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- [00:02]
Lowe's Announcer
It's never too early for Lowe's Black Friday deals. Snag some of our biggest savings of the season right now, like 25% off select pre lit artificial Christmas trees. And get yourself free select Dewalt cobalt or Craftsman tools when you buy a select battery or combo kit before the Black Friday rush. Because everyone loves free stuff, right? Lowe's we help you save valid through 123 while supplies last selection varies by location.
- [00:31]
Capella University Narrator
Is it time to reimagine your future? The right business skills may make a difference in your career. At Capella University, we offer a relevant education that's designed to focus on what you need to know in the business world. We'll teach professional skills to help you pursue your goals like business management, strategic planning, and effective communication. And you can apply these skills right away. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at capella.
- [00:58]
Justin Colby
Edu what is up? The science of living family welcome back to another incredible podcast episode. As always, I have an incredible guest here. This man has been a student and a member of mine for some time, and he's gained a lot of traction. He has done deals, and I want to interview him on how people can break away from their W tube job, go full time into this business, how to get your first deal. I want all of you out there who are contemplating all of these things to listen to this episode. We have Stasio in the house. What's up, brother?
- [01:34]
Stasio Castasio
What up, brother? How's it going, man?
- [01:37]
Justin Colby
I'm excited to have this, man. You've been with me for quite some time, and it's, it's about time that you get featured on this podcast.
- [01:46]
Stasio Castasio
I appreciate it, man. Thanks for having me.
- [01:48]
Justin Colby
Yeah, dude. So let's, let's give. First of all, give everyone your origin story, right? You were doing your W2 thing. You wanted more out of life. You realized, you know, real estate was your way to do that. So tell everyone a little bit of your origin story because I'm sure most of these listeners are going to relate to it.
- [02:08]
Stasio Castasio
Yeah, man. So, absolutely. Yeah. Based out of, you know, San Diego, California. Again, grew up, born and raised here and, you know, grew up, you know, having the ambitions of, you know, going to college, you know, getting, getting a job and just what the, you know, what the American dream sold, you know, growing up. And so I did that, I did that. I went to school, went to San Diego State, studied civil engineering, you know, started working. A couple years into the job, I started realizing, like, okay, we can, I can move up here. And there. But it was a matter of time before I'm like, okay, well there's got to be a little bit more to just showing up to work. So, you know, about 10 years ago I started diving into, you know, real estate podcasts and started reading more books and, and just, you know, trying to learn, doing the education piece of it. And the goal at the time was, you know, to get, to get a property, buy my first property. And so I was able to do that with, with a lot of help and, and, and the goal and the, or the vision at that time was, you know, get one and get another one. And so fast forward, you know, I was able to, in the last 10 years I was able to acquire four properties. And so, so I have a couple rentals, one of them triplex Airbnb. So I've been, you know, staying busy with that for the last 10 years. But I got stuck a lot and trying to figure out how to scale, how to, how to get to the next level. And so I think, you know, the last 10 years has just been, you know, kind of working and finally more recently in the last year, you know, I said that's enough. So I really got serious, you know, started working out, going to the gym. But I knew I needed help and so definitely looked around and mentorship, different programs and so I mean I just, I had to dive deeper into, you know, scaling that dream of real estate investing. And so that's what I did this year. I actually left my W2 job and here I am, know, nine months kind of into, you know, not working the, the 9, 9 to 5 job and just all real estate investing. And man, I, I guess I kind of fast forwarded. But yeah, it's, it's been a journey and you know, I also have two young boys, wife and four and a five year old boy. Boys. And yeah, so you know, every day is, is, is, is challenging and, and I'm, I'm just, you know, kind of taking a lot of, a lot of it from coaching, a lot of it from the community and just trying to get better every day. But.
- [05:26]
Justin Colby
Yeah, well, let's, let's dive in, let's dive into your. You were a W2, right? And I believe he was an engineer, right?
- [05:34]
Stasio Castasio
Yes, correct.
- [05:36]
Justin Colby
So what was the breaking point for you? I think there's a lot of listeners out there right now who, their W2s, what, you know, whether there's a breaking point and they're really unhappy or not, but they probably want more than they currently have in life, right? And they're sitting here like, man, I've been watching all these YouTubes. I've been listening to all these. I want something more. What. What was it for you that finally, you know, fine, you bought four rentals while you had a W2, you had some extra income, you wanted to build up some wealth. I got that. But there's a difference between doing that and staying a W2 person for the next 30 years of your life and buying a rental a year for 30 years and having 30 rentals. Which, by the way, so we're clear, I'm not judging that, that that's not a bad life. Right. But what was it inside of you that said, okay, enough is enough, I want more, and if I'm going to want more, I need to put it on my shoulders and go for it?
- [06:26]
Stasio Castasio
Yeah, no, absolutely. You know, I. It was the last job I was at. I mean, I really enjoyed. Yeah, I was there for almost seven, eight years. It was actually a government job and it related to real estate. You know, but, you know, time, the real breaking point, I think it just started adding up where, you know, I tried to maybe get a promotion, try to get, you know, try to move up to the next level. And. And it just got harder as, you know, at some point you. You can't. I mean, you, you kind of hit. Kind of hit a point where, you know, you can only, you know, make another 10 grand a year, right, for. With a promotion or 10 to 20 grand where, you know, you can go and do that doing something else. And so I, I just. I had to, um, you know, do that, get denied, like, maybe three or four promotions and, and, and then I kind of look around and just realize that, all right, well, you know, most people are here, they're happy, you know, and, you know, maybe they. That's good for them.
- [07:34]
Justin Colby
And.
- [07:35]
Stasio Castasio
But for me, I. I knew I wanted more. I've always been the one to really, you know, take it to the next level, try to improve where I'm at. And. And I didn't see any room for growth where I was at. And it was just year after year, and I'm like, I definitely. I need to re strategize this plan. And so that was it. I mean, I think the very last straw was, well, we did have an opportunity, you know, as a government employee, to leave our W2 job and, you know, have some. Have some Runway. But I think the biggest thing for me is, you know, looking at my family, looking at where I want to be, you know, work, you know, 10, 20 grand more a year wasn't going to cut it, so I had to, I had to do something. So here I am.
- [08:29]
Justin Colby
Yeah, well, good for you. I, you know, this is what I tell anyone is being an entrepreneur is not easy. But what's really not easy is being dissatisfied with where you're at in life. Right. And so I applaud you. You should applaud yourself. Because what we do as entrepreneurs and then as, as well in the real estate space, there are a lot of challenges. Right?
- [08:50]
Stasio Castasio
But absolutely.
- [08:52]
Justin Colby
I believe if you were to stay in that job and have continued to, to want more and been dissatisfied with where you are currently at, and my, my own opinion of that, you probably would have actually been more unhappy or been more stressed out because of this internal like, I deserve more, my kids deserve more, my wife deserves more, but you, you weren't able to achieve it. Right. And so absolutely you should applaud yourself because to me, it is the right move as long as there is that drive to want more. Talk to us about, you know, since you quit, what has the journey been like? You know, and I don't want to necessarily paint a rosy picture, but you know, at the end of the day, you now do have deals going and you have deals under contract. And I think you and I just closed a deal, what, two weeks ago together.
- [09:43]
Stasio Castasio
Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
- [09:45]
Justin Colby
And you're a part of REI Live Co. So for all of you out there, if you want actual like 5 days a week coaching with me and Stasio is a part of this group. We go on zoom every day to analyze deals and call sellers and comp deals. It's re I Live Co. It's as cheap as $97 a month and you get every single call. In fact, I'll even give you leads to work. Right? So that is the same community Eustacio's in. It's the same community that he just. We did a deal together, I think two weeks ago. So let's talk about that. Like first of all, how did that deal go down? Talk to us about that deal.
- [10:24]
Lowe's Announcer
It's never too early for Lowe's Black Friday deals. Snag some of our biggest savings of the season right now, like 25% off select pre lit artificial Christmas trees and get yourself free select Dewalt Cobalt or Craftsman tools when you buy a select battery or combo kit before the Black Friday rush. Because everyone loves free stuff, right? Lowe's we help you save valid through 123 while supplies last selection varies by location.
- [10:52]
Capella University Narrator
At Capella University, learning the Right. Skills could make a difference. That's why our business programs teach you relevant skills you can take from the course room to the workplace. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at Capella Edu.
- [11:08]
Stasio Castasio
Yeah, so, yeah, no thanks. So that deal was actually a, a deal I had been working on for pretty much all summer, right? So it was like three or four months and it actually came from a lead from the Facebook ad that I put out. And, but they, so basically the seller was looking to sell their place, their property. And so we were working on that for like a couple weeks and then he calls me kind of out of the blue. He's like, hey, my family needs to sell a property. Can you help us? And so like, all right, well let's check it out. So kind of we had already kind of built some rapport and like really had good conversation, but he brought his, the property and you know, we, we took a look at it. We, you know, gave him, gave him the, the, the, the numbers and, and basically the outline of what, what we needed to do to, you know, to, to get that hundred. And so, you know, they, they thought about it kind of, you know, go, you know, I didn't hear from them for, for a few weeks. And so that's kind of what it, you know, a couple months passes and, and they're like, okay, we're ready. So, you know, we, we, we got it under contract. We, you know, had, had some, had some buyers interested in it, but you know, all along it was, it was the follow up, it was the, you know, weekly texts or, or just, you know, the call. Um, and so, you know, one of the, the biggest things that I, that I'm learning and I've learned on this is that, you know, you, you do the relationships, they matter, right? Obviously the, the follow up and, and, and just keeping that communication flowing. Um, and you know, you, you can't, can't really pinpoint everything that the other, you know, what they're going through or what, what's going to cause their decision. You can just give them, you know, know, the best and, and you know, down, down the road here we, you were able to close it. You, we had a buyer that was ready to go and you know, and, and they were, at the end of the day, they were, they were happy that they were able to, you know, get it sold. And I think, you know, for me this was, this was a big one because it, it was actually one of the, actually one of the first deals I did in terms of out of state wholesale deal. And it was huge for me because it wasn't a rental, it wasn't a fix and flip. It was something that I was able to do with help of a team here across the country. And, you know, I was able to coordinate and get, get it done, get it closed. But it was huge because it was, you know, something I'd been working on. And, you know, after so many contracts that I had, many contracts that I had, many conversations that I had that, you know, just, they, they all seemed like they were going to happen and, or, you know, or, and all the no's, right? All the no's. So all of that, all that built up, you know, really made it, you know, one of the, you know, accomplishments and, and for me here recently, but just a life lesson as well, right? You know, if I can go and, and buy a property, you know, across the country, you know, so can anybody else. And for me, it's, it's what I love doing. So I'm, you know, this is, this is why I'm here.
- [14:57]
Justin Colby
That's it, too. Well, you know, you say something that I, I need everyone to listen to this part of it. I, I have five pillars of success within business. And the last pillar, the fifth pillar, is removing your time expectation on the results. And Stasio, I know you've heard me say this over and over and over again on REI Live co, but it, but you embody that, right? Like you, you quit your job, you said, colby, I'm all in. I remember the day you called me, you're like, dude, I'm. I burnt the boat. Like, I'm in, dude, let's go. And we're going to do it virtually. California is a bit too tough for me, a bit too pricey for me. Let's go do this. And you really did go all in. But you. What you didn't do is you didn't say, I'm going to go get a deal in the next 30 days. I'm going to go get a deal in the next 60. Like you just said, I'm all in. And I'm going to put my head down. I'm going to go talk to about that. Talk to us about your mindset around it. Because some people think it's easy for me to say that. It's not easy for me to just say that. I practice this as well. I embody this as well. Because if you do put a timeframe around things, a lot of times, you'll make a lot of mistakes, right? A lot of times you're going to overlook things because you have this crunch feeling like, I need to make this work within a certain amount of time. How did you go out and do it? Because the people listening to this that are considering quitting their job, or maybe they're just considering getting into the space of real estate investing. The thing I'm hoping you get from this is a lot, but one of the main things will be this concept of don't put a time expectation on your first deal or, or don't put a time expectation on the, the first deal you get after you quit your job, because you will get there as long as you have someone to hold your hand, be shoulder to shoulder with you, get the deals done with you. Right. REI Live Co is built for that. But let's walk through your mindset about it. You know, Stasio, when you said, all right, fuck it, Justin, I'm in. Like, I'm going, what was your mindset around it?
- [16:46]
Stasio Castasio
Yeah, man. So, you know, and, and that's it, you know, I, I kept hearing that over and over. It's like, you can't put, you know, it's just the time, right? You can't put, you really have to put your time into it. And, you know, and, and, and, but there is no timeline, right? For me, I, I think, you know, just even leading up to getting to the point of coaching, you know, I, I, I, I thought about it too much, right? And, and that's it. Like, I come from, you know, engineering background and just that's how, you know, you're trained to think is, you know, really analyze everything, make sure everything. But, you know, as, as I'm, you know, diving in more into this, I, I'm realizing I just got to let go, right? And that, and that's part of what led me to be able to make the decision, of course, you know, having support at home and, you know, you know, close friends and family that, you know, like, hey, like that, this is, this is, this is a good deal. And like, I had to kind of, and hear that, right? But ultimately I had to make the, you know, had to, I had to take massive action and, and really just go for it. And because it's something that, you know, I, I didn't want to look back at and, and, and say, man, I, I could have done this or I should have done it, but, you know, I took it and you know, and, and, and now, I mean, I, going through it, it's, it was tough, right? I mean, leaving the job, okay? It's fine. First month, two months. It's just like, you know, the fear, right? You get, you have this fear. And so, you know, one of the things you say is like, you know, the being uncomfortable, right? I mean, you know, when you're, you're, you're, you get that feeling, right? I mean, and you're doing everything you're supposed to do, you know, you're growing, right? And so you can't pinpoint that and you can't really, you know, put a time, you know, timeline to it, but you just got to keep working. Every day it's like a reset, right? You start over, you grind and you know, you, you, you look at how you can improve and, and so that's, that's it. Every day since then, you know, I've, I've been doing it and you know, getting up early, like, you know, doing, you know, working, spending time with the family and, and just trying to stay, know, present, right? That's tough. But, you know, you just, you learn how to do it if, if that's what you want to do, right? And you know, three months, three months into it, I think that was the point where I, I'm like, okay, like I'm, I'm starting to feel a little bit better about, you know, the fear is kind of going away. I don't know if that's like, good or bad. But here, let's, you know, fast forward three, four months later and it's the best decision I've, I've made in, you know, in, in any points in my life. You know, just the feeling of being able to like, free your mind. I mean, I think that's where I've been able to build that up and along with, you know, doing the real estate investing, like, you know, hearing, you're just going through all the reps and hearing the no's and hearing and trying to solve problems. And so all of this stuff just, it builds you and, and you know, for me, I look back and what I tell people, it's like, you know, once you make that decision to go all in, you know, it, it's, you know, you won't regret it if you stick with it. For me, looking back, it's just like I basically rewired my mindset and, you know, not to think like a 9 to 5 person anymore W2 employee, but, you know, a real entrepreneur and someone that's out there hunting every day and gathering. I mean, it's definitely, it's great working from home or from wherever I need to be at, but it's just the weight off the shoulders of not going into something I didn't enjoy, right? And so that's where I'm at.
- [20:44]
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- [21:47]
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- [22:02]
Justin Colby
Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.
- [22:05]
Liberty Mutual Announcer
Cut the camera. They see us.
- [22:06]
Stasio Castasio
Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty.
- [22:09]
Liberty Mutual Announcer
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- [22:12]
Stasio Castasio
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- [22:14]
Capella University Narrator
At Capella University, learning online doesn't mean learning alone. You'll get support from people who care about your success, like your enrollment specialist who gets to know you and the goals you'd like to achieve. You'll also get a designated academic coach who's with you throughout your entire program. Plus, career coaches are available to help you navigate your professional goals. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at Capella. Edu.
- [22:45]
Justin Colby
So you talk a lot about. So pillar number three. Sorry to go back to these pillars, but the third pillar is taking a lot of action, right? So pillar number one is decide what you want and who you need to be to get it. That's essentially what we just talked about for 15 minutes. You made a decision. I'm going to be a winner and I'm not going to allow it to be a part of someone else's vision. It's going to be my vision. I'm going to own it. So you got to decide what you want and who you need to be. To get it. And I've watched the journey you're on. I love it. Right. As a friend. Right. I'm just watching. It's amazing. Number two is you got to commit to it. Well, guess what commitment you made. You quit your damn job, right? Like, you got. You're there, dude, right now. Number three is what you just talked about. You're like, all right, well, now I'm in it. Now I need to go. I need to run. I need to take massive action, imperfect action.
- [23:33]
Stasio Castasio
Action.
- [23:33]
Justin Colby
I don't know if it's right or wrong, but I'm going right. Talk. Talk to us about that. Like, what were the things right, day one, all the way, even up to today and how. And what you're doing today, this week? I know we have our REI live calls as of yesterday. You said you think you have, I don't know, somewhere, two or maybe even three potential deals about to get in contract. I think that's what we talked about yesterday. But. But, like, from the day you quit to even today, yesterday, like, what are the things that you started doing immediately that you could control that were in your power to control, that you were taking massive actinon.
- [24:08]
Stasio Castasio
Yeah, man. Well, so. And that's it, right? I mean, show. Showing up. Showing up. Is it, right? I mean, just being consistent at the things that you're that are going to, you know, it's, you know, time, health, family. And so, you know, the. One of the biggest things is to keep the health, you know, get up and work out, kind of clear the mind. And. And so that. That hasn't changed. I mean, I've. I'm going on maybe two years of. Of. Of, you know, kind of weekly routine workouts, and. But this. In this last year, you know, I really made it a point to. To start doing all the other things that you. Before. Before you go to bed, you, you know, basically plan out the next day. Little things. And. And so I've, you know, been able to pick up little things here in this group and. And just. And just in general on my own. And, you know, the. The biggest thing I think, you know, from taking the massive action is really being. Being all in. Right? And I think you. I mean, I know you talk about intent, right. Having intention, and like, that's it, right? In every conversation, every. Everything that I'm doing. Like this. This is. This is. It's not really. It's. It's survival. Yes. But it's also what I like doing. And, you know, I. I'm present here doing this Work. When I'm with my family, I'm, I'm there. I'm as, as, as. As best as I can can be like I'm doing, you know, the things, you know, being present, being intentional, like with everything that I do. And I've noticed you, I've noticed that from day one to now that, that I'm, that what I'm doing and doing. I got three or four deals. It almost seems like every week I've been able to get a contract, but more recently three potential deals, but you build that. And I think from when I started to now keeping track of your metrics and your KPIs and all of those little things, if you really just do it. Um, I mean it, it, it actually, you know, it, it all, it all comes together at some point. Right? You can't put a time to it. But it, it, it does come together. You know, the, the one thing that, the other thing that you know is, is going to. Showing up to. You know, we have calls in our community and you know, there's also addition other calls that we have that, you know, we're, we're surrounded by, you know, the, the putting myself, you know, in, in. In the, in the doors and you know, being in places where everybody is, is out doing the same thing, you know, is, is kind of what I've been doing more of now recently. And so yeah, you surround yourself, you know, your average of the, of the five people you surround yourself with. And so, you know, fast forward from, you know, a few months ago or even last year to now, you know, I'm, I'm doing, I'm around the people that are doing, you know, the same thing, you know, at different levels and you know, and I wouldn't change that.
- [27:48]
Justin Colby
Yeah, you know, you, you talk about kind of a fundamental. They're not my five principles per se, but one of the fundamentals. And maybe it's the sixth principle, but like have some level of mentorship, coach, guidance, leadership advisor that, that probably should be actually added as, as I was listening to you, I myself just literally two weeks back to back two weeks ago and last week I myself sat in rooms for four days with some of my advisors, mentors, colleagues that are at a higher level than me that I intentionally sit around every single year because I want to reach new levels. And I can't reach new levels with any level of success, I should say, without people showing me how to even get there are you don't get me wrong, I could get new levels, but like to be able to speed the time frame up, to be able to miss the potholes and the failures and the mistakes that actually come along with rising. It just helps people. And I think it is fundamental. And this is why Reilive Co was created, is to fundamentally allow me, after 20 years of doing this business, almost to help people like you and everyone else listening to this, go get your first deal, your next deal, your next deal, and start to grow an actual business. That is the idea. And in being very intentional about that, like, you show up for the most part almost every single day. These aren't mandatory calls, right? But you have committed again, this is part number two. You decided what you want, who you need to be, and you committed and you've committed re live co. Like, that's it. So when you have a question, I'm able to answer it. When you have a deal and you need to help underwriting, we answer it. Like, you are fully the prime example. You are a shining star. Like, you embody what it really means to be a student of the game, to take it seriously and know you deserve more. And, and that's why I'm so excited to have you on here, is because everyone should be listening to Stasio Castasio. I love you, brother, but you're not unique. You just made a decision. That's it, right? You're smart and you made a decision and you're going for it. And so I applaud you, dude. Let's, let's talk a lot, a little bit about real time, real, you know, right now, what is your day to day activities? Those actions that you're doing in the real estate business? What are you doing day to day to find sellers, to negotiate deals? Like, what does your day look like if someone were to quit tomorrow, how could they just get to today's version of Stasio versus, like day one? Stasio.
- [30:26]
Stasio Castasio
Yeah, man, Absolutely. Well, you know, comes down to doing all the things you hate to do, right? I mean, I, I, I don't, I, I don't like making calls, you know, to, to people. But yeah, at the end of the day, like, this is, it's, you know, it's a sales business. It's a business, right? And you have to get the conversations going. Like you have to daily, you know, make those, make calls and talk to people, right? I mean, what, what, whether you're trying to help them or whether they don't want to hear anything you have to say, you're getting out there, you're making the calls, you're talking to people. When you're having the good conversations and trying to help someone or basically just trying to understand what it is that's going on, that conversation after conversation, there's times where, yeah, I'm like, well, maybe I'll just text, maybe I'll just send them a mailer or send some texts and try to see if I can get any deals that way. And so time after time, it's like you have to get on the phone. So that's what I've been doing. I had a VA working with me when I was working my W2, and he's actually overseas and really great, great guy, good sales. But, you know, trying to train him and trying to learn myself, it got to the point where I had to just, you know, take a break from that and just get in there and start doing it myself 100%. And so that's, that's it, like, that's what I'm doing. I'm, I'm diving in every day making calls, you know, 50 plus calls a day. You know, I'm still doing, you know, some of the other marketing things, but, you know, really getting in the conversations because, you know it when you hear yourself, you watch yourself, you know, you're talking and just getting, getting to understand, you know, it's just, it's another level, another layer that really helps you get better, right? And the more calls you have, the more conversations you have, it's just, I don't know, there's something about it that just, you know, keeps helping you grow in that area. And for me, you know, I'm not, you know, I don't, I don't like doing a lot of the social media posting and, and, but you know, I started doing that as well. And so a little bit of that really just, you know, building your brand, right? I, I learned, you know, you talk about this a lot is, you know, your brand and, and really getting out there. And so, you know, I'm making my way into more of the social media side of it. But, you know, my vision, the way I see it, where I want to be, you know, next year, three to five years from now, you know, I, I, you, you will definitely see me building a brand around social media. And so that, that's it, right? Getting out there, doing those things where, you know, you're, you're showing everyone else like what your, your journey, your, your what you can do, what, what it is that, you know, what problems you're solving. And so that goes back to the phone calls, right? And there's time after time where I'm able to connect experiences and connect with people based on experiences that I've had or even travel knowing locations. I'm a maps guy. I've always loved geography and that's always been something. So I'm really good with direction and and locations. So when I'm in California and I'm talking to someone in Florida or in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, even if I haven't been there, I know where it's at and I'm able to connect with them. And again, all the experiences, all the conversations only help you get better.
- [35:01]
Shopify Advertiser
In.
- [35:02]
Stasio Castasio
Your day to day stuff.
- [35:03]
Shopify Advertiser
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- [36:01]
Capella University Narrator
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- [36:59]
Justin Colby
Your selling today and then where are you right now? As again trying to get someone from day one to Stasio's version today. Where are you finding seller leads and then how are you communicating with them? Where do you find them? And again I know some of these answers but I want you to tell everyone where you're, what they could do to get to you.
- [37:18]
Stasio Castasio
Right? So yeah. And you know it all, it's interesting. Like you know, every day when I'm doing work, I'm using skills that I feel like I've built up in the last, you know, 15 plus years. Right. And so you know, I'm, I'm, I'm working Excel data, you know, pretty good sized databases and I'm, I'm out there but you know, I'm also looking at, I'm doing, I've been finding a lot of, you know, with the foreclosures are, that are foreclosure auctions that are going up and that was actually takes me back to my first deal. First property that I bought, it was actually a pre foreclosure. They hadn't paid their mortgage in five years and so they had an auction date and I came in and I got a hard money loan and I was able to save it from being foreclosed. And at the same time I was able to get the seller, get them cashed out, get any debt off their record. And then I had a property with a couple hundred grand in equity. And so that example there, I look at the opportunity and so that's what I've been doing a lot of these days is really looking at foreclosure side of it and I'm actually going to county websites and looking at their calendars because they're all out there. But I'm also using REI lead machine and a few other searches and your Zillows and your Redfins to find some of these deals and that's it. I've always been pretty resourceful. So in this space in the last year I've been able to kind of learn and find the niches, find out what programs, what software and I have always been an Excel guy but now I think I finally got converted into the Google sheets. So I've been able to use all of these tools to organize and to effectively reach out to, you know, to you know, potential sellers.
- [39:42]
Justin Colby
So I, I mean it goes back and I don't, don't want to harp on but it's like the simplicity of taking action, but it's taking correct action. A lot of people will sit there and like, oh, I need to build a website or I need no go to Rocket site rocket sites. AI. Rocketsites. AI. There's your website. It's 50 bucks a month. Like, don't all these things that people get ready to get ready to get ready, and you're like, unnecessary. What's. What is necessary. Get on the phone with a homeowner, period. I don't care if they want to sell or not. Call them. Hey, do you have any interest in selling? Yes, I do. Awesome. Do you happen to have a number? You don't? Okay, well, I'm happy to walk you through this. And then there's a line of questioning. Hey, Mr. Homeowner, are you. You do another call? Hey, Mr. Homeowner, Are you looking to sell? No, I'm not. Okay, not a big deal. I'll move on to the next call. Like, the practicality of what we do and how we do it is very simple. It's not easy. Right, but it's simple. The not easy part is, like, you just said, you don't love calling sellers. Like, you're not like, oh, man, I can't wait to fire up and call these sellers. Like, Stasio doesn't wake up, fired up for that. Now Stasio wakes up, fired up to move the needle to make more money to get another deal. Right? But to do that, you got to actually just take simple action. Ridiculously, repetitively, simplifying it.
- [41:00]
Stasio Castasio
Right. I think that was one of the things that, you know, when we were doing some coaching, I, you know, I. I was trying to put together this huge, you know, database and. And tried to make. I was just making it complicated. And that's, you know, part of. Part of my engineering, part of my training. Like, I just, you know, I had to get rid of that. And so every day, I still have to tell myself, how do I simplify it? How do I make this easier? And, you know, just. And. And that's it. Right? You have to keep working every day on that. But it does come down to simplicity. I mean, you. You go to the simple things, and you have some tools, and at some point, when you're ready to scale, you can. But, I mean, it's as simple as just making the call and the next call and the call after that.
- [41:47]
Justin Colby
That's right. And so, dude, you know, listen, it's been my pleasure to have you on. First of all, I want people to also not miss what you said about leaning into a personal brand. It is very hard to. To get everything you deserve without allowing people to know what you're doing. Okay? So I want to echo this. No one here Listening needs to become an influencer on social media. No one needs to go viral. What you do need to do is let people know what you're doing. And I tell all of my students that Reilive co. Like, they all realize, like, you need to let everyone know you're in real estate. Let everyone know a deal that got done. Let everyone know you're talking to a homeowner about selling their home. Let everyone know you bought a rental. Like, if they know that, then all the other things start to come into play. Like capital, for example. It's easier to raise capital because people know what you do. Hey, you know your friend's aunt is going through foreclosure. You had no idea, but they saw that you're talking to a homeowner, and you just saved them for foreclosure. Your friend hits you up because his aunt's going through. Like, if you don't allow people to know what you do on social media, they don't have the opportunity to give you value. And that's what I implore for Stasio. And I would tell you guys all the same thing. And so, again, congratulate you to have everyone. Speaking of social media, where can they all find you? Where can they find Stasio?
- [43:08]
Stasio Castasio
You can find. So my. So my brand is Alta Homes. I am on. On all the social media platforms, but Alta Homes is. Is my brand. You can. At Alta Homes. You can. You can find me on there. Yeah, no, thanks for having.
- [43:26]
Justin Colby
Justin, what about Instagram and Facebook? Like, what's your personal. Because again, it isn't. I would tell you this. And everybody do not brand the company as much as you brand yourself. It is about the brand of Stasio. It's about the brand of Justin Colby. It's not about my companies. So take that yourself. And then the listeners also, you need to take that. People need to know, like, and trust you, not your company. Right?
- [43:50]
Stasio Castasio
Yeah, I know. AB. Absolutely. And so, yeah, I. I do tie. I do tie the company. So, yeah, you can find me on CA. Stasio, on Facebook, CA Stasio. And on Instagram as well.
- [44:05]
Justin Colby
Well, I appreciate you, bro. Let's keep rolling. For all those that are interested in being a part of this world, REI Live Co deals are getting done all the time. Stasio's in there myself. We do five days a week live calls. Stasio, how's that group been for you?
- [44:22]
Stasio Castasio
Oh, man, amazing. And the. The. The best part is that, you know, there's. There's, you know, there's different. It's, it's change, right? I mean, you have different. You have, you know, we've been working in smaller groups lately and, you know, really diving into some of these deals. And so it's been a great, you know, everybody that's on there, you know, is here to do the same thing and I'm glad to be a part of it. Thanks for having me. Justin.
- [44:50]
Justin Colby
Hell yeah, brother. That is Stasio. I am Justin Colby. This has been the science of Flipping. Make sure you give us a five star review and if you think someone else needs to hear this story, make sure to share this with two of your friends. Stasio. I appreciate you everybody and we will see you on the next podcast.
- [45:06]
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- [45:37]
Capella University Narrator
University Learning online doesn't mean learning alone. You'll get support from people who care about your success, like your enrolment specialist who gets to know you and the goals you'd like to achieve. You'll also get a designated academic coach who's with you throughout your entire program. Plus, career coaches are available to help you navigate your professional goals. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at Capella Eduardo.