What Are YOU Waiting For?
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I get calls and e-mails every day from all over the world: New Zealand, UK, Germany, Turkey, Guam, Australia, Alaska, Canada - you name it. People who KNOW they want to invest, people who are committed to starting investing, just don't know where to start. |
All these people want one simple formula, one simple answer of what to buy and how to buy it... that's how they find their way to my site.
Most of these people are very well studied, and very well read. They know all the best authors for investing, they've gone to the seminars, and they've bought the CDs. They've spent all kinds of money, and all kinds of time on everything about investing... just not yet an investment.
And these people are so well educated, they've spent so much time and money learning not only the positive aspects of investing, but the pitfalls to avoid. And sometimes having learned so much about the pitfalls, in fact, that they have their own personal overeducated version of analysis paralysis (I call these folks the "Yeah-buts"...).
I've had many many first-time investors take the time to view dozens of properties, study the market tirelessly, even write offers before this version of analysis paralysis hits. And then what stops them? The details... 
The many hundreds and thousands of details. For some it is the paperwork, the process of writing the numbers on paper, signing their name, and the pages of legalese that often accompany a purchase agreement. And for others, it is writing the earnest money check... the prospect of parting with (usually) a couple thousand dollars at least, and the risk they won't ever get that back. For others still, they get past the paperwork no problem, but get stopped by the inspection.
Often would-be investors forget that it's an inspector's job to find issues and write a report on them. And, they WILL find things (remember, that's their JOB!). They will take photos to include with their report. Whether issues are large or small, the would-be investor receives this lengthy report with a dozen or more photos and immediately panics (because, after all, they just received a report on how terrible the place is!).
Even a brand-new or newly remodeled home will not ever be perfect. And for those that make it past the inspection, perhaps it is the financing at the would-be investor gets caught up on. Many potential investors are strong and act with conviction until the point they see all the numbers on paper and become overwhelmed.
This is why, and you'll read it again and again on my websites and blog posts, that only approximately 1 in 100 potential investors ever actually make it to that first purchase. That's one person out of every hundred at least as interested as you are now, and that makes it to the finish line. In fact, I think it's actually slightly less than 1%.
My advice to you? Be the 1%. Be that 1 in 100. Do whatever it takes to be the master of your own wealth!!!
When you forget, remind yourself. When you get scared, just breathe. When you get confronted, just remember. That's part of the process anytime you're doing something new. Allow yourself to move through the space of the unknown to emerge out the other side triumphant.
And, if all else fails, come back and read this blog. Pinch yourself. Remind yourself what you're truly committed to. Use Post-It's if you have to. Just do whatever it is you have to do to begin using your most valuable asset investing - your time.
Don't delay any longer. I (like most investors) kick themselves for waiting as long as they did. I've never ever met someone who said "boy, I'm sure glad I waited"...
