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Before I begin, please head on over to my blog at www.theREwholesaler.com to not only read what you're about to read here, but also learn about succeeding in real estate.  Don't worry, I don't have a squeeze page or anything like that, just pure free content. But, if you'd like, please sign up for my free newsletter and I will let you know when I have new posts and other great tips. 

Currently, I am writing about how to succeed in wholesaling real estate from A-Z. So head on over to www.theREwholesaler.com Thanks!

I have been a licensed Realtor since 2002 in the state of California.  From the age of 18, I went straight into college to only realize that I needed a break from schooling.  So I decided to make the move up to beautiful South Lake Tahoe.  From there, I purchased my very first real estate course.  Can anyone guess which one?  You guessed it, Carlton Sheets!!

I had the dream to learn everything about real estate, but I lacked the passion and drive to succeed.  I continued to purchase a number of different courses like Russ Whitney and courses on Tax Lien/Deed investing.

I than decided to make my move to the Garden Isle of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. What a true paradise and beautiful gem in the Pacific.  If you have never been to Kauai, I promise you, you will not want to leave. 

One day my brother-in-law, Brent, came to me with a little ad from the classifieds saying: "Sunglass Store For Sale, Located on Kauai, in Hanalei town. Opened in 1995. Annual sales $183k to $190k. $50k net for owner-operator. Long-term lease. Turn-key operation. $15k plus current inventory of approx. $20k."

I thought, why not?  I was only 20 years old and was about to purchase my first business.  I did not know it at the time, but that business was about to teach me so much about how “dirty” owning a business can be and what it takes to succeed in this harsh business world I was about to venture into. 

The story continues in great detail; too lengthy to write on this site.  Let’s just say that the outcome made me a stronger negotiator and a stronger business man and a better person as a whole; standing up to my legal rights and my integrity. 

So, when I sold my business after owning it for about 1 ½ years and suffering deep depression, I decided to move back to beautiful (yes another beautiful place) Santa Barbara, CA, which is where I currently reside. 

I starting working at a local bank as a teller (This was difficult, going from being the boss and having 3 employees, to now being told what to do).  After 1 ½ years and a measly 3% raise (which equated to about $.30), I decided to go back to college.  But I was not going back for my degree, I was going back to study what interested me at that time.  I wanted to control what I wanted to learn.  I did not want a degree to dictate what I had to take.  I took several business courses, a science class (I used to hate science in High School) and Real Estate Principles. 

Real Estate Principles is the prerequisite to taking the state exam for your state license.  So I passed my state exam, yes, the first time, and received a bonafide license on a piece of paper, telling the world that I am an expert in buying and selling real estate. Yeah!!  (That was a joke)  You can read and study all you want in becoming what you want to become, but until you have the hands on experience, all you are is just a loquacious babbling salesman trying to “fake it, till you make it”. 

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of great real estate agents out there and I know quite a number of them, but it just was not for me.  Frankly, I knew before I got my license that being a Realtor was not my ultimate goal in life.  So why did I get my license?  Great question!!  Because, as you may recall from my sunglass business experience, one big element I did not tell you was that the buyer tried to walk all over me by walking away from a signed contract.  I was 21 at the time and a bit naïve and he thought that I would just move on.  This was a man more than twice my age trying to be a “dirty businessman”.  That was not the case and I beat him at his own game.  Again, long story. 

So, I got my license to educate myself, to understand the real estate terminology and how to read and understand contracts.  I made a pact with myself to never let anyone take advantage of me again because of my age, period.  This is a life lesson I am passing on to all those young aspiring and current entrepreneurs.

Than in August of 2004, I became very interested in my family's coffee business.  They sell Hawaiian Themed coffee franchises called Hawaii’s Java Kai.  So I decided to partner with my parents and open 2 stores in Santa Barbara.  This again, is a long story.  But a long story short, one store went through mediation over the owner mandating we spend $75k on an earthquake retrofit and the other we rescinded the contract due to parking issues controlled by the city.  So we got our deposit back from that one. 

Than on June 19^th, 2005, Father's Day, right around the time we were signing off on the second lease, my Dad came to me showing me a full page ad in the back of the Santa Barbara News-Press offering a Free One Day Real Estate Investment seminar.  Than on July 8^th, 2005, after my Mom and I purchase the 3-Day bootcamp to be held in Costa Mesa, CA and spending $4,995, I attended my very first real estate investment training.  This was the beginning of what is now my full time profession.  Thanks Dad!! :-)

Since then, I have spent over $50k over the course of 4 years on my education and have made a number of purchases, including a purchase of a small apartment complex.  Did I make a number of pricey mistakes?  I'd be lying to you if I said No.  I won't get into the numbers here, but lets just say the "real estate bubble" burst, and so did my portfolio.  But I never gave up on my passion.  There are many paths of such adversity and resistence in real estate, that sometimes you feel like just "throwing in the towel".  Well I am here to say that the "towel" is still on my sholders. It's not bright white, it's got some battlewounds showing, but that "towel" is going NOWHERE!!  Let that be a lesson too: Never Give Up!!  If you would like to read an inspiring story of a man that never gave up, Click Here to visit Ron Heagy's website.  Buy his book "Never Give Up: Success In Life Is An Attitude", read his story and I promise you, you will never give up on what you want in life.

Currently I am growing my wholesaling business, with the ultimate goal of acquiring large apartment complexes through syndications.  I am always looking to build my business through networking with other like-minded individuals.  What business has taught me through the years is that if it is not a win-win for all parties, don’t do the deal. 

If one could describe me in one word, that word would be Integrity.  I was raised in a family to always live life, whether personally or professionally, with integrity and to always run my business morally and ethically. 

I would like to thank all those that have taken the time to read my story and I hope to meet you all in the near future, and maybe we will do business together.  Also, if you ever would like to ask me any questions, whether relating to real estate, business or personally, I try to make myself available as much as I can, even though my busy work and personal life may not allow.  Please visit my blog and ask me anything you'd like. Also, you can subscribe to my newsletter so you get updated on my new posts and tips. Head on over to www.theREwholealer.com now!!

Also, please visit my website at www.yourREdeals.com if you are interested in working with me in the Oklahoma City Market and to see my current deals.  Keep in mind that I am constantly looking to invest in different markets throughout the U.S., so if you have any information about certain markets of interest, I would love to chat with you. 

Happy Investing and Great Success and may life bring you everything you deserve.  Remember, that life is not all about Money, it is about being truly Wealthy in Life.  Wealth covers several elements in life: Financially, Relationally, Mentally, Physically & Spiritually. You need to have a balance in all those to be truly Wealthy. 

Lastly, treat yourself to mini-retirement vacations every year.  This will help prevent you from getting "burnt out" and working too much.  And if you’re wondering what I’m talking about, read the “4-Hour Workweek” By Timothy Ferris  This book will quickly change your life, I promise. 

My company, Real Estate Solutions & Management Group, Inc., is mostly in the business of wholesaling.  We do purchase homes cash and rehab from time-to-time, but in this current market, that can add a level of risk that is not necessary to become successful.  I use Private Money Lenders who earn a nice return using their Self Directed IRA's or other means of capital.  I than purchase real estate using this money secured by the real estate and than sell the properties on seller financing.

My future goals are to transition into acquiring large apartment complexes throughout the US in emerging markets through syndications. 

If you would like to visit my website and to receive a free 102-page e-Book on how to make a million in your own business in 3 years or less, please Visit My Website.  Keep in mind that this website is dedicated entirely to teaching you how to succeed in real estate.  Whether you are looking to wholesaler, rehab or cashflow, you'll want to check my site out.