Author Archive

The Beginning Investors Group is Getting BIGGER! We Had 125+ New & Seasoned Investors at Our February Meeting!

Once again the Atlanta REIA Beginning Investors Group (BIG) had a record turnout on Monday, February 17, 2014 at the Hudson Grille located at 6317 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs.

Beginning Investors Group   Beginning Investors Group

Investors packed the house to hear a informative and entertaining presentation made by Bill Ham about building a massive real estate portfolio without using banks. If that weren’t enough, Don DeRosa also joined us to give us a sample of what he will be teaching upcoming at his Mobile Real Estate Rockstars Workshop on Saturday Feb 22.

Beginning Investors Group   Beginning Investors Group

Russ Hiner and Regina Sitterley joined us for Late Nite Networking and conducted Buyer/Seller Roleplays that lasted late into the evening. We will continue Buyer/Seller Roleplays at future Late Nite Networking events after the BIG meetings.

Beginning Investors Group   Beginning Investors Group

Thank you Bill, Don, Russ and Regina for taking the time to share your experience with us all. We also want to thank our BIG Meeting Sponsors: Sandra Watkins & John Marion of Alpha Dog Investments & ReMax Town & Country, Mike Cherwenka of Goldmine Properties, and to Monte Smith of Advanta IRA. Please check out their websites and take advantage of the services they offer to investors. And thank you everyone who attended the meeting and are helping us grow and improve our group.

Beginning Investors Group Photo AlbumSEE OUR PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK: Be sure to see our photos from the meeting on Facebook in our Beginning Investors Group Photo Album for Feb 17, 2014.

Mark JacksonWhat’s Happening Next Month? Our next BIG Meeting is on St Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17th at 6PM at the Hudson Grille located at 6317 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs. Our topic will be on Determining Accurate Property Values with Mark “MJ” Jackson who is a Property Valuation Specialist!

This will be a great meeting for new and seasoned investors… one you don’t wan to miss. There will be lots great food, fun, networking, education, entertainment and giveaways. Don’t forget to wear something GREEN for St Patrick’s day to our March meeting! We hope to see you there!

RSVP Now!

The Beginning Investors Group is Getting BIG! We Had 116+ Investors at Our January Meeting!

Beginning Investors GroupYes, you read that right, 116+ people gathered together at January’s BIG meeting for a record turnout. We listened to an action oriented, powerful presentation made by William Crowley on Credit Restoration. William informed us of a lot of points that many of us did not know about our credit reports and history. He delivered his 4 step system to restore credit and facts about the UCC code. William touched a nerve that a lot of us have… Many of us are slaves to debt and our credit history. William is driven by his passion to help us break those chains of credit slavery.

Bernard Lawson and Ester WalkerWe also expanded our meeting agenda. We have started a “First Deal” segment, where we will highlight members as they do their first deals. Congratulations to Bernard Lawson and his partner Esther Walker of BE Property Investors LLC for taking the “leap of faith” and getting into the game. Congratulations to Jason Baines too who did his first “subject to” deal. If you are a first time investor and a regular attendee of our meeting, we want to hear about your first deal!

Mike Cherwenka of Goldmine PropertiesMike Cherwenka of Goldmine Properties also spoke about the in’s and out’s of Wholesaling during his long real estate investing career. Rock Shukoor also taught us “How to Wholesale Like A Pro” during Late Nite Networking.

Dustin Griffin also spoke on the benefits of having an Atlanta REIA membership and updated us on some of the exciting new subgroups that Atlanta REIA is forming now. He also updated us on how our members can participate in the new DIY Network TV Show called “First Time Flippers”. If you want to know more details, just go to First Time Flippers. The information is free, just place the order to download the information. Read More→

Mon, July 15th @ 6:30 PM – Sandy Springs, GA
The Beginning Investors Group
Generating Leads with Guerilla Marketing Strategies & Techniques
with Dustin Griffin
Non-Members RSVP Online for $10.00 or $20 at the door.
Atlanta REIA Members are always FREE!

Dustin GriffinAs a new or “new again” investor, are you generating enough motivated buyer and seller leads each month to survive and thrive in today’s competitive real estate market? Are you generating at least 25-50 leads per month from your marketing efforts? If you’re not generating this many leads or more, you should join us for our next BIG Meeting to learn how to generate all the motivated buyer and seller leads you can handle.

Dustin Griffin will be speaking at the Beginning Investors Group (BIG) on Monday, July 15th at 6:30 PM at Hudson Grille located at 6317 Roswell Rd NE in Sandy Springs, GA on many of the Guerilla Marketing Strategies and Techniques that he and other successful real estate investors use to generate a steady flow of leads for their real estate investing businesses. You will learn…

  • What is Marketing?
  • What is Guerilla Marketing?
  • How can one dominate their local market online and offline on a budget?
  • Marketing in 7 Easy Steps
  • Multiple ways to consistently market your business
  • 12 Tips for Search Engine Domination
  • And much more…
What to Bring: Please bring examples of your marketing materials such as your business cards, flyers, signs and any other marketing material you would like to share with and/or show the group.

Come join us and learn how you too can totally dominate your local competition online and offline with little effort and a relatively low budget using new and traditional marketing techniques, a little creativity and the power of the Internet. This meeting is FREE for Atlanta REIA Members. Guests and Non-Members can pay $20.00 at the door or RSVP Online for $10.00. If you Join Atlanta REIA before attending or at the door, you can attend at no charge.

Click to view Cruise VideoWIN A CRUISE: All participants who attend the BIG Meeting on July 15th will entered into a drawing for a chance to win a *Complimentary 2 Day Cruise to the Bahamas with Caribbean Cruise Line! *You must be present at the meeting to win. The 2 day Cruise does not include port fees, transportation and taxes.

See Atlanta REIA Events Calendar for More Events!

If you were at Hammond Park on June 26th, you had some terrific tasting hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans and potato salad that couldn’t be beat.  Over 180 Atlanta REIA members and guests were a part of a great time, took advantage of a tremendous networking opportunity, and listened to Dorsie Boddiford, talk about her start as a real estate investor, why she does it and what keeps her going. Bill Cook of North Georgia REIA spoke to us about what is the most important thing about real estate investing, talking face to face with sellers.

This event was sponsored by Chris Littleton of Solutions Realty Network, Craig Halperin of Halperin Lyman Attorneys At Law, Mike Cherwenka of Goldmine Properties, and Jim Hitt of American IRA. They spoke about their services and the importance of their services to new investors. We thank you so much for providing the food and beverages, and helping to make this event possible.

I would also like to extend a very special Thank You, to Dustin and Chrissy Griffin. For marketing and their logistic abilities to making this BIG Cookout a success. If you liked the baked beans, Chrissy added her special touch to make those delicious.

Our food wouldn’t have tasted so good without the grill master skills of Maggie, Marshall, and Bob. They all just stepped up to the grill and started going at it. Our heartfelt thank you goes out to them.  Thanks to Russ Hiner as well who was on hand to help out with a number of tasks. Read More→

Don DeRosaThe Beginning Investors Group (BIG) meets this month on Monday, June 17th at 6:30 PM at Hudson Grille located at 6317 Roswell Rd NE in Sandy Springs, GA. This meeting is FREE for Atlanta REIA Members. Guests and Non-Members can pay $20.00 at the door or RSVP Online for $10.00. If you Join Atlanta REIA before attending or at the door, you can attend at no charge.

As a new or “new again” investor, have you ever asked yourself what you’ll do with your first or next property once you buy it? Will you quick turn it? Fix and flip it? Rent it? Lease-option it? Sell it with owner financing? How long will it take you to sell or fill your new investment property? These are common questions many new investors face when considering their first purchase.

Not having a clear “exit strategy” is an obstacle that often prevents many new investors from doing their first deal. If you would like to get a better understanding of how to quickly sell or fill your investment properties once you buy them, be sure to join us on Monday, June 17th at BIG where real estate expert and trainer, Don DeRosa, will be teaching our new investors how to market for tenants and buyers and how to choose thei right exit strategies for maximum profits and minimal out of pocket expenses.

Don will teach you:

  • How to choose the correct Exit Strategy so you can buy the house right
  • Marketing the property for a quick sale
  • Numberous proven methods of Don’s to put more dollars in YOUR pocket
  • Questions & Answers with the audience
  • All this and much more…

Don will use his 17 years of real estate investing experience to help you overcome many of the challenges you may be facing as a new investor. After his presentation, we will do some buyer and seller role playing to give you a chance to practice your negotiation skills. So come out and join us. Come early and stay late for Late Night Networking after the meeting.

JUST ANNOUNCED: The Beginning Investors Group (BIG) is going back to a monthly meeting format starting Monday, May 20th at 6:30 PM at Hudson Grille located at 6317 Roswell Rd NE in Sandy Springs, GA. This meeting is FREE for Atlanta REIA Members. Guests and Non-Members can pay $20.00 at the door or RSVP Online for $10.00.

Russ HinerThis month at BIG, local real estate expert and mentor, Russ Hiner, will be teaching new investors how to negotiate win-win real estate transactions with buyers and sellers. As you know, having the right negotiating skills is essential for putting together real estate deals that are not only profitable for you, but meet the needs of your buyers and sellers. If you want to learn how to start negotiating like a pro, this is a BIG Meeting you don’t want to miss! Join us and Russ will teach you:

  • The number one reason why most people will not negotiate
  • How to break negotiation deadlocks
  • How to spot and stop negotiation tactics that will put you on the defensive
  • How to “read” people so you can be a better negotiator by giving them what they want and getting what you want
  • Tips and tactics for face-to-face negotiations
  • All this and much more!

After his “Negotiating for Newbies” presentation, Russ will be calling for volunteers to join him in the “hot seat” for some live, face-to-face role playing negotiations. Read More→

Beginning Investors Group (BIG)How can you sell a house before you’ve ever purchased it? Well technically you can’t since you don’t own or control it yet, but the point is the property can be as “good as sold” before you ever buy it by having a ready, willing and able buyer already lined up and ready to go. Perhaps you’ve been hearing a lot of buzz lately about “reverse wholesaling” lately. It is really nothing new… it just means finding the buyer first and then finding the buyer a house rather than finding a house first, putting it under contract and then finding a buyer. Basically your buyer(s) tell you what the type of property they are looking for and you go find it for them. This makes sense right?

Rock ShukoorA big part of having the house “sold” before you buy is having an active buyers list of ready, willing and able buyers such as wholesalers, rehabbers, landlords, tenant/buyers, first time home buyers, etc. This month at the Beginning Investors Group (BIG), Rock Shukoor, leader of the I Love Marketing Group is going to share the online and offline tips and tricks that he uses to build his various buyers lists and keep them current.

Rock will teach you…

  • How To build a buyers list using social media such as Facebook
  • Why social media is important to an investor
  • How to set up an automated system for your social media marketing
  • The ins and outs of mobile media marketing

Register Now for the Beginning Investors Group

Social media is something 2 out of 3 people use today. Register to attend BIG on Wednesday May 23, to know how to put this powerful media to work for you. People with tickets will receive Rock’s E-book “Go Mobile Now or Die”. This is definitely a BIG meeting you don’t want to miss!

I look forward to seeing you at BIG on Wednesday May 23, 6:30pm at Chef Rob’s Caribbean Cafe at 5920 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs.

Beginning Investors Group (BIG)You’re a new investor. You may have started yesterday or perhaps it’s been almost a year and you still haven’t completed your first deal. Maybe you are waiting for the perfect time or you may even be a bit freaked out. Hey, you aren’t the first one that’s ever been there. Is there someone that has been there just recently? There is! She will be speaking at BIG this April 25th.

Dorsie Boddiford23 year old Georgia Tech grad, Dorsie Boddiford started investing in June 2011. She bought her first property in August 2011. A couple of days ago in April, she bought her 8th property! Dorsie is going to be telling us her story at the Beginning Investors Group (BIG) on April 25th at 6:30 PM about of her first 3 months of investing all the way through her first deal. Sharing her insights, fears, and feelings in those first days. Dorsie will be analyzing some of those deals for you. She will also be taking questions and giving answers. This will be an event you DO NOT want to MISS! To register for BIG on April 25, 2012 just click on this button…

Eventbrite -  Dorsie Boddiford: Up and Running with Investing

You will be sent an email from eventbrite that will contain a ticket. Print out the ticket, bring it with you to the BIG event and get a free gift! Read More→

“Do As I Say and NOT as I DID!”
with Bill Cook at BIG

Bill Cook of North Georgia REIAThis ain’t your mama talking this time.  We investors are always looking for information and what to do. This month at BIG, we’re going in a different direction. The topic is going to be on what NOT to do as an investor.

Our special guest speaker is none other than Bill Cook. Bill is regarded as one of the most experienced investors in the country. Bill will be talking about the mistakes he made as he was investing, and what not to do as a first time investor. It will certainly be a VERY informative and if you know Bill, humorous topic.

Beginning Investors Group (BIG)BIG, the Beginning Investors Group, meets on Wednesday, February 22, at Chef Rob’s Caribbean Cafe at 5920 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs.  The meeting begins at 6:30 pm with networking and at 7pm we start with a short presentation by the group’s founder and leader Alan McDonald. If you are a member of Foursquare, or Twitter, please remember to check in! February’s BIG meeting will be jammed packed.  Come early to get a seat!  Come ready to learn! Come ready to participate!  Come with pad and pen! Read More→

Beginning Investors Group (BIG)Have you made a deal yet? You are looking all over Georgia, the entire Atlanta metro area. You’ve got some knowledge of Rehabbing, Flipping, Subject-To’s, Short Sales, REO’s, Pre-Foreclosures, Multi-Family, Lease Options, Commercial, Notes, Tax Liens, Buying on the Steps, Retail, Ugly Houses, Pretty Houses, Probate, Abandoned Houses. Wow! Armed with all this know-how and getting around you should have several deals under your belt, No?

Perhaps having all that knowledge and being all over the map ain’t as big of a help as you thought.

There is nothing wrong with knowing about all those things mentioned before, but maybe it’s time time to pick out one or two niches and “Be Who You Want to Be.” In other words, FOCUS.

That is the subject of our next BIG Meeting on October 26, 2011 . Learning how to pick some niches of real estate investing that suit you and focus on them to bring you success. Read More→

Beginning Investors Group (BIG)You’ve set goals, you’re working through your fears, you’ve joined a local REIA, you’ve bought several real estate investing programs, you’re networking… What else would you possibly need as a successful real estate investor? Do you still feel like you are in the middle of the ocean at midnight with no sense of direction or belonging?

What is your plan? Plan? What plan? Yes, you need a plan. Winston Churchill stated during World War 2, that “if you fail to plan, you can plan to fail”. How do you make a plan? That is our September topic at BIG, the Beginning Investors Group.

Joe ThompsonJoe Thompson, a professional financial advisor, who also leads our Haves and Wants sub-group will be discussing planning, how to create a plan and why you need one. Come out and join us at the Beginning Investors Group at 5 Seasons Brewing at the Prado in Sandy Springs, Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30 PM. There is no cover charge, but please buy dinner, drinks or appetizers. Even better, bring a friend.

Leslie MathisWhat’s holding you back from your first deal? Afraid you will mess up the deal? Mess up your life? How do you work through your fears so you can succeed? Our special guest speaker for August is Leslie Mathis. Leslie is a published author, teacher, trainer, and mentor. For the better part of thirty years, Leslie has studied wealth creation and harnessing the power of the subconscious mind to obtain goals not only in real estate, but in every area of life. She will be discussing how to overcome fear. If some fear is holding you back from succeeding, you need to be at this meeting. Read More→