Archive for November, 2009
Getting a Bear Hug Tracking Down Market Leader Active Rain at NAR San Diego 2009
November 15th, 2009 categories: Real Estate News
I really wasn’t prepared for what a gift it would be to meet very Active Brad in person. When I dropped by Saturday morning, he was actively giving out bear hugs and ‘Safe SEO’ advice to anyone who could come up with a good bear story.
You see, when Brad was but a wee lad of 12, he was camping out under the stars when he was awakened in the deep of the night by a bear performing a lice check on his noggin. Fortunately, he’s found a way to transcend the terror of that encounter by facilitating a support group he calls “Bearly Recovering” for folks, like me, who have been through a Major Ursa ordeal.
OK, obviously I’m having some fun here, but that’s what it was spending almost 45 minutes there on the couch with Brad . . . fun.
I felt self-conscious of the fact that I was taking up so much of his time and attention, but he wasn’t very good at projecting an awkward vibe, or darting his eyes about, or anything that would suggest he was ready for me to get lost. He was extremely present and generous with his time . . . I basically got Rain Camp 101 accelerated (if you miss him at NAR, you’ll have to make it to Rain Camp at Inman Connect 2010 in NYC next January).
As a special bonus, he made me cry when he shared what it was like dropping off his son at college for the very first time. With 4 teens at home ranging from 16-19, his words shot straight through my heart. Empty nest syndrome is right around the corner for me, and I’m excited and dreading it at the same time.
Brad is passionate and real, and embodies what it takes to be an effective blogger and social networker.
“Write like you would talk to someone over a frothy cappuccino. Share, don’t sell, use photos and videos, and put in 3-4 links to other sites for every 1 taking someone back to your outside blog… “ [Quotation marks used recklessly]
I was touched and inspired by my visit with Brad and the vision of Active Rain that I really hadn’t been able to get my head around before. And guess what? The point of Active Rain is not to get points (but all the same, you’re going to use your God Console to grant me a few extras, right, Brad? 
I’m grateful to Bill Exeter and the Deferred Sales Trust for getting me to the conference . . . making that personal connection has made all the difference.
P.S. I really did get a nice bear hug from Brad . . . anyone else score this year?
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Getting Ready for Noteworthy . . .
November 9th, 2009 categories: The Note Business
I’ll be heading down to San Diego tomorrow afternoon for the 23rd annual NoteWorthy Convention at the Hilton Mission Valley . . . who else is coming?!
I’m looking forward to seeing Clint (editor of NoteWorthy Newsletter), Henry (a veteran of the business), David (my mentor and friend), and a bunch of other people, some who I’ll meet for the very first time this year. It’s always informative and fun, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of presenting for the first time since I began attending 6 years ago.
I’m excited to share info on owner financing strategies and how we can help the economy along by putting deals together regardless of how dysfunctional the financial markets are or become.
It’s a little stressful getting ready, making sure my powerpoint comes together, hoping I’ll have information people will find valuable, etc., so I guess it’s lucky that the convention kicks off with a relaxing cocktail party 
If you’re attending, I look forward to rubbing shoulders and hearing about what’s going on in your world.
Hasta luego . . .
Be sure to sign up for: Seller Financing on Steroids: Pumping Paper for Power, Peace and Profits. Defer capital gains & sell fast for top dollar, regardless of market conditions (and have a note that’s worth something!)
| Discussion: No Comments »
Bear Legal Title – a Title Holding (Land) Trust Mini . . .
November 5th, 2009 categories: Land Trusts
[Also included below as a random tangent and not related to business at all (except I did make it here to write this post): Bare to Bear - a True Tale of Grim Survival and Wobbly Knees] . . .
A title holding (land) trust is a great way to hold title to property, and personally, I will never again hold title to any piece of property in my own name, or even in an LLC or Corporation.
First, it’ll go into a land trust, and my entity of choice (LLC vs. S Corp) will be the beneficiary.
When the trustee is deeded the property, the trustee is said to hold bare legal title. The trustee holds legal and equitable title, but does NOT have the power of direction . . . that resides only with the beneficiaries.
The trustee does not have the ability to take any action with regards to the property or related paperwork without the express written consent of all beneficiaries. This is why, in most states, there is unparalleled asset protection:
- not only do you have killer anonymity and privacy in ownership,
- but your ownership is consider personal property, not real property (which means it’s usually protected from partition, judgments, probates, divorce proceedings, IRS tax liens, etc)
Judges, police officers, politicians . . . these people never want to show up on public record, right? They don’t want anyone to know what they own or where they live, and no one should in a society where lawyers are looking for a reason to snatch away your net worth. Hey, wait a minute . . . are they working for the government???
Contrastingly, BEAR legal title refers to that right that a large mammal, known for its prodigious strength, has when it wants your property . . . or at least to get in for a snack . . .
It usually doesn’t ask for written or even verbal permission . . .
Be sure to sign up for: Seller Financing on Steroids: Pumping Paper for Power, Peace and Profits. Defer capital gains & sell fast for top dollar, regardless of market conditions (and have a note that’s worth something!)
| Discussion: No Comments »
