Iron Lung and Real Estate!

Dianne Odell was stricken with polio at the age of 3 and has spent her entire life in an Iron Lung to help her breathe.  WOW!  What would you do if you were confined to an Iron Lung?  What would you do if you were told you had to remain confined in order to live?

Read this story and then see below:

Tenn. woman, 61, dies in iron lung after outage

By WOODY BAIRD – 1 hour ago

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A woman who spent nearly 60 years of her life in an iron lung after being diagnosed with polio as a child died Wednesday after a power failure shut down the machine that kept her breathing, her family said.

Dianne Odell, 61, had been confined to the 7-foot-long machine since she was stricken by polio at 3 years old.

Family members were unable to get an emergency generator working for the iron lung after a power failure knocked out electricity to the Odell family’s residence near Jackson, about 80 miles northeast of Memphis, brother-in-law Will Beyer said.

“We did everything we could do but we couldn’t keep her breathing,” said Beyer, who was called to the home shortly after the power failed. “Dianne had gotten a lot weaker over the past several months and she just didn’t have the strength to keep going.”

Capt. Jerry Elston of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department said emergency crews were called to the scene, but could do little to help.

Odell was afflicted with “bulbo-spinal” polio three years before a polio vaccine was discovered and largely stopped the spread of the crippling childhood disease.

She spent her life in the iron lung, cared for by her parents and other family members. Though confined inside the 750-pound apparatus, Odell managed to get a high school diploma, take college courses and write a children’s book.

The iron lung that she used was a cylindrical chamber with a seal at the neck. She lay on her back in the device with only her head exposed, and made eye contact with visitors using an angled mirror above her head. The lung worked by producing positive and negative pressure on the lungs that caused them to expand and contract so that she could breathe.

Iron lungs were first used to sustain life in 1928, and were largely replaced by positive-pressure airway ventilators in the late 1950s. A spinal deformity from the polio made it impossible for Odell to wear a more modern, portable breathing apparatus, so she continued to use the older machine.

It is not known how many polio survivors still use iron lungs, but Odell was believed to have used it for longer than most.

Odell was determined to live a full life — she earned a diploma from Jackson High School as a home-bound student and an honorary degree from Freed-Hardeman College. A voice-activated computer allowed her to write a children’s book, “Less Light,” about Blinky, a tiny star who dreams of becoming a wishing star.

In a 2001 interview with The Associated Press, she said she wanted to show children, especially those with physical disabilities, that they should never give up.

“It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you see someone do the same thing,” she said. I love these words Dianne spoke, because we can all learn from those who came before us.  I learned what I know from others and am now passing my experiences to others like you . . . it is up to you if want to take advantage.

Have you ever twisted an ankle?  Have you ever had a cold?  Well, we all know that these two challenges make us frustrated.  What amazes me is that Dianne Odell could survive for 60 years in an Iron Lung.  She never, ever , ever gave up!  How many of us have given up with the simplest of things?

Have you ever put in an offer on real estate and when you received a counter offer back, you gave up?  Never, ever, ever, give up!  There are some fantastic real estate deals out there today.  The best of which can be found at www.MichaelDunn.om or www.ThePelicanEstates.com

Remember the story of Dianne Odell and know that she missed out on some things all of us take for granted.  But she also possessed a courage and fortitude that only 1% of us can ever claim.  May The Good Lord Bless you Dianne Odell and also the family who took care of you.

Happy Investing.

Mike

Posted: May 28th, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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NCAA Baseball and Real Estate!

Ah tis the season for college baseball.  I loved my days as a collegiate athlete.  I had the best of both worlds.  The safety and security of a baseball scholarship and the experience of road trips to places I otherwise would not see.

I played baseball at the University of Texas at El Paso.  El Paso is a border town and what struck me was that a mere 500 yards away across the Rio Grande river, I saw what amounted to shack like huts on the hills.  When I looked back at the UTEP campus, it looked like a modern amazing place.

I learned a lot about my time in El Paso, not only about how lucky we are to live in the United States, but also about myself.  I saw people begging for money and food when my teammates and I would cross the border.  One man will always remain in my memory.  He had lost both his legs and the only way he could get along, was to use his arms to swing himself from car to car.  As a 19 year old, I was awe struck.

This man also motivated me to go for the good things.  Not necessarily material things, but good things.  Doing things the right way.  The material things help and will help raise your children in a stress free way and make your life easier.  One of these “things” is real estate.

If you knew that buying real estate today would make you the equivalent of the sum of 5 years worth of salary in 10 years, would you buy?  I would and I have.  You see owning a home is like having one, two or even three passive jobs at once.  When your property goes up in value, say 5%, it is based on the property value NOT on what you have invested. 

For example, if you own a house in Austin, Texas and you put $40,000 down but the value is $200,000, the 5% is based on the $200,000.  At a modest 5% increase, in 5 years you have made back the $40,000 you put in.  At a 10% increase, you make the $40,000 back in 2 years.

Do you see the value?

Go to www.MichaelDunn.com or www.ThePelicanEstates.com for more information.

Happy investing.

Mike

Posted: May 27th, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
Comments: none

Memorial Day and Real Estate!

Today is Memorial Day in the United States and yesterday I spent the morning with my father, Robert A. Dunn, of Huntington Beach California by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  There were some other stops in between and one of those was a stint with the Unites States Navy during World War II.

My father told me about his stories and as he did, I tried to compare my life at the same age.  My dad was put into an orphanage by my grandmother after my grandfather died.  The orphanage was part of the Stephen Girard College, one of the luckiest places my father could go.  After he graduated high school, with written permission from his mother, dad joined the Navy.  Both my dad and uncle figured it was better t join then wait until one was drafted.

My dad was assigned to a submarine tender which would sail to submarines and make sure all the radar, sonar and electrical equipment was working properly.  He never saw any “action” per se, but remembers all the stories.  So at 17, my father was sailing the Pacific Ocean.  WOW!

At 17 I was playing baseball in high school and contemplating my future.  I came within a passed physical of joining the Air Force, but at the moment it came time to sign up, I said “no” and pursued baseball.

What amazed me about my fathers decision was that he was scared, but felt it was the right thing to do.  He knew there was a chance he could die, but went with his commitment anyway.  This is what we should honor on this day.  The veterans who dies are incredible heroes because they not only knew of the risk, but they accepted it.  I put my father in this same category on this day because of what could have happened.

Every single member of the Armed Forces should be honored for the decision they make.  For whatever reason they signed the contract, money for college, three square meals per day, getting out of a gang, trying to move up the ranks, juts to look good in uniform, to get a medal . . . they agreed to risk their lives.  And it is for this reason that whenever you see a veteran, you should acknowledge what they did.  For they did it for you me and every person who takes a breath under the flag of the United States.

A few years ago my father broke up with his girlfriend and stayed with me for 3 months.  I cherished those three months because I really got to know my dad.  We would walk to get groceries together and he would share his jokes and stories with me.  What a man!

To this day when he leaves me a message, at the end he says:  “Goodbye Mike, you are doing a great job, I love you and God bless you”!  I have saved several of these messages because one can never tire of those words.

In closing, I would remind you to acknowledge every veteran and let them know how appreciative you are and also know that thier sacrifice should not go on vain.  By this I mean buy American . . . buy real estate.  Real estate is the most American thing you can do.

Go to www.MichaelDunn.com or www.ThePelicanEstates.comto see what riches lay before you.

Happy investing and Happy Memorial Day!

Mike

Posted: May 26th, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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Mars Landing and Real Estate!

The Mars Landing to see if there was or is life on Mars is an incredible accomplishment and one that many of us do not appreciate.  What mankind can do when we combine our spirits and talents is truly amazing.

Read this excerpt from Todd Weiss:

May 25, 2008 (Computerworld) The Phoenix has landed. After a nine-month, 422-million-mile voyage, followed by a delicate series of maneuvers that slowed the Phoenix Mars Lander from about 13,000 mph to just 5 mph at touchdown seven minutes later, NASA tonight has placed a spacecraft on the Martian surface. “A signal has been detected from

For NASA, the successful landing was a long time coming. More than eight years ago, in December 1999, NASA’s Mars Polar Lander project came to a disastrous end when the craft’s descent engines shut down early as it prepared to land on the Martian surface. That lander went out of control from a high altitude, crashed and was destroyed. That mission was followed by the successes of the two 2004 Mars rover missions, which have been traversing the planet in a series of experiments and exploratory missions. The rovers, however, were delivered to the Mars surface in large, cushy “air bags” that bounced onto the surface. Later the air bags deflated and the rovers drove out of them and began their work. Lander descents are much trickier, because they use large parachutes and thruster engines to bring the craft into a controlled approach to the surface. The last time NASA had successfully landed a spacecraft this way on Mars was in 1976, when the Viking I and Viking II landers touched down safely for a series of science and photography missions. At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., where the mission is being monitored, the safe touchdown of the

As the lander approached the planet’s surface, “it gently touched the ground,” he said. “At about five mph, it just parked [itself]. It’s got about a one-degree tilt. It’s just parked very neatly and flat. It’s just great.” Once the dust raised by the descent thrusters settled after a few minutes,

“We think it’s way cool,” Wessen said of the successful landing

“Way cool”!  Yes, it is way cool, but what is “way cooler” is that with a small down-payment, you and I can build some tremendous riches for our future through real estate. All of us need a roof over our heads and did you know that most of people’s retirement comes from the roof over their heads?  Yes, over 75% of all people who retire, sell their homes and use the proceeds as their retirement.  if you think about it, this makes a lot of sense.  For example;  If you bought a house on the beach in California in 1965 at age 30 for $60,000.  The same house today is worth around $3,000,000.  At age 70 you will have at least $2,000,000 to retire on assuming you did not save anything during those 40 years.

Now that is “way cool”.  So go ahead a buy real estate and wait . . . and while you are waiting, do something you love to do and when you decide you do not want to do that anymore, you will have a very nice nest egg.

Be sure to visit www.MichaelDunn.com or www.ThePelicanEstates.com to learn more about specific investment opportunities.

Happy investing.,

Mike

Posted: May 26th, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
Comments: none

The Irvine Ranch and Real Estate!

Are you looking for the best investment the world has ever known and something that will keep you smiling for years to come?  www.MichaelDunn.com , www.ThePelicanEstates.com and www.NorthwoodPointeIrvine.com

Yes, it is as simple as this.  Oh, you want a more detailed explanation?  OK, here we go:

The Irvine Ranch is located in the southern coastal section of Orange County about 50 miles south of Los Angeles.  It encompasses parts or all of the cities of Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Irvine, Tustin and Tustin Ranch.  It is the site of some of the most creative, wealthy, generous and most grateful people on the Earth.  it is also the site of some of the most temperate climates in the Universe.

The real estate appreciation has been the greatest in the entire United States of America.  While real estate is a regional market, the Irvine Ranch market is a trend setter and when the general real estate market goes down, it does not go down as much here as the rest of the country.  When it goes up, it goes into orbit!

The educational system is one of the best in the nation and will continue to be for years to come.

www.MichaelDunn.com , www.ThePelicanEstates.com and www.NorthwoodPointeIrvine.com are your tickets to some fantastic deals.

 Happy investing.

Mike

Posted: May 23rd, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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Real Estate and Real Estate!

In the past few months there have not been as many top Google searches for real estate as there were in 2003.  Many of my peers are getting into multi level marketing and other endeavors until the real estate market comes back.

To me real estate is not a trend; it is a constant.  Always appreciating.  Sure there are blips here and there, but overall for the long term, it will always be worth substantially more than what the initial investment was.  Let’s take an example, say a 20 year example.  Twenty years is the time it takes to raise a family or at least it was back then!

Let’s take me for example.  I was born in 1963 in Manhattan Beach, California.  We lived in a house on the Strand.  At that time the house was worth around $60,000 with rents around $600 per month.  In 1983, the same house was worth $650,000.  My parents could have taken out money for college and since the rents at that time were around $2,000 per month, it would have been very feasible.

Look at your real estate investment as a 20 year plan.  Yes, I realize “things” can happen where you need the money from a sale.  But overall, keeping it for 20 years will more than take care of your needs.  Notice the word “needs”, this is the revealed secret.  If you focus on what you need, the rest will follow.  No use getting greedy like many in the past 4 years have done.  Live within your means and your real estate will grow - trust me . . . implicitly! Plan for the longterm.

I have been running 3 miles a day lately down at the beach and have realized that the beach is all I need.  The rest - income from rentals, income from real estate sales, consulting fees - are well and good, but ultimately the thrill of breathing fresh air and feeling the breeze draw back my hair and cool my skin, is what it is all about. 

To learn more about real estate, go to www.MichaelDunn.com or www.ThePelicanEstates.com.

Happy investing.

Mike

Posted: May 21st, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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American Idol and Real Estate!

American Idol has been a tremendous phenomenon the past 5 years.  I think the main reason is that it gives hope, much like the lottery, for anyone who has a dream to achieve.

The odds are great, but I love the early auditions because everyone feels they have a chance.  It is this same equal opportunity that we have in real estate.  Anyone, whether you are white, black or green, tall, short, slim or chunky, has a chance to achieve an incredible dream and or fortune. 

I have said this before, but it bears repeating, the monotonous repetition of the basic fundamental skill is what it takes.  This means you better enjoy what you are doing, because to succeed, you will be doing a lot of it.  I love the real estate business both the sales part and the investment part.  It is like a James Bond movie or Mission Impossible.  I get an assignment and should I choose to accept it, the rewards are fantastic.

It took me a few years to get established, like any other business.  But I worked with the long term picture firmly set in my mind.  I knew that for the long haul, I would not be going for the quick buck or the fancy sports car.  My vision was people oriented.  You see I travelled all over the world as a young boy - Israel, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, France - and I never established roots.  I was always moving and I envied the kids who lived in the same house and had all those friends.

So when I started “farming” - a real estate term for choosing a geographical location - I kept a vision in my mind that one day people would start waving at me when they saw my car.  Well, low and behold, it happened.  The day I will always remember, is the day a resident of my “farm” area waved at me and said “Mike, I am dancing like no-one is watching”.  I smiled the rest of the day.  Know why?

At the end of my e-mail signature and the literature I mail to my “farm” area, it states the following:

“Someone once said: What goes around comes around,

Sing like no one is listening,

Dance like no one is watching,

Work like you do not need the money,

Love like you have never been hurt!”

This resident had read my literature.  It made all those long hours, phone calls and open houses, worthwhile.   I still smile when I think about it.  The lesson, all of us need and want to be recognized for our achievements and just for plain being alive.

All of you who have gone to www.MichaelDunn.,com or www.ThePelicanEstates.com , I appreciate you and you reading my blogs.

Happy investing.

Mike

Posted: May 21st, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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Malignant and Real Estate!

Read the definition of Malignant below:

1 aobsolete : malcontent, disaffected b: evil in nature, influence, or effect : injurious c: passionately and relentlessly malevolent : aggressively malicious2: tending to produce death or deterioration <malignant malaria>; especially : tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally <a malignant tumor>

— ma·lig·nant·ly adverb

I bring up this word because two prominent, all of us are prominent but I distinguish here because of their public figures, Hamilton Jordan and Edward Kennedy.  Both have been affected by the word Malignant.  Hamilton Jordan passed away today and Edward Kennedy was diagnosed today with a malignant tumor.

The word malignant says “tending to produce death or deterioration”.  This is NOT what you want your doctor to tell you.  But alas, all of us must at one time or another, deal with “tending to produce death or deterioration”.  Lately, by lately I mean the past 6 months or so, I have been acutely aware of my mortality.  A friend of mine was hit by a car while running along the beach.  Her name was Lori Jamieson.  There is a picture of her hanging from a tree along Pacific Coast Highway.

Today I stopped and looked at her and read her words.  The weird thing is that she died on the same day she was born . . . May 2.  I guess one could say that today was a “malignant” day in the world of news.  This brings me to real estate.

What is malignant about real estate?  Well, the building itself can deteriorate if it is not taken care of.  But what is fantastic about real estate is that even if you let it just sit without doing any upkeep, it still goes up in value.  Do you know why?  Because like each of us, human beings, real estate is a unique and valuable commodity.

The key it where it is located and what surrounds it.  Go to www.MichaelDunn.com or www.ThePelicanEstates.com and go see if you can turn that malignancy into a passionate living breathing abundance of fortune.

Happy investing.

Mike

Posted: May 20th, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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Americans buying American and Real Estate!

Republican Presidential candidate Duncan Hunter of California, urged Americans to buy American during last years Republican debates and here is an excerpt from an article:

Former 2008 republican presidential candidate Duncan Hunter (CA) urged Americans in a pre-Christmas 2008 republican debate to buy American when we shopped for Christmas gifts. Many of the democratic candidates have made trade policy and the environment a major issue, and all the remaining candidates continue to talk about their vision to create jobs and bolster the American economy.

Regardless of how you feel about global warming, most Americans agree that protecting the environment is a good idea, but how do you go green and remain red, white and blue, too? You can buy A

Posted: May 20th, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Real Estate!

On May 22nd the next installation of the Indian Jones movies is going to be released.  I am looking forward to seeing it because I love adventure movies.  We can all give an educated guess as to what will happen, based on the previous movies.  however, human nature is always curious to see how it ends or how cool the special effects will be.  This is why I love movies; I love to figure out how they “did it”.

I think that if we all took that same adventurous attitude that Indiana Jones has, we would all love the adventure of real estate investing.  As a real estate agent, I have had some fantastic adventures finding good, deals, meeting great people and enjoying the entire process.  As a real estate investor, I have had some adventurous experiences and look at each new lesson as a pearl that connects to another to form a spectacular strand of pearls.

In whatever you do there will always be a risk and in real estate you must know your own risk factor or your threshold level.  Some want the big return and have to take a big risk.  others want the steady flow of cash and are willing to be more conservative.  Whatever your threshold, you should get in the real estate game.  Yes, it is a game, much like the board game . . . Monopoly.  You have to roll the dice to play and once you roll, assess your threshold factor based on your capital.

It sounds simple and, it is.  What makes it complicated is our willingness to listen to so called “experts” who do not own real estate or just relay what other “experts” are saying.  Do your research before making a decision.  Learn the facts and forget the rumors.  I like the analogy in French:  In french “rue” means street and “mort” mean dead.  So rumors mean “dead street” or “dead end”.  if you let rumors rule you, you will end up with nothing.

Learn the facts before making your decision.  The bets way to get the facts is:

1.  Reading www.MichaelDunnBlog.com

2. Going to www.MichaelDunn.com

3. Going to www.ThePelicanEstates.com

4. Call me at 949-533-2581.

Happy investing.

Mike

Posted: May 18th, 2008 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
Comments: none