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Just Information
01-17-2005, 07:47 PM
Education doesn’t mean anything. Don’t get me wrong: We can say the word “education” and get that special feeling inside, as if we’re chanting some sacred incantation.

In this manner, education is nothing more than a disposable product. This may seem outrageously idealistic, but I was under the impression that the meaning of education fell somewhere near enlightenment. I’m not talking spiritually. I’m talking in terms of knowledge that goes beyond the mere storage and repetition of mundane information or workshop lingo. :SM056:

I’m talking about the difference between treating education like a dear loved one, and treating it like a cheap one-night stand. The prevailing attitude in our mainstream culture is the latter. Although we can get so worked up about funding, class size, and pedagogical methods, what does any of this means if we do not infuse education with human value?

Education should be about encouraging the importance of learning in concert with knowing. The emphasis on knowing something is overrated and serves to further the degradation of learning in our society. It’s the same emphasis that encourages “knowing everything you need to know”

This prevailing attitude will never value education past its practical function as a disposable package to be tossed into the trash once its contents have been consumed. With such an approach, it is next to impossible to spark the desire to learn.

If it cost you $10,000 to learn how to profit in real estate, you can profit from it for the rest of your life. :SM003:

A student of mine sold his car and cashed out his savings just to learn how to become an investor, his education cost was $7,000 he spent 4 days with me at a cost of $1,750 per day. Last year he made $300,000 and his net worth went from just under $5,000 to $875,000 in 12 months.

Not all have what it takes to be successful as the above student, but all can have moderate success as an investor and easily make $50,000 to $100,000 their first year if they are willing to learn and work hard!

I am not advocating this extreme desire to learn, but you have to decide as an Investor what you are willing to do what you are willing to spend to become a success.

In just, no matter the costs invest in your self, your family, and your future!

Before seeking out a Real Estate course you should:


Determine what you will need to maintain your current lifestyle.
What will be your tolerance for financial risk.
How you plan to build net worth over time.
How you plan to generate extra monthly income.
What cash flow do you need to become financially independent.


Read, Read, Read. You are encouraged to always have a book with you on real estate investing. Read 5 to 10 pages from a real estate investment book each day. With this goal, you'd be reading over five books a year. 1,000's of pages of knowledge. Vary few will take this level and that's what will separate you from the rest!

:SM049: Knowledge is power! Applied knowledge is success!

The characteristics of a winner are preparation, specialization, organization, intellect and effort. These same self-confident qualities, you, as an investor will bring to your goals. If you want to be a winner, associate with winners.

You can duplicate a few simple steps for success:

Establish your real estate business

*Determine the business set up
*Develop a business plan
*Order business cards, letterhead, and any office supplies and equipment

Set long-term and short-term goals; determine the results you want to achieve; focus on the goal and not the journey. Goals must be:

*Specific and measurable
*Use action words
*Believable and achievable
*Include target completion dates

Set up your letters to property owners and telephone scripts

*Call 20 motivated sellers per week
*Research and inspect properties

Visit Courthouse

*Obtain property information and valuation at the County Tax Assessor’s office
*Locate deeds and mortgages at the Recorder’s office
*Become familiar with researching data

Locate and identify legal newspapers

*Study types of legal proceedings, lawsuits, judgments, etc…
*Use Trustee’s Sales and Sheriff’s Sales to find upcoming foreclosure auctions

Attend a foreclosure auction

*Learn process and terms of the auction
*Identify what the financial requirements are when purchasing at an auction; which mortgage holder is foreclosing; what happens if a bid is successful; and what are the penalties for non-performance

Establish a working relationship with a realtor. This relationship:

*Can help you obtain property comparisons known as comparables or COMPS
*Can be mutually beneficial. You can provide leads to the realtor for listings and sales

Make business contacts

*Build your power team of: bankers, title companies, attorneys and accountants
*Join real estate investment club in your area

Spread the word that you are now a real estate investor

*Distribute business cards
*Build a referral network

Practice completing contracts and agreements

*Familiarize yourself with the necessary real estate forms

Attend real estate Training classes and seminars often

*Attend with a positive, willing to learn attitude
*Take extensive notes and ask questions
*For hands-on training, inquire about "Mentor Programs"

Find a coach that will help you with

*Answers to specific questions
*Review of your property proposals
*Writing an offer

SETTING GOALS

Do you have a target or a goal? Taking responsibility for your actions is a vital element in developing self-discipline. There are some common personality traits that might account for the differences between the "haves" and the "have-nots."

The "Haves":

Desire/Drive
Commitment/Dedication
Education
Courage
Optimism
Determination
Discipline
Experience
Perseverance
Organization

The "Have-Nots":

Fear of the Unknown
Procrastination
Lack of Education
Complacency
Poor Self Control
Fear of Success
World of Scarcity
Skepticism
Low self-esteem
Hopelessness

Never share your goals with anyone unless you know they not only believe you can achieve these goals, but they also want you to reach them.

CharleyB
01-18-2005, 07:42 PM
Read your post. Fabulous information! Very well done.
One question however.
If education doesn't mean anything, why is it number 3 on the "Haves" list and the lack of it is number 3 on the "Have Nots" list.
Seems contradictory.
All the Best,
CharleyB

Just Information
01-18-2005, 07:49 PM
It was a lead in my friend! Education means nothing if one pursues it with the wrong perspective.

Education will not make one successful or even prosperous if it is not applied.

You just have to put feet to it!

Just Information
01-19-2005, 12:17 PM
Read your post. Fabulous information! Very well done.
One question however.
If education doesn't mean anything, why is it number 3 on the "Haves" list and the lack of it is number 3 on the "Have Nots" list.
Seems contradictory.
All the Best,
CharleyB

Information is not knowledge.
Knowledge is not wisdom.
Wisdom is not truth.

The answer is 'yes' or 'no', depending on the interpretation.
-- Albert Einstein :confused:

CharleyB
01-19-2005, 03:22 PM
JohnMichael;
Please be aware that I did not intend in any way to insult you with my reply to your post. It is one of the best summaries concerning real estate investing that I have read on this or any other site. In fact, I have printed it and intend to use it in my future investment. (I'm a paper sort of guy.)
My intent in the reply was to provoke discussion on this subject which I believe is an important one.
Having several "degrees" myself I have seen first hand the problems with people who do not know how to apply all that education in a practical way.
An example: I am a structural engineer and I deal with architectural drawings every day that are very asthetically pleasing but are not cost effective build. Since my job is to make these "pretty pictures" a reality, I must find a way to actually build them. In some instances the project becomes so costly that it cannot be practically constructed without significant changes to the building plans hence the impractical application of an architectural education. (No letters, Please, architects.) I have dealt with European architects on the other hand that are very aware of the practical applications of their skills because they are required by their disipline in their countries to actually work on a construction site for a one-year internship hence they are much better at designing cost effictive buildings.
Once again, I appologize if I offended you.

Just Information
01-19-2005, 04:07 PM
Charley you did not offend me in any fashion - I'm to old to get offended any more "LOL". :SM005:

One of the greatest lessons like has taught me is that getting offended is a waist of time! A good debate is a healthy learning process but to be offended has never served a purpose for me.

I have students that get offended on occasion because I am just about one of the most un-politically correct person you will meet. I simply tell them you paid 7k to learn or 7k to be offended that's their choice. :mad:

Let me give you an example of my style:

From a new investor:
I am looking to start my investing in Lease Options. I have been schooling myself for about the past year.
I have been learning about different types of Real Estate investing since graduating high school in 2002. I decided that L/O is definately my calling... at least for now, mainly because I do not have the capital to start with, or credit.

I actually have read Peter Conti & David Finkel's books as well as A.D.'s. The major thing holding me back from getting out there and putting great deals together is that I have no contracts nor any knowledge on how to put one together.

I know what you're thinking "So get to a lawyer and have them draw you some up" Right? Well, I don't have the money to do that either... I hear they're pretty costly.

I am definately as ROOKIE as they get, and am trying to learn as much as I can and DEFINATELY looking for a mentor if at all possible. I am very eager and willing to learn.

Every book or article I have read, people always say that learning is great and also a necessity, but don't overwhelm or scare yourself with it... Get Out There and Start Putting Deals Together. Well, I keep trying to drill that into my head, and I HAVE started contacting homeowner's and trying to get my start, but truth is I "am" too scared to go any further than a phone conversation all because I'm afraid that they may actually say YES and I'll be stuck with NO CONTRACTS and looking like a fool.

My reply:

Well my friend I do not think that another course or book will help, you have made some progress by your studies but you have simply place your self in a holding pattern - you fear being successful my friend.

You are sabotaging your own success! You fear the unknowns!

Success comes from stepping out of your comfort zone!

You need to face this head on by taking some baby steps towards your goal of investing - simply taking small actions will get you closer to your goal as an investor.

You have the ability my friend; look at what you posted for all to see! Most would not admit this in a public forum! You have taken the first step in overcoming your fears by admitting them, now you have to confront them with action!

So you do not want to look like a fool! Too late!

You said:
I fear success!
I fear making money!
I want to stay broke!

Therefore, now that we have already got past looking like a fool, the only direction to go now is up!

What you are facing is not uncommon!

You are the one who needs to get out there in the real world and get to it!

You have two options you can be a "Haves" or a "Have-Nots" kind of person but no matter what direction you go you are the one who must take responsibility for your success or failure in this situation!

The "Haves":

Desire/Drive - Commitment/Dedication - Education - Courage - Optimism - Determination - Discipline
Experience - Perseverance - Organization

The "Have-Nots":

Fear of the Unknown - Procrastination - Lack of Education - Complacency - Poor Self Control
Fear of Success - World of Scarcity - Skepticism - Low self-esteem - Hopelessness

Now some will take what is said out of it's content and be offended by:

So you do not want to look like a fool! Too late!

You said:
I fear success!
I fear making money!
I want to stay broke!

I use what Charles H. Duell, Director of the US Patent Office, said in 1899, "Everything that can be invented has been invented." He was truly one of the most stupid in the box thinkers I have ever read about considering his position. :SM032:

When one thinks in the box they are easily offended, have many failures and provided little return in their own life and those around them.

Now look what you have done, you got me on my soapbox! LOL

Dan Auito
01-19-2005, 04:23 PM
Yes folks we are having fun now. I am happy to see you gentlemen taking these issues up and providing examples and insights. Your discussion will help others see the light while also allieving some fears and providing some motivation. Atleast that's my two cents.

Folks, John is a full fledged moderator around here so feel free to engage this very experienced full time investor if your knees are still knocking!

Thanks so much John, your participation is grately appreciated!!! :praise:

Debbie
01-11-2007, 10:20 PM
This thread is now closed.

JohnMichael no longer participates at Magic Bullets, therefore, he is no longer available to clarify any issues or answer any questions.

Anyone interested in discussing similiar issues/questions is invited to start new thread to copy/paste quotes or include a link to the thread of interest.