Work ethic is one of the pillars of success. The phrase above may seem like common sense, but is a motto you should live by in the real estate world. I don’t care if you are talking to investors, sellers, or your spouse. It is much better to surprise someone than disappoint them.

The first wholesale deal I ever completed I told the seller it would take me 45 days to close. I closed in under 3 weeks. The seller was ecstatic. When I am talking with private investors, I tell them a rehab flip is going to take 6 months even though I should be in and out in four months or less. I would much rather explain how I got it done so fast vs. beg for an extension.

Don’t tell people you can close in 10 days and pay cash if you can’t.

It feels GREAT when someone handles business with you in this manner. My contractor told me on Wednesday that they would start demo on one of my rehabs on Monday. I had no problem with that and was looking forward to “breaking ground”. She called me this morning to let me know that they went ahead and started today. That is four days sooner than what I had expected. That will be four days sooner that I can list the property. Which hopefully equates to selling the home at least four days faster as well.

This is a simple rule but one that will take you far in real estate and life.

Tell your spouse that you’re going cook dinner for them one night this week. On top of cooking dinner also vacuum the house, do a chore you know they hate, buy flowers, and some decent wine. Your evening went from a nice gesture to something romantic, and they’ll be pleased.

Tell your investor that you’re going to complete your project in six months. They are surely going to remember you if you can come in under budget, finish ahead of schedule, and pay them just a tad extra. Investors can work with whomever they please, whenever they want to. If he/she gets offered two deals at the same time, they’re going to recall my track record.