Explanation of previous 2 posts

My wife (Mary Jo) and I are always pushing each other to achieve all of our goals. For instance, it had always been a goal of mine to be self employed and my wife has single-handedly made this happen by working extra, spending less, paying for my expenses, etc. I couldn't have become a Realtor(r) without her! Of course, when I get established and start banking I'll help her by returning the favor (take care of her so she can expand her career horizons).

Recently, I've been getting on her to finish her bucket list or list of 100 things to do before you die. I had finished mine a few months ago but recently I had broken 100 on the golf course so I needed to scratch that one off the list! MJ is up to about 76 things on her list and I decided to share mine with her. She immediately encouraged me to pick one on my list for this past weekend. I picked the "day of nothing"

So the post right before this one is my bucket list and the one before that is my explanation of "Day of Nothing" for MJ. Don't knock it before you try it! It was one of the hardest things we've attempted to do! Sitting in front of the television for 12 hours at a time isn't as easy as you'd think!

My Bucket List as of June 2010

100 Things to do before I die as of June 2010.
List is subject to change!!!!

1. Become Debt Free (other than house and car)
2. Become Debt Free (including cars and house)
3. Sell a Million Dollar House
4. Drive across country in an RV
5. Hole in One
6. Score below 75 on Golf Course
7. Drink a pint of beer in a pub in another country
8. Take a motorcycle trip (a week or longer)
9. Own a house in North East
10. Be a landlord
11. Tinker with an old car and fix it
12. Build a motorcycle
13. Write a story that gets published (and people read it)
14. Own my own home that has a theater room, bar, study in addition to other rooms.
15. Write a song
16. Own a piano
17. Learn to play the piano (very well with lots of cords)
18. Race a car on a closed circuit
19. Own a car purely for racing (trailer to events)
20. Race a motorcycle on a closed circuit
21. Run a snowmobile
22. Run an ATV
23. Rake Leaves again
24. Shovel a driveway again
25. Write a movie script
26. Hang out with a famous person.
27. Help an old friend
28. Own a ridiculous outdoor grill
29. Be the cook for a large barbeque picnic
30. Throw a surprise party for someone
31. Buy MJ a new bicycle
32. Help MJ complete all of the things on her bucket list
33. Buy a car for my nephews/niece
34. Bring my nephews to a Redsox/Yankees Game
35. Bring my nephews to a Giants game
36. Vacation in Cape Cod with Karen’s family
37. Vacation in another country with the entire family
38. Visit Cuba (when it’s safe)
39. Speak Spanish Fluently
40. Paint a picture –frame it- hang it!
41. Build a remote control airplane and fly it
42. Help a politician campaign
43. Visit Dry Tortugas
44. Camp at the Dry Tortugas
45. Bar Crawl with lots of friends (COMPLETED!!!!)
46. Get in shape
47. Start a club
48. Plant a tree – watch it grow over many years
49. Have a son carry on the Trible name.
50. Fly an airplane
51. Take MJ out to eat to a fancy restaurant for her birthday
52. Buy an old house and fix it up
53. Remodel a bathroom
54. Remodel a kitchen
55. Day of nothing – sleep late, no stress, no timelines, alcohol, sitting, etc. (COMPLETED!!!!)
56. Visit all of the National Parks in USA
57. Visit European village in the Winter (snows)
58. Drive on the AutoBahn (very quickly)
59. Brew my own beer
60. Buy extravagant presents for MJ, Scott, Garret and Tim
61. Have an ownership interest in a bar/restaurant
62. Run for political office
63. Learn plumbing
64. Replace water fixtures in condo
65. Be a disk jockey on the local radio
66. Build a computer from scratch
67. Build a true home theater
68. Be sober for 1 full month.
69. Own a super gaming computer
70. Own a Big Buck Hunter arcade game
71. Have a “game room” (separate from home theater…)
72. Attend the Daytona 500
73. Attend the Bristol Night Race
74. Be a season ticket holder for a sports team
75. Go to a Yankee game at the new stadium
76. Throw a party to raise money for a charity
77. Spend a week island hopping on a yacht
78. Complete the 30 pack challenge
79. Own a vacation home free and clear
80. Attend nephews graduation from high school
81. Attend nephews graduation from college
82. Visit nephew at college (to party) {who’s the old guy?}
83. Watch an entire season of a favorite television show in one day (COMPLETED!!!!)
84. Watch a trilogy of a great movie set in one sitting
85. Write a letter to the President of the United States
86. Have 5, 10, 25 year anniversaries with MJ
87. Stop a crime
88. Train a seeing eye dog
89. Go all out on Christmas decorations on a house in the snow (must own house 1st)
90. Plant a tree and watch it grow over 30 years
91. Maintain a garden that bears fruits and vegetables that are edible
92. Commit a victimless crime (and get away with it)
93. Have my face on a large billboard
94. Win the lottery!
95. Ask God for help and get it immediately
96. Eye witness a tornado
97. Survive a killer hurricane
98. Experience an earth quake
99. Watch an inauguration in person
100. Gamble at a casino, Win BIG and walk away

EXTRA!!!
1. Go to E3 video gaming event in Vegas
2. Break 100 on the golf course (COMPLETED!!!!)
3. Break 90 on the golf course
4. Break 80 on the golf course
5. Monster Truck Event

Day of Nothing

“Day” is a noun that has the following meaning:

1 : the period of rotation of a planet (as earth) or a moon on its axis

“Nothing” is a pronoun with the following meaning:

1 : not any thing : no thing

This phrase that I have concocted at first appears to be a link to Buddhism or a reference to any meditation or meditative state which would take place for a 24 hour period of time. Perhaps if we lived in another country it would mean smoking vast amounts of weed and just starring off into space from sun up to sunset. But the true meaning of a “day of nothing” as I see it is a reflection of time that has no burdens of the negative parts of life.

A day is composed of 24 hours made of 60 minutes made of 60 seconds and so on. Early in life I discovered that life is a construct of control in which those that seek to control things around them, including people, do so by forcing those around them to stick to their schedule and do things the way they want them done. They, them, the man… all references to those distributing the orders of control like the government, parents, teachers, etc... Sadly, years after breaking away from there control, we are still adhering to life in a manner that would please them. Wake up, brush teeth, make bed, eat breakfast, go to work, eat lunch, work some more, cup of coffee, come home, clean house, make dinner, eat dinner, watch TV, brush teeth, go to bed. You know – the routine. Most of it makes sense but in many instances we are slaves to the things that we have to do when in reality, we don’t really have to make the bed or wake up at a decent hour.

So my “day of nothing” is really a way of describing a day of only doing what we WANT to do. No one ever WANTS to go grocery shopping, it’s just a necessity. So hopefully we have filled all of our necessities and are ready to just do what ever it is that we want to do. Fully understood that the only way to pull this off is by creating a schedule of things we want to do which is a clear break from the rules of no rules. None the less:

Wake up when we wake up. Obviously one of us must walk Kilo but return straight to bed. Piles are encouraged.

Breakfast – anything we want to eat! I’m in for some sausage, toast, eggs, OJ and maybe some mimosa! My tummy likes to be fed so I shall feed it. :o)

World Cup – enjoying a good sit while foreign teams battle it out – nice.

Motorcycle ride??? Safety first but let’s go as far north as Marathon (in which case food at Key’s Fisheries would be awesome. On the return trip we can stop at a tiki hut or two. Heck, we can even play mini golf! Notice – it might be too hot for that though… Game time decision. ;o) We could also do No-Name Pub, check out the blue hole? I don’t want to do too much on this trip, just get on the open road see some stuff and come back.

Once home we should be thinking about that pool. It’d be awesome if we were fully prepared with mixed drinks, coronas on ice, etc. It’ll be important to have some shade if we want to stay out for a long time. Notice, we could go out on the later side…

If we eat out for lunch than ordering pizza at night would be awesome. I plan on eating way more than I should and falling asleep on the couch. Ending the day in a pile sounds like the best possible ending to this day of nothing!

I understand this is my version and you might have other things in mind. You are free to differ from the schedule as long as it doesn’t interfere with my need to do nothing. ;o) I’m a nut.

The Art of Negotiating

No better feeling than getting a great deal! No worse than thinking you just got screwed... It's funny because some will fight for every cent at a tag sale and then pay full price for a piece of real estate while others never check their credit card receipt but will only bid half price on a property. People are weird!

Deals are out there to be gotten, here's how:

1) The final Sales Price is on average, 87% of the final List Price. Important to note, the final list price might take a few price reductions to become the FINAL list price. A $1 Million Dollar mansion might sit on the market for 24 months and reduce it's list price $25,000 each month. On the 20th month it'll be listed at $500,000 and then get snatched up for 87% of that list price. The final sales price ends up being $435,000.

2) But you can't offer $435,000 when it's listed at $1,000,000! This insults the seller, gives you a bad reputation and causes agony for your real estate agent... We all have to patiently wait until that list price gets down to where it should be.

3) Know who the seller is. Short-sales and foreclosures may represent the best overall deal but if you don't know where in the process it is, you might be missing the big picture. If the bank has already taken the property back, it will be priced to sell! That means it is not time to negotiate for a half priced sale... Someone is going to snatch it up, and quick (possibly for MORE than the listing price)! When the owner still owns it but the banks are contemplating a foreclosure and the whole process of a short-sale starts, it's time to negotiate a real deal. Half priced offers might work in this scenario because the seller (who is most likely desperate just to get out of the situation) will take anything! A normal sale - it all depends on the seller's motivation. Ask the questions, find out what their situation is. If they don't have to sell, you won't be able to negotiate a sweetheart deal. See rule#2 - be patient.

4) Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): Get your Realtor to do one for you. He doesn't know what you're talking about? Get a new Realtor! A CMA puts it in black and white what has sold and for how much. Market values are always moving - up, down, sideways. Currently, values are dropping 1.25% a month so figure that in. Knowledge is key.

5) Don't blow your spot. Got a pre-approval letter for $500,000? Did you submit it with an offer for $350,000? The seller will make a counter offer. See if you can get your lender to furnish a specific pre-qual letter for exactly what your offer is. A nice letter from your real estate agent saying "My buyers are offering as much as they can possibly afford..." It goes a long way. DO NOT, under any circumstances tell the selling agent how much you REALLY can afford! It's like a game of poker, the less info the other guys got, the better.

6) No such thing as a free lunch... Cash buyers, especially, this means you! If you low ball the heck out of a property and win the bid but the seller has changed your contingencies to no longer include a home inspection? You might not be getting as good of a deal as you think you are. For those that brag about getting a deal 50 cents on the dollar - it's probably just not true. That house was probably worth half as much as it was listed for and you bought it for 100 cents on the dollar!

Always remember the 87% SP to LP ratio. Get a CMA, figure out what the property is worth (what would an appraiser say it's worth) and then offer 80-85% of that. Expect a counter offer and go from there. Work with an agent who speaks and communicates clearly and concisely. Don't fall in love with any one property and happy hunting!

Information on Oil Spill affecting Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 4, 2010 – Preparation is key now for home, business and environment. The following Florida resources offer guidance or direct help.

Landfall predictions

Projections from NOAA indicate weathered oil from the leading edge of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill could impact the Florida Panhandle as early as this week due to a shift in winds and currents.Any impact to Florida's shoreline will likely be highly weathered – tar balls, oil sheen, tar mats or mousse, a pudding-like oil/water mixture that could be brown, rust or orange in color.

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is tracking the oil spill's movement. For an update, visit the NOAA website at: http://www.noaa.gov
• If you spot oil on Florida's coastline report it to the State Warning Point at 1 (877) 2- SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335) or dial #DEP from most cell phones.

Onsite actions

A single website was created to coordinate federal efforts as well as BP initiatives: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

State and federal actions

• The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a Level 2 or partial activation.
• Governor Charlie Crist has issued three Executive Orders since April 30, 2010, declaring a state of emergency in 26 coastal counties that may see impacts. To read the Executive Orders, visit: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#auth
• BP has opened claims offices in Florida. Visit the BP Claims Page toget addresses, phone numbers and to learn more: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/claims.htm

• On May 18, 2010, the Small Business Administration (SBA) opened eight offices in the Panhandle. To date, these offices have issued a total of 150 loan applications. Find an office (PDF format) at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/small_business_admin.pdf

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted water and sediment sampling to use as a baseline for monitoring air quality data should it be affected by the oil spill. Read the reports and get updates as released at: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill

Health effects

There are no indications of any health risks due to the Deepwater Horizon incident so far. The Department of Health and DEP are monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida's beaches and will notice an advisory if conditions become unsafe. To read more about the possible health effects from oil, go to (PDF): http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/faq_doh_051010.pdf

Fishing and seafood

• NOAA extended the boundaries of the closed fishing area in the Gulf of Mexico to the state water line in Alabama and the western tip of Florida's Panhandle. The federal closure does not currently apply to any of Florida's waters, and it's called a precautionary measure. For the latest update, check the Deepwater Horizon website at: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com. Scroll to "Current Ops" at the top and click on "Fish and Wildlife Report."
• Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call (800) 440-0858.
• Report oiled wildlife to the Wildlife Distress Hotline at (866) 557-1401. For the safety of the public as well as the safety of animals, trained responders should conduct rescues.

Tourism

• Florida's tourism website, www.VISITFLORIDA.com, posts up-to-the-minute information on the status of any city or region in Florida. Vacationers may also view live Twitter feeds of any changes. Learn more at: http://www.visitflorida.com/florida_travel_advisory/.
• The Florida State Parks have not felt any effect, but updates on closings, if any, will be posted on their website: http://www.floridastateparks.org. Visitors can also get updates by calling 1 (850) 245-2157.

Tips for homeowners

• Coastal homeowners have inundated the state with calls about what they can do to protect their property. The state has offered suggestions on what is allowed and what to avoid in a single (PDF) file: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/protect_shoreline_tips.pdf

Tips for businesses and consumers

• The Attorney General's fraud hotline is open to receive reports of fraud or price gouging by individuals or companies trying to take advantage of the Gulf oil crisis. Call the hotline at: 1 (866) 966-7226.
• The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner gas price-gouging hotline is also operational. The toll-free hotline number is: 1 (800) HELP-FLA (1-800- 435-7352).
• Coastal businesses should keep good records and make loss of earnings claims for damages incurred as a result of the oil spill. Businesses should file a claim with BP by calling 1 (800) 440- 0858. Learn more at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/oilspill/default.htm or by calling 1 (850) 413-3089 or toll-free at 1 (877) MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

Volunteer opportunities

• The Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is encouraging Floridians and visitors to become a Coast Watch volunteer. To help or to get more information about scheduled beach cleanups and other volunteer opportunities at: www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org.
• BP established a volunteer program and set up a toll-free number for those interested in volunteering. Learn more by calling BP's community information line at 1 (866) 448-5816.

Learn more about Florida's response

• DEP launched a Twitter account, www.Twitter.com/FLDEPalert, dedicated to providing updates on Florida's response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
• For a list of Unified Command, BP and Florida phone numbers, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#numbers
• The Oil Spill Information Line is available at 1 (888) 337-3569 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Additional phone numbers have also been established for persons with disabilities: (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (voice).

© 2010 Florida Realtors®

YTD Update

Key West real estate is doing great and my office is leading the way. Our sales for May 2010 vs 2009 are up 27% and we owned 24% of the market place!

The number of sales in Key West was up 58% (my office being responsible for half of that) and for the second month in a row the $ Volume was up (this month 2010 compared to 2009 up 37%!!!)

At these calculations, Key West real estate has 18 months of inventory left. This is the lowest levels since 2005!!!!

Statistics are fun (they can be used to prove anything) but real life situations are where we find the proof. I'm working with three buying clients right now and it's becoming increasingly difficult to win the bids and purchase the property that is priced correctly. The Sales Price to List Price ratio for May 2010 was over 93! The average is usually 87%. This is symbolic of property values ( less than $350,000) are hitting their bottom.

An example would be, a Salt Ponds condo listed at $145,000 the other day. My clients made a bid of $170,000 ($25,000 higher than the asking price or 117% of the asking price) and we didn't win the bid.

While this isn't the most fun thing to work with at the moment, a general increase in home values will be a true blessing for our little slice of paradise!