All Forum Posts by: Jon Klaus

@David Dey - In my opinion it is all about the sacrifices.  Do I want to retire at 35? Yes!  Well then I can't be drinking non-fat soy mocha double shot with foam drinks that cost $5 a pop.  

i loved your story @David Dey and @Brian Gibbons. 

Steven McPherson I started with less than nothing twice. The first was growing up in the ghettos with only a single mom as a parent. Not much to eat, utilities constantly being cut off, ect... I battled through that and put my self in a position to win. Then at 21 I had a major surgery that left me unable to walk, nearly blind, deaf in one ear, a facial paralysis and medical bills that exceeded 600k. At this point I was broke, homeless, disabled, terrible credit, ect... Now through the grace of God and hard work, I own multiple properties(some paid off), I have plenty of money, I'm able to function again, life is good!!

 Actually, I plan to mainly do my outbound call group, however you did give me an idea for a marketing campaign we did years ago. (Might be time for someone to bring it back)

Holiday cards!!  For a 100% open campaign, who doesn't open an obvious greeting card?  You know, with the colorful envelope and maybe Snoopy on the outside?

The message inside will be important as well.  

Like maybe, "Turn that vacant house into Holiday cash!!"

What do you think?

Hope it helps someone.

Before the Romans added July and August (think Julius Ceasar and Augustus) there were only ten months in the year so I'm already done..... lol I retired last Dec., my wife is going part time as a realtor on Dec. 1 and we are headed to Ft. Myers for the winter as planned (12 years ago). Bought 6 houses this year with about 50K out of pocket total. Life is good, thank you REI for making it possible. PS heard my old boss that layed me off might be retiring soon.... good for him.

@Jon Klaus

With no signs of anything worth buying on my immediate horizon, we will continue along with our list of small projects which have been deferred over the past couple of years due to more "immediate needs" - like replacing the aging sewer main in our 6-unit and removing the final bunch of trees damaged in our summer of 2014 hurricane {we felled eight last week}.

We've also been strengthening our balance sheet this year - portfolio LTV fell below 60% in the spring and should be right around 55% at year's end - and pre-arranging access to that equity in the event we do find a 20 - 50 unit building meeting our criteria.

Almost forgot ... have a 2nd coming due at the end of the year.  Mortgager is planning to pay-off this month (November), and wants place another 2nd in January for a new rehab ... so the latter part of December will be spent doing diligence to underwrite another loan.

Honestly, if I get halfway through rehabbing the rental we just purchased, I'll be pretty happy. Sometimes it can be intimidating to read about everyone else's crazy successes when you're just starting out!

Close on an apartment building in Japan by fiscal year end (which is actually April 2016).