Month: April 2026

The Greatest Power of Humankind

The Power to Choose. You’re probably thinking, “really Dan? You click-baited me for this?” Stay with me here today. I had that same thought when I read a book years ago on this topic. As the years have progressed I’ve witnessed the power of both wise choices & poor choices.

Let’s swap  “power to choose” for “decision” as we continue here.

Where does EVERY SINGLE DEAL you’ve ever done begin?

It MUST always begin with a DECISION about what price you are willing to pay. Then comes the offer.  Again, seems simple, but I can remember struggling for DAYS wondering,

“What should I offer? Is this too much and I lose money? Or is it too low and I don’t win the deal?”

Making an optimal decision when considering a deal is the KEY to making a deal. The wealthiest real estate investors I know analyze a deal and make a quick decision about the price they’re willing to pay. Then they make the offer. Speed wins deals. Quick decisions offer you speed.

Failures in the real estate business flounder with the decision of how much to offer. So they make NO offer and win NO deals. With no deals, there is no profit and one must flee to another profession.

Today’s lesson? Or reminder? Get good at deciding what you will pay and MAKE THE OFFER!!  

Here are 38 properties for sale which you can make offers.

Imagine a 12% Treasury Certificate

US Treasury Certificates are considered the safest place to park cash by the entire world.

Right now, a 6 month treasury offers 3.64% as calculated on an annual basis. So you buy the certificate today for $100,000 and in 6 months you receive $101,820.

If you could somehow buy a certificate that offered 12%, you’d invest $100,000 and receive $106,000 in 6 months. Much better return.

The truth is, a US Treasury Certificate paying 12% or more has not existed in over 40 years. They are not likely to return either.

However, there ARE places you can park your cash for 6-12 months and receive 12% returns. I am paying 12% on several million dollars invested with Diamond Equity this very minute on a few dozen projects we currently have in motion.

The safety of US Treasuries comes from the fact that the repayment of the principle and interest is guaranteed by the US government.

The safety of a Private Mortgage Investment into one of my deals comes from the fact that the repayment of principle and interest is guaranteed by me personally, and the volume of deals we successfully close. Plus, your investment is backed by a first position mortgage, promisory note, and lender’s title policy.

• Considering Lending me Money? Sign up here and review the documents found in the email you receive upon confirming your email address.
• Interesting in Building Your Own Network of Private Lenders to Fund YOUR Deals? Sign up here and review the Private Money Masterclass detailing the concept

The Best Deal I’ve done

Several of the partners here at Diamond Equity are currently going through this book. To properly “read” (prob better described “live”) this book takes 10 months. If you read it, you know.

I first read this in 2003 when I was selling cars. I remember suddenly hitting sales bonuses and higher closing % immediately as I began the habit of reading this book.

I bought a few used copies on Amazon-as I prefer Hard Cover books over soft & I love seeing someone else’s notes on the pages. Wabi-sabi

When this one arrived, I noticed it was old, but in great condition. I paid $11 plus shipping.

Upon closer inspection and with the help of Gemini AI, I discovered I am now the owner of a First Edition, First Print run copy of a book that has changed my life. Value, in this condition, is between $250-$400.  

Let’s call it $300 value. I paid $11.  ROI nearly 27X on my money. I have done no other deal anytime in my life with a 27X return on my money.

You think, “Ah, that’s small money Dan”

Here’s the real Return on Investment (ROI): “Today I will multiply my value a hundredfold” – Scroll VIII – Og Mandion. The habits of thought, belief, & action developed through this book is how I built the life I live today.

To accidentally own a First Print Run, First Edition of a book that has done so much for so many people, feels like a winning lottery ticket.

 Be the Best Partner Possible – Exceed Expectations

If you are partnering on a real estate deal with someone, or a team, it is best to setup expectations in advance about what you’re expected to do, and what each other person is expected to do. Even if you are just the “passive money” in the deal, you should still be aware of who & what is being done by the partners.

Once expectations are setup, the Best Partner Possible EXCEEDS those expectations. They try and step up and do MORE than they’re required. They surprise the other partners with great ideas and bring more value to the table than the promised.

The failure of this principle is said best by Proverbs 25:12: 

“Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.”

The Best Partner Possible in a Real Estate Deal ALWAYS:

1. Identifies & secures a profitable deal
2. Overcomes all hurdles to getting that deal closed
3. Manages the deal through THE ENTIRE CYCLE until the property is sold & all partners are paid in full.

1. Identifies & secures a profitable deal  – No profit is made, and no partnership produces return if no real estate deal exists to be done. Obvious, but most real estate investors crave more deals than they’re actions product.

2. Overcomes all hurdles to getting that deal closed. Title issues, challenges with tenants, inaccurate financial statements-these are just a few examples of what might derail a real estate deal. The Best Partner Possible expects these challenges and handles them swiftly. Dead deals are often closed by that next, more persistent buyer-often at better pricing than that first, failed, inexperienced & lazy attempt.

3. Manages the deal through THE ENTIRE CYCLE until the property is sold & all partners are paid in full. – This is the hard part because the timeline is so long. Even a single family fix & flip deal runs 3-6 months on the short end. I’m a partner in a little more than a dozen large scale self storage developments. These are a large percentage of my net worth.

We’ve been working these deals since 2022-2023, and less than 5 are operational and being rented. There is still another 2-3 years on those deals remaining to fully lease/stabilize those properties and start enjoying cash flow. Glad I have the Best Partners Possible on these deals-many developers have gone bust in the past 3 years.

The lesson here? Choose wisely. Partnerships are like marriage-even if not necessary life long. Better to have difficult conversations up front – and walk away if expectations don’t align, instead of signing up for the long term pain and potential losses long term.