Category Archives: Uncategorized

Sunday Ramblings

Only two chairs remain for the 9:30 session on Saturday with Jeff Brown and 5 chairs remain for the 2:00 session.  Email me if you want in.  This will be worth your two hours.  Trust me.

***

Jeff wrote a blog today that sparked a thought and a praise for my wife of 22 years.  I Mariedon’t come from a privileged background and have had to earn everything I have.  I could not have done it without the love and support of Marie.  Let me give you an example.

We have 4 kids and all the bills that are associated with a family of 6.  No great shakes.  You have responsibilities, too.  But never once has Marie complained or made negative comments when I would choose to spend $300 on mailing out marketing materials to my client list and that meant we only had money for PB&Js or macaroni & cheese. 

I’ve seen spouses kill their significant other’s incomes and dreams.  They have to have the new dress or the jet ski or the car to impress someone.  Marie has always supported my decisions. Even when they were obviously incorrect, in retrospect. 

Why does this matter to the real estate investor?  Because there will probably be times when outgo is greater than income.  But with proper planning and calculations it doesn’t have to stay that way.  Get on the same page with your spouse.  Keep the goals in front of you.  And support each other.

***

Bill Self Kansas JayhawksKansas Jayhawk basketball update:  We look good.  I’m about ready, though not quite, to say that Bill Self’s 2007-2008 team is every bit as good as Roy Williams’ 1996-1997 team.  That is a big statement.  We’ll see where it goes.

***

My 10 year old daughter that has been challenged with cerebral palsy since birth played in her first basketball game last night.  You should have seen the smile.  It lit up the whole room. 

3 Comments

Filed under Kansas City Sports, Personal Real Estate Opinions, Uncategorized

Today’s Word: Leverage

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Cite This SourceShare This

lev·er·age      [lev-er-ij, lee-ver-] Pronunciation KeyShow IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -aged, -ag·ing.

–noun

1. the action of a lever.
2. the mechanical advantage or power gained by using a lever.
3. power or ability to act or to influence people, events, decisions, etc.; sway: Being the only industry in town gave the company considerable leverage in its union negotiations.
4. the use of a small initial investment, credit, or borrowed funds to gain a very high return in relation to one’s investment, to control a much larger investment, or to reduce one’s own liability for any loss.

–verb (used with object)

5. to exert power or influence on.
6. to provide with leverage.
7. to invest or arrange (invested funds) using leverage.

leverage

Pay special attention to definition option 4.  It’s your word of the day when it comes to real estate investing. 

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

The Orange Bowl

Kansas 24        Virginia Tech 21

oran_bowl_logo_02.jpg

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

A Special Event For Kansas City Real Estate Investors

What: Real Estate Investing Workshop

When: January 19, 2008

Who: Special Guest Speaker will be Jeff Brown

Where:My offices at Keller Williams Realty, 801 N Murlen Rd #110, Olathe, KS

This event is one I’m very proud to be hosting.  This real estate investing workshop will be by invitation only as seating is limited.  (This is not a marketing ploy.  It’s the truth.)  Our special guest will be Jeff Brown of Brown & Brown Investment Properties.  You can learn more about Jeff by visiting his blogs here and here or seeing his Bubble Gum Interview or by visiting his website previously highlighted. 

As many of my readers know by attending, my REI Workshops usually have to do with the basics of real estate investing.  How to measure returns.  Setting criteria.  Recognizing what works.  You know, the basics. 

Jeff has offered us this time so that he can go beyond the basics.  Nobody in America understands better the advantages that residential real estate investing can have over other vehicles of investment. 

These workshops will be held at 9:30 and 2:00 pm.  You’ll need to pick one.  Some of you will receive personal phone calls from me.  Some maybe an email.  To be sure, if you want to attend, be sure to call or email me immediately. 

Sorry, unless you have previously interviewed with me these workshops will be limited to people who already own at least one income property.

As always, there is no charge for these workshops nor will books and guru systems be for sale.  Jeff and I both make our money when we successfully find you a property that makes sense.  It’s as simple as that.

3 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

This Video Just Isn’t Right

Fair warning. This is not for kids!

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Christmas Time in Kansas City

charliebrowntree.jpg

I love Christmas.  I love the giving.  I love how hope can regain a toe-hold in your life.  I love the promise of Peace.  Love.  Understanding. 

What’s so funny ’bout peace, love and understanding?
Elvis Costello

Time with my family and a remembrance of why we celebrate the birth of Christ will be my priority for the next several days.  This blog will not have very many witty sayings, jokes or recommended readings.  Talk of Kansas City real estate investing will be limited, to say the least.

Oh, I’ll still find time to go to the Kansas game tomorrow.  And I have two houses to show.  But by 4:30 on Saturday afternoon I’ll be done until Wednesday.

To my readers I would like to say that I sincerely wish you the Merriest of Christmases. 

Now close the computer and find someone you love.  Hold them tight and tell them how much they mean to you.  I’ll bet it will be one of the best presents they’ve ever received. 

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

It’s Time To Call On Jaco Bay

googlecf24c17e3a6dfe6ehtml.jpgI’m tired of internet spammers force advertising in the comments section of my blogs.  The biggest offender here is JacoBay Condominiums & Resort apparently run by Ramada.  I’ve called and asked them to stop spamming me and others.

The great thing is they advertise their 800 number on the website.  It is 800.618.1897. 

I am now publicly urging everyone…and I mean everyone in the blogging world…to call JacoBay.  Just waste their time.  It could be great fun.  And here is the bonus:  IT WILL COST THEM MONEY WITH EACH PHONE CALL!

I’ve asked their 800 number politely to quit bugging me.  So now I’m just going to call them and let the phone go as long as possible.  Maybe then Mr. Omar Cruz (the spammers screen name) will go bankrupt and then they won’t have time to keep bothering everyone. 

Just say “NO” to JacoBay.  I’d love to hear your opinions on this. 

3 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized