Gary’s Words of Wisdom (WOW): “To catch the big fish, you just need to fish a lot”
Every fisherman who has been fishing for some time is bound to have caught a big fish. The key is just to fish a lot. I don’t know what the chances are of you catching a great fish but the chance of you catching a great fish on your first try is likely going to be low.
Sure enough, there are other factors to consider when trying to catch a great fish. Maybe you’re using the wrong equipment or you’re fishing in the wrong area or in the wrong season. But those factors can be easily researched. The key is just to keep tossing the fishing hook in the waters.
Interestingly, in Real Estate, buyers and investors are always on the lookout for great deals but the problem is that they just look. It’s like a fisherman who gets the right equipment, finds the perfect spot to fish, but just sits on a chair and watches other fisherman catch the big fish.
Real Estate is not played that way. You want the good deals, you gotta get into the playing field. The good deal is not going to land on your plate. Sellers are generally not going to approach you and ask if they can sell you their home for below market value.
The funny thing is many buyers and investors see the great deal but then they hesitate. They think that since it’s priced so low, it will be a bidding war and they don’t want to go through the hassle. Have you ever done any Boxing Day or Black Friday shopping?
If you’re like me, you’re researching which product to buy, which places are having the sales and are ready to wake up early and if necessary, line up to get that great deal.
Sure, some shoppers don’t want to go through the hassle. They can just pay market value for the product before or after Boxing Day or Black Friday, but if you want the great “catch”, you’re going to have to put in the work.
I have been told by friends who fish that the best time to fish is right before dawn which means my friends have to wake up super early in the morning and go to the fishing locations just to get the great catch.
I see the majority of buyers and investors out there who buy homes at a bargain use this simple method. They don’t need much skill or training and it works.
On the other hand, these buyers and investors shy away when the homes are priced at a bargain because they’re afraid of multiple offers. Then when they see homes that are priced high, they shy away as well because they automatically assume the sellers are not motivated and so they don’t even think twice about it.
So what is that simple and easy method to buy homes at a bargain?
It’s quite simple. Just… write… a… lot… of… offers.
There it is. If you guessed it from the quote above, congratulations! If it’s so simple, why is it so difficult?
Perseverance: People don’t like to persevere through things. They like to do things once and succeed on the 1st try. They don’t want to fail. I think it’s just perspective. Thomas Edison once said “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” If you write an offer and they don’t accept your price after negotiations, just move on. Perseverance is the key.
Fear: You can’t catch big fish if you’re afraid. What if the seller doesn’t like my offer? What if I don’t get it? What if this and what if that? Be bold and courageous. Don’t let fear hold you back. What’s the worse that can happen? The seller said no after some negotiations. So you spent some of your time. Is it a waste of time?
Yes, if you have a bad attitude. But if you look at it as a learning experience and just move on to the next, then that time is priceless.
Lazy: Yes, if you want to get that good deal, you’re going to have to put in work. Like I said earlier, the bargain is not going to just fall on your lap. Go out and write offers on properties. Don’t just hide behind the computer and fantasize about getting a good deal.
Here’s why you should write offers to properties regardless of how it is priced.
Over-priced Homes: In my experience, I’ve seen overpriced homes sell at a bargain. Often, because they’re overpriced, they don’t receive that much interest. That’s actually a good thing for a savvy buyer/investor because savvy buyer/investors know that their offer is probably the only one the seller will probably receive and thus will use this to their advantage in negotiations.
Often sellers who haven’t received any response to their overpriced home will realize that their home is overpriced and may be willing to take a low offer or may be just tired and will just let it go because they have to move or need to get rid of the home.
Sellers may not be motivated or have the need to sell in the beginning but after half of year or more on the market, their motivation will likely change.
Under-priced Homes: Yes, most underpriced homes will end up in multiple offers, but sometimes if you’re quick enough and you jump on a new listing that’s priced below market value, you may be able to write a subject free cash offer and secure the deal before you get into a multiple offer situation.
Also, many underpriced homes, even though they end up in multiple offers, will sell at above asking price, but still remain underpriced. For example, if the home is worth $1,700,000, they might have their home priced at $1,599,000 looking for multiple offers and after multiple offers, the home may sell for $1,650,000, still $50,000 below what it is worth.
Well priced Homes: The sellers for well priced homes are often pretty motivated. They often need to sell fast and know that in order to do that, they need to price their homes well. Since they’re motivated, these are homes you want to write offers on. Since these homes are priced well, you’re not going to be losing out. You’re either going to be buying the home at a good price or a great price.
Gary’s WOW: “The gold goes to those who dig”
Yvonne Yang 
Carlos Garcia 
