All Forum Posts by: Doug N.

@Perry Ivy Thanks for the master class in how to kill a thread! 

It's actually a two-for-one special: how to kill your reputation as well. 

You may want to attend another class: how to delete your posts. It's easy. 

I saw this on Dr. Phil one time, complete with the part about how the husband hired his own assistant. I could not understand most of it (because Dr. Phil) but it turned out well in the end. I think. 

Srsly, this is a life-work-marriage balance issue, and I doubt it can be solved via scheduling alone. An agreement in principle re time together would be ideal, as it allows for flexibility all around.

Best of luck!

I would buy it purely for the value in writing a compelling short story - it has everything: confederate geniuses, EMF cancer clusters, meth labs and perhaps a local police force that likes to shoot first. 

What's not to like?

(Here I usually insert a 'best of luck' closing, but I suspect you already have plenty).

Personally speaking, I find it hard to justify investments in a marketplace that is not transparent. As I understand it, WY is one of the few states that does not disclose historical purchase info.

Best of luck!

Congrats @Kerry Smith, that's awesome. I am north of you a bit, but sometimes get to Tacoma for business. Drop me a line if you are ever interested in RE data and analytics, etc, esp mapping and databases. @Alex Chin has a lot of helpful info as well!

Take it easy!

 Is there really anything more you need to know?

@Paul Farley Your advantage is that you already have comms established with these folks, ie it's not a cold call. This is worth a lot. Secondly, if you don't feel comfortable talking to folks about what you want from life, then RE (and a lot more) may not be for you. It's *all* on a personal level, and this is a great way to weed out the folks that were never going to help you in the first place.

"Hi, it's Paul, I'm calling to say hello and to see if I can ask you a few questions about your RE efforts."

"Sure, what's up?" or "Go kick rocks!" (this is the second sorting of your network).

"I'm thinking of working in X, do you have any thoughts on how a newbie like myself can get started?" (third sort here, these are the folks you want to know).

LMGTFY on the license requirements, etc. 

Best of luck!

EDIT: adding: most good info does not come from in-person meets. In fact, I can think of none for myself right now... Think of it this way: what are the odds that someone you can get a lot from (learning, advice, referrals, etc) lives in your town or county? Zero point zero zero for me, but ymmv. 

Hello Smart BP Folks -

I am reading one of my favorite economist bloggers - Bll McBride at Calculated Risk - and I see an interesting article about rents and renters. I'm curious to see if anyone has some input on these issues - right, wrong or indifferent - esp if they are active in the market, like Jay and a few others. 

Some snippets:

...our office remains skeptical that all of the shift into rental is permanent, even from a taste or preference stand point. When the Millennials do settle down, get married, have a couple of kids — at a later age than previous generations — we know single family with good schools looks a lot more attractive. Even so, it does look like most of the increase in rentals is likely to be permanent, particularly in light of the fact that no economist or housing expect I know is predicting a return to the pattern of development and growth seen during much of the past few decades.

and 

the biggest takeaway I have from this work, is that in growing, popular areas like Portland, even if the market shifts back toward ownership somewhat, overall demand will increase for both [ownership and rentals]. This is simply due to overall population growth.

Sources:

http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2015/10/lehner-is-2015-peak-renter.html

http://oregoneconomicanalysis.com/2015/10/12/2015peakrenter/

Thanks for your insights!

This is your first asset, a solid network. Start talking to these folks, tell them what you want, and they will give you all kinds of advice and help. Some will probably offer to hire you, assuming you are a good asset to them (ie honest, diligent, etc) in your current position. 

Get the RE exam book from the library and take the tests in the back, and see what your pass rate is. Also take the appraiser and broker tests - you will learn a lot, and it will reinforce your agent learning. You don't need classes. 

Burn it up!

@Brilliant Clayton Steve has it right. Train the tenant (economic incentives always work) and feel the love all around, esp in your bank account.

Others are technically correct (evictions, etc) though you have some issues in having already accepted payment, etc, and your time and quality of life goes straight to hell once the paperwork starts. 

Would you rather have everything just work, or would you rather ding them procedurally?

Best of luck! And awesome name, I wish my mom had as nice an epidural.