7/28/2025
Jacob Branovacki’s Testimonial, Ohio
This week I got my first signed contract on a deal that I found through a direct mail campaign in Dreams that I did in my area. The seller responded to my marketing piece and I negotiated a terms deal with him over the phone which included a 5-year term, some money down, some equity, but probably a good spread on the monthly payments if the rental comps prove accurate. My mentor, Barbara Cockrell, reviewed the deal and made suggestions to improve the terms, helped me with the comps, and helped me complete the Purchase and Sale agreement.
Then I went on my first house appointment where I looked at the property and sat down with the sellers, and my mentor Barb helped me walk through the contract with them, and at the end they signed it. It was a very new and daunting experience for a newbie like me, but with some courage and the help and support of Barb, I was able to get through it and reach the next level in my investing journey.
I’m right now working on closing this deal and finding a tenant-buyer to put in the property after the seller vacates.
My mentor, Barb, was very instrumental in getting me through this. She provided the technical knowledge of how to put the deal together & emotional support and encouragement I needed to break through the tall barriers that I faced along the way. There’s no question, this business isn’t for the faint of heart, and you have to have grit, stamina & perseverance to achieve anything.
But it helps a lot knowing you are walking that road with someone who’s been there and done it, and Barb is truly a master in her knowledge and understanding of the business. I have always felt in good hands with Barb, and she has helped me gain so many key insights along the way – from the courage to and how to talk to sellers & negotiate, to comping properties and knowing how to analyze and assess a deal. It’s been a ride thus far and I’m looking forward to getting to the next big milestone soon!
Purchase Price: $350,000
ARV: $418,000
(they currently owe about $263,000)
Mo. Pmt: $1,883 ($1683 is mortgage payment + $200/mo to the seller, applied to principal)
Rental Rate: $2,800/mo
Term: 5 years
Down payment: $7,000 ($3,000 at close, the rest after they vacate, and they are covering the transfer fee of $1,750).
Jacob Branovacki, Ohio
Great job Jacob! Thanks for sharing and keep the momentum going. I’d love to hear the final results of the deal once you get a tenant butter in there to see all the numbers of the deal. What criteria did you use for your direct mail campaign?