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If you want to be a millionaire, just ask!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cornerstone Business Group Inc 0225086119

About a decade ago, I made a commitment on January 1st to read one book every week on investing and finance.  I actually read more than 52, but who's counting.  It turned out to be my most prosperous year ever.  Go figure.  One of the books I read was a little book called, "The Instant Millionaire," by Mark Fisher. 

In this fun little book, the main character is desperate for money.  He learns of a millionaire who will teach him all the ways of becoming rich and financially independent.  So, he goes to see him.  When he arrives, the butler ushers him to the garden where a man, in gardening clothes, is working with the roses. 

During a brief conversation, the man asks the young man if he has $10 he can have.  The young man is really short on money, but he finally gives the old gardener the money.  Shortly after, the butler arrives in the garden and informs the gardener that one of the staff is leaving the employment of the instant millionaire and he needs an additional $10 to pay him his final pay.  The man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wad of money as big as an apple.  On the outside, is a $10 bill. 

He peels that it off and gives it to the butler, and immediately the young man realizes that the gardener is in fact the millionaire.  When pressed as to why he took the man's last $10 bill, the millionaire responds to him because he asked, and he gave it.

The moral of the story is, you will receive more business if you're willing to ask for it.  How does that relate to real estate?  We have dozens of avenues to ask for things.

  • We should be asking people we're familiar with if we can be of service to them and/or their family.
  • We should be sending information to new companies who are coming to town.  They have relocation clients for us.
  • We should be asking friends at the PTA, the soccer leagues, little baseball, etc., if they are in need of a real estate professional or if they know others who are.
  • We should be asking local attorneys if they could use our services with their divorce, bankruptcy or estate clients.
  • We should be asking the post man if anyone is moving out of the neighborhood.  You'd be surprised to learn what the mailman knows.
  • We should be asking our banker if there is any room for us with their REO sales.  I spoke with my banker today, and I walked out with the business card of their REO department head.
  • We should be asking, asking, asking.

The book has many more great lessons in it, and you can read it in an hour or two.  Take notes, put it into practice and see what happens. You might just have the best year of your life.  If you can't find it in the local book store or at the library, you can get it on Amazon.com, or you can just ask Google.  Google can find it for you. 

 

Comments(30)

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Lisa Wetzel
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV
CDPE, SFR carsonvalleyland.com

Mike ... I've had a goal to acquire more REO Bank Customers ... today we just got our first two listing from our local Credit Union!  I just love hos this works!

Great Blog ... I enjoyed your thoughts!

Sep 07, 2011 01:05 PM
Eileen Covington
The Charlotte Home Team/Keller Williams - Charlotte, NC
(The Charlotte Home Team)

So, here is a script I got from Doug Smith. a real estate trainer and coach. 

" Hey can I ask you a question", you ask.

"Sure", responds the target.

" I am wanting to expand my business.  If you know of anyone who I can help buy or sell a home, would you tell them about me?" you ask.

What will they say? Of course they will say "sure".

Easy!

Sep 07, 2011 01:06 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Excellent, Lisa.  That is exciting news!

Sep 07, 2011 01:07 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

There you go, Eileen.  You're already armed and ready!

Sep 07, 2011 01:08 PM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Of course I had to suggest this.  What a fantastic post Mike.  Sometimes just asking is the key to getting business!  I am going to have to check out this book.  Wonder if I can get it on Kindle :)!  

Sep 07, 2011 01:23 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

I bet you can.  There's another one you might like called, "The Richest Man in Babylon."  Also excellent.

Sep 07, 2011 01:30 PM
Scott Freedle
Metro Brokers Freedle and Associates - Centennial, CO

I need to remember just to ask, you shall receive.    Never wanted to be a millionaire, but comfortable would be good.

Sep 07, 2011 01:38 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Amen, Scott.  Comfortable is good!

Sep 07, 2011 01:42 PM
Navona Hart
Century 21 Realty @ Home - Farmville, VA
Selling the Best Properties in Central Virginia

I am a reader and would love to see your list of 52 read, do you have that to share?

Sep 07, 2011 01:52 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Shew, Navona, that was a nearly a decade ago, but I have been accused of never throwing anything out, so let me look.  It's not promising though.  8-)  I can remember a bunch of them though. Here are the ones that are on the self in my bedroom.

The Instant Millionaire - Mark Fisher

The Millionaire's Secrets - Mark Fisher (a little new age, but still good)

Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill

The Richest Man in Babylon - George Clason (Excellent!)

How to Make Big Money in Real Estate - Tyler Hicks

The Millionaire Next Door - Thomas J. Stanley, PhD

The Millionaire Mind - Thomas J. Stanley, PhD

Reminiscences of a Stock Operator -Edwin Lefevre

Jesse Livermore - World's Greatest Stock Trader - Richard Smitten

How to Trade in Stocks - Jesse Livermore

Wealth 101 - Wade Cook

Tools and Tactics for the Master Day Trader - Velez/Capra

The Art of Short Selling - Kathryn F. Staley

Strategies for Success - The Art of Wealth - Thomas Cleary

The Plungers and the Peacocks - Dana Thomas

Profit from the Evening News - Marie Bussing-Burks

Use the News - Maria Bartioromo

Multiple Streams of Income - Robert Allen

Multiple Streams of Internet Income - Robert Allen

Nothing Down for the Nineties - Robert Allen

Creating Wealth - Robert Allen

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth - Ric Edelman

Rule the Freakin' Markets - Michael Parness

Sep 07, 2011 02:13 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

I admire your dedication, I once took a whole class for college credits by listening to the courses on casette while driving to work an hour a day both ways. It was fun and a very good course as I remember it.

Sep 07, 2011 03:20 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Charles.  There are so many great ways to learn.  The best to you!

Sep 08, 2011 12:37 AM
Karen Baker
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC
Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Mike ~ I would be interested in knowing your list of books you read because I'm a bookaholic ~ I would be willing to share what I read with you so we could compare lists!! I just finished "The Seven Levels of Communication" by Michael Maher    I'm reading "Less Blah Blah mare Ah Ha" by Ken Brand

Sep 08, 2011 12:57 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

F & K, I did put a short list on comment 21.  Somewhere, and that's a big question mark, I keep a running list of the books I was reading that year.  Right now, I'm reading the "Road to Serfdom" by F A Hayek.  There are a couple I go back and read every couple years, like the "Richest Man in Babylon" by George Clason and the "Instant Millionaire" by Mark Fisher.

Sep 08, 2011 01:01 AM
Don MacLean
New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA
Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

Mike , great post

Ask and you may receive. look it already worked for Navona. Proof is in the pudding.

Enjoy the day

Sep 08, 2011 01:45 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

There you go, Don.  See how easy it is.  8-)  Have a great day!

Sep 08, 2011 01:46 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Conrad.  I'm always open for a good read.  Some of my favorites are older books.  I appreciate the info!!

Sep 09, 2011 12:38 AM
Karen Baker
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC
Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Mike & Conrad ~ Thanks for the tips on the various books to read...Don't know how I passed by your list after Navona's comment??

Sep 12, 2011 01:15 AM
Jenny McCarty
JTR Property Network at Keller Williams Realty Red River - Barksdale AFB, LA
"Jenny The Realtor"

I'm impressed.  I promised myself I would read one business book a month, and that is turning out to be more difficult than I expected!

Oct 06, 2011 04:10 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Once I got started it was pretty easy.  I always had one with me.  Waiting traffice, at the doctor's office, etc.  Easier than you think.  Thanks for dropping by!!

Oct 06, 2011 10:32 AM