Category Archives: Goals

A Real Email List

I finally got a real “Real Estate” email list

Email List for Homes and MoreGo to www.MyHomesAndMore.com to sign up for real estate deals, observations and (mis)adventures. Do it now. You can read the rest of this afterward. That’s www.MyHomesAndMore.com.

And wait, that’s not all, read below to find out about the free extras. (Billy Mays would be proud)

As many of you know, I’ve had an “email list” for some time. Unfortunately, I’d been trying to do it the hard way. Lists of email address in word, manually updating notes, trying to keep it right, and not get “spammed” off.

My first attempt with “Unnamed email list service provider” resulted in my account being cancelled the first day. I had uploaded the business cards from several networking  events over 3 years. and sent them an email. 2000 people. 4 clicked spam, and account cancelled. $120 poof. Geesh, give a guy a break. 3 hours on the phone, no mercy. So that project got shelved for almost two years.

And we won’t even talk about how long it took to get those typed in. Ok, I admit it, I started typing them all in, then paid someone else to finish. Otherwise I’d still be typing.

So I went back to working from memory, and my short list. Unfortunately the short list only exists in my head, and consists of people who’ve bought properties, or I met recently. Not the best way to run a business. Not even a good way. But it worked, and hey, if it’s working, why change, right? wrong!

This past year, I decided to ramp up. And the system broke. Well, the lack of a system broke, and it tried to break me.

Without an Email List service for Homes and More
This was me. This was my business.

I felt like the old school stage performer trying to spin plates on a stick, running from one to another to keep each going and keep any of them from falling. So, I added another plate.

Sounds crazy I know. I started forcing myself to take time again to focus on running the business better. And that lead me to identify three items to get implemented.

  1. A Property Manager
  2. A CRM program to track leads.
  3. A good email list service (which may be covered by the CRM later)

We’ll cover the property manager in another post, but I will say I have one and I’m gradually turning over all my properties. And I like it.

Next, I started looking at CRM, but found the many choices overwhelming. I’ve looked at many, and very few seemed to fit for a real estate business. I have finally narrowed it down to two. One will be implemented by the end of the year.

When the CRM frustrated me, I looked at the easier one, an email list service. Who knew two years would make so many changes. Multiple reputable providers, cool tools, great tracking. And the best part, getting started cost nothing! (My favorite price.)

I sent out my first email to the list today. Creating it was a piece of cake. Editing took longer, but that’s my fault, not theirs. Great tools, made it super simple. Now I’m asking you to make my life simple. Get on the list. Get great deals via email (email is free, deals are not. Usually). Get the occasional snarky post (always free), and some genuinely useful information (also free).

Go to www.MyHomesAndMore.com to sign up. Do it now. (Only if you didn’t follow the instructions the first time. You don’t need to do it twice.)

Tantalizing Teaser
Which email list service did I pick? If the curiosity is killing you, and you still haven’t signed up, the confirmation email will show you the email list provider I chose. Hey, they get a free advertisement at the bottom. I can work with that. And so can you.

PS. 
If you click “manage your preference” on the confirmation, you can add some additional details on your interests.

What are your Real Estate Goals?

Real Estate Goals

Aka, getting the right deals for you.

Your goals drive the path to follow. Which deal do I do? Is it a good deal? Is it a good deal for me?

Each of you have different goals for different reasons, but there is commonality in all of them. Some of you are simply interested in Real Estate. Some want to make extra income or even go full time. Some are looking to expand your retirement portfolio.

Why are you here? What is your goal?

Take some time and think about it. Write it down and define it. What are you trying to accomplish?

Goal: Additional retirement income. Why: Work plan is not sufficient.

Now define it be very specific. Put a number on it. Give it a deadline.

 Generate $5,000 per month net income from rental properties in 15 years.

Now expand the details a little bit is there anything else that completes the goal?

The properties will be free and clear, and managed by a property manager.

Now we have a solid and specific goal. Next is to start sketching out how to get there. This is where the education and experience really starts to kick in. If you’re still pretty new to real estate, you may need some help here. Ask others with experience for input.

I will acquire 1 rental property per year for the next 15 years.

Notice, it doesn’t say “I will acquire rentals”. It is specific. “I will acquire 1 rental property per year”. Can you do more? Yes, but this is your target. Again, expand the details a little bit. Is there anything else that explains how you are getting there?

In 15 years I will sell selected properties to leave the remainder free and clear.

Now you have a Goal, and plan to get there. The next step is to fill in the details.

  • I will identify and study a primary technique to acquire properties by April 30, 2012
  • I will interview, then select a licensed property manager by April 30, 2012
  • I will learn property evaluation by May 31, 2012
  • I will set my property criteria by May 31, 2012
  • I will set my deal criteria by May 31, 2012
  • I will submit 3 offers by June 30, 2012.
  • etc

Continue to fill in the details. Keep referring to your Goal and Plan. Fill in every detail you can think of, no matter how mundane. Prioritize. Set dates.

Remember, this is the plan today. It will change in the future. That’s ok.

This is a great exercise to work with your partner, or another Real Estate Investor.

Know where you are going. Otherwise, how will you know when you get there?

By Darrin Carey

Darrin@MyHomesAndMore.com

www.MyHomesAndMore.com