Why is it that after 30 years, the death of my mother is more horrific than if she had died in a car accident? Why is this tragedy so profound that it evokes some higher level of grief and sorrow?
After 30 years, I think I finally understand. It's not only that she died, nor that part of my family died, or that she was robbed of her life, or we were robbed of her, but that part of the entire city died that night. Everyone has a story that story extends with more heartbreak and challenges than what occurs with simple death, if there can ever be a simple death.
Because of the chaos, she was missing for 3 days before someone identified her body in the morgue. Maybe it was the denial that took someone 3 days to consider going there to check, or that they hadn't received all the bodies yet - or our hoping that maybe she was lost, wandering around with amnesia.
It's more profound because the funeral home was so crowded with others that died, scheduling viewings were difficult. It's not knowing what exactly killed her. Did her neck break? Was her heart crushed? An injury to the head? That mourning all of the dead, all of them, from the couple my parents went with to the dance who died, to the secretary in my father's office who also died, everybody knew someone - nobody went untouched from experiencing the shock, the disbelief and encompassing loss.
It was the stories, the stories of the broken pipes and there was so much blood the water ran pink. The stories how my fathers legs broke not by the fall, but during the rescue when the crane caused the fallen skywalk to put pressure on his legs strong enough to break them, even though he told the rescue workers "If you raise that one more time you will break my legs".
It was being strong for all of the others pain, my 17 year old sister, my brother and my father and for the community. Seeing their sorrow, having neighbors cry on my shoulders and leaning on me for their tears.
After 30 years, I now understand why I still even today get comments of sympathy (although I waive them off). It's the enormity of the disaster, the cumulation everybody's pain. It was challenges of the time and the experience of everyone's mourning that made my mother's death more horrific than if she had died in a car accident.
I honor and appreciate those that were there that night, that are working to honor those that died via the Skywalk Memorial and those that tried to comfort me.
http://youtu.be/yoGGMdktsRM - Great video about it.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
More Lessons Learned - The Swimming Pool from Hell
I've heard that investors should steer away from swimming pools when identifying properties to rehab. But what about when you invest in an area where pools are commonplace, and necessary?
I hate to negatively portray pools...as I had a pool growing up and loved playing and swimming. For a family, a swimming pool is a great way to distract kids while making dinner or to entertain them with friends. But as I sit here as a real estate investor and discover one problem after another, experience the mosquito over population, having to buy fish that eat mosquito larvae, the code enforcement threats and tearing up the entire concreted patio looking for that elusive "leak", I've got to think there must be a better way.
I hear about those that dig wells and use a "dowser" to find the water. I don't really get it, but it seems to work. Can't we use a dowser to detect leaks in swimming pools?
If you have the technical solution to identifying swimming pool leaks, let me know as I also have a technology commercialization degree and can bring that product to market with a significant profit. I know a "pain in the market" when I see it, and there are real estate investors throughout the south that would use this product.
I hate to negatively portray pools...as I had a pool growing up and loved playing and swimming. For a family, a swimming pool is a great way to distract kids while making dinner or to entertain them with friends. But as I sit here as a real estate investor and discover one problem after another, experience the mosquito over population, having to buy fish that eat mosquito larvae, the code enforcement threats and tearing up the entire concreted patio looking for that elusive "leak", I've got to think there must be a better way.
I hear about those that dig wells and use a "dowser" to find the water. I don't really get it, but it seems to work. Can't we use a dowser to detect leaks in swimming pools?
If you have the technical solution to identifying swimming pool leaks, let me know as I also have a technology commercialization degree and can bring that product to market with a significant profit. I know a "pain in the market" when I see it, and there are real estate investors throughout the south that would use this product.
More Lessons Learned - The Swimming Pool from Hell
I've heard that investors should steer away from swimming pools when identifying properties to rehab. But what about when you invest in an area where pools are commonplace, and necessary?
I hate to negatively portray pools...as I had a pool growing up and loved playing and swimming. For a family, a swimming pool is a great way to distract kids while making dinner or to entertain them with friends. But as I sit here as a real estate investor and discover one problem after another, experience the mosquito over population, having to buy fish that eat mosquito larvae, the code enforcement threats and tearing up the entire concreted patio looking for that elusive "leak", I've got to think there must be a better way.
I hear about those that dig wells and use a "dowser" to find the water. I don't really get it, but it seems to work. Can't we use a dowser to detect leaks in swimming pools?
If you have the technical solution to identifying swimming pool leaks, let me know as I also have a technology commercialization degree and can bring that product to market with a significant profit. I know a "pain in the market" when I see it, and there are real estate investors throughout the south that would use this product.
I hate to negatively portray pools...as I had a pool growing up and loved playing and swimming. For a family, a swimming pool is a great way to distract kids while making dinner or to entertain them with friends. But as I sit here as a real estate investor and discover one problem after another, experience the mosquito over population, having to buy fish that eat mosquito larvae, the code enforcement threats and tearing up the entire concreted patio looking for that elusive "leak", I've got to think there must be a better way.
I hear about those that dig wells and use a "dowser" to find the water. I don't really get it, but it seems to work. Can't we use a dowser to detect leaks in swimming pools?
If you have the technical solution to identifying swimming pool leaks, let me know as I also have a technology commercialization degree and can bring that product to market with a significant profit. I know a "pain in the market" when I see it, and there are real estate investors throughout the south that would use this product.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Seminar Business and the "Hard-Sell Up-Sell"
After attending the Armando Montelongo Bus Tour and supposed Coaching Program in June of 2009 I've shared my learnings with you as I've experienced surprises, challenges and successes my real estate experiences.
But my passion and desire to learn didn't stop there. I've read books, learned about different real estate strategies and opportunities. I've learned about wholesaling and subject-to investing from colleagues that were trained via Nouveau Riche, bought 2 real estate information products from Phill Grove, I religiously listen to The Norris Group podcasts and even was suckered into the DC Fawcett and deceitful Karen Hanover (since arrested) pitch-fest called the Commercial Foreclosure Goldrush, and I network with my local real estate investors, all trying to live up to the dreams of real estate riches.
It was the second Phill Grove product I bought that opened my eyes to a deja-vue phenomena of the "Hard-sell Up-sell".
If this is all you read in this blog, just keep this question in mind when you attend a seminar and they try to sell you something more during the seminar: "Would I spend that amount of money to get a Master's Degree? Would I spend that amount of money to get a Bachelors Degree" If not, then think about the value of the programs they sell you during this seminars. If it costs you $50,000 to get an MBA from a nationally recognized institution, then why spend $50,000 for someone to share their "secrets of successes" with you?
The Armando Montelongo Roadmap
Armando Montelongo offers a free event where they teach you a real estate strategy and reward you with a free MP3 player for staying for the whole event. It is during that event they sell you on a 3 day real estate seminar for only $1500 and a very expensive self learning tax lien information product.
You go to the 3 day seminar and it is THEN they introduce you to a bus tour - that for me was $25,000 for 2 people. They claim you are taken by the hand and they will set you up with everything you need to be successful in real estate. You go to that bus tour and THEN the up-sell is a Master Mentor program priced at another $25,000 AND/OR you can go on another bus tour in Indianapolis where you can cash in on buy and hold strategies. I don't know the cost of that one. Of course then you must protect your assets because you WILL be rich - That was another $10,000.
Personally I had a great experience with the Armando Montelongo bus tour. I didn't need the Master Mentor program (actually they didn't offer it at the time and I wouldn't buy it now anyway). It helped me expand beyond my comfort zone so I could make investments in Real Estate - and that's when I started this blog that so many of you enjoy. And I personally thank Armando for his personal desire to see people succeed.
The Phill Grove/JT Foxx Roadmap
I bought Phill's first product because he would be a cash partner should I find a deal that worked with his numbers. I proposed a couple of deals to him and met him at one property but the numbers just didn't work. I sent another deal to him that was out of state, but he declined because it was out of state...OK, so I spent $997 for a training program, but really I wanted a JV partner and never got it, bummer, but I'll live and I found other partners. (BTW, the deal out of state returned an $18k profit on a $68k investment - 26% return isn't too bad in 4 months.)
Then Phill released his Mortgage Assignment program, again at a somewhat affordable price of $997 - and you got to come to a 2 day seminar for free. Now that sounded like a good deal and I signed up.
The program was fascinating in that it is just what is needed to implement a workaround in todays trying economic time. In fact, if it wasn't for Duncan Wierman's blog where he scared me into thinking I would be in big trouble if I actually became involved in these transactions I may be practicing what I learned, as it truly seemed to be a win/win/win real estate transaction.
As I mentioned, I've met Phill Grove a few times. He admitted to me that not too many people take action after learning real estate and I could tell he was frustrated with that fact and truly wants more people to be successful from his teachings.
The selling strategy for their up-sell product started early in the first day - the need for a mentor. The up-sell there were 2-fold, another event called mega-partnering (another $997), some New York Billionaire Experience (your choice, $997 or rub elbows with the rich at $3,997) and the big up-sell was a $40,000 mentoring program - all JT Foxx's programs.
If I ever have the "secret to success" and charge $40,000 for that secret, someone please slap me.
But my passion and desire to learn didn't stop there. I've read books, learned about different real estate strategies and opportunities. I've learned about wholesaling and subject-to investing from colleagues that were trained via Nouveau Riche, bought 2 real estate information products from Phill Grove, I religiously listen to The Norris Group podcasts and even was suckered into the DC Fawcett and deceitful Karen Hanover (since arrested) pitch-fest called the Commercial Foreclosure Goldrush, and I network with my local real estate investors, all trying to live up to the dreams of real estate riches.
It was the second Phill Grove product I bought that opened my eyes to a deja-vue phenomena of the "Hard-sell Up-sell".
If this is all you read in this blog, just keep this question in mind when you attend a seminar and they try to sell you something more during the seminar: "Would I spend that amount of money to get a Master's Degree? Would I spend that amount of money to get a Bachelors Degree" If not, then think about the value of the programs they sell you during this seminars. If it costs you $50,000 to get an MBA from a nationally recognized institution, then why spend $50,000 for someone to share their "secrets of successes" with you?
The Armando Montelongo Roadmap
Armando Montelongo offers a free event where they teach you a real estate strategy and reward you with a free MP3 player for staying for the whole event. It is during that event they sell you on a 3 day real estate seminar for only $1500 and a very expensive self learning tax lien information product.
You go to the 3 day seminar and it is THEN they introduce you to a bus tour - that for me was $25,000 for 2 people. They claim you are taken by the hand and they will set you up with everything you need to be successful in real estate. You go to that bus tour and THEN the up-sell is a Master Mentor program priced at another $25,000 AND/OR you can go on another bus tour in Indianapolis where you can cash in on buy and hold strategies. I don't know the cost of that one. Of course then you must protect your assets because you WILL be rich - That was another $10,000.
Personally I had a great experience with the Armando Montelongo bus tour. I didn't need the Master Mentor program (actually they didn't offer it at the time and I wouldn't buy it now anyway). It helped me expand beyond my comfort zone so I could make investments in Real Estate - and that's when I started this blog that so many of you enjoy. And I personally thank Armando for his personal desire to see people succeed.
The Phill Grove/JT Foxx Roadmap
I bought Phill's first product because he would be a cash partner should I find a deal that worked with his numbers. I proposed a couple of deals to him and met him at one property but the numbers just didn't work. I sent another deal to him that was out of state, but he declined because it was out of state...OK, so I spent $997 for a training program, but really I wanted a JV partner and never got it, bummer, but I'll live and I found other partners. (BTW, the deal out of state returned an $18k profit on a $68k investment - 26% return isn't too bad in 4 months.)
Then Phill released his Mortgage Assignment program, again at a somewhat affordable price of $997 - and you got to come to a 2 day seminar for free. Now that sounded like a good deal and I signed up.
The program was fascinating in that it is just what is needed to implement a workaround in todays trying economic time. In fact, if it wasn't for Duncan Wierman's blog where he scared me into thinking I would be in big trouble if I actually became involved in these transactions I may be practicing what I learned, as it truly seemed to be a win/win/win real estate transaction.
As I mentioned, I've met Phill Grove a few times. He admitted to me that not too many people take action after learning real estate and I could tell he was frustrated with that fact and truly wants more people to be successful from his teachings.
The selling strategy for their up-sell product started early in the first day - the need for a mentor. The up-sell there were 2-fold, another event called mega-partnering (another $997), some New York Billionaire Experience (your choice, $997 or rub elbows with the rich at $3,997) and the big up-sell was a $40,000 mentoring program - all JT Foxx's programs.
If I ever have the "secret to success" and charge $40,000 for that secret, someone please slap me.
The Seminar Business and the "Hard-Sell Up-Sell"
After attending the Armando Montelongo Bus Tour and supposed Coaching Program in June of 2009 I've shared my learnings with you as I've experienced surprises, challenges and successes my real estate experiences.
But my passion and desire to learn didn't stop there. I've read books, learned about different real estate strategies and opportunities. I've learned about wholesaling and subject-to investing from colleagues that were trained via Nouveau Riche, bought 2 real estate information products from Phill Grove, I religiously listen to The Norris Group podcasts and even was suckered into the DC Fawcett and deceitful Karen Hanover (since arrested) pitch-fest called the Commercial Foreclosure Goldrush, and I network with my local real estate investors, all trying to live up to the dreams of real estate riches.
It was the second Phill Grove product I bought that opened my eyes to a deja-vue phenomena of the "Hard-sell Up-sell".
If this is all you read in this blog, just keep this question in mind when you attend a seminar and they try to sell you something more during the seminar: "Would I spend that amount of money to get a Master's Degree? Would I spend that amount of money to get a Bachelors Degree" If not, then think about the value of the programs they sell you during this seminars. If it costs you $50,000 to get an MBA from a nationally recognized institution, then why spend $50,000 for someone to share their "secrets of successes" with you?
The Armando Montelongo Roadmap
Armando Montelongo offers a free event where they teach you a real estate strategy and reward you with a free MP3 player for staying for the whole event. It is during that event they sell you on a 3 day real estate seminar for only $1500 and a very expensive self learning tax lien information product.
You go to the 3 day seminar and it is THEN they introduce you to a bus tour - that for me was $25,000 for 2 people. They claim you are taken by the hand and they will set you up with everything you need to be successful in real estate. You go to that bus tour and THEN the up-sell is a Master Mentor program priced at another $25,000 AND/OR you can go on another bus tour in Indianapolis where you can cash in on buy and hold strategies. I don't know the cost of that one. Of course then you must protect your assets because you WILL be rich - That was another $10,000.
Personally I had a great experience with the Armando Montelongo bus tour. I didn't need the Master Mentor program (actually they didn't offer it at the time and I wouldn't buy it now anyway). It helped me expand beyond my comfort zone so I could make investments in Real Estate - and that's when I started this blog that so many of you enjoy. And I personally thank Armando for his personal desire to see people succeed.
The Phill Grove/JT Foxx Roadmap
I bought Phill's first product because he would be a cash partner should I find a deal that worked with his numbers. I proposed a couple of deals to him and met him at one property but the numbers just didn't work. I sent another deal to him that was out of state, but he declined because it was out of state...OK, so I spent $997 for a training program, but really I wanted a JV partner and never got it, bummer, but I'll live and I found other partners. (BTW, the deal out of state returned an $18k profit on a $68k investment - 26% return isn't too bad in 4 months.)
Then Phill released his Mortgage Assignment program, again at a somewhat affordable price of $997 - and you got to come to a 2 day seminar for free. Now that sounded like a good deal and I signed up.
The program was fascinating in that it is just what is needed to implement a workaround in todays trying economic time. In fact, if it wasn't for Duncan Wierman's blog where he scared me into thinking I would be in big trouble if I actually became involved in these transactions I may be practicing what I learned, as it truly seemed to be a win/win/win real estate transaction.
As I mentioned, I've met Phill Grove a few times. He admitted to me that not too many people take action after learning real estate and I could tell he was frustrated with that fact and truly wants more people to be successful from his teachings.
The selling strategy for their up-sell product started early in the first day - the need for a mentor. The up-sell there were 2-fold, another event called mega-partnering (another $997), some New York Billionaire Experience (your choice, $997 or rub elbows with the rich at $3,997) and the big up-sell was a $40,000 mentoring program - all JT Foxx's programs.
If I ever have the "secret to success" and charge $40,000 for that secret, someone please slap me.
The Jean Norton Roadmap
As you know from this blog I've shared what I've learned. I even had the chance to hold a field trip where I was able to share 3 days of what I know about real estate in a certain area, introduce people to my power team and build confidence in people otherwise unable to take those first steps into real estate investing.
The response was better than my expectations. I have testimonials that make me blush. I am not a real estate guru. I am still a student. I am happy to share what I've learned with others. In fact I have another field trip scheduled later this month (http://budurl.com/eld4).
Have I been approached by high priced opportunistic vultures that prey on these frustrated real estate investors? Yes. Will I be approached by more? Most likely. Will I let the lure of 5 figure hard-sell up-sell into my program? No. I will not recommend any program or product that I haven't used myself with success to those that follow me or attend my field trip. Not now, and not ever. You have my word.
But my passion and desire to learn didn't stop there. I've read books, learned about different real estate strategies and opportunities. I've learned about wholesaling and subject-to investing from colleagues that were trained via Nouveau Riche, bought 2 real estate information products from Phill Grove, I religiously listen to The Norris Group podcasts and even was suckered into the DC Fawcett and deceitful Karen Hanover (since arrested) pitch-fest called the Commercial Foreclosure Goldrush, and I network with my local real estate investors, all trying to live up to the dreams of real estate riches.
It was the second Phill Grove product I bought that opened my eyes to a deja-vue phenomena of the "Hard-sell Up-sell".
If this is all you read in this blog, just keep this question in mind when you attend a seminar and they try to sell you something more during the seminar: "Would I spend that amount of money to get a Master's Degree? Would I spend that amount of money to get a Bachelors Degree" If not, then think about the value of the programs they sell you during this seminars. If it costs you $50,000 to get an MBA from a nationally recognized institution, then why spend $50,000 for someone to share their "secrets of successes" with you?
The Armando Montelongo Roadmap
Armando Montelongo offers a free event where they teach you a real estate strategy and reward you with a free MP3 player for staying for the whole event. It is during that event they sell you on a 3 day real estate seminar for only $1500 and a very expensive self learning tax lien information product.
You go to the 3 day seminar and it is THEN they introduce you to a bus tour - that for me was $25,000 for 2 people. They claim you are taken by the hand and they will set you up with everything you need to be successful in real estate. You go to that bus tour and THEN the up-sell is a Master Mentor program priced at another $25,000 AND/OR you can go on another bus tour in Indianapolis where you can cash in on buy and hold strategies. I don't know the cost of that one. Of course then you must protect your assets because you WILL be rich - That was another $10,000.
Personally I had a great experience with the Armando Montelongo bus tour. I didn't need the Master Mentor program (actually they didn't offer it at the time and I wouldn't buy it now anyway). It helped me expand beyond my comfort zone so I could make investments in Real Estate - and that's when I started this blog that so many of you enjoy. And I personally thank Armando for his personal desire to see people succeed.
The Phill Grove/JT Foxx Roadmap
I bought Phill's first product because he would be a cash partner should I find a deal that worked with his numbers. I proposed a couple of deals to him and met him at one property but the numbers just didn't work. I sent another deal to him that was out of state, but he declined because it was out of state...OK, so I spent $997 for a training program, but really I wanted a JV partner and never got it, bummer, but I'll live and I found other partners. (BTW, the deal out of state returned an $18k profit on a $68k investment - 26% return isn't too bad in 4 months.)
Then Phill released his Mortgage Assignment program, again at a somewhat affordable price of $997 - and you got to come to a 2 day seminar for free. Now that sounded like a good deal and I signed up.
The program was fascinating in that it is just what is needed to implement a workaround in todays trying economic time. In fact, if it wasn't for Duncan Wierman's blog where he scared me into thinking I would be in big trouble if I actually became involved in these transactions I may be practicing what I learned, as it truly seemed to be a win/win/win real estate transaction.
As I mentioned, I've met Phill Grove a few times. He admitted to me that not too many people take action after learning real estate and I could tell he was frustrated with that fact and truly wants more people to be successful from his teachings.
The selling strategy for their up-sell product started early in the first day - the need for a mentor. The up-sell there were 2-fold, another event called mega-partnering (another $997), some New York Billionaire Experience (your choice, $997 or rub elbows with the rich at $3,997) and the big up-sell was a $40,000 mentoring program - all JT Foxx's programs.
If I ever have the "secret to success" and charge $40,000 for that secret, someone please slap me.
The Jean Norton Roadmap
As you know from this blog I've shared what I've learned. I even had the chance to hold a field trip where I was able to share 3 days of what I know about real estate in a certain area, introduce people to my power team and build confidence in people otherwise unable to take those first steps into real estate investing.
The response was better than my expectations. I have testimonials that make me blush. I am not a real estate guru. I am still a student. I am happy to share what I've learned with others. In fact I have another field trip scheduled later this month (http://budurl.com/eld4).
Have I been approached by high priced opportunistic vultures that prey on these frustrated real estate investors? Yes. Will I be approached by more? Most likely. Will I let the lure of 5 figure hard-sell up-sell into my program? No. I will not recommend any program or product that I haven't used myself with success to those that follow me or attend my field trip. Not now, and not ever. You have my word.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
VIP Investors Field Trip-Bakersfield Podcast -
We had a great turnout for the web-cast on the next VIP Investor Field Trip-Bakersfield. Some of the previous attendees were there to share their stories. This is a must do for any investor interested in investing outside of their back yard, or in Bakersfield.
Click the Title to listen online, of follow the instructions below to get it via podcast.
If you want to hear this in iTunes:
Click the Title to listen online, of follow the instructions below to get it via podcast.
If you want to hear this in iTunes:
- Start iTunes
- Pull down the advanced menu
- Select "subscribe to podcast"
- Enter http://lowtech-ventures.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
VIP Investors Field Trip-Bakersfield Podcast -
We had a great turnout for the web-cast on the next VIP Investor Field Trip-Bakersfield. Some of the previous attendees were there to share their stories. This is a must do for any investor interested in investing outside of their back yard, or in Bakersfield.
Click the Title to listen online, of follow the instructions below to get it via podcast.
If you want to hear this in iTunes:
Click the Title to listen online, of follow the instructions below to get it via podcast.
If you want to hear this in iTunes:
- Start iTunes
- Pull down the advanced menu
- Select "subscribe to podcast"
- Enter http://lowtech-ventures.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)