Sometimes everyone needs a little guidance, or inspiration, even those of us who strive to inspire others.

So, I thought I’d share some of my favorite quotes, feel free to comment up and add your own favorites, and of course, come see me on Facebook and share there as well.

These are in no particular order:

A Rattlesnake, if Cornered will become so angry it will bite itself.  That is exactly what the harboring of hate and resentment against others is – a biting of oneself.  We think we are harming others in holding these spites and hates, but the deeper harm is to ourselves.  ~E. Stanley Jones

A business absolutely devoted to service will have only one worry about profits. They will be embarrassingly large.
Henry Ford

<note from Jim> I like him, so there may be a few here…………….

Whether You Think You Can or Can’t, You’re Right”–Henry Ford

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.
Henry Ford

<note from Jim> I’m lucky enough to have several people in my life who do this, thank God for them, which is why my “friends” are also considered Family to me. I have a lot of brothers.

One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.
Friedrich Nietzschee

Folks, the emails about all the “systems” out there that can make you wealthy, with little to no work, or customer interaction are starting to grind on my nerves.

Systems are tools folks, and it still takes a person to apply those tools and use them to fix things.

Sure, use systems to handle mundain things, but at some point, your customers, whether they be buyers or sellers are going to need to be dealing with a real live person.

Lead generation can be automated, to an extent.

Waking up daily to dozens of emails from potential motivated sellers and eager buyers with cash sounds great.

However, right after those same sellers and buyers typed their info into a ‘system’, they went to another website, entered info, or got a phone number, and most likely spoke to someone like me.

At the same time YOU are planning to EMAIL or CALL that lead back, I’m meeting them for coffee and signing a contract with them.

But hey, for $1500 you can learn how ‘the pros’ (lower case on purpose) do it!  NOT!

Here is how a pro does it…..

We market for PEOPLE with PROBLEMS, problems that they perceive as being caused by their ownership of real estate.

When they call, we listen to them, and talk very little, and show compassion.

A website form or email severaly lacks this, as witnessed by the socially backward slant out country and the world is taking in this new tweet/status update/text world of communication.

A REAL PRO, takes the calls, returns the calls, shows compassion, listens to the callers needs, and decides immediately if they can provide several options for a solution.

Then we BELLY UP! That’s right, we actually get face to face with customers, and again, listen.

God gave us two ears, and one mouth for a reason, most people forget which to use more.

Provided the info the customer provides is accurate, (we determine that thru verification from third parties), we move forward by presenting a solution to the customers problem……….and of course, making a profit as well.

That is creative business and real estate in a nut shell.

No one will EVER convince me that a ‘system’, or automated computer form can do a better job of compassionately solving a customers problem than I can.

So, forget systems, gather the tools!

They are cheaper than buying systems anyway and have more than one use in them, because as with your garage tool box, it should continue to grow.

If you are tired of EVERY ‘guru’ sending you emails about the latest greatest system, I’m with ya.

Listen to this Biker instead, because I do not sling B.S.

If the latest system intrigues you, wonderful, check out some of the cheaper alternatives…………clue here, older materials.

I’ve learned over the years, there really aren’t any “New methods” for buying and selling real estate.

The new systems are usually tried and true methods from years past, with new packaging and labeling, and most often, re named.

When you sign a contract to buy a house by taking over it’s payments, its a subject to purchase.

If you assign that contract and have someone close iny your place, and begin making the payments themselves, it’s an assignment of contract.  Pretty simply, nothing fancy, and VERY effective!

Hopefully that doesn’t blow the whole reality of the new A%^&S system for ya……….but that is it in a nut shell.

And yes, for full disclosure, I do and will continue to sell several books about investing and ways to get it done.

However, I don’t make my living from that, and aside from my personal time (mentoring), nothing I sell to help teach investing is priced anywhere near $1,000.

In fact, just to spite some of the newer improved high priced ‘systems’, I’ve dropped my main course “The Biker Who Buys Houses” by $500, down to $97!

That’s right, this Biker has put his money where his mouth is!

Enjoy your system if that’s your choice………….meanwhile, I’ll be out riding my Harley in the sun, on my way to meet customers, and make money!

Happy Investing,

BikerJim

http://www.TheBikerWhoBuysHouses.com

Hey folks, sorry for the abscense over the last year or so.

 I plan to bring you up to speed and explain where I’ve been, why, and where I am headed.

BikerJim is Back……….and I’d like to bring you along for the ride.

First, here’s the WHY I was gone……..

The story here is a bit personal, and some might find my direct language used to describe it as possibly offensive. However, it is the truth, and my readers deserve nothing less.

Let me start from the beginning.

 In October of 2009 I left my wife of ten years. Things had not been right in my household for some time, and frankly, I stayed with her for the last several years, due to my personal belief in comittment.

You may ask, what was the problem? Let me start by telling you, I was married to an alcoholic who abused me. I know, for those who have met me, or seen pictures of me, it’s pretty hard to imagine a 120 pound woman abusing a 250 pound man.

Just keep in mind, I was raised to beleive that no matter what, a man NEVER strikes a woman, even in self defense.

So I dealt with years of my spouse getting overly intoxicated and attacking me, and our children.
I suppose eventually I did become somewhat of an enabler. At the time, I considered myself a buffer between the abuse and the children. When the drunken rage would surface, I would get between her and the children, often drawing her wrath in my direction on purpose so the kids did not get hurt.

Having never dealt with this before, I did not know the proper way to handle it, and am sure I dropped the ball along the way.

That all changed in September of 2009 when the end result of a domestic violence outburst was a broken nose, cheekbone, and eye socket for me.

Because the children were now both over 18 and moving out, there was no longer a reason to stick around and deal with the abuse.

I gave an ultimatum, me or the bottle?

Obviously, I lost.

I still question that move to be honest, but, what’s done is done.

We’ve both moved on.

After leaving my household and family, I really felt lost. I always had plans and dreams, all of which included my wife as the other player.

Now, all my dreams and plans were put on hold. I realized almost right away that I needed to focus on me, not something I’ve ever been good at. Making others a priority sits at the core of my personality. Many times to the sacrafice of my own needs and wants…………..but no regrets in that department.

Living in the same town as my personal turmoil did nothing to help, so I made a bold, snap decision.

Some friends of mine were moving to the Florida Keys, and invited me to come along. Three days after first learning about it, I bit the bullet and packed a bag. I arrived in the Florida Keys the end of March/Beginning of April of 2010.

As a biker, I went with my harley, a bag of personal possessions, clothing, and my brain, in need of some healing.

I’m glad I did, but not for the reason I went in the first place. I often still second guess my decision to leave my wife.

There will always be the “what if’s”………what if I had stayed and worked harder to cure what ailed us, showed by example what a clean and sober lifestyle entailed, etc. Again though, what’s done is done.

It did not take me long to embrace island living. Waking up to a sea breeze and the view of the ocean outside my door did a lot to cleanse my soul.

Sadly, this was a dream my wife and I shared, so there was the ocassional regret, or things I would see and think “if only she were here with me”.

I did not invest in real estate for the entire time I was there, but did consult on a few deals for others, and of course, vicariously invested through mentor students.

I also decided, because I was now alone and had no one counting on me, other than myself, it was time to do some things I loved to do. I enjoyed water sports when possible, fished a few times, spent a lot of time on the beach and enjoying nature.

I also found some great live music spots.

I made many great friends as well.

While there, thanks to my appearance and past occupation, I found myself working events, parties and in bars, as a security person. (A bouncer).

I also worked with a couple of promoters setting up and chairing some events for various functions throughout the Florida Keys. It turned out to be a rather carefree lifestyle, which gave me plenty of time for self reflection. Something at the time, I badly needed.

I did miss “Home” the entire time there though. I had left behind not only family, but many very close friends in central Florida. We remained in touch, and several did come to visit. Having a free place to crash on the beach was an easy sell.

In late February of this year, (2010), I made the decision to go back to central Florida.

That is where I am now.

Due in large part to me needing my solid support structure here, and frankly, knowing that my ex-wife had now left the area.

Remember, I second guessed my decision to leave, and facing her probably would have melted my resolve. I was very much in love with her, when she was sober. I can also tell you, not a day goes by where I don’t miss her, the woman I married initially anyway.

I also missed my pets. You see, I’ve never had biological children, but raised my step children as though they were my own, and still think of them as mine.

However, like in most messy divorce situations, the kids chose sides, and understandably, stuck with their Mom. (I’m proud of them for that, loyalty is a trait I admire most).

My ex, when leaving town, left behind our last two remaining pets, my Dogs Max and Schultz. I was in the process of deciding to move back, and hearing that my pets were abandone was the final shove to move. My dogs now live with their Daddy, and are happy as can be, as am I.

So, here I am in Central Florida, my old stomping grounds, and basically starting over for the umpteenth time in my life. I have been married three times.

I’m kind of backed into a corner, because I walked away from everything when I moved, but I like it that way. If I had not, the comfort level would most likely make me lazy, which admittedly did kind of happen while I was in the Keys. Living in a laid back island atmosphere did not help motivate me to hustle, quite the opposite.

 Now, the beach is a healthy ride away on my harley, and the economy here stinks. This has resparked my drive.

So now you know the Why?

What? When and How? are next;

What do I plan to do?

Simple, the same thing I’ve always done to survive and thrive, use my brain and creativity to create opportunity.

I’ve been a networking fiend as of late, reigniting old associations, developing some new ones, and reaching deep inside myself to find exactly what I am passionate about.

I love music, writing, and meeting people, in addition of course to riding my harley.

Since my arrival in cental Florida, I put no less than 100 miles per day on my bike. She’s taking it well. It feels good to be able to ride more than two directions for a change. (in the florida keys, there is one main road, north and south U.S. 1, so riding while beautiful, did become rather boring after a few months)

I’ve done some marketing for sellers, and contacted some cash buyers I know. The plan initially is to wholesale a few deals to build up some reserves.

I will also be building a new portfolio of holds, cash flow is important. I’m changing that up a bit from my past as well.

I will no longer focus on larger more expensive single family homes. Instead, multi units and small cheap single units will be the focus. In this economy, having cheap, clean affordable housing in abundance will help insure a solid future.

I’ve been on the hunt for lonnie deals, but with a twist, rather than carrying paper and sell them, I will hold and rent them out. There are literally hundreds of decent liveable mobile homes in my immediate area that can be purchased for just a few thousand dollars each. I like the idea that I can buy something, and get all my money back within a year or first renting it.

Music will also become a priortiy in my life again. As a young man, I went to college as a music major, and loved playing. I gave that up to get into law enforcement, frankly, because it gave me a solid income and stable home life with my first and second wives.

I always regretted walking away from music, and since decided, it is time to go back. Blues and jazz are my primary focus, but I won’t rule out a rock band in my future either……….as long as their is a horn section. I am a trombone player by training, and will even be doing some singing when the opportunity presents itself.

Writing will also be getting some focus. I currently have more than one book in progress, with several dozen in my mind. I will write about what I know and feel passionate about. I might even step into the world of fiction and write some stories I’ve had in mind for a long time.

The first major project for my writing, will be to finish what I’ve been calling “The Biker Chronicles”. It is semi autobiographical. A series of short stories, relaying experiences I’ve had over the years on my harley. That will a fun and entertaining read, with a few life lessons mixed in.

As I take these actions in my life, the plan is to blog about it, and keep you, my loyal friends and readers updated.

I want to take you along for the ride.

So put on your leather, keep the rubber side down, and hang on………..it might be bumpy from time to time.

Thanks for reading,
BikerJim

My web guy just uncovered my long lost photo page and
got it posted on my site.

I thought you might need a little break from the
Monday monotony.

http://rementors.com/the-lost-photos-page/

You’ll probably get a kick out of the photos of the
“Mobile Home From Hell”

Enjoy!

Jim

So, remember, “The Biker Who Buys Houses” course makes a great stocking stuffer.

I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and tell you, stay tuned.

I’m working on several articles that will be posted here this week.

In the mean time, I made a special video for you;

BikerJims Christmas greeting video for you!

See ya soon,

Jim

Hey Folks,

I saw something online today in a product being advertised that kind of disturbed me.

I’ll share my thoughts in a moment, but first, take a look at the items I found.

“Blank Lease Agreement signed by Seller-If lender calls loan due.

and this………

Blank Lease Agreement signed by Seller-If lender calls loan due.”

Apparently these are two forms being offered with a subject to package of some sort.

Now don’t get me wrong, I know everyone has their own way of doing things. As with any subject to course, the forms, methods, and techniques are as different as the people who write them.

However, once in a while, just plain bad or wrong advice/instructions are published. That is dangerous, investing in real estate is a BUSINESS and must be treated as such.

It is MY OPINION that this is the case with the two forms above.

Here is why;

The first, is a BLANK LEASE signed by the sellers, in case the loan is called due. Naturally, the thought of a loan being called due because ownership has changed hands is rediculous at best, and worse, using a FALSE form, where not one agreement has really/truly been made, is wrong, most likely illegal, and certainly not ethical.

The second form, which is also a lease, signed by the sellers to offset debt to income ratio? THEY HAD to be kidding……my question is, who, where and why use this form? It will be fraudulent. An agreement that does not really exist, being presented as active and binding? Where did this author/publisher get this?

Apparently they’ve done a ton of subject to deals, right? NOPE!

I’ll address this, and some other issues tomorrow I’ve found online, with some pointers and links to some good quality FREE information.

Always watching out for ya,

Jim Mitchell

a/k/a “The Biker Who Buys Houses”

P.S. We have ONLY 5 Spots left for FREE Mentoring! Sign up today, it’s FREE with the purchase of my course.

Hey Folks,

The FREE MENTORING will be going away soon.

We have a few spots left, and I’ve decided to basically pick from the last 50 purchasers of my course, one name and location to visit for some one on one, face to face mentoring, and getting deals done.

So, if you want FREE mentoring, and a chance to have my “mentor at your door” program come to YOU, sign up today!

Act fast, this will not last!

http://www.thebikerwhobuyshouses.com/

Make it a GREAT DAY!

It’s 90 degrees and sunny here, so I’m off to go for a ride!

Jim

The Biker Who Buys Houses!

Hey Folks,

Keep your eyes peeled, this weekend we will be letting you in on some GREAT NEWS!!!

The BEST Offer The Biker Who Buys Houses has ever made! Hands down!

Just think FREE……….

See ya,

Jim