“Real” Estate Entrepreneur

Well, Thank you real estate entrepreneurs.  I realize that it has been a while since I have wrote but life has just been hectic.  In the past month, Uncle John has finished his property management course, AWESOME!  He finished second in his class.  WOW!  So we are getting ready to take on the property management with full force and it looks like we are going to take on about 10 more units just to kick it all off!

Good for Uncle John and the Company!

I am out here flying for the reserves right now, not because we need to but the extra money is going to give us almost a years reserve by the end of the quarter.  2009 has been a great year for us!

The baby is three months old and moving scooting around the floor and has figured out that she has a voice.  That is a blessing and a curse sometimes, Im kidding, she is amazing.

Audrey is in real estate school, a guy I work with in the reserves is going to take her down to Charleston School of Law and introduce her to the dean and everything.  I feel lucky to be married to her.

Well, I guess more than anything, I feel like the weight of the company does not lie just in my arms and the team is definitely able to uphold everything, maybe even excel when I am not around.  While most team leaders may be upset by this, I am more excited than I have ever been.  I feel so good about everything right now.

I guess that is my soap box so enjoy, read some other blog posts and comment!

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REAL ESTATE ENTREPREURS HELLO!

Well, first of all if you havent watched my new baby please watch the video blog below as she is the cutest.

I just wanted to hit on a couple key points today.  I wanted to tell you how great of a job you are doing and how proud I am to have you read my thoughts.  Just by reading this, I know that you are just like me in the fact that we want more out of life and we are willing to work for it.  If that isnt a description of you, PLEASE STOP READING THIS!!!

I have an appreciation like no other for people like us.  I just hope you realize that we are in the worst economy since the GREAT DEPRESSION right now and if you are still standing tall with your own business, keep it going!  When the market and economy turns we will be an unstoppable force.  Here in Charleston, In 2007, there was around 7000 Realtors in the area and now we are under 2000 with a bunch of inactives.  What does that tell you?  That those of us that are left are willing to put in the work!  Stop a second, give yourself a pat on the back!  Congratulations! 

Well, with that being said, if you know of anyone that wants to buy or sell here in Charleston or wants a renter or anything, let me know, we can all use a bit more business.

Keep working hard and believe in abundance!  Believe in the universe and believe in yourself.  Love everything and everyone!  Be kind, rewind and all of that too!

Tags: charleston real estate, Motivation, Real Estate Entrepreneur
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Hello fellow Real Estate Entrepreneurs and Happy Friday to you all!!
Today, I wanted to dive into that dirty word “Procrastination”.  We are all so very guilty of the urge, but take comfort in the fact that most entrepreneurs embrace challenges and therefore avoid procrastination.   (most of the time)

I am going to list some helpful tips to try. (I am just FULL of tips and tricks, yes?) Try them all or try just one at a time and let me know if you notice a difference in your motivation levels.      p.s. ’tis much easier to stay motivated when you schedule your tasks and actually (yes actually) stick to the schedule.  You will accomplish soooo much in way less time. 

Here we go:

1. Do NOT, I repeat Do NOT put mundane tasks on your daily to-do list.  Yes, we all must check our mail/email, and we all have to do laundry, dishes etc.  By putting these tasks on your list, you are creating an escape from the important things that are more of a priority.  Like, shall I say….. make money today…..Check!
2. Simplify tasks that can be.  For example, if you must send out information about a property to other investors or clients; how about email blasts or posting this information where it can be easily accessed by large numbers of people.  One post=more free time, know what I mean?
3. Prioritize your list.  Some may disagree, but I like to place the most important tasks at the very top of my list.  You will sometimes find that these may be the most time consuming and/or difficult ones.  That’s precisely the point; when you have completed the one you were contemplating procrastination on, you will feel great and motivated to complete the remainder of the list. 
4. Check your email only when you have plenty of time to reply to important ones.  If you are in a rush, you will end up having to read them again= waste of precious money making time.
5. Don’t take personal calls while you are working on business related tasks.  This is what voicemail is for. 
6. Lastly…….Just Do It!  Once you get started, you will start a momentum that will last until your list is done for the day.  Admit it, You feel awesome when you cross something off, don’t you?

I hope these easy tips will help you free up some time!! 

Because we all know that TIME=$$$$$$$.

Good Luck to you all!

Tags: procrastination, Real Estate Entrepreneur, time management
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This one is something that I have struggled with for years and something that I am finally beginning to understand.  Ill start by saying I was hanging out with a buddy of mine the other day who is much farther in real estate entrepreneurship than I am annd is also a mentor.  check out his website www.woodruffinvesting.com

Well, he was talking to me about my team and how I need to use delegation to create efficiency.  Well I am new to the team concept let alone delegation.  I have always been the type of person that would work twice as hard to make sure something was done correctly.  That often times meant doing it myself.  While that works well in the beginning you will eventually get to the point where you dont want to work from sun up to sun down 7 days a week and you may begin to resent your business, your dream.  Now why on earth would you ever want to resent your dream. 

Well, here is what I have found in delegation.  I now delegate the smaller prospecting and the renovations to our properties so that I am able to focus on the bigger paychecks of listings and the investment management.  I now have buyers out looking for investment property and mobile homes while I am able to keep the big ball rolling and growing. 

My buddy told me to use this delegation as  a tool to manage time and its working.  Right now I am writing this while on the phone negotiating a short sale.  This is something that I am unable to do if I am out putting up bandit signs or answering calls from unqualified leads.  Start thinking of your business as a business and begin to grow.  Dont go wild though, dont over extend.  I like to think of it as taking just a bit bigger than baby steps. 

Well this is a short one, get out and do something!!!

Make Mistakes!!!

Tags: charleston real estate, managing, Motivation, Real Estate Entrepreneur
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Good Morning Real Estate Entrepreneurs!

I wanted to share just a few of the available properties that are ready to rent and sell in the Charleston Area.  We will periodically list these on the blog.  Please contact us if you or someone you know is interested in any of these.  They are all move-in ready and are available immediately. 

2 Bedroom 2.5 Baths, Condo for sale, minor repairs needed, Short Sale approved $108,000  For Sale only

Rent to Own $5000 down, $1200 per month - This is a beauty, completely renovated, new 4 Bedroom 2 Bath

-4 Bedroom 1.5 Bath House in Dorchester II School District (Rent To Own)

minimum $3000 down and $900 per month Rent

4 Bedroom, 1 Bath in N Charleston, $800 per month, or Rent to Own $3000 down

-2 Bedroom 1 Bath Apartment

$500 deposit and $500 Rent  (includes water)

-1996 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Singlewide Mobile Home (Rent To Own)

$5000 down payment and $670 per month (includes lot rent and water)

-2 Bedroom Mobile Home for Sale in Dale Valley

$4000 or Rent or Rent to Own $1000 down, $500 per month

3 bedroom 2 bath, Rent to Own $2000 dollars down $550 per month off Stall rd in N Charleston

–Pic Coming Soon!!–

-3 Bedroom 2 Bath Doublewide Mobile Home, Ladson rd and 78(Rent To Own) 

$5000 down payment and $850 per month (includes lot rent and water)

We come across many properties of all types on a daily basis, so email us if you are looking for a specific area or price.  Also, we keep a buyers/renters list updated with names of people ready to lease. 

Contact me at audrey@bsohome.com for more information

also check out our website www.charlestonrealestateinvesting.com

Tags: charleston real estate, charleston rental properties
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We are all very aware of the benefits of good time management:

• you actually gain more time by taking some time to manage your time efficiently 
• you will become motivated and energized
• you will reduce procrastination or “the dread”
• you reduce anxiety when you know you have plenty of time to complete everything on your list

But, HOW on Earth does one actually do this?  First, there are a few key things you must do before you can organize any aspect of your time:

Find something enjoyable in whatever you are doing.

Try to be an optimist and seek out the good in your life. I know, I know….this is the most difficult. 

Find ways to build on your successes. This seems to have a domino effect.

Stop regretting your failures and start learning from your mistakes.

Remind yourself, “There is always enough time for the important things.” If it is important, you should be able to make time to do it.

Continually look at ways of freeing up your time. Are you wasting time doing unnecessary things on your computer???

Examine your old habits and search for ways to change or eliminate them.

Try to use waiting time­­-review notes or read goal related material.

Keep paper or a calendar with you to jot down the things you have to do or notes to yourself.

Examine and revise your lifetime goals on a monthly basis and be sure to include progress towards those goals on a daily basis.

Put up reminders in your home or office about your goals.

Plan your day each morning or the night before and set priorities for yourself.

Maintain and develop a list of specific things to be done each day, set your priorities and the get the most important ones done as soon in the day as you can. Evaluate your progress at the end of the day briefly.

Look ahead in your month and try and anticipate what is going to happen so you can better schedule your time.

Try rewarding yourself when you get things done as you had planned, especially the important ones.

Do first things first.

Have confidence in yourself and in your judgement of priorities and stick to them no matter what.

When you catch yourself procrastinating-ask yourself, “What am I avoiding?”

Start with the most difficult parts of projects, then either the worst is done or you may find you don’t have to do all the other small tasks.

Catch yourself when you are involved in unproductive projects and stop as soon as you can.

Concentrate on one thing at a time.

Put your efforts in areas that provide long term benefits.

Be sure and set deadlines for yourself whenever possible.

Delegate responsibilities whenever possible.

Ask for advice when needed.

ok, so more than a “few” things…..but trust me; try them for a week.

You will be amazed at how much more productive you will become.

Tags: Real Estate Entrepreneur, real estate investment, time management
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Good Afternoon Real Estate Entrepreneurs!!

Today, I wanted to tell everyone about something great that we have had in the works for a while. 

BSO now officially has a Non-Profit Organization; The BSO School of Financial Literacy.  Long name, right?  I wouldn’t shorten it because it encompasses what the organization’s mission is entirely.  Among my many other talents, (ha) I am also a Certified Grant Writer for Non-Profit Organizations.  I am in the crazy process of developing some winning proposals for this coming fiscal year.

Our mission is to rebuild the communities of Charleston, one family at a time.  We intend to do this by offering free Financial Literacy classes to anyone and everyone who is willing to attend.  We will be teaching basic skills such as bank account management, budgeting, credit establishment and repair as well as first time home purchase tips.  We will also be offering free advanced Real Estate Investment classes to those wanting to become financially free.  Our classes will be taught by Joey; our Real Estate Investment Expert, John; our Contractor Supreme and by a few certified credit repair specialists as well. 

We are so excited to be adding this new chapter of service to our company.  Our ultimate purpose is to help those that cannot help themselves.  Stay tuned for more updates from the BSO School of Financial Literacy (BSOSOFL).

Please check out our website for some awesome free Grant writing tips!!!  www.charlestonrealestateinvesting.com

You can email me if you need any help or advice with fundraising for your Non-Profit as well  (I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve)

Tags: charleston, grant writing, Non-Profit, Real Estate Entrepreneur
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Happy Monday Charleston Real Estate Investors!! 

 I have experienced working in a Business Casual environment where there were “grey areas” of appropriate vs. inappropriate.  I would like to think that common sense tells people that something you might wear to do yard work or to the beach might not be suitable for work.  Even in a business casual work environment, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. All seams must be finished. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable. Clothing that has the company logo is encouraged. The term “casual” is often misleading. 

We run our company from a very relaxed yet professional atmosphere.  We work in a professional office setting in an executive office suite.  However, we are a young couple and feel that we should dress as ourselves and portray “Real” Real Estate professionals.  Joey usually wears nice flip flops with his dress slacks and a very nice polo shirt on top.  I normally wear dresses and sandals.  Nothing is ever inappropriate. 

We are trying to develop a brand image for our company, BSO.  We feel that relating to our clients is highly important in helping them to feel comfortable with us.  Think about it:  when approached by a salesman wearing a suit and tie, you instantly feel the urge to reject whatever he is selling.  He could be giving away free gold coins, but you start preparing yourself to say no before he even begins.  I know that I do.  I start to feel pressured and anxious to leave.  When we are approaching a homeowner with a property of interest to us, we try to relate to them in appearance.  We have found this to be extremely effective when dealing with lower income areas. 

What are your thoughts on this type of attire when put into a business situation? 

www.charlestonrealestateinvesting.com

Tags: business attire
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Good Friday Charleston! 

Although our brokerage is in its infancy, we have been an established Real Estate Investment Company for quite some time.  We are building a successful name for ourselves here in Charleston, SC.  In a previous post, Joey mentioned that we are currently seeking help to locate some new properties.  We are finding less time to devote to the most important task in Real Estate Investing; PROSPECTING!!!  We are recruiting and interviewing new candidates immediately. 

It is very important to have excellent organizational skills when running a Real Estate office, or any office for that matter.  I’m not talking about having labeled bins and paperclip holders, although being tidy is equally as important to remain efficient.  When I say organization, I mean having goals and priorities in place and implementing them. 

First, develop your strategy.  A strategy is a coherent set or plan of personalized actions designed to push your intentions in the right directions.  I like to think of it like this:  You can know the name of all the streets in town, but without a map; how will you navigate through them.  Think of your strategy as a Roadmap For Success.  You must communicate all aspects of your strategy to every member of your staff.  In our office, we have a giant dry erase board that clearly states the goals and necessary duties required to achieve those goals.  Nothing has been omitted. 

You then want to make absolutely sure that your team knows what your expectations are of them.  Ensure that they fully understand your core values.  We make it very clear to everyone that we do not “hold hands”.  We will try to make sure that our staff has every tool they need and are fully aware of their duties.  But, we do not tolerate or have time for people who need constant guidance.  Maybe that’s wrong for some organizations, but for us, it works. 

After organizing your goals and staff, make sure that all of your priorities are in place.  Financial aspects are number one.  If you can’t pay your bills, then you can’t have a business.  Marketing is the next priority.  If no one knows you are in business, you will eventually lose your business to the guy who marketed his.  Then, just be consistent with your strategy and make sure everyone else is doing their part. 

More to come in Part 2…………stay tuned

Tags: charleston real estate, office organization
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First of all, you may all wonder where all of the highly “brain stimulating” posts are derived from.  Yes???  I have to toot on my own horn for a moment for this explanation.  After almost ten years, I am back in college again.  A senior at that!!  I am studying in pursuit of my BS in Legal Studies with the full intent of attending Law School here in Charleston within the next two years.  The class that I am currently taking is just so fascinating and amazingly time appropriate for where my incredible husband Joe and I are at in our professional lives.  I have already learned so much in regards to thinking and the importance of positivity and clear goal setting.  I want to share with all of you the mastery of thought training.  You will find this to be the most important thing you will ever do, and it just may change your life.  

Ok, so back to the lesson at hand.  This week, I discovered that the tools of Critical Thinking are crucial to the organization of your life.  What exactly does it all mean?  We all have thoughts racing through our minds at a constant speed.  But when you leave the thinking to run its own course, it can become biased or even distorted.  Ironically, the entire basis and quality of our life is structured around our minds and our thoughts.  Shouldn’t controlling your mind be at the very top of your priority list? 

Here is a quick checklist for reasoning your thoughts:

1- All reasoning has a purpose; state it clearly and be realistic

2- All reasoning is an attempt at solving a problem; think of this as a mathematical problem and break it into manageable sections and sub-questions

3- All reasoning is based on assumptions; are they justifiable?

4- Identify your point of view and try to look at others as well

5- search for opposing information as well as supporting information

6- draw your conclusion and state the consequences; pros and cons

Seems like alot of steps for just one problem, right?  Sure, but anything that is worth anything requires a bit of work, right?  The point of doing this consistently is that it trains your brain to think logically and not impulsively.  Soon, it will become automatic and you will see amazing results!! 

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reply and I will be happy to answer

Tags: charleston real estate, thinking
Posted in Business, Experience, Motivation, Personal Growth | | 2 Comments »