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All Forum Posts by: Adam Macias

Adam Macias has started 9 posts and replied 145 times.

Post: Intrigued by Wholesaling, but it may not be my best strategy

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90
Quote from @Jerryll Noorden:

While so many responses here are so negative, allow me to enlighten you with a bit of positivity. Let me crush some myths here.

Myth #1: Wholesaling Takes A Lot Of Work

ANY solid business takes a lot of work. Do you think flipping is not a lot of work? Do you really think starting a SAAS business is not a lot of work? How about starting a bakery, or a restaurant? Guys, calm down. Stop being negative. Stop hammering on wholesaling because you personally have a grudge against it. Just move along. This is the wholesaling forum. What are you doing here if you are just going to bash it? Now,

Wholesaling is "NOT" a lot of work. This is not an opinion, this is a fact. I am completely removed from any work so NO ONE can tell me this is not true. Anyone that says that it is a lot of work simply is doing it in a way that it is a lot of work FOR THEM. (they are doing it wrong)

Myth #2: Wholesaling is not "real estate investing"

Who cares what it is called or not called? It makes money and that is what we all care about. Not the fact of whether or not someone can call me a "Real Estate Investor". I am not doing it to be called a "Real Estate Investor". I am doing it because it allows me to eat crab legs every night. It allows me to go to Thailand and eat crispy chicken skin as often as my heart desires.

If you are having a hard time wholesaling, I can help you fix it right here, right now... but you have to let go of everything all these gurus (or these replies here for that matter). Unlearn everything you think you know.

Here is the formula for wholesaling success:

Wholesaling successfully depends on your ability to find motivated seller leads.

So anyone that claims it is hard, should be asked: "well. HOW are you generating your leads?" Right?

Cold calling = work + time+ and money... FOREVER! As in, you stop putting in the time money, and effort and your deal flow stops (= stupid). = BAD quality leads. (Deal) Conversion rate less than 3%

Driving For Dollars = work + time+ and money... FOREVER! As in, you stop putting in the time money, and effort and your deal flow stops (= stupid). = BAD quality leads. (Deal) Conversion rate less than 3%

Door Knocking = work + time+ and money... FOREVER! As in, you stop putting in the time money, and effort and your deal flow stops (= stupid). = BAD quality leads. (Deal) Conversion rate less than 3%

DMM = work + time+ and money... FOREVER! As in, you stop putting in the time money, and effort, your deal flow stops (= stupid). = BAD quality leads. (Deal) Conversion rate less than 3%

Text Blasting = work + time+ and money... FOREVER! As in, you stop putting in the time money, and effort, your deal flow stops (= stupid).= BAD quality leads. (Deal) Conversion rate less than 3%etc. etc.

It is hard because those methods you use to generate leads, (what your success as a wholesaler depends on) is less than 3%!!

Gang... why are any of you surprised you find it "hard"? This is data. Numbers, logic, common sense. ALL this info I mentioned here is not new to you?! You KNOW this. You simply choose to ignore it and expect that somehow the laws of the universe, data, and experience, don't apply to you, and think that by doing the exact same thing everyone is doing, that is NOT working, somehow it will work for you, just because you are you...Wholesaling is not hard. Wholesaling the wrong way is hard! Get it?

It is all about lead generation:

How can wholesaling possibly be hard when 4 to 12 motivated sellers contact you every single day begging you to make them a cash offer? Yes this is what I deal with. I spend no money no effort, no nothing and people find me and ask me to make them an offer. Do it the right way and it is easy!

Now allow me to help anyone willing to listen, and that has a bit of common sense.You want to start wholesaling yes? You want to start a business.

OK Do you have a website? I mean a REALLY awesome good website. Do you have your own pictures on your site? Do you have a stand-alone blog? A pimped-out Facebook business account? Linked in account? A solid Youtube account where you actually provide value? Educate the masses and give value? Did you spend significant time and effort investing in you? Are you working on a positive image online? Are you credible, do you look like sound, taste, and act like an actual professional business?

OR..

Did you just jump in driving for dollars, cold calling, and texting? Did you choose the lazy route and believe what you WANT to believe? Oh I know "your" type. The gurus tell you that you can become a millionaire with NO MONEY AND NO CREDIT right? And this sounds SOOO amazing, you simply ignore all common sense and CHOOSE to believe it with your core! How many of you started calling, driving, bandit signing, texting, without taking a good look at yourself and your business and taking a genuine evaluation and realizing that I (as in you) wouldn't do business with you, so then why would others? Many many many of you did this. And.. many many many of you say it is hard to whoelsaling. Coincidence? I think not!

Business 101. People will not do business with you if they can't trust you. Now.. why would ANYONE trust a person that relentlessly and desperately calls, texts or DMMs someone without a SHRED of evidence of credibility?

If you want to start wholesaling or start any business for that matter. SET UP FIRST.

Look like a business before you spend money time and effort trying to get leads. Why do you think it is so hard to get leads? Stop listening to other people and use your own intelligence, because I PROMISE you, 90% of the people here are absolutely not qualified to give anyone any advice. ANYONE that tells you to drive for dollars, cold calling or texting, instead of asking you if you have a positive image online set up, honestly shouldn't be giving ANYONE any advice.

Now, as we are talking about credibility, let me show you I am not just all talk.

Apply what I preach.

I started with building a reputation. and a web presence. I made sure I looked credible. Even if you are just starting out with zero reviews .. it doesn't matter. Look sound act taste smell the part... and you will be fine.

Then I realized immediately that success REALLY does depend on your ability to find motivated seller leads.

Sadly, there doesn't exist a way to find motivated sellers. DOES NOT EXIST. The sooner you accept this the sooner you can do things that actually work.

So how can you get in touch with motivated sellers?

Easy!

YOU have to make it extremely easy for them to find you.

Yup, either rank #1 on Google (which is what I decided to invest all my time and effort in when I started) or do paid ads like Youtube, Facebook, Instagram TikTok etc. etc.

As I said, I did SEO.. I ranked my site #1 on Google.

Gang, I ranked my website #1 myself, for free. You can do it for free. Watch my Biggerpockets conference video for a primer how to do it yourself. 

And lastly, here is what YOU can accomplish when you start actually thinking instead of blindly following what everyone else tells you to do.

Good luck everyone!

And PLEASE stop listening to these nay-sayers!! Its ridiculous!! Not because THEY can't does it mean you can't either!


 Thanks so much for this. I absolutely agree and this post was a breath of fresh air!

Post: Intrigued by Wholesaling, but it may not be my best strategy

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90
Quote from @Don Konipol:
Quote from @Pedro Garcia:

Hello All,

I am intrigued by the "art" of wholesaling and I am drawn to it, by reading, listening to all the strategies that I hear. It seems like a lot of work, but it is rewarded by a great level of satisfaction when it comes through. I understand it takes a lot of work which equals time. I have solid W2 income and no debt. Additionally I have saved capital to pay a down payment or two, or three depending on the amount and rehab, or leverage into a loan. The issue is that my W2 takes time, in a career that I like, but I would like to dive further into REI. I question if I am better of attempting Wholesaling , or if it just makes better dollar sense to find a good deal as a buyer and Rehab and Flip, or BRRR. Any opinions are appreciated.

A wholesaler, as the term is currently used, or more accurately MISused in real estate, is essentially brokering property.  There are some “twists” to it that may allow the wholesaler a greater, perhaps much greater profit than a licensed broker would earn by listing the property.  The goal of the wholesaler is to convince a seller to allow him to tie up his property for no option fee and try to find a buyer at a higher price.  The difference minus expenses is the wholesalers profit.
Wholesaling under this definition is NOT investing.  If you want to INVEST in real property you need to complete the purchase transaction with yourself on the buy side and you need to deploy capital in the purchase ( or utilize debt). 
I’ll also content that fix n flip is not real estate investing either. Money invested in fix n flip, wholesaling, brokerage is money invested in a BUSINESS ( so happens to be a real estate related business), 

 There's no such thing as "twists" or "convincing" with wholesaling. People are big boys and girls in the world and every wholesale deal I've done came with consequences if I didn't perform. The seller must agree to the deal just like they would with anybody else. My reputation, my earnest money and my credibility are all at risk every time I place a deal under contract and syndicate that for my partners I work with.

The biggest problem with agents is they believe wholesaling is brokering because we're supposedly "in the middle" but this is why it's important to understand contract law. Contract law would state assignability has nothing to do with being in the "middle" or brokering a deal. Terms matter. Definitions matters. Most importantly intention matters with contract law. I myself am putting my LLC on that contract and am the principle in the transaction and buyer of that deal. A real estate agent is not held under the same liability.

Post: best types of properties to wholesale

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90

Single family residential is easiest to comp, therefore the easiest deals I do.

Probate is my absolute favorite type of deal.

Post: Looking for Wholesale Friendly Title Company in Sacramento, CA

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90
Quote from @Nicole Webber:

Hello all, I"m working on finding my first wholesale deal, but want to make sure I have the right systems in place. How do you go about contacting and what to say to someone like Laurie Hodgkins when you get a deal undercontract?  Thank you.


 What always works best when speaking to title companies is being honest about your intentions. "I'm looking for an investor friendly title company, you were referred to me as a great resource for me to transact assignments and wholesale deals to." Something like that. I know because when I started I acted like the buyer of course and they came to be for everything when starting title work because they thought I was the end buyer and it caused tons of miscommunication. Most title companies love wholesalers because we do the most deals with them on a repeat basis.

Post: Getting into the wholesale game

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90
Quote from @Salvador Hernandez Jr:
Quote from @Adam Macias:
Quote from @Salvador Hernandez Jr:
Quote from @Jerryll Noorden:

Am I the only one (I am sure I must me)... but every damn time I try sub to, no lawyer wants to be part of it, and no banks support it, NOTHING does?!

I simply don't deal with it because it just doesn't make sense to me who understands the law ( a bit).

As I said.. so many people do it, so probably I am missing something.. but I don't risk it.


 Hey Jerryll! I've been told before that life is about risks. If you don't take them, you will just stay in the same place.


 I'd rather take calculated risks though. Most people boast and talk proudly about making mistakes, I'd rather just not make the mistakes.

 @Adam Macias

That is actually what I should of said. Calculated risks. Minimal to no mistakes would be great but we are human. As mentioned, talking to professionals, like lawyers, would be best when in doubt.


 Yes absolutely. I knew that's what you meant! It really depends on the situation of each seller. 

Post: Getting into the wholesale game

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90
Quote from @Salvador Hernandez Jr:
Quote from @Jerryll Noorden:

Am I the only one (I am sure I must me)... but every damn time I try sub to, no lawyer wants to be part of it, and no banks support it, NOTHING does?!

I simply don't deal with it because it just doesn't make sense to me who understands the law ( a bit).

As I said.. so many people do it, so probably I am missing something.. but I don't risk it.


 Hey Jerryll! I've been told before that life is about risks. If you don't take them, you will just stay in the same place.


 I'd rather take calculated risks though. Most people boast and talk proudly about making mistakes, I'd rather just not make the mistakes.

Post: Getting into the wholesale game

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90
Quote from @Salvador Hernandez Jr:

Hello everyone! I am new to real estate and I figured that wholesale would be the best strategy for me to learn for my current situation. I currently do not have any savings for down payment or the credit to apply for any loans thus using wholesale to gather enough funds to move onto house hacking or multifamily or both. The main thing is to save enough funds.

My question is what resources do you guys recommend to look into to get started or is there a mentor that is willing to put some time an effort on me. I will try to contribute back to the best of my ability if need anything! Thank you in advance!


 Build a buyers list of 20-100 solid investors before you worry about anything else. Get their buying criteria and which title companies they work with. I wouldn't worry about anything else until you have end buyers.

Post: Where can I find a solid contract?

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90
Quote from @Billy Farley:

I am a real estate agent in Virginia and I am looking to wholesale deals. Can anyone point me in the right direction and possibly some guidance on how to go through this contract with a seller?

Used the state approved contract in your state or pay a real estate attorney to draft one. I did both and use both depending on the deal and circumstance, parties involved etc. It's beyond worth the money of paying an attorney $250 to draft a contract. 

Post: Wholesaling and getting started

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90

Marketing, marketing, marketing. That's the number one thing to focus on whether it's cold calling, direct mail, SEO, internet marketing, whatever way you can let people know you exist as a source for buying houses is the most important quick tip I can give. There's so many people that start with wholesaling and they worry for months about contracts, running the numbers, getting an LLC. All that stuff takes a few minutes compare to the time and effort it takes in actually finding the deal.

Post: Find the $$$ or the Deal First?

Adam Macias
Pro Member
Posted
  • Agent Sales Representative at BiggerPockets
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Posts 156
  • Votes 90

Flipping REO properties? Man that book sounds old or is copy and pasting old material. Haven't heard that exact phrasing since the Preston Ely days. lol

As a wholesaler, in the beginning I ran into so many problems "finding a deal", putting in under contract and then immediately running into panic attacks trying to find a buyer in time before my EMD and inspection deadlines. I got tired of this and decided to build a buyers list of investors who have the funds, are actively doing deals and sat down with me to show me exactly where their numbers need to be. Keep in mind I didn't waste time trying to pick their brains, I just needed to know their buying criteria to the exact amount, property type and areas.

It's so much easier when you know what to look for because you have partners telling you, "Find me this and I'll buy it" similar to sticking with being a real estate agent. You're simply sourcing deals that match what buyers are looking for. Stick to the source of who will actually close the deal until you have the funding yourself to start closing on them.