We say goodbye to 2009 and give thanks for a very memorable year. In 2009, we marked the first year anniversary of Foreclosure Philippines, although I never got around to creating my first anniversary post. Actually, October 31, 2009 was the day of our first anniversary. Nevertheless, I just want to mark that day as we bid farewell to 2009 and I would like to take this opportunity to look back at 2009 for one last time.
Looking back at 2009
The last sunset for 2009
My target for 2009 was to get out of the rat race with the help of acquiring at least 4 income generating properties. Thanks, or rather no thanks to Typhoon Ondoy, I was only able to get 3. Not bad! I still consider buying 3 foreclosed properties in a year to be an accomplishment. Now I just need to get a tenant or a buyer for my 2 remaining vacant properties. All I need is to focus and dedicate more time to marketing them. Wish me luck!
By the way, thanks to the 3 month moratorium for amortization payments given to Pag-IBIG borrowers affected by Typhoon Ondoy, I am technically out of the rat race while the moratorium is in place. I guess now you have an idea how much more passive income I need to get out of the rat race permanently in 2010. 🙂
I also remember at least 3 visitors/readers who have actually bought their first investment properties. Each time I learn about new investors buying their first properties, I can’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment!
Of course I have a lot of plans for the coming new year. I have a lot of things to improve on, lots of changes that need to be done, and also a lot of challenges to face and address. I guess I’ll just share more about these in my next post that welcomes 2010…
For now, let’s just focus on 2009. It really was a very memorable year to say the least and I would like to thank all of you who have been with us through it all.
Thank you to my mentors in real estate investing, financial literacy, etc…
I would like to thank my mentors and fellow real estate investors who have been a big help for me in 2009, most of whom I have had the honor of meeting in person, others I have met online, and a few through their books. These include Robert Kiyosaki, Bo Sanchez, Larry Gamboa, Trace Trajano, T. Harv Eker, Tim Ferris, Thea Santos, Ronald and Weng Cagape, Eden April Alemania, Jessie and Apple Raquel, Engineer Enrico Cruz, Kuskos Balungos, CondoInvestor, Gleceper, Jon Abaquin, Dodie Felix, John Calub, fellow TRP Club Marikina Members, Earth, fellow brokers from REBAP MRCI and REBAP National, fellow forum members of PinoyMoneyTalk.com, my broker, my contractor, and all fellow investors who I have met during auctions.
…our sources of income generating properties…
Of course I would also like to thank all banks in the Philippines, SPAV’s, Government Financial Institutions(GFI’s), auction specialists like Property Forum and CBRE, private lending institutions, and cities and municipalities who have made available their various listings of foreclosures, foreclosed properties or acquired assets, and repossessed cars.
…and also to my mentors and fellow bloggers from the blogosphere…
I would like to thank Jomar Hilario, Anton Diaz, Joel Christopher, Ian Del Carmen, Tyrone, Dinah, James, Melo, Fitz, Roel, Sel, Marhgil, Jan, Snow, Manuel, fellow attendees of Anton’s Maven Secrets Program, fellow attendees (and members of the online version) of Jomar’s Internet Marketing Workshop, and a whole lot more. All of you guys have helped me in one way or another, sometimes without you even knowing it.
It goes without saying…
And I also thank my loving wife and my son CJ who really are the main reasons why I want to become financially free, all family members and friends who have been patient and supportive as I continue on this journey to financial freedom and to our Almighty God who has made all of this possible.
… and last but not the least, a big thank you also goes out to…
All of the readers and subscribers who have been with us through thick and thin in 2009. Thank you to all of you who are in the same quest as I am. Thank you for all the words of encouragement, questions, comments, and concerns raised that I have received through the comments section, e-mails, text, and also from those who I have had the pleasure of meeting like Mike, Dan, Paula, and Roel who I have met recently. I thank each and everyone of you!
A Prayer that helped me all throughout 2009
As 2009 ends, let me share with all of you one prayer that has not only helped me survive 2009, but also thrive in spite of all the challenges that have come my way.
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
With that, I say goodbye and thank you to 2009 and wish everyone only the best for 2010!
Happy New Year and Happy Investing!!!
To our financial freedom!
Jay Castillo
Real Estate Investor
Real Estate Broker License #: 20056
Blog: https://www.foreclosurephilippines.com
Click here to contact me via E-mail
Mobile phone (Call/SMS): +639178843882
Follow me in twitter:http://twitter.com/jay_castillo
Become a Fan in Facebook:Foreclosure Philippines fan page
Text by Jay Castillo. Copyright © 2009 All rights reserved.
PS. If you are a new visitor, please start here to learn more about foreclosure investing in the Philippines.
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ah.. yun pla un..haha
Happy New Year Jay! God bless you. 🙂
.-= Snow´s last blog ..Happy New Year 2010 Everyone! =-.
Hi Snow, wishing you a more prosperous New Year and may God Bless you and your family even more this 2010!!!
Happy New Year Jay.
I am not into real estate yet but do your country have special program for foreigner?
See you around.
.-= lunaticg´s last blog ..Error money found =-.
Hi Lunaticg, I see you are from Malaysia, welcome! Foreigners can still invest in the Philippines as you can still buy condos(foreigners can own up to 40% of a condo), through long term lease, and other means. Come to think of it, I have not yet created any post about how foreign investors can invest in foreclosed properties in the Philippines although I know a lot of information are available out there. Don’t worry, I’ll be taking care of this soon. I notice a lot of visitors from South Korea, India, USA, Canada, etc. Before, I thought all of them are Filipino OFW’s but I also get quite a number of e-mails from foreign nationals so I guess there are really a lot of investors from other countries interested in investing in the Philippines. Thanks for the heads-up and for visiting!
Kuya Jay, meron po ba updates about meeting the trp franchisees? Sabay po tayo ah.. Sana ngayong mid- january na. thanks thanks thanks!
Hi Red, I will get in touch with Eden and keep you posted. I also look forward to meeting you!
no updates kuya?
Hi Red, so far walang reply si Eden sa text ko. Try ko rin mag message sa kanya sa facebook. Gusto mo sama ka when we meetup with Kuskos Balungos? We have yet to set a schedule pero sabi niya it would be okay to meet over coffee some time.
San po yung Kuskos Balungos?
Hi Red, Kuskos Balungos is the nick of a real estate investor. 🙂
You can read more about him here: http://www.entrepreneur.com.ph/board/index.php?topic=20004.msg268013#msg268013
Thank you Jay for helping us understand real estate investing more and more! I pray that I could get my first real estate deal this year. You’ve been very significant in my walk. I’m sure, the second will become easier, the third even easier…
God bless you and your family!
.-= Bryan Uy´s last blog ..Investing in Your Health: Healthy Foods That Aren’t =-.
sabay po saan? sa pag la lunch? Cge po! mag sched. po tayo kung kelan sila pede. Saan po ba sila pede ma contact or kung meron ka pong connection sa kanila pede pong ikaw mag sched?
thank you po kuya
P.S. – Excited n q sa date na mag kikita tayo.
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!! 2010!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. – thank you Kuya Jay, I learn a lot from you this yr.
P.P.S. – Meron ka po bang kilalang real estate investor na nag iinvest sa real estate ( apartments or commercial ) na pwede maka lunch?
P.P.S – hehe
Hi Red, happy new year to you too!!!
You’re welcome and I’m glad to be of help. I also learn a lot from you, the youngest real estate millionaire in the making!
If you want to meet with fellow real estate investors who are venturing into multi-units, why not try contacting Eden (a.k.a. RealEstateInvestor in the PMT forums). Marami pa diyan, sila KB or condoinvestor. Gusto mo sabay tayo. 😉
Happy New Year Jay! May we have more blessings this year 2010. I would need your help when I buy my first property. You are truly the point person when it comes to real estate. 🙂
.-= Millionaire Acts´s last blog ..How to Teach Your Kids About Money Matters =-.
Hi Tyrone, Happy New Year to you too!!! I am always ready to help you when it comes to real estate investing and also with online ventures. 🙂
I wish you even more success this 2010!
Happy New Year, Jay! Here’s wishing you even more success in 2010. 🙂
May you continue inspiring more people to use the internet profitably, while having fun at the same time.
Thanks Manuel and I also wish you all the best and even more success! Thank you for all the help and for unselfishly sharing your knowledge to newbies like me. 🙂
Wow bro, so happy for you! Accomplishing 3 out 4 targets is not bad, considering the ‘circumstances’ and events that affected the market.
Thanks a lot for considering me as one of your friends. I saw your email apologies for not replying too soon I was not checking my bloggista admin inbox lately.
Also, I am sending you another email for a special request/invite. Hehe.
Here’s a toast to a new year with hopes of a better year ahead for all of us!
More power to Foreclosure Philippines.
Hello Roel, yup, Ondoy really affected not just me but also the lives of so many people. I’m just glad we survived with everyone safe. I guess the biggest effect was my being in a “dazed” state. I wasn’t able to follow through on my tenant/buyers for one property whose repairs just got finished when Ondoy struck. It should have been sold or rented already had I been focused on it. Another property was bought on the day Ondoy struck so I never really had time to fix it up or market it. This January I intend to move on and just do what I need to do.
Of course I consider you to be my friend, and thanks for being one! Will checkout your e-mail, thanks!
I also wish you and bloggista.com and your blogging empire all the best for 2010 and beyond!