Posted on January 28, 2010 @ 5:00 am - Written by BawldGuy
Been a busy BawldDude lately. The transition to a multiple author format is one I’ve taken very seriously. Anyone I choose to write here must be, to use a highly technical term, a slam dunk expert in their field. So far, Wall Street trader icon Max Whitmore, the first such contributor, has been incredible. Understand though, as soon as our subscription site is up, he’ll be writing there only.
David Shafer is the man when it comes to the EIUL. David Stejkowski is the most experienced real estate attorney (DirtLawyer) I’ve ever met. Anyone who’s closed over a billion dollars in transaction has my attention.
Soon, I’m hoping I’ll be able to persuade Tom Vanderwell to join us too. He’s one of the two or three lenders I’ve met who know which way is north on the map — and in a big way. The guy is the real thing. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on January 7, 2010 @ 5:27 pm - Written by BawldGuy
One of the things this blog is known for, is how focused it is. It’s about investing in real estate for a magnificently abundant retirement. Sure, there are one or two other vehicles I recommend from time to time, but only as part of your particular Purposeful Plan.
Also, it’s been my aim, and I think successfully, to make this blog open to honest debate, but while using the manners most of us were taught as kids. This isn’t Tombstone, this is Mayberry, so to speak. I don’t cultivate false controversy or drama here. This blog is to generate business for me, sure, but by way of education, enlightenment, and helpin’ those who would like to learn without the trauma of making real life mistakes. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on December 15, 2009 @ 3:48 pm - Written by BawldGuy
When any particular resourse we have is finite in nature, trading it for something on our menu means, by definition, there’s something for which we didn’t trade. Though we chose ‘A’ over ‘B’, part of the cost of choosing ‘A’ was passin’ on ‘B’. Much of the time we learn what that exact cost was by way of hindsight. Best case scenario is that cost being, more or less, about what we thought in the first place.
This concept is called opportunity cost — the economic consequences of choosing one thing over another. Sometimes the cost isn’t just economic. For example, did you attend college? Did you have a wide choice? Years later, are you happy with the one you chose? Opportunity cost. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on December 14, 2009 @ 4:18 pm - Written by BawldGuy
BawldGuy Axiom: The farmer who plows and plants in spring is never shocked to be harvesting bountiful crops in autumn. (How’s that for openin’ up a big ol’ can of Duh!?)
What comes before constructing a Purposeful Plan?
What comes before buying low and selling high?
What must come before anything you and I choose to do or accomplish?
What precedes a college diploma?
A decision must be made. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on October 29, 2009 @ 8:21 pm - Written by BawldGuy
I often mentor agents around the country wishing to speed up their learning curve on what many call ‘the dark side’ — investment real estate. Almost always, they ask what one thing would I tell them they may not have already suspected about what we do. The answer surprises most, but I’ve found it to be true wherever I’ve done business.
I’ve learned that more often than not, my job is to dissuade folks from either doing what they’ve set out to do, or in doing anything at all.
Professional advice should be just that — professional. The majority of the time either the facts aren’t what the investor seeking advice perceives, or they are, but their conclusion is erroneous. Over half the time it either makes more sense to stand pat or to do something different than planned — sometimes very different. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on October 13, 2009 @ 8:47 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Consider this the first of many, (Lord only knows how many) posts on Self Directed IRAs/401Ks — along with acquisition of real estate using them as a tax deferred vehicle. Geez, just reread that sentence, and it sounded like one of the talkin’ heads on CNBC’s many financial shows. 
Anywho, let’s get started.
Let’s start with the answers to a buncha basic questions.
Just what is a Self Directed IRA?
In a nutshell it means you’re in charge of what investments will be made. But there’s a caveat. Not all are created equally. Some say you’re in charge yet limit what’s on your investment menu. Pick your ‘custodian’ carefully, as there are many ways a high quality custodian can be worth their weight in gold. More on custodians later. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on September 30, 2009 @ 6:57 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Over the next week or two I’m gonna be talking about how folks can begin the process of recovering the losses inflicted by the latest Wall Street meltdown. Most aren’t aware of some of the options their menu offers. Most have lost roughly 37-45% of their current job related retirement plans, so it’s probably past time they explore other avenues — avenues most don’t know exist.
We’ll be talking about converting your Qualified Plans into a ship with you at the helm. No more ambiguity. No more low, medium, high risk diversity, as if you were ordering a meal at a Chinese restaurant. Relatively reliable annual dividends (um, that’d be cash flow to us), prudent (capital P) leverage, all in an asset, real estate, that doesn’t fluctuate in value merely because the president catches a cold. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on September 24, 2009 @ 10:11 am - Written by BawldGuy
This is a question taken from the old story of buying in an upcoming but previously ‘grungy’ area compared with buying in the tried and true ‘clean’ locations. I’d ask my client, “Would you rather have a clean $10 or a dirty $20?” Most, if not 90% said they’d rather have the dirty $20 of course.
It amazes me how many times investors opt for local properties when they have empirical evidence showing they’ll do way better in a region a state or two away. It just doesn’t make sense. This is especially true when technology keeps us so informed, usually in real time. Living in Iowa and investing in another state isn’t anything like it was 30 years ago. Back then an investor had the phone and snail mail. Read the rest of this entry »