All Forum Posts by: Jonathan Greene

I'm taking a break from buying and my previous approach of analyzing deals in inexpensive markets, looking at hundreds of properties on Zillow and running the numbers, which I spent hours each on each day and became really burned out. Buying RE is nothing like buying index funds or stocks - Google it for 15 minutes, click on buy shares. And the exit strategy with RE is much more difficult if you buy a property doesn't align with your goals.

I completely agree with getting reps in real life, walking properties, talking to contractors and investors. This is what I recommend to new investors who contact me asking if these numbers look good. I'm now figuring out how to maximize the return on current properties and add value, efficient ways to self manage, etc. I still attend local meet ups and talk to dozens of investors and am considering other strategies like Mid-Term Rentals or rent by the room. Taking a break from buying but not from learning and networking. 

I respectfully and emphatically disagree. Take a break when you need to take a break. Whether it's for a month, or 6, or a year. Burnout is a real thing and there are more important things than real estate investing. I don't care if I'm ahead or behind of anyone else because my goals are not relative to anyone else's progress.

I get your point that staying active keeps your skills sharp and that if you're active when others aren't you will have access to opportunities that they do not. You'll also continue to be building your brand, your network, your experience, etc. But if it's coming at the cost of your health or something else important than time with your family then it's perfectly fine to step back when you need to.

Absolutely agree.  I'm taking a break now only because I'm retiring.  Over the 30+ years my wife and I have walked and pencilled well over a thousand possible deals.  That was after vetting many properties eliminating them before starting out.

The more you do.  The more experience earned, you gain insight into comparables, learn neighborhoods, get better and better in determining a real deal from a stinker.

Yes, I have already seen the buy-in, im less concerned about that part of it, but just want to make sure its legitimate (plenty of opportunities where buyin is high but it doesn't always mean the product is good, just been burned in the past by others so trying to do better due diligence this time around)

 x1000%!  Little steps everyday moves the needle in a big way.  I think this applies in all aspects (fitness, relationships, career, etc.).  I'm a huge fan of habit tracking and I have found it's those boring, repetitive tasks done consistently is what are the game changers.  These build the momentum which then opens to opportunities.  Great post! 

 You should have seen how hard it was to tag him back when he was just the gangsta Nathan G. 🤣

Yes, the first post restriction is there but it doesn't do a whole lot. I've probably caught maybe 5% of the spammers on the first post. Better spammers - the ones that aren't trying to sell goulash in Cambodia - will ask some type of question first before responding with their own products. I'm in favor of a higher bar before posting but I think it's a minority position. 

Great point, Jonathan!

Confirms my thought process as a Renovation Project Manager- turning Investor. I am trying to brainstorm ways to partner locally with someone in or around Indianapolis, to offer "boots on the ground" as this is what I do and where my passion is already. So, How does one leverage this very important area of an investors responsibility and (for lack of better way to present it), market or signal to other investors who may be looking to partner?  

 I can appreciate that. I think we all get fatigued from time to time, and I think it's worse when things are "slow" because of economics or demographics or whatever. I've lost interest in some of the forums I used to participate in just because my own focus has changed. At the same time I find myself participating in other forums I used to ignore, like the taxes and short term rentals forums, because those have become bigger focus areas (and pain points!) for me. 

One thing I think we could use here is a primer for new members on forum etiquette. I used to try to help answer a lot of questions from new members but get tired of the rudeness and ghosting, and so I generally wait to see if the poster is still engaged before I participate. Perhaps we need potential forum users to take a basic etiquette quiz before they can post!

I know there are sites that prohibit posting until you've been a member for a certain amount of time, or read a certain number of posts, etc. That may not make for instant potential sales customers but it would improve the quality of the people in the forums.