All Forum Posts by: Sarah Cox

@Chris T. couldn't tell you, I own a rental property in Hammond, maybe I misunderstood the sign up form.. highly likely. 

@Michael Williams  thanks for the birddog suggestion I like that idea! I guess that I pay them their fee out of my profits after the deal closes. And there would be an agreement in place so they can't go and put in an offer themselves. I'm going to do more research but thanks again for the great idea! 

um thanks for the support?

Yes I realise I will need to pay the contractors for their time I'm not expecting something for nothing! 

Why so you say my location makes me sound dodgy? Or that I'm not taking things seriously? 

So I have been analyzing some properties for potential fix & flip.  I am very new to this, and I'm getting stuck on trying to estimate the rehab costs.

I live in Australia (investing in Chicago area), so it's not possible to visit the properties myself.  I have tried reaching out to many general contractors in the area, and every one has told me they are too busy for any extra work right now.  My agents have tried the same and haven't been able to find anyone.

I don't feel confident to come up with a good estimate just using photos & property description. 

I'd love for someone to go to the property and at least give me a run down of what needs to be done.... but not sure who to ask or how to find someone willing to walk through the property on my behalf... 

Any suggestions?  Thanks! :)

PS: I will be wholesaling the properties, not fixing them myself ;)

Update!  I have managed to make a couple of phone calls... actually, I have returned missed calls... from people that I know who they are and what they want, before ringing them back!  

I am part of a coaching program, and have access to a phone number whereby I can ring up and talk with a real estate trainer.  I rang it!!  Even though I was worried to do so, as I didn't know exactly who I would be talking to.  But, I was pretty desperate.  I had a phone call scheduled with a real estate agent, and was stressing out about what to say & how to respond to the questions I thought he might ask me.  So called the trainer hotline, and ended up having a very good talk through all of my questions and concerns.  I felt better after that, and then when the agent called me, I was able to talk with him more confidently, and.... first phone call where I did not end up drenched in sweat by the end of it!  A first for me.  Have been sweating a lot before & during phone calls.. almost need a change of clothes by the end of the day!  Through nerves :(

Starting to get frustrated with emails though I have to say, most people either ignore or half-answer.  Things would move along much faster and easier if I would just pick up the phone and talk to people!

Thanks all for the support!

Still having no luck... in fact maybe getting worse :(

Last Tuesday, I had an appointment to go to, but I was unwell and had to cancel.  I couldn't even ring the place to make the cancellation, I had to get my mom to do it for me! 

Had a few phone calls come in during the week, I just froze up and listened to the phone ringing, wondering who it is and what they wanted... and waited for the voicemail to pick up...

Starting to feel really worried now, as I have pretty much zero chance of being successful in this business if I am unable to talk to people.  Added to that the fact that I've paid big dollars for a coaching program, which will be totally wasted if I'm not able to pick up a telephone! (I'm unemployed & on disability, so cannot afford to let the money go to waste!)

I am doing a coaching program at the moment, and am being encouraged to seek out cash buyers first, and then look for properties that meet their needs.  It seems like a nice theory, but I'm finding it leads to some awkward conversations.  When talking with a buyer, they will always ask "what do you have for sale" or they ask me to send through what I have.... I'm then stuck trying to respond... how to explain that I don't have anything and that I'm just trying to find out what they want so I can go find it for them... without sounding like an idiot?!

Interested to hear everyone's thoughts on this!

I love Meetup!  I have attended many meetups over the last few years and even hosted a few... but, social ones though, not real estate or business related, just for fun & socializing!  That said, I've joined a couple of local real estate investing groups here in Australia, and thinking of attending the next event when it comes up.  Even though it's unlikely I'll meet anyone investing in the USA market (I expect mostly local investors), it would still be great practice in introducing myself, saying who I am and what I do... a confidence builder, hopefully! 

Practicing my intro / opening line I think is an excellent idea too!  I think that's the immediate worry, after I've dialed, the phone rings and they pick up and say hello.... what do I say? Good to be prepared and confident for that bit at least! 

Thanks Christina! :)

Actually, I live in Australia, so it's not possible at the minute to attend meetups unfortunately. (Also makes the calls harder as I am self-conscious of my accent, and worry people won't be able to understand me)

Yes I think I'd feel more comfortable if I found one or more great deals first, and then locate the buyers. At least I would have something to offer when calling, instead of just bugging people for information.

I have a coach right now and he's encouraging me to create a buyers list first, then go and find the deals that they want.  But it does make for much more awkward conversations....

Hi Everyone :)

So, I am just getting started in my real estate business.  I'm starting out wholesaling so that I can build up my cash and work towards purchasing some buy & hold rental properties.

I am encountering a huge problem.  I need to make phone calls!  Right now, I need to call cash buyers and find out what their requirements / criteria are when purchasing properties.... so I can then go out and find properties that suit their needs.  I have spent a lot of time so far researching the internet (google, youtube, craigslist, and facebook) and putting together a list of names and phone numbers.

At this point I can't envisage picking up the phone and starting the conversation.  I have a fear of the telephone even in general everyday situations, and it could take me days to make even the simplest of calls.  Its to the point where I have physical symptoms, eg shaking hands, sweaty feet, stomach pains, and even crying! 

I think its extra hard, because I am just starting out, I don't have any properties under contract even, so what do I say when people ask what properties I have?  I am afraid to admit the truth, that I haven't started looking at properties yet (I'm still trying to find what the buyers are wanting, so that I know what to look for)

I wonder, if anyone else has this fear of the phone? And if so, what did you do to overcome it?

Any and all suggestions will be gratefully accepted! :)