Welcome to "Pop's BackYard Blog!"

[WV "Pop's" Smith]

Hello! And welcome to "Pop's Backyard Blog!" (aka "PBB"). We're really glad you decided to stop by, and we hope you will be to!

Whether you're new to real estate investing, an "ole hand", or somewhere in-between, if you're looking for a great place, in cyberspace, to do some serious wholesale "haggling" (and have some fun, besides), you've found the right place.

If you're looking to broaden your knowledge, post of few deals of your own, or just "hang out" with some experienced and knowledgeable folks-serious investors who share your enthusiasm for this business, we think you're going to like what you'll find, and the people you'll meet, in "our backyard".  

We're New (But Not, Really!) 

Although the "backyard" is new to The Net, "Pop's & Friends" have been involved in most every aspect of real estate investment, in markets across the country, for more years (collectively) than we care to count or admit.  

From "flipping" (not a "bad word", done right, newbies!) and "landlording" (is "landlording" a real word?), to rehabbing, new-construction, wholesaling, syndication and so much more, someone you'll meet in these pages will have done it. And, as we "grow" the forum together, you'll find increasing numbers of seasoned investors on these pages who'll be willing to answer your questions and share their experiences ("the good, the bad & the ugly") with those of you who are serious about learning what it takes to be successful in this business.  

Rules of Engagement!

As to "the rules", there's really only one; namely, that we treat each other the way we want to be treated-with respect, honesty, integrity and fairness. In this context, here a few things to think about... 

• If you post a wholesale deal, please..."tell it like it (really) is". Don't try to hide or misrepresent the details-experienced investors will pick that up with the first "mouse-click"!.
• If you're not sure about the numbers, say so!  And make sure, always, that there's enough "room" (margin) in the deal for your prospective "take-out" buyers (your fellow members) to make a "buck or two". Obviously, the question here is " is this a deal you'd do, if you were on "the other side of the table", if you knew all the facts, beforehand? 
• If you take issue with a fellow-member, at some point or another, don't make disagreements personal. Remember that 'to disagree without being disagreeable" is a virtue that will be appreciated by all who follow your "thread". 
• The ability to respect another's point-of-view, is what separates the professionals from the "wanna-bee's"-an important difference between those who make it in this (or any) business, and those who don't.
• Success in this business is all about reputation-and yours will soar (or suffer) to the extent that you're committed to "keeping it real!". 

Something (Some Things) to Think About! 

Some ten years back, after retiring from my "day job" of more than 35 years, I decided to "dabble" in real estate-and "dabble", upon "dabble", I did!  

Within a year or so of "trial & error" (I've made virtually every mistake the "terminally-ignorant" can make in this business- and most of them twice- because I'm not real bright!), I was irrecoverably hooked!

Badly bruised, but unbeaten, and bitten badly by this damnable bug, I'd fallen in love with "ugly houses"!  And there was no turning back, for this "battle-scared" (but still hardheaded) Donald Trump "wanna-be".

Once the pain became severe enough to force me become "willing to be willing", things began to work, "as advertised". I began to see how simple-NOT EASY, BUT SIMPLE (and there's a big difference between these two little words) this business could and should be.    

As I "got simpler", things got better (Duh!). And I began to envision a business model, based on a set of simple principles that I've become, with experience, completely committed to. I've included them for you here, because they've served me well, and because it is my sincere hope that they, or some variant of them, will work for you (preferably in less time that it took me to "see the light"), as well.

I commend these seven principles to you now, hopeful that the attention you give them, and the time you spend with us here, will be prove to be interesting, instructive, profitable and just plain fun. 

It is also my hope that you will decide to tell others about us-and that you will continue to return to these pages again, and often. 

My "Simple-Seven" ...         

• To always treat our customers clients and stakeholders the way we ourselves want to be treated by them; 
• To actively "grow the business" buy seeking a fair and honest return on our investment in time, expertise, creativity and capital, for ourselves and for those who place their trust in us;
• To manage all of our resources prudently,efficiently, and effectively, for the good of the enterprise, for those we serve, and for all those having an equity in what we do; 
• To focus on the establishment and maintenance of mutually-beneficial and ongoing relationships with the customers, clients, and stakeholders we seek to serve; 
• To learn and grow, but not shrink, from our mistakes-and strive conscientiously not to repeat them; 
• To seek-out opportunities to give something back to the communities that sustain us, the neighborhoods from which we came, and to those less fortunate that we ourselves have been; 
• To be ever-mindful that the most important thing we will ever own is our reputation-that our reputation can be no stronger than our word! 

Pop's here... 

          

[William Saafir]

These are solid principles to build any business upon! They are simple and straightforward. Most importantly they allow for maximum transparency, which is vital in today's economy.  

[Andre]

That's a very strong Seven