Posted on June 11, 2008 @ 11:15 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Some of today’s post comes via inspiration from conversations I have sometimes with one of my Starbucks buddies. Our conversations are wide ranging, which at times becomes the catalyst for some serious thought when it comes to real estate investors and investing.
‘Course, since random is the theme today, pictures shall be congruently random also.
Gray Bomb
Though I’ve written here often on what drives my decisions to recommend one property/region over others, it still boils down to the same basics it always has. Jobs, job creation, commerce, etc. The continued migration of large population segments from the north, most of the midwest, and the northeast towards sunbelt regions is still strong and will continue to be. No surprise there.
The phrase Gray Bomb though, will begin to have more and more meaning and impact upon real estate as time does its thing. Boomers are now pretty much graying right in front of us. I know, ‘cuz I are one. Though there’s absolutely no gray on my head. (Thanks Schick) They’re making life decisions regarding their retirements, which are impacting the economy in general, and real estate markets specifically to an ever growing degree.
This isn’t new of course, but it’s beginning to become a much more important factor in how Brown and Brown views data these days. When shrapnel from Gray Grenades land in concentrated bunches, it’s news the real estate investor should follow with real interest. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on May 30, 2008 @ 12:06 am - Written by BawldGuy
San Diego and (California in general) has been the best girlfriend ever. Loyal, always thinking of just us, enriching our lives almost without fail, and bringing additional commas to our bank accounts. Talk about having it all, we sure did.
She always played our song. Happy days? The status quo. Even when she was down, we knew from experience she’d bounce back — and even more lovable than before. Well, as happens in real life sometimes, that perfect mate has tired of us and left us high and dry. She’s walking away, and she ain’t comin’ back.
People, that’s exactly what’s happened in California. Investment property has taken a different path. The days of buying, holding for a few years, then selling or executing a tax deferred exchange yielding splashy results are gone. I think they’re gone forever. Why?
Glad you asked.
Your property is now worth, after this market correction, 150-300% of competing markets in out of state growth regions. In San Diego for example, a 35 year old duplex in a decent area sells now for $425-525,000 (often more) give or take. Also, in order to break even every month the investor must put down at least 30% and usually 35-45%. In NoCal 40% is considered wicked good leverage — no kiddin’. The Kool-Aid they drink in Palo Alto and the Bay Area in general is phenomenally effective. They’ll realize too late their lovingly loyal maiden has decided they’re not the Knight in shining armor any more.
Surveys show — capital growth rates fall when leverage is severely depressed. (anonymous smart aleck) Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on May 25, 2008 @ 9:11 pm - Written by BawldGuy
A new Federal report is out, and the bottom line is — Texas rocks, Big Time.
I screamed from the mountain top last year that real estate investors should be following me to Austin. While most of the country is a net negative on values, they’re up nearly 8%. Clients who bought there are up over 2% since December for Heaven’s sake. Same goes for the whole Dallas-Fort Worth (known as the Metroplex)
You may have missed Austin, but you don’t have to miss what’s happening in a handful of other regions, and not only in Texas. Kansas City has some stellar opportunities, two of which I’m poring over now.
Once the holiday fun has worn off, get hold of me and let’s talk. This is the best buying opportunity I’ve personally seen in my career. It’s not even close.
Now, for today’s theme music. You gotta pick yerself up and roll on. Crank it up.
Posted on May 23, 2008 @ 11:23 pm - Written by BawldGuy
I have an appointment Saturday morning, then off for the weekend. When someone flies in from a couple thousand miles away, you make time for ‘em. Being from the Old School, I’ve always kept in mind that it’s about our clients, and not about us. Few things in life are more important than the successful outcome of a client’s Purposeful Plan for retirement. It’s at least on the A-List.
Since the NASDAQ tumble several years ago we see several people a year who’ve finally decided to move forward and make up for lost time and lost savings — sometimes a lifetime’s worth. I empathize with folks facing the challenge of traveling roads they thought they’d never see again. But like the bumper sticker says, (kinda sorta) Life Happens. We can either pick ourselves up, scream at the injustice and win bigger and better than ever, or wave the white flag and slink away.
I’ve met so many good people who’ve raised themselves higher than they were when Murphy struck. The next time out they changed three very important factors.
They created a Purposeful Plan instead of just investing ‘cuz it was better than not investing.
They funded a Sominex Account with a serious attitude of generosity — might’ve saved ‘em last time.
They brought on a knowledgeable, experienced real estate investment pro who’d already seen the movie a few times.
The best part is, we’re nearing the end of this latest market correction to end all market corrections. (Aren’t they all?) Our finds in Texas (Dallas area, Austin) and Kansas City (new stuff maybe) are superb opportunities to build the retirement for which you’ve always planned.
Take the first step toward makin’ that retirement a reality and contact me. Use the widget saying Contact BawldGuy — you can’t miss it. I’ll get back to you and your retirement will be that much closer to becoming the reality you’ve thought it could be — should be.
Meanwhile, back at BawldGuy Ranch, after my appointment tomorrow I’m comin’ home to make one of my famous three-day weekend sandwiches and kickin’ back. First the sandwich then the theme song for the next few days.
Posted on March 27, 2008 @ 11:40 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Though we’ve been to Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Kansas City, Boise, Phoenix, Palo Alto, and the list goes on, we’ve pretty much ignored San Diego real estate investors for nearly five years. Our plan calls for reentry in April or May. And no, we’re not gonna be tellin’ folks to buy San Diego investment property. It hasn’t made sense for a few years now. In fact, we don’t think it will ever be wise to invest here again.
Why?
Here’s the short version.
Your half million dollar duplex has monthly rents these days of $1,800-2,500 or so. For easily less than half the value of your property, you can own a duplex (and brand new, not ancient like yours) with monthly income of $2,000-2,400. Does yours offer 3 bedrooms and 2 baths? And an attached 2-Car garage? In a neighborhood you’d allow your 70-something mom live in by herself?
I’d put my mom into these properties to live alone. In Phoenix they started calling it BawldGuy’s Mom Rule. If I wouldn’t put Mom there, don’t tell me about the property. That policy cut out a whole lot of useless conversations.
If your small 1-4 unit residential income property has a net equity of $60-500,000 you’ll be able to move that equity, tax deferred no doubt, to areas in the country allowing for leverage San Diegans can only experience through time travel, or Grandpa’s stories. Your capital growth rate will soar. Oh, you’d rather have a whole bunch of cash flow? How ’bout doubling to quintupling your current cash flow?
San Diego income properties simply cannot compete with other regions. It’s not possible. And if your Plan calls for you to sell your San Diego stuff in the next 3-10 years, here’s something to think about.
If they’d be ah, ill advised to buy your property today, at it’s lowest value in quite some time, how silly is it gonna be for them to buy it in another decade? It’s ancient now, right? If it’s value goes up in the next 10 years do you believe they’ll pay even more? Really? It’s my professional opinion they won’t — even if they were all the colors of the rainbow.
The bottom line is this: We can get you Outa Dodge — significantly increase your capital growth rate and/or cash flow — plus your tax shelter — while dramatically improving your chances for a magnificently abundant retirement.
Let’s continue with an example of what’s possible.
Let’s use your duplex mentioned above, with loans totaling $250,000 — here’s what you can do.
Your net proceeds from a sale will be more than you might expect because of our new business model. Instead of having sales/closing costs of around $40,000 or so, they’ll be far less. Brown and Brown no longer takes a listing commission of 3%. Tell me that isn’t cool. More on the details later. (Or, here’s an idea — you can contact us and we’ll give you the scoop way before everyone else finds out.)
Even with the normal brokerage fees your net proceeds from a sale will be about $210,000 +/-. With that capital we can tax defer you into $1-1.5 Million of very well located property — brand new too. And that’s not all, not by a long shot. The problem is, most folks don’t know what to do, where to do it, or who can help them get it done. In what direction should they go?
You’ll increase your annual depreciation by over $40,000 — not an insignificant improvement.
The difference is we’ll take your equity from here to there for a whole bunch less — and with way better marketing. We suspect our new model will end up costing our San Diego sellers about 75-90% less on the listing side of the commission. There’s nothing we can do with the buyer’s agent’s cut.
I mentioned marketing. We think those who have been selling small income props have been getting short changed on the quality of marketing. This has resulted in most of these props not selling, or taking forever. We’re gonna change all that — or at least that’s what it says right here.
Back to saving money.
This will result in a savings of well over $10,000 per property at the half million price range.
We’re serious about this.
Are you serious about your retirement plans? Are you seriously counting on San Diego to yield the retirement income you’ll need? If you could safely double, triple, quintuple your retirement income — never mind, silly question.
What are you waiting for? Contact me — we’ll sit down and let you know what’s possible. Most San Diego property owners can make surprisingly significant improvements in their capital growth rate, cash flow, tax shelter, and retirement income.
We’ll be standing by — there’s a pretty convenient Contact BawldGuy button on the upper right side of this page. Says ‘Contact BawldGuy’ and everything.
you can own a duplex (and brand new, not ancient like yours) with monthly income of $2,000-2,400. Does yours offer 3 bedrooms and 2 baths? And an attached 2-Car garage? In a neighborhood you’d allow your 70-something mom live in by herself? 
