New Years 2010 and Real Estate!

Well, a new year, a new decade is around the corner.  I am sitting here on my patio, watching my breath evaporate across the air as the sun is rising.  The birds are starting their morning concert; three humming birds just did a “fly by” and I felt their vibration . . . literally and figuratively.

As we stand at the precipice of a new year, I am excited about its prospects. While many see the financial crisis and war continuing to hold our economy back, and perhaps stall the real estate market longer, I turn to the exciting possibilities for growth as individuals this year.

The past 8 out of 10 years saw amazing financial growth for many real estate investors and real estate owners.  Yet overall, we have slipped in taking care of ourselves both physically and intellectually.  I remember seeing a Rolls Royce at a McDonalds drive thru window and thinking to myself how strange that picture looked.  Money cannot buy good health and intelligence.

I see it more and more, we drive exotic cars yet use cheap fuel for our bodies and minds.  In real estate, time is on our side and while we have a roof over our heads, why not treat ourselves in a healthy manner while our investment grows? 

Good eating habits help our minds make sound decisions.  2010 will bring many good investment opportunities due to the release of more foreclosures and bank owned properties and this real estate market will not skyrocket in the next 3 years.  This is actually a good thing because we can all get back to a good sound plan to make ourselves better thru reading more good books, watching less television, taking more long walks thru nature and working on our own personal growth and let the real estate investments simmer.

Happy New Year to everyone and may you make sounds decisions that will bear lush fruit for years to come!

Mike

Posted: December 31st, 2009 under Real Estate News.
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Eleven mile run and Real Estate!

Here is what an eleven mile run and real estate have in common:

1. An eleven mile run requires a slow steady pace to maintain the run

2. It requires a tough mental attitude to keep the pace

3. It requires an aggressive mindset to even start

Well, much like an 11 mile run, you need the same 3 ingredients to build a successful real estate portfolio.  Take number 1. - A slow steady pace in buying what you can afford and thinking years ahead not weeks.  Do not count on the fast buck.  I have spoken to several builders who sold for pennies on the dollar when the real estate market crashed instead of renting their units and keeping them until the market turned.  One thing is certain, the market will always turn.  Why? Because human nature is always striving for more.  This keeps people working.

Real estate requires a tough mental attitude.  This translates to discipline.  It takes discipline to NOT over bid on a foreclosure.  Keep your bottom line in mind.  If a competitor bids above it, let it go for the next deal. Also, know your market.  Do NOT give in to an article that tells you how rosy the market looks when you can see for yourself that it is worth less.

The toughest part is just getting started.  As human beings, we tend to talk ourselves out of things we wish to do because of fear of the unknown.  Remember that first plunge into the ocean on the first day of summer?  You were scared the water was cold or that there were jellyfish.  Remember after you dove in?  The water was not as cold and there were no jellyfish.  The same thing holds true in real estate.  There are too many benefits of ownership to NOT jump in.

Remember after you body became acclimated to the water temperature?  You had so much fun just floating and catching the waves.  Real estate is the same. Once you commit and jump in, those waves can gives you an exhilarating ride that will keep you secure for year to come.

So come in, the real estate if fine!

Mike

Posted: December 25th, 2009 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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Christmas 2009, Laker versus Cavaliers and Real Estate!

This is a very special Christmas for me.  The reason it is may not seem very earth-shattering due to my large real estate presence on my blog.

Stan Van Gundy, the head coach of the Orlando Magic basketball team said he does not like Christmas games and thinks Christmas should be spent with family and less commercial.  I totally agree.

The past years, I have been guilty of the “commercialization” of not only Christmas but also real estate.  I am so passionate about real estate, that I would look for deals during Christmas and a few years ago, actually showed homes at Christmas.  I tend to get very focused on a goal and did not even realize what I was doing.

This year I have taken more time off to spend with my nephews and family.  They are wonderful.  Yesterday, I took a nap to the sounds of my father reminiscing about his Navy days, my nephews laughing while playing cards and my sister and brother in law wrestling over a Rubiks Cube!

As I lay napping, I thought about the importance and symbol of Christmas.  The true meaning is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and what he brought to the world.  More importantly, what I have noted since getting into real estate, is the other reason for celebration this time of year.  Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan and the anticipation of the new year, bring all peoples together to take time to celebrate their roots . . . family!

Make no mistake, I have not lost my focus and passion for real estate, I still think of it as the most amazing way to gain wealth and financial security, but thru real estate I have relearned the meaning of Christmas.

Christmas is an amazing time of family, friends, appreciation, compassion, fellowship, and sharing.  When I say sharing, I mean deep sharing.  Not just material gifts, but sharing a smile, a hug, a tear, a deep human connection that warms our souls and gives us a renewal for the coming year and anticipation for great happenings.

So I would like to cast my vote for a Christmas month.  Yes an entire month where we can all come together and tell eachother how much we care about this wonderful place called Earth.  And if we can do it while nestled under a roof of a home that will gain 30% in value over the next 7 years, so much the better!  You knew I had to sneak my real estate in!

Merry Christmas everyone and best wishes for a prosperous New Year!

Mike

949-533-2581

Posted: December 25th, 2009 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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Tiger Woods, Hanukkah and Real Estate!

Well you may ask what does Tiger Woods, Hanukkah and Real Estate have in common?  First of all, the reason Tiger Woods is in this conversation is because it has been the highest searched item on the Internet the past 9 days. Whatever happens with Tiger is between Tiger and his family and that is all I have to say about that.

As far as Hanukkah is concerned, this has two reason.  One, Hanukkah started two days ago and is a major part of the winter holiday season.  Secondly, the story of Hanukkah has a real lesson in real estate: According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.

I can hear you asking, “what does that have to do with me buying a property or selling my own home”?

Well, in a nut shell, it means that if you invest in real estate and you treat your investment with a conservative attitude toward the future, it will exceed your expectations and bring you amazing rewards.  One of the main reasons the market has crashed the past two years is due to the fact that many of us used up our candle oil for much more than just providing light.  We took our real estate for granted.  Much like a husband or wife taking his wife or husband for granted, we do not seem to appreciate what we have until it either leaves us or threatens to leave us.

In Southern California, we have a double blessing; we have fantastic weather and the real estate market has been relatively stable.

So, this holiday season, pretend you area young college student who is on a tight budget.  You will find that you can still use your brain to learn new things and also eat healthy nutritious foods for a very small price.  On your next trip to the grocery store, visit the produce section and notice how abundant it is.  It is also the healthiest section for you.  Also notice how empty it is.  Most people shop in the middle aisles, the manufactured food section.  Have you noticed that this time of year the alcohol section is locked? 

That seems funny to me, the section that poisons your body, clouds your mind and leads to ignorant mating decisions, has to be locked because people will steal the Dom Perignon!  While the section that is the healthiest, is wide open and ready to be pilaged!

Now is the time to make your move.  Do it wisely by eating tight and dialing the right phone number . . . 949-533-2581!

Happy Holidays,

Mike

Posted: December 13th, 2009 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
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