Showing posts with label Las Vegas Strip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Las Vegas Strip. Show all posts

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Frozen Foreclosures are happenning!

Even though I do NOT list or sell Single family homes as a Commercial Real Estate Broker, I do follow and occasionally buy homes for my own sake.

And with the economy headed into the toilet, again. (Thank You Donald Trump!)
I have heard that there are thousands of homes in pre-foreclosure. This means the home owner hasn't made any mortgage payments for months. Thus, here is one explanation:

The temporary freeze on foreclosures applies to Fannie- or Freddie-backed, single-family mortgages only. The pause on evictions applies only to tenants who live in properties that have been acquired by Freddie or Fannie through foreclosure. It does not apply to tenants in homes that have not been foreclosed on.Aug. 27, 2020

So, with homes about to be foreclosed upon; and the amount of homes already foreclosed but still being occupied by the owner or tenant, we are going to see, probably at the beginning of the new year, another tsunami of homes for sale via foreclosure or portfolio sales just as we saw in 2009.

So, if you are a home investor, kind of like me, you are going to see another opportunity like in 2009, to acquire rental properties on the cheap.

Since I was looking to buy another rental property this summer, the wife and I decided to hold off to see just where prices were headed.


I think down.

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 15, 2020

Nothing like Heading Full Throttle Right into an Economic Depression

I am predicting economic disaster coming our way full throttle in the coming New Year of 2021.

To me, what Donald Trump and the Republicans have done with their Tax Cuts, is going to leave us hanging and will result in a large economic collapse than we had in late 2008 and early 2009.

Am I being pessimistic?
Yes!

Will many people be losing their homes again?
Yes!

Was Donald Trump the wrong person to be President?
Yes!

And, his lack of leadership during this pandemic, has only fueled the fire.

I am guessing it will take more than a year to recover from such a devastating result of his incompetence!

Disagree?
Ok!

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 8, 2020

It's Time to Acquire a Downtown Las Vegas Apartment Building

With the way everything is going, and with Downtown Las Vegas in need of housing, here is an opportunity for a small investor to make some money.

OK, you could make a lot of money, but you have to be patient. (If you are NOT patient, you won't make any money.)

a 42 unit apartment building, that had a fire, will begin renovation at the end of September, 2020.  The contractor says it will take him six to nine months to repair, renovate and improve the fire damaged building.

The Alpine Motel Apartments

That's right!  The Alpine Studio Apartment building is ripe with profit!  IF you make an offer now, let it sit in escrow while being repaired, then close upon it's completion.

And, if you wait too long, once fully occupied at +/-$900 per month per unit, the market value of this apartment building becomes +/-$4.2 million or more!  (That would be your loss!)

Now, right now, you could put this property in escrow at $3.3 Million, wait for the construction to be completed, then close before leasing.  And the Close of Escrow could be contingent upon the City of Las Vegas approving residents occupying the building once again.

Questions?

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!

Sunday, January 20, 2019

"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!

Thursday, December 13, 2018

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!

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!

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!

Monday, August 20, 2018

Don't You Wish You Had!

This past Saturday, I was roped into helping my Son and his Finance move some items to and fro to make room in their 2 bedroom 2 bath condo.
(They have a lot of stuff!)

They had to rent a U Haul truck for the occasion.

After it was over and we were returning the truck, I went to use the rest room.

Inside, I found these prints of an old, old Las Vegas from years and years ago.
(I didn't see any particular date as to when these were taken.)



But, as you can see, these are from a time when there was a lot of open space in and around the "Major Casinos."

And, in the background, there is even more land spread out as far as you can see.
And, it was all undeveloped.

But, who knew?

Who knew Las Vegas Land would be so extensive and spread out and most likely even back then: Expensive!

Now, I know a few people who did buy and sell land in Las Vegas back then and still do so on a smaller scale today.  And, through the years, they would developed some and rent them out.  And, during that time, they made millions!

Which brings me to my point.

There is a large parcel of land that could be developed either as a casino or retail and it sits in an area which indicates it should already be developed.

And, it is for sale for the right price.

Interested?

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!

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Everyone wants to own a Las Vegas Resort Hotel Casino!

All of you.

Yes, every single person has dreamt of making millions in a single roll of the dice; or the pull of a slot machine, and on a single try.

Okay, I used to think that would happen to me. (Never has.)

So, I decided years ago, to keep my hard earned money in my pocket (OK, bank account) and never, ever gamble more than $20 dollars if and when I do go gambling at all.

(It's usually on a Mega Bucks machine and I would always bet the max of course, because otherwise, you don't win the Mega Bucks jackpot.)

But, I learned recently there is a resort property quietly for sale which will probably be sold in the next yer or so.

The problem with the property is that it is NOT earning any money.  It desperately, needs to be re-positioned -- that's the polite way of saying that in it's current state of operation, the property is going to fail before the year is out.

Anyway, No.

I will not ID the property.

If you want information on any Las Vegas Resort, you need to click on the Las Vegas Casino Information Button, print the form, fill it out, have it signed by a company signatory, scan and email back to me.

Then, once I am satisfied with your qualifications, I will begin to send you property details of what you qualify for.

If it is a Mega Resort? Great!
If it's a small, restricted gaming property?  Great!

Let's get started.

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!

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!

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Californians are moving to Nevada - Again!

Yesterday, a Multi-family investor from the Midwest that I have been trying to help buy a Las Vegas motel/apartment property, asked for the impossible.

Using the all too typical phrases of: "I'm a cash Buyer." "I can close quickly." You get the inference.

He's looking for a property which he can steal.

I've tried over the past two weeks to emphasize that the steals have been gone since 2012-13.

Here in 2018, you must accept the fact that a 10% Cap Rate purchase is NOT going to happen.

With the large national real estate firms in the passed year having acquired the larger apartment complexes in Clark County for Tens of Millions of Dollars, this has driven the smaller apartment owners/sellers to raise and keep a firm stance on their selling prices.

Sorry but if the national firms are buying at a 5% Cap Rate.  Your 10% offer is going no where.

The current problem causing this is the housing problem in California.  There was a report that the cost of California housing and apartment rents are so high, that (employed) people find it cheaper to buy an RV, park it on a quiet street, and live there -- all while they have a day job!

This housing crisis in our west neighbor has caused a lot of it's potential residents to move east to "cheaper" housing in Nevada!




Now, I'd sell my medium income neighborhood home to any qualified person.  I just don't have a place to move forward to.

And, as the wife said at dinner last night while discussing this topic, we don't want to start over - again.

So, even though our empty-nest home is worth three times what we paid for it, it would cost us three times to acquire a 'newer' residence.

This leads us back to the problem of multi-family acquisition cost.

Unless you understand the economics of the Las Vegas Valley situation, prices are going to be too high for you.

One seller I represent, has a portfolio of homes that he rents out by the bedroom.
If the home has three bedrooms, he rents out each bedroom to a different family.
He does this because it is cheaper for the low income family to share a house than rent one out by themselves!
Plus the landlord is able to get a higher than normal rent with three tenants than one!
Is it legal?
Hell, no.

But, it is happening all over the Valley.

Also, the Motels aren't as cheap either because before finding a stable place to stay, most transient families will stay at a low rent motel for up to 30 days, then move to another place -- all the while searching for work and a home.

So, will the Owners sell cheaply?
NO!
But, as the buyer, will you have a lot of potential tenants?
YES! (for right now).
Who knows what's going to happen to real estate in the near future?

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, March 12, 2018

I heard it through the grapevine....

When it comes to real estate, it seems to be getting worse for us Commercial Real Estate Brokers.

Even Residential agents have to deal with buyer/seller clients who try to impress you with their vast knowledge of Real Estate.

The truth is, web sites are making the broker/agent's job that much harder.

When Realtor.com advertises on TV that if you searched for your house on their web site, you won't become a "Not Me!"  That sends an definite signal, that a broker/agent is no longer necessary or needed.

The striking thing is: Realtors are supposed to be the reliable expert!  And, if you are working with a Realtor, you are supposed to be getting excellent service.

Now, I'm NOT a Realtor.  I choose NOT to be because of the monthly and yearly expense that I can't afford and/or don't need.  But, it doesn't mean I am NOT capable.

Anyway, recently, I heard from a land owner (who is also a real estate agent), that another real estate agent from another real estate company had approached her about a larger than normal parcel of land she owns.  After talking to this other 'agent,' the owner/agent knew that this agent was working with the same client I had approached her about to acquire her land.

Being the upright agent she is, she called me to inform me about the inquiry right away!

Okay. Buyers will sometimes engage other agents to try to get the best deal. It happens.

Not wanting to be confrontational with the client, I had had just about enough of the client's I'm  smarter than you attitude.  You see, he wanted a property at a prime location that he could buy cheaply.  After dealing with this buyer for several months, I thought about my time he wasted with this effortless pursuit.
So, I thought he needed some pay back for running me ragged searching for land that he was never, ever going to buy.

Anyway, I suggested to this client another parcel (which was an airport owned parcel) and pretended I didn't know who/what had the land lease on the parcel.  (It's a local developer -- But, I didn't want to tell him that.)

Anyway, since he wanted to buy at a rock bottom-feeder price, I knew the airport was never going to sell this parcel. (The developer has a 99 year lease.)
But, I suggested it to him anyway.

(Side note to non-Las Vegas resident: In 1998, via an act of Congress, McCarran International Airport (Clark County owned) was able to acquire 5,500 acres of BLM land and have full control over the future development of said acres. Thus the creation of the Cooperative Management Agreement (CMA)).

Now, this CMA grants McCarran a deed restriction over certain parcels within a certain area.  If you are inside of this CMA Area, McCarran can say whether or not you can/can't develop certain properties, whether they own the land or not.)

Well, the client got mad when I (finally) admitted that the airport owned the parcel and we should find something else.

I understand his anger.  But, I had found him two perfectly good parcels outside the CMA that he rejected:
Parcel One was adjacent to a Wal-Mart.  He didn't want to be near any Wal-mart at all (I don't understand it either);
Parcel Two was the owner/agent's parcel who called me.  It had everything the client wanted/needed  but it also came with (former) NV Energy Power Poles that were no longer being used.
(NV Energy would take the poles down with a future development, but NV Energy wants the land owner to pay for the pole removal. (I know, Huh?!))

Well, I can only imagine the poles costing +/-$10,000 to $12,000 to remove.  But, still, he didn't want to pay; neither does the current land owner.

Now, I know it was mean of me to get the Client excited about a parcel he could never develop his concept on, but when I learned the Client was willing to go around me and directly to another agent/developer, I wanted to waste some of his time.

Besides, the Client wouldn't accept the truth no matter how it was presented.
He wanted what he wanted and any advice I gave him was countered by his ambition to screw a land owner over out of the equity in the property.

I came to the conclusion, right or wrong, that working with this Client was a waste of time.
It happens:

So, long story short (Too late?): Since he was working with another agent all the while he was working with me, I decided to cut my losses. In poker terms, I folded.

Now, I understand the logic behind clients doing this;  But, I don't understand the reason why.
If you are working with two brokers/agents at the same time, both are NOT going to purposely hide any available properties from you -- especially if the client qualifies to make a purchase.

And, since he was perusing the listing sites directly, this made my job extra hard.  He was making me jump through hoops that weren't necessary.

Who's to blame for this scenario?

First: I will blame the real estate web sites who make it easy for just anyone to search for properties without an agent.
Second: I will blame myself.  It is my fault the client is angry with me.
(It's never the clients fault even if they purposely waste your time.)

So, I accept that the Client is angry with me; the agent who referred the client to me is angry with me; and I am angry with myself for NOT being a better student of buyer/client behavior.

But, I have my sanity and I'm staying honest regardless of any dirty tricks Clients pull.

The moral of the story is: There is no reason to lie when it comes to real estate.  I truly don't understand why client/agents would.

Much appreciation to the loyal brokers/agents who Rat on lying, deceitful clients.

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, February 11, 2018

"Fire and Fury" is a Must Read!

Curious as to why the media was so solidly pumping Michael Wolfe's "Fire and Fury' I ordered a copy.

Having just completed reading it, my previous stance during the election of 2016 that Donald Trump was NOT qualified to be president is re-enforced.

The basic premise as written from a reporter's point of view is that (Trump) "-- didn't have the wherewithal to adequately function in his job."

And, it is my hope -- we survived the incompetence that Trump is raining down upon us.

A client from London recently stated that he is raising "European Money" in an effort to acquire US real estate assets because the "Trump Affect" has driven the value of the US dollar down to where US real estate assets are more affordable to European and Middle Easter Businessmen.

Another potential client from Australia told me via text message the Chinese investors who acquired US real estate assets over the past few years are quietly seeking to sell them -- given the potential profit they could bring.

My guess is that they want to sell before they find out the equity they acquired would be millions rather than billions on them.

With the current stock market volatility - up and down, and the Trump effect on US Ally relationships, this is cause for concern from a "businessman president" who truly doesn't know what he is doing.

It's my hope Congress finally realizes their success is hinged to giving Trump a permanent golf vacation via Impeachment.

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, December 17, 2017

Holiday Cheer to Everyone!

It's my hope that all have a wonderful Holiday Season!

To those who celebrate Christmas: Merry Christmas!

To those who celebrate Hanukkah:  Happy Hanukkah!

To those who don't celebrate anything this time of year: Happy New Year -- regardless of religious affiliation!


We were going to try to do a gift-less Christmas this year, we'll see how that goes!

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, November 12, 2017

Las Vegas may break 2016 visitation record

Living and working in Las Vegas gives me a front row seat to some of the more exciting elements of Las Vegas.

So, when I read articles about Tourists flocking to our city, I understand the why Las Vegas Strip land prices are so, so high.

From all over the world, people know and want to travel to Las Vegas.  I understand the "freedom" that Las Vegas gives people.  Even if that Freedom is only a mental state of mind.

Rags to Riches; down to your last dollar and then hitting the Jackpot!  I get it.  The allure is too great to NOT to want to be apart of.

So, it comes as no surprise to me to read the Las Vegas Review Journal article about Las Vegas about to break it's own Visitation record set in 2016.

Las Vegas may break 2016 visitation record

You may NOT be a regular tourist to Las Vegas, but there are still some deals that are available for sale.

Recently, a local developer placed a brand spanking new multi-tenant retail building up for sale he just completed.  He's asking a 6% Cap Rate.  The center is located on the busiest street (IMAO) in the southwest part of the Las Vegas Valley.

Asking price is +$3 million.


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!

Climate Change Natural or Man-made?

If NOT into politics, you might want to avoid this blog post.

Since DonTheCon was Electoral College elected president, he has embarked on getting rid of "Unnecessary Government Regulations." I agree in a small part that the government does have some rules,/laws on their books that should be removed/changed.

But, when he appoints an EPA head who is a stanch supporter of the Oil Industry -- and this EPA Chief believes that the Oil Industry should be able to do what ever they want regardless of Cause and/or Effect on others health and well-being -- that's where I begin to have a problem.

Why?  Profit!

I believe the Oil Industry thinks that they do NOT have to clean up after themselves.  To them, cleaning up is too costly.  Besides, oil comes from the ground.  Why can't they just dump oil waste back onto the ground -- where it came from?

Everyone knows that the primary cause of air pollution is the gasoline engine.  Attempts to make electric engines doesn't give the driver the sense of power and surge of adrenaline that a gas engine does.

(Even I have a gas powered car.)

But when any industry is allowed to run rampant and destroy the air, water and earth we live on, I believe there is only so much the earth can take.  Humans are changing the planet and NOT for the better.

Even Stephen Hawkins says that we will destroy Earth because of the above aforementioned demand for Profit.  He even gave a year by which we will be successful in destroying the only planet we are capable of living on in the known universe -- 2600.

But, hey, that Profit is so, so important.  We need to keep the oil industry going.  Because without the oil industry, we just might be able to slow down or even stop climate change; have cleaner air and water; and, definitely have less pollution in general.

But, since profit is so important, we need to keep destroying human lives because - well, there are already too many humans occupying Earth. So, humans will continue to destroy Earth so when there is no Earth left, at least there will still be profit!

Can Earth right itself without humans changing their course?  I don't know.

But as these pictures from New Delhi, India indicate, I don't think so.





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!

Friday, November 3, 2017

Owner Chews Me Out For Contacting His Lender!

First of all, I know the Owner quite well!

Second, there was a Notice of Default (NOD) filed on his property.

Third, I am dealing with a buyer that has expressed interest in acquiring this property and when I told them about the NOD, they said I should get the loan information.

With that said:  What I did wasn't wrong.

Been there; done that!

Through my years as a Real Estate Broker, I have also worked in the lender industry for prominent banks, mortgage companies, and brokers originating loans, etc.

I have acquire quite a bit of knowledge as to HOW? real estate financing works.

Do I know everything? No!
Do I continue to learn as the real estate industry evolves? Yes!

So it should NOT come as a surprise to anyone -- I told the owner -- that a buyer with cash wants to acquire property at or below market value.

That's how it works.  He reluctantly agreed. (He does the same thing.)

Since the property had an NOD, the buyer I am currently working with said: 'See if the lender will sell the loan?"'

So, I contacted the lender and was told: 'No! The loan is NOT for sale.'

I inform the buyer.  They were like, okay.
That's when the owner finds out through the lender I called, okay.
That's when the owner tells me: 'Don't do that ever again.' Okay!

But after hearing him out, I understand his position.  He doesn't want to lose the property but doesn't want to lost his investment into the property either.

I get it.  And, so do all of you fellow real estate owners.  You don't want to lose your initial or equity investment in any real estate property.  Neither do I.

Everyone knows that foreclosure is a bad thing -- especially when you lose your entire investment into the property.

I tell the buyer we need to make an offer before the NOD runs it's course. That was yesterday.

Hopefully, the buyer is able to convince his investors this is a steal at the asking price and should move forward quickly.

More as it 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!

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

People who hanker for the past, usually end up alone in a ghost town.

Just so you know...

Ghost Towns don't just happen.

They are the result of the current town occupants NOT keeping an eye on the future.

Now, Nevada has plenty of Ghost Towns.  They were built for an immediate need because so many people flocked to these towns for one thing: to mine Gold or Silver.

The problem turned out to be that when the Gold or Silver ran it's course, the towns expired because of ... well, NOT keeping an eye on the future.

So, not foreseeing the future or turning their business eye toward another income stream, the town expired.

This is happening all over the world.

Rhyolite Casino

And, it could happen to us right here in Las Vegas NV!

But I don't think so.

The reason I don't think Las Vegas will fail anytime soon is that this is a city built for tourist!

And, for this city to die, Las Vegas will have to stop changing.  That's right.

Las Vegas is continually changing.  They adapt.  The Casinos still operate, but they always find another way to attract tourist to our beloved city.

Recently, there was a push for more retail.  We have more malls here than anywhere in the US -- that I can think of.

Just about every Resort embraces a mall concept which is easily accessible from the casino. 

So, if you grow tired of the slot machine taking your money?
Okay!  Then, you have the ability to window shop the assorted stores in the resorts mall.

Retail is dying because of the Internet?
Okay!  Then, take in a show at a resorts theater -- OR, have dinner at a spectacular resort restaurant.

Sooner or later, you'll have spent your hard earned saved dollars somewhere in or about the resort.

So, all you who live in middle of nowhere America.  Are you still waiting for that factory job you lost to automation to come back? (Hint! It isn't returning.)

From what I'm told, Las Vegas has a shortage of workers.

Okay, the job doesn't require you to spend hours on end operating a machine drilling holes in metal; or welding two pieces of metal together. The machines can do that themselves now.   But, then again.  You need to adapt to see success in the ever changing economic environment.

Have I said Las Vegas enough, yet?

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 12, 2017

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - It's not limited to Hollywood!

Sexual Harassment is prevalent in our society.

Now, not everyone will suffer it directly.  But, a lot of people will.
Since I talk a lot (probably too much) through the years, I have talked to various women who were going through some form of sexual harassment right in the very workplace I was working.

Fortunately, I only encountered one sexually harassment event which was years ago by a gay man who was a co-worker while working as a bartender during my college years.

I passed it off as him being drunk even though he tried to kiss me.  And, with that incident in mind, I have not tried to harm any woman I have worked with.

So, when I hear of incidents where one person was approached by another in some manner implying an unwanted sexual advance, whether it's a woman or man as the aggressor, I understand their plight.

What people don't seem to realize is that if you make another uncomfortable, whether in the form of a friendly gesture or not, if those incidents make that person uncomfortable, you are sexually harassing that person.

So, when today, I read an article in the Daily Mail stating that several women who subscribe to LinkedIn, have complained that "Connections" are trying to secure dates with them even though they are married, these 'men' being the aggressor are actually sexually harassing these women.


So, a woman on LinkedIn posts an attractive profile picture of herself.  That doesn't mean they are looking for a date -- even if they were currently single!

And, I have through the years of being a LinkedIn member, have several connections that are attractive women.  I don't think I have ever sent them a message suggesting a date.

(I am even seriously thinking of deleting my LinkedIn account because I can NOT trace any real estate deal I've ever done to have been originated through a LinkedIn connection.)

With apologies to the want to be Hugh Hefner Playboy types, I'm NOT interested in a date with any woman on LinkedIn - or elsewhere.  I don't care how attractive your profile picture is.

I have two woman in my life that take up 99% of my non work time: Wife & Daughter.  That's all I need.

But with this Harvey Weinstein guy, he's thrown this entire sexual harassment thing into the open.


I for one, am glad this has been made public.

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!