Story Time – “My Early Days As A Real Estate Investor”

It is interesting for me to think back about my early days as a real estate investor. When I finally made the decision that I wanted to make a living buying and selling real estate, I was filled with mixed emotions of excitement and fear. However, I knew deep down in my heart and soul that this was right and that I was going to succeed no matter what obstacles I encountered and no matter how long it would take. It is definitely easier for me to say this now, however I won’t lie, there were times when I second guessed myself and picked up the newspaper skimming the employment section, “just in case.”

My journey to becoming a successful real estate investor was without question the most difficult thing I have ever set out to do in my life, and yet this journey has also been the most fulfilling and personally gratifying thing I’ve ever experienced to date. There were many nights of sleeplessness and anxiety (and still are on occasion) however I realize now that every experience, positive and negative, was and is meant to be.

I went from a college graduate, to an insurance underwriter on Wall St., to a failed retail coffee shop owner, to a real estate investing novice, to a local real estate investing guru, to an author and a real estate investor coach. This was all over a six-year period, and I have to be honest, I wouldn’t change the past for anything. I loved the business of real estate investing before I could fully comprehend what it was all about and I love it now even more. Real estate is the greatest wealth-generating vehicle on the planet, and I’m proud to be a figure within the industry.

What I would like to do now is give you a little exercise to complete. This simple questionnaire is based upon an honest rating of yourself and (if you have one) your current real estate investing business. Some things you will score high on and others you may not. That’s OK. I’ll have you complete the same questionnaire at the end of the book once you have learned this material so you can accurately measure your own progress.

Questionnaire (Round 1)

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the least and 10 being the most, write down your number for each of the following:

• I would rank my current understanding and development of a professional support team as…
• I would rank my current level of real estate investment education as…
• I would rank my positive attitude as a real estate investor as…
• I would rank my current understanding of the necessary skills as a real estate investor as…
• I would rank my current passion for real estate investing as…
• I would rank my current professional appearance as a real estate investor as…
• I would rank my current office set up for my real estate business as…
• I would rank my current accumulation of credentials and testimonials for my business as…
• I would rank my current real estate transactional experience as…
• I would rank my current understanding and development of a professional business plan as…
• I would rank my current marketing plan for my real estate business as…
• I would rank my current understanding of and approach to holding effective meetings as…
• I would rank my current understanding and mastery of real estate paperwork as…
• I would rank my current understanding of and commitment to customer service as…
• I would rank my current tax/corporate structure for my real estate business as…
• I would rank my current understanding and pursuit of private lending as…
• I would rank my overall credibility as a real estate investor as…

Did you know that the statistics are not in your favor? By that I mean, it is accurately estimated that only 20% of readers will complete the above survey, and the other 80% will choose to skip it. Interestingly, these statistics are quite similar to the income levels in the Unites States, where approximately 20% of the population would be considered upper class and the remaining 80% is lower class. Knowing this, I’ll wait if you want to go back and complete the self-evaluation questionnaire!

In my next post, I’ll begin sharing how trustworthiness and expertise fit into becoming your local real estate investing guru. Until then, be sure to fill out the above survey and hold onto it, we will be revisiting it again to see our progress. Now go check out the invaluable real estate investing tool that I have personally put together just for you!

Go to www.freemakemoneygift.com/Invitation.html