Prlinkbiz Prlinkbiz and me
Here is my side of the fallout with Prlinkbiz and the other “mentor” opportunity.
Get a cup of coffee (or hot tea), get cozy and read closely. There are many twists and turns. It’s long but worthwhile. Here it goes:
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Monday, October 23, 2006
USA Today article comes out nation-wide. Since, my blog address is not a hotlink in the online version of the article, the immediate traffic spike is not as big as the San Francisco Chronicle story. However, the flood of email is much bigger this time. Still sifting through it 2 weeks later. There is gold in my inbox…
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Tuesday, October 24, 2006 1:56 PM
Enter The East Coast Mentor…
I get contacted by a well-known and highly-respected national real estate guru from the East coast. He saw my flip-flop story in the paper and offers to take me on as a “project”. He would work with me daily over the phone to help me stop foreclosure, sell my houses and mentor me to become a successful real estate investor / rehabber.
On top of that The East Coast Mentor would provide a way for other people to listen-in on my mentorship calls. This was going to be a great educational opportunity for anyone else who is facing foreclosure and/or wants to become a successful real estate investor. I thought this was truly a sweet offer - an answer to prayer (some call it a synchronicity).
I have never met this guy or taken any of his education, but I’ve come across his courses and website many times before. From what I could tell he is a real-world in-the-trenches real estate investor. Not just some seminar promoter without much real-world experience. Further more, he seems pretty humble about his successes and comes across as a man of integrity and faith. Definitely someone I want to emulate.
In other words, I couldn’t ask for any better opportunity!
I get on a 3-way call with The Mentor and his logistical/marketing partner (his “right-hand man” on this project). That’s when they present the opportunity to me. The three of us connect quickly on a personal level because of similar beliefs/faith and approach to investing and life. I feel very grateful for the offer. I tell them “letsdoit!” and we start brainstorming some of the details of the project.
My Local Rich Dad…
You may be wondering, “what about your local Rich Dad who was going to mentor you?”. The thing is, it looked like he was going to give me hand-on mentoring at first but it actually ended up being a little different. My local Rich Dad is busy running his own real estate rehabbing business and teaching his sons the trade.
One of Rich Dad’s sons, my high school friend, is the one who told me about this “mentoring” idea. We decided I can be the first student and depending on how it goes, I would help promote it. However, his dad doesn’t yet have any kind of a structured program or mentoring plan. So, I’m pretty much on my own.
It’s still an awesome opportunity to be able to look behind the curtains of a successful real estate investing business on a daily basis. The other day we went on a drive to look at some bank repo deals (REOs). I got a chance to watch Rich Dad evaluate the deals and estimate repairs. So I’m learning just by being around. That’s why we put together an agreement where I trade my technical expertise in exchange for office space and learning opportunities with Rich Dad.
Additionally, I have a way to make money by being involved in my Rich Dad’s business. I can bring him deals and get paid a finder’s fee. Or, if he doesn’t want my deal, I can market it to his list of wholesale buyers. Also, Rich Dad currently has a few homes that are taking a long time to sell because of the slow market here in Sacramento. I can help him move the inventory using my creative marketing strategies and get some commission. So even though I don’t get paid a salary, I can work hard and make some money by helping with their deals.
So I run The East Coast Mentor’s offer by my high school buddy (Rich Dad’s son) to make sure it wouldn’t conflict with what I already have going with them. He doesn’t see any problems.
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Tuesday, October 24, 2006 4:46 PM
Enter PRLinkBiz…
A little later the same day Prlinkbiz contacts me about meeting Robert Kiyosaki. Prlinkbiz works with Kim Kiyosaki to develop RichWoman.com. Another pleasant surprise today, amazing!
This is truly an awesome opportunity. I’ve been reading Robert Kiyosaki’s stuff for years and his Rich Dad Poor Dad book is what got me started planning the escape from “The Rat Race”. I was very thankful to Prlinkbiz for wanting to encourage me and for making this meeting possible.
Prlinkbiz and I also make a personal connection right away. I have never met her but, amazingly, I find we have similar personalities/background, same birth date, lived in similar places, went to the same college, and other synchronicities.
She seems very genuine and I feel I can trust her. So over the next couple of days, as she starts arranging the phoenix trip, I tell her about my story. I talk about the crazy media coverage and the different opportunities that are showing up as a result. I also tell her a little bit about The East Coast Mentor’s offer. I do it in a “matter-of-fact” fashion without even thinking about “shopping the deal” or anything like that.
Some time during our phone and email conversations she says something along the lines of “Hold up on that, let me see if we can beat that offer”. I’m a little surprised, wondering what she might have in mind, so I say “OK… tell me more”.
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Thursday, October 26th, 2006
Enter The Phoenix Investor Lady…
Prlinkbiz tells me she has a friend in Phoenix who is a highly successful real estate investor / rehabber. Like the East Coast Mentor, she is an expert at buying, fixing and selling houses.
The Phoenix Investor Lady is also willing to help me out of my foreclosure situation and teach me to be a successful real estate investor.
Although, The Investor lady doesn’t like to use the term “mentor”. She thinks mentors are a “bunch of scammers” that promise you the world, take your money and fail to deliver any practical help. She doesn’t want to be labeled as such and is against charging people for “mentoring” because she herself started with no money.
In fact, The Investor Lady has never read any gurus or gone to any seminars to learn what she does. She picked it up by working with and watching successful real estate investors and just started “doing it”. Amazing!
The other part of the offer was that, Prlinkbiz has a great idea for documenting and sharing my come-back story with the world. (Sorry I am not allowed to share the particulars.)
Multiple offers and beginning of miscommunication…
So I impulsively tell Prlinkbiz I like the idea and say something along the lines of “letsdoit”. What I mean is “let’s look into it more”. I am not yet sure how this deal would compare with The Mentor’s offer. I want to get all the details from her and make a smart business decision.
I contact East Coast Mentor’s right-hand man right away and tell him to hold on, before they do any more work on the project. I explain that the “Robert Kiyosaki connection” has some kind of a similar offer for me and I need to see what it’s all about. The East Coast Mentor’s man understands my situation and tells me that there are no hard feelings, and to go ahead and investigate. They put a hold on the project until further notice from me.
At this time I also put another guy on hold who wanted to work with me. This guy is a new real estate investor who I met a few months ago at a local real estate investors’ club. Even though he was new to real estate, he has a marketing background and picked up the game very quickly. He is making really good money and is looking for an assistant / right-hand man. He is willing to pay me salary + commission. After I prove myself, he would eventually bring me up to a partner level. There are many more angles to the offer and I was in the process of looking into it.
On top of that I find a couple of other offers in my email for mentorship and/or free seminars. One in particular was from yet another well known national guru who is inviting me out to his investing seminars for free. He thinks his education is unique and will be the key to my success. I have heard a lot about him before but haven’t tried his courses yet. There was nothing mentioned about mentorship but I suspect that may have been a possibility as well. I tell this guru that I’m not yet sure if I can make it, but I will see and get back to him.
Reason I’m saying all this, is because at this point of the story I have several mentorship/educational offers on the table. They all sound pretty good, so I am having to make a tough choice.
I call Prlinbiz and tell her that I put the other guys on hold and I want to proceed. I still am not 100% sold on her offer because of too many unknowns. I figured she will explain all the details to me and “sell me” on her deal as soon as she formulates a plan.
However, she heard me say “It’s a green light, where do I sign?”. (This I found out later, when we met in person and I heard her side of the story).
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Friday, October 27, 2006
Feeling pressured over IM…
Prlinkbiz sends me over some paperwork and invites me to a 3-way instant messenger chat with The Phoenix Investor Lady to iron out the details. Both of them are ready to move on it and don’t want to waste any more time. I have a pretty busy day and don’t really get a chance to look at the documents and it’s already night time. Prlinkbiz says they want this stuff tied up tonight and is waiting for me to get on IM.
I come home from the office late and briefly tell my wife what’s going on. (I should have been in better communication with her throughout this whole time). I don’t have time to fill her in on all the details because I have to get online. Prlinkbiz said they will be up as late as needed.
Midnight…
I’m starting to feel a little bit bothered by the urgency of this whole thing. Why does it have to be done tonight? “I’m not ready to sign anything yet” I tell myself. After I take care of a few household things, I go online anyway.
I join the chat still expecting to “be sold” on this deal. At this point all I heard was an idea. Where are the details? I still don’t know exactly what I’m being offered. So I open up the documents.
I read the contract and I see something that I do not agree with. Something that affects me in a big way. It’s a big red flag to me. I’m startled by it, because we haven’t discussed this issue before. And I’m expected to sign this thing… tonight!.
Not knowing what to think of it, I start asking somebody to please give me a clear explanation of the offer and the plan. I don’t get a clear answer. Just “refer to the agreement, if you don’t like something let us know and we can discuss it”.
I’m getting frustrated and confused. It’s as if we skipped a step here. Where is the plain-English explanation of the offer? Just a cryptic document that is not very clear to me.
So I try to figure it out on my own and start asking questions and bring up the “red flag” issue.
“I though that’s what we agreed upon” she said. “What??”, I think to myself. I’m starting to get a heavy feeling on my heart. We’re obviously NOT on the same page.
(I don’t want to blame Prlinkbiz too much. I found out later that at this point of the story she thinks that I’m getting cold feet. From her side, I already verbally agreed to the “deal” and we’re just finalizing it.)
Around 2 am…
The conversation doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Talking over IM also doesn’t help. I am now very resistant to moving forward and want to meet in-person first. I log out and give Prlinkbiz a call. I say that I don’t feel comfortable moving forward until we meet.
“You need to sign this offer tonight or there is no deal”, was her response. “You’re playing with the big dogs now, and we don’t have time to wait for you”, she said in a pleasant yet forceful tone. I was startled by the ultimatum!
“I feel that’s unreasonable”, I respond trying to control my emotions, “This is a very serious decision and we need to meet in person first”.
“You have till noon tomorrow to get back to me with an answer”, she said. That is pretty much the end of the conversation. I feel like I am not being heard and my concerns do not matter.
Needless to say, I now have a very negative feeling about the whole thing. I go to bed thinking that this kind of treatment is not OK with me.
Of course, now I am not even sure if the Phoenix trip is still on. I don’t know if Prlinkbiz is upset with me or what. Maybe she will try to cancel the whole thing. I go to sleep with these thoughts.
(I later found out Prlinkbiz was very concerned about me too. To her it looked like I said “Yes” but then tried to go back on my word. So that’s why she was applying pressure.)
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Saturday, October 28, 2006
The next morning…
I wakeup late thinking about all this stuff and send Prlinkbiz the following email:
I’m not ready to make any commitments until after we meet next week. Thank you for your understanding.
Prlinkbiz responds:
At this point, [The Phoenix Investor Lady] and I agree with you. It would be better to meet face to face. What you need to do is go through and decide what you want and what you need, and perhaps add that into the contract or specify which parts you would like changed.
It would be great to hammer it out and then have it ready to be signed and done Monday night when you get here.
OK… looks like the Robert Kiyosaki meeting is still on. But I still have a very sour taste from all the pressure and the “ultimatum”. The whole thing feels weird to me. I just want to go meet Robert Kiyosaki and be done with it. No entanglements.
Back to East Coast Mentor…
With my emotions still raw, I call up The East Coast Mentor’s right-hand man. I tell him the other deal is not going to work out and I’m ready to go full speed ahead.
We get on 3-way with The Mentor and get the ball rolling again. I ask to meet with The Mentor in-person to solidify the deal and start our “kick-off” session. The Mentor generously offers to fly me in from Phoenix on Thursday, spend the night at his house and fly me back to Sacramento on Friday. I’m excited.
I don’t tell Prlinkbiz about this yet, figuring, I will have a heart-to-heart with her when we meet and have a chance to explain everything.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Proving myself…
On Sunday I get the following email from Prlinkbiz:
In order to move forward with meeting Robert Kiyosaki, I need you to sign the authenticity verification form and get it back to me. I just need to make sure that I have verify that your story is true. I’m sure it is, so that should be no problem.
I offer not only to sign the authenticity agreement but to also send a copy of all the closing statements for the properties. (The authenticity agreement just states that “everything is true” and I’m not lying about my story).
I have a family function and then some personal issues come up and I end up staying up very late. So I don’t get the chance to send the authenticity and closing statements to Prlinkbiz until Monday. That got her worried a little bit. I found later that she thought I might be a fake.
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Monday, October 30, 2006
Arriving to Phoenix…
I wake up late and send over the authenticity and closing statements. Prlinkbiz is happy to see that I’m not a fake and I’m still coming. I give her the flight details. She offers to pick me up at the airport, take me out for some food and take me to my hotel. That’s very nice of her.
My wife helps me pack my luggage and I’m off to jump on the plane. I arrive to Phoenix from Sacramento at 9:30PM.
Prlinkbiz and The Investor Lady pick me up and we go grab some burgers at In-n-Out. We have a good time talking. Both ladies are very nice and have pleasant personalities. The Investor Lady really knows what she’s talking about when it comes to real estate. I feel I can learn a lot from her.
Afterwards we try to find my hotel but have problems. I get on the phone with Todd of ToddStopsForeclosure.com. He is the one who sponsored my flight and hotel. I double-check the address of the hotel with him. We try to find it again, but it’s taking too much time and is getting late.
The Investor Lady offers to put me up at a different hotel for one night. That’s very generous of her!
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Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Meeting Robert Kiyosaki…
The nice Investor Lady picks me up from the hotel and takes me to Cashflow Technologies headquarters in Scottsdale. I get a chance to talk to her a little bit more more about real estate. I like her personality and get a sense of integrity about her dealings. That makes me feel good.
I was surprised how Robert Kiyosaki’s office is smaller then one would imagine. Don’t get me wrong, it’s inside of a nice new building in a prime location of downtown Scottsdale. But for a large international corporation it looks pretty humble. And there are not huge number of employees either. I guess Robert Kiyosaki runs a tight ship. No excess fat.
They talked about me during the staff meeting this morning so everybody was expecting me. We’re welcomed with a lot of enthusiasm. There is a lot of positive energy around this place. It’s a very nice break from all the negativity I have been getting on the blog.
I go into the studio and await the taping of Rich Dad TV. Then Robert walks in. He has a copy of the USA Today article with him. He is dressed in what looks like exercise clothes - as if he just came back from a jog. We shake hands and make some small talk. Robert is very approachable and easy to talk to. I respect that. I also feel slightly over-dressed. I would have been much more comfortable in my distressed jeans and trendy shirt.
The show starts with Robert making an introduction and bringing me upfront. He then sits down in the audience and has me tell my story. He comes back up to ask me questions and give me words of encouragement. The audience also has some questions for me.
After the show I go on a tour of the Cashflow Technologies office and get to meet the staff. It was a nice treat. They really make me feel special. Robert Kiyosaki invites me for another Rich Dad TV taping tomorrow with guest speaker Wayne Palmer. Robert Kiyosaki also invites me to a book study event this weekend and offers to cover the hotel and plane trip back.
Working out the “issues” at lunch…
Up to this point we haven’t really talked about our issues from Friday night. The ladies take me out to lunch after the taping. I seize the opportunity.
I first ask them to tell me their impression of me so far. I asked them to be direct, even if they have critical things to share. I learn a lot from that. I realize that they meant well and we just had a big misunderstanding. I tell them that I now have a good feeling about them now that we have met in-person. Both of them really do seem genuine - just wanting to help me out.
Furthermore, the Investor Lady thinks that I’ve been messing around too much. To her it seems that I’m spending too much time on my blog and I am being distracted by all this notoriety. She thinks I need to get down to business and actually start doing stuff to solve my problems. There is a lot of truth to that.
We then address my concerns about working together. We talk through the issues and get better understanding of both sides. Very productive meeting.
I tell them that I decided to meet with The East Coast Mentor in-person later in the week and that I may still be working with him. The ladies told me to get my act together and make a decision. “We just want to see you start working on a solution one way or another… with us or someone else“, they said. I appreciated their genuine understanding and encouragement!
The Investor Lady takes me to my original hotel (we finally find it). I want to do some thinking and catch-up on my email/comments.
On the way over, I talk to her some more about real estate and other things. I get a better feel for her as a person. I gain a certain level of respect for her real estate expertise and her “do the right thing” integrity-filled ISTJ guardian personality (my guess). She is very humble about it too.
I can tell that she also doesn’t like to mess around with flaky people. Many people want to work with her but she is pretty picky about who she takes. And here she is offering me a sweet opportunity and I’m not taking it.
Yet another impulsive decision…
After I get dropped off at the hotel I collapse down on the armchair, feeling overwhelmed by the events of the day. Both Prlinkbiz and The Phoenix Investor Lady seem so genuine. They just want to help me! We pretty much worked out our issues over lunch and now they’re waiting for me to stop messing around. What am I waiting for??
So I get on my computer and send the following message to The East Coast Mentor and his right-hand man:
SUBJECT: Turning down the opportunity
I am very sorry to be going back-n-forth like this, but…
I am choosing to turn down this opportunity to work with you. I was offered a [great opportunity] and they have a very good real estate mentorship package as part of the deal. There was some miscommunication originally about that but today we got all that straightened out. I am also extending my stay here until the weekend.
Again, thank you SO much for offering your help and [the] opportunity. At the end of the day, I’m only turning it down because of a business decision. I wish we can maybe work together in the future, because I really like both of your guy’s approach to business and [life].
[The Mentor], I will call SouthWest and have them refund the money back to your credit card.
Thanks again guys! Feel free to call me anytime for any reason.
I get the following response from the right-hand man:
I am admittedly a little frustrated, having spent the lion’s share of my day today working on this.
Anyway, my best to you moving forward.
Man, I feel really bad for leading people on and then changing my mind. It affects people more then I realize…
I small amount of doubt again enters my mind: “Did I make the right decision?”. I push the doubt down - I’m tired of this torture. My emotions are maxed out for the day. I feel very tired. I need a nap.
I return my wife’s call. I give her a quick recap of the day but do not tell her anything about my decisions. I tell her that I feel tired and want to take a nap.
It’s 6PM on Halloween. I lay down for my late nap and I don’t wake up until next morning.
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Wednesday, November 1st, 2006
Another Rich Dad TV Taping…
I wake up at 6 AM amazed that I just slept for 12 hours. I really needed it. Now I feel rested and energized. I get ready to go to another taping. The Investor Lady sends somebody to pick me up and bring me to the studio.
The taping goes well. Robert Kiyosaki introduces Wayne Palmer as the main speaker. Wayne talks about analyzing big real estate deals and goes over a few examples. Then I am brought up on camera again to share my experience of “What NOT to do”.
There was another guest speaker, a successful real estate developer from Australia. He was inspiring to listen to because he started in his 20s and is now financially independent. He is only in his 30s. Both speakers sympathized with my troubles and encouraged me to keep going.
Robert Kiyosaki officially gives me a gift of Rich Dad coaching. It’s a phone mentoring program where I talk with a coach on a daily basis to make sure I’m on track. I thank Robert for the gift.
“Wow, yet another mentoring solution to add to the mix”, I think to myself. After the taping, I talk with a staff member in charge of setting up the coaching and he asks me when I want to start. He encourages me take advantage of it and perhaps my success story can be used as a testimonial. I tell him I’m not ready to decide because I have another mentorship opportunity in the works and I need to see how that’s going to go first.
Telling the ladies “letsgoforit”…
Prlinkbiz and The Investor Lady take me out to lunch again. I tell them about my decision to move forward. “Starting right now I will do whatever you want me to do and I will sign whatever I need to sign. Letsgoforit!!”, I say.
I go on to tell them how sick I am of being in this mess and how I’m ready for action. I thank Prlinkbiz for arranging for me to meet Robert Kiyosaki. I thank her for introducing me to The Phoenix Investor Lady. I tell The Investor Lady that if she is still willing take me on, I’m ready… right now!
Signing…
So we go to her office to sign the paperwork. We print out the original agreement and I go ahead and sign without any modifications.
While I’m signing, the question comes up. “Is your wife aware of all this?”. I fire back: “Of course! She is supportive of my decisions, as long as I find a way to get us out of this mess and allow her to continue her education.”
But then I think some more about it. I remember my wife telling me before I left: “Run any decisions by me before signing anything”. Crap! I push the thought down for now.
Questions…
The NDA and the agreement is signed. I turn to the ladies for my next step of action. Here are my questions:
What’s my next step?
How do I stop foreclosure and repay my debt?
Should I try to stop foreclosure and repay my debt?
How do I sell my houses fast?
Or should I just focus on producing income?
What’s the fastest way to make money in real estate?
How do I become a successful real estate investor?
Should I continue to blog about it or wait until later?
What’s the game plan???
Is there game plan???
So I am expecting some clear directions at this point. But there is none. Just more talking about ideas:
Idea about The Investor Lady flying over to Sacramento and helping me with my properties…. idea that I need to stay in Phoenix for a while and watch her do her thing… idea that I really should be learning in my own hometown of Sacramento…. idea that without her local connections The Investor Lady’s will not be able to help me very fast in Sacramento… idea that I need to go back to Sacramento and learn how to wholesale on my own… idea that I still need to spend time in Phoenix learning to estimate repairs by watching The Investor Lady… idea… idea… idea….
I feel like my questions are not being answered and I am getting frustrated. My mind begins to spin… too many ideas… too much brainstorming. “WHERE IS THE PLAN??? WHAT’S MY NEXT MOVE???”, I think loudly inside my mind. Perhaps I am expecting too much. Is this yet another misunderstanding?
(Again, I don’t blame the ladies too much. I probably wasn’t doing a good job of communicating my concerns to them. I was looking for a step-by-step plan and they didn’t appear to have one. We obviously had a difference of expectations.)
Right then I get a sinking feeling in my heart.
“The East Cost Mentor had a step-by-step plan for me!” I think to myself. The earlier doubts resurfaced. I get a feeling that I am making a mistake. I want out. NOW!
At the same instant I realize that I must call my wife because she needs to be a part of this decision making. I tell the ladies about it and they agree.
The phone call to my wife…
I walk outside and get my wife on the phone and quickly bring her up to speed. She is MAD!
Wife: “You promised to NOT sign anything before talking to me!!”.
Me: “You’re right honey… I don’t know what’s gotten into me… I’ve been making some really STUPID moves lately”.
Wife: “What about the deal with The East Coast Mentor?”.
Me: “Uh… I kind of cancelled it… I’m sorry! I probably shouldn’t have. He was even going to fly me out and everything. How STUPID. Why DID I DO THAT????”
Wife: “Yeah, WHY DID YOU DO THAT?? You should be meeting him in person too, and be taking time to carefully consider both offers TOGETHER with me!”
I continue to apologize to her for acting like an idiot and making impulsive decisions left and right without consulting her. I feel like I’ve shot myself in the foot again.
Me: “Oh baby, I don’t know what to do… I already told them YES and signed the paperwork… But I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into… I think I’m self-sabotaging again… I dunno… what should I do, baby?”
After some more conversation, we agree that I should politely ask Prlinkbiz to void the agreement and give us more time to figure things out. I thank my wife for knocking some sense into me, hang up and walk back to the office.
I apologize to the ladies and explain that I acted without getting my wife on-board and I’m not ready to commit yet. They said they understand. I ask to have the agreement voided but my request is ignored. I then ask to be taken back to the hotel so I can talk to my wife some more and do some thinking.
Before being dropped off, I ask Prlinkbiz again to see if she would kindly void the contract until further notice.
“I’m not voiding that contract!” she says.
No mentors…
I get into the hotel room and throw myself onto the bed - almost ready to cry. How can I be so impulsive and jump around so much?? I’m hurting people around me with this behaviour. I’m screwing up my own opportunities.
What should I do now?
I consider calling The East Coast Mentor and begging him to work with me again (I already sent off a quick email to him from my PDA during the ride to the hotel. In the email I ask if he would still work with me. No response.)
But then I think it would not be fair to the ladies. I already told them that I was not going to work with The Mentor. They might think that I am now trying to “shop the deal” again. They might think I am trying to screw them. I want to do the right thing.
To make it fair to everybody I decide: “NO MENTORS! I can do it on my own! I already know what to do anyway. I just need to focus.”
I call my wife really quick and tell her about my decision. She begins to see my points a little. However, I fail to mention that I am about to send out the “final” email. I tell her that I’m coming home tonight and need to get packing.
So I get on my laptop and type out the following message to the ladies. And the same exact message to The Mentor and his man:
SUBJECT: Final decision - no mentors.
Sorry guys for all the inconvenience I have put you through in the last couple of days. I feel VERY bad for it. I feel like I stepped on your toes by going forward then pulling back then going forward again.
I feel embarrassed and I’m truly sorry. I need to learn not to be so impulsive. You probably don’t want to work with me anyway, because I can’t seem to commit 100% right now.
I’m deciding to turn down all the mentoring opportunities and do this thing on my own. I have plenty of knowledge already. I just need to focus and go for it.
So thanks for your offer and all your time and all your support. Maybe we can work again in the future, or not. Either case, may God bless you in all that you do.
(We can talk on the phone about this tomorrow if you’d like. I’m out for the night.)
The sudden flight home…
After sending out that email, I am ready to go home immediately. I’m done with Phoenix. I have houses to sell!
I call Southwest to reschedule my flight. I am told that the flight has been cancelled. I remember, I asked the East Coast Mentor to pay for my extended itinerary to visit him on Thursday. Well, after getting my “no deal” email, he must have gone ahead and cancelled the entire itinerary in order to get a refund. So I am now stuck with no a return flight!
I call Southwest reservations and learn that there is still one more flight to Sacramento tonight in about an hour. Cost: $199. I check my wallet and I happen to have just about that much cash left. I quickly pack my bags and catch the next shuttle to the airport.
I successfully buy a ticket at the counter and rush for the security check-point. I get picked for an additional search so I wait as my entire computer bag is inspected gadget by gadget.
I have 15 minutes left before departure and I run to the gate. Crap! Wrong gate!. I double-check my ticket and ran to the other gate. I see Wayne Palmer and his wife hanging out waiting for a flight. I wave to them and keep running. Ah, there it is. I make my flight on time, sweating and breathing heavily. I collapse into the first available row.
Oh crap! I realize I left my sweater and the signed books from Robert Kiyosaki in The Investor Lady’s car. Todd is expecting one of those books as his gift for sponsoring me! Man, why am I so absent minded!?
The airplane picks up speed and takes off. The cabin gets dark and I watch the lights of Phoenix fade into the distance. My troubles are temporarily forgotten as I doze off.
…
The end…
Wow, what a story! I started writing this post around noon time Sunday. It’s now almost 6 AM Monday morning. I’m glad I wrote it. The process of writing helped me sort out my thoughts and figure out why I’ve been acting so impulsively. Although, I’m still trying to figure it all out…
In closing, I want to apologize again to everybody who was affected by my “flip-flopping” around.
I still believe the ladies had good intentions to help me. I am very thankful to them, especially to Prlinkbiz for Robert Kiyosaki meeting. They were both very encouraging and supportive of me. We just were never truly on the same page. And I think it was MY fault for: 1) I failing to communicate my needs/desires clearly and 2) I jumping into it impulsively without thinking everything out.
In hindsight, The East Coast Mentor might have been a better opportunity because it seemed like there was going to be an actual plan. I sure wish it would have worked out.
I think I lost both opportunities. Self-sabotage.
Man, that sucks!
Filed under personal / feelings, other stuff
Revisiting Old Mistakes
Dallas Lender Received Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure
129 Comments
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1. shadash
November 6th, 2006 at 7:32 am
It’s amazing who would have thought…
“When you swim with sharks sometimes they bite!”
The people you were working with are scamsters through and through. Much like you aspire to be but are just to stupid to follow through on.
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2. Mike
November 6th, 2006 at 7:32 am
Your blog is an interesting read. With all of your media exposure, you could easily recover any costs with effective monetization of your website.
If you need any help, please shoot me an email.
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3. Duane
November 6th, 2006 at 8:01 am
A curious thing is how there isn’t a mention of a “lawyer” anywhere in this story. Typically when faced with a hard sell on a contract a person asks a lawyer to review it.
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4. Youramoron
November 6th, 2006 at 8:01 am
You are a dope, you have a signed contract. Your SOL…again
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5. Legion
November 6th, 2006 at 8:13 am
Unbelievable..I think your little story above says it all…man what a flake. Do you honor your word with anybody? Or are you just going to keep dropping people you’ve committed to once you THINK you have a better deal?
You should take a lesson from Stupid Too (who isn’t by the way) and learn a thing about honoring committments, hard work and sacrifice.
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6. Frank In SF
November 6th, 2006 at 8:16 am
Seems to me that people wanted to jump on your coattails and take advantage of the immense PR they would gain from aligning with you. Imagine the possible story of helping someone on the brink escape foreclosure and then marketing this to the masses that are about to face the same problems. That’s their real intent…not to save you, yet you’d have been helped in the process.
So you’re final decision to go it alone, without contractual agreement with these so called angels, is a good one, even if you ended there haphazardly.
Dude, take a breather. I understand the pressure. They all wanted to bag your story for themselves since you created such a stir. Be careful of wolves in sheeps clothes.
As always, I’ll be watching to see what happens.
Frank In SF
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7. Jim
November 6th, 2006 at 8:19 am
Don’t worry about it Casey. You’re just a kid. You get pushed around easily by other people because you have yet to develop a spine. But with some more experience, you will learn to force people to move at YOUR own pace, evaluate opportunities rationally, and stop making impulsive and stupid decisions based on incomplete information. After all, that’s what got you into this terrible mess in the first place!!
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8. edward allen
November 6th, 2006 at 8:24 am
Great decisions. You were absolutely right rejecting these schemes, which were patently dubious. Obviously, these people were trying to get control of your valuable properties. Go with your instincts. After all your experience, you have learned the basic lesson in life: don’t trust anyone. “Learn to use your emotions to think, not think with your emotions,” RK advises
P.S. Love the shrinks on the previous posts. But I think they’ve missed an obvious diagnosis: masochism. As an irrelevant aside, RK’s hatred of his father is classic Oedipal complex.
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9. Unbelievable
November 6th, 2006 at 8:27 am
Get off the fence and do something productive !
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10. Robert Coté
November 6th, 2006 at 8:40 am
Amazing how things don’t work out when your worldview doesn’t agree with reality. Hint; it isn’t reality that’s got a problem. Casey, you don’t even know how much you don’t know. Despite the thousands of lines and 18 hours you wasted the problem remains the same: You don’t have houses, the banks have houses. Don’t believe me? Go down to the Recorders Office and look at the titles. Casey, you have debt, lots of debt. And exposure, lots of exposure, so much exposure that others are being exposed as well. It isn’t your focus to “sell houses.” You need to reduce debt. A lot. And fast. Your “story” is not an investment. Check out the laws in California about profitting from criminal activity. Learn the difference between famous and infamous.
As to Todd’s present; why not check the book out of the library, forge a signature and give it to him? If you could answer why not you wouldn’t be in this mess. Another week older and again you are poorer and no wiser.
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11. Joe
November 6th, 2006 at 8:59 am
I can sum up what you’ve learned so far..You’re a complete idiot and have no business in the real estate field. And you plan on staying in this business? With your rep. you have no chance of succeeding in this industry. You are destined to name tags and hair nets.
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12. Falconer
November 6th, 2006 at 9:01 am
Wow … incredible … how self-destructive …
Words just fail me…
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13. Mtgpro
November 6th, 2006 at 9:25 am
Its too bad it went down as it did. I think you do need some kind of help (mentors/advisors, etc.) to get out of this mess.
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14. Blah
November 6th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Wow. I’m really at a loss for words. It almost seems as if you WANT to fail.
Have you noticed anything about the people that you see and are successful? You told of someone who started in their 20’s and are financially secure now in their 30’s. Did they get that way in 8 months? No.
The lady who acheived her success through experience should tell you that it shouldn’t take mentors upon mentors to figure this out.
Now they have you on tape telling your story of what not to do. They will use that in their marketing materials for years to come, and they will make a lot of money with it. You will get nothing for it, except for a signed book you forgot in the car, and just a lot of burnt bridges behind you.
I will agree with everyone that gives you positive comments that your persistence is truly amazing. But where I counter is that it is your persistance of self sabotage that is truly the most amazing aspect of the whole situation.
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15. Robbie
November 6th, 2006 at 9:35 am
Try “Serendipity” not “Synchronicity”.
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16. Sputnik the Cat
November 6th, 2006 at 9:44 am
You are doomed.
However, if you give me fishy treats I will make all your decisions for you. I have a brain the size of a walnut, but couldn’t possibly do worse than you!
Sputnik_the_Cat
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17. UNREAL
November 6th, 2006 at 9:46 am
Casey,
Have you heard a thing I have outlined? You need serious help. In my opinion you have NPD. Mrs. Serin, if you are reading this, I urge you to take action to protect yourself. Casey is not a lucid person. He has displayed a life-long propensity to operate on the wrong side of the law.
Obviously, through his ongoing actions and thought processes, he is determined to continue in this death spiral. He will drag you and any one else he can bnefit off of down with him. On numerous times he has displayed total lack of concern for your well being. It is time for you to wake up, and comprehend the situation that you are in. You married a very disturbed and morally bankrupt person that cares nothing about anything except his own warped sense of reality.
At lease you cannot plead innocence when you are bfore the judge. You have some serious decisions ahead of you. I would be talking to a divorce attorney and a therapist, at a minumum.
Regarding Casey, he is so self absorbed in his fantasy that I doubt even jail time and bankruptcy will cause him to face reality. In my opinion, he is a very disturbed young man. Reading this last post of his was painful. It reveals a tortured, twisted mind full of anxiety, panic, and at the same time a euhporic tone. Casey lives for the excitement itself. His life most likely has always been and will always be a series of erratic highs and lows. There can be no tranquillity. He will even create turmoil to satisfy his need for “excitment.”
After reading this latest ranting, I am convinced that Casey will fail miserably at extruding himself from this current self-inflicted fiasco. Even if he did, he would soon be engrossed in another one, as this is part of his illness.
The people that I feel sorry for are the people he swindled, and the unkowing family or friends that trusted him.
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18. ms
November 6th, 2006 at 9:47 am
well, you’re starting to grow up. please remember that there is no “step-by-step” plan for anything… Bush hasn’t been able to make the world a better place, etc…
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19. drama queen
November 6th, 2006 at 9:54 am
you’re a drama queen not a bidnessman
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20. Landlord
November 6th, 2006 at 10:02 am
Not to speak bad about anyone, but you are right about one thing. You do not need ideas, you need a plan. Learning about evaluating repairs and finding deals could be extremely valuable information 2-3 years from now, but right now you have an immediate problem and you need an answer.
The bad news is that I don’t think any “Mentor” is going to have a solution for you right now. Aside from buying you out with their own cash, the only plan they could truly offer you would be to finish the problem (declare bankruptcy), get an income, and start over from scratch.
Once you’re back on solid ground, you can save up money to invest, and learn all you can about repairs, landlording and finding great deals. You can start over. Trying to deal your way out of this is doomed to fail. The cure will almost certainly be worse than the symptom.
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21. Kimber
November 6th, 2006 at 10:14 am
Casey,
Here’s some blunt talk.
Doers do. They don’t hold out for the ideal deal, they take the best deal in front of them. The way I see it, you’re getting offers left, right, and center yet you sit on the fence waiting for a better deal. You’re not only wasting your time but you’re wasting the time of your generous mentors, mentors that could be helping other people in need.
The people who will truly be of help to you will want to make a decision immediately and then move (yes, actually take action). They are busy people, not willing to waste time on a charity case while they wait for him to make up his mind.
You spent a day on this post while interest is accruing on your properties and the help you need walks away.
Oh, and if you’re waiting for a “book deal” to save your butt, remember that your story is only saleable if you get yourself OUT of foreclosure. Any idiot can get himself into foreclosure.
I hear from numerous sources that you’re a nice guy. Well, even nice guys only get so many chances. Time for you to fish or cut bait.
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22. Walter
November 6th, 2006 at 10:38 am
I’m dumbfounded. Seriously, you went through all of the back and forth with these ladies out in Phoenix without once walking through step-by-step how you would resolve the outstanding issues–mainly your near immediate foreclosures on multiple properties?
Were you too wrapped up in discussing the pretty packaging and merchandising of your “Miraculous Comeback” to actually get to the nitty-gritty?
And stop with the “self-sabotaging” bit–there is no wiggle room out of this. You are a self-serving scam artist. You didn’t sabotage yourself in any of this–you acted on your usual clueless impulses. Grow a brain, and take responsibility for your actions.
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23. mike
November 6th, 2006 at 10:39 am
There was some blatant honesty in there. You show your true motivation for all of this, mentoring, bail out, bigger oppotunities. The best idea, and the one I always thought you were going for was the book for the bail out by someone else.
The fact you are still spending so much time blogging shows how hard it is to change.
Not long ago, a Fast Company article, actually the cover story, was about people facing death will only change the negative behaviors for a small period od time. 9 out of 10 will not change permenently. I fear this for you.
You show traits of addiction, impulsivity, as well as the dieters who come up with plans for next Monday.
You may have blown good chances but some smaller ones for sure are out there but you will shoot yourself in the foot most likely
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24. Big Cheese
November 6th, 2006 at 10:49 am
Casey,
You really need to stop and think… really take time to do this without acting and jumping so fast. Think about the logical sequence of things and what possibilities are available to you at all times. And the consequences of your actions will change the opportunities available so you need to think a few steps ahead as well.
This is often mentally draining so do it during exercise (don’t listen to music or watch TV.. .just think!) or try and meditate. Unplug. Forget about the blog for a little while. It will be here when you come back.
More opportunities will come your way, you just need to be receptive to them. You know what you need to do- you need to get the monkey off your back and you can start to do this yourself.
Big Cheese
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25. HungryBear
November 6th, 2006 at 10:49 am
Take th quiz. Let us know how you score.
http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm
Adult ADD/ADHD Test
Jasper/Goldberg Adult ADD Screening Quiz
by Larry Jasper & Ivan Goldberg
Use this questionnaire to help determine if you need to see a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment of ADD or ADHD in an adult.
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26. keith
November 6th, 2006 at 11:08 am
Kid, just like sucking you dry for thousands of $$$ before you launched your real estate career, these publicity-w***** are not interested in you - they’re interested in how you can help THEM.
You’re on your own. Once you realise that, you’re good to go.
Now go.
Keith (housingpanic)
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27. Tom
November 6th, 2006 at 11:24 am
You shouldn’t have been so wishy-washy on your decision and obviously you figured out you should have communicated better, but it sounds like these people are just offering their “help”. Unless someone has a solid offer (i will buy your houses for XX dollars), in exchange for some kind of media deal, screw it.
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28. Bubba Bigtoe
November 6th, 2006 at 11:53 am
Anon, wherefor art thou? That which would exist by any other name would smell and write as sweet. We need you now more than ever!
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29. John
November 6th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Please go play in traffic
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30. gozar
November 6th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
you probably won’t approve this comment, but those two ‘ladies’ sound like real t**** .
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31. A Lawyer
November 6th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
If you don’t want to publish this I understand…but man, you have really got some issues. And the worse ones aren’t monetary.
You are SERIOUSLY ruining your life…no really. STOP F****** AROUND. Mentoring? What the hell do you expect them to tell you? There are no big secrets to real estate investing. You need to be able to properly assess the value of property and have some knowledge of how the market works.
What do you think RK or the ladies, or your “local rich dad” or the east coast guy are gonna do? Wave the magic wand?
It’s over. You’re no entrepreneur. Sell the f***** properties and consolidate your losses. DEAL WITH THIS NOW. Stop waiting for someone to show you the easy way out of this mess. There is no easy way out. IT’S OVER! What you are doing is making the situation worse. What’s the point in blogging two hours a day on this? What has this fame made possible? That you met RK? He’s a fraud btw. He has no business experience outside of selling his books. His editorial on yahoo finance regularly reveals he has no understanding whatsoever of finance. He’s a guru like Hubbard, Bhagwan etc.
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32. Casey Serin
November 6th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
@Hungry Bear: I scored 39 on that test. I answered everything as honest as I could. Is that bad?
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33. fijirobe
November 6th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
wow-just when I thought you couldnt get any stupider. You keep saying you need advice, help, mentoring, blah blah blah. What you really need is a sledgehammer to the head. You wasted all that time in Phoenix, not just your time either, and you accomplished NOTHING. Not only that you managed to offend to potential life savers, even better you blogged about your impulsive wishy-washy train of thought, so any other potential investors/saviors who read this are going to run away real fast. I have been reading this for a while and I still dont know what you are looking to accomplish. You really must think that some magic fairy is going to drop 2.4 million in front of you so you not only sell all your houses…but make a profit. Like EVERYONE else has said, lose the “get rich quick” mentality. You cost yourself thousands a week by doing nothing.
copywright fijirobe 2006
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34. Legion
November 6th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
If you had actually TAKEN the test you could have pressed score my result and got your answer..alternatively..because you have ADHD you might have gotten distracted and didn’t bother to look…lol what a jerk
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35. PT Barnum Is Alive and Well
November 6th, 2006 at 1:00 pm
DIpshit,
If you bothered to look at the scale on the right when you finished, you would have seen that a 39 scores positive for ADHD. But as you probably have it you couldn’t focus enough to see it. You had to run back and post it here.
What a tool.
BTW.. 15 here.
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36. Nigel Swaby
November 6th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Casey,
Here’s a tip that will help in your decision making. When you get the type of exposure you’ve received, a whole bunch of people will start crawling out of the woodwork, some with good intentions, some with bad.
I know you’re in a time sensitive situation, but you can still be decisive without being rash. Simply ask for all proposals, deals, promises, plans or ideas to be put in writing. Don’t agree to or sign anything that isn’t. You’ll eliminate most of the scam artists this way. Now all you have left are serious people and with your offers in writing it will be easier to make a decision. You’ll also have a little bit of protection should a “deal” not work out.
I hope that by now you have an attorney you can seek advice from. If you don’t, for goodness sakes, get one. I would also suggest getting an agent or manager who is experienced to help you. You’ll need a book agent and a movie/TV agent. When seeking these professionals, the same thing applies - get everything in writing before you commit or sign anything.
I hope this helps.
Nigel
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37. Andy
November 6th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
This blog has officially jumped the shark
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38. Abigail
November 6th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Wow…after reading all this, I was sad.
Casey had more money in his wallet than I do! Where did you get $199 from?
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39. Mr. Flipper
November 6th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
To “ms”
You wrote, “…please remember that there is no “step-by-step” plan for anything… Bush hasn’t been able to make the world a better place, etc…”
Uh, please remember…that there is no “step-by-step plan”…because Bush…what?
This has got to be the most completely, mind-numbingly, stupid advice ever.
I know you mean well, but wow!
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40. moom
November 6th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
It’s pretty easy to see now how Casey got into all those bad hosue deals in the first place… hopefully he can learn from all this experience.
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41. ms
November 6th, 2006 at 3:09 pm
“This has got to be the most completely, mind-numbingly, stupid advice ever.”
as they say, “we’re stuck in Iraq with a trillion dollar tab.”
to believe that somebody has a plan to sell overpriced homes in this market is beyond me…
if Casey would have kept mum, perhaps the Phonenix lady or the Northeast mentor would have had a few friends who would have bought those homes– as a marketing expense– and then, later, entice a bunch of folks into buying “the advice that saved Casey.”
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42. Joe
November 6th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
These people offering to help you want something in return. I would be very wary. And what could they tell you that so many people on this site haven’t already said for free?
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43. ymous
November 6th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
“…where I trade my technical expertise …”
In what?
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44. Sac Realtor
November 6th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
Casey,
Hang in there only a few more months until Spring when prices will rise and you can make big money flipping out of these homes and buy more to flip.
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45. Huckster
November 6th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
How long until a faith-based financial wizard swoops in to help Casey sort out his personal and financial problems? Even without all the talk of viral marketing, the “Getting Saved” artwork with the life preserver is awfully suspicious on the website of a guy who professes to be religious while routinely making decisions that would make even Jesus slap his forehead and say “Doh!”
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46. cool mention of casey
November 6th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
All press is good press…
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/arti.....llloyd.DTL
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47. star
November 6th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
What’s up with the Texas property? Isn’t tomorrow the deadline?
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48. SerinGas
November 6th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Oh man oh man. You have so much growing up to do, but unfortunately, this experience will only leave with some pretty sweet blogging skills. I have to agree with many others - stop messing around, and either short sale or bk. If you’re interested in business or real estate, go back to school or get a job (read J-O-B, not mentorship). There is no deus ex machina here. Your situation is not unique amongst trend-”investors.” Throw away all those stupid Rich Dad books, take care of business, go get your RE license (or go get some other RE-related job), pay your dues just like everyone else, and if you find that you have a knack, intelligence, and luck, maybe, MAYBE, some day you will be a successful RE BUSINESSman. If you ever get to that point, I have a very strong feeling that you’ll discover it will be nothing like you imagine it as being. At which point, you’ll probably move on to the next hot get rich quick scheme (there’s some good books on beating the casinos at blackjack or craps, or maybe daytrading?). What you’re doing is not RE or business, it’s playing games.
I think the life you’re looking to lead would be best attained by going into marketing or starting your own self-help/get rich quick seminars. But that would assume that you help yourself and/or get rich which seem to be tall orders right now.
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49. Casey Serin… strange dude. « Bring the Cash Flow
November 6th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
[…] There was more activity on Serin’s blog again today. This-time he spent 18-hours coming up with an explanation of everything that happened on his Pheonix trip. […]
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50. Compassion in Short Supply
November 6th, 2006 at 3:58 pm
Hello, Casey;
There is finally some very good advice in here, but a lot of judgement, still. Passing judgement is reserved for God, alone, people! By reading your blog, I can see that you are a genuine person and do need some guidance- in a situation like this; who wouldn’t?!
I suspect the same about the guru offers - all they have is “ideas”. Casey, do your homework, test hypothesises, and go with the best ideas and information you have at hand. Your experience is unique and so you muct complie all of that data and take the best actions you can. Just think in terms of “one property at a time” or you will become weighed down by decisions.
Above all, avoid foreclosure at all costs. I think these gurus are just taking you on as a “project” with no real plans, either. It won’t hurt them when you fail and lose your houses; they will just say you did something wrong.
Anyone that presses you to sign a contract when you are CLEARLY in a deep financial hole is out to profit from what you still have left to offer. If they want to help you out of the kindness of their hearts and accept whatever ‘thank you’ gift you give them (free press, etc), then fine, but these people are out to capitalize on your new-found fame and search-engine results.
You show great charachter by still speaking kindly of PRLinkBiz and the others. Life is life; anyone that has hard feelings about you changing your mind is just trying to throw a guilt trip for not getting their hidden intentions fufilled. For crying out loud, you are still in foreclosure; these people are just seeing the PR train and want to hitch a ride by acting like they can help you (and maybe they can). I suspect that their real desire is getting in on the profit they could realize as the result of your Press. There is nothing inherently wrong with them wanting to profit for helping you, but you have a very real situation happening and no more time for blindly following other’s “ideas” anymore.
That said, KNOW that there is profit to be made from your PR and FIND it! Get an agent and a book agent, etc.. but never stop working your way out. Investigate, Plan, take action, and revise your plan as needed. It’s okay to take time to rest and relax a bit, otherwise you will end up depressed and become trapped by so many options with no clear answers. It’s better to act and fail than to fail to act.
All of these people are interested in your story and the gurus are coming out of the wood-works to further their empire by helping you. That’s great if they help you, but don’t sign anything with them unless it’s just a NCND - except if they are going to PAY you a guaranteed amount or a GENEROUS percentage of the proceeds received as a result of your press-train. If all of these people see money to be made in your circumstance, then find the money for yourself!
There is more than one way to make money and there is money to be made here, as well. Just don’t give up…
Again, I say- RENT out those houses for money- month to month.
www.Craigslist.org
Good luck & God bless!
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51. Lauryn
November 6th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Oh my goodness, I cannot stop laughing…
Ms. Prlinkbiz claims to be one of the ‘big dogs’…okay. So I go to her site and I see that she runs a jewelry cart at the mall?!
HA HA HA
Casey, be thankful you got out of that before you got in too deep!
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52. Legion
November 6th, 2006 at 4:31 pm
Posted by “ZACK”
So let’s take this from a point of status:
1. What you did will not result in death
2. You’ve got nothing to loose
(Only one retard I know keeps mistaking the word lose FOR loose, I guess Casey really is plugging with different aliases)
3. You can’t change the past, what’s done is done
4. You can change the future
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53. Legion
November 6th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Mr. Flipper
November 6th, 2006 at 2:11 pm To “ms”
You wrote, “…please remember that there is no “step-by-step” plan for anything… Bush hasn’t been able to make the world a better place, etc…”
Uh, please remember…that there is no “step-by-step plan”…because Bush…what?
This has got to be the most completely, mind-numbingly, stupid advice ever.
I know you mean well, but wow!
Lol I hate to admit it but I gotta agree with you on this one Mr. Flipper! Incidentally, I read your post to one of the other bloggers, and it is obvious that you really do know what you are talking about, and that you actually can walk the walk. My apologies for my previous posts about you. I wish you the best.
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54. ms
November 6th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
“Lol I hate to admit it but I gotta agree with you on this one Mr. Flipper!”
You laugh but, after reading how indecisive Casey is, I thought he should “cut and run” like others suggest.
Otherwise, he’ll be like Bush and keep destroying things in the name of glory.
Casey, get out while your ahead– don’t get further behind!
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55. Voice of Reason
November 6th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
This is just too painful to read anymore.
I had a guy who once worked for me that was always in some sort of financial crisis. I had the company even bail him out once.
My first impression was - poor guy, but he’s pretty good at crisis management.
My second impression was - he’s good at it because he keeps putting himself in bad situations because of bad judgement.
Third and final impression - fired him because he spent way too much time at work dealing with self-inflicted problems.
Casey reminds me of him. I feel sorry for Casey - he was ’smart’ enough to get him self into this, but not NEARLY smart enough to get out without help. And, he KEEPS REJECTING HELP!
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56. star
November 6th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Please make your next investment a few shirts, preferably not blue.
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57. SayWhat?
November 6th, 2006 at 5:55 pm
This has to be the most elaborate Nigerian 419 scam I’ve ever seen!
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58. Nobody
November 6th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
Casey,
1. You ARE an adult! Behave like an adult! You are not a kid anymore!
You are 24 and some people still call you “kid” or “too young”, but don’t take that as an excuse for your actions. Start acting like a grown up! Forget about “mentors”. Don’t expect anyone to create a step-by-step plan for you.
2. Stop thinking about best possible deals you can get for your properties and focus on just getting rid of them ASAP! Take a loss, if you have to… But DO something! What did you actually do in last 3-4 weeks? Except for daydreaming and searching for a savior…”mentor”?
3. Get a f**king JOB! People are telling you this all the time and you just keep ignoring them.
Any job (even a high-paying one) you will get will be a “survival job” for you.
Most important: FOCUS!
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59. Tbone
November 6th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Concerning how you got in this mess…
I have been looking to buy a house for the last 3 or 4 years…but having seen the prices appreciate as quickly as they did (at least in California), it was clear to me that the market was overheated and due for a correction.
If it was this obvious to me…and I am no investor, what would make you jump in the market at such a risky time, with so much risk involved?
I am looking to move to Sacramento in about a year…but I am not sure if I will buy then…I think I will bide my time until the cost of a house comes in line with the median income. That may be next year (depending on how fast prices fall) or a few years from now.
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60. yneone
November 6th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Hi Casey - I am feeling so relieved to finally hear your version of what happened. I must say that the “vultures” came out to play and swooped down on you pretty nicely, didn’t they?
Here is my opinion about what happened. I think you got starstruck. I think you saw Robert Whatshisname and was completely blindsided. You saw them in all their glory (raggedy sweatsuit and all) and you were positively starstruck. You made another rash decision (bad move, Casey). I also believe that the New York Mentorship Deal would have been the better deal. The NYMD sounded solid and straightforward…in the end, that deal would have worked out much better.
Now, Prlinkbiz is obviously a feminist who would love to be the person who outsmarts Casey. It would get her the publicity she is seeking and will also make her look like the ULTIMATE FEMINIST to people like her. She and her…er partner were looking (and ARE looking) to make a killing offa you. If they can get publicity and bleed you dry…so be it. They dont care about you, Casey. Afterall, you are of the male species…right? I don’t trust em. And, you better get more legal advice becasue according to Prlinkbiz website, they are coming after you due to your signing the agreement. You gotta stop making such rash decisions, Casey!
Here’s what I say, let them come after you…don’t mention another word about them in the “Press”..don’t give the benefit of publicity…they will stir it up again..watch. Just to get a rise from you…and it’ll be all in the paper. If the press asks to respond to accusations…DON’T! All the hardwork you’ve put into marketing this blog and your story…and they should take the credit! Hell No! Tell them if they want to sue….STAND IN LINE!
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61. Misstrial
November 6th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Tim:
Good post.
Everyone:
I have reached this conclusion, and others who’ve posted have stated their opinion of Casey is that:
He must be hoping for a book or movie deal since he is spending so much time going into print detail about the various circumstances he encounters. What else could this be for but a script or storyline he intends to sell to the right bidder.
I’m thinking that RK’s company wanted rights to Casey’s story and that was the big red flag he referred to above:
“I read the contract and I see something that I do not agree with. Something that affects me in a big way. It’s a big red flag to me.” ~Casey Serin
I think that Casey’s hoping that Plan B (Pitt’s production firm) or Ron Howard, or (take your pick), will give him a personal phone call one fine morning and make him an offer he won’t refuse.
“You need to sell those properties, at the loss that is inevitable. Get the best deal you can, of course, but have no fantasies that some deus ex machinae is going to descend out of the sky and somehow erase the fact that you are underwater on each and every one of these properties.” ~Tim
Hopefully a person facing foreclosure, WHO REALLY WANTS advice/assistance, may read this blog and ACT accordingly. Anything else would be wishful thinking on my part.
~Misstrial, copyright 2006
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62. Real Estate Monkey
November 6th, 2006 at 6:50 pm
Wow. Casey, this is ‘Darwin’s Law’ at work.
I would swear that this is a classic ’sketch-mission’ (the fantastical make-work projects that crystal-meth addicts come up with).
If your teeth stopped chattering long enough, I would bet that you’d also eat your young, or go running off the cliff with them.
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63. Comrade
November 6th, 2006 at 6:53 pm
Again, Casey, you are pure genius.
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64. jim
November 6th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm
I scored 48.
What were we talking about?
If he actually makes some money someday, someone will flash something shiny and it will be gone,
SAC Realtor - Buy a property then. You can’t find someone to go in with you or for you to take advantage of this? If it was a good idea, instead of an over-his-head kid trying to beg and lie, not actually work, how can you not find someone to buy this opportunity.?
You would win Casey’s praise and he could send you so much “traffic.” Deal made in heaven.
24 hours in a day
m-f grave yard shift, warehouse $10/hr for 8 hours
McDonalds, any shift $6/hour for 8 hours
40 X $10 = $400
40 X $6 = $240 ( or be a server $$)
or deliver pizza, 10 years ago I averaged $14/hour & pizza
Work event jobs on weekends,
Blog and have friends help you with your properties for showings. Show everyone that you are trying. Get respect. It will give your movie that training montage that Rocky always has.
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65. whoknows
November 6th, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Casey,
As a small business owner I can relate to your indecision and not knowing whose offer to take and thus taking neither.
Your indecision is simply due to your lack of experience and people who you can trust (family) and turn to; they have no experience either with these matters. It’s alot less painful to get experience when the stakes aren’t as high.
People who cannot understand your indecision have never had their balls in a vice and a gorilla turning the handle. I would ignore their comments.
You have plenty of lemons; stay busy making lemonade.
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66. Free advice
November 6th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
“Passing judgement is reserved for God, alone, people!”
Hmmm…
“I think these gurus are just taking you on as a “project” with no real plans, either.”
And…
“Anyone that presses you to sign a contract when you are CLEARLY in a deep financial hole is out to profit from what you still have left to offer.”
And agan …
“Anyone that has hard feelings about you changing your mind is just trying to throw a guilt trip for not getting their hidden intentions fufilled.”
Seems as if judgement is not in short supply.
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67. Frank
November 6th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
you’re an idiot. Grow up and learn to become more mature or at least think things through before doing pretty much “stupid things”….I try to say that as kindly as possible.
It is great that you are a highly motivated person with aggressive goals - but all that means nothing if you continue down this path. Think about playing chess, all you’re doing is charging forward and committing suicide, making impulsive, irrational decisions. Learn to “think” than “strategize”, than focus on “executing”.
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68. Sorry
November 6th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
“You obviously were pushed hard by Prlinkbiz and let them quick talk you into signing. I, and most people, would never get in this situation in the first place, but under all that pressure lots of people screw up. That she wouldn’t let you out of contract 2 minutes after you signed shows bad character on her part, and that you still speak warmly of them shows good character on your part.”
How true. Man!!!!! This people have ONLY their interest in mind. I wish you would do the right thing for once.
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69. BlogHer | Where the women bloggers are
November 6th, 2006 at 11:38 pm
. Ramit Sethi at I Will Teach You To Be Rich had an opportunity to make a deal with his old high school buddy but said “no deal.” Blogher member, prlinkbiz offered Casey Serin a “deal” but Casey said “no deal.” I’ve got to say, Serin’s saga is fascinating to peep from a distance but it certainly makes me glad that I don’t have my hand on the button and Howie Mandel pointing a fist in my direction.
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70. ROKIT88
November 7th, 2006 at 1:38 am
Abigail, don’t feel bad. that 199$ that casey has is obtained as a cash advance which he has no intention of ever repaying and it is costing him in excess of 20% interest a year.
Hey everyone, a good laugh wehn we see loose(r) is all of the legacy that CS might be leaving us, long live the looser! Forver in the future you will remember the blue ball sitter when you here those words.
meta-Anon “how do you liven up shooting down one mentor deal?, reveal that you actaully shot down multiplie mentors simultaneously, bravo Casey”
Casey, don’t give up the rich dad help line, it is free, and you do need people who you will listen to to keep you on track…but most of all
DON’T MAKE DECISIONS IN ONE
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71. shoepuke
November 7th, 2006 at 1:47 am
My God, you are truly an incredible a** . Not only have you dug yourself into a huge sh**pile, but you continue to flake/fake out on people who even honestly offer to help you. You should shut down this blog now because it is only making you look like a bigger and bigger fool every day.
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72. Jerry
November 7th, 2006 at 2:04 am
Casey,
Can you tell us what the red flag in the contract was?
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73. beez beezer
November 7th, 2006 at 6:26 am
I’ve been reading for a little while, amazed, but this hilarity finally moved me to post - in order to thank Rob P. for the image, which made me laugh for like five minutes.
Casey I think is just not very bright, either IQ or EQ wise, as evidenced by the entire mess, the conviction that he’s going to make a mint any day now, and the total lack of comprehension that his idiotic behaviour and fanciful waffling (like, Belgian-level fanciful waffling) are irksome to others.
The whole ‘oh, gee, I guess it was annoying or something when I kept calling people to go back on what I’d just guaranteed them I’d do an hour ago,’ was just appalling.
How do you say ‘let’s do it! (Casey, please note these are three separate words) and not recognize that people will take that to mean you’d like to actually do something, not “learn more about it.”?
I have no earthly idea what brilliant plan to fix your life other people would come up with, but if you had the sense god gave a sweatsock, I suppose you wouldn’t still be in this mess. It’s totally passed pathetic and moved into high comedy though. Keep it up!
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74. RMB
November 7th, 2006 at 9:28 am
Casey,
You really should go and read in detail John T. Reed’s site on Real Estate guru’s. It may help you in the future deterime the shysters -(Like Rich Dad Kiyosaki) from people who can really help you. I would hazard to bet any of these people looking to “help” you were in it for themselves and you were just a vechile to get them more publibicity. The quicker you figure that out, take what you have to take and move forward with your life the better you will be.
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75. BT98
November 7th, 2006 at 10:11 am
Mr. Flipper
Thanks for your advice the other day. Also I admit that J. Delagado had a pretty good picture about me
– It is a game when you’re an active investor. But I’d guess with your comments that you’re a employee with a SAFE, SECURE Job with benefits, a 401k, so you wouldn’t know investing unless it was related to mutual funds and handing your money to someone else to “take care of it”. — wao! I am really that transparent?
okay, there are some terminologies I don’t understand. You said “Use FARES property data to find prospects to market to.”, what is FARES property data?
Also you said “Locate hard money, or borrow privately from sources you advertise for, or learn how flippers like me negotiate 100% seller-financed transacions. 5) Negotiate loans @ 10% w/ 2 pts max., 48 months min. and let the mtg broker know he’s competing for loans.”
Why is it a good idea to get 10% rate loan with 2 pts, when the going rate is only 6-7% no pt? Also you buy 30%-40% below market, so the property most likely distressed, so how can they give you seller financing?
Sorry for the dumb questions. I really enjoy your posts.
BT
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76. Voice of Reason
November 7th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Casey,
Random comments:
- can’t believe you wasted 18 hours writing this
- your clothes were fine. If in doubt, over-dress a bit. Ignore the people commenting on your shirt & pants - they’re fine
- you keep making the same mistake in confusing people who are polite/cordial with making a “personal connection”
- learn what “synchronicity” means - you’re using it incorrectly
- force yourself to make a decision, then move forward. Life isn’t perfect - “choose the problem you want to live with”
- you’re right, “self-sabotage”. You really do need psych counselling if you want to change the results of your repeatedly bad decisions.
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77. Mr. Flipper
November 7th, 2006 at 11:29 am
” Oh my goodness, I cannot stop laughing…
Ms. Prlinkbiz claims to be one of the ‘big dogs’…okay. So I go to her site and I see that she runs a jewelry cart at the mall?!
HA HA HA”
——————-
There you have it folks! The low-budget, jewelry cart huckster, Prlinkbiz, successfully seducing an up and coming rancher boy. “Come on, baby. I’m on the pill. It’s OK. Just DO me!”, she screams; trapping him in a pregnancy situation she thinks will finally get her out of Dodge.
One can only imagine what’s required to unwind that situation.
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78. Dr. Malcolm Cohen
November 7th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
Dear Casey,
I was directed towards your website by a fellow physician of mine and after reading your latest post I have some concerns about some very common mental health problems you might have. Unknowingly many humans are living with a condition known as A.D.D. or (ADHD). The story of your trip to Arizona is teeming with behavioral patterns of people who are afflicted with this disease. You need to see your local doctor ASAP; furthermore, they can offer you medication (such as Riddelin, Sumappalin, Viagra, Tressollox and Plantasile.) that will allow you to stop over thinking and calm down your emotions. If gone untreated this disease will become progressively worse over a lifetime until a person goes into schizophrenia. Please take my advice
Thanks, Dr. Malcolm Cohen
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79. Increible
November 7th, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Have you realized it yet?
YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!!! IT IS IMPULSE CONTROL!!!
You can’t control your impulses.
It is obvious that is your problem. You blew like 2 deals at the same time as not taking care of your obligations with your rich dad and the guy you promised the book to.
It is obvious that you need some serious help.
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80. Gunde
November 7th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
Your problem is that you let emotions make your decisions. So every time your emotions change, your decisions does as well. NEVER act until you have thought about it for atleast one day. And do not act out of emotions.
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81. eric
November 7th, 2006 at 4:05 pm
actually, in reading the comments above, I think an earlier commenter hit it spot-on: this does sound like the elaborate stories that meth heads come up with. :-( really hope that’s not the case.
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82. Glory
November 7th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
“Dr. Cohen”,
Umm…one should check their PDR before giving out advice on meds to treat undiagnosed conditions, specifically for the correct names and medications. And I’m pretty sure the only mental illness that leads to schizophrenia is, well, schizophrenia. Sorry to blow your cover.
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83. Mr. Flipper
November 7th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
BT98 wrote:
1) “okay, there are some terminologies I don’t understand. You said “Use FARES property data to find prospects to market to.”, what is FARES property data?”
[and]
2) “Also you said “Locate hard money, or borrow privately from sources you advertise for, or learn how flippers like me negotiate 100% seller-financed transacions. 5) Negotiate loans @ 10% w/ 2 pts max., 48 months min. and let the mtg broker know he’s competing for loans.”
Why is it a good idea to get 10% rate loan with 2 pts, when the going rate is only 6-7% no pt?
Also you buy 30%-40% below market, so the property most likely distressed, so how can they give you seller financing?
Sorry for the dumb questions. I really enjoy your posts.”
Some answers…
…”FARES” is First American Real Estate Solutions.
http://www.firstamres.com/
…it’s not a good idea to get loans at 10% w/ 2 pts if you don’t have to. But few lenders will finance uninhabitable property without requiring one of my arms in the process. Private/hard money is easy/faster to get. Time is money. But I have my limits, and a proven track record to negotiate with.
…yes (*anyone) I can find/buy property at 40% off retail, and yes, they are sometimes, distressed properties, but they are ALWAYS from distressed sellers (properties may be brand new with a divorced combatant inside). And “yes” and “no” as to whether a seller will finance me. This depends primarily what I am trying to accomplish. You’ve got to keep in mind that I am a specialized professional investor. I don’t have competition on these deals becuase I’m the only one marketing to these particular prospects.
Again, understand that I’m a specialist. I only buy from anxious sellers on my terms, and re-sell only on my terms to those buyers that can’t get loans on any terms.
Read what I wrote to “Kevin” on finding deals: http://iamfacingforeclosure.co.....-mistakes/
P.S. I think that failing investors in my market for instance, have not failed to find deals. They’ve just failed at finding enough deals. In my mind this is because they don’t think big enough. I have to market to more prospect than I “need” in order to close on enough prospects to “succeed”.
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84. GetOutOfRealEstate
November 8th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Just remember that suicide is never the answer!
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85. Steve Worthington
November 8th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
I think a lot of your blog is made up, but if it is 2% true then it’s time to leave the country. Others in your position would likely order Ritalin from an Indian pharmacy and self-medicate.
Have a nice day.
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86. Silicon Valley Blog About Money, Finance, Geek Culture and Cyberspace
November 15th, 2006 at 11:34 am
[…] Facing Foreclosure: Casey’s Wild Deals By Silicon Valley Blogger As some of you may already know, I have been following the story of Casey Serin, the 24 year old fellow who is facing foreclosure and possible bankruptcy, currently left holding the bag on 4 remaining properties (he used to have eight) with a debt worth over $2 million due to overleveraging and shady deals. I thought his story was going to end there, but the twists and turns in this tale made me shake my head in pure disbelief and sympathy, as I find myself utterly astounded by someone’s crumbling financial world. But I thought, there were lessons to learn here and they were deep lessons involving one’s character and spirit that perhaps deserved a few words. […]
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87. the damned cynic
November 19th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
salesmen. One only has to look into her spam folder to understand the magnitude of it all; someone clearly happens to be buying, or else these hucksters wouldn’t be selling. I ran into a prime example - a sad, sad case, really - this morning: http://iamfacingforeclosure.co.....n-phoenix/
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