All Forum Posts by: Greg B.

Sam, that reminds me of a conversation a friend of mine had with the head of a local school district over lunch earlier this year. They were talking about the bad wrap that the schools get from the community when students do crazy things like Columbine. I thought he made a great point when he said that the last time he checked, none of his schools sold guns, knives, drugs, etc.... Basically parents/communities get outraged and misplace their anger on the schools. The problem is in the home, imo.

I loved the response by an earlier poster who took the next logical step from identifying a problem and is taking action to fix it. Kudo's to you. I try to do my part by mentoring teenage boys at a correctional facility each week.

Awesome Greg. That's stuff that really helps. I wish you well.

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Originally posted by Bryan Hancock:

Originally posted by Greg B.:

Sorry Bryan, I disagree. We have a choice system now. Sure, it's based on where you live but you are always free to move. Also, many public schools in my area are allowing open enrollment. In addition you are welcome to private school or home school your kids. In my experience, parents say they want choice but in reality they don't want to do the research or take the time to make that choice. I don't think more choices will make the education system any better.

No problem...I don't mind healthy disagreement, although I am not sure exactly what we disagree on. You stated later in this post that unions are a problem. Are they or aren't they?

I disagree that we have a pure choice system now. The choice you are describing would force parents to move as their children age throughout the system. What happens if you have multiple children and some are in good schools and some are in bad schools? Basing the educational purchase on forced distribution that is tied to one's address is an inefficient model. It is also inefficient to force people to incur transaction and moving costs every few years to give teachers cushy jobs where they get paid regardless of performance.

Furthermore, the current system encourages gerrymandering of school districts where the high tax resources go to pay for the best teachers and the low tax resources go to pay for teachers that can barely spell. That is diametrically opposed to a meritocracy to protect bureaucrat's jobs.

Perhaps some parents don't want to do the research. I would argue that many of these same parents realize that they can't afford to purchase a ticket into the better schools and are "facing reality."

Are you saying that a system with unions is good or isn't? This is unclear to me from what you posted.

Sorry Bryan I wasn't clear. I disagree about the school choice issue. I do agree that teacher unions are a problem.

Also, I am a school teacher and don't consider it to be a cushy job. If you think it's cushy take a few weeks and come on in and join me. I'll be glad to share the cush that is there. LOL

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Originally posted by Bryan Hancock:

We certainly have a problem with education in this country due to unions running things and a lack of choice from the consumer of education. If you give people choice to move and allocate the resources efficiently the model will fix itself very quickly.

I do think the public education system is just like most things in life, you get out what you put in. If your kid gives the teacher a hard time or doesn't participate for 12 years your kid's education will suffer.

Education is sometimes uncomfortable, even for adults. I dislike sitting through classes as much as anyone else but sometimes it needs to be done. Overall, we, as a county, have decided we want the easy way out. We seek the lease resistance and most comfort. We learn our lessons and teach our kids to seek the same thing. If our kids are unhappy or uncomfortable we rush to comfort and protect them.

The education system does work in some places and cases. My school turns out hundreds of literate, capable people a year.

I do agree there are problems. Politicians making laws for change based on sound bites to further their political career. Lazy teachers that are protected by unions. Combative, disinterested, overworked parents. Absent dads. Aggressive administrators that only want to further their careers at the expense of everyone. There is enough blame to go around. What are solutions?

My solution, I chose to go to work in a needy school district last year. I work with a great group of pros. I love my kids and they do well. I do have parents that don';t like me and are mad at me. Can't please everyone.

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Welcome to BP Travis. You are in the right place.

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It depends on the renter. Some renters are a little rougher on the unit than others. I have a family that has been with me 3 years and they keep the place spotless. I just got rid of another family I had for 1 year. They interviewed well but would not pick up the trash. I knew what to expect when I went in that unit. They just got the news that they wouldn't be receiving their full deposit back.

IMHO, some tenants need more watching after than others.

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I'm impressed too. Something I never thought of before.

On another forum I belong to we have a Kiva group. It's cool to support business people from other countries.

http://www.kiva.org/

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Thanks Michael. I didn't watch any videos of post Katrina. I don't spend much time watching TV.

I still am curious about tile, grout, and pet urine.

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Originally posted by Billy W.:

Originally posted by Greg B.:

Welcome to BP Billy. Congratulations on the graduation and job. Have you got your eye on any specific properties?

Thanks Greg!

I have been looking at a couple multifamily properties, all with positive cash flows. The biggest positive cash flow property I have been able to find is in one of the worse off neighborhoods, but it is full of tenants.

Typically when you are looking to buy and hold on properties, is any neighborhood too rough?

All of my rentals are in mid to lower income, blue collar neighborhoods. None of them are in war zones and I work hard to make sure my properties don't become the source of neighborhood problems. Also, I have never felt my life was threatened by being at my properties.

In answer to your question, IMHO, your life or health is not worth the amount of rent you would collect. In other words, yes, there are neighborhoods I would not buy and hold properties in. These guys do not care about life and they sure don't care about me. No war zones for me.

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Welcome to BP Billy. Congratulations on the graduation and job. Have you got your eye on any specific properties?

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Originally posted by Tod Radford:

BTW, English is my second language too. I speak Texan, so many people either don't understand, or laugh at my accent! :lol:

Whatchu mean podnuh, ahh ain't got no accent. :)

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All Forum Posts by: Greg B.

Greg B. has started 37 posts and replied 716 times.

Post: This sucks. We're # 11, or worse.

Post: This sucks. We're # 11, or worse.

Post: This sucks. We're # 11, or worse.

Post: North Dallas Newbie

Post: For those of you who self-manage...

Post: I have $704 to give away. Any suggestions?

Post: What is the most tenant friendly flooring?

Post: Graduated, landed a job, and looking to go full steam into real estate

Post: Graduated, landed a job, and looking to go full steam into real estate

Post: A new beginning