"You have to get rid of THAT!"

About  week ago, the wife and I went to dinner at a "New" Boyd Gaming Restaurant.
Hey, we are locals and the gaming companies here -- especially the ones that cater to the local populous -- usually will mail you discounts to come to their properties and eat at one of their ever changing restaurants they have.

(In Las Vegas, new concepts usually die fast, so you go and try them while you can.)

Anyway, while we were eating I sensed the ever loving stare upon me and true to my fashion, I had to ask: 'What's up?'

Without hesitation, my wife said, "You have to get rid of that!"

She looked directly at the 'bump' on my forehead that I had had for a few years.  It's not discolored or anything like that.  It's just a bump just over the right eye.

"Sure," I replied.  "I will."

Well, I took her command seriously.  I found a dermatologist, who looked at it, squashed it slightly.
"Does that hurt?" he asked.
"No."

I told the doctor the wife had said she wants it removed -- whether it's good or bad.

He said, it's most likely a cyst, and it can be removed easily.

Well, I'm scheduled to have it removed whether insurance covers it or not.

So, what's this got to do with CRE?

Well, nothing....except that restaurants in Las Vegas -- even if located within a casino -- have an 85% chance to fail.

But, I have found that if the food is good and the service is better, you have a better than 50% chance of making it.

Also, if you have any CRE questions, you can contact me...

Hopefully, sans forehead bump.

=)

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!

Happy Birthday To Me!

Tomorrow, March 21st, I grow another year older.

And, patting myself on the back for living long and (somewhat) prospering isn't something to celebrate - especially at my age.

Oh, well.  At least, I'm alive and kicking!

Have a wonderful day!

=)

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!

I am going to die of a heart attack!

Okay, that's being over dramatic.

But, being a Real Estate Broker is a stressful business.

And, even though I've been at this for almost 30 years, I like to think that I learn something new everyday.

Recently, one of my escrows canceled due to the Buyer falling and hitting his head.  (I am told) he went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a terminal disease.

Then, last Friday, at or about 5:30 PM, I get a call from the Buyer's agent for my other escrow saying that his buyer's Up Sale property fell out of escrow, too!

F*@&!

You get the picture.

Now, this morning I awoke suddenly by a dream that startled me.
I dreamt I was having a heart attack!

What?

I know. I know.  I am being over dramatic.

Anyway, I got up, took my Meds and began my day.  That was like 4:30 AM.

After sending out about 12 emails to the other various potential Buyers for my listings explaining their "Back On The Market" status, I realized that it was now only 7:30 AM.

This reminds me of what the first broker I ever worked for once said about problems, obstacles and challenges that real estate brings along.

"It's 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!

2019 has started with a Big Bang!

Years ago, when I first started working in real estate, I worked at Sitren Mortgage in Victorville, CA.

Now, the owner of that company was Mike Sitren.

He was a Brooklyn born Jewish man who took me under his wing and taught me just about everything I know about Real Estate.

His passing at the young age of 63 was heartfelt to me.  He left us too soon.

Anyway, I have always tried to maintain the premise that Mike taught.

Be honest to everyone.  He would at times, when 'things' were starting to go sideways say: "It's Real Estate."

And, since the start of the new year, "things" have gone from slow to lightening speed in what seems like a heartbeat.

Almost like when the universe was created with a Big Bang!

I am NOT complaining.

I still have 12 SFR's available that meed to be sold.

If interested in SFR residential real estate rental income...

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

Snow Day in Las Vegas!

It is a very rare sight to see.

But when it does, it is a sight to behold!

Snow falling in Las Vegas, NV!

Nothing like seeing snow falling in your backyard!

Brrr!!!  Not going in the pool today!

With the high today of 41 degrees, I think I'll stay indoors.

And, if interested in any Las Vegas CRE property, you can...

...Contact David Howes by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 0 1 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a Stay Warm Day!

But I don't sell SFRs!

A little while ago, an Owner/Seller ("Client") asked me to help him sell his rented houses.

Well, I am NOT a Realtor and I am NOT a member of the local MLS.

But, that didn't deter him from insisting I try to get him +$2.1 Million for his 12 rented homes.

Well, if it's a portfolio, I will give it a try.

Here are the 11 SFRs and 1 Condo For Sale.  They are all 100% Occupied!

1189 BALZAR                        $160,000

1392 HART                             $165,000

1913 WILD JAN                     $195,000

2060 LA SALLE                     $139,000

2160 CLANCY                       $167,000

4019 ASANTE COVE            $205,000

4420 SHALIMAR                   $145,000

4562 BABY BIRD                  $220,000

4604 VAN BUREN                 $207,000

4608 VAN BUREN                 $216,000

5151 PARADISE VALLEY    $188,000

7078 BURCOT                       $125,000

Anyway, that's the list of properties.
To buy them all at once, it is: $2,132,000.

If interested:

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!

Truth from another Point of View!

Recently, an agent tried to get me to sign an agreement to pay his firm 2.5% of a sale purchase agreement.

Okay, normally, when you purchase a property, the Seller pays a "marketing fee" and that fee is usually split between the procuring broker and the listing broker.

In this transaction, I am the listing broker.

It has to do with five multi-family properties I have listed.

The agent sent me a form to sign that would have held me and my company liable for commission even though there was no buyer mentioned in the form.

Now, having the experience I have in my near 28 year real estate career, I have only run across this scenario once before.

It's a backhanded way of stealing commission from a broker.

You see, if I signed this form, this agent could in turn claim a commission if I sold the property to a buyer NOT affiliated with the agent -- even without this agent involved -- the form states that I would owe them part of the commission.

Not going to happen.

I work too hard for the little money I earn.

Anyway, the agent called me.  I politely took the call.  And, he began to invalidate and bully me because of my steadfast refusal to believe his truth from another point of view!

His bullying included insults for not seeing this his way of trying to earn a procuring commission by stealing.

I told him that this call was over and I hung up.  I even blocked his number.

Anyway, who needs this attitude.

This guy is an idiot!  Fortunately, I am smarter than the average bear to NOT be stupid in signing  away a commission to an agent who comes across as sleazy.

I proceeded to persuade another buyer to make an offer.

We'll see what happens.

=)


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!

He has $60 Billion in the bank!

So, I wished this to be true!

Unfortunately, as a skeptic of agents (or Buyers) or even investment advisers who attempt to persuade me that they, or their clients, are wealthy, I do what I can do to verify -- or, dispel -- such claims.

Recently, I asked this contact at a resort casino/hotel whether or not, they would sell one of their large Resort properties, which is rumored to be for sale -- was true or not.

It is true.

Great! Because, I was working with a middle eastern businessman/hotelier who had an interest in acquiring a Las Vegas resort.

But, Don's racist presidency killed any chance of them moving forward to invest at that time.

Oh, well, I will find someone else.

Anyway, another investment company I have worked with in the past referred me to a third investment company who claimed they had a buyer for a Las Vegas Resort Property.

Ok.  Prove it to me.

After assembling the Buyer pays me paperwork, a get a confirmation letter and a bank statement from this investment company which they claim is the buyer's true net worth.
Well, I give it to my retired gaming business partner friend.  He says, it looks good, but why don't you call the bank to see if it is real?

Oh!  Good idea!

I proceed to email the two forms to the bank, hoping beyond hope that what I was given is real.
Two days later, I get the bank's reply.

Thank you for your e-mail of 2 February regarding the Bank Confirmation Letter and Statement. After checking with our department concerned, I would like to confirm you that the letters you attached on the e-mails are not genuine or issued by our bank.

Son of a B**h!

I hope you know how I felt.

There are too many persons in the world who want to be involved in a fraud.  I am so glad to have done what I did to prevent me from damaging my reputation by a want to be criminal trying to pose as a high wealth individual.

All I can say is good riddance to this agent/investment adviser. Never again.

Lastly, I don't need anyone to waste my time, I am perfectly capable of doing that on my own.

At this point, I can honestly say, Lesson was learned and I am glad to have followed the advice to check the information myself.

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!

SOLD!!! ...okay, it's just in escrow.

Finally, after nearly 12 months of haranguing, negotiating and cajoling, I was finally able to open escrow on the four Downtown Properties I listed early last year.

Now, I didn't get the owner as much as I thought I would.  But, the Buyer, from California, understands the operation of low-income motels and apartments.

AND, while I was in Downtown Las Vegas, I stop by another owner's property to check on the condition the property condition is in.

(Yes.  He bought these low income motels and is dead set on converting them into studio apartments.)

Okay, I can still help!

BTW: I also have listed five multi-family plex properties for sale as a portfolio in Downtown Las Vegas, too!

These will only set you back $1.5 Million!

But, they Gross in rent $14,000 per month.

Send me an email for 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!

"Just hope he's cool with Mexicans"

While texting a manager at one of my listings, to set up a showing, the manager texted me back that the manager: "Just hope he's (the Buyer) cool with Mexicans."

At first I was surprised by this remark.

Then, after thinking about it for a while; and, being constantly being reminded about the Twitter Washington stand off with high school white kids and the Indian Vietnam Veteran, I realized what he meant.

As a Real Estate Broker, I learned early in my real estate career, and in life, that you need to treat everyone with respect and admiration.

If you are one political party, don't let a political discussion with any client get in the way at all.

Yet, since I haven't ever been discriminated against, to me discriminating or invalidating some one isn't something I care to do. (At least I don't think I ever have been discriminated against.)

I value my time, effort and knowledge to the point that discriminating against anyone, to me, is to lose money.

The first Real Estate Broker I learned real estate from once said, the only thing you should care about as a real estate professional is how much money your client can qualify for.

To me, I look at people/clients I deal with NOT as what their skin color is; but, rather, how much worth do they have for me to provide them with my services.

Even though I am NOT a Realtor, I still value the Realtor HUD commitment.

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!

Rain, Rain, Go Away! Wait, we need the rain....

Rain in Las Vegas is a rare occasion.

Yet, recently, Nathan Tannenbaum, of Channel 8, reported that Las Vegas has had more rain this year than Portland, OR.

Ok!

Since we've had a lot of rain recently, I'll go with it.

But, that's not the only thing that is raining.

Since it is very early in the process, I can only tease you until the paperwork is signed, sealed and delivered.

Stay tuned!

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!

Dancing! Dancing! Dancing!

Yes!

I seem to do a lot of dancing.

Not any particular form of dancing.  It's more as if I do a lot of dancing around.

I suppose I could call it the Soft Shoe, or Jazz, or (since I live and work in Las Vegas) Line Dancing? If that's a real form of dancing.

Anyway, it's definitely NOT ballroom dancing -- though I do dance at my desk while marketing Las Vegas properties!

The latest is all of the activity I've had on the three motels and the studio apartment portfolio I have listed.

Since the Seller has given me his 2017 PLS, more potential Buyers have shown an interest in this portfolio.

Yet, I get the feeling that even though the Seller's selling price is in the Buyer's favor, they want an even better price.

Oh, well.  I suppose I should be appreciative the amount of calories that dancing burns off!

Back to more dancing.

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!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM LAS VEGAS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019!

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!

...and to all a Good Night!

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!

It's a tear down!

To the average tourist, walking into a Las Vegas Resort Casino is usually a wonder.

How did they build this?  It's amazing how such structures are even conceived.  Etc, etc.

Yet, when a bank forecloses on a property; OR, an owner tries to cut cost by ignoring simple maintenance issues because the owners are (desperately) trying to maximize their capital investment, they will do the usual paint and carpet to try and hide the simple problems that slowly erode the property to the extend that this erosion effects the property's mechanical systems and so forth to the point of decay thus effecting the buildings structural integrity.

Okay, this just means that the lack pf preventive maintenance has eroded the property and thus are no longer able to supply comfort to the tourist staying at the properties.

Such is the case at two well known Las Vegas Resorts.

Yet, the companies that own these properties currently, want top dollar for them.

Recently, I had the privilege to meet with a long time, very experienced casino-hotel operator who has his own opinion about both properties.

His reaction after viewing the properties was surprising, yet not surprising.  He referred to both as, "It's a tear down!"

He stated that the only value they have left is in the land.

And, after touring the properties, I am in agreement.

What is that old saying?  If you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig? That applies here.

Sure, the owners want as much as possible to be rid of these problem properties they have continued to throw money at.  But from the very beginning, the fact they they continued to throw money at them was in reality wasting money. (They should have known better.)

If you want to know which properties I am referring to, email me your contact information, I will send you my Non Circumvent, Confidentiality Agreement, then we will continue this discussion.

Happy Holidays!

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!

Las Vegas Resort Properties For Sale!

It is a notch in your belt.
It is something you will talk about forever.

Selling a Las Vegas Resort is considered a pinnacle of a real estate career.

But, most will never accomplish this for one reason.
They don't understand the Las Vegas market.

In order to acquire a Las Vegas Resort, Buyers MUST compensate the real estate broker.

It's simply because the Seller, which in a normal real estate transaction usually does, won't when it comes to such a big ticket item.

So, just FYI: when it comes to a sale of a Las Vegas Resort, the Buyer must compensate the broker.

Why?

Because the Seller's corporate attorneys will handle the paperwork - thus handle the entire transaction.

They do this because it is big money to their firms and to them.
They don't want an outsider (a Broker) interfering in their transaction.

It's a sad state for us Brokers, but that's the way it is.

If you want my help in acquiring a Nevada Resort, Casino or Hotel Casino, email me for my 'retainer' form. Once received, fill it out, sign it, email it back then will I proceed to help you acquire a casino type of property.

If you are a qualified Buyer...

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!