Is Trump doing Putin's dirty work? And most of you don't realize it?!

During the election, I was steadily anti-Trump.

Having grown up in the Northeast US, I learned that Donald Trump in his business dealings would (allegedly) short contractors so his costs to re-build buildings would be less.

I remember a story of one of the first buildings he bought from the City of New York, that he (allegedly) paid far less than the actual cost of the building.

So, with these and other stories about Donald Trump circling and his running for president, I knew he wasn't the person I wanted running our country.

And, after he filed BK on several properties, I knew he wasn't capable of even running his companies. (My opinion.)

Now, with the GOP controlling the House and Senate, the only legislation he's passed is a Tax Reform that will (eventually) cause another recession. (My opinion that has been proven in the past.)

Now, there are plenty of articles about "Businessmen Presidents" and just how bad they were at being president.

Trump takes the cake.

With Mueller Investigating the Trump Campaign and their alleged violations of the Logan Act, Mueller is slowly turning over stones and so far finding at least two guilty pleas and several co-operating witnesses. (I believe there are more to come before this is finished.)

Knowing several attorneys as I do, they tell me the guilty pleas were to lessor charges so that the pleaders could become states evidence.

This all makes me take the leap that Trump is (in some way) working with Putin.

I believe Putin is trying to divide the US so we would become a weaker country of nation states.  (Kind of what happened to the USSR after it fall in the late last century.

So with this, I'm taking another leap of faith to say that with AG Sessions' abandoning the Obama let the states decide if marijuana is legal strategy, makes me think that the dividing of the states into nation states is fulfilling one of Putin's goals.

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/us-to-end-policy-that-let-legal-pot-flourish/901884492

I am sure you don't know this but the person leading the California succession movement lives in Moscow.  (You can do your own Internet search for that story.)

So, to all of you who think that the Mueller investigation is phony or fake, I will warn you that being a continent of United States is a whole lot better than being a continent of individual nation states eg: Africa, South America and Asia.

Just my two cents!

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!

CRE Firms who refuse to split Commissions are struggling to survive!

This is nothing new.

Over the years, I have tried to contact certain Commercial Real Estates (CRE) Firms about properties they have listed.

Most never, ever return my inquiry.  When I finally do get a hold of them, they usually claim they are busy!
(That's a lie!)
OR, they claim they never got the message.
(Another lie!)

How do I know this?

Since I have been in Real Estate since 1991, I have learned their tricks of the trade.

Having worked on "Teams" I know that the commission splits are minimal 'IF' they have to split a procuring fee to a procuring broker.  (That would be me.)

There are several real estate brokerages here in Las Vegas Nevada that specialize in one siding all their real estate transactions.

Most claim that their Seller won't allow them to split the fee because they "Represent the Seller."

Okay.  But, since that is a legal definition; I usually one up them in that the fee being paid by the Seller isn't a representation!  In fact what the Seller is paying is just a marketing fee. 
And, the listing brokerages are using the legal definition on a marketing fee to consume the entire fee for themselves.

Sad. 

But, since they control the listing, there's not much I can do.

So, I'm left with asking any and all potential buyers that I am helping if they'd be willing to compensate me for helping them buy property.

Most usually will agree -- verbally; but getting it in writing is a little more difficult.

Sadly, these brokerages know this.

And, in the past, I often wondered why they were being so greedy.

But, since I am more than knowledgeable now about these things 26 years into this career, I know that these firms are struggling to survive -- even with double dipping the marketing fee.

(Their overhead is too high!)

Sure, some are large national real estate firms. Some are franchisees and as with all successful businesses, you have to be producing results to maintain their brand.

I, on the other hand, am just a local broker who has worked for a couple of these large franchises and know the score.

Could I be affiliated with a national brand?
Of course!
(I've been asked.)

But, since their shingle wouldn't help me produce a single buyer/closed transaction, I've decided that my own hard work, cold calling, and emailing qualified individual investors and property owners, will eventually lead me to financial success!

Besides, I don't go on listing appointments and lie to sellers about my large team that will be involved in selling their property.

Having worked in the past on such a "large team" at a brand name, I know that it was usually me doing (all of) the marketing, and then being subject to a small, small portion of the marketing fee. 

This is what is currently happening at these firms which refuse to split the marketing fee!

Most of their agents won't earn enough to survive unless they can split a larger fee between them.

Oh, well!

I have my own shingle, and several 'agents' licenses hung under it.  I'll just keep working toward making fair real estate transactions happen and ignore these brands properties.

If you refuse to split a marketing fee with me, I'll move on to properties where the listing brokers will.

By The Way!
I have a Northern Nevada Casino-Motel for sale.  The marketing fee isn't going to make anyone rich, but I will split it with a broker procuring a qualified buyer.

Contact me if a $2.5 Million casino motel is of interest to you.

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!

Legal Weed - Boom or Bust?

A couple of years ago, I was (trying) helping an international investor who was dead set on acquiring a facility here in Las Vegas where he could grow and sell marijuana. So, he thought.

Since, at the time, I knew very little about the Nevada Laws on this topic, I did research to make myself a little bit knowledgeable.

Anyway, turns out he found out rather quickly that what he wanted to do, he couldn't do because in the federal sense, marijuana -- regardless of it's recreational or medical status -- is still illegal.

Thus, the Nevada Law was at the discretion of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. (Who voted that gaming sites/persons could NOT be involved in that industry.)

So, this investor couldn't open a dispensary inside a resort casino.

This meant he had to abide by their decision to NOT have dispensaries anywhere near their properties.  Oh, well.

Now that California has legalized Marijuana, a fellow Real Estate Broker I've known for years, sold a California Town last year that is near the Nevada - California border to a marijuana company.

He tells me their plan is to make a marijuana resort in the middle of a desert just off I-15 south of Primm, NV.

I thought that, that was great for him and an ideal spot to grow, sell and have marijuana enthusiast come so they could partake in their chosen lifestyle.  With this law now enacted, this should proceed. (We'll see.)

Anyway, after reading this Five Thirty Eight analysis, maybe being in the marijuana industry isn't going to be as financial beneficial as we all thought.

Pot Growers Dilemma

And since the Nevada Law was enacted in 2016, a lot of stores are popping up but will they last.

My wife's company has interior design proposals out to several marijuana businesses, but she is weary. She has been designing commercial sites for years and years and as usual, businesses come and go.

But, is this industry going to last?

Survival of the fittest?

What do I know?  I know that I am just a Commercial Real Estate Broker.  I can help you find a lawful site, but Marijuana is something I smoked as a youth and stay away from now as an older, wiser (I hope) man.

(I refuse to judge anyone.)

BUT -- if you are interested in finding a Nevada Site to open a Marijuana dispensary or grow facility, give me a call.

In the meantime, here is a summary of the Nevada Marijuana law actively in place.

Nevada Pot Law Guide

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!

Red Sky at Night, Sailor's Delight! Red Sky in the Morning, Sailor's take warning!

Of course, most (maybe all) of you don't know a whole lot about me and my ancestry.

My lineage doesn't include any royalty. (That's OK. I'm still "Bossy" enough.)

But, it does include great-great-grandfathers who were Sea Captains. (That's correct!)
Especially, Captains of Ships that went Whale Hunting. (I can't turn back time...)

Okay, so they were never a John Paul Jones, or a Captain Ahab or anything like that.

But, since there is a lineage from them to me, I take the title to be given to me honestly.

Since we are in tumultuous times with an arrogant multi-millionaire pretending to be a leader, I think the saying applies.

Do I believe there was a political campaign based on deception? Of Course!
Do I think we'll survive? I hope!

But, when there are red skies at night while at sea, that indicates the next days weather (should be) calm and they will be okay far from shore. 

Whereas, if the red sky is in the morning, they know a storm is brewing.  So, the Sailors take heed and prepare for the on coming storm.

My sister, Dr Janet Howes, took this picture this morning while heading toward Gillette Stadium.

With that said, this past Sunday morning's Red Sky should tell us that the day's weather isn't going to be fair and calm.

If the weather does turn stormy, let's hope we can weather the storm!

In the meantime: Go Pats!

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!

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!

Whether you are Young or Old, your Mom is your Mom!

Since this past summer, my 88 year old mom has been asking for me to visit.

So, we (the spouse and I) booked a time between the holidays to go to Boston.

My brother told me that our mom wasn't doing well.  So, off we go!

Anyway, it's going to be a short trip.  With the spouses business doing so well and mine starting to show life again, I have a feeling this might be the last time I get to be with her while she's still alive.

So, off we go. to Boston to visit family I haven't seen in awhile.

See you next week.

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 more things change, the more they stay the same!

After reading Susan Phillips' "Select Leaders" posting about Millennials staying at home with parents to live, I got to thinking about the very subject she mentions here.

Jobs.

Since I have been self-employed for so long, it would take a miracle for me to go back to work for anyone else.

But, as she states, I work in an industry that is (supposedly) growing.  In the past year, I've gone from working large CRE deals to very, very small. (You take what you get, I suppose.)

The fortunate part for me is that I have a very low overhead and with my business so slow, I am still able to maintain myself with a huge help from my spouse. (Her industry is booming in Las Vegas.)

Anyway, with extended family having moved in to our household, this scenario covers the majority of Americans who have lost employment over the years and were replaced by automation.

It is an interesting read -- if only to me and my family situation.

Enjoy.

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 Thanksgiving!

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!

Rested and Relaxed from Week Long Alaskan Cruise Retreat!

Cruising to the southern Alaskan shore was a great benefit to my wife and myself.  Alone time to see just what southeast Alaska had in store.

I did get to take a 'look' at another states' real estate and was amazed at just how many vacancies each city had.  (Survival of the fittest, I suppose.)

The main industry now-a-days is the cruise ships that dock at their piers in their deep water harbors.  These towns would definitely die away if the ships stop sailing into their harbors.  And during the winter months, that's what happens.

Tourist season in this stretch of the world is May 1st to September 30th -- obviously.  So, they must pack in as many tourist dollars they can while the season is 'hot' - so to speak.

Great time, great cruise, and lots of local knowledge acquired to bring back home to Las Vegas to re-energize my battery.

If you have been considering a cruise as a vacation, I say sign up for next season.  It was worth the cost.

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!

Neighborhood Retail Centers For Sale in Las Vegas!

Now, most people have been to or even frequent a local convenience store that usually sits on a high traffic corner of an intersection.

Most of you don't even give these locations a second thought.  You pull into the "gas station" (the Gas Pump) pay for the gas you need and begin refueling.

Now, sometimes, these location also have other shops and stores that line up along with the convenience store.

Sometimes, these convenience stores are stand alone properties -- notably a 7-Eleven, or an ARCO.  You get the drift.
Most, however, will have other stores lined up along side the Convenience store.

Then, again, they might just NOT have the convenience store anchor.  Which is okay, too!

Now, last week, I noticed a marketing brochure in my Inbox from another broker asking for help to find a buyer for a 'Strip Center' he has listed.

Anyway, I have a client looking for such a property and forward the information to them.

What got me thinking is this property -- though leased up only +/-75% would be a good buy for someone looking for a passive income. (Even with the less than stellar occupancy, this property still nets $204,000 per year.)

So, I decided to send it out to other investors to see if they would have any interest.

To my surprise, there is interest.

Which got me thinking: If these investors find this property of interest, why not you?

True, it is NOT sexy.  It's NOT a casino; or a Resort.  It's not something to brag about.

But, it is INCOME.

And, the last time I checked, everyone needs income -- no matter what your tax bracket is.

So,...if interested in acquiring a property that provides 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!

The dog days of (potential) economic recession!

On September 15, 2015, when I thought "things" were about to get really, really better (economically speaking), I wrote a blog about the Chinese devaluing their Yuan.

(Here is part of what I wrote:
Algebra!  It is the curse of me.  To this day, I do not understand: x+y=z!  Huh?
The odd thing is, my dad was an electrical engineer; thus, algebra was easy for him.
My wife, also, understands algebra.  She uses it everyday at her commercial interior design firm.

I even have an uncle who has a phD from HAAV-VAARD who I know understands algebra, too!

But, most of you, are probably just like me.  Algebra is a foreign language -- much like currency exchange.

I bring this up because, like you, I read that China devalued it's Yuan.  (Please do not try or even think of attempting to explain this to me.  I am lost just thinking about it.)

So, as of this AM, one Yuan is equal to $0.16 US.

I suppose this is good.  However, since I know very little about currency exchanges, I can only assume that the Chinese government did this to prevent anymore money from leaving China.  With the Yuan devalued, I guess it buys less foreign property and/or goods.  Am I right or wrong?

So, since this investor's money is coming through China, I don't understand the algebra of it.

How does depositing money into China, thus turning it into Yuan, help you acquire a Las Vegas Resort for less while also gaining more in value?

One day, I will probably understand.  But, I am not going to just sit around waiting for the answer to come to me.

So, was I off my much?

I ask because I just received notice from my Co-Broker Partner who lives and works in Australia that the Chinese Government is (essentially) halting any more Chinese firms from investing further in USA Real Estate.

Why?  Your guess is as good as mine.  From what I've read, the Government fears a cash shortage if anymore Yuan's are converted to Dollars and they leave the country.

(This relates to the algebra problem I mention above. =) )

Anyway, as I sit hear wondering just when this crack down on money exiting China (?) will end, I am hoping to between now and then, my survival mode keeps me aloft.)

The only thing I think right now is closing something.

Did I mention I listed a motel casino?  Give me a call if interested in the 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!

Mom & Pop Casino For Sale!

When I established my web site many years ago, I truly didn't have faith in it leading to very many clients.

Well, at least the web site hasn't disappointed me.

Anyway, recently, my web site has allowed various real estate property owners to contact me.

To my surprise, one husband & wife team did give me a call to ask about selling their local casino.

Now, for you want to be casino owners, don't get too excited.  Owning a casino is a full time 24/7 job.  So, unless spending your time always "on the clock" isn't for you, then casino ownership may be a thing you'd let others do.

I say this because these mom & pop clients want to sell because of that fact.

Now, this is a local casino in Nevada.  Unfortunately, it is NOT in Las Vegas.  So, the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip won't be shining in your eyes as you make your way to and from 'work."

But, this property is a fully licensed unlimited gaming casino and it does have 60 motel rooms and suites for your traveling customers comfort.

The property does have a steak house restaurant, a Chinese Restaurant and a lounge.

The property is a combined +/+9,500 SF property on a total of 1.94 acres right smack in the middle of town on 'Main Street.'

(Obviously, NOT the subject property since this is no longer standing.)

Unfortunately, as the husband owner said, they are directly across the street from their biggest competition.

True, there are a variety of small restaurants, bars, taverns, sports bars -- all with gaming -- that are for sale in and around Las Vegas itself.  But, this property is the only actual "casino" with motel rooms (that I know of) for sale in this region of Nevada.

The owner of this property is asking $3 Million.

So, that is all I can disclose at this time.  You will have to email me for the Confidentiality Agreement in order to see the financial and property details.   Any further information requires this signed document.

Now the owner says the price is the price, but I know there is some wiggle room.

Is it making money?
For that answer, the signed CA is required.

Plus!
I need to know a little more about you as the buyer.
So please be prepared to disclose your acquisition capability. I don't need it up front.  But, your proof of funds will be required with any offer that is to be presented to the owner.

Once you've owned a casino for a while, you'll understand this tactic.

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!

Happy 4th of July - Independence Day is here!

To show my Patriotic Spirit, here are some images of Las Vegas Fireworks!

 Fantasy!

Reality! 

Happy Fourth of July!

PS: (Now, I will prepare to dog sit two dogs that dislike anything that goes BOOM!)

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!

Make America Great Again? It always has been Great!

This past years General Election did wind me up and probably not in a good way.

When one of the candidates was campaigning on a racist platform, I was confident they wouldn't win.

Okay, they won -- the Electoral College.

Oh, well.  Time to move forward.

But, will the mostly poor counties that are stuck in the past be able to move forward?  I'm not sure.
It's like some one who tries to do the same thing over and over and they continue to expect a different result.

Are they insane or just showing signs of being an imbecile?  (See!  I am improving!  Last year I would have said: Crazy or Stupid!)

Anyway, I will leave invalidating other people to the bullies.

Today, I ran across this news story that I (think I) had seen on fivethirtyeight.com.  But this one was published by the New York Times and Re-printed in the Las Vegas Sun.

Apparently, America is changing.

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/jun/29/census-time-machine-sioux-falls-past-vegas-future/

So, if you have racist tendencies and believe that America would be 'Great Again' with more Caucasian people than 'others,' then you will be greatly disappointed with the projections this story has.

Personally, I never thought that America was "All White" to begin with.  But, that's just me.
Fortunately for me, too, I also live in the city that is probably already where the rest of America is going to end up -- population diversity wise as the story predicts America will be by 2050.

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!

Qatar quietly becomes one of New York's Largest CRE Owners

Even before 9-11, I never thought that anyone who was a Muslim; or some one who was Islamic was a bad person.

And, back then, before that awful day, I used to frequent a sandwich shop that was owned by a Muslim man who was a very, nice and pleasant person.  He seemed to always be glad to see me.

When I'd enter his business, he was friendly and accommodating -- well as any businessman is supposed to be.  And, during the time we met at his lunch counter to order my "usual,' we'd have 'small talk' about life in the big city of Las Vegas.

Toward the end of our 'lunch meet,' he would complain about his immigration status, and how his visa was soon to expire and how he had exhausted all attempts to extend it, etc.  As he was going through this, I sensed his frustration with America and his resentment toward 'having to leave.'

IMAO: US Immigration laws need to be updated/changed to allow longer stays/allow visa holders to apply for citizenship easier.

Anyway, I saw this article and started wondering about 'Al.'  It's been close to twenty years now and wondered what has happened to him.

He was a young guy and smart and polite and to this day, I still don't fully understand the Islamic or Muslim religion.  But, I don't think of it as bad.  I think of it as something I need to explore -- maybe even familiarize myself with in order to fully comprehend it.

That aside, when i saw this news story, I also thought about: Why do foreign companies buy American Commercial Real Estate? I am fully aware real estate will have an intrinsic value increase as it floats through time.  But, foreign buyers they are buying because -- for the most part -- our tax system is very, very favorable when compared to the rest of the world.

Which makes me think: If the US taxes are so high, and so unfair, why are foreign companies pursuing US Real Estate so much?

Here is the story I read that made me think this.

Qatar One of New York City's largest CRE Owner

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!

Small Casino For Sale in Nevada!

I've had my web site for some time now.

But, it wasn't until recently, that my web site, actually provided a lead for a casino for sale!

And, this happened in the last two weeks.

So, now, I can honestly say, I have a 'Small Nevada Casino Motel' For Sale!

This property is small relative to any of the Las Vegas mega resorts.  But, it is a stepping stone in the right direction for an entrepreneur looking to venture into the gaming business.

With the assortment or variety of any number of small restaurants, bars, taverns, sports bars -- all with gaming -- that are for sale, this property will allow an owner-operator to actual 'own' a "Casino."  (It does also have motel rooms.)

(This is NOT the Casino that's For Sale)

The owner of this property tells me he wants to sell because he wants to 'get out of the casino business.'

I'd tell you more about this property, but because a Nevada Casino license takes a certain type of person that needs to be approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, I think you should email me  your qualifying information prior to any disclosure of any property particulars.

Yes, it is going to run you in the millions of dollars.

So, if you think you'll qualify for a gaming license...

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!

A New Beginning for Las Vegas?

Las Vegas!

Everyone knows your name!

Translated, it means Fun! (Not really.)

But, when some one, anywhere in the world says: "Let's go to Vegas!"
Everyone, no matter where you are in the world, knows what they mean.

And Fun means: Lots of Free Alcohol (if you are gambling), Gambling (if you are drinking free alcohol), and Partying all night long (a result from gambling and free alcohol).

So, when the NFL took up the topic of: "Should the Oakland Raiders be allowed to become the Las Vegas Raiders?  For some reason, they voted 31-1: Yes!

And as the insert article from Casino Industry Gaming News states: It was money!

Gambling Finally Becomes Non Issue With NFL Owners

That's because "Money Talks and Bull S@&t Walks!"  Is the old saying, isn't it?

And, they Voted, Yes despite the facts that Las Vegas doesn't rank very high media wise,  But, according to their vote result: Las Vegas still ranks! (No pun intended.)

Las Vegas City Rankings (Just for Fun!)

And, lastly, and this is my personal assessment, as a place to live, work, and raise a family (having lived and worked in other markets) Las Vegas is Number 1!

I think the best thing is: Nevada doesn't have a State Income tax.

Lots and Lots of money pours into Nevada via the Mining Industry, just as well as the tourism industry.

Las Vegas roads are wider than any other city in the world -- even wider than the city (supposedly) built for cars -- Los Angeles.

And on the outside looking in, Clark County and City Planners are more up to speed as to what is necessary to make traffic flow easier around the valley.

When people I'm with complain about the "Orange Traffic Cones" lining the streets, I remind them  that, that signals progress and growth!  We may NOT see the results of that growth immediately, but we will as traffic volume increases, the roads are already wide enough to handle that traffic.

And repairing roads, building much needed On and Off-ramps, wider Freeways and Streets, is all part of a growing economy.  A Valley destine to grow even larger.

Years ago, a developer told me: "If you don't have orange cones in your roads, you have a dwindling economy."

I think Mark Davis knew this and wanted to be apart of it.

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!

How Do You Make Money Living In Las Vegas?

Not too many people ask me this question.

Most family members and friends understand that I am not too tempted by gambling.  Oh, sure, once in a while I will play $21 in Megabucks.  And I have driven a handful of times to Prim or even to Arizona to purchase a Power-ball ticket.

Yes, those, in retrospect have been such a waste of time and money.

But since the most money that I have ever won at gambling is $150 dollars, I quickly cashed out and put that ticket in my pocket. (I guess I'm cheap like that.)

Anyway, since it isn't a well-known fact, that the average Las Vegas resident gambles +/-$2,000 per month while living here, I like being the one that doesn't gamble at all -- or truthfully anywhere near that amount.

When I first moved here and was searching for a Real Estate firm to hang my Nevada Real Estate License, I had one meeting with a broker at the time who knew just what to do when the subject about real estate commissions came up"

He asked me: 'How do you make money in Las Vegas?'

Stumped, I gave the standard response of: work hard, be persistent, etc.

He said, in his experience, he has seen way too many real estate agents take a hard earned commission check down to a local casino, cash it, and by the time they leave (usually several hours later) they have nothing left.

He took a piece of paper (like below) and wrote the word Casino in the middle, he circled the word for emphasis.

Then, looking at me with earnest intent, he said, "Stay out of the casinos!'

Well, I took that as probably the best advice I had ever heard.  For one thing, I don't like the 'Strip' casinos because they are well, you know, greedy.  And, the noise and crowd isn't something I am attracted to.

Besides, once I moved to Las Vegas I found out for the first time that a casino would be willing to cash a pay check -- without taking the usual 15% that check cashing places take.

I told the broker, that I have a young family and cashing a real estate commission check at a casino wasn't something I was going to do.

I remember him saying something like, 'I hope not.'

It was apparent, that this broker knew too many agents that did that.

Eventually, I hung my license at a firm closer to where I was living at the time, and through the years, I have learned that agents do -- for whatever reason -- gamble away their commission checks.

To me that is probably the dumbest thing you can do.  The reason I know this to be true is: only one person makes money in a casino -- the owner.

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!

Anyone know what you can do with a Shuttered Prison?

When I first read this, I thought:
Why not convert it into an office?
Then, I remembered, offices are losing traction because computers are taking over most office work functions.

Then, I thought:
Why not turn them into schools?
Well, I already proposed that vacant malls be schools because the conversion would cost less in the long run.  Besides, a prison as a school?  Most children already consider schools like they're prisons.

So, what do you do?

As this news story from the Las Vegas Review Journal indicates, there is not much interest in anyone acquiring a former prison.

So, that leaves me with the only suggestion that I think will work long term.

Tear it down.  And leave the vacant lot as a garden park.

The one potential bidder in the below story thinks turning it into a theme park would work.

Oh, well.

Shuttered Prisons

What would your thoughts on this be?

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!

Simply for the Benefit of Building a Hotel in Moscow

With the "surprise" results of the 2016 Presidential Election, I don't think - looking back -- anything would have changed,

Trump made promises that, at the time, I knew he wasn't going to keep.

"Make America Great Again!" Great slogan!

But his promises to the 'non college educated' will ring hollow.  Several news agencies who have had sit down talks with these former factory workers who voted for Trump simply because they felt he was "one of the union guys."  He is going to bring our jobs back, they say.

LOL!

Trump a union guy?  You have to be kidding me!  Bring jobs back?  My question to these former factory workers is: Are you that uninformed?

+/-60% of all jobs lost since 1979 have been to automation!  Those jobs are NOT returning to human workers!  Never, Ever.

And the guy who you think of as a 'Union Guy,' actually refused to pay the union workers when they did work on his bankrupt casinos!  I don't think of Trump as a union guy.  Never will!

So, don't get me started.

And, with the Trump White House calling the media the "enemy of the state" simply because the news media has dug up information revealing Trump (and/or members of his team) have had constant contact with Russian officials throughout the 2016 campaign, that actually bothers me more than it should.

Apparently, Trump is more than desperate to (allegedly) build a luxury hotel in Moscow.  This is the only thing I can think of that would make him as a patriotic American turn his back on his country, his countries allies, and destroy the America way of life as Trump seems to be (allegedly) doing.

This article is one of the best at explaining the Trump Putin connection situation.

Trump Ties to Russia

I will let you decide whether or not Trump is 'unpatriotic.'

But, wanting to build a hotel in Moscow must be worth more than we can imagine for Trump to put together such a diverse team who all have such close ties to Russia, Russian officials, and Putin.

For one thing, World War II should have taught us that if Europe is divided into individual Republics, it is easier for a more powerful nation to knock them down, one by one, like dominoes.  This is because the neighboring Republics don't want the more powerful nation attacking them.  But, as history has shown, the powerful nation usually attacks without provocation anyway.  (See Germany circa 1939)

But, as a union of united European nations, if the powerful nation attacks one; then, they have attack them all.

And, Putin understands this.  He is all for European Republics being separate nations.
This makes me think that Putin (allegedly) even wants the United States to be 50 individual nations.  You are capable of doing the math.

Also, it is reported that in order to do business in Russia, Putin (allegedly) demands a large portion of that business so he will allow you to do business in Russia.  And, (also allegedly) it has to be given to him.

Just ask any of the Russian Billionaires who refused Putin.  There are stories of them being thrown in prison until they agreed.  (And sadly, some stories say they have even have been killed.)

Its a sad, sad world we live in right now.  Enemies are pretending to be friends; a President is pretending he can lead, and the White House Staff is squirting out the fake news insult phrases when the media contradicts Trump.

I don't know about you, but I find this absolutely annoying.  All it is doing, is helping to divide the United States into the Confederate States once again.

If only the GOP controlled Congress would stand up to the bully at the pulpit.  They could nip this in the butt and right the ship.

So, I ask: Is Donald Trump truly that unpatriotic that he would lead Americans to their demise -- simply for the benefit of building a hotel in Moscow?

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!