Facebook, The Economy and Real Estate!

Today’s blog is more about attitude than real estate, however, it is all intertwined.  The advent of Facebook has really changed things exponentially.  Before I get to that, I want to say something about a friend of mine.

This friend sold a company a few years ago and became a multi-millionaire.  He lives in my farm area (this is a geographical area that I work as a real estate agent) and I have known his family for 8 years now. 

He first called me to pick my brain about real estate and then told me he liked my marketing and my low key style.  Since then, I have helped him lease and buy real estate very successfully.

The other day, we were discussing rental properties and his attitude amazed me.  i told him about a specific property and that if we could get it for $550,000, we would not be stealing it, but it would still be around 6% under the market value.  he told me that was fine and that his father once told him: “Leave a little for the next guy!”

I have since saved that saying on my phone to remind me the leave a little for the next guy.  What does this mean? Well, in real estate it means, take the deal because you will have some extra equity when the market comes back.  However, I like what it means in the bigger picture.  It means be magnanimous like John Rockefeller - remember how he would give people a dime when he met them?  In 1900 a dime was like getting $69 today!

Today, people and governments are trying to find any way to either make or save money.  Unbelievably, California is thinking of legalizing marijuana because it will bring in more money.  What?  Money is not the answer; attitude is.  Have you really looked at what is available at the grocery store today?  Have you noticed the prices?  The basic needs like eggs, broccoli, apples, are very inexpensive and those are the foods we should be eating anyway. 

In 1998, I was still coaching high school baseball and making a transition to real estate.  I was 220 pounds with about 12% body fat and really strong.  I ate every 3 hours and cooked my own meals and took 2 steps at a time. 

Think about where you “were” 12 years ago.  How are you measuring it?  By how much you had in the bank?  By how much your house has gone up?  Take the measurement at a human level.  Think about your habits.  Did you eat more healthy?  Was your attitude more positive?

I think it is time to turn ourselves around by changing our outlook.

Last Friday, I took a day trip to Catalina Island and rented a small boat and anchored it in a little cove and swam around and explored.  The water was 71 degrees and crystal clear.  On the way back, I saw Dolphin jumping out of the water, birds singing, lizards basking in the sun.  Do you know that this happens each and everyday?

“Leave a little for the next guy!”

Now, if you are serious about living and or investing in the greatest area on Earth, go to www.MichaelDunn.com and click on the Search MLS banner and you will see some great opportunities.

Mike