Merry Xmas, happy new years

[Henry Clark]

Its cold and snowing in Iowa, thus been online more than usual.

Want to wish everyone a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.

Winding down the year;

Our latest Self Storage location is at 32% occupancy.  Normally I would prefer to be at 50% year one, but I will take this year.  Situated to come out of the blocks strong next year with our location being in place and our SEO program churning ahead.

Our Self storage location being built is coming up fast.  Contractors are out there today in 40 degree weather erecting buildings.  Been taking them hot meals for lunch.  Won't rent out this winter, but we will be in a great spot to open up in April.  With the buildings there, the community will know we are coming.

The rest of our locations are at 90% and up.  Bad spot, have to decide if and do we build more.  Good times.

At our new location we opened, we planned to put up front Contractor buildings.  Just received the recorded subdivision from the city, thus they are okay with us moving ahead.  Just have to work with bank to release this property as collateral.  SBA won't do contractor buildings on this % scale.  Hopefully work through the bank in January and start developing a business plan, layout and building selection in January/February so we can lock in a contractor and building package for the summer.

Fruits of the labor.  Our 50 acre teak plantation in Belize is moving along.  Trees planted on about 25 acres, growing like crazy.  Planted 100 coconut trees, 100 fruit trees, 200 pineapples, 100 banana and plantains.  Pineapples in 12 months and Bananas in another 6 months. Old building structure being rebuilt.  Coming along great for an overseas build.  Making friends and good/bad experiences.  All part of the fun.  I asked the contractor what unusual has he seen.  Peccary, toucans, howler monkeys, coatimundis and large crocs at the deep end of the creek.  Guess I will have to put up some crocs in the water signs, or go fishing for crocs and have a barbecue.  Probably just let them do their thing, want the animal activity.

And the big one, Health.  My wife and I got over Covid about 2 weeks ago. Our son stayed healthy, even though for a while his college town was number one city in the US for covid.  My wife had slight headaches and sniffle/coughs for about 6 days.  I got knocked on my butt, no so much from symptoms, but could only walk about 30 feet and I was breathing hard to get air.  Would definitely get Covid versus Flu or pneumonia.  But Covid seemed a lot more contagious in our neighborhood and associates.  Spread real fast.  Sounds like it will take about 30 to 60 days to get my full lung capacity back.  All those drugs they talk about are only if you are admitted to an emergency room.  Sounds like we are immune for 3 to 6 months.

Next year 2021, I expect to be a banner year for the economy.  Pent up demand.  All of my contractors are backed up for the next 6 months out.  More we know about Covid, the less people will be scared, good or bad.  Politics won't have an impact this quick. Interest rates will stay low.  The only thing negative I see is the oil cycle.  With every bust, comes a boom in prices.

Summary, we are going full bore in 2021 with investments and expansions.  As we say in the countryside, Make hay while the sun is shining.

Good luck with your endeavors and more importantly Health in 2021.

Thank you for using Bigger Pockets and allowing me to share any of my insights correct/incorrect; failures and lessons learned.

See you next year.