Posted by Dan-Fl on May 12, 2003 at 14:10:59:
Central Fl is a big place.I think the two people who asked where you were from are looking for the town or county.I’m happy to tell people what part of central FL I invest and live in.It is called port richey,pasco county.It is about a hour west of tampa.
Need to find rehabs quicker ~ how do you do it? - Posted by Kim (FL)
Posted by Kim (FL) on May 11, 2003 at 22:15:17:
Hi! I got into real estate investing last year. I knew NOTHING until I found you!! Ron Starr, Jim and JohnBoy are my heros ~ I read all your posts. 
Since then, we’ve bought and sold 3 rehabs. Made $500 on the first one and were thankful we didn’t lose our shirts (HUGE LEARNING CURVE!!!) 2nd one we made $3800 and were happy. Last one we made $8500 and finally feel like investors!!! It’s a FABULOUS feeling! We count on our realtor to find us deals and he’s GREAT but we feel like we’re not controlling our destiny. We’ll still use him for leads and list everything with him. In our eyes, he’s part of our team and we want him to make $$ too. We just feel like we need to hit the streets also. My area has a TON of competition so I need to market well.
I’m open to anything but based on my “gut” I think I should skip bandit signs (they’re on every corner and billboard here) and I haven’t found success in driving the streets looking for bad houses. I just don’t have an eye for it yet I guess – maybe I’m missing something with that plan? I know many of you send letters to LP. That’s what I’m working on as it seems like an area that I can create leads. I know that every LP in town gets dozens of letters. I need to set myself apart. I want to do the basic contract for deed. I’m most curious about these topics and would love some insight:
How do you put yourself ahead of every other investor?? We are trying to figure out how we can give them some of our profit to put us ahead of our competition. Do any of you do that?? Like a 80/20 split at closing when we do contract for deeds. Seems like that would interest a seller and still allow us to make 8k to 10k, if the numbers work (we wouldn’t do it if they didn’t). I’m NOT stingy - I just want to find some deals and make some money.
How do you sell them when they call you. Do you go into numbers at the initial chat or sell them on the contract for deed process. I’ve done a contract for deed twice and LOVE them (of course). My realtor will prep me (he’s good and wants the listings). I just need a feel for how you start the presentation and when you view the home and discuss numbers. My gut tells me to a)sell them on the contract for deed on the phone b)view the house with my handyman at my side c)run numbers and give them a contract after a sweet phone call telling them that we’re looking forward to working with them. Good or Bad??
What other ways do you use to find rehabs? I’d love ideas!
If any of you need/want info from me - let me know! We’ve decided that we’re ready to take this serious and really watch the money come in (I want to do 4 more this year at a minimum) so you’ll see me on this site a lot this year! BTW ~ I’m a mortgage broker and my husband’s a CPA ~ I can always help answer questions for people newer than myself as well.
Thanks All
Kim (FL)
How I generate leads - Posted by rocky
Posted by rocky on May 12, 2003 at 13:13:46:
Kim,
You will get a better response from the LP’s if you leave a personal note at their door, rather than a form letter in the mail. You want to set yourself apart and form letters certainly won’t do that, no matter what the content. A note, which may or may not be a form letter as well, but with a hand written attachment to it, taped to the front door, rather than mailed or stuffed into the screen with the rest of the junk, addressed to the home owner by name, in hand writing, not typed, and stating who the note is from will get the attention you want it to. I also usually include a copy of the document, in my case I work with Notice of Trustee’s Sales as these seem to instill more motivation in the owner. This sets me far apart from most of the other investors in the area. Even though the owners have heard from every investor and his mamma by the time I get to them, their motivation level is greatly intensified at the sight of the NTS and by the fact that their auction is within a couple of weeks. And, since I actually take the time to leave a note (actually I have recently hired someone to take that time for me,) I give the deal more of a personal feeling, like I am someone interested in helping (which I actually am; I never lie to them.) I hope this helps generate more leads for you.
Good luck and good investing,
Rocky
Re: Need to find rehabs quicker - Posted by Ken (FL)
Posted by Ken (FL) on May 12, 2003 at 11:30:46:
Kim,
I am also located in CFL. You can send an e-mail to willbuyhomes@yahoo.com. Maybe we can work on something.
Ken
Re: Need to find rehabs quicker - Posted by Sherry W
Posted by Sherry W on May 12, 2003 at 10:45:07:
Hi,
Just wondering what part of Florida? I am in the panhandle area.
Sherry
what the heck is LP? NTXT - Posted by tommy_WA
Posted by tommy_WA on May 12, 2003 at 24:46:04:
what the heck is LP?
Re: Need to find rehabs quick - Posted by kesh haynes
Posted by kesh haynes on May 11, 2003 at 22:23:42:
kim, what area are you in, in FL. I am a true newbie, and i am definetly keeping my ear to the ground for people that are interested in finding re-habs. Give me an idea of what areas you are working (i.e county,city) and what types of property you want, and rehab margin you want to stay in.
Re: How I generate leads - Posted by Kristy-AZ
Posted by Kristy-AZ on May 12, 2003 at 19:49:29:
Rocky,
I do the same thing as you, however the other night I got a call from an IRATE homeowner in foreclosure. Saying that I had no business viewing personal information like that, then leaving the NOTICE for her son to read. Now I did have it in a sealed envelope addressed to the parents. Obvioiusly the teenage son, took it upon himself to open the envelope.
The mother was REALLY po’d at me! She ranted and raved and I could picture her flinging her arms around, then she hung up on me. I never got to say one word. Oh well… This was my first encounter with a irate homeowner. Just glad she wasn’t home when I knocked on the door.
Kristy-Az
Re: Need to find rehabs quicker - Posted by Kim (FL)
Posted by Kim (FL) on May 12, 2003 at 11:01:34:
I’m in Central Florida
Re: Need to find rehabs quick - Posted by Kim (FL)
Posted by Kim (FL) on May 11, 2003 at 22:35:38:
In Central Florida. Any county or city that I can make money in. 
Any property with enough spread for a profit of 8 to 10k. I find that it’s a pain to obtain mortgages for flips due to FHA’s new ruling (can’t sell for 90 days) so I only want to do contract for deed. We have money for purchase and such and can move quickly. If you have any leads, let me know! Thanks and good luck!
Re: How I generate leads - Posted by Dan-fl
Posted by Dan-fl on May 13, 2003 at 06:53:35:
I have also been threatened a few times.One guy told me he was with the mob and he wacks people and one guy told me he was going to cut off my head and spit down my throat.Its a strange world.