Fourth Entry

This was my fourth (and last) original entry ...

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Barriers
I keep thinking just how much easier this venture would be without the barriers that exist. I mentioned in my first blog entry about my two biggest barriers: fear and my wife. Both seem to be teaming-up to defeat me in my quest.

I used some time yesterday to browse more REI web sites. Intertwined in some of those web sites were comments by nay-sayers, such as people who have tried, failed, and given up, and still others who say there are easier and faster ways to make money than by REI. Those were definately not morale-boosters, but they are just more intereference I can elect to rule me or I can elect to ignore.

Although my wife has very rarely said anything to me about persuing this venture, she makes quips and does things that suggest to me she thinks its something not worth persuing. Yesterday was one of those moments. She made a comment like 'if people can make other people rich, why don't they just become richer themselves instead?'. At the time, she was referring to psychics and TV get-rich-quick gurus, but she sometimes has a way of stating her opinion about something in not-so-direct ways. The only positives regarding my venture that she's mentioned were (1) its something I should hold off doing until at least another year, and (2) she would like to be the property manager. I guess I can feed off of those two positives. :-)

Chicken and Egg
I want to go to the local REIA meeting on December 7th. I emailed the guy handling the event, and he said all I need to do is show up in business casual attire, and register at the door. My problem is that I've heard the meetings are where you need to network. At the moment, though, I have no way of leaving my mark on people there other than my face. I found a place on the internet that I can get 250 business cards made for free, but may have procastinated too long as they may not arrive in time for the meeting. I figure, though, that even if I don't have anything I can give people at the meeting, maybe my showing up is all I need to do the first time anyway. I keep asking myself 'What to I plan to gain from this meeting?'. And the answer is mainly to build a team. Find other investors. Ask them what they are looking for. Tell them how I can help. Find out what support people (lawyers, CPA's, title agents, other) they recommend, or don't recommend. Give them my name/phone/email on blank cards. JUST DO IT!

Which reminds me, I need to get a cell phone and find out what voicemail services I can use for propective sellers. So much preparation.