Here's a little background on me.

For the past 11 years I've been helping people just like you get funding for their businesses and their business ideas.

Over this time I've helped hundreds of entrepreneurs secure over $1.2 Billion for businesses of all kinds... from home based businesses, to Real Estate Investing, to business lines of credit to wireless internet technology... and everything in between.

I've participated in many business funding seminars from the International Hard Money Conference, various Real Estate Investment Clubs, Various Webinars, Radio Shows, and am a member of The American Cash Flow Association.

It has taken a lot of time, effort, and some painful experiences to develop the winning formulas that help businesses get the funding they need... especially in today's economy.

But I'm happy to say that because of what I've learned there isn't a business or business idea out there that can't find the capital it needs.

It's pretty easy to do too...

I've broken it down into a simple 5 step process...

***Step 1: Determine exactly how much capital you need for your business.

***Step 2: Learn the different types of business capital available to you.

***Step 3: Determine what type of funding is the right fit for your business.

***Step 4: Find the best source of funding which matches your needs.

***Step 5: Put together a deal that makes sense for your business today and down the road.

And it doesn't matter how much you need either... whether you need $50,000 or $5 Million or more the process is exactly the same and you can get it

Our websites are at http://www.workingcapitalfast.com which is about 1200 pages (March '11) and http://www.joetufo.com/blog our subscription site which has about three times the content. It also archives the newsletters and conference calls.

 

If you have a Large Project that requires funding you may be interested in an 8-Week Course that we are producing: http://joetufo.com/blog/large-project-class

 

Week 1 – Course Overview – What Will You Learn?-What is Large Project Funding?

Week 2 – The Power of Your Executive Summary – The First Key to Successful Funding

Week 3 – The Power of Your Bio's - The Second Key to Successful Funding

Week 4 – The Power of Your Detailed Use of Funds - The Third Key to Successful Funding

Week 5 – The Power of Your 5-Year Proforma and Exit Strategy - The Fourth Key to Successful Funding

Week 6 – Putting It All Together – Your Presentation and Proof of Funds

Week 7 – Current Funding Sources and Available Programs

Week 8 - Wrap-Up – What Do You Do Next?

Bonus Week– Q&A With Joe and Large Project Funding Sources

 

Our websites feature our Business Creed and a pre-qualification application. http://joetufo.com/blog/welcome-to-cash-flow-specialists-inc

http://workingcapitalfast.com/welcome-to-working-capital-fast-cash-flow-specialists-inc

 

 

We offer a one-time FREE 20-minute consultation to those who complete the questionnaire completely. This is a $333.34 value based on our hourly consulting fee. Of course, you may purchase additional time athttp://www.joetufo.com/consulting

 

We work one of two ways:

Priority – If you want us to “Clear The Decks” put our heads down and get to work you'll honor us by paying a fee for six months of service. You may renew after that time.

 

When you hire us to work on a priority basis we thoroughly study your submission package to make sure that it complies with our recommended Road Map to Funding Success. Funding has always been about presentation. Those who present well are funded. Those who don't present well are not funded.

 

The key ingredients to funding success, in our experience, have been:

1. A powerful Executive Summary of one to four pages. You can purchase our template and video review athttp://www.joetufo.com/roadmap

2. Bio's of key personnel.

3. A detailed use of funds broken down monthly for the first year and quarterly thereafter.

4. A 5-year proforma and written Exit Strategy.

 

When we meet face-to-face we'll review the following questions:

• What do you expect from us?

• What is your current pain?

• What keeps you awake at night?

• How do you see us helping you address these challenges and opportunities?

• What growth plans do you have?

• If price were not an issue, what role would you want us to play in your business?

• Do you expect capital needs? New financing?

• Do you anticipate any mergers, purchases, divestitures, recapitalizations, or reorganizations in the near future?

• We know you are investing in total quality service, as are we. What are the service standards you would like for us to provide you?

• How important is our satisfaction guarantee to you?

• How important is rapid response? What do you consider rapid response?

• Why are you changing professionals? What did you not like about your former firm that you do not want us to repeat?*

• How did you enjoy working with your former firm?**

• Do you envision any other changes in your needs?

• Are you concerned about any of your asset, liability, or income statement accounts to which we should pay particularly close attention?

• If we were to attend certain of your internal management meetings as observers, would you be comfortable with that?

• How do you suggest we best learn about your business so we can relate your operations to the financial information and so we can be more proactive in helping you maximize your business success?

• May our associates tour your facilities?

• What trade journals do you read? What seminars and trade shows do you regularly attend? Would it be possible for us to attend these with you?

• What is your budget for this type of service?

* We never denigrate the predecessor. First, this insults you and reminds you of a poor decision. Second, it diminishes respect and confidence in the profession as a whole and lowers the public’s perception of our professionalism.

** Even though you are changing firms, it is almost certain that you liked certain characteristics of the predecessor. We want to find out what those were and exceed them. For instance, if you said the prior firm always returned phone calls within one day, we strive to return phone calls within four hours.

 

Non-Priority – If you think that you've “nailed it” when preparing the four key ingredients to funding success, and you aren't in any hurry at all to fund and aren't quite ready to pay consultation fees then we'll take a look at your project when we can get to it. After we look at it we may need to send it back because you don't meet our requirements. (Priority Clients get major help from us in cleaning up their submission.) We'll return your calls and emails when we can: after all, priority clients come first.

 

We reserve the right to review each submission once, beyond that our consultation fee will be required. You had better complete the submission request correctly the first time or you better get familiar with our websites mentioned above. If you submit for free we can't spend a lot of time. It's not fair to us, our families, or our Priority Clients.

 

In our experience we can fund 1/3 of the files that cross our desks, 1/3 are DOA Dead on Arrival, and the final 1/3 are broken and need to go through some form of remediation which can take hours, days, weeks, months, or years.

 

We DO NOT GUARANTEE FUNDING. We work on a BEST EFFORTS BASIS.

 

With 33 years of Financial Services experience we may be uniquely qualified to serve you and those whom you choose to refer.

 

 

 Working Capital Fast

 

 

Why We Say NO! A Lot and Mean It

by JOE TUFO[EDIT]

Many times throughout each day we receive calls from folks like you: referrals, referral partners, past clients, current clients, prospective clients, or someone who Googled one of our websites.

Invariably, you tell us that your project or start-up is “the greatest thing since sliced bread,” is a “billion dollar idea,” We’d “be a fool if we didn’t drop everything and devote all our time for free to get you funded.”

To each of you who expect us to work for free we have this to say - NO! NO! NO! A thousand times NO!

WE’RE NOT IN THE FEE BUSINESS and WE’RE NOT IN THE WORK FOR FREE BUSINESS!

It’s not that we’re uninterested or impolite it’s just that we’ve heard it thousands of times. Here’s our thoughts:

• Do we have the time?

• Will we feel pressured to get it done?

• Will we be upset with ourself?

• Will we be resentful of the other person?

• Will we feel duped, had, or swindled?

• What do we have to give up to do this?

• What can we gain (What’s in it for us?)

No is our first option instead of the propensity to say yes that emanates from wanting to please, wanting to be liked, needing to be needed, being timid, avoiding confrontation, not knowing our rights, or feeling: plain and simple, that we should.

We’re in the consulting and funding business. With 34 years (November 1976 to present) of financial services experience in insurance, securities, and finance we may be uniquely qualified to serve you and those whom you choose to refer.

We charge a fee because we do this full-time: 50 hours scheduled a week plus another 20+ working on the websites, writing articles and newsletters, recording audio and video, holding webinars and other tasks to help each  of you.

We take on committed paying clients and then focus all of our effort and energy in getting you funded.

Even at that we fail about half of the time.

In our 10+ years experience in this business about 1/3 of what crosses our desks we can fund (you may not like the rates, terms and conditions but we can fund you), 1/3 is DOA – Dead on Arrival – even with the thousands of pages of information we’ve published, dozens of books and courses we’ve published – let’s face it many of you can’t or won’t follow instructions, and the final 1/3rd is broken: your credit sucks, you have no business credit profile, you have more than three inquiries, you have derogatories, liens and judgments – you’re a mess and it will take days, weeks, months, or years to fix.

So it’s not that we want to say NO! It’s just that we have a way that we do business well and that works for us: pay us our fully earned, non-refundable commitment fee of $30,000 for each project of $3,000,000 or above (1% minimum $3,000 per project $30,000 maximum per project for six months of service). We’ll roll up our sleeves, put on our thinking cap and get to work.

We have REAL funding sources that fund viable projects. Your project can be next.

As always we are available M-F 7AM to 5PM Pacific to serve you and those whom you choose to refer.

We offer funding for Early Capital, Business Seed/Start-up Stages, Expansion/Growth, Equity/Debt, Real Estate, Permanent, Pure Equity and more!  ALL Locations are considered  throughout the WORLD.

We are not a broker, but rather a correspondent lender and as such have the flexibility to fund "difficult" loans; in the $500K to $300M+ range that conventional lenders either can't fund or refuse to fund.  

*Loans against raw and undeveloped land

*Tough construction loans

*2nd mortgages on commercial properties

*Bridge loans secured by real estate with low fees and rates as low as 7% (often arranged and closed in as little as 2 weeks)

*Mezzanine loans against some income producing real estate

*International real estate loans

*International project financing

*Agricultural loans to farmers (outside of the USDA programs participated in nationally)

*Financing for commercial properties with tax liens

*95% financing for $25M and up International Project Construction Loans

*Up to 95% financing with seller held second on $1M and up acquisitions

*Hospital & Nursing Homes (outside of our conforming & SBA bank portfolio)

*Financing of real estate transactions where the principal has bad credit or personal bankruptcy

*Financing of real estate transactions where the company owning the property has losses or negative net worth

*Loans against gas stations, restaurants and convenience stores (that don't meet typical commercial or SBA banking parameters)

*Church loans, including construction, acquisition, refinance & bankruptcies (in 2010 closed over $100M in Church loans)

*Adult entertainment clubs acquisition and refinance

*85% LTV for apartment house financing in some cases with up to a 35 year amortization

Our debt-equity capital Funder's are in search of companies/projects in all stages and locations needing capital.  

AND

  Workout Dept | Workouts & Special Assets| Loans Turned Down | Turn Downs, etc.

Spent some time reflecting recently on the energizing and amazing 3 ½-days Rainmaker Summit and 1-day Global Ambassador Program presented a couple of weeks ago by Bill Walsh’s Powerteam International.  The days were long but well worth every minute.  The group of entrepreneurial business owners participating was of high caliber.  The presenters and coaches were tops!  This was a personal and business development educational event that also built community and great connections.  When you find yourself in the midst of excellence it is good to share a bit about the experience.  Since you couldn’t make it… I’m highlighting portions of the event for your consideration.

 

Many readers may have experienced similar events, but many may not have attended such a personal and business development coaching session.  This kind of training should be a life-long occurrence; it serves the seasoned as well as the new entrepreneur.  Just being appraised of what was presented may serve as a benchmark of your awareness of the tried and true as well as of current trends.

 

The focus was on unlocking your passion and becoming inspired about your true personal and business ‘vision’.  Clarifying your ‘vision’ and then your ‘why’ begins the process of empowerment which ignites the power to pull you to your biggest goals, living your dreams.  The ‘why’ is always what keeps you motivated when the temptation is to quit.  If you haven’t identified your vision, your core foundation for being, it is essential to do so.  Taking the time to really discern your ‘vision, why, passion’, will make such a difference in all that you do in life.  Those currently participating in the MMM Challenge application process with the Real Deal Community are being asked to look at this very issue.  If you have already built your current business with a clear vision and why, it might be a good time to take stock and see if you are really on track.  Are you congruent with what you say and believe versus what you do?

 

Another key focus of the event was on having solid business plans and systems.  Planning must include the systems that will help to keep you moving forward consistently.  Systems are critical to a thriving business.  For example, the McDonald’s system is instrumental in its international success.  Success or failure often hinges on the quality of systems that have been put into place, or lack thereof.  Systems serve to make your processes repeatable at the same level of quality time after time.  Small business owners, like so many of those in real estate investing, often have to do all aspects of the business themselves.  This solo operation may lead to inefficient systems which can make the business cumbersome and sluggish.  It really takes a team!  Real estate investing is a business and you should be looking at your venture as such.  Realizing early on that you are starting a business that requires planning, development, and the implementation of effective, supportive systems, can help you avoid serious and expensive mistakes down the road.  Many investors that I have run into don’t really view investing as a business and often think that it suffices to just go buy a house and flip it.  And, for some that works, for awhile.  Now there are lots of gurus out there that say they have the ‘magic bullet’ for a winning system.  One pops up about every other week; they take turns.  Once you know you have the need for systems, or need to update yours, be sure to do your due diligence about which system you build, use or buy.  Thinking though your business model is crucial to supporting your success.

 

And, here it was again.  Every time I turn around (not only at Rainmaker), a consistently repeated part of the product development and marketing plan that seems to be getting extra emphasis is value, value and more added value.  Value has always been part of the business proposition but ‘value’ is truly becoming a key way of distinguishing yourself from the pack, from all the clutter out there.  Sometimes the added value is a small thing but can make an impression that keeps bringing the customer back, and referring others.   What are you doing to make yourself memorable?  How do you differentiate your business? Would your customers refer you to their family and friends? Why?

 

It is important to keep your train on the track once you start the journey.  Given that you clarified the vision of where you are going and why, and developed your plan and systems, it is necessary to measure your results so that corrections can be made that further your business success.  Since there are only 86,400 seconds in a day, time organization and accountability really assist you in staying on track.  Is this aspect covered in your business plan and systems?  Staying focused and on target will make a significant difference as you build, maintain or grow your business.  Master mind groups, accountability partners, as well systems benchmarks/metrics, can all help you stay on track.  If you aren’t using a great time management system, then it is time to decide which vehicle will be one that you can work with effectively.  Then use it religiously!

 

Do you have a brand?  Once you know who you are as a business, and what you are offering, be it wholesale products, commercial JVs, short sales, notes buying, tax liens, or any range of those products/services, it is so very important to build your brand.  You guessed it, differentiate yourself from others, or join your competition and work together as affiliates who help one another grow their related businesses.  Having a brand isn’t enough.  You must advertise that brand.  Online and offline presence is essential.  Your  social media brand will need to be promoted.  Syndication is one way to connect your activity throughout the social media world and drive traffic to your website or Word Press blog.  If you are using Word Press as your interactive website, you probably won’t need an informational and/or store website. And now, Face Book is moving to the use of the ‘i-frame’ that will allow you to move your website on to your Fan Page.  Be sure you have a clear brand and a unique selling proposition.  If you aren’t sure how to do that, there are many who excel in that service who would be more than ready to serve you.  Then again, you can take the time to research and study branding and then review-copy-alter the best of the best concepts that you find online and in other publications. 

 

Offline marketing has years of proven strategies and tactics, though some of those are shifting with the move toward online marketing. Sheila Stewart, an executive business coach with a proven track record and years of experience in marketing and advertising, provided a plethora of ideas about marketing strategy, advertising and sales.  It was clear that the integration of offline, online, and mobile ways of finding, and then meeting and exceeding customer needs, should be the integrated thrust for today’s business marketing.  Have you identified your strategies in this arena?  There are many pieces to fit together but the sooner you start to understand the pieces, how they fit together, and how they serve you, the better off you will be.  Finding virtual assistants (VA) to help put some of these tactics into place can be fairly inexpensive.  However, it sure helps to have a basic understanding of what is happening with online and mobile marketing in order to hire and manage your VA’s effectively.  And, be sure to have a seamless approach that integrates the best marketing strategies and methods to serve your targeted market segment(s).

 

 Austin William Walsh, a 19 year old entrepreneur with his own business since age 16, covered the role of Face Book in social media and how one must truly understand the sales funnel, how to drive traffic, and how to utilize social media as a part of that funnel.  Social media is continually evolving as we see with Face Book out-pacing Google.  Overall, there was a substantial focus on building and using Face Book Fan Pages for business, and how to build and monetize your brand.  Probably an understatement, but doing business online will be essential in the near future, if it’s not already, especially in real estate endeavors.  If social media is an area that you aren’t utilizing or just starting to look at, it is definitely worth your time to familiarize yourself with the dynamics of this marketing medium and make it a part of your business plan. 

 

There is definitely a major trend toward the use of short videos in all online presence.  Get your flip-cam and start to explore how to use and edit.  Videos are already beating out ‘text’ advertising.  A new emerging company, MOJO, headed by Ira Rosen out of Scottsdale, is positioned to capture the mobile market through the use of video that can readily be dropped directly into the text message being sent out to the mobile world of i-Pads, Droids, Blackberry’s, etc.  MOJO knows that video email utilization, currently not on the market, will only grow and provide business owners the capacity to have direct access to existing and potential customers.  This mode of direct customer contact will result in a higher percentage of text messages opened due to the embedded videos.  Video has a much higher capture rate than text.  The industry is definitely moving toward mobile strategies.  Soon we’ll all be making our own 30 second spots and connecting directly with the world!

 

One other note of interest about MOJO was my conversation with the principal, Ira Goldman.  He is an older entrepreneur who told me he didn’t even know how to use the computer three years ago.  Ira connected with a young man in his twenties, Cory Sanchez, who had a technical background and a great idea.  This connection led Ira and Cory to building a primarily ‘twenty-something’ staff to support a million dollar idea.  Ira and Cory were definitely on fire about the video product they are bringing to the market.  The real point to share here is that there is a great need and value to pair skills and wisdom regardless of age.  If you think you can’t jump into the online world, then you are right.  You can’t.  If you take action, pursue ongoing education, connect with the right partners, VA’s, etc., then YOU CAN!  I am a firm believer that you can learn new things if you are open to it.  It is a right, privilege and choice to learn new things; it is a choice to stay open to possibility.  Who of you are holding the next greatest idea, invention or service?  Are you open to the realm of possibility of pursuing joint ventures that are collaborative and mutually supportive?  Can you be an old dog that can learn new tricks?  Can you be a young buck open to the wisdom and experience of those older than you?  Merge the best of both worlds and see what you can come up with that will serve the planet in new ways.

 

Speaking of blending ages in business, as a result of this Summit I now have a new master mind partner who is in middle school.  He attended the entire event, sat taking notes on his laptop and already has a business building personalized backgrounds for Face Book Fan Pages, LinkedIN, Twitter and YouTube.  Got to love the spirit!  He will definitely provide great insight into anything that I am working on, and it will be easy to support his entrepreneurial ventures.  As a former teacher, a Dean of a middle school, and a professor, I must say I was impressed.  And, as for college student and entrepreneur Austin Walsh, whom I mentioned earlier, he already makes a six-figure income and speaks internationally.  He noted that when he is goes to a party, which he loves, he is busy looking around the room to see how he might, from a positive perspective, monetize the situation.  Austin is acutely tuned into cause marketing as well and really comes from his heart in his dealings with people.  How many of you are thinking that way?  How many of you are taking action?   I absolutely love to see resourceful young people who are not totally programmed for the ‘moo-baa’ herd mentality of life.  Are you involving your children, nephews and nieces, in your business in real ways?  Do they have a sense of all that goes into your business?  Have they participated in some way?  Do they get to see you win?  Fail?  Do you encourage their entrepreneurial spirit?

 

As a side-note away from the Summit, while on the topic of role modeling for and encouraging entrepreneurial spirit in youth, I’ll share how one of my accountability partners involves his ten year old daughter. This investor does a hearty business with gut rehabs and buy and holds.  His daughter goes along when he goes to work on houses and gets to see what happens to ‘ugly houses’ that eventually transform into ‘desirable’ housing.  She has helped to sweep and knock away cobwebs, helping her dad in small ways.  She also comes along to our accountability meetings and does her homework, but still is exposed to the process of our group holding each other accountable.  She even saved her own money to buy her first laptop computer.  She’s not being rushed into overly mature ways of being, but is learning about business, work ethic, the value of money and her dad’s role as a businessman.  I daresay she will be prepared to take on life as a successful entrepreneur at an early age if that is her choice.  It is my hope that you are modeling entrepreneurial behavior for any young person in your life. 

 

Ross Goldberg, an SEO expert and author, also presented his perspective on creating web-based traffic.  He supported the use of content based links as a viable way to increase your website ranking despite other alleged guru’s suggesting other methods were now more effective.  Ross noted a number of tactics useful to drive traffic to your website, including:  social media marketing, Digg and other similar sites, RSS feeds, blogs/directories, videos, press releases, article and e-book marketing, squeeze pages, affiliate marketing, and web directories links. Don’t know what all of those tactics entail? Check the web and start to understand the pieces and which will work for you.  No matter what the marketing presenter’s background throughout the event, the point of commonality was their emphasis on how to achieve effective online marketing.  Do you think that you might want to pay attention to this aspect of your business?  Yes, or yes?!

 

The topic of Google AdWords was presented by Perry Marshall, Internet entrepreneur and the most quoted authority in the world on the subject of Google AdWords and pay-per-click advertising.  Perry shared information on how to increase your click through rate and reduce the cost of your advertising budget on Google.  He also offered split testing techniques.  Entrepreneur Scott Rewick, the One Hundred Million Dollar Man, continued the internet discussion sharing his many year’s of wisdom on low-cost media buying strategies that attract new customers.  All the presenters were great and filled their presentations with lots of useful content.  It is good to learn from those who have been very successfully involved in the industry for years. 

 

And, not to leave out real estate, Marco Koslowski, shared his Luxury Home Sales program.  He deals with properties $700,000 and higher.  Interestingly enough most of these homes that are currently being auctioned off are going to international buyers.  America is on sale!  Marco is such a positive and animated presenter who is the embodiment of a rags to riches story, now owning eleven different business and ready to launch a new clothing line.  Marco persisted with hard work, failing before winning, and developing systems and fine tuning them, all recurrent themes for those who eventually make it to the top.  There isn’t an overnight get rich quick elixir.  You have to get involved, get your hands dirty and your mind fired up, and just do it!          

 

No way have I touched on all the topics covered and the incredible team of presenters at the Rainmaker Summit.  Topics such as asset protection, building business credit, and more, was also covered.  The long weekend’s value for me was ‘priceless’.  The networking and connections alone were worth the time.  In order to keep your self fresh, on top of trends, aware of new methods of doing business, refreshing that which you already know, and further challenging yourself to grow, invest in yourself.  Attending such an event has the potential to open your creative juices, unwrap your potential, create new partnerships, and help you get un-stuck if that is your situation. 

 

I invite you to identify a seminar or workshop, such as the Rainmaker Summit, that you feel is worthy of your time and funding and go for it.  It’s time to enrich your self to richness!  Since you weren’t there, I hope that you have gleaned a snap shot of what I consider quality continuing education, an invitation to the ongoing process of achieving personal growth and greatness.  See your ‘vision’.  Support it with your ‘why’.  Build your plan and systems.  Be accountable.  And, passionately take action KNOWING you can do it! YOU CAN!  Now go do it!

 

 

2010’s MMM Challenge process brought me very close to becoming one of the MMM Challenge team members.  Though I was in the running until the very end, the mentorship didn’t manifest.  At that time there was one dynamic team that was destined to come together for very specific reasons, apparent or not.  The team chosen was absolutely perfect.  2011 will see that same dynamic in play.  And as they say in Chicago, there’s always next year!  For me, 2011 is the world series!

 

There is no doubt that the MMM Challenge application process itself is worth its weight in gold.  And I applaud all those who are called to participate in 2011.  Throughout the application period I did meet and connect with a number of really great people, many of whom went on to actively work with Rick Melero and Danny Welsh.  It was also my great pleasure to meet with Danny Welsh a couple of times when he came to Chicago to gather with Midwestern Challenge members.  Following and connecting with Rick, Danny and other MMM Challenge members on social media has been fun and inspiring.  I am grateful for being a part of the Real Deal community that feels more like a family.  Rick, Danny, and the Challenge members are the Real Deal.

 

With the 2010 Challenge over, I went onto the waiting list for 2011.  Being on the waiting list didn’t mean that I didn’t need to do anything but be a lady in waiting.  Oh, no!  The focus remained the same as before, to continue with my real estate business and internet marketing.  Looking back over the year, it was an exceptionally full one.  At times progress was made, other times there were frustrating situations.  Focus, persistence, and action however remained the mantra.

 

I had started to blog about short sales on the Real Deal site when a minor surgery interrupted the process for several months.  And with all the everyday shifting patterns in the lending arena that impacted real estate, I felt out of integrity to post further information that might be misleading or incomplete due.  It is clear that the shifts and issues of, and created by, the financial industry continue to play havoc with the real estate industry and the economy.  Hence investor’s portfolio building strategies have had to shift.  The ultimate challenge for many investors has been having access to cash buyers or private funding, and that continues to this day.  Major lenders are flagging that the second quarter of 2011 will see a tremendous number of bank owned (REO) properties coming on the market. There will likely be more short sales as well.  Those with the funding in place will be looking at inventory that won’t stop, definitely a buyers market.  Unfortunately, many communities may be looking at new devasted neighborhoods.

 

One issue that had seemed like a block in my business was having a proof of funds (POF) letter so that multiple offers could be made.  Finding deals wasn’t the problem.  But while having remedied the POF situation, and having access to transactional funding, the next problem was a shortage of end buyers for the numerous offers I made over the summer. Identifying potential cash buyers and private money lenders continues to be an active part of my business focus. Currently I am developing presentation materials to be used for private passive/equity lenders.

 

For my short sale business I am involved with Harris University for ongoing education, marketing strategies, and insights into the lender world.  They work closely with Titanium Solutions which is a national company that I do work with as a Realtor.  I have assisted home owners in the home retention-loan modification process, working with all the major lenders.

 

Through a virtual site I bought a duplex in Indianapolis that was sold to me as being ‘flippable’.  The property will cash flow but it hasn’t proven to be a fast flip despite much local and national advertising.  Since the property is in need of rehab, I am in the process of identifying funding to cover rehab costs.  The flip has turned into a buy and hold for now.  The experience of buying out of State has been quite interesting and has resulted in the development of a team of Realtors, wholesalers, and contractors in Indy.

 

Over the year I have continued to re-visit my business plan and study different real estate strategies.  There is a group of four of us who meet regularly to support one another and share materials, information and strategies with the intention of joint venturing on deals.  We also attend a couple of the local REIAs for education and networking.

 

Another person that I communicate with weekly is a California investor, Realtor – Eco-broker and commercial agent also involved in mobile home parks.  This relationship has provided me with insights about mobile home parks; green, sustainable building; and, commercial real estate.  We also share social media and internet information.

 

Ongoing education and personal development is important to me and so I continue to attend seminars and network with other like-minded people.  Over the year I have attended events focused on real estate, business development and marketing, motivation, internet business:

 

-         Commercial Real Estate – Realtor class (Mar 2010)

-         Net Income Workshop-Gateway-Ron  LeGrand (Apr 24, 2010-Chicago)

-         Facebook & Twitter Hands On -  Realtor class (Apr 20-2010-Tinley Park)

-         Insider’s Edge Real Estate Conference- Bill Rancic & Dean Graziosi’s (May 29, 2010-Oak Brook)

-         Insider’s Edge Real Estate Workshop- Bill Rancic & Dean Graziosi’s (Jun-2010)

-         Internet business seminar  (Jun-2010)

-         Celebration of Real Estate Investor Knowledge (3-day Aug 2010- Chicago) WCRT REIA

-         The Ultimate Entrepreneur Success Seminar- Glazer-Kennedy (Aug 14, 2010 Rolling Meadows)

-         Get Motivated Business Seminar (Sep 2010-United Center – Chicago)

-         Financial Success 2010- James Smith (Dec 3-5, 2010 Rosemont, Chicago)

-         Chicago Recession Buster Small Business Conference- Glazer-Kennedy (Jan 21-22,2011-Shamburg)

 

I am also scheduled to attend:

-         Powerteam International Rainmaker Summit Weekend-Bill Walsh (Mar 4-6 Shamburg)

-         Powerteam International Ambassador’s Training-Bill Walsh ( Mar 6-7 Shamburg)

-         Success Blueprint – Raymond Aaron (Mar 27-28 Chicago)

-         Millionaire Mindset – T Harv Eker (Apr 1-3 Chicago)

-         Residual Mastery – Bill Walsh (Sep)

 

Numerous webinars I listened to include:

-         How To Use Teleseminars to Sell Tons of Books/Products and Make Hefty Profits – Alex Mandossian

-         Social Media Marketing - Ross Hair – 2– 3hr events

-         Commercial Real Estate - Rick Melero

-         Marketing Q&As - Danny Welsh

-         Kindle e-books

 

I will always continue to learn, hone skill sets, stay motivated, meet wonderful new people, and move forward.  Life is meant to be lived. 

 

At this time I am participating in a 90-day internet challenge and starting to set up Wordpress for blogging.  Studying anything that has to do with social networking is a passion.  Social media is necessary for anyone who plans to do any kind of business in the future, not to mention its application to passive residual online opportunities.  In preparation for my continually evolving business I have set up two Face Book fan pages. They will be in place when I am ready to flesh them out and do an official launch.  Building my personal branding is in process.  I also continue to build my social media contacts, especially real estate investors and other related professionals.  I’ve built a network on the Real Deal Community site and other real estate investor sites.  I also host the Illinois group site on Real Deal; it is my hope to mobilize this site so that it truly meets the need of those who are members.

 

In September I had the opportunity to complete a public speaking seminar with Les Brown, international motivational speaker, and will do further work with him in the future.  Speaking, writing and teaching/coaching is one area that I am re-visiting.  This will serve my real estate interests, and a range of other areas of my personal and professional expertise.

 

Mentoring with a quality mentor is essential.  All successful individuals have had a mentor and a master mind group.  Currently I am working with Raymond Aaron for personal and business development. And, I meet every three weeks with an accountability group.  As far as real estate goes I have had a mentor in the past, but the work I did under his guidance was expensive but not what I would call a quality experience.  However, having mentors like Rick Melero and Danny Welsh who are exceptional, really care about your progress, and bring you into their team is the kind of mentorship that is a value proposition.  Interning, learning by doing, is the best.  The internship-mentorship is an ideal learning venue and serves everyone involved.  As you give, so you receive.  The MMM Challenge also offers the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals across the country, providing the potential for life-long relationships and possible business transactions/partnerships. It is this level of coaching that I feel will help take my business to the next level.  I know that being a MMM Challenge team member will help me pull together all the pieces I have in place and solidify them.  I welcome this possibility!

 

This past year has been filled with change and challenges.  As one views the national and  world news it is evident that the “times are a changing”.  But whatever happens, I know that 2011 is filled with the greatest opportunity in history.  So I continue to:

-         be aware of the changes to the best of my ability and adapt as need be;

-         strive for excellence;

-         work from integrity, honesty, ethics and a spiritual base;

-         plan, implement, maintain and evaluate;

-         create and problem solve;

-         enhance my skills and knowledge;

-         build great relationships;

-         and, provide service with added value.

 

Right now I am pumped!  Just reviewing my past year affirms that I haven’t been a lady in waiting.  Being a candidate for the MMM Challenge mentor-internship program again is exhilarating.  I am ready for the challenge!  I can feel the passion!   It’s time to play ball!  It's time for a new team to suit up. There is a world series at stake here.  After all, 2011 is “next” year.

When one thinks of P.T. Barnum, the first thing that comes to mind for most is his elaborate and over the top circus productions.  But after reading his book titled "The Art of Money Getting", it became very apparent to me that there was much more to him than that.  It truly amazed me what deep common sense he had considering the book was written over a century ago.   And his incredible perception and business savvy was nothing short of genius.  

There are some very important principles taught in the book.  In fact, these are golden rules that I believe any business person should adhere to.   Here are some of the key points quoted:

The foundation of success is good health
Your health is your greatest asset.   It is the foundation of happiness and allows you to live with vigor.  

Don't be penny wise, pound foolish
This is a very common problem among people.  They take the time to save money on some things, but then have very bad spending habits that negate the savings.  Barnum suggested you make two columns on a sheet of paper; one for comforts and one for luxuries.  Then write down all of your spending in one of those two columns.  In most cases the luxuries will far exceed the comforts in total amounts.  

Exercise caution, but be bold
You must take calculated risks to be successful.  But you can't be reckless because boldness without caution is chance.

Establish Yourself
Barnum says that "Money is good for nothing unless you know the value of it by experience".  Without knowing this value, money will be easy come easy go.  Nothing is worth anything unless it costs effort.



 

I am approaching the finish line of my education as an investor, for the near future at least. I am out of money, but brimming with ideas. I am blown away by the expertise of the Rick and Steve and Gary. This network is awesome and I just started to look around yesterday. The other 90 MMM are great people. The energy and fun and wonder of this contest is truly fun and inspiring. It is an honor to be in this company of like minded winners and hats off to the folks who have taken such time and care to make it all happen.

I am originating residential loans during business hours and having a tough time keeping ahead of the new Reg Z, TIL and RESPA regs that Uncle Sam has put in the way of getting new mortgages here in 2010. My specialty has been Reverse Mortgages and now that there is a purchase money loan, more and more of my time is spent trying to educate Realtors about the way that I can help build value and drive transactions from the people they already know. What a kick in the pants though to find money for our seniors from their house at a time in lending where they have little recourse to increase their household income. We offer non-recourse loans to them and their families. Our mortgage company is cranking out 40% FHA, with a lot of 1st time home-buyers. The reading and regs and new appraisal requirements where by loan officers can't speak with an appraiser, have started to take the joy out of helping people buy and refinance real estate. It is a constant re-awakening to the horrors of zero equity, high payments and lack of income. I feel fortunate to have a position in real estate, yet it is a 100% commissioned deal; if I don't fund a loan, I don't get paid and my company doesn't get their split. 

Cry me a river right? Not so fast, because I still feel lucky to have become a Real Estate Professional in the first place, lo these 12 years ago.  But here's the real deal on Bill Evans; I am on a Quest to change the part of the real estate industry from which I do make a living. I figured a few years back, when the sub prime melt down almost put me back to Bartending,  that the future transactions I funded should be my own.  I have relentlessly read and educated myself about: wholesaling, flipping, bandit signs, Short Sales, REOs, auctions, deed in lieu, foreclosure, Tax liens, Tax Deeds, re-casting notes, assignments, Master lease options, seller carry back, wrap arounds, 2nds, loss mitigation, BPOs, option contracts, internet marketing, lead capture, squeeze pages, email blasts, google rankings, drip campaigns, direct marketing, absentee owners and the list goes on and on. A lot of these things I have put into play as a way to find deals.

Now, I am focused. Now I am resolute. The focus has narrowed to finding small regional banks and commercial brokers whose balance sheets and data bases have assets and notes that they need to take off the books. I am looking to speak to anyone and everyone that I meet, email or bump into; at Starbucks or the dry cleaners and tell them in my elevator speech that  I buy commercial real estate. Self storage, Multi Family Apartments, Student Housing and Parking Garages and 3 star chain "flagged" Hotels. I am looking in major markets where the jobs are coming and the workers need to rent, store and live. 
 
I have always been a team player. I love sports and learned my best life lessons on the fields of play. I also have always been honest, to a fault. So, that's my story. I have dreams of a life in commercial real estate where deals are going to be made in this the opportunity of our lifetimes. An 80 year cycle, some have said. I will change my circumstances for the betterment of my beautiful and hard working wife, my life partner and Mother of our only child. I will succeed because I can and know that I will. I will provide a life of abundance for them and me and I will do this by the strength of my will, the use of my brains and by opening my mouth to ask. It is no secret that the power to change lies within.

So let me ask you now to pick me because I'm a giver not a taker. I'm a creator and value add player. There is a lot to know and I can share what I know with everyone around me while soaking up like a sponge the knowledge of those more experienced in front of me. Don't take advice from people that aren't as smart as you, but surround yourself with those that know more than you.  Being here and becoming a part of the Real Deal is a chance to make it happen and find a home for the deals, the growth and friendship I seek. It's selfish to say, but I think that I have a lot to offer.

With greatest humility and thanks,
Bill