Posted on March 9, 2008 @ 10:25 pm - Written by BawldGuy
The Boss says to say hi to the very cool couple from Gilroy who came into her store the other day. Turns out they’ve been here before — Hi Guys. Come on back, y’hear?
Also, had the good fortune to run into Cher this afternoon at my satellite office. She graciously allowed me the pleasure of buying her a drink. Unlike me, it took her about 10 seconds to finish ordering it — not to mention another few minutes cooling her heels while they made the dang thing. Starbucks is a coffee house, right?
I’ve been thinking how this market correction is different than the others I’ve experienced — survived? This one is different, at least for places like San Diego. How? The investment real estate — income property to be specific — is now at such high prices, even after this correction, that it now takes 35-50% down payments to force them to make sense. Time isn’t gonna cure this — and if that’s the argument, why would you invest in San Diego now? Your argument has to conclude prices falling more. If that happens how long would you have you been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the pretty girl to come back and smile at you?
She’s not there, and she ain’t comin’ back. I tried to tell folks, but only some would listen. The predictable return of boom times for San Diego investment property is a thing of the past. She’s not there, and she’s not comin’ back. Nobody told you? I tried like crazy, and am still doin’ my best to convince you.
The metaphor of boom times as gorgeous lady now gone — even if she comes back — you won’t want her any more. So realize you can’t find her for a good reason — She’s Not There. (The bad lighting disappears in about 8-10 seconds.)
Had a phone conference last week with a northern california investor. Seemed he wanted me to lie to him, and telling him appreciation wasn’t gonna leave him. It’s gonna be like it was before. As the conversation continued it became clear my part was to continue the fantasy. He wasn’t happy to hear the truth — appreciation is fickle and comes and goes as she pleases. Still he kept saying — ‘Lie To Me’ — tell me insane appreciation will never leave me again. Tell me everything’s alright.
This market is and has been offering very solid real estate investment opportunities — just not in California and places like it. Even in the brutally burning sun of a market correction you can find Smooth places to safely and prudently invest. This is how that looks and sounds. It’s fun, it’s liberating, and it lifts our spirits — not to mention our net worth. Turn up the volume and enjoy — see you tomorrow.
Posted on March 7, 2008 @ 6:49 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Whenever Dad was about to leave for a night on the town, he’d get himself revved up by doing his version of Bill Haley’s Rock ‘n Roll classic — Shake Rattle ‘n Roll! Every time I hear it I see him dancin’ in the living room ready to go out and tear the town a new one. So turn up the volume and get ready to rev it up one more time.
Posted on March 6, 2008 @ 9:52 pm - Written by BawldGuy
My day began early this morning with the news of my father’s passing. It wasn’t unexpected, as he’s been in poor health for quite some time. He was just a few weeks short of 79.
Most men are blessed if they can look back on a successful career. He had three. He was a minister — the owner and partner of two real estate firms — and finally an attorney.
Posted on February 22, 2008 @ 3:45 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Ever wonder about the every day life of a real estate investment broker? Yeah, me neither.
Whatever. Though we work longish hours each week, the tasks are so incredibly varied, burnout is usually not a threat. One of the reasons burnout for the most part is foreign to me, is Fridays.
Very rarely do we schedule office appointments for Friday. It’s not us so much as it is the client. Who wants to spend an hour or two in a real estate office then? This is especially true when they can only visit after work. On Friday? Right, not likely.
No, Fridays involve intense research, the normal 1-200 minutes on the cell, a biceps/triceps/abs/cardio workout, and lunch at Casa de Pico. Normally I eat at home or the office. That’s a wicked culture change from the previous habit of spending stoopid amounts of money on lunch each month. The Boss kept tellin’ us that just because you can, doesn’t me you have to. Point made, but geez, eating at home and the office requires fixing it myself. (baby whining in background)
Since Josh is still under the weather, I’m on my own at the gym and for lunch. But wait! I’m meeting Sean Purcell for lunch today. We met online and since he’s local why not break some bread together?
With lunch finished I was immediately locked in again to the laptop as I have several assignments screaming for attention, all attached to deadlines not of my making. So much for being in charge.
Lunch with Sean and it was well worth it. He’s one of those guys you gotta like. Had to cut lunch short ‘cuz today he was elected to pick up his boys from school, a task their mom usually takes on. We’ll meet again soon.
I’ll post later today, but just knew you’d give a darn what some of my days are like.
Just finished a spreadsheet discussion with Josh ‘Spreadsheet’ Brown, and my head is about to explode. I’m off to our satellite office for some coffee and my latest murder novel. There will be no cell within 100 feet of me — at least none asking for the BawldGuy. A small oasis of rest, caffein, murder and mayhem.
Then back to work — deadlines are like roof leaks — they don’t go away until you make them go away.
Enjoyed the cocoon time. Don’t know about you, but I’ve developed the ability to sit down in a public place like Starbucks, grab an oatmeal raison cookie and some coffee, and be completely lost to the real world in a couple minutes. Before I know it an hour or so has passed, there’re cookie crumbs on me, and my coffee is finished. I swear it’s akin to an eyes-open nap.
Back to work — I’m hoping to be done before The Boss gets home.
Posted on February 3, 2008 @ 9:03 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Said here earlier today:
If the Giants play the best game possible, get a few calls and a few Patriot mistakes, they’ll beat the point spread. I want them to win desperately, but reality tells me if they played the game 10 times, the Pats win at least 9.
Apparently they played the 1 outa 10 today. Being dead wrong has never been so satisfying!
Eli Manning is a Super Bowl MVP!
I couldn’t be happier for both the Giants and Eli Manning. The kid has done nothing but eat everyone’s BS since he came into the league. He been a class act the whole time, and now all the BS shovelers are being served a seven course meal off their own evil menu. Life is good.
This also bodes very well for the Chargers, as they can now see clearly what was in their grasp had they been anywhere near healthy a couple weeks ago. Again there’s no crying over spilt milk, but this Giants victory should put a bee the size of a B-52 inside the Chargers’ bonnet.
For those in Texas who wish to gloat over today’s prediction, (90% of which was correct, by the way.) I have just one thought.
At least the Chargers and Packers actually got into their conference’s championship games. The Chargers did it by beating the DEFENDING champs ON THE ROAD. Maybe next year one of the Texas teams can figure out how to win a playoff game at HOME for Heaven’s sake, against a team they’d already beaten twice this year.
But I digress.
Congrats to a class guy and a class team — Eli Manning and the NY Giants.
How ’bout this for next year’s Super Bowl match up?
Cowboys vs Chargers And remember — you heard it here first.
(90% of which was correct, by the way.) I have just one thought.