2. HAVING THE WRONG PARTNERS
Find partners who complement your attributes. The areas in which you lack are the areas where they should be strong. If you have strong Real Estate closing techniques but little cash, try to find someone who may not be the best salesperson, but who has the cash and motivation to make it happen. Other skills and assets of potential partners may be: knowledge of closings, repairs, understanding of mortgages and financing, and an overall good attitude. Be careful about forming partnerships with people who are just "there". This is includes friends, associates, and family members who may not balance your skills and knowledge in order to successfully reach your goals. Be sure that the people who you choose are a good fit for your ultimate objective.....to make money in Real Estate Investing.

3. BEING AFRAID TO FAIL
FACT! If you are going to be a Real Estate Investor in Georgia, you will make mistakes! Don't be afraid of the bumps in the road. Remember, most of these "bumps" will ultimately become tremendous learning experiences and will inevitably lead you to become a better investor. To offset your mistakes, be sure to take in as much good information as possible via Real Estate Courses, Seminars, CDs, and virtually any good piece of advice you can get your hands on. Because Real Estate Investing is a dynamic field, you should always be prepared for changes and a continual learning process.

4. NOT MAKING ENOUGH OFFERS
The more offers you make, the more houses you'll be able to buy. If you don't make any offers, how can you expect to find that deal of a lifetime? Don't be afraid of a seller telling you "No". "No" is just a word...and a little word at that. Just be sure that the homes that you make offers on are evaluated in advance. The deal should fit your goals and objectives. Don't try to fit a square peg into a round hole, but if you see a square hole, plant that peg. Usually the worse thing that could happen by making an offer and having it accepted and not being able to close is that you'll lose your deposit. No, this isn't an ideal situation, but this is a part of the risk of Real Estate Investing. Remember, the deals are out there, but you have to go get them.

5.OVERDOING WEASEL CLAUSES
Weasel clauses are "loopholes" that many investors put into contracts to make sure that they have a way to back out of the deal if they need or want to. Clauses such as "Subject to partners approval" and "Subject to Assignment of Contract" are considered weasel clauses. Weasel clauses are called "weasel" clauses for a reason. They are generally used by weasels. Most banks who own foreclosed properties don't even consider contracts that have these types of clauses in them and if they do, they will require a substantial amount of Earnest Money. Don't make an offer unless you plan on seeing the deal through. This is not to say, don't protect yourself with wise judgment and contractual protections, it simply means don't overdo it. You'll wind up "weaseling" your way right out of the market.

6. NOT BEING AVAILABLE
As an investor, the phone is your ally. It is crucial to make yourself available so you can catch" that deal" before someone else does. If there's a great deal on the market, generally, there are several other investors who would love to have it and will get it if you're not there to answer when opportunity comes knocking.

7. PURSUING UNMOTIVATED SELLERS
One of the first things in assessing a potential good deal is assessing the seller's motivation. Why do they want to sell? Are they in financial trouble? Has their job relocated them? Are they being sued? Spending time with seller's who are unmotivated will cause frustration and ultimately bad decisions. Simply put, don't waste your time. Quite the opposite, seek out sellers who have a "must sell" type of motivation.

9. LACK OF EDUCATION
Study, study, study. Learn, learn, learn. Classes, books, tapes, cds, seminars, mentors. Remember, education is the key to the front door of success as well as the universal key to the front doors of Real Estate Investment Properties.

10. GETTING DISTRATED
Avoid negative people, bad advice, doubtful relatives, get rich quick schemes, shortcuts, and all of the like. Real Estate Investing is one of the oldest professions in the world and has made more millionaires than any other profession in the world. The business speaks for itself. Create a system to deal with the distractions that you know will come. It is very important that you stay focused and keep moving until you reach your goals. Try using daily planners and good accounting practices's to track your habits and growth. Eventually, you'll see that your focus is the decided factor between success and failure.

12. DOING REPAIR WORK
As a Real Estate Investor just starting off, don't overwhelm yourself with a ton of "do it yourself" repairs. Many new investors get consumed for months on end with houses that they thought would be breeze to repair themselves, but wind up being nightmares. This is one of the primary reasons why many Real Estate Investors get burned out after 2 or 3 transactions. Not only can do it yourself repair become costly in terms of the pure dollars and cents aspect, but the time consumption can be draining your motivation. Hiring a professional contractor may cost a little more up front, but remember, quality always costs less in the end.....it cost less it money, time, and happiness.

13. DOING TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE WITH REPAIRS
Remember your objectives and keep things in perspective. Balance the repairs against the marketplace. Spending $5000 by putting brass door knobs and custom cabinetry in a home where the neighborhood is comprised of $50,000 homes where the cabinetry work is particle board and the doorknobs are plastic simply doesn't make good dollars and sense.

Likewise, doing too little with repairs can make it difficult in finding a buyer. Make sure that if a buyer looks at another home in the same neighborhood, the home that your have on the market is at least equitably appealing.