Posted on January 21, 2009 @ 8:09 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Since that day in the latter half of 2003 when it finally dawned on me I was beatin’ a dead horse, said deceased equine being San Diego’s investment real estate market, I’ve been advising folks to, ‘Get Outa Dodge’! Though I still believe there are several markets which should out perform San Diego, the numbers have recently reached the point at which I can no longer make fun of those currently acquiring income property here. Smallish income properties here are now, in some locations, at the point where they’re beginning to compare, if not favorably, at least not poorly with other regions around the country.
Clear as mud? Let me say it more plainly.
I’m now reversing myself when it comes to buying San Diego investment real estate — though certainly I don’t want you to take it as a blanket endorsement. It’s not — not even close. Still, my analysis of more than a few examples, none of which are severely discounted short sales or bank owned, now demonstrate they’re legitimate candidates for local investors. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on October 27, 2008 @ 10:58 pm - Written by BawldGuy
The day began with the normal list of email replies, phone calls to make and return. Then the new stuff begins showin’ up, and before ya know it, the day’s been rerouted completely. To those expecting to hear from me, please have mercy, as you’ll hear from me Tuesday. Only one thing on my list got done, and it wasn’t on schedule.
Between gettin’ my continuing education taken care of, and the normal unscheduled distractions — well, you get it. It’s not like you don’t see yourself as you read this, right? Thought so. None of us are the Lone Ranger, are we?
So, though I thought I’d be back in the normal saddle on the usual horse, it wasn’t to be. Still, I can’t let ya go away empty handed now, can I?
Let’s have a discussion on what you guys are seeing, from your perspective of course, out in the cold cruel world. I’m seeing signs out there showing me there are a couple three potential scenarios playing themselves out. Which one is it though? That’s for my cracked crystal ball to say, and it hasn’t said anything reliable since…let’s just be real here, since never.
What are the real estate markets, stock market, the different foreign economies, and the various media leading you to believe these days? I’m very interested in your take on recent goings on. It’s always pretty interesting to hear how others are interpreting all the same facts everyone else is watchin’ in real time.
Your participation is much appreciated. Have a good one, and I’ll be talkin’ with ya tomorrow — same BawldTime, same BawldChannel.
Posted on October 25, 2008 @ 11:23 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Let’s all don’t go poppin’ the cork on the champagne just yet, OK? But a spike of that magnitude, foreclosure sales or not, is too significant to be shrugged off.
It happened in the last month of the 3rd quarter of the year.
Don’t expect to see the same for the 4th quarter, as sales during this time of year for homes are historically low. Seems women get a tad balky when it comes to movin’ their families just before and during the holiday season. Go figure.
Posted on October 23, 2008 @ 9:52 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Thanks to Robin Taylor Roth, Senior Director, eLearning at CENTURY 21 Canada, for the topic of tonight’s post. I’d been whining ’bout it, and she offered it as a post topic when I asked for some suggestions. Thanks again, Robin.
Every four years, like clockwork. And no, I’m not talkin’ ’bout presidential elections. I’m referring to the 45 hours of continuing education required of California real estate licensees every four years. I’d call it a pain in the rear, butt that’s far too kind. It’s almost literally coma inducing.
For instance, did you know that an agent should be honest and forthright with those for whom they’ve created an agency relationship? Ya think?!
Part of today’s bigger problem stems from things like continuing education. Continuing? Education? Last week I hit my 39th anniversary — licensed since October 15th, 1969. With rare exception, what the state is making me go through now, I had to know in order to pass my first exam. Do you realize how long ago that was? For Heaven’s sake, Nixon was in his first year in office.
I’m gonna finish the 45 required hours in around 15 hours max. Literally, an eighth grader could read the material, and pass the final exam for me. Ask any licensee if I’m exaggerating. They’ll start laughin’. The sad part is, you, the client/consumer is supposed to feel safer ‘cuz I’m ‘keepin’ up’ with my ‘education’. If it wasn’t so pathetic, it’d be funny.
Every year I go out and pay to stay abreast with whatever I deem necessary. Do you think CA appreciates my efforts? Apparently not, since they won’t give me credit for anything I’ve ever learned. Know who gets to offer courses that count? Those who’ve figured out what lame info the state wants me to know.
Yeah, I realize I’m rantin’ here. But let’s get serious for a moment. Ask yourself — who benefits from a $69.95 course that literally teaches a 39 year veteran almost the same things he had to learn four decades earlier? You? No. Him? Hardly.
Something at some point hasta change. I know what I know today ‘cuz I’ve literally spent over $100,000 for my real estate investment education. That’s a rough average of over $2,000 a year. Then there’s the mentoring from which I benefitted immensely. The experience? How do ya put a value on that?
I’ve taught analysis, tax deferred exchanges, and constructing operating statements just to name three. There’s been several more. Not one student ever got credit for hour number one from any of it.
I learned from some of the truly great masters of real estate investment practice. Sometimes paid for it on credit, back in the day when the cash was scarce. Never received an hour of credit then either. I take that back. One seminar, back in the ’70’s somehow snuck through, and offered three hours of credit. Woo hoo!!
Posts will continue as usual by Monday. I’ll be wasting my time and my clients’ time learning about what a listing is, and that loans have things called origination fees. Lord help us all.
Still have time for a fix though. Send a carrier pigeon my way, or just contact me through the blog here. We’ll end up chattin’ about your story, and figure out a Purposeful Plan to get you safely to your very own Point B — Retirement. Have a good one. (I’ll be studying.)
Posted on October 1, 2008 @ 12:13 am - Written by BawldGuy
This will, by default, be a teaser for tomorrow’s post, as truth be known, I’m pooped. Still, one of the best conversations I’ve had recently, inspired a post. I spoke with a couple toay who’ve subscribed to Grandpa Economics, executing its strategy with admirable efficiency and excellence.
They’ve granted permission for me to post about them, subject to the maintenance of their anonymity. I’ll adhere easily by changing immaterial facts, including names, locations, etc.
Here’s a brief outline.
Married couple, early 40’s with kids. Wife is stay at home mom, no job. Husband earns solid income in aeronautical engineering — about $127,000 give or take.
They live in San Diego, and have for quite awhile. Besides their primary residence, they own a rental home, purchased in 2004. They own both their home and the rental free and clear of all debt. Jon has a 401(k) with a current balance of just over $150,000. It used to be much more, but the stock market has been, uh, unkind to them.
They’re very good savers, and don’t try to keep up with the Jones’s, or anyone else. They’ve begun to see what’s in store for them as it relates to their retirement, and realize they need to modify their strategy.
Tomorrow I’ll fill in the blanks, and outline what my advice will be.
Meanwhile, back at BawldGuyRanch, help yourself out, by takin’ a quick listen to the Grandpa Economics podcast. It’s cleverly listed under the heading of Podcasts, a little way down from the top of this page. NOTE: Don’t pay attention to the email given at the end of the podcast, as it’s no longer in force.
If you think a Purposeful Plan is called for to get your retirement plans back on track, click on the Contact BawldGuy thingy up top and to the right of this page. Meanwhile, I’ve expended my last calorie of the day. Have a good one.
Posted on September 29, 2008 @ 2:42 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Ever wonder why some politically charged things happen? The answer’s usually found in underlying agendas. What? Politicians have stealthy agendas? Perish the thought. Seriously, as soon as the Republicans get their way on most points, they’ll add their votes to the plan, and the Democrats will follow suit, happy they’re now part of a much larger herd.
It’s important in D.C. to ensure certain things. Remember, it’s not who wins, it’s who gets the blame. If Washington’s about anything, it’s plausible deniability.
That axiom alone goes a long way in explaining much of what goes on in our capitol.
Anyway, just a note letting you know, this is not nearly as ‘crisis ridden’ as most would have you believe. Don’t forget they told us we were gonna die, again, last Friday.
I’m not only still alive, but literally only a day or two away from gettin’ my clients a new source for boatloads of competitively priced investment loans. Guess that lender wasn’t afraid of dying last Friday either.
Posted on August 9, 2008 @ 11:36 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Today I was in Charlotte, Phoenix, Palo Alto, and of all places San Diego and Virgina. Was in Austin for a few minutes, but not enough to get comfortable. Then a scheduled stop in Chicago to touch bases with The Boss. Tonight was a reunion of sorts. A bunch of us who’ve been friends in the business locally had some dinner at a local Irish Pub chop house. The best cover band in the free world was performing there for the first time. The Offbeats play mostly 60’s stuff, but also cover most everything you can imagine from the 50’s throught the 80’s. I’ve never seen three guys consistently sound like 4-5. Most cover bands do OK jobs, but these guys are truly amazing. They rocked the house tonight.
A word to the wise — The bar didn’t have my normal drink, Glenlivet. They flashed another bottle at me and I said sure, why not? Ever wondered what Listerine cut with Nyquil might taste like on the rocks? Just ask me, ‘cuz now I know. It took 10 years to make something that bad? Geez.
Here’s some oldies in honor of The Offbeats. And John? Thanks fer not forgettin’ to play my song for me. Much appreciated big guy.
Posted on August 3, 2008 @ 1:41 pm - Written by BawldGuy
The first real estate cartoon I ever saw on a poster was a picture of an ancient lookin’ guy sporting a very long white beard, leaning against his cane for support. The caption has proven timeless. It said — Portait Of A Young Man Waitin’ For Prices To Drop.
Wonder if that young man is in the market yet?
Seems like a Purposeful Plan woulda helped him bunches, don’t ya think? San Diego income property owners relate to that cartoon well. From ‘69 to ‘05 values went from $12-20,000 for a duplex to $500-800,000! I was 60 days past my 18th birthday when I saw that poster. Since then the above mentioned rise in value has happened while I got married, had two kids, bought my very first real estate, son graduated college, daughter about to, and a myriad other life experiences.
That cartoon is funny on several levels. First of all, and most obvious, is the fact that I first saw that poster in 1969. Almost 40 years ago. Then there are those who are now sayin’, “See, he was right!” Sometimes unintentional humor is the best.
That poster though, continues to speak volumes. What might the caption on that poster be today? I have some of my own, but first I’d love to hear yours. Ok here’s just one of my ideas.
Think — Get Outa Dodge. I’d re-caption it to read — Portrait Of A Young Man Waitin’ For San Diego Income Property To Make Spectacular Comeback.
Warning: Hairpin turn of a segue.
An example of using humor to connect with folks, or get a message across comes today from blogger icon Liz Strauss. I’m happy to say Liz is also a friend. Following her advice is not the worst thing one might choose to do — a understatement to be sure. I’ve been following her advise for some time now.
Friday night she decided to get a concept across by havin’ some fun. Common experience is a social thing. We want to share great experiences. Humor helps in this endeavor big time, if you choose to employ it.
For the record, Liz came up with BawldGuy Talking as the title for this blog.
So here’s me re-gifting. Liz gifted me and about a zillion of her other regular readers with this post Friday, and I’m passin’ it along to you. If ya don’t laugh at least a little, I’ll be surprised. I was laughin’ my butt off. Enjoy your Sunday. Here’s Liz’s post with the video.
