Submitting to God's Plan January 27, 2013

So these past few months, I've been talking to Steve Washington more, reading the Bible more and just trying to listen to the signs that God has given me. For example, understanding why our finances are the way they are and finding true happiness in all areas of my life. I never thought that reading the Bible would mentally and spiritually help me as much as it has in these past few months. I take readings and can apply them to my life. I feel I am more prepared to listen, receive, plan and give- than ever before. Just a couple of examples I wanted to share. 1 being a conversation I was having with Steve via text message. I was telling him that my aunt is helping us financially by getting a HELOC on her house that would basically pay off our debt/lower our payments. I realize how many people do not have anyone that can help them and I need to take this as a sign to not take anything I receive in the future for granted. He said that this was a "rainbow" from God, to let me know that he is still around- watching over me. He later shared the passage from James 1, basically saying that we need to reach/embrace the bottom/depths of our challenges/trials because it is during these times that our faith in God is tested. Easily, I can say- "why did you do this to me?" but instead, I have to understand that there is a greater purpose and that good is to come. Another example is a conversation that I had with another Steve. We hadn't talked in a while so he was giving me an update on his life, which mostly revolved around his businesses and houses that he bought, houses he plans to buy, etc. Later that night, I read Matthew 19, which talks of a young rich man who is asking Jesus how can he receive "eternal life." Jesus later told him to abandon his possessions, which the man could not do. The conversation with Steve L. did not fire me up. I did not feel fulfilled or inspired to go out and try to get a house, etc. All I could think after I got off the phone with him was how superficial it all sounded. Not that I don't have respect for what he does. Just saying that what I heard was passion about money and excitement to grow a portfolio of real estate, nothing more. He did mention that he wanted to get into motivational speaking, but didn't really emphasize too much on that aspect of his life. I just didn't get the feeling that if Jesus asked him to abandon his possessions, that it would happen so easily. Not saying that I'm so Godly that I would leave my possessions in a heartbeat. Just saying that the fire that he spoke with in regards to his possessions is what strikes me. I am so inspired by people who are not only fired up to grow themselves in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense (whether God is involved or not) and are fired up about sharing these experiences with others in order to help others gain something from their own personal growth. My hope is that I can be educated and have a presence with others in order to be a person that inspires those around me to be better people- in whatever way that is right for them.

Never Give Up!

I have to remember that. Everything is not going to be perfect. But I need to keep pushing and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I need to remember that my 2 girls are going to grow up and that I need to be an example to them of what a strong woman is. As Giselle always sings in her Yo Gabba Gabba song... Don't Be Afraid!

And 2 years later!

So I was reading Gary Vaynerchuk's "Crush It" and remembered that I had this blog set up 2 years ago! WOW, lots of time has passed and lots of things have happened. 1 thing to acknowledge is that my last blog post was before I found out I was pregnant with Giselle- maybe that's why I forgot about this blog? One thing that Gary emphasizes is to find your passion, stay true to yourself, be patient and work the hustle. I have to remember this! The past 2 years have been a trying time for our business and my marriage- things get really tough when a new baby comes along. She makes our family so happy that sometimes it's hard to stay focused on our business. Funny because my last blog post was during our most successful year and now I am trying to get back into the mindset that I can be successful in living our dream of living free 4 life. Not only because it's my dream, but it's something I really want for our daughter. I'm hoping that blogging will motivate me to keep myself in check and reach my personal goals!

Oh summer.. please don't leave me, you've been so good to me!

Wow, it's already September 1st. Makes me sad to know that the long warm days are almost gone. The fall is a beautiful time of year in the Northeast, but I do love being out on the water.

This summer we've really been blessed. We've had our most successful year thus far and I'm so looking forward to continuing this growth. To be quite frank, we haven't closed a ton of deals. My husband and I were looking at the deals that we've completed over the past few years and it really isn't that many. But what's really turned our business around (cash flow wise) this year, is where the properties we get under contract are located.

This summer, we flipped 3 properties and are rehabbing 1. The 3 properties we flipped were in excellent locations. Any real estate expert will tell you that location is on the top of people's list when looking at a property for themselves or as an investment.

Not to say that only the properties with great locations are those you can flip, but they definitely sell a lot quicker. Then again, if you have a good solid deal, there will be an investor who will buy it, it's up to you to find them!

So yes, I am ecstatic with how our year is going thus far, especially this summer. But at the same time, I KNOW we can do better. We can do WAY more than 1-2 deals a month, it isn't hard! But our goal is to work smarter, not harder! To spend time and money on the things that will give us the best return. By not having too much on our plate, I can still try to focus on how we can grow, without me being part of the daily operations.

My role should not be to look at properties and sifting through motivated sellers, but networking with investors and building strategic relationships. What does that mean??!! My goal is to use my real estate business to a) create the financial lifestyle that we want to achieve b) help my clients, partners and investors to be successful c) build a business that will is socially aware and will impact others throughout the community.

Til the next time!

50 drop offs!

Cisco and I made a promise to each other today and that's all I'm going to say!

Stay tuned because we are counting down!

Money under the mattress...

I am still on my way to finding out what is the "muse" that will bring me and those around me more happiness and success. Some things that I enjoy doing include:

spending time with my husband
shopping
traveling
outdoor activities (not extreme outdoor activities.. big difference!)
photography
music
eating out
staging homes for sale
volunteering
healthy living (but I still like to eat bad, I just like to make smarter food choices the majority of the time!)


Some things that I would love to do but don't have time to do:
leisure reading
learn a new language like Spanish or Tagalog
baking
cooking

So of these list of things that I enjoy, which of these do I enjoy the most, and I have somewhat of an expertise than the average person, that they would pay for the information that I can provide? Hmmmmmm.... I'm liking the idea of healthy baking..

Why should I follow you?

Well, we are obviously all special in our own ways. But what do I want you to get out of my blog that makes me different? In a previous post, xxxxxxxxxxxxx , I shared with you why I wanted to blog, reasons for myself. But what's in it for you?

Doing something that is not typical and outside of what the majority of people you know would do, (i.e., leaving my stable job for a career in a real estate- in the middle of a recession during a time where foreclosures were at an all-time high) could be considered an ignorant decision to some and a brilliant decision to others. I left my job in January 2008 and felt like I had very little support from close friends. Rather than feel like I had friends that believed in me and our decision to leave my LOW PAYING/ NON-CHALLENGING/ TIME DEMANDING job, I felt that there were few people that I could connect with that would understand why we would make such a move in the first place. However, while my husband and I decided to make this change in our lives, we kept people close to us who had a similar mindset.

My purpose for you is to understand that no matter what job you've been at all your life, nobody should ever feel stuck in a place that makes them feel unhappy and unfulfilled. Or if you are fulfilled and aren't making money, then what good is that? The impact that you'll have on others as you grow financially will increase and your happiness and well being, which will radiate and attract positive energy and people to bring you more success.