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Local Icon Randall Lewis speaks at WEREP!

West End Real Estate Professionals hosts Randall for a “State of the IE” on housing and viewpoints for future!

 

On Friday, January 19th we had the pleasure to hear from Randall Lewis on his insights for the future of housing and projects in the Inland Empire! For the last 15 years or so, Randall has come out 1x per year to give us his insights and updates the projects the Lewis Corporation is working on. We love his talks because they are real, help us in directing our sails for the next 12-24 months.

Average attendance at WEREP.org is 75-100 Real Estate professionals, and when Randall comes, well, we bust out the room, averaging 300-345 people. So that should give some insight on how people value his opinion!

I will include here some nuggets from his talk, also let you know that we have the full video of the talk on our www.Facebook.com/TeamTitleGuy page for you to reference! While you are there, like our page!

  • “Nobody knows what inning we are in, and maybe this recovery is a double header… Feels confident about 2018, 2019…
  • Buy now, but be thoughtful… Buy if possible while interest rates are lower..
  • Density is going to be a big deal moving forward… as much as 17-25 units to an acre.
  • Inland Empire, Hottest market in the States, maybe the world in the industrial markets, and big boxes buildings..
  • Gotta keep housing affordable…
  • Trend in housing still showing more renters… however, goal is still homeownership.. Single Family rental market to be strong..

CLICK HERE for the VIDEO
http://www.facebook.com/TeamTitleGuy

Posted January 19th 8:40 am…

Cannabis, Real Estate & Escrows

Interesting quandary in in California, and several other states that have legalized Cannabis at the state level and the implications that come with it are quite, hmmm different.. Now, this talk is neither whether I am for nor against the legalization and more about dispelling a few myths, and or challenges with the “Marijuana Business.”

Just over one week ago I had the please of hearing one of the best escrow attorneys in Southern California speak. Rose Pothier has arguably got to be one of the most respected, and referenced in her field, and to hear her take was extremely eye opening.

A few items we have been told about legalizing pot:

  • It will bring in Tax Revenue
  • It will lessen Crime & Related Industry
  • It will be regulated, and more controlled as compared to backyard grow operations

Now as Rose started breaking it down and how the industry relates to our wonderful Real Estate Industry, it became glaringly apparent that there are some major issues to contend with for Cannabis related businesses. First, and probably the biggest is that Cannabis is only allowed legally on the State level, and NOT on the Federal level. What does that mean, well, let me break it down.

If you run a business and want to use a debit card, credit card, write checks, do accounting (Officially) and so forth, you need to be able to have a bank account. This is where the largest problem arises. You see banks are Federally chartered, are insured by the FDIC, and use a Federal Reserve wire system. If a business, (bank or escrow company for example) is breaking Federal laws, then the bank, can lose its charter, lose FDIC insurance, and ultimately be shut down.

Wow.. Do you see the dominos falling now? If you can’t have a bank account, then you become a 100% cash business. If you are a cash business, are you sharing your take to pay taxes? Also, if you are a cash business with large amounts of cash, at your place of business, or home, does this make you a target to get robbed?

Soooo, our California state officials spent a long period of time creating full blown report (which I  am attaching, for your reading pleasure) which essentially, is one big circle. They identify that currently under the law, there really is NOT a good solution, and the only real solution starts with the Federal Government reclassifying Cannabus from being grouped with heroin, other opiates, to a lesser drug like alcohol.

Morale of the story: If a bank, escrow, title company gets wind that the transaction they are doing is a Cannabus Related business, the transaction (under current law) cannot be done. 

Questions:

  1. Do you think we are seeing significant Tax Revenue?
  2. Do you think this is lessening crime?
  3. Is it more controlled or less enforceable?

Click Link Below For Report CA State Treasurer:

Cannabis Report

Surprise… 2018 New Tax on Recorded Documents (Huge Increase)

In the name of Affordable housing

Did you know that the recording fees on ALL recorded Documents just went up by 3-5 times the expense. Recording fees used to average $75-100.. Now on all estimates we are quoting $325-350

So for example, if you wanted to change the vesting on a deed, it used to cost about  $20 in recording fee, now will cost you 20 + the $75 tax!

See attached fliers for a further breakdown and a reference guide.

What are your thoughts?

  • Please comment and share below.

 

Be Intentional…

Its a new year and new opportunities are before us. HOW WE RESPOND is up to us.

You see this blog post is simple and based on a philosophy my dad would always tell us…. ” Absolutely, you have a choice, however, what you decide will have implications.” -Jim Orr

You see this concept transfers to ALL areas of life and I am continually reminded of this almost daily.

We need to be careful as to what we allow into our life and how we allow for interruptions! YOUR TIME IS VALUABLE!!! We are told its the most precious asset we have and that we cannot get it back. When we allow other things to take our time, it most likely means its taking time from another area.

Morale of the story, CHOOSE WISELY! (as Yoda would say)

  • What things matter most to you?
  • What are your time hogs?
  • What do you want to do most?
  • What brings you joy?

NOW… Schedule your time out and make it happen!

Not gonna lie, this iOS something I have struggled with, identified and I am battling to make this happen! And I guarantee its UNCOMFORTABLE!

Follow-Up on previous blog post- Unplug The First Hour..

I have been successful about 80% of the time and they have been some of my best mornings! Best mornings so far have been with an audio book, and a run. Less distractions and more thought provoking morning starts. Try it out? Let me know your feedback!

Unemployed Again… Life of a Salesman- End of Month/Year

End Of month/Year
Which one are you…. The DRIVEN or the Scared by this… yes Tic Toc, Tic Toc! It comes down to perspective, you can beat the month before, erase a tough month, year, or continually improve!
I am probably not the only one that loves and hates the end of the month/year, or is that what drives us? Yep, New Year, New Month, and we are starting at ZERO. Ha ha ha! Unemployed & New Opportunity begins! For some this battle can be daunting, and unbearable, and others seem to THRIVE in this environment. I love this opportunity, I THRIVE IN IT..
You see I grew up in a small town outside of Buffalo, New York. When I came home form summer break, I worked 3, 20 hour a week jobs, saved all my money, which seemed to be gone by the end of the first semester back at school. Fresh outta college, I worked “Quick-Fixing cars” renting units out on the dream of becoming management and the security of the salary! (which was not that much)
YOU ARE WORTH XXXXXXXX….. What’s that number for YOU? (are you willing to allow someone to put a number in the blank)
At first I was scared of the thought, and I wanted stability. It did not take long to learn that in sales, when you take care of your clients needs and interests that the rewards follow.
You see, so many have been sold the idea that security is in a fixed number, and they feel security in this number? While others like me feel trapped just thinking about that mindset. We learned after the last crash that the only folks that are truly secure in their position in a downturn are those who can adapt, and see through adversity!
(Full Disclosure. During the crash, I did look to see what else I could do, and tried to find a J O B. However, That proved to be a challenge, and it made me realize the opportunity I currently had and how incredible it was. I just needed to see this through the hard time)
What does this teach us? Hmmmm Let’s take a look… (Month end/Year End Self-Inventory) 
  • Stay Actively searching for ideas and ways to improve
  • Monitor Trends
  • Be willing to collaborate and Mindshare
  • Become a lynchpin
  • Get involved in your community
  • Give till it hurts
  • Remember your why
  • Be Humble
  • Be Creative & Fun
Simple thoughts and ideas, however, we need to be reminded from time to time.. As we stare down the end of the year or month, do a mental inventory! Write ideas on paper, or in an app like Evernote, and continually look to improve. Analyze whats working and whats not, and be fast to act on whats not getting the results you need or desire.
Mindshare thoughts: 
Cliche’
We become most like who we associate with! 
 
“Your Dream Team” -Choose Wisely
Yes this is true, so make sure the people (your team) you spend the most time with challenge you to be better other wise your results may be suffering do to “Debbie Downer Syndrome!” Never underestimate the value of input from those you respect the most. Before making any large decision for your business, its INVALUABLE to the outside/unbiased opinion of those who you trust. It could save you from countless headaches and save you thousands in challenges.
In sales no matter the business, we are our own business within a business, and NO ONE can tell us what we are worth, only WE can decide that for ourselves. I love the sales industry, because I am NOT AFRAID to hustle and work smart and hard! I will put the hours in to out hustle my competition, and I love the reward that comes from it too.
“Nobody puts baby in a corner!” – Dirty Dancing
Thats right, WE choose… I love sales because I love the hunt, and I love getting rewarded for the effort we put in!
If you can DRIVE A NUMBER, YOU will NEVER GO HUNGRY!!! My challenge for you is to stay motivated, write down your whys, and write down your goals and desires for the new year and start knocking them out!
My Mantra I would like to share..
People say you are “Lucky!”
My response,
“You are damn right I am, cause the true definition of luck is where HARD WORK meets opportunity!“
Hence my favorite hashtag is #CreateYourOwnLuck.
Go out there and earn your unfair share, cause YOU who work for it more than deserve it!

The 1st Hour… Unplug… Can you?

(Currently I am GUILTY)
We are in an ATTENTION BATTLEFIELD!
Are you like me and have struggled with this? We wake up and the first thing we grab is…… our cell phone!! We are so compelled to see whats going on, what email we missed, who text us, and more importantly, how many likes on FB! When did it become okay to become a slave to anything? Yet, here we are, a slave to our devices, and the dopamine we get from the device.
If you didn’t do this how would life be different?
Might there be “ME” time, time to breathe, time to read or collect your thoughts before the day is to start and the stresses that come with it!
ideas:
  • Devotional
  • Study Time
  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Read
We speak a bunch about what we “should” be doing and that we need to “focus” on, but are we! I believe making this change will have huge implications!
We need to set our minds to it and make the changes that make US better, for ourselves, our families, and for our employers.
Maybe its a new month, a renewed mantra, a new year…. Whatever it is for you., put down the PHONE, invest the 1st hour in YOURSELF! Learn, Grow, Clear your mind and get RIGHT for the the day!
Take the challenge… Can you do it for 14 days or more?
Questions:
  • What do you think would improve if you did this
  • Are you willing to jump in with me on this
  • Will you comment, share your HONEST feedback on how this goes?
Maybe for you its starting at a Coffee Shop with your favorite Book, audio book? or Devotional!
#LetsDoThis!
Ryan