Yes or KNOW?

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Well, hello.

I seem to have pulled another disappearing act on my blog.  Sorry about that.

As usual, I have a good excuse: I was working my ass off.  Also, running my ass off (20 miles this week- woohoo!).

So, last weekend I decided that I was going to hit up the MLS again in full force.  For the last I don’t even know how long, I’ve been selling other people’s deals and only making a half-assed attempt at getting my own.  (Are you wondering how many times I can say “ass” in one blog post, Julie?).  Hehe.

Anyway, so yeah, I decided that it was high time to man up and start going after my own deals again, and since there seems to be a bit more inventory hitting the MLS lately, I figured I might as well give it another run. (As a side note: I think I probably have one more good year of wholesaling in me (maybe), and then I’m probably going to sell all my belongings, take off, and wander the earth vagabond-style. Like this girl).

Seriously.

But that’s a different story for a different blog post. icon smile Yes or KNOW?

So anywho, my goal for the week was to make 5 offers every day, which I did.  Actually, I made 26 of them, and it looks like I just landed a deal this afternoon.  It’s kind of funny because this particular house was the last one I offered on yesterday, and I remember sitting there thinking that I shouldn’t even bother making the offer because #1) I was sick of making offers and didn’t feel like it, and #2) I didn’t think there was a chance in hell that it would get accepted.

That’s the thing, though- you just never can tell what the seller is gonna do.

This one was listed in the low 30’s, and my offer was 10k.  Fat chance of that getting accepted, right?

Well, I got a phone call from the listing agent this morning telling me that the seller was countering at 13.5k and that’s the lowest they’d go.

I called two of my good buyers right away to tell them about it (no, I’m not worried about them going around me), but I haven’t heard anything back from them yet. I was going to wait to get a number from them before I countered back, but I ended up just emailing the agent and asking if the sellers could come down to 12k.  I figured I better try and get this thing locked up quickly before he dropped the price to 13.5k in the MLS, in which case I’d be screwed.

So, after sending my email to the listing agent asking if the sellers could come down to 12k, I got an email back from him right away that said the following (and nothing more):

KNOW THEY CAN’T …THAT’S THEIR BOTTOM NUMBER!!

Geeze, dude, I get it.  No need to scream at me.

And then a few seconds later, while I was sitting there at my desk chuckling to myself about the email- my phone rang….

It was the listing agent telling me that the sellers changed their minds right after he hit the send button, and that they would take 12k for the house after all.

HA!

Also, he apologized to me about the rude email, which I thought was a nice gesture.  I told him it was KNOW problem, and not to worry about it.

Hehehehehe.  I crack myself up.

I’m pretty sure I can sell this pile of crap for 19k, which is what I’m asking for it right now, but it’s kind of a crap shoot (no pun intended), with these junker houses.  I’ve got a couple guys who I know will take it for 13k or 14k if I’m not able to get a higher price, so that’s my plan B.

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention that while I was over at the property today taking pictures, the lady who rents the house next door came over and told me that her landlord was interested in buying the house (the one I have under contract).  So she gave me his # which I called a little while ago, and he’s going to drive out and look at it on Monday (he lives about an hour away).  He paid 13.9k for the house next door a few months ago, so maybe we’ll be able to work something out.

We shall see…

Oh, and before I sign off, because I know you all have been just dying to find out what Chef Steph has been up to in the kitchen, here are some pics of the tomato, onion, and feta salad that I made last weekend.  It was so delicious, I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven.  Seriously- it was that good.  And healthy, too.  (Minus the entire loaf of Italian bread that I ate with it. Oops).

Behold- delicious tomato, onion, and feta salad:

Screen shot 2010 07 31 at 6.15.59 PM1 Yes or KNOW?That bottle in the background is garlic flavored red wine vinegar.  Yum!


Screen shot 2010 07 31 at 6.16.29 PM1 Yes or KNOW?

Screen shot 2010 07 31 at 6.16.48 PM1 Yes or KNOW?This isn’t really a good pic of the finished product, but I wanted to show off
my favorite orange bowl.  Isn’t it cute?

Alrighty, then.

That’s all I’ve got for today.  Gotta get my hustle on and get this piece o’ crap house sold!

Roger Dodger, 10-4, over and out….

icon smile Yes or KNOW?

P.S.
Just an FYI- it seriously took me 45 minutes to upload those 3 photos.  Because WordPress is a dirty whore.

P.P.S.
Speaking of technical difficulties….. last week, I interviewed two REO wholesalers that are absolutely crushing it in the Detroit market (Steve Mills and Erik Stark).  I had planned on posting the interview here for you guys, but the recording got messed up (SHOCKING), so I’m going to see if they’d be willing to do another one with me.  Sorry about that. icon sad Yes or KNOW?

P.P.P.S.
Make sure to check back here Monday morning- I’m gonna be starting a 30 day challenge, and I want you guys to join me!


29 Responses to Yes or KNOW?

  1. On July 31, 2010 at 4:56pm, Shae said...

    Steph, every time I stopped the previous laugh, I read something that made me laugh all over again. So basically I laughed throughout this entire post. So thanks for that :-) So you pretty much kicked butt this week girl…you go! I’ll be looking out for your 30 day challenge!
    .-= Shae´s last blog ..1000 Postcards- Monkey Offers- and a 7-Day Action Plan =-.

  2. On July 31, 2010 at 6:27pm, Matt said...

    Geez. Don’t you know how to FTP up instead of that crap-ass Wordpress upload?

    (web 2.0 means look easier to use for dummies. It also means half the time it SUCKS)

    • On July 31, 2010 at 7:09pm, Stephani said...

      What does FTP up mean?

      Help a girl out, please!!

  3. On July 31, 2010 at 6:59pm, Erby said...

    Ditto what Shae said. You are a riot:) Good to know you killing it. GO GET THE MONEY!!!!!

    • On July 31, 2010 at 7:11pm, Stephani said...

      I’m working on it, Erby!

      :)

  4. On July 31, 2010 at 7:52pm, Matt said...

    oh god…computer newbie alert!

    OK FTP = file transfer protocol. Translation: “upload” but “directly.”

    Uploading via the “wordpress upload” sends it through HTTP. Which equates to crap usually.

    You need training.

    • On July 31, 2010 at 7:56pm, Stephani said...

      Actually, I am just electronically cursed, so even if I did the FTPTPTPTPTPTPF upload, it would probably get screwed up anyway.

      :)

  5. On July 31, 2010 at 7:54pm, Matt said...

    I will digress for a moment. Wordpress Upload will also compress files down automatically. So if each photo is “hi-res” (read: 2-3MB a piece from a digital camera), it not only takes a few to send as is, but can also “time out” because it’s “taking too long” to upload that way.

    Now over to facebook…

    • On July 31, 2010 at 7:58pm, Stephani said...

      No idea what any of that means.

      Well, except for the “over to facebook” part.

      I ♥ Facebook.

  6. On July 31, 2010 at 9:16pm, Jerry said...

    I no it will work out.

    • On July 31, 2010 at 9:18pm, Jerry said...

      BTW whats the story w my dude there on the right? Is that me in FlipthisWholesaler land?!

      • On July 31, 2010 at 9:24pm, Stephani said...

        Yes. If you don’t have your own avatar, you get assigned a monster when you post a comment.

        I think if you go to gravatar.com you can upload a picture of your choosing. If not, you get stuck with the monster dude.

        • On August 02, 2010 at 6:32am, Jerry said...

          Avatar……isnt that some crazy billion $ movie about some blue utopia?

      • On July 31, 2010 at 9:26pm, Stephani said...

        http://en.gravatar.com/site/signup/

    • On July 31, 2010 at 9:19pm, Stephani said...

      HAHAHA!

      Good one, Jerry. Thanks.
      :)

  7. On July 31, 2010 at 10:50pm, Esi said...

    Looking forward to the challenge and interview. I was cracking up the whole time too, always love your posts. The last closing I had was from the last call I got right before I cancelled freedomvoice and it turned out to be a great deal. It’s funny how that extra or last push seem to be a great move.
    .-= Esi´s last blog ..Sow Seeds – Reap Rewards =-.

    • On August 01, 2010 at 2:46pm, Stephani said...

      Hey Esi,

      What’s freedomvoice?

  8. On August 01, 2010 at 8:16am, AnotherSteph said...

    Welcome back – I miss you when you don’t post!

    Are you seriously going to wholesale one more year and travel the world, a la 4HWW? That’s freakin’ awesome…I hope you do it! But keep blogging, LOL! :-)

    That salad looks so yummy…I’ll have to try it, I love feta. I bet you’d like one of my summer favorite salads – ripe tomatoes (cherry or otherwise), fresh mozzarella (cubed or the little balls of cheese), fresh basil, salt, pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It’s so delicious. And you can even add hunks of crusty bread to it, if you like..or not, if you’re watching carbs.

    Have a good week,
    Steph
    .-= AnotherSteph´s last blog ..First Direct Mail Campaign – Part 2 =-.

    • On August 01, 2010 at 2:53pm, Stephani said...

      Hey Steph!

      Yeah, I’m fixin to take off and roam the world for awhile. There’s still plenty of details to work out, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, so I’m going to make it happen. I’ll definitely be blogging about my adventures, which I think will be pretty cool, too. :)

      Your tomato and mozzarella salad sounds delish! I’m gonna have to try that out next time. It sounds pretty much like the same ingredients that went into the feta one I made, except I used red wine vinegar instead of balsamic… Yummy!

      OK, now I’m hungry.

      :)

      • On August 01, 2010 at 5:39pm, AnotherSteph said...

        That is so great…I hope you do take off and roam. I have known so many people who wait until retirement to travel or do other stuff and then life gets in the way and never get the chance. Do it while you’re young and able. And we will love hearing about your adventures! It’ll be another way you inspire us, your readers!!

        Cool, hope you try the tomato and mozzarella salad…I’m going to try the tomato and feta one. Yum!!! I’m hungry, too! :-)

        Steph
        .-= AnotherSteph´s last blog ..First Direct Mail Campaign – Part 2 =-.

  9. On August 01, 2010 at 3:12pm, ayngelina said...

    Hey thanks for the shout out in your post! Life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns on the road, but it does beat working :)
    .-= ayngelina´s last blog ..Moving on up to Avenida Central =-.

    • On August 01, 2010 at 3:46pm, Stephani said...

      Hey Ayngelina,

      Thanks for stopping by!

      I just found your blog a few days ago (I think I Googled “travel blogs”). It’s been really inspiring reading of your travels so far, and definitely has lit a fire under my behind to get my plan together.

      I added you to my reader and will be living vicariously through your adventures. :)

      Take care, and happy travels!

      • On August 02, 2010 at 8:11am, ayngelina said...

        Aww thanks, if you do decide to take the leap I’m more than happy to help with any planning questions or anything else you need.
        .-= ayngelina´s last blog ..Moving on up to Avenida Central =-.

  10. On August 01, 2010 at 8:34pm, Brooks said...

    KNOW they can’t…That honestly is one of my biggest pet peeves. I NO that you’ll get that property sold; don’t take KNOW for an answer!
    PS – you create a recipe book. This meal looks perfect for a single bachelor like myself. That salad looks yummmmm
    .-= Brooks´s last blog ..FREE 50 to lend to the entrepreneur of your choice! =-.

  11. On August 03, 2010 at 6:44am, mobilehomegurl said...

    Hey Steph! I think it’s so cool you are planning to travel the world. It’s really a life changing experience to go visit and live in different countries. I’ve done my share of traveling, mostly Europe and the Asias. It’s amazing to go visit and see different perspectives and cultures. Since my travels, I’ve had a new appreciation and perspective on the world. Looking forward to hearing about your travel adventures!
    p.s. And, so glad to see Chef Steph back in action! That salad looks so yummy :)

  12. On August 05, 2010 at 6:51pm, Carey_PA said...

    OMG that salad looks yummy! Btw, I finally posted my tomato watermelon basil salad pics up on my blog for you (and no you’re not weird for liking food pics, btw.)

    I just had to tell you about that salad…now I’m going to your current post to make a real comment lol
    .-= Carey_PA´s last blog ..Private Money Received- Billionaire- Tomato Watermelon Basil Salad &amp Ha-Ha’s =-.

  13. On August 19, 2010 at 5:46pm, Julie Broad said...

    HAHAHAH!! I somehow missed this post … but while over here searching for the post about you crapping your pants in a good way I found this one!! I can’t swear in my blog … I just can’t. And when you read the post that I am about to put up (the one where I am looking for your pants crapping post to link to) you are going to find a post where F Bombs and words that rhyme with hunt and pit and run of a witch are very appropriate for the situation – however I just can’t do it. Anyway … I digress. Thanks for the laugh … now I must carry on and find the pants crapping post. This is very important and serious real estate stuff we’re covering here.
    .-= Julie Broad´s last blog ..Another Reason to Keep the Emotion out of Real Estate Investing =-.

2 Pings to Yes or KNOW?

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