Thinking of Going Into Real Estate

Photo Courtesy of Random World Wallpapers

With the real estate bubble busting, or has burst depending on where you live in the country, or your point of view. There has been a plethora of home that have come on the market, yes most are foreclosure.

Long before the burst, this was my dream job. You know that job where you don't mind getting up every morning and going to. When I was a young boy, I would visit a friend of mine, David Haines who was an Architect and he would teach me the ends and outs of Architecture. Most boys my age were either on the football field, or basketball court. David is no longer with us, and I wish I had stuck with it.

My interest in Architecture led me to Interior Design which I think is why I'm so interested in homes more then industrial or office spaces. Anyhow, while I was in college, another older gentleman was in the business of Real Estate, and tried to get me involved. However I was more in tune with finishing school and moving on. This too is something I wish I had taken the time to listen, get involved, and cash in. When my wife and I got married, I stopped in to visit him. He wasn't doing so hot either. I felt that this was my last chance, and gave up the dream.

Until last year, I found out that another friend of mine was in Real Estate. He advised me on a few things I didn't know about the game, but that's as far as it went as I got busy with Windsor and put it on the back burner. Just this past weekend, we were in town for a festival, and I noticed all the buildings I had spoke to my wife about someone had purchased and refurbished. The amazing thing about it is, everything I said that should go into each of these buildings did. I even told my wife when the builder purchased one property that he was going to put in loft apartments, which he did. I even called the price he would charge for each. Although, I told my wife that he would be asking WAY to much for this area, which it was.

By chance I met the wife of the man who is buying up all this property, and she advised that they were way over their heads in debt, which I figured they would be.

Here's where they are making their mistake. They are wanting to make a lot of money. I know, I know, that's what people are in business for, which I agree. She complained that they are only making 5 to 10K on each deal, when they were making 15-25K on each deal. I mean, I'm no genius, but 5-10K on each deal is where my price point is/was, I'm not greedy.

In fact, to show that I love what I do so much. In my own personal business prospectus, I have a plan to GIVE away one house completely furnished each year. Yeah I know, I'm crazy! Don't get me wrong, this wouldn't be to just any old Joe shmoe. It would be to hard working mothers who are in college trying to get off the welfare system.

My plan is to sale homes at low and affordable prices. If I spend 125K on a home, I plan to sale it at 135K. That's so that the Realtor can get his commissions reasonably.

For me, its not about money, but realizing a dream, and giving back a little to the community. If I make a little money in the process, what's wrong with that?

Swing Time!

In an earlier post we disused roping dummies. I thought that we would touch upon some of the basic learning tools for polo.

Today we are going to talk about the wooden horse. The wooden horse is primarily used to practice ones swing. Depending on your instructor, he/she may want you to learn or practice a few swings before you even attempt the wooden horse. I must tell you folks; this is not as easy as it looks. This is done help gage your hand eye coordination. As I’m sure you can imagine, you will be moving at a high rate of speed and must be able to think fast.

Once you’ve had a few swings on your own two feet, its time to mount the wooden horse, and practice your swing. This is a great opportunity to try other swings, as you are still. Again, depending on your instructor, you may be at this for hours, and you will become frustrated, but don’t give up.

Moving from the wooden horse, to a live horse should be done as soon as possible. This will give you an idea of how much you have learned. The instructor will usually move your horse along while you swing at balls placed on the field or area. I have enclosed a few photo’s of some of the pricey, and not so pricey practice horses.

Top of the line by Racewood.
Racewood Ltd have taken these attributes and applied them to the
development of a new product in their range of equestrian simulators, The
Racewood Polo Pony Simulator.

Forget the wooden horse. I'm looking at the girl in this one.

Is Classism the New Racism

Are those with money treated differently then those who don’t? I thought about this question after a friend of mine and I had a discussion about racism. As we all know, I live in the sticks of Arkansas. I am the only black man that I know of in a 30-mile radius, possibly more.

My wife has found it strange that strangers in our community speak to me. I will be in Wal-Mart, or the gun shop and men you wouldn’t expect to speak to me will strike up a conversation and want to talk for hours. However, I wonder if they were to see me drive up in an old Chevy with grease and mud all over myself, would it be the same? Would I be just some nigger? Why is it that I am treated differently then even the white man who looks the part I just described?

Just the other afternoon I stopped off to get a drink at the last stop out of town before returning home. A young man in an old Toyota truck was trying to get gas and his card would not work. He came inside, to speak to the clerk, and she wanted to push him aside to assist me first. The card was a bank gift card, and you could tell this young man did not have much, if anything. I kindly let the young man go before myself, and the attitude he received shocked me. The woman was short, and told him that the reason the card advised him to "see attendant" was because he either did not have enough funds, or no funds on his card. How embarrassed must he have felt?

When it was my turn to check out, I thought I would do a little test. I knew that the card machine took its sweet time to print the receipt, so I yelled out "DECLINED" and her answer was "Yeah right." Why is it, that he possibly had no money, and I did? Was it because I was in a nice new clean shinny car, and he was not? The young man did indeed have the funds on his card by the way. He had just gotten paid, and put the money on the card so that he would stay out of trouble with his bank account. I took the card inside and asked the attendant if I could pay for his gas with one of my cards. She agreed, and ran the card in the amount the young man needed, and it worked.

Are we putting too much emphasis on appearances? Even I in this story thought that the man didn’t have much of anything. How do I know that the young man didn’t make more then I? My mother-in-law pays cash for her cars and anything else she needs. This is due mostly to her age; she’s in her late seventies. However, if you were to see her in the streets you would think that she had nothing. She and my father-in-law wear the same clothes almost everyday. They are stained due to dropping food all over themselves, or working on the farm. However, what most people have no clue of, is that they are worth millions. This is why I say that no man is better then any other. I have even been quoted as saying, "Not even the Queen herself." Most would disagree with that statement. Why is she better? Because she was born to a life of luxury? Food for thought.

Wealth of Morality

A friend of mine, who has a great job, nice car, house at the country club, etc, doesn’t seem to be happy.

He has, paper, as it’s called in the streets today, but he has no moral value. He cheats on his live in girlfriend every chance he gets, he bullies his co-works and bosses into getting what he wants. In fact I’m not sure why I call him a friend, as I have none of these qualities about myself.

In a discussion we had a week ago, I asked him, "why is it that you hate women so much." His reply was that he didn’t hate women, but thought of them in a bad light, I’m not going to repeat what he said. He sees himself as an "Asshole" and wants others to see him in this manner as well. Though he wanted me to troll the local bar with him to look for loose women, I had to decline the offer, which didn’t sit well with him if you could imagine.

Why I’m writing this story? I’m wondering why there are so many people, men and women these days with a deficit of morals? I know my friend’s father, and I can’t believe that this is something that he learned at home, as his father is a kind and gentle man. There are men, and I’m using this term loosely, who sponge of the hard work of the women they meet. Use them for sex, money, and whatever else they can get out of them.

What is to become of the men of my daughter generation? Some of you may be thinking, "well I’m sure you hard your twist in your day." I can honestly say, "NO". Every woman I’ve been with, 1. Didn’t pay when we went out on dates, 2. we were in a relationship before sex was anywhere in the picture. Some may find it strange, but my wife and I waited months before we moved into the intimacy category.

Why the lies and deceit? I’m not saying that one can’t have their fun if they are single. I’m not some stiff, old fuddy duddy who believes that you should wait until marriage. However, if you want to be a playboy and play the field, I think that there should be some truth and honesty there. You meet a woman or man, and you tell them up front, "hey, I’m only looking for a good time here." That’s fine. You are giving that person the choice, and they know what they are getting up front. But to take advantage of someone in my book is the curliest thing anyone can do. Your thoughts?

Hot Girls of the Past

Lisa Loeb: Though most would not consider her hot, I feel she has a spot on this list. Must be that nerdy school girl thing she has going on there. You know the one where she's the hot librarian?

Vanessa Williams: Though long in the tooth, you have to admit she has kept it looking good. Damn the luck that I never got a look at those photos. I was only just a young boy then just getting into girls.

Alica Silverstone: I was never one for posters of actresses when I was younger. However, Alica was one that I would not have mind. Those thigh highs in Clueless mad me wish I were still in High School.

Awww, Stevie is all grown up.. Jenna Van Oy isn't the hottest, but she sure has what is commonly know as an onion.

Damn, hope my wife still looks this good when she's 42. I have another 11 years to hope and prey. She's so hot I had to give her space for two photos.

Girl of the Month Elizabeth Berkley

OK, so I’ve been slacking… Girl of the month goes to Elizabeth Berkley.

Those of you who grew up in the 80’s remember Saved by the Bell. She played the tall somewhat nerdy girl, whoes looks in those days did not compare, to Tiffany Amber Thiessen.

Married to Greg Lauren, artist, actor and nephew of renowned fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

Boy My Hobbies Are Getting Expensive !

It has been a minute since I purchased a new car or truck, and the old ford is on its last leg. My next purchase was going to be an LR3, or some other Rover. However, I’ve changed my mind, and decided to get another truck.

The truck would not be for everyday use, but for chores such as bringing cattle to the sale barn, horses to the Vet, or even traveling to Oklahoma for practice matches, or just good ole’ fun roping with my buddies. Don’t get me wrong, the truck I have works well to do these things. I’m just in the mode for an update. I have enclosed below a few truck styles I am very interested in, and wanted to know what others think about these trucks.

GMC Sierra C/K3500

I have always been a fan of this truck. My problem is, is that its white. I hate white cars. I’m not sure why it is, just never liked this color on cars. This truck has the same towing capacity is the others, and the purchase of this truck would be purely due to vanity. I like the look of the front end of this truck as it’s not square like its other counter parts. $18,988, no mileage listed?

Chevrolet Silverado C/K3500 LS.

Some of you may know who George Strait is, and if you don’t shame on you. Those of you, who know who he is, know that he is a big fan of Chevy trucks. The miles on this truck are decent at 85K, with the lowest price tag I have yet to find on such a truck. Some of you may be thinking, 85K miles, that’s a lot! This is not a truck that you are to drive on a daily basis. This is a truck to haul cattle, horses, hey, etc.

$18,944

Sorry Ford; Fix, Or Repair, Daily, fans I did not include Ford in this lot. I have found them to be very unreliable lately. The current truck is a Ford, and I have had to replace, lets see, the transmission; can't seem to handle trailers like I thought, ball joints, should I go on? I live in the country, and need a truck that can handle the country. And nope, no Dodge's here either. Never liked, them and I'm sure I never will.

Sleek Vintage Aldens

I just found these, and I am pondering if I should or shouldn't go there with this shoe. Not only do I have the Abboud; shown in another post, suit that would work perfectly with this shoe, but I also have a few other suits that would work perfectly as well. What's your take, should I or shouldn't I. Oh, and by the way, they are well priced at $69.95.

Cole Haan Bragano Crocodile Loafers, $88.00?!

I found these by accident earlier in the week. I went to a saved store I have not been to for sometime on Ebay. I was in the process of purging stores I had not visited for sometime, and came across the above shoe.

The shoe was a $1’300. 00 show and it looks, as though I may be getting them for less then $100.00!

As you can see from the photos, they are in perfect condition. I can not wait until they get here, I plan to wear then with jeans, a few pairs of linen slacks, and of course light woolens this summer.
I also have plans for these babies this fall as well.