All Forum Posts by: Walt Payne

@Dmitriy Fomichenko I have seen conflicting information about solo401(k) eligibility. If I have a LLC for fix and hold investing with 2 others and no employees, does that qualify for a solo 401(k) plan? I realize I can only contribute based on the taxable income of the LLC, but can I use the LLC as a business to establish the solo k from? Also, can I only contribute based on earned income, or is any taxable income eligible?

@Bryan L. Your comment about Zillow helped me find at least one issue with my listing. I bought a REO that was waaaay out of code on many levels, and paid less than the value of the lot, tore it down and built new ( for my own residence) . Now when trying to sell it I found, thanks to your comment, that Zillow shows the old REO listing, and that I paid $90K AND they show the old REO listing with a value of $275K plus the offer required dates that have long since passed That could definitely scare off buyers.

So far Zillow has ignored my requests to fix it, other than telling me to "log in to my account and fix it" . But I am not willing to agree to their TOS and want them to just fix it. Since harm is being done by their inaccurate data, and they have been notified, I am considering the possibility of involving my lawyer.

I am just researching the various aspects of direct mail. I worked for a direct response TV advertising agency so a lot of the basics are the same. My biggest concern is dealing with calls while I am at work. How is that effectively handled, especially when starting out and potentially getting a lot of calls from tire kickers? How do you keep the costs under control, do good screening, and not lose valid leads, all at the same time? Or should I wait until I can handle the calls myself?

@Josh L. It is not a matter of how long it would take to do the job, it is the time to learn HOW to do the job. Using a DSLR is not hard, using it in a way that you aren't just using it like a point and shoot anyway takes time, training and practice. I or someone familiar could do the whole process in less than an hour, but without that training and experience your pics will not improve just because you get a DSLR. Think of it like a car. Will buying a high performance race car make you able to win the Daytona 500, or would you do just as well with a Ford Focus if you have no training or experience?

@Chris Frydenlund it comes down to risk factors. The more leverage, the more you can gain, but the easier you can lose it. Like many things in life it is finding the balance that works for you

@John Weidner I can see you have no experience working in the trades. That is not meant as a criticism, but an observation. Most painting on big projects is done before tile or carpeting goes in, and is done by rolling or spraying. Both are messy. Both are done quickly with no regard to keeping clean. That is how painters make money. Quick and dirty.

That doesn't mean clean work isn't observed when it matters, but clean is not a goal on it's own.

@Phillip Dwyer Absolutely. But it is not the technique, but rather the flawed application of the technique.

@Mark Forest I wasn't calling you one. Your reasons sounded valid. I was just commenting on the need to balance perspectives.

@Mark Forest I have a smartphone because I need it for work. But I am of the philosophy that if what you have does what you need, then don't upgrade just because there is something new. That applies to both technology in general and software. I agree that to buy something just because other lemmings are buying is not wise.

At the same time, failing to properly evaluate the advantages and uses of something just because you are technophobic is also not wise. We need to keep a balance.

@Phillip Dwyer I am with @George P. about there being more to it than just buying a DSLR camera. Putting aside the HDR capability, a simple decent quality point and shoot is the best camera for most people to use for this purpose.

HDR is considered over-rated by those who don't understand it's practical application, or who have seen some of the surrealistic stuff done with it and not liked it. Difficult? I have seen pre-teens doing some great HDR photos. If you had said more work than it's worth, I might have accepted that as a reasonable opinion. But difficult? Not even a little bit.

I am not saying HDR is necessary for this, BUT, it is if you want to get a very bright area and a dark area to show up together on one picture.