All Forum Posts by: Gary Parker

I really like what @Joel Owens said. However, perhaps some have no money for marketing. But It is still so possible to start in this business. I have a friend I have known over 30 years who has gone from job to job. Very smart but job to job. A month ago he called and asked me to come over to help him with something. When I got there he wanted to show off his brand new Rich Dad Poor Dad software he was going to use to get rich in RE investing. I sat him down and told him to read the marketing threads in BP for 2 hours a day until he read everything or he had actually mailed letters or something. I told him to think of and write down every reason a person might want to sell and then separate the ways that might have motivation linked to them. I told him to knock on doors of potential motivated sellers from the list he made ie foreclosure or what ever. Then I told him to knock on more doors and talk to more people. Then I told him to get his RE license while doing all of this. I even told him one of my "secrets" to find deals as long as he promised to stay out of my county :). My "secret" takes a few hours a week but does produce deals. Just closed on one doing this Friday and had it sold on Friday for a real nice spread. I told my friend I will help him every step of the way but he has to do what I told him first. Most people want the easy way; I hope he takes the hard way.

As for my "secret", I'm not going to tell. But if one will make the list I spoke of and look for something that everyone and their dog is not going after and knock on doors, one will find a deal. I havn't done this but I bet if one picked the correct neighborhood and knocked on every door and asked the right questions, one could find a deal within a few months. Once one has the money, more efficient ways of marketing can be done.

I dont Darren but if you find someone to give you that info, make sure you strip away all the short sale expired listings. My daily use of the MLS tells me a lot of expired listings are short sales that are still being negotiated. I could be wrong though.

I agree with @Justin Morgan especially the door knocking. Not only is the potential for a deal there, but you will learn a ton talking with people.

@Bill Jacobsen does your wife spend time/money marketing to previous clients?

I think knocking on doors is the best way to contact any type of motivated seller; however, the problem is it is hard to reach the masses.

@Ty Burns slow down dude and save some for everyone :)

Thank you @Jay Hinrichs that is kind of what I thought you were going to say about the specific work force you were describing.

Great post @Lisa Miller . I 100% guarantee one can find deals driving around and talking to people.

@William Hochstedler thanks for clarifying. I think I was enjoying my vacation too much while reading and commenting on this thread. I got nailed years ago pulling an electrical circuit as an unlicensed electrician. Contractor was there but I didn't have my apprentice license. Scary. They have badges and guns and everything lol. Oh and they can take you to jail. Cost us $2000 for me and $2000 for company. This was 10 years ago.

Now I want to run my company the right way but still feel like I have to run it economically. For example I know a great framer that earns a decent wage and pays his guys good and is a licensed handyman with 10k job limit. Not his limit the job limit. I am still breaking the rules using him, having contractor who pulled permit review his work then have an inspection. Unless the licensed general contractor is on site. Technically even if GC on site handyman can't frame.

It is tough to compete with guys that get a ton of unskilled labor to do everything while others pull permits and hire licensed people. However, to grow and be financially strong and secure, it is the only way.

I would like to hear more about this. 10 to 12 wow. Why here and why the work force.