The Art & Science of Real Estate Negotiation

Tom Zeeb

Negotiating is a mystery to most people. It doesn’t come naturally, and it isn’t taught in school. Yet it’s the key to getting what you want in business – and life. Is there an “art” to negotiation? Yes. But it’s actually the “science” that’s more important. Learning this structure unlocks an entire world of winning and success in any endeavor. Host Tom Zeeb is a best-selling author, speaker, real estate entrepreneur, and adventurer. He is the President of Traction Real Estate Investors Association and Founder of Traction Real Estate Mentors. Join him every week as he interviews successful real estate investors, partners, and students to unlock the secrets of their success. If you’ve been struggling to start your real estate business, or looking to take your existing real estate investing business to the next level, this show is for you. Learn more: https://tomzeeb.com read less
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Episodes

68: How Kitty Assenmacher Built A Thriving Wholesaling Business
Oct 23 2024
68: How Kitty Assenmacher Built A Thriving Wholesaling Business
Tom welcomes to the show Kitty Assenmacher, a successful real estate investor and licensed agent. Kitty shares her journey from being a novice in wholesaling to building her own business, focusing on acquiring properties and assisting local investors. She discusses the challenges of navigating the real estate market, the importance of genuine communication, and the value of community connections. Kitty also highlights her transition to full-time wholesaling, the significance of consistent marketing, and her future plans, including exploring senior living investments. This episode offers insights into the intricacies of real estate negotiation and the entrepreneurial spirit needed to thrive in the industry.What We Explored This Episode19:02 The Value of Wholesaling in Real Estate22:19 Learning from Negotiation Mistakes24:06 Negotiation Techniques and Instinctual Learning25:09 Real Estate Horror Stories and Lessons Learned28:11 Mindset Shift in Real Estate Wholesaling32:39 Merging Real Estate and Investment StrategiesMemorable Quotes"I think when you truly ask things or say things in a way where you're hitting home with someone, they realize that you're not trying to just sell them. There's actually more to offer." (Kitty)"It's hard. It's not easy to get up every day and do all the things over and over and over and trust the process and believe that it's happening, but showing up and doing it speaks volumes." (Kitty)"I wish I would have heard about this, known about this sooner, just because I think I would have done great sooner, too." (Kitty)Episode ResourcesTom’s Training Website Tom’s TOTAL TRACTION program Traction REIA Nationwide DealMachine Special Bonus OfferConnect with Kitty AssenmacherInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kittyassenmacherFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/kitty.dimascio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kittyassenmacher/Connect With TomDownload your FREE trainings today!👇The Deal Flow Maximizer™: https://tomzeeb.com/dealflowThe Negotiation Trifecta™: https://tomzeeb.com/trifectaImplementation Bootcamp: https://tractionrealestatementors.com/bootcamp/Deal Machine: https://www.dealmachine.com/Website -
67: Proven Strategies to Overcome Real Estate Hurdles - Frank & Laurie Woods
Jun 6 2024
67: Proven Strategies to Overcome Real Estate Hurdles - Frank & Laurie Woods
Tom welcomes to the show, a dynamic couple who transitioned from corporate jobs to being successful real estate investors. They share their journey, starting with the emotional and logistical challenges they faced when Laurie's father passed away, leading them to clean out and sell his house. This experience sparked their interest in real estate, and they dove in headfirst, learning the ropes through real estate investment groups and hands-on experience. Frank and Laurie discuss the importance of community and networking, emphasizing how their involvement with their Real Estate Investors Association (REIA) has been instrumental in their growth. They also highlight the value of persistence and the power of negotiation, sharing practical tips and personal anecdotes that illustrate their learning curve and successes. Key Takeaways03:02: Initial Real Estate Program and Joining Local Investment Group04:49: Benefits of Community and Accountability08:25: Emotional Hurdles and Control in Real Estate14:13: Attraction to Tom Zeeb’s Program15:20: Negotiation Techniques and Confidence Building17:27: Emotional Detachment from Properties20:04: Rehabbing as Primary Exit Strategy21:25: First Flip Experience and Learning Curve22:45: Helping a Seller in Foreclosure29:29: New Construction and General Contracting30:26: Changes from Total Traction Program36:14: Differentiating from Competition37:04: Importance of Follow-Up41:22: Using Negotiation Techniques with Contractors44:02: Benefits of Being Persistent45:26: Craziest Deal Experience48:53: Advice for New InvestorsTweetable Quotes"What I like about it is it makes us more valuable as investors. If we're not able to purchase a house or if we don't like the deal, it doesn't fit into our criteria. We'll know somebody that does or we'll find somebody that does. So we'll be able to help that person that is perhaps in a tough spot with their credit or they have to move for whatever reason. It's really important to them. We'll find a way to help them solve their problem or leave them with value." (Laurie)"We just had a gut feel that there was an opportunity here that we could. We're smart people. We should be able to make this work. Just have to put in a little bit of effort into it. And Lori will tell you, once we committed to it, she didn't sleep for a week." (Frank)"I have to separate the emotion from it. That was another big hurdle. Alongside getting into the business at first, separating myself emotionally and thinking of the houses as just inventory was a big deal. I feel that I'm getting to that point, or I've really made a big stride in having the properties be inventory and not take an emotional toll on me." (Laurie)Guest ResourcesTom’s Training Website Tom’s TOTAL TRACTION program Traction REIA Nationwide DealMachine Special Bonus Offer
s5e66 David Hayes - Overcoming the 'Fear of Success': Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
Oct 25 2023
s5e66 David Hayes - Overcoming the 'Fear of Success': Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
Tom welcomes to the show a long time Traction member, David Hayes, who shares his journey to real estate investing, rehabbing vs wholesaling properties, and why real estate investment truly was something which he couldn’t afford to fail. Today, David joins the show to talk about overcoming the ‘fear of success’, face-to-face negotiation tactics, and the importance of sticking to your exit strategy.Key Takeaways01:02 – Tom introduces today’s guest, David Hayes, who joins the show to discuss how he had no choice but to succeed in real estate investment and the concept of ‘buying correctly’06:11 – The fear of winning09:12 – Rehabbing properties and wholesaling17:45 – To buy, or not to buy?21:06 – Face-to-face negotiation tactics23:45 – David’s mindset and why he’s been a Traction member for years27:46 – Being comfortable with the uncomfortable31:22 – Dealing with taxes and investing in deductions33:16 – The most impactful thing Tom has taught David and the art of conversing with others38:45 – Advice David would give to the negotiation skeptics42:31 – Advice David would give to anyone hesitating to get involved in real estate investment53:21 – Overcoming the excuses and dealing with being a ‘perfectionist’1:00:47 – Tom thanks David for joining the show and sharing his storyTweetable Quotes“Back then it wasn’t so much that I was investing, but I was fine-tuning my craft. I took a lot of courses. I learned a lot of information. I learned a lot, but I didn’t know how to put it into action.” (01:36) (David)“People buy courses and they invest their money in education. But, education is only part of the equation; you have to put action behind it. And if you don’t put action behind it, nothing’s gonna happen. And a lot of time that inaction is because of fear.” (05:38) (David)“I don’t deal with motivated sellers because they don’t fit my criteria. I need HIGHLY motivated sellers. I need a person that I can ask the question, ‘If you don’t buy from me and I don’t buy from you, what’s your next move?’” (10:57) (David)“With this particular wholesale deal, I gave three different offers. The chances of getting a house when you make three offers and they make sense is very high. It’s a lot higher than just making one offer.” (22:09) (David)“One of the things that I learned about real estate is that sometimes you have to just go out on blind faith. People don’t feel comfortable with that. And, if you’re not gonna do it the way people who are successful are doing it, then that means that you’re gonna try to learn it your way, which is going to take more time.” (27:46) (David)“You need to know how to talk to people. And if you can talk to people and make people relax around you, then they can believe in you. And if they believe in you, then they’ll listen to what you have to say. If they’re not sure about you - if you go in and they don’t get a good vibe from them - it takes a lot of work before you can turn around and get them to believe in you later on. So, the best thing to do is, from the minute you meet them, be very humble.” (36:16) (David)“You have to know what your goal is. And based off your goal, you’ll know what you need to do. So, if you need immediate cash, then you want to wholesale. If you want to develop legacy money, then you want to buy cheap. Sometimes it requires a combination of the two.” (44:50) (David)“When you buy something, know what your exit strategy is before you buy and stick to it.” (50:04) (David)Guest ResourcesTom’s...
s5e65 What Happens When You Don’t Care Anymore with Sam Glavin
Oct 13 2023
s5e65 What Happens When You Don’t Care Anymore with Sam Glavin
Tom welcomes to the show a successful student of his, Sam Glavin, who shares what inspired him to venture out into entrepreneurial real estate, what drew him to Tom’s program, and how he’s dealt with massive rejection. Today, Sam joins the show to talk through his marketing strategies, recent rehab deals he’s completed, what ‘wholetailing’ entails, and his future investment goals.Key Takeaways00:59 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Sam Glavin, who joins the show to discuss what inspired him to pursue entrepreneurial real estate 07:21 – Why Sam chose Tom’s program and Sam’s biggest deal to date 13:23 – A numbers game 16:54 – Dealing with rejection (42 times to be exact) 20:38 – The tedium of marketing and making things conversational 27:32 – Sam’s big rehab deal 30:54 – ‘Wholetailing’ explained 35:32 – Hiring employees & building a business 39:24 – Advice Sam would give to anyone hesitating to get involved in real estate investment 43:29 – Tom thanks Sam for joining the show and sharing his storyTweetable Quotes“I say the first deal is around the corner, because it is. I worked four months to get my first deal and then it happened. And then literally two days before I sold that one, I got my next one under contract.” (10:46) (Sam)“It feels almost too good to be true to even keep it up. It’s one thing to get a deal every couple of months, but to actually keep it up and start turning it into a business, I do see that mental shift you’re talking about. It’s hard to see.” (12:46) (Sam)“It is a low response rate for most types of marketing. I think the biggest thing is testing stuff and testing everything.” (21:29) (Sam)“I used to be very, very shy. You would have never, ever had me doing any networking events. It would be unheard of for me to do anything like that. Once I realized that you’re just talking to people who have a house issue, it’s just made it more streamlined. I’m not asking question after question. I’m just having a conversation with them, understanding what they need and what they want with their house.” (23:15) (Sam)“You are paid in proportion to the problems that you solve. Solving a housing issue that is some people’s biggest purchase is incredible. We get paid very well for solving that issue.” (24:58) (Sam)“I will never stop having leads come in. That’s the death of your business really.” (30:04) (Sam)“I want to turn this into an actual business and get into long term, tax benefit type real estate.” (38:05) (Sam)Guest ResourcesTom’s LinkedInTom’s Training Website Tom’s TOTAL TRACTION program DealMachine Special Bonus Offer
s5e64 Rejection, Consistency & Persistency with Bob Erwin
Oct 2 2023
s5e64 Rejection, Consistency & Persistency with Bob Erwin
Tom welcomes to the show a successful student of his, Bob Erwin, who has a background in real estate as an investor in distressed properties. Today, Bob joins the show to detail his deal flow and process, how he approaches the beginning phases of a negotiation, and marketing strategies that he has successfully implemented.Key Takeaways00:53 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Bob Erwin, who joins the show to discuss his background in distress properties, how Craigslist helped him secure a deal, and his latest project07:00 – Why Bob decided to pursue Tom’s program10:36 – Bob details his deal flow13:19 – From small talk to business talk17:50 – Dealing with rejection19:36 – The number one best negotiation lesson Bob has learned from Tom21:55 – Marketing strategies that have worked for Bob25:44 – Advice Bob would give to anyone hesitating to get involved in real estate investment28:07 – What Bob got out of Tom’s Total Traction program and final words of advice from Bob32:14 – Tom thanks Bob for joining the show and sharing his storyTweetable Quotes“I enjoy it - vacant property, niches, tall grass, broken windows, abandoned cars, code violations, things like that. As long as somebody is living nearby that property, you can find a way to find that owner and take over that property.” (03:56) (Bob)“You find that there’s a lot of people out here who just hold on to these properties. They’re sometimes boarded up, they’re paying fees to the city to cut the grass and things like that, but they won’t sell them. Only in America does stuff like this happen.” (04:31) (Bob)“I don’t pray for patience, I use it.” (07:51) (Bob)“When you find that one piece of property and you keep hitting them, and hitting them, and hitting them, and staying consistent and persistent and having a little bit of patience, that often wins you that opportunity.” (10:21) (Bob)“I was in Walmart a couple of weeks ago, and I had on my t-shirt that said, ‘We Buy Houses,’ and somebody in line said, ‘You’re the person that’s sending me those cards all the time.’ And it was somebody that I never sent a letter to, but the idea here is that they recognized who I was. I didn’t make a deal with them, but I gave them my business card and I made sure they knew who I was.” (24:17) (Bob)Guest ResourcesTom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s Training programDealMachine Special Offer
s5e63 The Marketing Secret Sauce :: Finding Off-Market Real Estate Deals with Matt Kamp
Sep 13 2023
s5e63 The Marketing Secret Sauce :: Finding Off-Market Real Estate Deals with Matt Kamp
Matt Kamp is the Vice President of Partnerships at DealMachine, the highest-rated and most- reviewed mobile app to find off-market real estate deals. Today, Matt joins the show to discuss the many features of DealMachine, and how they are achieving their goal of helping real estate investors find deals. Matt and Tom talk about the numbers game that is Marketing, the importance of consistency, and overcoming the paralysis by analysis mindset.Key Takeaways01:02 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Matt Kamp, who joins the show to discuss DealMachine, the highest-rated mobile app to find off-market real estate deals 05:31 – Driving for Deals 09:31 – How DealMachine works 15:02 – The postcard feature 17:38 – The unglamorous secret to Marketing 21:07 – Matt’s route tracking process 24:43 – The overall goal and focus of DealMachine 27:55 – Advice Matt would give to those considering DealMachine 33:22 – Matt announces some great giveaways to listeners 36:32 – Tom thanks Matt for joining the show and lets listeners know where to connect with himTweetable Quotes“Deal Machine, in general and from a high level, you can really think of us as a tool to help you find off-market deals. That’s really what it comes down to.” (02:29) (Matt) “Our view on technology is that it should be enabling you to better do your job. And, the right actions to take that are gonna get you to deals is finding people who are motivated to sell, getting in contact with them, and actually having a conversation.” (04:33) (Matt) “In the end it’s a numbers game, and it comes down to taking the right actions consistently and building out a system to do that.” (09:05) (Matt) “If you’re actively doing this, you can re-drive areas every six months or so and find fresh opportunities. So, that data is super helpful.” (24:08) (Matt) “It truly is about mindset. You have the playbook in front of you and you know it’s worked a ton of times. It’s easy to feel like you need to know everything before you get out the door and take that first step...but, unless you get out there and take action, it’s not gonna translate.” (32:34) (Matt)Guest ResourcesTom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s Training programMatt’s LinkedInMatt’s EmailLink to The 3-Step Playbook to Find Deeply Discounted Off-Market DealsLink to DealMachine Free Trial: Use Promo Code ‘TRACTION’
s5e62 Real Estate Investing as a Couple - Awesome at Any Age with Stan Friedman & Ange Lorenz
Sep 4 2023
s5e62 Real Estate Investing as a Couple - Awesome at Any Age with Stan Friedman & Ange Lorenz
Stan Friedman & Ange Lorenz are a husband-wife duo who have discovered the adventure of real estate investment and are reinventing themselves accordingly. Stan has a background in the financial industry and Ange is a former small business owner who loves real estate. Today, they join the show to discuss how they cope with unanticipated problems that arise from real estate investing, what it's like to work together as a couple, how they transitioned their lives and business from the DC area to Florida, and advice they would give to those hesitant to take the plunge into this exciting world.Key Takeaways00:56 – Tom introduces today’s guests, Stan Friedman & Ange Lorenz, who join the show to discuss what it’s like as a married couple working together in real estate 08:21 – Unanticipated problems 18:26 – Transitioning their business from Maryland to Florida 22:59 – Age is just a number 28:14 – The number one takeaway from working with Tom 33:13 – The value of being a contrarian 34:57 – What Stan and Ange would do differently if given the chance and advice they would give to anyone hesitating to get involved in real estate investment 44:56 – Tom thanks Stan and Ange for joining the show and sharing their storyTweetable Quotes“I’m the creative person. He’s the finance guy. So, we have our own skill sets and where we come into conflict is when I have my designs and he says, ‘No, this is the budget.’ So, it’s a challenge sometimes, but it’s fun working together to complete a project together.” (05:16) (Ange) “We’re looking at [real estate investing] as reinventing ourselves. So, it’s very exciting for us.” (23:21) (Ange) “If something goes one way, you go the other way. This is the only business I’ve been in where you can make money whether the market goes up, down, or sideways. You just have to know that if this isn’t working, you try something else.” (26:52) (Stan) “You have to push forward and make those dreams a reality. Carve out the time that you need to do what you want to do and move forward with it, rather than letting all of the other noise get in the way and rob you of your time.” (37:38) (Ange) “Ok, so you’re gonna have some crabby people on the other end. You have crabby people in the grocery store, for crying out loud. You just deal with it and move on. So, just look at it as an adventure, as an exciting opportunity to meet people and help people out of their situation, because that’s what you’re doing.” (40:34) (Ange)Guest ResourcesTom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s Training programStanley’s LinkedInDigital Business CardDealMachine Special Offer
s5e61 Where Selling meets Negotiation :: Always Be Opening with Matthew Kimberley
Aug 25 2023
s5e61 Where Selling meets Negotiation :: Always Be Opening with Matthew Kimberley
Matthew Kimberley is the CEO of Book Yourself Solid Worldwide, author of Get A F*cking Grip, and creator of Delightful Emails, The School for Selling, The Single Malt Mastermind and more. Today, Matthew joins the show to discuss the nuances of negotiating and selling, how to exercise your ‘Sales Muscle,’ and the power of speaking things (or asking them) into existence.Key Takeaways01:04 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Matthew Kimberley, who joins the show to discuss his background in recruitment and how he got involved in real estate investing 07:24 – The Sales Muscle 19:43 – Overcoming the fear of selling and building confidence 32:05 – The power of speaking things into existence 34:53 – The difference between Negotiation and Sales 38:12 – Play the Game and have fun doing so 39:32 – Tom thanks Matthew for joining the show and lets listeners know where to connect with himTweetable Quotes“I help people who haven’t been trained in selling, but they have got some other technical skill. And I help them marry their desire to make a decent living from their technical skill with the ability to actually make a decent living. So, they have the desire, and I show them the processes, the skills and the knowledge that they need to have in place. And I try to keep things as simple as possible.” (06:34) (Matthew) “There is absolutely no question that there’s a direct correlation between meaningful sales activity - asking people, ‘Would you be interested in buying my thing? Would you be interested in sitting down and talking about this opportunity? Are you in the market for? - and how many sales you make. The old adage from Glengarry Glen Ross that we should ‘Always Be Closing’ is nonsense. We should always be opening. We should always be creating opportunity. And creating opportunity is as easy as asking, ‘Are you interested?’” (09:55) (Matthew) “Nobody ever gets offended, ever, when you say, ‘Would you be interested in buying my thing?’ People get offended when you don’t listen to their answer.” (16:14) (Matthew) “The temptation for many people - especially at the beginning of their sales journey - is to invest a lot of opportunity in anybody who expresses interest.” (21:52) (Matthew) “We can all improve the quality of our lives by recognizing that if we ask for something, there is a much higher possibility of us receiving it. And, you can apply this to your actions as a buyer as well as your actions as a seller.” (32:05) (Matthew) “Anybody who decides that they will learn selling can make a living. In any economy, there will always be supply and demand requirements. If you can sell, then you’ll never go hungry. And if you can remember that, it can be an awful lot of fun.” (38:51) (Matthew)Guest ResourcesTom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s Training programMatthew’s LinkedInMatthew’s WebsiteMatthew’s Instagram
s5e60 2 Months to Success - Crushing it in the DealMachine Challenge with Jake Draves
Aug 18 2023
s5e60 2 Months to Success - Crushing it in the DealMachine Challenge with Jake Draves
Jake Draves is a current student of Tom’s and today, Jake joins the show to walk Tom through some of the latest deals he’s made using the strategies and best practices he learned from Tom’s course. Jake talks about overcoming paralysis by analysis, the value of going back and forth in negotiations, and his future goals to pursue everything from wholesaling and flipping to holding.Key Takeaways00:54 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Jake Draves, who joins the show to discuss his background in the real estate appraisal industry and what made him want to be an investor 05:42 – How Jake took advantage of The Deal Machine Challenge 07:10 – The negotiation process and the importance of going back and forth 12:17 – The duplex deal 16:59 – Jake talks about a third deal he recently made 19:08 – Overcoming paralysis by analysis 20:34 – Advice Jake would give to his younger self and what he would do differently if given the chance 25:42 – Initial fears Jake had to overcome 28:34 – What’s next for Jake 29:54 – Tom thanks Jake for joining the show and lets listeners know where to connect with himTweetable Quotes“[Negotiation] was the one thing I was a little bit worried about because I was under this misconception that I had to be the Wolf of Wall Street in order to negotiate and then I’d hit a roadblock and it’s gonna show through. But, it couldn’t have been easier, especially having the framework of your courses.” (10:09) (Jake) “I understand that mistakes will be made. I’ve accepted that. I’m just trying to make sure every time I walk away from a conversation, I’m replaying it in my head and looking at what went wrong and looking at what I did right.” (19:21) (Jake) “If I’m just clicking away on YouTube, you just never know. You don’t have access to any of the ‘experts’ that you’re trying to learn from.” (28:19) (Jake) “I would like to get to the point where any lead that comes in I would know what to do with it and how to deal with it, whether that’s wholesaling, flipping, or hanging onto it. It might take me a little bit longer to get to my end goal if I’m being split up down the three paths, but that is my ultimate goal.” (28:48) (Jake)Guest ResourcesTom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s Training programDealMachine Special Offer
s5e59 How to Create a Simple, Compelling Marketing Message with Dov Gordon
Aug 1 2023
s5e59 How to Create a Simple, Compelling Marketing Message with Dov Gordon
Dov Gordon is a marketing expert with a gift for helping businesses create simple, compelling marketing messages. Dov has been one of Tom's consultants for many years. Dov is the Founder of JVMM, a highly curated network of "thought-leader" entrepreneurs who promote each other. Recently, Dov decided it was time for another ‘leap.’ He shut down his own boutique coaching business and made JVMM his main focus. His mission is to serve his members as best as he can. Today, Tom and Dov engage in a rich discussion on curating a simple, compelling message, how to attract the right people, and how to clarify your Marketing message to make your entire real estate negotiation process easier through having a compelling marketing message.Key Takeaways01:01 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Dov Gordon, who joins the show to discuss what goes into an ideal marketing message and how he attracts the right client 12:05 – Curating a simple, compelling, head-turning message 23:50 – The Cash Flow example 29:15 – The Cup of Coffee/Pint of Beer Test 31:31 – How Marketing overlaps with Negotiation and the difference between rushing and a sense of urgency 35:45 – Tom thanks Dov for joining the show and lets listeners know where to connect with himTweetable Quotes“A good marketing message will lead you to change your plans and take a step towards me or towards whoever is putting out the message.” (04:33) (Dov) “The first thing to understand is what is the purpose of a good message. And the purpose of a good message is to get the attention and the interest of your ideal client. That may or may not sound like a tall order. The good news that there’s only two things that get the attention of your ideal client. Number one, a problem they have and don’t want, and/or if you talk about a result they want and don’t have.” (04:58) (Dov) “In order to craft a simple, head-turning, compelling message, you need to start with your core idea and take it through seven filters. You really want it to pass from one to the next and, if it goes through all seven filters, you’ve got a simple, head-turning, compelling message.” (12:33) (Dov) “People try to load too much into their messages. They try to be too high level and the problem is it’s meaningless. If you try to put too much into it, you lose people. And the reason we do that is because there’s so many people we could help. That’s true, but the more you put in there, the fewer people are gonna read your message. So, you’ve got to work with human psychology.” (28:49) (Dov) “There’s a distinction between rushing and a sense of urgency. Rushing is where you try to make something go faster than it’s naturally able to go. A sense of urgency is where you don’t allow things to take longer than they need.” (32:47) (Dov)Guest ResourcesDov’s LinkedInDov’s WebsiteDov’s EmailDov’s FacebookDov’s InstagramDov’s MasterclassDealMachine Special Offer
s5e58 Debunking Excuses through Focused Consistency with Valerie Lucas
Jul 21 2023
s5e58 Debunking Excuses through Focused Consistency with Valerie Lucas
Valerie Lucas is a real estate investor, Traction REIA member, and a student of multiple training programs, including Tom’s Total Traction program. She’s a dedicated and consistent entrepreneur who took a big leap of faith and has been rewarded many times over. Today, Tom and Valerie take a deep dive into her investment strategies, how Valerie used the power of marketing and consistency to grow her business, how she combines the various programs she is in to maximize and achieve top results, and advice they would give to the naysayers and nonbelievers.Key Takeaways00:03 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Valerie Lucas, who joins the show to discuss the real estate investment deals she’s working on and how she mastered the art of consistency 07:41 – How much money and time Valerie has saved by implementing Tom’s system 09:19 – Valerie speaks to her largest deal and what having great cash flow has allowed her to do 12:50 – Breaking the stereotype associated with investors 17:36 – The Marketing Magic 19:37 – Deal Machine, explained 23:58 – Valerie talks about what was different about Tom’s training course and how it has unlocked the other training programs she uses. 25:46 – Advice Valerie would give to those considering a career in real estate investing 28:43 – Overcoming the ‘time hurdle’ 32:44 – What’s next for Valerie 34:48 – Debunking the excuses 38:13 – Tom thanks Valerie for joining the show and congratulates her on all of her successTweetable Quotes“You have to want it. That’s what I wanted. I wanted that freedom.” (08:29) (Valerie) “Even when you flip houses, you’re taking a home that’s in a community that could be an eyesore for those living in the community and you’re bringing it up to value.” (13:00) (Valerie) “I’m literally just riding down the street and I see a house that I can take a picture, send the postcard and all of that right from my phone. Before, I used to have to write the address down, get back home, pull it up, do the research. Deal Machine helped automate all of that.” (19:09) (Valerie) “I’m looking to build my wholesaling business. That’s what I’m focused on now. So I can build it, stack up some cash and position my furnished rental business. The goal there is to eventually sell that off.” (32:55) (Valerie) “You’ve just got to do it. It will work. You’ve just gotta stay consistent, and identify a budget - even a small budget - because once you get to your first deal, you can reset and pay off whatever you need to pay off. Before you know it, your accounts will start to have some high balances on them.” (38:40) (Valerie)Guest ResourcesValerie’s LinkedIn Link to Deal Machine Traction REIA
s5e57 Your 50s is Where It’s At! with Steve Lloyd
Jul 10 2023
s5e57 Your 50s is Where It’s At! with Steve Lloyd
Steve Lloyd is a Founder and Managing Partner of several real estate development companies. He is responsible for investor relations, specifically securing capital from private sources for placement into acquisition, rehab, and development activities. Steve is well-known for his abilities to identify real estate market opportunities, and he is nationally recognized as an expert in raising and investing private capital. Today, Tom and Steve engage in a rich discussion on building a real estate portfolio, the power of cash flow and compound interest, and traits to look for in a good business partner.Key Takeaways00:45 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Steve Lloyd, who joins the show to discuss Covid, his decision to create a new lifestyle for himself, and how real estate played a big role 07:50 – How Steve went from 2.5 million dollars in debt to living his best life 09:59 – The importance of balance when building your real estate portfolio 16:49 – What to look for in a good business partner 23:19 – Steve points out his strengths and weaknesses when it comes to real estate 25:18 – Rule 72 and the power of compound interest 31:39 – Fighting through trials and Steve’s five year plan 36:01 – The power of cash flow 40:02 – Advice Steve would give to younger people looking to get over their own egos 45:25 – Steve’s morning gratitude routine 50:09 – The dangers of holding on for too long and final thoughts from SteveTweetable Quotes“I wanted to create a new lifestyle. I sold a big portion of my real estate and I went to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, and I came back with a 52 foot Horizon Motor Cap.” (04:09) (Steve) “I think there needs to be a balance. The wealth is created by the real estate that you hold, because with flipping you’re paying the highest taxes because it’s all short-term capital gains. There’s no tax benefit to it. So, I say everything in life is balance. So, maybe flip two, wholesale two, and keep one. You’ve got to build up that real estate portfolio over time.” (09:59) (Steve) “To me, you have to keep progressing. You have to better yourself physically, mentally, with your real estate. You have to go to these real estate meetings and learn and network.” (15:27) (Steve) “To me, there’s many things that I know and I could talk about, but I really hope people in their late twenties and early thirties are maxing out that self-directed 401(k).” (25:18) (Steve) “It’s really not hard to build a real estate portfolio.” (36:01) (Steve) “Once you get the money - the cash flow - then you can invest in other things, I believe. That’s how it’s worked for me.” (38:13) (Steve) “If something is burning you up in your life and it’s not working out, let it go.” (50:26) (Steve)Guest ResourcesSteve’s LinkedIn
s5e56 Improving Lives through Wholesale Real Estate Deals with Roger Schulz
Jun 23 2023
s5e56 Improving Lives through Wholesale Real Estate Deals with Roger Schulz
Roger Schulz just closed his very first wholesale real estate deal and helped improve his seller’s quality of life too! Tom welcomes his former student, Roger, to the show to break down the process, from start to finish. He explains in detail how he implemented the strategies and best practices learned from Tom’s course to find a property and seller, find a buyer, and facilitate a smooth real estate transaction. Finally, Roger provides his own pearls of wisdom for those on the fence about getting involved in real estate investing.Key Takeaways00:49 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Roger Schulz, who joins the show to break down his very first wholesale deal, and what clicked for Roger when he took Tom’s course10:33 – The Deal Machine Challenge19:14 – Advice Roger would give to those who are afraid of cold calling20:35 – What stood out about the property that Roger ended up acquiring22:38 – Dealing with the seller, Mark, and becoming an advocate for him31:13 – Building your buyer’s list39:58 – Roger describes how he feels now that he’s closed his first deal43:58 – Nice Guy vs. Good Guy48:01 – Negotiation and the ‘flinch’ technique54:58 – Roger sings the praises of Tom and his program57:26 – What Roger would say to those on the fence about getting into real estate investing1:00:08 – Tom thanks Roger for joining the show and congratulates him again on the success he’s achievingTweetable Quotes“When you’re treading water, you’re just treading water. I didn’t really know where to get started or when. But then, it was zero to one thousand miles an hour with getting everything set up. And having Tom’s system made it doable, made it possible, and also gave me the accountability to just make it happen.” (04:06) (Roger)“Sometimes, the way they do business is so profit focused and less people focused. And, at the end of the day, this is a business about helping people. This is a business about doing something great, not only for myself and my family, but also for the community.” (08:44) (Roger)“Some people argue, ‘Find the deal first, then build your buyer’s list.’ Some people argue, ‘Build your buyer’s list first.’ Ya know what, it doesn’t really matter. You’ve got to have a group of people that you know might be interested in buying it, otherwise you’re putting your wholesale deal on Craigslist. And that can work. You never know.” (31:37) (Roger)“Even though I didn’t know him, he was still my fellow man. And I was able to really help him out with his situation. I was able to get him care when nobody else knew that he needed it. And now his quality of life has gone up tremendously. And honestly, I wasn’t expecting that when I got into this.” (39:23) (Roger)“That’s one of the big traps you can fall into when doing real estate. Real estate is one of those where it can be a great business; it can be a lot of fun. But it can also burn you really, really badly.” (45:19) (Roger)“Surely you have to be true to yourself, because the moment that you start to seem fake, or it starts to seem scripted, or it starts to seem off a natural reaction, you have to make your reactions natural.” (50:17) (Roger)“First off, make sure you’re settled and ready to do this and undertake it, because if you want it, it’s there. And if you get yourself hyper-focused and motivated on this, it’s achievable. Anybody can achieve this. It’s just a matter of putting yourself to the grindstone, holding yourself accountable, showing up for Tom’s meetings consistently, participating and asking questions.” (58:11) (Roger)Guest Resources
s4e55 Having a No Quit Mindset with Michael Fitzgerald
Sep 11 2021
s4e55 Having a No Quit Mindset with Michael Fitzgerald
Welcome to the Get Traction Podcast, a show aimed at educating aspiring real estate entrepreneurs. Today, Tom welcomes to the podcast real estate investor, developer and entrepreneur, Michael Fitzgerald. Michael is the owner of Gideon Properties and has over two decades of experience in real estate. Tom and Michael engage in a rich dialogue about what it takes to become successful in real estate, advice and best practices for those looking to break in, and Michael’s journey overcoming self-doubt and other obstacles. They talk about having the right attitude and mindset, being consistent in marketing and why age shouldn’t deter anyone from starting their real estate investment journey. Key Takeaways 00:45 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Michael Fitzgerald, who joins the show to share the biggest lessons he’s learned throughout his real estate investment journey05:34 – Having a ‘No Quit’ attitude08:47 – Advice Michael would give to those looking to break into real estate09:54 – Overcoming self-doubt18:33 – Tom speaks to why he believes Michael has had such success as a real estate investor22:16 – Michael issues a challenge to aspiring real estate investors26:10 – A legendary closing story29:18 – The biggest shift in mindset that Michael underwent in his business35:03 – What Michael would do differently in his career if given the chance38:17 – Why age is just a number40:50 – Consistency in marketing and cultivating relationships53:06 – Tom thanks Michael for joining the show Tweetable Quotes “I’d say the biggest thing I’ve learned in real estate is sticking with it.” (04:58)“I still get down sometimes but I keep moving forward. I never stop. I never stop believing even when I’m down.” (11:07)“Everybody out there is capable. And they’re capable when they make themselves capable. They’re not capable by talking about it.” (20:25)“I started realizing a long time ago that if you do everything yourself you only get so far and you only have so much quality of life.” (29:32)“I think it’s important to know that you can do anything you set your mind to if you do it. If you’re willing to put in the effort and go above and beyond, I really believe in my heart of hearts, you’re gonna be successful and you’re gonna get the dreams you wish.” (34:21)“You don’t need money to do deals in real estate. You need effort.” (45:36) Tweetable Quotes Tom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s BootcampMichael’s LinkedInGet Traction Podcast  🎙️ 🎙️ 🎙️Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast - https://fullcast.co/sn
s4e54 Local Government and Real Estate Investing with Charles Tassell
Sep 4 2021
s4e54 Local Government and Real Estate Investing with Charles Tassell
Welcome to the Get Traction Podcast, a show aimed at educating aspiring real estate entrepreneurs. Today, Tom welcomes to the podcast Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the National Real Estate Investors Association, Charles Tassell. Charles shares his experience as a commercial real estate investor and political lobbyist. He speaks to best practices and strategies for evaluating neighborhoods, the strategic advantage of buying during a down cycle and the importance of choosing the correct business partner. Charles speaks to the impact that local government can have on real estate investing and the value of getting involved in your community at the local level to bring about positive change. Key Takeaways 00:40 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Charles Tassell who joins the show to talk about his real estate investment strategies and the work he’s doing as a political lobbyist05:27 – The strategic advantage of buying during a market down cycle and the importance of choosing the correct business partner08:55 – Headaches in real estate investment and tenants13:05 – Best practices for evaluating neighborhoods16:14 – The process of ‘slow flipping’ properties20:13 – Advice for those looking to get into commercial real estate22:50 – Charles speaks to the experiences he’s had with different banks24:39 – Making the shift from residential to commercial real estate investment31:41 – Talking politics in real estate37:35 – The importance of paying attention to local government39:59 – What the average real estate investor can do to protect themselves47:19 – Tom thanks Charles for joining the show and let’s listeners know where to follow him Tweetable Quotes “I like Warren Buffet’s line, ‘Buy when people are selling and sell when people are buying.’” (06:09)“When you’re a local investor and you’re able to look them in the eye, talk to them, communicate with them, there’s a greater interpersonal need for that. And affordability is where small investors can actually help the most and have been helping.” (33:12)“The divestment that we’re going to see and continue to see in some of these overregulated markets is going to continue to escalate.” (35:00)“One’s very profitable, non-regulated, lets the marketplace work, lets investment work, and lets people actually make their own decisions. And, let’s face it, that’s a heck of an incentive if I’m out selling a widget and nobody wants to buy my widget. I better improve my widget to make it better. It’s the same for housing.” (35:21)“Constituents drive legislation.” (38:04)“Most people really are, especially at the local level, just trying to help to do something for their neighborhood.” (44:27) Tweetable Quotes Tom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s BootcampCharles’ LinkedInGet Traction Podcast  🎙️ 🎙️ 🎙️Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast -
s4e53 Real Estate Investment Makes Sense with Kathy Fettke
Aug 28 2021
s4e53 Real Estate Investment Makes Sense with Kathy Fettke
Welcome to the Get Traction Podcast, a show aimed at educating aspiring real estate entrepreneurs. Today, Tom welcomes to the podcast real estate developer, fund manager and educator, Kathy Fettke. Kathy is the co-CEO of Real Wealth Network, a California-based real estate investment network helping local and international members build wealth through free education, resources and investment properties. Kathy shares her unique story of how a health scare led to her taking the first step towards a successful and lucrative career in real estate investing. She speaks to the impact that COVID-19 has had on the industry and why she’s optimistic for the future. Finally, Kathy shares why investing in real estate just made too much sense not to pursue. Key Takeaways 00:36 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Kathy Fettke who joins the show to talk about the work she’s doing at her company, Real Wealth Network08:27 – Kathy shares an interesting story about the 2008 housing crisis15:24 – Kathy’s process for evaluating the real estate market19:33 – Differentiating between ‘A’ and ‘B’ neighborhoods22:38 – How the global pandemic has impacted the real estate industry25:53 – What Kathy credits much of her success to27:17 – Kathy speculates on what the future holds for real estate34:10 – How Kathy took that first step towards real estate investment40:04 – Tom thanks Kathy for joining the show and let’s listeners know where to follow her Tweetable Quotes “The rent that comes in doesn’t cover the costs, so it costs money to own these assets when you own them in California, unless you have a short-term rental. That’s something new that actually can cash flow, but that’s not passive. It can be, but it’s definitely more of an active investment.” (05:19)“If you love fixing things, if you love flipping houses, you should do that near you. And, I assure you, even in this high priced market in California, there’s people around here flipping houses and making money.” (16:10)“If you can find a place that is job friendly, and there’s jobs coming in, and there’s infrastructure growth, and it’s affordable – those are the four things – I don’t think you can fail.” (19:10)“What people who study demographics are saying is that there’s this movement, this demographic shift, to the Southeast. It’s a beautiful place. You’ve got Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Texas. And these are areas that are still pretty affordable compared to the coasts.” (28:02)“Your accountant didn’t sit you down and say, ‘Here’s how you can pay no taxes and own a lot of real estate.’ Did your accountant tell you that? Mine didn’t.” (36:09) Links Mentioned Tom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s BootcampKathy’s LinkedInThe Real Wealth Show PodcastLink to Kathy’s Book
s4e52 The Journey from 9-5 to Financial Freedom with David McGrady
Aug 23 2021
s4e52 The Journey from 9-5 to Financial Freedom with David McGrady
Welcome to the Get Traction Podcast, a show aimed at educating aspiring real estate entrepreneurs. Today, Tom welcomes to the podcast real estate entrepreneur, David McGrady, who shares insights and stories he’s experienced while wholesaling. David talks about being consistent in your marketing and the importance of not letting fear prevent you from making offers. He opens up about the amount of work required to become a successful wholesaler and shares the craziest story from his real estate investment journey. Finally, David provides best practices for building rapport with your buyers and advice for those looking to break into the industry. Key Takeaways 00:34 – Tom introduces today’s guest, David McGrady who joins the show to talk about his experience as a real estate investor and his goal of achieving financial freedom06:14 – David talks about how he identifies motivated sellers consistently09:02 – Consistency in marketing17:15 – Negotiating deals19:21 – David talks about not letting fear dictate your strategy as a real estate investor23:23 – The amount of work that goes into an average wholesale deal31:01 – David shares one of his craziest deals ever32:31 – Challenges and obstacles that David had to overcome early in his real estate investment career33:34 – Balancing the entrepreneurial lifestyle38:17 – How David has improved as a negotiator and the importance David places on active listening46:12 – Other tactics David has employed to build rapport with motivated sellers57:30 – Tom thanks David for joining the show Tweetable Quotes “Finding a way to have financial freedom is by far my number one goal. That is something that, as an at-will employee, I have no control over my job. And to be able to take control is something I’d like to have in the future.” (02:38)“If there’s a motivated seller and you hit them at the right time, it [a deal] could happen instantly.” (06:07)“I mean you can’t stop marketing, no matter what you do. Your course teaches that. Be consistent with your marketing because when you take your eye off the marketing piece because you have a deal you’re trying to work, you might be two months from your next deal. So that’s really, really important.” (09:09)“Wholesale is work. It’s not a get rich quick. You do have to put in quite a bit of work and I think you’ll see the benefits.” (23:14)“I think finding that mentorship is super important. I think it’s something that’s really understated. But finding a good mentor that will continue to push you, to call when you have issues, to get through hang ups, I think that’s one of the biggest things.” (32:44)“It’s amazing, truly amazing, how many different ways in this world that you can make money.” (37:55)“One of the most powerful statements that we’re using right now is, ‘I might not be the right solution for you, but I will tell you everything that I know to get you there.’” (46:22) Links Mentioned Tom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s BootcampGet Traction...
s4e51 Lifestyle Design & Freedom with Michael Vogel
Aug 14 2021
s4e51 Lifestyle Design & Freedom with Michael Vogel
Welcome to the Get Traction Podcast, a show aimed at educating aspiring real estate entrepreneurs. Today, Tom welcomes to the podcast real estate investor, Michael Vogel, who shares his experience as a rehabber, house flipper, and rental manager. Tom and Michael engage in a rich discussion about real estate investment strategies, the Lifestyle Design exercise and how to identify the right business partners. Michael speaks to the goals he’s set for himself and what lies ahead in the future. Key Takeaways 0:41 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Michael Vogel who joins the show to share his background in real estate and how he got involved in rentals04:10 – Managing rentals and growing the business06:38 – From lofty goals to relatable goals09:46 – The Lifestyle Design exercise14:44 – The shift from 9-5 to full-time real estate investing17:35 – The many hats Michael wears20:36 – Michael reflects on an experiment he and his fellow partners took part in23:50 – A necessary mental shift and finding the right business partners32:48 – Michael talks about his goals for retirement37:53 – Advice Michael would give to his younger self40:23 – What’s next for Michael50:39 – Tom thanks Michael for joining the show Tweetable Quotes “Managing rentals is a hard job, a hard business. And it really takes away from growing the business in my opinion.” (05:04)“Close your eyes and imagine you’ve got all the money. You’ve got the whole network. You’ve got all the resources in the world at your fingertips. What does that look like? And write down, ‘what you would do every day, every week, every month?’” (10:19)“One thing I tell people all the time is that if you get good at this and you develop the skills around investing in real estate and you enjoy it, even when you reach your goal you’re not gonna stop because it’s fun.” (13:31)“I think if people spend more time on their strengths they’ll have exponential growth versus trying to focus on your weaknesses and make your weaknesses as strong as your strengths.” (22:48)“I probably would have taught myself, at an earlier age, the whole lifestyle design part of it earlier. We had some struggling years where it felt like things weren’t going anywhere.” (38:44) Links Mentioned Tom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s BootcampGet Traction Podcast Michael’s LinkedIn 🎙️ 🎙️ 🎙️Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast - https://fullcast.co/sn
s4e50 Grit, Tenacity and Surviving the Sales Drought with Ryne Lambert
Aug 7 2021
s4e50 Grit, Tenacity and Surviving the Sales Drought with Ryne Lambert
Welcome to the Get Traction Podcast, a show aimed at educating aspiring real estate entrepreneurs. Today, Tom welcomes to the podcast real estate investor and wholesaler, Ryne Lambert, who reflects on his journey as an investor, the types of deals he’s working on and the boom or bust nature of sales. Ryne goes into detail on marketing strategies, cold calling and the number one mindset shift necessary to become successful in the real estate industry. Key Takeaways 00:39 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Ryne Lambert who joins the show to share his experience as a real estate investor02:55 – Ryne reflects on finding his groove as a real estate investor06:46 – How many offers Ryne makes on an annual basis and the types of deals he’s bringing in10:15 – The not-so-frightening world of Cold Calling13:30 – The number one mindset shift necessary for investing in real estate15:31 – Wholesaling, finding buyers, fees associated and time invested19:08 – What’s frustrating Ryne the most23:47 – Ryne speaks to one of the major lessons he learned from Tom26:15 – Having the right mindset during a sales drought30:37 – What Ryne would do differently if given the chance35:01 – The major draw that brought Ryne into Tom’s Bootcamp37:40 – The craziest deal Ryne ever worked on45:03 – What’s next for Ryne47:41 – Tom thanks Ryne for joining the show Tweetable Quotes “I think finding someone that’s experienced that can help you along the way can just accelerate you. It’s rocket fuel.” (06:39)“A ‘No’ isn’t that big of a deal really. ‘No’ is a good thing, in my opinion.” (13:30)“I think the frustrating part at the beginning was just finding my way and finding the marketing that fit me. Because I’m an honest believer that not everyone can cold call, not everyone can do direct marketing, not everyone can door knock or ‘insert marketing here.’” (19:17)“Sales is streaky. I had a cold streak for three months and then in two months I’ve gotten five contracts.” (26:36)“I think the way that I put my deals out to buyers has been strengthened by your [Tom’s] program as well. I follow your advice to the ‘T’ and it has definitely differentiated me from other wholesalers in the area.” (43:10)“The impact you have on people, even if you don’t buy, helps in this industry. You can help so many people and make such a huge impact just doing this business.” (49:04) Links Mentioned Tom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s BootcampGet Traction PodcastRyne’s LinkedIn 🎙️ 🎙️ 🎙️Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast - https://fullcast.co/sn
s4e49 Go Out and Get Your ‘No’s’ with Linda Locasio
Jul 31 2021
s4e49 Go Out and Get Your ‘No’s’ with Linda Locasio
Welcome to the Get Traction Podcast, a show aimed at educating aspiring real estate entrepreneurs. Today, Tom welcomes to the podcast real estate investor and broker, Linda Locasio, who explains lease options, how to set up resale prices with a buyer and the average profit she makes on an investment. Linda goes into detail about how she operates as a real estate investor and key insights and lessons she’s learned throughout her entrepreneurial journey.Key Takeaways00:40 – Tom introduces today’s guest, Linda Locasio who joins the show to share her experience as a real estate investor and broker03:59 – Lease options explained and how Linda operates as a real estate investor12:29 – Setting up a resale price with a buyer20:11 – How much profit Linda makes on the average property25:49 – Linda reflects on her experience as a single, independent investor27:59 – The role marketing plays30:16 – The secret to getting paid39:01 – Advice Linda would give to beginner, intermediate and expert investors47:26 – Seeking deals out everywhere53:04 – Tom thanks Linda for joining the showTweetable Quotes“The big thing to remember here is banks don’t want real estate. They’re not in the business of owning real estate. Banks are in the business of loaning money. That’s what they want. They don’t want to be a land lord. Banks want money.” (10:01)“These people don’t care about the purchase price. They care about the monthly payment. So, it doesn’t matter for the most part. But when the appraisal man comes knocking at the door, he really determines what the sales price is gonna do.” (13:57)“Most of the ones I buy are what I call ‘Bread & Butter’ properties. I don’t want anything that’s real high priced and I don’t do the slums.” (20:32)“You know what it all comes down to is marketing. If you know how to market, you can sell or buy anything. If you’re on the market for properties, then you need to market for them.” (28:49)“Go out and know that you’re gonna get ten ‘No’s’ today or tomorrow. You want to get your ten ‘No’s.’” (39:40)“The more you have, the more you have to be accountable for and take care of.” (51:34)Links MentionedTom’s LinkedInTom’s WebsiteTom’s BootcampGet Traction PodcastLinda’s LinkedIn 🎙️ 🎙️ 🎙️Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast - https://fullcast.co/sn