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Looking For an Agent Familiar With Investors . . . In Your Area

By
Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

Looking For an Agent Familiar With Investors . . . In Your Area

Another call came in to the office with the caller "looking for an agent familiar with investors . . . "

Quickly adding, ". . . in your area."

Oh geez, here we go.

I couldn't get a word in edgewise after I answered the phone with, "Buyers Agent Portland, good morning."  And that's because the caller was so full of . . .

energy?

I'll call it energy, since I'm in polite company.

With a break in her stride, probably due to the fact that run-on sentences can only run-on for so long, she came up for air.  And that's when I asked her:

How many investments have you purchased?

She stammered which was interesting, going from Chatty Cathy to Dumb Dora all in under a minute.   She said she didn't understand the question.

I repeated it for her, and added two words:  "so far?" As in:  How many investments have you purchased . . . so far?'

Because she sounded so savvy, I just knew she had several investment properties all over the globe.  I could just tell she was a savvy investor with a wad of homes under her investing belt. {rolling eyes}

She stammered again and replied, "How many investments have I purchased . . . you mean . . . in Oregone?"

Oregone isn't a state.

But that's how she pronounced it phonetically.  And, answering a question with a question isn't helpful.

These calls come from people who have attended a "how to invest in real estate" seminar and walked out with the "secret" of the all powerful Holy Grail:  the instruction material.

For a cool $139.99 on their credit card, they call my office all bright-eyed and busy tailed, having just disembarked from the turnip truck.

Yup . . . I'm so lucky!  These people are the next Trumps.

I can tell a real estate investor when I hear one.  I can tell a novice, who has the "how to invest in real estate with no money down" tattooed on their backside.  

When I represent serious, sound and solid investors -- I can help.

When calls come in from dreamers who think they can, actually, purchase with no money down -- I can't.

They don't let me explain how the real estate seminar was conducted to extract money from their back pocket and how the real estate guru bilked them out of their hard earned.

I love to debunk that myth . . . 

But, they'll blame real estate agents for being short-sighted and not seeing just how successful they're going to be.  

Afterall, they attended the 'How to Get Rich Quick in Real Estate Investing With No Money Down Real PROfit$ Finding the Right Sellers Who Are Flexible' half-day event at the Double Pepper Tree Inn . . . and paid $139.99 for the how-to guide -- I did not.

 

 

P.T. Barnum was right, or was he!?!

 

Posted by

 

 

Carla Muss-Jacobs has RETIRED effective May 1, 2018

Representing Buyers in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market | Clackamas Multnomah and Washington Counties | Since 1999

Carla Muss-Jacobs, REALTOR®, ABR, CEBA, ePro
Principal Broker/Owner ~~ INACTIVE

Carla Muss-Jacobs' retirement became effective May 1, 2018

Direct: 503-810-7192 

 

All Rights Reserved © 

Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Do not waste a moment with these pitches..... Sorry

Sam Shueh

Oct 22, 2015 11:07 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

Don't be sorry Sam Shueh -- your advice is solid!!

Oct 22, 2015 11:11 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

These people who call have a knack for finding the very best, most professional and expert talent Carla Muss-Jacobs, Principal Broker/Owner 

Oct 22, 2015 11:37 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Having actually worked with the pioneers of those hotel no-money-down seminars, I can tell you hundreds of thousands of people fall under their spell. It's like witchcraft. They aren't always completely stupid people, either; some of them are very bright and, um, earnest. Yes, PT Barnum was right.

Oct 23, 2015 01:04 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

I legitimately laughed out loud at this. It's been a while since I was forced in to a conversation with one of those budding millionaires. It's very easy to tell a real investor from a pretender who heard a commercial on the radio and ordered a book on how to buy houses with no money down and earn six figures in their first year. 

Oct 23, 2015 01:12 AM
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

In the past market dotted with Short Sales and REO's - good thing they are past (at least for now in our market) I too had many of those calls from eager buyers thinking they could be the one to catch a deal.  They called, they emailed blind offers and actually sent letters to my listings.  I do work with investors and they are legitimate . They hire me to do the deal as they know how I work.  They are just like any other buyer in the fact that they either have a loan in place or more often than not have given me proof of cash up front and are ready to buy.  They also are not the ones calling around and asking questions.  They hire a professional to do that for them.  That's one thing lacking in those One-Day-Scam-Man-R's. ...is there such a word? 

Oct 23, 2015 02:20 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Oh girl, these people amaze me.  I guess that agents do sign up for these things.  I just delete the emails from them and then BLOCK them.

Oct 23, 2015 07:47 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Carla - I can always tell when those guys invest in a media buy in our area. I feel sorry for the people that call, but they don't want advice, they already got all they need - they want action!

Oct 23, 2015 09:34 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I have seen a couple of these people sniffing around wanting an agent to write up 200,000 offers at a fraction of the home value.  No thanks, not wasting my time.

Oct 23, 2015 11:14 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

Yeah, the "see if it sticks" method of buying.  LOL.  

Oct 24, 2015 06:20 AM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Carla Muss-Jacobs, Principal Broker/Owner ,  I remember telling my RE teacher shortly after I got my license that I was working with an investor.  Her comment was, "They will run you ragged."  I finally fire that guy 2 years later.  He never did buy anything, but we sure put in a lot of offers and miles on the road.

Oct 23, 2015 11:28 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

And you learned a lot from that experience, I'm sure!

Oct 24, 2015 06:21 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

Hers was actually a good value. The going rate up here is a couple thousand. Neither route will do much more than subtract your capital. So, as the value of money down the drain- almost all these programs leave much to be desired.

It's best to seek out a mentor who has actually bought and sold with the myriad of unforseen skills that come with experience. Very often that will be a real estate agent who has experience.

Oct 23, 2015 11:35 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

I don't really know if that's what was paid . . . I just tossed it out there.  But DANG Chuck Willman , that's a very high ticket item, indeed!  

Oct 24, 2015 06:19 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

I love how you turned the convo around to how many properties have you purchased. ..so far?! And the pronunciation of Oregon? Priceless.

Oct 23, 2015 02:30 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Carla Muss-Jacobs, Principal Broker/Owner well, I am luckier than these people. I am offered two tickets to attend this seminar for FREE - and free lunch or dinner (depending on the time I choose). Not to mention, if I am in first 50 I get a 7" tablet (which hardly works!)

Yep, I do get those emails once in a while - and I just throw them in my electronic shredder.

Oct 23, 2015 04:10 PM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I was contacted by a Dubai investor wanting to invest in US properties. I just happen to be there shoot him an eMail to meet. The guy called back saying I have to meet him late at night.  I wasted no time with that guy.... Phony as hell.

Oct 23, 2015 04:43 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

OMG Carla, you crack me up!  Yes, PT Barnum was indeed right.

Oct 23, 2015 08:12 PM
Raul Rodriguez
Covenant Partners Realty - San Antonio, TX
Looking out for the client's interest and not my p

Get rich quick! If it sounds too good to be true...it is! Save your money.

Oct 23, 2015 11:35 PM
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

Ahhhh yes, I do love those phone calls. I went to one of those just to see it and it is amazing what people will pay for "the secret" the one I went too charged $4999 and by the end of the presentation people rushed to the back to pay it. Simply amazing, I was just their for the free buffet afterwards, because it happened to be at a great Vegas casino with a great buffet. I felt bad for the people, paying that knowing it would never work, if only people would research what they buy.

Oct 24, 2015 06:35 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

Thanks Stefan Winter for the comment!  I put in $139.99, because I just didn't know exactly how much the magic secret cost.  Apparently, in the land of the rolling dice . . . it's Five Thousand clams!  WOW -- what a bunch of suckers.  I wonder how they justify it to themselves when they don't get rich quick?

Oct 25, 2015 04:02 AM
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

Seems Everyone is looking for the get rich quick technique.  It will take some time for this to sink in for the caller.

 You did a good job handling that conversation.

Oct 24, 2015 12:39 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

I honestly don't think people want to believe there is NO get rich quick, or magic diet pill, or magic cure all elixor.  People have to work, save, eat healthy, diet and exercise . . . for the long haul.  Rose Mary Justice . . . when I wanted to have a conversation with her, the savvy investor got hostile with me.  She said "Maybe I should find another real estate agent . . ."  Maybe?!?!?  LOL

Oct 25, 2015 04:04 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

You mean you really don't just "locate" the property, use someone else's money and working Tues and every other Thursday get a check for $5=$10,000 in Oregone ?  

Oct 24, 2015 09:56 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

Sally K. & David L. Hanson


Yes, the location of the Oregone property that meets all the critera is, unfortunately, out of my market area.  I don't work Idiotville, OR

Oct 25, 2015 04:08 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Well everyone knows that serious investors are up at 3 in the morning listening to that paid programming, don't they?

Oct 25, 2015 01:38 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Carla, I hear you. An acquaintance recently went to several of these seminars and each time came back full with enthusiasm.  I listened and asked a few questions but for some reason, she either didn't have an answer or didn't want me to know. I think she found out that reality is different and went back to her day job. 

Nov 02, 2015 09:51 AM