A very big real estate story splashed across mainstream news recently, but got buried underneath (insert the sensational political headline you’re sick of) … Oregon Okays First Statewide Mandatory Rent Control Law Associated Press, 2/28/19 Okay, we admit this is a government policy … so it’s political. But politics is easy to laugh at when […]
Rent control … a sign of the times? Read More »
When the 2008 financial crisis hit, the mortgage industry was at the epicenter … and the disruption of funding feeding real estate crushed housing values. But it’s important to remember, the problem was NOT real estate. After all, people still needed and wanted places to live. So the demand for housing remained stable. It was
Main Street needs Main Street investors … Read More »
As we’re winding down 2018, it’s time to rub our crystal balls and peer into the new year … and we see …. Taxes. For most high-earners, taxes are their biggest expense. And almost everyone who has to pay taxes would prefer not to … or at least pay less. So while there are MANY
The big story for 2019 will be … Read More »
With less than 7 weeks remaining in 2018, we’re taking a short break from our obsessive-compulsive perusal of the financial news. Because with an exciting New Year about to begin … full of hope, challenges, and opportunities … it’s a great time to focus on some important fundamentals. Lesson# 1: Invest in yourself first and
Seven lessons for better investing … Read More »
If you’re an American, unless you’ve been in a coma or living under a rock, you know the United States just had one of the most energetic mid-term elections in quite some time. The day after, both sides are disappointed … and both sides are claiming victory. One of the advantages of being older is
The mid-term morning after … Read More »
It’s no secret the United States has been at odds with both China and Russia lately. So what? What does it mean to Main Street entrepreneurs and investors? Maybe nothing. Or maybe a lot more than you think. Just a few months ago, Russia dumped a majority of the Treasury holdings. Three out of the last four months, China has reduced its Treasury holdings.
Is THIS what China and Russia are REALLY doing … Read More »
This past September 15th marked the 10th anniversary of the collapse of the iconic Wall Street investment bank, Lehman Brothers … after 158 years in business. While there were several notable events which heralded the arrival of the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression of 1929 … … Lehman’s failure can arguably be considered
Nine lessons from Lehman Brothers … Read More »
Investors and economists often talk about cycles … business cycles, credit cycles, even news and legislative cycles. Cycles are the ebb and flow of causes and effects sloshing around in the economic sea we all swim in. They’re big picture stuff. For nose-to-the-grindstone Main Street real estate investors, cycles are barely interesting, seemingly irrelevant, and
Don’t get lost in the lag … Read More »
Even though there are many interesting economic developments to talk about, we’re going to focus on an oldie, but a goodie … senior housing. National Real Estate Investor just released their latest Seniors Housing Market Study and the headline hints that opportunity in the niche might be … growing old … “High construction levels are tempering some of
This is getting old … and that’s good Read More »
Have you noticed a bit of division in the news … over just about EVERYTHING? As you may know, we obsess on all things economic and how they affect Main Street real estate investors … and try to steer clear of the more divisive topics. But even the financial news is a polarized collection of
The dichotomy economy … Read More »