Showing posts with label CRE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CRE. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Where Nevada Ranks in Best-Worst States for Women

At least Nevada isn't Louisiana! OR, Arkansas! Or Mississippi!

But at 44 out of 50, that's still horrible.

Maybe Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and incoming Senator Jacky Rosen can have some effective change on this.

44. Nevada
Total score: 44.22
Ranking for women’s economic and social well-being: 39th
Ranking for women’s health and safety: 50th


Nevada scored poorly in two categories relating to women’s quality of life. It came in third from the bottom for women without insurance, and it’s tied with three other states for having the highest rate of women killed by homicides.

For your own perusal of the story, click this link. Best Worst States for Women

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

United States Land Use News Story

This Bloomberg news story on the use of US Land was interesting.

OK.

Maybe it's only interesting to me.  But, I learned something by reading it.

Maybe you will, too!

Please enjoy.

2018 US Land Use


To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

The constant state of receiving Low-Ball Offers!

Recently, I've been trying to sell a property that is producing a steady monthly net income.
It's NOT for everyone.  It will require some work from the Buyer once they are situated as the New Owner in order to keep this property income solid.

The Property in question is priced so that a qualified Buyer can, and will, be able to make the necessary improvements to keep the property's income flowing in on a monthly basis.

Yet, for some strange reason, Buyers continue to make less than admirable offers.
(Yes, that's a nice way of referring to those offers as Low-Ball.)

And, when you are dealing with a procuring agent who insists their Buyer's offer is above value because of the state of the property, it makes me wonder why I am even dealing with that agent.


You see, if the Seller was going to accept a Low-Ball Offer, I would have Sold the property already -- by myself -- with one of the thousand (it seems) of Buyers who "Have the ability to acquire these types of properties and turn them around," who I already have their contact information in my Outlook Contacts!

And, why would I want to split a Low-Ball Offer commission with an agent representing a Low-Ball Buyer when I can do that myself -- without their help?

Sigh!

So, I contact my Seller, tell him my concern, he authorizes me to turn down all Low-Ball Offers below a set price; and wants me to try to find a better type of Buyer.  OR, at least, a Low-Ball Buyer who offers more than the current one.

Good thing I love working Real Estate!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Monday, November 19, 2018

Look! A Four Property Portfolio Available at a 9% Cap Rate!

DON'T LOOK AWAY!

If you do, this four property portfolio will be gone!

The Owner is willing to sell at a 9% Cap Rate!

Three Motels that have been renovated; AND, a 42 unit Studio Apartment Building that needs renovation.

Altogether, there are 139 units for sale at $12 Million!

OR, on a Cap Rate basis, that's a 9.1% Cap Rate!

And based on the 2017 PLS, this portfolio is worth +/-$14 Million!

In this market, that's what is called a STEAL!

30 Units

15 Units

52 Units

42 Units

If you are a qualified Buyer, and you want to take advantage of this Steal of a Deal...

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 0 1 9 3 8 8
AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes
Have a nice day!

Sunday, November 4, 2018

How much are your fees?

Yesterday, I saw a posting from a lender blog that stated For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is a good source for originating new loans.

Now, in their blog the author was stating that FSBO's are cost sensitive; and, they are a good market for loan originators to solicit business from because they can refer you potential buyers for you to qualify.

Okay.  This is NOT an original idea.  Twenty plus years ago when I was still working real estate by doing homes and loans, I did this.

As a loan originator, I'd approach a FSBO with the slant that I will qualify ALL of their potential Buyers that needed financing for free!  I worked this angle for a few years -- until I realized that all of the potential Buyers they were referring were NOT qualified to borrow anything -- let alone money to buy a house.

Now, years before, when I first started out in the real estate business working for Mike Sitren, he once told me that, "if a seller, buyer or agent is worried about their cost in fees, they're seeking a kick-back.

Huh?

I was surprised to hear this given I had been to several real estate brokerages and heard this a lot.
One brokerage sales manager even sat me down in his office and point blank told me that unless I paid him 1/2 point per loan, I'd never get any loans from his office.  (Illegal? Yes!)  But, he didn't care.

So, when I recently heard a seller tell me that my fee must be obtained from the Buyer, I keep thinking this thought in mind.

Since the world knows the seller pays the marketing fees for selling their property when they are selling, it is just surprising to learn that a recently listed for sale Las Vegas Resort casino owner told me that I would have to get my fee from the buyer. 

You know what crossed my mind upon hearing that line.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Sunday, October 28, 2018

The incredible shrinkage of Las Vegas M-1 Land!

For about two maybe three weeks now, I have been conversing with a Las Vegas Land Owner (Client).

During this time, this Client has educated me on some particulars about being a Las Vegas Industrial (M-1) Land Owner.

This very intelligent man owns a large trucking company located in Las Vegas.  During the housing boom of the last 30 years, the Client was one of the largest supplier of trucks to developers so that they could haul/transport building materials, equipment, dirt and debris in and around the Las Vegas Valley as they moved dirt and built real estate.

To see the Client on the street, you'd think him a poor, old man.  That's the way he likes it.

Anyway, he has a decision to make and it's about two of his "yard space" parcels he owns in the southwest of Las Vegas.

He wants to sell his property to a neighbor -- who is even a larger land owner in Las Vegas than my Client -- but he knows this other Owner is trying to low-ball him.  And, this other Owner has already bought, or is buying up, the properties around my Client to kind of force Client to sell to the other Owner at the other Owner's price.

My Client knows that the other Owner has plans for a very, very large rail served warehouse, marshaling yard in the area. 

Now, with the limit of M-1 Land in this area, my client is willing to sell to the other Owner; it's the price that's the sticky situation.

My Client just doesn't want to be taken; NOR, does he want to stop the development.

You see his dilemma?



This is why we met yesterday for lunch: to strategize a selling procedure in which we hope will be beneficial to all parties.

Hopefully, in the next 7 to 10 days, we will have a sale.

In the meantime, if you have any Las Vegas CRE related questions, contact me.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Underwriting says the property won't pencil out!

The headline of today's post is a lie!

It's what California investors have been telling me about one of my Downtown Las Vegas listings that's for sale at $2.8 Million. That's the Owner's selling price.  And, I agreed he shouldn't sell it for any less.

But, a lot of the California Investors that have approached me on this studio apartment building just want to steal.

They are retreating from California because the prices are way, way too high there.  So, they are crawling into Las Vegas trying their best to steal a property.

Now, some have been doing this for years and years.

Others, are new to this market.

But, when I tell them about the benefits to buying at a 9.9% Cap Rate and that area rents are slowly increasing, they take the information under advisement and then -- a few days later -- they give me the phony excuse.

The Alpine Motel Apartments Downtown Las Vegas, NV
(And the parking lot is part of this parcel.)

Yes, the property needs remodeling.  Paint and carpet has a cost but NOT a $1 Million dollars worth of cost.  Besides, the already renovated 27 unit apartment property one parcel north SOLD for +/-$87,000 per unit six months ago!

These investors seem to like wasting my time.

If I had $2.8 Million, I would have acquired the property already.  But, I'm short in that area.

And, no I'm NOT going to play the lottery even if it's more than $1 Billion.

Too many dumb people play just to make one dumb person rich.

So, I will continue on with my marketing.
There is a buyer out their looking for a fixer upper who doesn't mind earning +/-$21,000 per month!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Operating Brothel For Sale!

This morning, I received this via email.

I've never sold a brothel even though they are legal in Nevada.

I just had to blog this so you understand that when it comes to real estate, a business can be included in the sale -- which this business sale includes the real estate!
Operating Brothel - Owner will finance
Located in Northern, NV 
Asking Price:       $2,000,000
Cash Flow:           $245,772
Gross Revenue:             $469,444
EBITDA:                       $245,772
Real Estate:                  $440,000
Business Description
Rare opportunity to purchase a Licensed Brothel. Seller Financing.
One of the last truly cash businesses available. Legal, operating, turn-key Brothel. Management in place and Seller will provide training. Limited competition located at the intersection of 2 major highways. Seller financing to a qualified buyer. Real estate included. Rare opportunity – these licenses rarely transfer to new owners!


Detailed Information
Inventory:                 Included in asking price
Real Estate:             Owned Included in asking price
Building SF:             6,590
Employees:              4
Facilities:                  6590 square feet, new roof. Real estate assessed at $436,229
Competition:            Very difficult to get into this business. Licenses are limited and none      are available in this area at this time.
Financing:                with $450 K Down
Support & Training:          Seller will train new buyer. Management is also in place

Reason for Selling:            Retiring

If interested in owning/operating a brothel...

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Unemployment is DOWN! Under employment is UP!


Unemployment is at such a low, low number.
This is great news!

But, as my PhD in Economics uncle once said while bragging, 'The economy is doing great! More people are back to work and off unemployment lines.'

To which my Mom replied to her brother, 'That is great news! Now, if only they had found equal work to what they were doing before they were laid off!'

Such is the case today.

Unemployment is down.  Workers have run the fixed time that they can collect unemployment. (Which is six months.)
But, have those people truly found work?

OR, did their unemployment time just run out on them.  And, since they are no longer collecting unemployment checks, have they truly found a job?

You see, historically once your unemployment runs it's course, the government considers you have have been re-employed -- whether you truly are or not.

But, in truth, most probably did find a new job.  They probably did become re-employed.
But, that new job most probably came with a drastic pay cut.

To go from earning $40,000 per year to earning $16,000 may be considered re-employment, but that doesn't cover the bills.

If these former unemployment collecting workers did find work, it was that they had to settle for a job that pays much, much less then what they were earning.

That's IF they actually did find work!

So, until I see a more comprehensive study on this matter, I'll keep my excitement for the re-employed to myself -- for now.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Monday, October 1, 2018

LAND! HO!

Since I live and work in the Southern Nevada Desert, this doesn't make much sense.

But, my ancestral line runs smack through east coast whalers who captained the ships on those long ago whale hunts.

But, as I live and breath dusty desert air, I do find myself helping land owners to sell their land.


This one particular parcel is actually two parcels that are very close to each other.

A 7.89 Acre parcel and a 5 Gross Acre parcel.  Each has water, power and telephone service to their sites.  Each is on Septic Tanks.

Anyway, the Seller's asking price was $12.18 PSF.  We immediately received an offer at $13 PSF.
I strongly suggested to the Seller "Take It!"

He did.

The property details are it is M-1 Land with outside storage.  Most of the land in this area is ground leased to contractors.  These particular parcels generate more than $10,000 per month in gross rent.

The Owner is a local business man who owns a large local trucking company.

I think he's done well for himself through the years.

Still, you blog readers can do the same if you give yourself time and effort.

You just need to begin.

And, you begin by contacting me to see where your starting point is.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Monday, September 24, 2018

Sports Loving Investors! A Las Vegas Sports Bar For Sale at +/-6% Cap Rate!

With Football back in full swing, I'm hoping for a tremendous Football Season!

Okay, I'm a Patriots Fan and they forgot to show up against Detroit!
(I guess they wanted Matt Patricia to win so badly, they gave him the game?!)

Ouch!
Sorry, Lions fans!

With that said, there are fabulous opportunities for the right Sports Loving enthusiast to acquire a perfect Net Leased Investment Property where local Las Vegans go to wet their whistles and make friendly wagers on the games right inside of the bar!

That's right!  These Sports Bars are now licensed to have a sports wagering kiosk that can accept wagers on the game right at the bar location without having to go to a major resort to place a bet at a sports book!

And, these are located in these particular sports bars because of the credibility of the Tenant which is a National Credit Tenant who -- at this particular location -- is on the hook for at least 13 more years with a Corporate Guarantee!


So, if you are interested in a long term Net Lease Investment, this is the property to acquire!

Not only does this property have 13 years remaining on the initial lease term, the tenant is paying a 2.5% increase per year (which doesn't happen anymore for this tenant), and for the options, the rent increase is 3%!

AND, for a long, long time, I have blogged about these types of properties because I feel that these NET LEASED INVESTMENTS! are the best to have and hold long term.

The Tenant at this location pays for the building maintenance, the building's Real Estate Taxes, and Insurance on top of their  $202,000+/- annual rent!

So, if you have been searching for a long term single tenant NNN Investment, this is for you!

Don't wait!  Email me right away so you do NOT swing and miss on this too good of an investment opportunity!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Saturday, September 15, 2018

RIP, Tiah Brooks!

Way back in 1998 when I decided to stop selling/financing homes and to get into Commercial Real Estate (CRE), I met a nice, professional woman by the name of Tiah Brooks.

She was an enthusiastic title representative, a mom and a wife! (This is the order that I knew her.  It's NOT the order that others knew her. I hope you get the drift!)

She helped me through several escrows, and she was instrumental in making sure I continued to think First American Title when any CRE sales popped up on my CRE schedule.

Anyway, the last time a saw her was a while ago.  Her daughter was attending University of Nevada Reno and she was going to make a journey up to see her.  She never let on that she was sick or just how sick she was.

This past week, I just found out, Tiah passed away.  Apparently she had been very sick and she only allowed a few people to know just how sick she truly was.


RIP, Tiah!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

My 89 Year Old Mom Fell and Broke Her Ribs!

OK, something personal this time around.

My Mom turned 89 this past May.

She still lives alone and was laundering her sheets when she tripped and fell on them while remaking her bed.

Now, us siblings have long said she needs someone to live with her.

One of my younger brothers has been, but he also has a full time job, and can't be there full time.

So, another younger brother suggested we get her an "assistant."  I reminded the siblings that, that will never work because Mom wants to remain independent.

(If your Mom is like my Mom, you understand.)

(Just to clarify, I have four brothers and three sisters.  BTW: the Irish Catholic rhythm method doesn't work.)

Anyway, last week my sister, Susan, texted that Mom was in the hospital because she fell while making her bed.

My brother, Thomas, confirmed later that Mom broke 5 ribs but they weren't displaced.  I guess that is the "Good News!"

The wife & I decided to send a 'Get Well' gift to my Mom.


As of Monday, my Mom was home and resting.

Since she lives in Massachusetts and we live in Las Vegas, there's probably a field trip over the holidays to visit her.

Hey!

Your Mom is your Mom regardless of your ages!

Get Well, Mom!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Las Vegas "Strip" land is too expensive for me!

Years ago, I was dealing with an investor about some land on Las Vegas Blvd that sat right smack in the middle of the "Strip."

I found this picture of where the land was vacant at the time.

Las Vegas Blvd mid 1990's

It once was a helicopter pad with the Jockey Club to the north and several No Tell Motels to the south.  You can even see the former Dunes Golf Course is in the background.

Now, back then, price per acre was maybe $1 Million an acre.  The SWC of Tropicana & Las Vegas Blvd had been purchased by Mike Ensign for $60 Million for the 60 acres.
(What's there now?)

A short while later, MGM (Kirk Kerkorian) bought this parcel and developed City Center. So, you see, price for land is relative.

Currently, there is a +/-40 acre parcel for sale on Las Vegas Blvd.  One acre that was owned separately and is surrounded by this land recently sold for $7.4 Million.  To me, that makes the land surrounding it +/-$5 Million an acre(?).

Anyway, I think a Retail Mall with multiple national credit tenants could work at this site.
I don't think a full scale Las Vegas Resort would work simply because of the Airport Noise that would be 24/7 -- just as Las Vegas is.

So, if any of you are ambitious enough to create another outstanding Las Vegas Retail Mall on Las Vegas Blvd, email me for the property details.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

To Opendoor or NOT to Opendoor?

First of all, I love easy real estate transactions.  They run smoothly and there are no hassles from the details.

Second, I absolutely don't trust easy real estate transactions at all.  Having worked as a Real Estate broker for 27 years, I've learned that the easy transactions usually turn into the hardest to close in a split second.

Now, yesterday, I received a solicitation from Opendoor to have them assess my home for free to see if I'd like to sell.


Inside was this nifty letter stating that I deserved a hassle free sale on my home.

(Now, I am NOT going to investigate this any further.  I want to be fully upfront about this.  But, I am going to analyze this without investigating this.)

The reason is, I think (I could be wrong.) that I know how this works. I think this is kind of like trading a car in to a dealership that is offering to "purchase" your old car in exchange for a new one.

You see, (most) car dealerships will make an initial offer that is very, very low. (65% of Low Blue Book Value.)

And, whatever is owed (if above that value) is added on to your next vehicle's purchase loan or lease.

House Flippers -- if you have watch enough Home Improvement TV -- demonstrates how Flipper's buy low and sell high.

I think this is what is happening here.

I don't have any proof of this.  And, I'm not saying it's bad.

It's something, as a Real Estate Broker for 27 years, that I will not get involved in.

Flippers are always looking to steal a property; then, flip the property (usually after just painting and carpeting the house) for as much as a sucker (I mean, Buyer) is willing to pay.

Years ago, the first Real Estate Broker I ever worked for said: "Never buy a house that's being flipped." 
At the time, I was a novice in real estate, so I didn't understand. Many, years later, his words of wisdom still ring true.

Since I don't work in the residential real estate arena, I wish Opendoor lots of luck.

Hopefully, this isn't a means to eliminate real estate brokers completely -- which I am seeing from other real estate web sites!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Rita Suites, anyone?

About six or seven years ago, the Owner of this property was thinking of selling.  He had plans to redevelop it into the high rise condo hotel -- then, the market collapsed and you know the rest of the story.

Since then, he has had it on the market and off.

It is currently OFF the Market.  But, he will entertain offers IF there's a Purchase Agreement and Proof of Funds to close.

Okay, so he's set a hard line that must be crossed in order to make him move forward.  It doesn't mean he will NOT be reasonable about selling.

At +/-$10 Million an acre for land within the Clark County Gaming Overlay, the Owner is asking a very reasonable price.

The Rita Suites, Las Vegas, NV

If interested and have hotel/motel experience - and the funds to close a multi-million dollar property -- email me your contact information and I will reply with the property details.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Monday, July 2, 2018

Happy & Safe 4th of July!

To Everyone: Have a Happy & Safe 4th of July Holiday!

July 4th Celebration from Las Vegas, NV!


To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Sports Bar Ownership? OR, Real Estate Ownership!

Football is about to be back in full swing!
Training Camps are just around the corner.

With that said, there are fabulous opportunities for the right Sports Loving enthusiast to acquire a Net Leased Investment Property where local Las Vegans go to unwind and cheer for their favorite NFL Team.

Yes.  The Raiders will be moving to Las Vegas in a brand new football stadium.  But, since Las Vegas was always a destination city, rather than an anchor city, most fans root for the team where the fan grew up to love and behold that area's team.


But, as the Las Vegas Golden Knights have proven, Las Vegas can hold their own.

So, hopefully, the Las Vegas Raiders will attract a local following.  Well, if they win, right?

Recently, I watched an interview of Dwayne Wade talking about his up coming post professional sports playing career.

In it, he said he did the Sport Bars concept and lost a ton of money.  He blamed it on being young and not business savvy as he thought he was.  He did admit he was only 23 years old.  Then, he joked that it took him three years in the courts to unwind that decision.

My immediate thought was: But, did he own the real estate?

You see, owning a sports bar is all well and good IF you are familiar with the bar business.
If not, you would be better off being the landlord of the sports bar and collecting rent.

Sure, one is you are providing enlightening beverages to patrons; the other is you are collecting rent.

One seems glamorous! The other mundane.

In truth, I'd take the mundane simply because of the monthly rent check that comes due even through the hazy fog of a hangover.

And, with that said, if you hold a Triple Net Lease (NNN) on the building, the Tenant pays for the building maintenance, the building's Real Estate Taxes, and Insurance on top of their  annual rent!

So, contact me!  Let's start a dialog on where you stand financially.

If sports bars aren't for you, then there are alternatives.

And, you don't need a million dollars to start.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Are there 8% Cap Rates in Las Vegas?

Yes!

I have one listed where the Owner is willing to sell his Downtown Las Vegas Studio Apartment building for an 8.2% Cap Rate.

This is a steal in today's market given that development along the north 'Strip' is picking up.

Alpine Motel Apartments

Now, the average net income for this property runs about $245,460 (Your numbers could be different.)

So, at a $3 Million Sales price, that puts the Cap Rate at....You guessed it! 8.2%.

If you have an interest in acquiring a value added multi-family apartment building in an area prime for re-development, this is it!

I am having a lot of up calls on this property, so I know it is NOT going to last.

Email me for property marketing details.

Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Millionaires' Tax

This morning I saw an email from www.SelectLeaders.com that stated several states/cities are considering applying a millionaires' tax to real estate.

Their thought is: When the citizens are unable to afford a home in the city they live and work in, officials try to penalize those wealthy enough to buy homes within their municipal jurisdiction.

Is it right?
No.
Is it wrong?
No.

I understand trying to keep housing prices affordable.
But, IMAO, the way to do that is to develop/redevelop more affordable housing.
Yes!
You have to tear-down the old to build new.

But, you get some people who long for the "old days," who view new development as a sin on their city.

Thus, the stagnation on property and the escalation of property values.

Just my two cents!

Here's the article:

Millionaires’ Tax

Think the elimination of the state tax deduction on federal returns will affect real estate? New York City just upped the challenge proposing an additional Millionaires' Tax. Seattle passed a similar tax and Massachusetts will vote in November. Expensive cities may learn a lesson from their neighbors to the North. Vancouver is so expensive their politicians want to tax its real estate market into submission, and one out of five homeowners surveyed want home prices to fall 30% or more. Unlike Silicon Valley, London or New York where high-paying tech and finance jobs helps explain the high prices, Vancouver has such low salaries they courted Amazon with the boast, "The lowest wages of all North America." It is hotly debated if Chinese buyers are to blame for the 60% increase in home and condominium prices, but Vancouver increased their Foreign Buyer Tax to 20%, increased property taxes on second homes whose earnings come from abroad and added an Empty Home Tax. The sentiment: people who work in the city should be able to live here.

Susan Phillips, CEO, SelectLeaders Job Network 


To Contact David Howes: 
davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 
AND 
Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes 
Have a nice day!