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The below letter was sent to me by a REOPro Default Professionals member evidencing the fact that the REOPro member is writing his State Senator to address issues in the REO market of unfair practices. I thought you all might want to read it yourself. NOTE: I did redact some names and contact information in order to protect others privacy.

Senator David and staff,

The market in Georgia is "on fire," but it is also being completely held back by the CFPB, regulations and the lack of REO/Bank Owned properties coming to market.  Georgia has always been an REO state , and for my 14 year career in real estate, we have always been in the top 5 states in the United States.  Realtors like S*** R****, M*** P*******, M*** B**** and myself have been drastically down in business due to the red tape to foreclose, and the CFPB making banks jump through hoops in order to foreclose.  Some people have filed bankruptcy, have done loan modifications and in some cases have not made a payment in years.  

Housing reports are showing that things are up in value, but that is due to the lack of inventory, lower inventory (due to lack of distress properties & still underwater properties in GA), hedge funds turning everything into a rental and multiple offers on almost every property.  We are about to go into another bubble, due to the aforementioned.   Fannie, Freddie, HUD  keep selling loans to investors (who then rent) under the radar to look profitable to the house and senate.  Frankly, we are getting tired of this.  I drive around Metro Atlanta and see all the vacant, boarded up homes, and houses with bank owned stickers in the window, which have not been introduced to the market.   It is getting ridiculous.  The consumers, neighbors, Realtors and buyers know what is going on.  Wholesalers and there fraudulent deals are back in full force again.  We went through the same thing in 2003-2007.  We are going through the same thing, but nobody wants to talk about it.   The Realtors are tired of it.  Nobody can get a house in the middle-lower class, due to all the hedge funds and "all cash offers."  Buyers in the average-higher level properties are also paying way to much, due to the limited property.  Banks are starting to get pressure form their congressional members about the "millennials" not buying houses.  No Kidding?  Can they get a job?  Pay off their student debt, and are not gun shy after all that happened with the housing market? 

I have been selling REO in Atlanta, GA for 9 years and have been selling real estate full-time since 2001.  I have seen 3 bubbles, and this "recovery" is far from recovery.  It is called manipulation and the selling of loans under the radar and to "non-banks" who do not conform to TARP/HARP and regulations....Ie....Nationstar, Pennymac and Ocwen.  They are taking these homes at a discount, then putting them on their website to make a 3% auction fee, while kicking all agents out an neglecting the house and neighborhood.  Nationstar use to be a good client, but now they have become Ocwen.  They are making millions off their webiste, cutting agents, loan officers and other closing attorneys out of the deal while they make millions and cut jobs.  It is getting old.  I have paid thousands of dollars in taxes over the past 9 years.  I have seen the CFPB get larger and larger.  They are looking to build  a new campus at 335 per/sqft, which his more than Trump Towers.  The #2 guy stepped own.  The #1 guy from Ocwen stepped down.  Can we stop with the red tape?   The CFPB has become Rogue and only flexing their muscles over political agenda.  I pay my mortgage, and I am still under water.  I could do like others and not pay my mortgage, do a loan modification and play all the other games to my advantage, but I have pride and morals. 

My other gripe is that Fannie Mae needs to be more transparent when it comes to procuring agents.  I have been told many times "they are not taking new agents," only to find a new agent in their network.  I have seen agents who have also admitted to "knowing somebody in Fannie Mae."  They then get a lot of business, and have never sold an REO or how to run the task from "cradle to grave" without their staff.  I have numerous accounts of such, and frankly it is getting old.  Our company is LGBT owned, but evidently it won't matter.  Our Realtor network is also tired of the lack of transparency when selecting agents based on experience and results.   Freddie, Fannie and HUD claim they have these "open channels," but they do not.   Do a survey with moth agents and you will see that Fannie, Freddie and HUD contracts are not transparent and they are favored.  I would like my name to remain silent, but i know this to be true.  

Can we please look into the below items.  They are about to cause another bubble and kill our housing market is a few years:

Hedge funds:  they get to buy bulk sales from Fannie, HUD and Freddie.  They then rent them, per the contract.  How does this help home preservation? I thought all the aforementioned were all about "owner occupants."

The CFPB:   They keep suing banks.  Really?  Has it not been since 2007 now?  The stature of limitations in some states is almost over, and some occupants may be able to live in their house for free for the rest of their life.  How is that fair to anybody else??

Selling of mortgages to Ocwen.  Banks keep selling to Ocwen.  They then outsource their work to India, Use their own network and make a ton off their www.HUBZU.com.  Their properties sit on the market forever, due to the price and they do not maintain them. The neighborhood suffers and the bank does not care.  The same will be true with www.homesearch.com 

We need the CFPB and GSE's to stop allowing people to stay in their house for years without making a payment.  Really?  It is not "fair to them for signing up for a loan they did not mean to sign?"  Well, perhaps the GSE's should not have promoted home ownership, backed the banks along with Barney Frank, then blame them for all that happened.  

I am simply voicing my opinion.  We are going back into a bust again soon.  The stock market is overvalued, real estate is overpriced and the GDP and employment is sill low.  People are paying more in rent vs. to own.  The problem is they can't get a loan or see what is going on despite all the "market indicators."   I would be happy to take you or your staff on a tour so you can see what I am talking about.   

I am a middle wage earner who pays taxes.  I am tired of the games of the current administration the GSE's and the CFPB.  It is starting to hurt Realtors, attorneys, lenders, asset companies and vendors.   It is hitting our bottom line and we see what is going on.  We know Georgia has/always will have a healthy amount of REO.    Again, ask some of us seasoned Realtors as to what is going on, and you will see the market is way over valued, and we will crash again.  People are paying top dollar at all-time low interest rates.  What happens when they raise a couple points?  CRASH!!!!!!!  Have we not seen this before? 

Something needs to be addressed with the CFPB, as they are not helping, they are hindering.  Dodd/Frank has also killed off lending for the last 7 years.  IF things do not change, we will be back into another housing crisis.    I would be happy to talk to you in further detail.  

thanks,

The below letter was sent to me by a REOPro Default Professionals member evidencing the fact that the REOPro member is writing his State Senator to address issues in the REO market of unfair practices. I thought you all might want to read it yourself. NOTE: I did redact some names and contact information in order to protect others privacy.

Senator David and staff,

The market in Georgia is "on fire," but it is also being completely held back by the CFPB, regulations and the lack of REO/Bank Owned properties coming to market.  Georgia has always been an REO state , and for my 14 year career in real estate, we have always been in the top 5 states in the United States.  Realtors like S*** R****, M*** P*******, M*** B**** and myself have been drastically down in business due to the red tape to foreclose, and the CFPB making banks jump through hoops in order to foreclose.  Some people have filed bankruptcy, have done loan modifications and in some cases have not made a payment in years.  

Housing reports are showing that things are up in value, but that is due to the lack of inventory, lower inventory (due to lack of distress properties & still underwater properties in GA), hedge funds turning everything into a rental and multiple offers on almost every property.  We are about to go into another bubble, due to the aforementioned.   Fannie, Freddie, HUD  keep selling loans to investors (who then rent) under the radar to look profitable to the house and senate.  Frankly, we are getting tired of this.  I drive around Metro Atlanta and see all the vacant, boarded up homes, and houses with bank owned stickers in the window, which have not been introduced to the market.   It is getting ridiculous.  The consumers, neighbors, Realtors and buyers know what is going on.  Wholesalers and there fraudulent deals are back in full force again.  We went through the same thing in 2003-2007.  We are going through the same thing, but nobody wants to talk about it.   The Realtors are tired of it.  Nobody can get a house in the middle-lower class, due to all the hedge funds and "all cash offers."  Buyers in the average-higher level properties are also paying way to much, due to the limited property.  Banks are starting to get pressure form their congressional members about the "millennials" not buying houses.  No Kidding?  Can they get a job?  Pay off their student debt, and are not gun shy after all that happened with the housing market? 

I have been selling REO in Atlanta, GA for 9 years and have been selling real estate full-time since 2001.  I have seen 3 bubbles, and this "recovery" is far from recovery.  It is called manipulation and the selling of loans under the radar and to "non-banks" who do not conform to TARP/HARP and regulations....Ie....Nationstar, Pennymac and Ocwen.  They are taking these homes at a discount, then putting them on their website to make a 3% auction fee, while kicking all agents out an neglecting the house and neighborhood.  Nationstar use to be a good client, but now they have become Ocwen.  They are making millions off their webiste, cutting agents, loan officers and other closing attorneys out of the deal while they make millions and cut jobs.  It is getting old.  I have paid thousands of dollars in taxes over the past 9 years.  I have seen the CFPB get larger and larger.  They are looking to build  a new campus at 335 per/sqft, which his more than Trump Towers.  The #2 guy stepped own.  The #1 guy from Ocwen stepped down.  Can we stop with the red tape?   The CFPB has become Rogue and only flexing their muscles over political agenda.  I pay my mortgage, and I am still under water.  I could do like others and not pay my mortgage, do a loan modification and play all the other games to my advantage, but I have pride and morals. 

My other gripe is that Fannie Mae needs to be more transparent when it comes to procuring agents.  I have been told many times "they are not taking new agents," only to find a new agent in their network.  I have seen agents who have also admitted to "knowing somebody in Fannie Mae."  They then get a lot of business, and have never sold an REO or how to run the task from "cradle to grave" without their staff.  I have numerous accounts of such, and frankly it is getting old.  Our company is LGBT owned, but evidently it won't matter.  Our Realtor network is also tired of the lack of transparency when selecting agents based on experience and results.   Freddie, Fannie and HUD claim they have these "open channels," but they do not.   Do a survey with moth agents and you will see that Fannie, Freddie and HUD contracts are not transparent and they are favored.  I would like my name to remain silent, but i know this to be true.  

Can we please look into the below items.  They are about to cause another bubble and kill our housing market is a few years:

Hedge funds:  they get to buy bulk sales from Fannie, HUD and Freddie.  They then rent them, per the contract.  How does this help home preservation? I thought all the aforementioned were all about "owner occupants."

The CFPB:   They keep suing banks.  Really?  Has it not been since 2007 now?  The stature of limitations in some states is almost over, and some occupants may be able to live in their house for free for the rest of their life.  How is that fair to anybody else??

Selling of mortgages to Ocwen.  Banks keep selling to Ocwen.  They then outsource their work to India, Use their own network and make a ton off their www.HUBZU.com.  Their properties sit on the market forever, due to the price and they do not maintain them. The neighborhood suffers and the bank does not care.  The same will be true with www.homesearch.com 

We need the CFPB and GSE's to stop allowing people to stay in their house for years without making a payment.  Really?  It is not "fair to them for signing up for a loan they did not mean to sign?"  Well, perhaps the GSE's should not have promoted home ownership, backed the banks along with Barney Frank, then blame them for all that happened.  

I am simply voicing my opinion.  We are going back into a bust again soon.  The stock market is overvalued, real estate is overpriced and the GDP and employment is sill low.  People are paying more in rent vs. to own.  The problem is they can't get a loan or see what is going on despite all the "market indicators."   I would be happy to take you or your staff on a tour so you can see what I am talking about.   

I am a middle wage earner who pays taxes.  I am tired of the games of the current administration the GSE's and the CFPB.  It is starting to hurt Realtors, attorneys, lenders, asset companies and vendors.   It is hitting our bottom line and we see what is going on.  We know Georgia has/always will have a healthy amount of REO.    Again, ask some of us seasoned Realtors as to what is going on, and you will see the market is way over valued, and we will crash again.  People are paying top dollar at all-time low interest rates.  What happens when they raise a couple points?  CRASH!!!!!!!  Have we not seen this before? 

Something needs to be addressed with the CFPB, as they are not helping, they are hindering.  Dodd/Frank has also killed off lending for the last 7 years.  IF things do not change, we will be back into another housing crisis.    I would be happy to talk to you in further detail.  

thanks,

REOPro Launches www.MatherNetwork.com for Investors

Friday 2/8/2013, REOPro, the nation's largest foreclosure network of agents, asset managers, attorneys, property preservationist and others, launches a sister site, www.MatherNetwork.com, focused on self directed real estate investors.

As with REOPro, the Mather Network has blogs, forums, real time live chat, video sharing, event calendar, group creation and much more however, it's soon launching a new tool to put the investor and investee together.

InvestConnect will give investors the ability to advertise what type of real estate investments they are looking for as well as give investees, those with deals, the ability to come on and search for potential investors. The best part of the InvestConnect tool is that it works in reverse as well. The tool allows investees, those with deals, to advertise their opportunities while investors, those with money, can come on line and search through the different opportunities. Making the network much more than a social media tool but more of a "E-harmony " or "Match.com" for investors and investees.

InvestConnect is on schedule to launch towards the end of March however, current membership of www.MatherNetwork.com and those who join before the launch of InvestConnect, will get access to the tool for the first 12 months free, at no cost. When REOPro's founder, Jesus "Jesse" Gonzalez was asked about how much the tool would cost he explained,

" As always, membership to the network itself will be free however, this new tool comes with some cost and that cost must be paid for. REOPro has built a reputation based on adding value and keeping cost low....or non-existent all together and, I expect the Mather Network to maintain this strategy by working closely with advertising partners to keep InvestConnect cost low. At this time, I don't have an exact figure however, I assure you, it will be highly competitive to other tools on the market and best of all, as the network grows, as membership in InvestConnect grows, we can use increased funds to put towards R&D to make the tool better. Our biggest advantage is our low cost of operation and I will use that advantage to its fullest potential by keeping cost low, providing excellent value and ensuring our members are not just satisfied but, become our raving fans."

REOPro is proud of the Mather Network and looks forward to it becoming a valuable resource for its members with education, advocacy, social media and wealth building tools. For more information on the Mather Network, you can visit their site at www.MatherNetwork.com or contact Jesse Gonzalez Directly at JGonzalez@RealTracs.com

Self Directed IRA Network??

Well, as many of you know, for the past couple months I have really been digging deep into the self directed IRA world and I have to admit, I am truly disappointed. Here I was expecting a world filled with information, people everywhere willing to share, professionals offering advice and services however, I ended up finding a world almost as closed off as REOs. After further investigation, I started to realize that it's not closed......it's just not open. In other words, no one has blown it up. Well, that got me thinking, why not REOPro, why not me?

Here is what is going to happen. Here in the next few weeks, likely right at the start of the new year, I am going to start a social network for self directed IRA investors and professionals. Like REOPro, it's going to offer people the opportunity to come together, freely share information, ideas, resources through blogs, forums, video sharing, picture sharing, on-line chat and, much more.

What we need now are advertisers. Unlike REOPro, I don't want to stay in constant debt with this new network, in fact I am thinking of having some portions of the site closed and only open to paying members however, I am curious as to just how many people may be interested in something like this. I am thinking of a really low annual fee, like $5.00 a year....really low but, keep in mind, I am not trying to get rich of my site, just trying to pay the site bills.

What we need now is some "pre" advertisers. We need to get some people on board who would be willing to pay to have their banner randomly rotating across the top of the site. I will only have 3 opportunities...that's it. Similarly to REOPro, the three banners will rotate randomly on a 30 second interval and no, we aren't fancy enough to see how many people click your ad and all those other tracking things but, if you put in a promo code in your ad, you can track it that way. No contracts, no required length....very simple, $200.00 a month, pay 3 months in advance, if you decide to leave, we will refund the prorated remaining balance to you in full.

If interested in this new network to launch in January 2013, let me know, email me at JGonzalez@RealTracs.com

From the early days of this network, it has been a dream to offer our members a quality training and certification program however, early on I had not developed the relationships and gathered the expertise that I felt was strong enough to truly give our membership a program to be proud of. So, I spent these past years networking and now I feel we have in place the right people, the right experience, the right insight for a short sale training and certification program like none other in this industry.

So, what makes our training and certification so different? Here are the top 5 reasons we are different and the top 5 reasons you should obtain our certification.

1. No annual dues: As many of you have come to expect, REOPro does things a little differently, with the agent in mind first and foremost so, it was important to me that if we were going to offer a Certification that we don't take advantage of the agent by charging them annual dues. You see, I realize it's not the dues you pay that determine if you are truly "certified experienced" as a short sale agent, it's performance.

2. Your training is not revocable: In other words, once you have been trained and passed the exam, you can always say you have obtained short sale training by REOPro. This isn't something we can revoke or take back from you.

3. You achieve the Certification, you can't buy it: Just taking the training course and passing the exam in no way guarantees you the certification. In fact, taking the training and passing the exam is only 2 parts of 3 that must happen in order for you to achieve the certification. You must still provide us proof of at least 5 short sales completed in the form of client referrals. That's right, you can't buy the REOPro Certification, it must be earned in the form of actual successful closings.

4. Your continued Certification depends on your performance: Once you obtain the Certification, now you must maintain it. Now, unlike other Certifications, to maintain the Certified Experienced Short Sale Agent by REOPro means you will have to complete at least 5 short sales a year with client referrals. In other words, paying dues, attending a continuing education class or visiting with us at a conference isn't enough, you have actually got to perform to maintain your Certification.

5. The quality of the training material and our instructors is based on their successful experience getting to the closing table. Real world experience is by far, the best training anyone can get....at least that is our opinion and therefore, the training material and our instructors are actually experienced and successful Our material is proven to work because we are working it now, using it and being successful.

So, from what I have listed above, as you can imagine we are truly making a difference in this industry and I am proud of this training and certification program so much so, that I will personally be involved in its instruction.

For more information or to register, visit,

 http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=shpa9aiab&oeidk=a07e5hjyc328c7e2ce2

  Yep, it ROCKS!

I have made so many wonderful contacts and friends here.  Read some stuff, send some emails.  If you are truly looking to connect and not to just *GET SOMETHING* from someone you will be happy you found this group!

I am also a member of WinDS (charter member) and I am member of NAHREP AZ and NAHREP Vegas and also AREAA AZ and AREAA Vegas.  I also highly recommend all of these listed groups for the great connections and educational opportunities.

Many of you may have seen a new advertisement on REOPro for Bridge Asset Servicing Network and their claim to GUARANTEE LISTINGS. Obviously, this intrigued me and I wanted to learn more about this company and see just exactly what they were all about.

After some initial contacts, I was able to send over a list of questions I had for them and I am pleased to say, they responded. Below you can read those questions and determine for yourself if you want to do business with them.

I have to disclose to you that I was so impressed with their responses and with my conversations over the phone with their leadership, Steve McCormick and Angelique Norton that I completed the application and joined.

Question # 1: What is Bridge Asset Servicing Network?

Answer #1: Bridge is a single source asset servicing company….

Question # 2: What exactly do you mean you can guarantee listings?

Answer #2: ….We want to be different. With our guarantee, we are trying to put the agents at ease and affirm that we will follow through and will provide product. If your combined commission does not cover your first year annual membership cost, then 50% of those fees will be reimbursed to you. That of course does not apply to an agent that declines properties assigned to them.

Question # 3: Do I have to sign up for Equator or RES.NET?

Answer # 3: No, Bridge has its own system and that is why we require all agents that wish to work with us to attend our seminar to receive training.

Question # 4: Do you offer Training?

Answer # 4: Yes, we require that all agents come to our seminar and participate in future training….

Question # 5: I see you have a conference coming up, how much is it to go?

Answer # 5: The conference is $495.00 if paid by May 15^th. After which, the cost will be $695.00 and $795.00 at the door.

Question # 6: Why would someone want to attend your conference?

Answer # 6: The conference like all education events is a key opportunity to stay current with best practices and to network with your fellow professionals. The key reason to come is if you don’t, you ca not join the network and receive any listings as you will be unfamiliar with our forms, computer system and expectations. …we want everyone to be successful and fully understand where we all stand.

Question # 7: Do I have to sign up for Equator or RES.NET?

Answer #7: No, Bridge has its own systems and that is why we require all agents that wish to work with us to attend our seminar to receive training.

Question #8: Do I need any special certification or designation?

Answer #8: No, we don’t currently require any special designation but we do look favorably on those who have made the investment in themselves and their career to get default service certified. We will ask our members to stay current with industry standards and move toward certification in their area of expertise.

Question #9: What is the specific type of agent you are looking for?

Answer #9: We are looking for agents that like us and want to do things the right way. We want people who are dedicated and show integrity in the way they do their business, individuals that want to give back to our industry and their communities. This business is not just about making money but about improving the areas in which we work and profit. We desire to remove the blight that an REO can cause on a community and replace it with a home that is at or above the community standard filled with families that will function in that community.

Question # 10: Do I need my own money to float my listings and pay for property preservation?

Answer #10: No, we believe that this is an unfair burden to place on the real estate professional and as such, we work with contractors that can carry the rehab costs and Bridge Asset Servicing reimburses utilities etc…. on a monthly basis.

Question # 11: What is the referral fee?

Answer # 11: There are no referral fees, we believe that you earn those commissions and that it is yours alone.

Wednesday I arrived to my hotel, I was immediately on the war path. As I checked in, the first question I had for the front desk staff was, “Is Patrice Euell available, I need to speak with her.” Patrice is the hotel event coordinator and as someone who comes from the hospitality industry, I was going to make sure this event went off without a hitch.

The front desk staff jump into high gear and before I could shake a tail feather, Patrice was walking up the escalators smiling and greeting me with, “You must be Jesse, what a hot mess!”

Well, I must say, she hit the nail on the head….right?

I greeted her with a big ole Texas hug and said, “Show me the room, let’s get started”. She took me by the hand and off we went, down the escalators and on the left, 2 large double doors were open and before my eyes were, tables, chairs, dance floor and stacks of glasses all out being set up. I was pleased, everything was on task and appeared to be ahead of schedule. I confirmed my layout of the room and made some minor adjustments accordingly but, overall it appeared to be in control.

Friday rolls around and party time is less than 5 hours away. I start getting ready, dressing up in my monkey suit and looking as dapper as I ever, of course but, as uncomfortable as you can imagine. I don’t know about you but, I absolutely hate putting on a tie and jacket….I HATE IT! I don’t know that I have ever been comfortable in a jacket and tie but, that is besides the point.

5:30 in the evening and I am downstairs, ushering the hotel staff around, meeting the servers, talking with the final setup people, ensuring the DJ has power and is setting up, working with dock attendants making sure the poker tables have arrived, getting the greeting stations ready, making sure the food is quality, checking out the bars and making sure they are ready and it couldn’t have gone any more smoother. In fact, a couple of times I had to pinch myself not believing just how easily things were coming together.

About an hour before or so, my helpers started showing up. I had Randy, Randy and Jamie from Austin Broker, John Oliveri, Jim Godwin, Brandy (sorry, can’t remember your last name Brandy), Tracy Medina and Patty from; uh-oh, I forgot what company they were from but, I am sure they will read this and comment so, they can tell you in their reply later, who were all very helpful but, after about 30 minutes seeing I had it all under the control, they all disappeared on me and headed to the bar…..lol. It’s all good because, it was all under control.

So, the party starts and people start coming in, things are going great. We are collecting business cards, greeting people, saying hello, bringing them in, showing them around, music is bumping, the poker tables are packed, drinks are pouring, food is getting out……wow, it was amazing!

As I walked around, I asked people how they were doing, everyone seemed to be having a great time. I reminded people to network, drop some business cards, talk with people, establish relationships but, have a good time!

The best part of the entire event was, when people walked out and were saying their goodbyes, I asked them was it worth it and, I didn’t hear a single negative word! Later when I had a chance to look through all the business cards I saw companies like Fannie Mae, Saxon, Old Republic and so many more, I can’t go through them all here and now and, I realized that if someone walked out of this party and didn’t make a contact that could change their business, well……..that’s on them because I have the business cards of each person who attended and I can assure you………$100.00 a ticket was cheap!

After the party, I thought the evening was over but, some friends and REOPro members had alternative plans.

Apparently everyone was headed to a club called Kinky’s. Yeah, I know….the name is a bit of a turn off….or turn on, depending on your persuasion however, off to Kinky’s I went. Now, to protect the innocent, I won’t say who I was there with but, that isn’t important, what you need to know is this club lived up to its name. The best part…..I was sooooo under dressed. You see, after the party, I went upstairs and put on some cargo shorts and polo. I was done for the night and wasn’t in the mood to try and impress anyone. When we get to Kinky’s, we see people in suits, and everything else for that matter and I know I stood out like a sore thumb but, I didn’t care. We get inside and let me just say, I was a bit taken back. Let’s see if I can paint you a good word picture.

The club was in a converted strip mall area where right across the street they had a store called, “Condom Sense” which was a retail shop for everything condom. Granted, I am all about adults being safe but, coming from my little town here in Hermitage Tennessee, I hadn’t seem something like that before. Goodness gracious, when Hustler opened a store in downtown’s club area many years ago, we had protesters and marches from local citizens who felt it was a disgrace to Nashville. My point is, I live in a very conservative area of our country and obviously more so than Dallas Texas and, was just a bit surprised at the neighborhood I found myself in at 1:00am Friday night.

Ok, so, were in line and the people we were with had a VIP table so we got ushered past the velvet rope into the club. Now, the best part is I am in cargo shorts and a polo…..ROFLMAO! Everyone else is still in their party attire and of course those who were regulars at the Kinky’s were in club clothes so, I stood out.

As you walk in, to the left these 2 girls are there scantly clad and looking like they may have just wondered in off the street trying to find shelter from their pimp. I am not exaggerating here, they were beautiful in a Delilah (biblical reference) kind of way. By now, the music is so loud your eye lids start pulsating with the beat and the crown is already so thick, you have to squeeze through them similar to how you squeeze water from a wash cloth. It’s no secret I am a big guy so, when I was walking past people my rear and belly seemed to carve a path like a Land Rover going 50 through a field of fully grown corn, not that I would know anything about that personally…..it’s just a word image. Here I am, bumping and grinding with every Suzy Q and John Q Smith I pass and I am not even dancing! Just between us, I think some of those people saw me coming and tried to get closer……yuk!

Now, because the night was filled with a little too much frivolity I can’t go into all the details of what happened and who was there but, I do want to tell you about 1 thing I saw that truly made me realize I was not in my element.

As I am standing up looking around the sea of people, I saw this girl floating through the crowd with a whip in one hand and her other holding onto something I couldn’t see very well. Looking harder into the pulsating disco lights I see this woman, riding a little old Mexican man as if he was a horse. The craziest part was, he had on a full saddle and little horsey legs in the front. TALK ABOUT KINKY!

Well, needless to say, the night was filled with wonder and yes, Kinky’s was more of an experience I have had in a long time. In fact, just to tell you how dull I life I life, the closest thing I have done lately that even comes close is when I took my niece up to see Mammoth Cave in Kentucky last summer.

I am very grateful to everyone who helped make the night a success, especially Christian Broadwell of RealtyPilot.

Christian, you are a good friend, a great business partner and I am grateful that I was fortunate enough to meet you. I can’t wait to see what our future holds and I look forward to making this year one for the record books.

God bless each of you and let’s get to work!

No joke, I was actually told, “no thank you” by a Agent who I offered a lead to.

So, here is what happened.

As many of you know, I have been looking for some agents to work some leads we got in from our investor.

These leads are as hot as they come. Basically a buyer / seller searching online comes across the investor website and ask to be referred to a local agent who will provide them a FREE CMA on a home they want to buy or sell. REOPro then turns around, and distributes the lead, manages the lead and helps it get to closing. We don’t get paid otherwise.

Well, we had no one in RealtyPilot (the REOPro platform) that worked this zip code so I searched the REOPro.NING sit. I found an agent, called him up, offered him the lead and he actually said that he was tired of paying for things he would never use and declined to take the lead.

Just so you know, the lead wrote in the comments section of her application for assistance, “I want to list and sell my home”

Now, here is what chaps my cheeks. To get the lead, all he will be out is the $30.00 a month from RealtyPilot…that’s it. In fact, once he is done working the lead, he can cancel his subscription, it’s not like RealtyPilot has long term contract but, he was so oblivious to who I was, to who REOPro was, to who RealtyPilot was, to the nature of the REOPro / RealtyPilot alliance, he complete lost a great opportunity.

Now, here I am, with a lead….a seller, which is as hot as they come and no one from my network to work the lead. Now I have to go to REORedbook, search through the database and hopefully get myself a agent for a handout!

Honestly, I should have known better to call this guy. He had zero blogs, zero forums, zero comments and his profile didn’t even have his website, phone number or contact information.

Why is it, I have to go and find agents when I have leads to give out? Don’t tell me it’s because you have to pay for the technology platform. If its that much of a cost for you, cancel when you don’t want to use it. This way, you’re only out the $30.00 a month when you actually have a lead to work however, understand…….I am not going to go out looking for you each time I have a lead, I provide those people in RealtyPilot the first opportunity.