Transformations are everywhere. We transform ourselves, our jobs, our businesses, our wardrobes, and even other people's homes. ​When our partners and teams look for the right property to rehab, fix & flip, or fix and hold, we look at several different things.

Ultimately, it's about the numbers in the deal. Can we buy the property for X? Can we fix it for X? Can we sell or rent it for X? We look at the neighborhood. What's happening there? Is the neighborhood in disrepair or does it look healthy? Is it a neighborhood where businesses thrive and people are working, or is it run down? 

If we completely rehab the property, will it become comparable to other homes on the block or will it be the best and most expensive, and thus hard to sell? Will hold proper value if we add bathrooms or bedrooms? Is the outside appealing or does major exterior work have to be done? Do have the right contractor for the job? Do we have other investors who are interested in helping us fund the project?

There is so much to consider. But when it comes to finally making the decision to acquire a property, then the fun begins. The transformation. Do we completely re-do and replace everything? Or do we just add a little lipstick and move on to the next? 

We are currently completing a rehab that has been quite a transformation. A traditional bungalow on the northwest side of the city, had been vacated by its owner, who had become a hoarder. Before any actual work began, we had to clean out each and every room, that was filled with everything from treasures to garbage. 

It will be satisfying to see it come to completion within the month. Below are a few before and afters of this interesting project.

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Leadership
 
Leaders are created at all levels. You can lead with purpose from any level. Wherever your leadership journey takes you, remember that your followers are not just a number. They are real people who have a lot to contribute.
 
Leadership doesn’t just start with titles, and levels of sales. Leadership starts the minute you decide to make a difference.
 
Leadership has little to do with titles, and everything to do with influence.
 
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”  ~John Quincey Adams
 
One goal of a leader is to create an environment where great ideas can happen.
 
Leaders need to look to the left and to the right, not just ahead or behind. They need to support one another and do what’s best for the team. Leaders support people at every level on the team. We need to offer constructive feedback, while celebrating team wins.
 
If you find team members who only have sales and marketing skills, but they don’t believe what you believe they will only work for the money, and they won’t find the highest possible levels of success in our business. But if you enroll believers, they will work with you with their blood, sweat & tears. Believers don’t just want to make money, they want everyone on their team to live rich lives.
 
Leadership is the ability to rally people not just for a single event, but for years. 
 
We begin leading the first time we speak to a prospect who might become part of your team. What we want to let them know about is not just what our company does, but why our company does what they do. When a “why” is clear, those who share that belief will be drawn to it and may want it to become part of their life.
 
We spend a lot of time talking about our own “why’s,” but we may not spend enough time sharing the “why’s” of the company, and the “why’s” of the prospect.
 
Simon Sinek wrote the books, “Leaders Eat Last” and “Start with Why.” He is famous for talking about the Golden Circle. Three concentric circles that reveal why we are loyal to certain brands beyond what we think about what thy make and sell.
 
The outermost circle is What they sell
Inside that circle is the How circle
Inside the How circle, at the very center, is the Why circle
 
Most organizations think from the outside in. the best organizations think from the inside out.
 
A good leader communicates the why to their team. This inspires people to join the mission.
 

The top photo here is the old tile in our Elmwood Park property. We were tempted to keep the old tile because it was nice, simple pattern, and in such good shape. The question when doing a rehab is always...will it enhance the property to change it and help bring a better price to the sale at the end of the project, or...is it a place to save some money, and not make the change? Ultimately, we decided to make a change, and we selected the tile in the photo below. Although it has a bit of an old world look to it, it is one of many new patterns that have recently been shown in the marketplace. They are old world patterns, brought back to contemporary life. The colors in this tile will blend much better with the color scheme of the rehab that we have planned. More photos will be shown in the project section as we move along with the project. 

March 22-24, 2018
​Three days of marketing, business development & personal development training. 
Three days of awesome networking with investment community members from around the nation. 
Three days of talking with and dining with 1000 of your closest friends!

Ask yourself what things you can give up, in order to achieve success. 
Can you change your sleep habits? Get up an hour earlier?
Can you watch less TV? Turn it off earlier at night?
Work out more regularly so you gain more energy to do your work?

We all know that SOMETHING has to change in our daily lives if we want different results in our business. Most of us are comfortable in our lack of success because it's where we are, and what feels familiar.

Remember about "thinking outside the box?" It's time. Step outside that comfort zone and decide what can change for you.
​ 
Make some changes. 
Create your new success!!

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We are all more capable than we think. We constantly sell ourselves short. There are big opportunities out there awaiting us, and there are small opportunities. It doesn't matter.

Does the opportunity speak to us?
Does it sound like something that we've always wanted to do?
Does it feel good to us?
Have other people been telling us for a long time that we could do it? 

What's been holding us back?
Money?
Time?
Knowledge?
Relationships?

Nonsense. Take a chance. Go for it.
​Life can be amazing if we say YES to more opportunities. 

Overcoming Mediocrity is a project developed by Christie Lee Ruffino and the Dynamic Professional Women's Network, Inc., intended to provide women with a platform to share their stories
of encouragement, inspiration and prosperity. 

This fifth book in the series is a unique collection of stories from resilient women who have overcome great odds
to create their own lives of significance.

These stories will certainly inspire and encourage women
to realize their true potential.

Enjoy your Free eBook! ~ Nancy 

Millionaire Investor & Instructor shared insider investor strategies with us on Friday night & all day Saturday.
While Chris is a master wholesaler, he discussed current trends, current conditions, and the political climate.
He discussed challenges, and what makes a deal. He warned about the "gotchas!" Chris covered myths and truths about real estate, including the biggest lies being told today.

​This time spent learning from a master was well spent. He was generous about answering the questions that we all had for him. Make it a point to come to our next two-day real estate intensive. It'll be well worth you time as you learn from the best. 

www.incomesystemsforlife.com
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