Posted on July 9, 2009 @ 8:06 pm - Written by BawldGuy
No big deal, just wanted to throw out a few thoughts I’ve been having lately on the ’sick’ banking industry. You know, the one whose giants have already offered to pay back government money received recently. Those sick banks. What goes largely undiscussed in most places I rely upon for informed opinions is what these banks have been doing for quite awhile now.
But first a quick trip down memory lane.
Back in the ’80’s and ’90’s as a way of giving back, I taught house agents wanting to understand the investment side of real estate some basic analysis. Of course there’s really no way to be basic when it comes to analysis. Once ya leave the realm of arithmetic and begin throwing around 50ยข phrases like ‘before tax’, ‘after tax’, or even worse, ‘internal rate of return’ — things would spin far out of the gravitational pull of Planet Basic. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on July 2, 2009 @ 10:58 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Some thoughts for you which came my way after lunch with Mom. Nothin’ like crazy thick pork chops and veggies after an incredible salad to get the gray cells doin’ their synapse thing. She even sent me home with an extra chop, which I left in Josh’s car when he dropped me off. He was raised right, so I’ll get it back tomorrow. Faith is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?
Think buying income properties, allowing them to grow in value over time, then exchanging them — tax deferred via 1031 — for the next 30-40 years is the ticket to your dream retirement? Think again 1031 Cult Breath. Here’s the wicked little surprise that’ll be awaiting you on the first April 15th upon retirement. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on June 17, 2009 @ 9:41 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Investors who can locate solid growth regions harboring well built rentals will do, in my opinion, exceptionally well over the next several years. There are a few spots on the map that fit that bill. With low interest fixed for the duration, high tenant demand, these neighborhoods are few and far between. Guess what I’m sayin’ is, the low end in excellent locations almost always has legs.
San Diego investors — here’s yer choice: You can buy the 2-4 units down the street that’s older than you are, or you can buy two outa state for the same money — and the rent will be the same as your Smithsonian duplex. Your pick,…take yer time…..no hurry.
Again for San Diegans — If you’ve tried and failed to sell your units or rental house/condo, it very well could be ‘cuz it stood out like a sore thumb in a valley full of sore thumbs. The way we list and sell local real estate comes directly from the ‘Take no prisoners’ book of Old School. Give me a call if you’ve recently been frustrated. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on October 9, 2008 @ 11:05 pm - Written by BawldGuy
As I write this it’s still Thursday, which means Josh and I had lunch at Mom’s, or Grandma’s, depending upon who’s doin’ the talkin’. Though retirement didn’t come up in conversation, something she said reminded me of data I ran across about a year ago. It was both surprising and an impending nightmare for a large and ever growing segment of the country.
The average Joe/Jane arrives at their 58th birthday with a 401(k) valued at less than $60,000 give or take.
Read that sentence again, and let it sink in.
58 today? Have $1,000 for every year you’ve been breathin’ on the planet, saved up for your glorious retirement?
Ever heard of the colloquialism ‘up the creek without a paddle’? Happy Birthday!
There are millions of ‘Boomers in their 40’s and 50’s. There are thousands and thousands who’ve recently realized they own a water born vessel, but without any visible means of locomotion. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on May 10, 2008 @ 11:36 pm - Written by BawldGuy
If you wanna find out what ‘through thick and thin’ means in terms of application, most moms qualify as role models. I know mine sure does. Having just turned 77 last month she still works out regularly, signs up my local clients when their loan docs are ready, and makes Josh and I lunch on Thursdays. We call it Lunch At Mom’s. We get home cooked meals, get to hear great and sometimes forgotten family tales, and hugs from Mom (Grandma) when leaving.
So often it’s Mom who gets you through those tough spots in life when there’s not much anyone can do. They have that sixth sense mom’s have about what to do and say when their kids need ‘em.
She’s the one whose voice came through the crowd in Little League when, as a pitcher I couldn’t get a break. ‘Calm down’ in the soft, yet strong voice wafted through the din. Immediately calm. Figured a way for me to get my band uniform when, as a freshman I surprised everyone, mostly myself, by making the traveling marching band in a high school known regionally for their band. Oh, not impressed? That year at the Long Beach All Western Parade and band competition we took fifth place — out of all the high school bands in the 11 western states. In a word? We’re were flat out bitchen.
A single mom with kids in the 50’s and 60’s was no walk in the park, but she pulled it off. Looking back as a man with grown kids, I simply have no idea how she did it. She flat took care of business. If there’s ever a role model for true blue, take a bullet for the team, loyal to the end, don’t irritate the mother bear, mom? She’s it.
She’s never wavered in her faith in me, and there have been times when it made the difference. She and Grandma, along with her sisters, incredibly strong women all, are the reason strong women don’t scare me, and never have. I love strong women to death. Married one. You’ve heard her referred to here as The Boss, a term you should take the way it’s intended, which is literally. Upon meeting for the first time she asked me if I was intimidated by strong women. I laughed out loud, then told her I’d remind her she asked me that after she met Mom and her sisters.
My ability to remain calm in the storm while everyone around is running for cover, is a direct result of watching her in real life. The pressures of investment real estate? A joke compared to the pressure under which she consistently performed. Much of what I am today is due to watching her step up to the plate with the game on the line. The difference? It wasn’t a game, it was real life, with two kids depending on Mom comin’ through. Seems she’s been doing that most of her life. We should all have her batting average.
Mom reminds me so much of Grandma.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. I love you.
The following is offered as a warning to sons everywhere. If yer gonna have Mom on national live TV, you might wanna ensure you’ve been spending some time with her. Ya think she’ll be on next year?
Posted on April 4, 2008 @ 3:56 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Focus on this — Dallas is now thought of as the best real estate investment market in the country. Opinions vary, but I’d surely put it into the top three without hesitation. All the factors required to put a smile on investors are in place. This hasn’t happened since I didn’t have kids. Wait a second, it’s never happened in my entire career — which began in October of ‘69.
We called this last year. It’s a win however you wanna look at it. Get in on some of it yourself. It’s not difficult — just email me. Before long we’ll be laughin’ and scratchiin’ and pretty soon we’ll be talkin’ about investing in real estate too.
So how’s your day been? Ever wake up without a care in the world? Today wasn’t one of those days.
First of all, The Boss is outa town for a week and a half being Designer Girl in Chicago and New York. When I’m in her world, I’m about as close to being a complete nobody as you can imagine. “Oh, you’ve never met my husband, have you? Honey, this is Michelle.” This is when I first realized my real world ranking. “Oh hi Mr. Designer Girl, how ya doin’ today?” “Oh, just fine thanks. Gotta love those new earrings, eh?” Then I’m off to the nearest flat screen sporting the ESPN logo.
Now you know why she goes on these trips sans Mr. Designer Girl.
Anywho, woke up this morning with about half a gallon of ‘I give a #$%#@’ for no reason I can think of. Grab a huge cup of coffee, then remember Josh and I are supposed to work out this morning ‘cuz it’s Mom’s 77th birthday. We’re takin’ her to lunch at our favorite Mexican place. Still, gotta workout in the morning, and with an amazingly ah, inferior attitude.
We’ve all had these days, right? Anyway, Mom’s birthday lunch was cool. I was feeling so superior as we sat down for lunch ‘cuz I’d worked out hard on a ‘bad’ day. That’s when Mom let us know she’d gotten her workout in before lunch. 77 years old and still goin’ to the gym. Talk about a pin in your self congratulating balloon.
Called my lender while walking into the restaurant. He’s more distracted than a six year old at the zoo. He excused himself, saying he was having a strong ADD day. I told him, “I thought I’d seen you at the meetings.”
Grandma always said talking care of business on the days you wanted to play hooky was called being an ‘adult’. Blech.
Posted on February 25, 2008 @ 11:52 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Before you play the video, a few words about what folks are looking for when searching for a real estate investment broker, a baker, or a candle stick maker.
Are you old enough to know who The Kingsmen were? 45 years ago they became, at least from where I stand, the poster band for the concept — One Hit Wonders. They were what’s known as a garage band. They recorded a song back in 1963 titled Louie Louie. It was a song written in ‘55 by Richard Berry, and though it made it up to #2 on the Billboard charts for six weeks, it never made #1 on Billboard. The Kingsmen never had another hit, not even close. They faded away into Rock ‘n Roll history. Still, Louie Louie is one of the most covered songs in the history of the genre. I’ve performed it with a friend locally at a local karaoke bar. (Ah, just let it go, OK? Thanks)
They tried their best to be the real thing, but couldn’t stand the test of time.
The music consumer loved that record but became apathetic to everything else the band ever recorded. It doesn’t matter why. The consumer voted no overwhelmingly.
Ever seen Dave Mason perform? He shows up on stage with his group, on time by the way. Usually wearing a baseball cap, a simple shirt and Levis. He greets the crowd, almost always a sold out crowd, small talks a couple minutes, then starts playing.
What’s the difference between The Kingsmen and Dave Mason?
RESULTS — simple, glitter free, hype free, sans any ‘look-at-me-me-me’ RESULTS.
That’s why Mason’s in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, and The Kingsmen are footnotes.
Dave Mason doesn’t have to act the fool on stage, because his talent produces the results his consumers have come to expect.
Mick Jagger delivers results too. He’s known as the ‘consummate’ performer. Fair enough. Still, we all know this truth — if he didn’t strut around the stage like a pigeon-peacock crossbreed on speed, he’d still be one of the best of all time because — he delivers the results consumers expect.
Everything else can be hyped and faked and smoke & mirrored and produced/directed within an inch of its life. But if the consumer/client goes to see Dave Mason and doesn’t eventually hear World In Changes or Only You Know And I Know — they’re gonna feel ripped off. Why?
‘Cuz they wanted a specifically defined list of results, and nothing less was gonna make the grade. I’ve seen Dave Mason live many times and he never disappoints.
GETTING THE EXPECTED RESULTS ALMOST NEVER DISAPPOINT
Results are the Gold Standard of all business measurement. The rest is good for debate or rhetoric, but not much else. You can be slick like Jagger, or just show up and get the job done stunningly like Mason — but the common denominator remains the same and is easy to ascertain — Results. Real estate investors are perfect examples of regular folks in search of results. If there’s any group more results oriented than investors, I’m not sure who’d they’d be.
BawldGuy Axiom: Retirement is built on years and years of solid results.
Segue To The Video.
When we go to a major sporting event in America we expect the national anthem to be played or sung. We’d prefer it be pure and inspiring to match the words and concepts for which it represents. We’re often disappointed.
When I watched and listened to these oh so young ladies, I began to get chills, followed quickly by glassy eyes. They delivered stellar results and I wanted to share them with you as a perfect example of delivering the hoped for results.
Thanks to Marian Brown for sending this to me. See you Thursday for lunch, Mom.
Posted on January 2, 2008 @ 2:18 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Just ask Audrey Davison about the reality of her future. She’s been living it in real time, and it’s not what she dreamed up for all those years of sacrificing. It’s what I’ve been calling a life sentence for years.
Here’s her story. As you finish reading this post, keep asking yourself what you’re doing differently than Audrey did. How many sacrifices did she gladly make in order to pay off her mortgage?
If her story doesn’t move you to action, nothing will. Her life is real time empirical evidence of the tragic results of using Grandpa Economics as a template for your retirement Plan.
Set aside some alone time to contemplate this New Year’s Resolution: I will take full control over my retirement plan by constructing a Purposeful Plan. I will construct this Plan knowing I’m the only one who can ensure a magnificently abundant retirement.
Audrey Davison has lived in Greenburgh New York for 43 years, and doesn’t wanna move. Until recently she was living out her retirement, which included a fully executed Plan taken verbatim from Grandpa Economics OR How To Turn Your Dream Retirement Into A Nightmare Life Sentence.
Audrey will be asking dozens of strangers each day if she ‘may help them’, while working for less than half of what my college student daughter makes for watching toddlers. She’s working for Greenburgh to pay off past due taxes on her home — the same home she’d worked and sweated to own sans debt. Free and clear. Without mortgage. No monthly loan payment.
Her Social Security check is a paltry $643 a month. She’s been forced to take out a reverse mortgage to make ends meet. Greenburgh has offered her a receptionist’s job at a pay rate of — no
She even sent me home with an extra chop, which I left in Josh’s car when he dropped me off. He was raised right, so I’ll get it back tomorrow. Faith is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?
They were what’s known as a garage band. They recorded a song back in 1963 titled Louie Louie. It was a song written in ‘55 by Richard Berry, and though it made it up to #2 on the Billboard charts for six weeks, it never made #1 on Billboard. The Kingsmen never had another hit, not even close. They faded away into Rock ‘n Roll history. Still, Louie Louie is one of the most covered songs in the history of the genre. I’ve performed it with a friend locally at a local karaoke bar. (Ah, just let it go, OK? Thanks)
