipping point, I can feel it!

User Stats

8,666
Posts
4,013
Votes
Jon Klaus
  • Developer
  • Garland, TX
4,013
Votes |
8,666
Posts
Jon Klaus
  • Developer
  • Garland, TX
Replied

You're doing all the right things, Sean. Keep doing the things you know are right. You are close!

User Stats

50
Posts
2
Votes
Susan Mhone
  • Wholesaler
  • Downingtown, PA
2
Votes |
50
Posts
Susan Mhone
  • Wholesaler
  • Downingtown, PA
Replied

Sean Brennan Keep up the drive, it will happen soon enough.....with 50 offers just wondering what you learned from why those resulted in no deals?

CV3 Financial logo
CV3 Financial
|
Sponsored
Fix & Flip | DSCR | Construction Loans Up to 90% LTV - Up to 80% Cash Out - No Income Verification - No Seasoning Requirements

User Stats

248
Posts
51
Votes
Deadrick Colbert
  • Investor
  • Easley, SC
51
Votes |
248
Posts
Deadrick Colbert
  • Investor
  • Easley, SC
Replied

Sean, hang in there. I'd be worried if I had lots of offers accepted. It means I would have been offering to much. Seems like you are on the right track. Keep it up!

User Stats

581
Posts
350
Votes
Seth Williams
Pro Member
  • Specialist
  • Grand Rapids, MI
350
Votes |
581
Posts
Seth Williams
Pro Member
  • Specialist
  • Grand Rapids, MI
Replied

Keep plugging away Sean Brennan - you'll get there.

It's easy to get distracted by the huge, whopping success stories that always make the headlines (and then it's easy to think, "What about me? What am I doing wrong??").

Nobody ever gets to those high points without pounding the pavement and trudging through the monotony that you're going through right now.

The ones who succeed are the ones who stick to it. Keep it up!

User Stats

137
Posts
20
Votes
Dan Shoemaker
  • Rehabber
  • Keller, TX
20
Votes |
137
Posts
Dan Shoemaker
  • Rehabber
  • Keller, TX
Replied

+1 to all of the above! I've placed 20 offers with no deals and I've been wondering the same... I too have been thinking that I've been uber conservative.. Too afraid to lose money on the first deal I do.

Keep at it though! I believe that once you get the first one the others will be much easier!!!

User Stats

16,430
Posts
12,705
Votes
Ned Carey
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Baltimore, MD
12,705
Votes |
16,430
Posts
Ned Carey
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Baltimore, MD
ModeratorReplied

Sean Brennan reread what Susan Mhone and Seth Williams said over and over again.

Then read them again tomorrow and the next day and . . .

  • Ned Carey
  • User Stats

    447
    Posts
    81
    Votes
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    81
    Votes |
    447
    Posts
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    Replied

    Really appreciate it guys!

    Susan Mhone I have a disciplined strategy, looking for good a profit, and haven't found a seller quit motivated to sell. Lots of tire kickers; but, its just a matter of time :)

    User Stats

    270
    Posts
    40
    Votes
    Ceasar Blackman
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Orlando, FL
    40
    Votes |
    270
    Posts
    Ceasar Blackman
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Orlando, FL
    Replied

    Sean Brennan Keep at it man, your determination will ultimately lead you down your path to success. Out of those 1200 letters what has been your response rate ?

    User Stats

    511
    Posts
    92
    Votes
    Brian K.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Buffalo, MN
    92
    Votes |
    511
    Posts
    Brian K.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Buffalo, MN
    Replied

    Sean Brennan don't ever quit and you can't lose. Things will come together if you remain persistent.

    Account Closed
    • Investor
    • San Jose, CA
    3,331
    Votes |
    2,097
    Posts
    Account Closed
    • Investor
    • San Jose, CA
    Replied

    Hi Sean,

    I'm reading your post, and I feel a little down. I'm not sure why you chose to be a wholesaler, but I have a mixed feeling about wholesaling without value-add. Kind of like people have mixed feeling about realtors that add no value to the transaction and get a big fat paycheck.

    To me, a good wholesaler has to be a good listener and a great problem solver. It's hard for a seller to be motivated when a wholesaler cannot solve his problem. I hope you will land a deal soon where it's a win-win situation for all parties. I wish you the best of luck.

    User Stats

    50
    Posts
    2
    Votes
    Susan Mhone
    • Wholesaler
    • Downingtown, PA
    2
    Votes |
    50
    Posts
    Susan Mhone
    • Wholesaler
    • Downingtown, PA
    Replied

    @Sean Brennan that's great, l have learned that having a strategy is key. I lost a lot of deals in the beginning because l made offers with no strategy...thanks to BP ...l learned a lot. Lots of motivation here...keep at it!

    User Stats

    447
    Posts
    81
    Votes
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    81
    Votes |
    447
    Posts
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    Replied

    Ceasar Blackman I dropped 600 last week so I am only confident in the response rate for the first 600. Solid 50 calls or close to 10%. But not many with motivation... although I had a GREAT call today. Best so far. Hopefully it turns into a deal. But in the end I know my activity level is not quite there; but, will get there as I get more efficient. I have big plans :)

    Thanks Bryan K.

    Minh L. I think you under estimate life. Some people just don't have the emotional reserves or desire to sell via a broker. They would rather sacrifice equity to not have to worry. Emotional pain is powerful. Honestly, if you can service these people you are adding value. On the other hand if someone is in good financial position, has time, and desire to get a great price, no, I am not adding value to them. In the end... the added value to society is the rehabber that I am wholesaling to that improves the property; but, I make this possible by marketing to the distressed seller.

    NREIG  logo
    NREIG
    |
    Sponsored
    Customizable insurance coverage with a program that’s easy to use Add, edit, and remove properties from your account any time with no minimum-earned premiums.

    User Stats

    447
    Posts
    81
    Votes
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    81
    Votes |
    447
    Posts
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    Replied

    Thanks Susan Mhone

    Account Closed
    • Investor
    • San Jose, CA
    3,331
    Votes |
    2,097
    Posts
    Account Closed
    • Investor
    • San Jose, CA
    Replied

    Sean,

    You're probably correct that I underestimate life. I guess I will not know the feeling until I'm in their shoes. Hope you will get a deal soon.

    User Stats

    79
    Posts
    19
    Votes
    Brian L.
    • Real Estate Investor
    • Weehawken, NJ
    19
    Votes |
    79
    Posts
    Brian L.
    • Real Estate Investor
    • Weehawken, NJ
    Replied

    Sean, you are doing the right things. Keep it up!

    I keep hearing that the first deal is the hardest and once that is under your belt, the rest are much easier. I'll bet you aren't that far away.

    User Stats

    586
    Posts
    357
    Votes
    Braden C.
    • Real Estate Investor
    • Florida
    357
    Votes |
    586
    Posts
    Braden C.
    • Real Estate Investor
    • Florida
    Replied

    Minh L. You're 100% correct on wholesalers needing to solve problems for a seller. That's why you might talk with 500 sellers before you get a deal, 499 of them might not have a problem. A lot of sellers will call just to get an offer to see what they could sell their house for.

    This is a big reason why wholesalers need to be great at marketing. Personally, my letter strategically eliminates most tire kickers with just one or two carefully worded sentences. This took me sending and tracking tens of thousands of letters with different ad copies to get it just where I wanted it.

    Sean- Keep at it, you're going to get there. I remember when you first started posting and thinking to myself, "this guy will do well".

    User Stats

    447
    Posts
    81
    Votes
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    81
    Votes |
    447
    Posts
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    Replied

    Braden C. Thanks, I really appreciate it!

    User Stats

    833
    Posts
    197
    Votes
    Carolina E.
    • Investor
    • NW Indiana
    197
    Votes |
    833
    Posts
    Carolina E.
    • Investor
    • NW Indiana
    Replied

    That's awesome that you haven't lost focus! Keep it up and in no time you will find what you need. Sean Brennan

    User Stats

    1,573
    Posts
    927
    Votes
    David Beard
    • Investor
    • Cincinnati, OH
    927
    Votes |
    1,573
    Posts
    David Beard
    • Investor
    • Cincinnati, OH
    Replied

    Sean Brennan - do you have the rejecting sellers on a systematic re-contact program? They may scoff at your offer today, but in a month may be singing a different tune.

    User Stats

    447
    Posts
    81
    Votes
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    81
    Votes |
    447
    Posts
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    Replied

    Thanks Carolina E

    Yes, David Beard, I've spent alot of time developing a database in Microsoft Access that does capture all the leads I want to follow up on. Thanks for the thought!

    User Stats

    2,251
    Posts
    533
    Votes
    Mike Hurney
    Pro Member
    • Real Estate Investor
    • Boston, MA
    533
    Votes |
    2,251
    Posts
    Mike Hurney
    Pro Member
    • Real Estate Investor
    • Boston, MA
    Replied

    Sean Brennan I've known that Persistence overcomes Resistance but sometimes changing one of your variables might help?

    How come you dropped the 600:
    Found out they sold?
    Ran out of stamps?
    Contacted them 7 times with no response?
    They threatened you?
    Restraining Order?

    Good luck investing, Mike

  • Mike Hurney
  • User Stats

    447
    Posts
    81
    Votes
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    81
    Votes |
    447
    Posts
    Sean Brennan
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Manchester, NH
    Replied

    Hi Mike Hurney When I said "drop" I meant that I just dropped them in the mail so there hasn't been enough time to adequately judge the response rate. Sorry for the confusion. :)

    Rent To Retirement logo
    Rent To Retirement
    |
    Sponsored
    Turnkey Rentals 12+ States. SFR, MF & New Builds, High ROI! 3.99% rates, 5% down loans, below market prices across the US! Txt REI to 33777