All Forum Posts by: Toby Munk

I currently use ExpressionEngine as my blog software. I bought a license and installed it myself on my server and configured it myself as well.

That is why it looks as bad as it does.

I have done more research and think I might have to go with MovableType as my blog software, not sure yet.

Has anybody got contacts to a company or individual that is experienced in Blog software customization etc that I could hire for the re-implementation of the software?

Thanks for your help guys.

As a background I am a real estate agent in Aspen, Colorado.

My goals for the month of March:

1) Get at least 1 contract for a vacation club membership opportunity I am working on. $1.5m price tag

2) Get a high end listing in Aspen that I have been working on for 2 months. $24m-$30m price tag

3) Get into to this position or better in the search engines for the search term "Aspen Real Estate":
Google #10 currently #11
Yahoo #3 currently #4
MSN #15 currently #25

4) Complete and launch the re designed skirealestate.com website

5) Find a company to re-design my blog and integrate with the website

There is another 100 or so goals but these are the main ones.

Not sure how things are done in OR.
Here in Colorado Title Companies are also escrow agents. They issue title insurance and hold earnest money in escrow.

Rita,

I used to trade currencies professionally for a few years before moving on to trade commodity derivatives.

From a currency standpoint here my opinion:
1) Nobody will be able to tell you for sure what is going to happen with currency values
2) I think the Euro is going to peak before the election. If the Dems make it we will see a gradual strengthening of the Dollar. If the Reps get in again we will likely see a further deterioration of the Dollar. I could write a few pages why I think that, boring stuff.
3) Euro will peak at 1.5963.... don't hold me to the last digit ;-), who knows how high it will go, just think I know the rough time it will peak (possibly only local peak)

Keep in mind that the exchange rate is only relevant for your down payment and your mortgage payment. If you put 10% down then exchange rates are only of marginal interest.

You did not say where you would invest? There area areas where prices are increasing as we speak (Aspen). Real estate is a very local thing.

The capital gains exemptions are for primary residences. You will need to have lived there 24 months out of the last 5 years.

Not sure how it would work in an LLC. But if it is investment property it will not matter.

This is not tax advice, just my opinion.

Hi James,
welcome to the club. Great intro, the fact that you are humble enough to ask for help is a great start! There a guys here that know 10 times what I know about REI.

I have done my fair share of real estate buying. I would not call it investing as it was mostly raw land.

In any case I am a real estate agent in Aspen and happy to help out with any questions.

When it comes to improving real estate always look at what you think it will add to the value and what it will cost. Consider things that have a better than 2:1 ratio.

Jon,

$200k for 10 acres is not super high end in the mountains and is definitely not Aspen or the likes. In Aspen you can not get an acre for less than $4m.
Then calculate with $700/sqft to build.

So in terms of 12 miles to skiing (which is how far it is for my property) and being in nature it is a bargain.

Well/septic is not a problem. Min acreage is 3 acres to get permits.

I wondered if there is anybody out there that ever built a road?

Welcome to the forums. You will find the crowd here more then helpful.
Best post your initial questions in the appropriate forum categories.

Your first deal sounds better than what the average investor is doing on their first foray into the REI world.

Have fun and good learning.

I guess it is a sign of time that traders discovered real estate. It takes a financial mind to do it right.

Have a 10 year background in derivatives myself. Now an agent in Aspen, Colorado. The market here is very good still. 2008 will be a great year.

Welcome to the "club".

Wheatie,

here my reason for the over the top concept. I have 31 lots, of which about 12 are on the first mile of road. That is Phase I.
The location is good, not great, the views are great. The access is 2 miles of a county maintained road that is not paved. My lot starts by that road. I will need to big entry with a splash. People will want to see quality if they are to put up with remoteness. Good road is easy to plow. Black top is not going to last long at 10,000 feet. Pavers or cobble stone all depends on the sub structure. If that is done correctly there will be no issues with water and freeze/thaw cycle.

I figured it might be $200k for the 1 mile. That would be a $20k investment or so per lot. I think it will increase lot values by $100k. So it is a 5:1 pay back.

Road will be the last thing I will do, need all the approvals before that. I am not going to risk any money unless I am sure of the end result.

The lots of 10 acres will be worth about $200k each in Phase I, more in Phase II.

What do you think?