Posted on August 7, 2008 @ 12:33 am - Written by BawldGuy
Been goin’ through the motions all day today. Pretending was all it was though. Acting like myself, both online and off, jokin’ around, bantering with folks. All hollow. Can’t keep pretending. After eating dinner alone tonight, the emotions which suddenly rose to the surface, surprised me. No more pretending.
Bill Lublin and I met online earlier this year. Bill is an east coast real estate broker with offices in multiple states. We began by having a serious online and public debate about some industry issues on which we sharply disagreed. Our give and take was always kept on a gentlemanly level, as we’re both old school guys. Still, we went at it tooth and nail. It was fun going head to head with a real pro.
I was honored to finally meet him in person just a couple weeks ago in San Francisco, immediately feeling I’d met a kindred spirit. While meeting Bill there, I was thrilled to also meet his wife of 34 years, Sheila. Ever met a couple and immediately realize they’re special together? That was Bill and Sheila. After Bill and I shook hands, and I began to make introductions, he interrupted me saying, ‘This must be The Boss’. We talked for almost 30 minutes in the incredibly packed room booked for the post conference socializing. It was an amazing conversation. Someone walked by, and knowing our history with each other, offered to take a picture of all of us, arms around each other, smiling and laughing. It was an amazing night, one I’ll fondly remember always.
Upon returning home from the SF conference, Sheila had some foot surgery done.
She was home recuperating, even chatting happily online with the real estate community. Her friends could be found all over the country. I spoke with her online several times.
Sadly, yesterday Bill came home to discover the love of his life had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. My heart is broken for Bill and his family. Sheila and Bill were, simply put, soul mates in the truest sense. They’d been together before he’d built his business into what it is today. Sheila worked side by side with him from Day 1. They were better than a team — they were their own entity.
The Boss reacted today much the same as I have. We found we were emailing each other from work. We usually don’t have time for this. But today we needed to stay connected. Bill’s tragic loss reminded me of something very real.
Though I often kid about living in Paradise, anywhere I am is Paradise as long as The Boss is there, and I reminded her of that today.
Bill needs your prayers. He and his family need all the strength we can send their way.
Out of respect for Bill and his family, there will be no post tonight. I urge you to go over to agentgenius and see how many friends Bill and Sheila have. Also, see Bill and Sheila in happier times.
Posted on July 27, 2008 @ 8:35 pm - Written by BawldGuy
In my experience, the beginning of the end of relatively bad economic down times, comes when the handful of folks with real power decide it’s time. You think dancers are choreographed? When the real power makes their moves, Fred Astaire is impressed.
The last several weeks, especially during this month, the small group of clean-up hitters have all grabbed their bats. (He said, making use of world class skill at mixed metaphors.) Bernanke bails out one of the biggest Wall Streets houses. Before that he was indirectly increasing liquidity of not only domestic banks but hose across the pond. He then allows banks not on the cool list access to ‘the window’ at the Fed. His latest? Allowing Fannie and Freddie to also belly up to the Fed for dead presidents as they see fit.
Those are serious moves by anyone’s definition.
Next comes the White House. The president blithely strolls up to the podium and announces how he’d be pleased as punch if we turned drilling for oil into a national sport. Geez, I dunno. Ya think that had anything to do with the almost immediate downward pressure on oil prices?
Wanting his own face time was Treasury Secretary Paulson. Henry throws the gauntlet down to the rest of the world — seems the dollar should be strong. Now there’s an idea to ponder. Why didn’t we think of that? A strong dollar tends to solve a plethora of economic ills. This isn’t news, of course, but true nonetheless.
To review, here’s what’s happened, and just as importantly, not happened in the most recent past.
Bear Stearns failure avoided. Liquidity for banking systems not allowed to become huge factor. Secondary market for real estate credit/financing aided. Oil problem finally shown in public to be what it’s been all along — supply and demand. Go figure. The dollar begins to get real support, at least on the talkin’ side. And for bonus points boys and girls, durable goods swats Chicken Little in the butt. The market had already discounted widely accepted expectations of a .2% dip. Instead, they came in at a solid, and surprising full 2% increase.
And no, I’m not gonna argue the finer points with all the MBA’s who think it’s their mission in life to explain how everyone else in the room just doesn’t get it. The fact is, the big boys are now in the first stages of flexing their muscles, and I’m not gonna quibble — except to say it’s about time, guys.
OK, enough of that stuff on a Sunday. let’s listen to some tuneage. Between Bernanke, Bush, and Paulson, seems they’ve choreographed their dance well.
And now, apropos of absolutely nothing, except maybe as homage to The Boss, our Sunday night video. See ya tomorrow.
Posted on July 22, 2008 @ 10:51 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Been at a quickie one day multi-topic ‘camp’ today. In all my years in the business I’ve not experienced a day like this one, ever.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been around so many incredibly smart people in one room at the same time. I mean the serious sorta smart. The kind you wanna listen to ’till they’re done talkin’, then you listen until time’s up and ya can’t ask any more questions.
This went on from 10-6 with an hour break for lunch. Except then we were able to break into small groups listening to more smart folks gladly sharing their experience and wisdom. Technology, media of all kinds and flavors, even a vendor or two worth their wares.
Anyhoo, I’m toast and will return to the trenches tomorrow.
Meanwhile, back at BawldGuy Ranch, The Boss has decreed we’re gonna spend a few hours enjoying The City on Wednesday before leaving.
Posted on July 19, 2008 @ 3:18 pm - Written by BawldGuy
I’m gonna let this one speak for itself pretty much. Real estate investors might relate it to having confidence in your research. If ya know what ya know — act on it. Anyhoo, enjoy. I sure did.
And yes, it is a true story. That’s what makes it so cool. Ya can’t make this stuff up.
Posted on July 19, 2008 @ 12:01 am - Written by BawldGuy
This is yet another recession predicted for nearly a year that hasn’t materialized. MSM (mainstream media) is desperate to create the perception if they can’t report the reality. This time they’ve even gone as far as using the ‘D’ word, depression. ‘Course they’ve backed of that bit of unintentional comedy, as in the six months or so since they first used it, they can’t even coax a recession to appear.
Does this mean there won’t be one? Hardly. But I’d ask you to consider a couple facts.
1. Recessions can be pinpointed as to their beginning and end only through the rearview mirror. Time passes and we’re able to look at the numbers which indicate a recession has begun — or in the case of the last seven years or so — hasn’t begun.
2. Recessions are like pregnancy, at least in concept. You are either in a recession or you are not. Ever met a woman who was kinda sorta pregnant? Me neither.
But enough. The point is simple: The reality of a recession’s existence isn’t open to debate. It has a finite, and long accepted definition which ain’t rocket science, regardless of what MSM would have readers believe. Simply put: Two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. When that happens a recession exists. If it ever happens this year or next, you’ll know. The headlines in the MSM will probably be in four inch tall, bolded fonts. Read the rest of this entry »
