San Diego, California
A collection of notes and observations by Saul Klein, CEO of Point2 Technologies and InternetCrusade.
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2007
Dec. 31, 2007
Categorized in: Announcements
On January 1st I assume my new responsibilities as the CEO of Point 2 Technologies. I fly to Saskatoon early tomorrow morning (New Year’s Day) to spend a week at Point2 before heading to New York City to attend Inman Connect. I have a lot of work to do to get a firm understanding of all the products and services, hardware and software, and also the current management structure and all the people working at Point2. Having said that, I have already spent considerable time on this and my major areas of emphasis for 2008 will be:
People:
Employees - The biggest investment and greatest asset of the company, of many if not most companies, are the employees. Happy, satisfied employees insure the best performance. My background as a Naval Officer leads me to put people above all else. One of my favorite leadership quotes is by John Paul Jones, Father of the US Navy..."Men mean more than guns in the rating of a ship." Working with the Team at Point2, stressing the value of the Team, and working to build the Team is high on my list of priorities.
Customers – Our customers deserve the best, and consumers will remain loyal to a company that puts them first. First rate customer service will continue to be emphasized at Point2 as we work to exceed expectations at every opportunity. I will be looking to our customers to help us make our products and services better and more useful than ever. The best way to ensure our customers get the most out of the products and services is to provide them with effective and convenient training, which will continue and grow at Point2.
Product Development:
Developing products our customers can use, based in large part on what our customers tell us they want and need. I will continue to spend two weeks a month (instead of three weeks) traveling around the US and Canada, talking to REALTORS, Real Estate Associations, MLSs, Brokers and Managers, and also communicating with our customers in the heavy equipment sector, essentially working to understand what our customers need so they can serve the changing consumer needs…putting technology to work in their business. The real estate industry continues to transition, in part due to generational differences. At Point2 we will work to help define the future, not just react to it.
Revenue:
Exploring old and new revenue opportunities to fund existing and new projects for the benefit of our customer base and the company.
Alliances:
Joining together with the best to bring our customers the best. Few companies can do it on their own -- strategic alliances, partnerships, and shared services are critical to the success of most companies today.
And what about InternetCrusade?
We will continue to provide the products and services to which our customers have become accustomed. Look for more innovation at RealTown, new online courses, enhanced e-mail services, more SSO (Single Sign On), Security Solutions, and Strategic Alliances and Partnerships. I will spend one week a month and weekends in San Diego (which is the same amount of time I have been spending in San Diego since April 2002). At IC we have the technologies in place (developed in-house by our programmers) that allow me to run the business without a constant presence in San Diego. I also have my partners John Reilly and Mike Barnett, and my “Secret Weapon,” our Chief Operating Officer, Janie (who is also my wife and takes care of the details of the company), and our staff of 40 fantastic people who make me look good.
Have a safe and Prosperous 2008!
Saul
Dec. 30, 2007
Despite what you may read in the financial
press, real estate has always been and continues to be, the IDEAL investment.
The best real estate most of us will ever own is the real estate we bought
yesterday (or last year, or ten years ago, or even longer ago). Everyone you
talk to wants to own real estate. Few people will tell you they purchased more
real estate than they should have. In fact, just the opposite is true. Most people
will tell you that they wish they had purchased, and held on to, more real
estate over their lifetime. The major drawback of real estate as an investment
in years past has been its liquidity. For the most part, and particularly with
technology and the Internet, that is no longer much of an issue. Properly
priced property sells and real estate can be turned into cash should the need
arise. The secret of course (not much of a secret), is not to be forced to sell
but to sell when the market will yield the greatest return to you, the
investor. "Buy low, sell high" is sage advice, but when it comes to
real estate. "Buy, hold for a long time, sell" will almost always
yield fantastic overall investment results.
Real Estate Investment Objectives:
Income - Real estate investments structured with enough down
payment, will generate a positive cash flow. As time passes, in most markets,
even a highly leveraged, negative cash flow property can turn into a positive
cash flow investment.
Depreciation - Theoretical Depreciation is the tax deduction one
can use against the income real estate produces. Depreciation is a "non
cash expenditure." Residential income property is usually depreciated over
27.5 years. Only the improvements are depreciable, not the land.
Equity Build-up - This results from the periodic pay down of the
principal amount of the loan, usually through monthly payments on an amortized
loan. Even if there is no appreciation over the life of the loan, the property owner
would end up with a free and clear property at the end of the loan payment
period on a fully amortized loan. This is usually a 30 year period on
residential property.
Appreciation - While the amount of appreciation varies from market
to market, real estate is a growth asset and often the largest part of the
return on an investment in real estate is the equity gained through
appreciation. Even small amounts of appreciation year after year can be
considerable. Usually, the longer you hold on to a property, the
better. The effect of appreciation is greatly magnified by the use of
leverage.
Leverage - Through the use of borrowed money (OPM - Other
People's Money), combined with a small amount of money of your own, you can
control real property. The best leverage most of us can obtain in the stock
market is 50%. In real estate, it is not unusual to obtain 80%, 90%, and even
100% leverage. With leverage usually comes risk, and with risk comes potential
for investment reward.
In addition to the IDEAL as stated
above, real estate investments have potential additional tax benefits -
Investors are allowed to write-off (within income limitations) all operating
expenses, interest on loans secured by the property, and property taxes. Also,
Gain from the sale of real estate is treated as capital gain and investors also
have the option of exchanging which, if done in accordance with the tax laws
(IRC 1031), can result in partial to no recognized gain, which effects the
immediate cash tax consequence.
What are you willing to pay today for a
real estate investment to enjoy the IDEAL benefits outlined above? In other
words, what is the "present worth of future benefits" to be derived
from a real estate investment? We would refer to this as the value, and there
are different types of value.
FAIR MARKET VALUE - The
highest monetary price which a property would bring, if offered for sale for a
reasonable period of time in a competitive market, to a seller who is willing
but not compelled to sell, from a buyer, willing but not compelled to buy, both
parties being fully informed of all the purposes to which the property is best
adapted and is capable of being used.
Loan Value - Since a lenders security for a
real estate loan is the sale of the real estate in the event of default on the
loan, loan value is usually a conservative estimate of market value.
Value is determined three different ways,
known as Approaches to Value by appraisers. The three Approaches to Value
are the Market Data Approach, the Cost Approach, and the Income Approach.
Keep in mind that future income is impacted,
positively or negatively by the "Four Great Forces" that influence
value. Investors should be cognizant of these forces in the areas in which they
own property or plan to own real estate. These "forces" will have an
impact on the income which can be generated from any given property and the
value of income producing property is directly related to the income the
property produces.
The Forces Influencing Value are:
1. Physical Forces - the quality and
convenience of schools, shopping centers, playgrounds, transportation systems,
etc. It also includes the climatic conditions.
2. Social Forces - Population growth or
decline; Marriage, divorce and birth rates; educational and religious
standards.
3. Economic Forces - Business and real estate
cycles, variations in directional growth, natural resources, wage levels, tax
levels and insurance schedules.
4. Political Forces - Zoning, fire and police
protection, government loan and other subsidy programs.
Value by the Numbers
1. Gross Multipliers - Value=GSI X GM
Does not take into consideration expenses.
2. The value of income producing property is
directly related to the net income the property produces. The greater the net
income, the greater the value. Net income can be increased by increasing gross
income, by decreasing expenses, or a combination of both.
Income - Rent amounts are usually controlled
by supply and demand
It is net income that we are most concerned
with
Gross Scheduled Income
-Vacancy and Uncollectible Rent
Effective Gross Income
-Operating Expenses (Fixed and Variable)
Net Income
-Debt Service
Cash Flow
-Added Taxes
Net Spendable
Increases and decreases in income increase
and decrease value.
If you can increase the net income by increasing
rents or decreasing expenses, you increase the value.
Income = Rate X Value - You can use this as a
comparison without understanding capitalization rate.
Changes in value based on changes in income.
3. Value by Tire Kicking
Cost per Unit
Unit Composition
Parking
Noise
Type of Roof
Individual Utility Meters
Size of Units
Seller Financing Assistance
Deferred Maintenance
Individual Water Heaters
Modern Kitchen
Orientation, Light or Dark
Price per Square Foot
Put on your tenants hat
What about assemblage and plottage
Rents and the Rental Market Place
You, as an investor, should be able to
determine the dynamics of the rental market and in fact, should not purchase
until you thoroughly acquainted with it.
Contract Rent - what is being paid under the
existing rental agreements and for how long.
Economic Rent - what could be charged on the
open market if the property were readily available.
Consider Rent as to:
Quantity - how much is collected
Quality - financial stability of the tenant. For
commercial property, you can ask to see the financial statements of commercial
tenants if the lease so provides. For residential income property, review the
rental applications of tenants.
Durability - if the property is residential,
you may be concerned if the term of the lease is for a prolonged period. If the
property is commercial, industrial or office type, you want the lease term to
be at least three to five years.
How do you determine market rents? You call. Do
continuous rent surveys. Be up to date in your market area.
Saul
Saul Klein
President/CEO, InternetCrusade
Have you visited RealTown.com recently? One of the oldest, largest and most
respected online communities in the real estate industry has been totally
redesigned and offers a wealth of information. Go to http://RealTown.com and check it out today!
Dec. 25, 2007
Categorized in: Publishing
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Numbah One Day of Christmas
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See the Palm Tree Dance in the Hawaiian Breezes as Saul Klein Sings
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December 25th, 2007 - 12:01 am
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Numbah One Day of Christmas
(The 12 Days of Christmas Hawaiian style)
Click This Link To Hear Saul Sing
 Numbah One day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Two day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Tree day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Foah day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
For flower leis, Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Five day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
FIVE BIG FAT PIGS,
For flower leis, Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Seex day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Six hula lesson,
FIVE BIG FAT PIGS,
For flower leis, Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Seven day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Seven fish a-swimming, Six hula lesson,
FIVE BIG FAT PIGS,
For flower leis, Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Eight day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Eight ukulele, Seven fish a-swimming, Six hula lesson,
FIVE BIG FAT PIGS,
For flower leis, Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Nine day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Nine pound a poi, eight ukulele, Seven fish a-swimming,
Six hula lesson,
FIVE BIG FAT PIGS,
For flower leis, Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Ten day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Ten can a beer, nine pound a poi, Eight ukukleles,
Seven fish a-swimming, Six hula lesson,
FIVE BIG FAT PIGS,
For flower leis, Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Eleven day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Leven hula dancers, Ten can a beer, Nine pound a poi,
Eight ukuleles, Seven fish a-swimming, Six hula lesson,
FIVE BIG FAT PIGS,
For flower leis, Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree.
Numbah Twelve day of Christmas, my tutu give to me (we save da bes for las)
Wun dozen masaladas (from Leonard's),
Leven hula dancers,
Ten can a beer,
Nine pound a poi,
Eight ukuleles,
Seven fish a-swimming,
Six hula lesson,
FIVE BIG FAT PIGS,
For flower leis, Tree dried squid, Too coconuts,
and Wun Minah Bird in Wun Papaya Tree!
 Aloha and Mele Kaleke Maka,
Saul
Saul Klein
President/CEO InternetCrusade
Click the Dancing Palm Tree and Hear Saul Sing
Dec. 25, 2007
This is the time of year we begin to plan for the new year...the time we
examine and re-examine our personal goals and objectives. Our goals for
the
year should serve our longer range goals...our 5 year, 10 year, and
lifetime goals.
Goals:
1. Must be in writing
2. Must be measurable
3. Are anticipated events or results
4. When valued, become priorities
A long term goal for most real estate professionals (most working
people) is to achieve Financial Freedom, which is attainable by
understanding a few
simple concepts...the first being that small amounts of money saved and
compounded over long periods of time turn into large sums of money.
Another
important concept is keeping track of where you spend your money, for
business, everyday living and pleasure.
Some practical tips:
Since money is important to the conduct of your life and business,
commit to making ledger (or software such as Quicken) recordings of your
expenses
every day.
Most of us spend money on average, 4 to 5 times a day. We either:
1. Pay cash
2. Charge on a credit or debit card
3. Write a check
Four to Five entries into Quicken (or into a ledger) each day will take
no more than 5 minutes...and that 5 minutes a day will lead you to
financial
freedom...yes financial freedom.
Here is the secret...you must be committed to your financial success. It
must become a small part of your daily life. Commitment is the key. The
following is one of the best and most inspirational comments on
commitment ever written. Read it...memorize it...think about it. Look at
your past successes and you will probably find personal evidence of the
truth and power of this statement. I know I did and do everyday.
>>
Until one is committed
There is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,
Always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation
There is one elementary truth,
The ignorance of which kills countless ideas
And splendid plans:
That the moment one commits oneself,
Then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one
That would otherwise never have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
Raising in one's favor all manner
Of unforeseen incidents and meetings
And material assistance
Which no man could have dreamt
Would have come his way.
I have learned a deep respect
For one of Goethe's couplets:
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can - begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it".
W.N. Murray
The Scottish Himalayan Expedition, 1951
<<
Commitment to your personal Financial Freedom is the first step
achieving it.
Saul
Saul Klein e-PRO/GRI
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
President, InternetCrusade
1993 President, San Diego Association of REALTORS
1999 REALTOR of the Year
Sign up for e-PRO: http://www.eProNAR.com
(619) 283-7302 Fax: (619) 283-7343 MailTo:Saul@InternetCrusade.com
Dec. 25, 2007
About 10 years ago I created a 100 page manuscript on the
topic of personal financial planning and began to teach a two day program with
the goal of helping the attendees create the framework of a personal financial
plan and a check list to complete and implement it. The following is from that
manuscript. Make 2008 your year to put your personal financial plan in place.
Financial Freedom by Saul
Klein
Achieving Financial Freedom requires consistent review of
one’s goals, objectives and priorities, and commitment to the accomplishment
of those goals and objectives based on those priorities.
Defining your goals and objectives can be a difficult
task. But doing so is critical. Without clearly defined goals, successful
financial planning, and
the result of successful financial planning, Financial
Freedom, is rarely possible.
General Personal and
Financial Objectives:
Enhancing your net worth through financial strategies
which are congruent with your personal goals and consistent with your attitudes
toward investing
and tolerance for risk.
·
Protecting your accumulated assets from erosion
caused by inflation.
·
Optimizing your cash flow over the planning
period.
·
Preventing loss of capital by minimizing risk.
·
To maintain a comfortable standard of living (or
exceptional standard of living) for yourself and family.
·
Achieving a better understanding of individual
financial planning.
·
Maintaining sufficient liquidity to respond to
unforeseen emergencies, or opportunities.
·
Coordinating and effectively manage your financial
affairs.
Cash Management
Objectives:
·
Increase funds available for investment and
lifestyle through more effective cash management.
·
Simplify your system of managing your cash.
·
Maximize the return on your cash accounts.
Tax Planning Objectives
·
Reduce your personal income tax liability.
·
Understand the remaining few tax-advantaged
investments.
·
Manage your tax records more effectively.
Investment Management
Objectives:
·
Optimize the return on your invested capital
consistent with your tolerance for risk.
·
Establish a balanced, diversified investment
portfolio.
·
Understand the use of leverage and determine
your appropriate level of debt.
Risk Management
Objectives:
Evaluate the appropriateness and cost effectiveness of your
current insurance coverage Life
·
Disability
·
Casualty
·
Medical)
·
Business
·
Errors and Omission
Specific Funding
Objectives:
·
Accumulate adequate assets to provide you and
your family a comfortable retirement, without disabling loss of purchasing
power during your "golden
years".
·
Provide funds for a quality education for your
children.
Estate Planning
Objectives:
·
Minimize estate and inheritance tax.
·
Allow for the orderly and efficient distribution
of your assets in accordance with your wishes.
·
Reduce the burden of estate management for your
heirs.
Although these are separate and distinct objectives, they
are not mutually exclusive. By viewing all areas of your finances as a
comprehensive whole,
taking into account all the interrelationships among all
the financial issues you face, you control the financial events in your life
rather than
the other way around.
Financial Planning is:
·
Bringing the future into the present so you can
do something about it today
·
A philosophy
·
A state of mind
·
It is not a destination, it is a road. (The road
to success is always under construction)
·
It is a continuous effort of research,
education, and self-motivation.
·
It is continuously reviewing objectives,
weighing alternatives, and making choices.
Saul
Saul Klein e-PRO/GRI
Certified Financial Planner
(CFP)
President/CEO, InternetCrusade
1993 President, San Diego Association of REALTORS
1999 REALTOR of the Year
Sign up for e-PRO: http://www.eProNAR.com
(619) 283-7302 Fax: (619) 283-7343 MailTo:Saul@InternetCrusade.com
Dec. 25, 2007
Financial Freedom - How to Quantify your Objectives and Beginning the
Journey
When you mention retirement to many people in the real estate business
they will tell you that they "never want to retire." That is a cop out.
If
selling real estate forever is your idea of a good time, then you are
retired right now.and you still need a reserve fund for those slow
periods
in the economic cycle so you can do "whatever you want to do, whenever
you want to do it, with whomever you want to do it with."
One of the reasons so few people achieve Financial Freedom is that they
fail to quantify their objectives. How can you get to where you want to
go if you
don't know where it is? You must have a target. From there you can
develop a planning horizon and a savings and investment strategy. In a
previous
article we discussed different funding objectives. Here, we will
consider the big one, retirement. The methodology is the same for any of
your
specific funding objectives.
Consider that there are 3 primary methods of generating income:
1. You at work - slavery
2. Others working for you - slave owner
3. Your assets at work - Money is the best employee; money never sleeps,
money never gets sick, money never takes a vacation.ultimately, you want
the
bulk of your income derived from this income generating method.
Your goal is less of 1 and 2 above and more of number 3
To arrive at this point in your life (some call this retirement), you
must increase your net worth over your working career, saving what you
can to get
to a point where your financial needs are met by the money you have
accumulated, suitably invested (suitability is a conversation for
another time).
So how much money must you accumulate, and how do you accumulate what
will no doubt be a substantial sum? Let's tackle the amount first.
You begin by deciding how much money per month you require to maintain
the standard of living you are looking forward to in retirement. You can
change
this number anytime you like.it is your retirement, but we need to start
somewhere. Let's assume that number is $6,000 per month (and that
includes
the state and federal income tax required).
$6,000 per month is an annual income of $72,000 per year.
Now let's pick a conservative rate of return.5% (you can change this as
well;if you can get more than 5%, you will need to accumulate less, but
we
must make some assumptions or we remain stuck in inaction).
The formula we use is one that is familiar to most real estate
professionals:
Income = Principal x Rate ( x Time, Time being 1 year)
Our Financial Freedom Target is the amount of money invested (Principal)
at 5% (Rate) resulting in $72,000 per year (Income).
Dividing $72,000 by 5% (.05) results in $1,440,000
To generate $72,000 in income from capital invested at 5%, you need to
accumulate $1,440,000 over your working career. You must accumulate this
money from the money you earn and from the money your invested money
earns.
How is that possible you might ask? If you are like most people, there
is too much month at the end of the money.
Simply stated you must:
1. Increase savings
2. Reduce taxes
3. Reduce luxuries (for the time being)
4. Live more efficiently (financially)
5. Make your invested dollars work harder
Of all the areas we consider in financial planning, effective month to
month cash management can contribute most to your goal of increasing
your net
worth and gaining control over your financial affairs. It doesn't matter
how complex your financial situation is, it all boils down to this: you
earn
money on one hand and spend it on the other. What remains before
investment spending is "gross cash flow." This is the amount you can
manipulate to
increase your net worth.
If you haven't read Clauson's "The Richest Man in Babylon," I highly
recommend it. In it Clauson gives us the "Seven Cures of a Lean Purse."
1. 10% of all I earn is mine to keep. I will learn to live comfortably
on 90% of my income.
2. Put my money to work earning more money, and that money to work in
turn.
(Saul's note: Invest it in assets that:1. Increase in value 2. Earn
income
3. Increase in value and earn income)
4. Guard my money from loss. Know about what I do. (Knowledge)
5. Own my house.
6. Provide in advance for my old age and the needs of my family.
7. Cultivate my own powers. Become wiser and more skilled.
Pay Yourself First
Pay the most important person in your life, you, first. You pay yourself
10% of what you earn before you pay anyone else. You then discipline
yourself to
live on the other 90%. Master this and you are on your way to Financial
Freedom.
Financial Success Secret: Small amounts of money accumulated and
compounded over long periods of time really add up. The real magic is
time and consistency.
If you were to save 10% of your annual income for 16 years, earning an
average of 16% compounded annually, you could replicate that income
forever
on the interest earned on the accumulated capital!
Of critical importance to achieving Financial Freedom is the magic of
compound interest.
Saul
Saul Klein e-PRO/GRI/CFP/JIM/JPO/USNA '72
President, InternetCrusade
1993 President, San Diego Association of REALTORS
1999 REALTOR of the Year
Sign up for e-PRO: http://www.eProNAR.com
(619) 283-7302 Fax: (619) 283-7343 MailTo:Saul@InternetCrusade.com
Dec. 2, 2007
Categorized in: RealTalk Notes
A recent comment on RealTalk: "I am not sure at this point what a well thought out Ineternet marketing strategy would be, or how to get results."
My response:
Your target market should be a market you access to, or one within which you have influence or are already known.
1. Your neighborhood or subdivisions within your neighborhood.
2. Your social circles such as friends, family, church, clubs, etc.
Begin by telling everyone you know that you are in the real estate business. Tell them that you are in the business and would appreciate their business and any referrals. Tell them on a regular basis. Don't be shy about this. If your friends and family will not do business or send business to you, who will.
Always ask, "have I done everything possible to earn your referral business?
Create online profiles on MySpace, FaceBook, RealTown, and Zillow...remember, you want as many people as possible to find you.
If you have any spare time, take "up time" if your office has such a thing. Sit other people's open houses. While sitting the open house, work on your blog.
Real estate is a numbers game. Some Suspects will become Prospects. Some Prospects will become Clients. The average term of homeownership is 5 to 8 years so not everyone you talk to today will need your service today, but talk too as many people as possible and meet as many new people as possible every single day. Make it a point to give away at least 35 business cards a day. Write down the following and put them on your wall and look at them frequently"
Be Found
The marketing you do today creates the business of tomorrow
Put your name in front of people over and over again
Be Different
Remember, if someone sees your marketing today, it will be easier for them to see your marketing tomorrow.
What do your have to market, each and everyday?
Yourself, Your Services, Your Listings
Establish your Vision today, then begin to plan to achieve that vision. Create a business plan, a technology plan, a marketing plan, and a web site plan.
Make sure you have a permanent e-mail address and a permanent phone number.
Do all these things and a little luck will be sure to find you, and your real estate career will grow.
Saul
Nov. 29, 2007
The most important football game of the year, the most
intense college rivalry with the most tradition, Army Vs Navy, will be played
on Saturday as Cadets of Army meet the Midshipman of Navy (United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy) for
the 108th time in Philadelphia (Philadelphia is about equidistant
from both Academies (West Point New York and Annapolis Maryland) so it was
always considered neutral ground and has been the site of most of the Army Navy
games).
I know what some of you may be thinking, what about UCLA and
USC, or Ohio State and Michigan? Usually these schools have much better teams
with much better records. I’m not hearing it, nothing compares to Army
Navy. The game is watched by service men and women around the world, and is
often attended by the President of the United States, who traditionally sits on
the Navy side of the field for half of the game, and the Army side for the
other half. The players are there for one reason, and it is not to go on and
play in the NFL.
It is such an important part of the life of a Midshipman
(and of Cadets as well), that it is one of the 4 annual events from which
Academy life is generally reckoned. Any Plebe can tell you how many days until:
1.
The next leave (time off)
2.
Second Class Ring Dance (the dance and evening when USNA
Juniors can “legally” wear their class ring)
3.
First Class Graduation (the day seniors graduate and
are commissioned in the Navy or Marine Corp)
4.
“We Beat the Hell out of Army (sir!)!
In my days as a Mid, 1968 through 1972, “when ships were
made of wood and men were made of steel,” the day of the game began with
reveille at 0400 (4:00 AM), followed by Morning Meal Formation and then down to
the mess hall for breakfast of “legs and eggs” (fried chicken legs
and scrambled eggs). On the tables were the makings for sandwiches and lunch,
which everyone made for the bus ride up to Philadelphia. The Academy chartered
about 40 buses for the trip and it was quite a caravan. Our lunches were
usually gone by 8:00 AM, who could wait to eat?
Upon arrival at the old JFK Stadium near
the Philadelphia Naval Yard, we “formed up” by Company for the
“March On.” It was always a thrill to enter a stadium of 100,000
cheering fans, and broadcast on national television (instant replay was
introduced at the Army Navy Game in 1963).
For many years the game was held on Thanksgiving Weekend
Saturday. It changed a few years back to the first Saturday in December. We
always attended class on Saturday at the Academy but Army Navy game was
different. We all got Thanksgiving Day off, attended our normal Saturday
classes on Thanksgiving Friday, and then off to the game in Philly early
Saturday Morning.
At the end of the game the alma maters of the
losing team and then the winning team are played and sung by all the Mids and
Cadets. The winning team stands alongside the losing team and faces the losing
academy side; then the losing team accompanies the winning team, facing the
winning Academy’s side. This is done in a show of mutual respect and
solidarity, as we considered ourselves “comrades in arms.” Another
tradition for plebes was to make your way down to the field after the game,
meet with a plebe from the other Academy, and exchange a cuff link, which you
then wore the rest of your time at the Academy (on the left arm, so it would
not be visible when you saluted, lest you be put on report for being out of
uniform). I still have that cufflink I got from that Army plebe in November of
1968.
No matter the outcome, there will always be
another Army Navy Game, and the continuation of a great rivalry. Those of us
who have lived it, know there is nothing that compares.
Go Navy, BEAT ARMY!
Saul
Saul
Klein
President/CEO,
Oct. 28, 2007
As many of you know, I travel just about every week. This
usually means 4 flights a week. Over the last 20 years I have been to more
airports than I care to remember. What makes one airport better than another?
For me, things like:
1.
Being able to pick up your rental car without riding on
a bus (not the case at most major airports).
2.
Short security lines
And something not offered at many airports, but offered at
my home airport in San Diego (Lindberg Field)…booties to put on your feet
when you take your shoes off to go through the security line. And today,
something new in San Diego and something I have not experienced at any other
airport…free wi-fi. Not just in a special area, but everywhere in the
terminal. This is a very nice convenience. And, even though I have a Verizon
Wireless Connection, tapping into the free wi fi is a new treat. Good job to
the folks running the San Diego Airport.
Saul
Saul
Klein
President/CEO,
InternetCrusade
Have you
visited RealTown.com recently? RealTown.com, the oldest, largest and most
respected online community and network in the real estate industry has been
totally redesigned and offers a wealth of information. Go to http://RealTown.com and check it out today!
Oct. 26, 2007
The National Association of Realtors®, through the
REALTORS® Relief Foundation, is donating a half-million dollars to help the
victims of the disastrous wildfires that have swept California and left
thousands of people homeless…
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2007/nar_donates_half_million_california_wildfire.html
You can make a donation at:
https://www.realtor.org/RelFundTrack.nsf/Contribution?OpenForm
The REALTORS® Relief Foundation was established to
provide to needy victims of disasters (including, but not limited to affected relief
and rescue workers), and their families, assistance with housing-related needs
arising out of such disasters, and for other charitable purposes permitted
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation may elect
to provide assistance primarily or solely to victims who are members of the
National Association of Realtors®.
Saul
Saul Klein
President/CEO, InternetCrusade
Have you visited RealTown.com recently? RealTown.com, the
oldest, largest and most respected online community and network in the real
estate industry has been totally redesigned and offers a wealth of information.
Go to http://RealTown.com and check it out today!
Oct. 14, 2007
Report of Saul Klein, CAR Director and MLS Committee
Regional Representative, Region 24
Anaheim, CA
Saturday, October 13, 2007:
After Four days of explanation and debate, the California
Association of REALTORS Board of Directors approved a motion, clearing the way
for a voluntary statewide MLS. The motion, created by the MLS Working Group
(The MLS Working Group was established by past CAR president Jim Hamilton 2 ½
years ago), was changed at the last minute this morning by the Working Group
prior to being placed on the floor. The change to the Working Group motion
reflected the specific type of entity to be created…that entity
being a not for profit, mutual benefit association.
At the MLS Committee meeting on Friday, the MLS Committee
created its own motion which was offered as a substitute motion to the Board of
Directors. The MLS Committee motion directed the MLS Working Group to prepare a
more detailed business plan prior to creating the entity and was
rejected by the directors. The MLS Committee motion, made by past MLS Committee
Chair Bob Hart, was passed by a unanimous vote at the Committee, before being
rejected as a substitute motion for the Working Group motion, by the Board of
Directors.
There has been great forward movement by MLSs in California
to form “super regional” MLSs and this forward movement can be
contributed in part to the work of the Working Group, applying an indirect
pressure, as it worked to advance the MLS Statement of Principles in the
state (see statement of principles below).
Technologies and rules for cooperation are already being created at the
regional level and could reduce some of the time to make a statewide MLS a
reality in California.
Motion:
The MLS working Group recommends formation of an entity to
develop a statewide hybrid MLS with a single data base. This system could be
used as a primary MLS at a local Association’s option, or as an
aggregated data base by local Associations or Regional MLSs.
Further that the following be formed
a.
An MLS Rules working group of the MLS Committee to
recommend statewide rules to be used in the statewide Hybrid MLS for report in
January.
b.
An MLS Statewide Governance working group to recommend a
specific governance structure for report in January.
c.
An MLS Standards Subcommittee Group to report through
the MLS Committee to recommend data standards and report in January.
d.
An AE working group to recommend the most efficient and
member-oriented approach on which services should be retained at the local
level.
Finally, that the previously approved $500,000 also fund
minor expenses of the working groups. (Note that none of the $500,000approved
at the June meeting has been used).
Saul
Saul
Klein
President/CEO,
InternetCrusade
Have you
visited RealTown.com recently? RealTown.com, the oldest, largest and most
respected online community and network in the real estate industry has been
totally redesigned and offers a wealth of information. Go to http://RealTown.com and check it out today!
>>
MLS Working Group Statement of
Principles
(Adopted by the C.A.R. Board of
Directors 9/24/2005)
1. MLS data needs to be fully standardized with local options for
data field variation.
We believe that local customization of MLS data fields has made
the comparison of data between MLS’s unnecessarily complex. A lack of
uniformity has created artificial boundaries that impede the efficient
operation of the market and the ability of REALTORS® to service their clients.
We support universal data fields that are standard across all MLS’s while
also recognizing the need for adding local descriptors.
2. California REALTORS® should have universal access to all MLS
data.
C.A.R. members are licensed by the state Department of Real Estate
and as such are able to sell property throughout California. Consumers have
access to statewide and even nationwide listings through a variety of data
aggregation sites on the Internet. In order for REALTORS® to provide their
clients with the information they want, California REALTORS® should have access
to all listing data in the state. Shared databases and reciprocal agreements
should be strongly encouraged.
3. Use of MLS data and its distribution to third parties should be
controlled by the brokers who provide the data.
We believe that a listing represents intellectual capital and that
the process of creating a listing is a value-enhancing activity. Brokers
entering into an exclusive agreement with sellers accept the responsibility for
marketing the property and should have control over distribution of the listing
data. The rampant and uncontrolled dissemination of valuable listing
information on the Internet has increased the cost of doing business and
devalued the role of the agent and broker in this process.
4. MLS entities should exist for the benefit of the participants
and subscribers.
We believe that MLS fees should be set at a rate that gives the MLS
and/or the Local Association a fair return for delivery of MLS services. We
believe that local Associations of REALTORS® provide valuable services to their
members. These include services and activities that advocate for homeownership,
ethics and professionalism in the industry. We believe that local AOR’s
should be adequately and fairly compensated for these services, including those
that may be directly associated with an MLS. 1 2
5.. MLS rules should be uniform
and enforced consistently.
Over the years the relevant market area for many brokers and
agents has expanded beyond the artificial boundaries of now out-dated MLS
regions. As a result brokers are increasingly operating in multiple MLS
environments and facing complex issues related to the disparities in rules,
regulations and enforcement governing different MLS’s. We believe rules
should be established that simplify and enhance the experience of MLS users
across systems. To that end we believe that the C.A.R. Model MLS Rules should
form the basis to develop statewide rules and standards of enforcement.
6. MLS Boards of Directors should include broker owners with
appropriate regional representation.
We believe that broker involvement in MLS governance is critical.
The MLS is the single most important business tool in the real estate industry
and as such the provision of MLS services should be accountable to all
participants. We believe it is imperative that brokers from both large and
small firms be given representation on MLS Boards.
<<
Oct. 4, 2007
I read in USA Today this morning that the television show,
"Leave it to Beaver" turns 50 this month. Back in 1957,
I was 8 years old. I remember how odd it was that there were all those numbers on the TV dial…12 of them plus UHF…or was it VHF? And all of
the programming available was seen on those 3 "channels."
Now, those "channels" did not broadcast 24 hours a day. They went "off the air" around midnight, closing out with the
National Anthem, and did not return to broadcast until
around 6:00 AM the following morning. If you turned on the TV in the middle of the night, what you saw was a "test pattern." It was like a target and an American Indian in full
head dress was the image above the center (I think that test pattern would be deemed politically incorrect today). And
it was all "Black and White." (can I say that?)
And we did use "rabbit ears" for better reception, until we
could afford a TV antenna.
They promoted the coming of this new TV show pretty well and I recall that my sister Debbie and I could not wait for
the first Leave it to Beaver to air…remember, there was not much to watch on TV in those days, not even sports. In
Hawaii, you could not even get live sports on the radio unless you had some sort of "short wave" or something.
People today think "Leave it to Beaver" was sort of an unrealistic, idealistic portrayal of life in America…but for
me, and I am sure many others like me; it was "reality TV." I
could identify with "The Bev" and Wally and their family life. While my mother did not vacuum the living room in high heels as June Cleaver did, my mom was at home all day, cleaning and taking
care of family business, and, often to my dismay, moving the furniture around in my room about once a month to clean
underneath it (Just when I would get use to the room arranged one way, mom would move things). We didn't have to be
driven all around to activities, we just went outside and "played."
And who in our generation did not know an Eddie Haskell
character? Always the wise guy and working to pull the wool over everyone's eyes. Over the years, as I "channel surfed" I would occasionally find a Beaver rerun, and time
permitting, always like to watch a little. It does remind me of a time "long, long ago" and as Shrek would add, in a place "Far Far Away."
The article about the program also gave a little background on what Wally and The Bev are up to these days. It seems
they are doing well and I think that is great. It also mentioned that there will be a "Leave it to Beaver" Marathon on
TV Land this weekend. I hope I have the time to watch a few
episodes with my granddaughter Ryan.
Saul
Saul Klein
President/CEO, InternetCrusade
Have you visited RealTown.com recently? RealTown.com, the oldest, largest and most respected online community and
network in the real estate industry has been totally redesigned and offers a wealth of information. Go to http://RealTown.com and check
it out today!
Sep. 16, 2007
RPAC contributions have always made sense from my
perspective, not only as a real estate professional, but also as a property
owner. For me, as a real estate professional, I have always considered RPAC
contributions a “cost of doing business.” As a property owner, I
look at my RPAC contributions as a way for me to have my interests represented
as a property owner. If you think about it, there is no real voice in congress
for property owners EXCEPT for the voice of REALTORS.
I intend to publish some of the RPAC success stories
over the next few months and I encourage you to click on the link and make a
contribution each time…just $5 if you think the below success is a
benefit to you and/or your buyers and sellers. Of course if you can afford more
than $5.00, please contribute more (http://RPAC.RealTown.com)
Keeping
Banks Out of Real Estate:
- NAR secured, for the fifth consecutive year, a
one-year prohibition in the FY07 Transportation/Treasury/HUD
Appropriations bill, preventing the Department of the Treasury from
finalizing its rule that would allow banks to offer real estate brokerage
and management services.
What
This Means for REALTORSÒ
- Banks won’t be permitted to enter the real
estate business for another year. The prohibition will remain in effect
until September 30, 2007.
I know many of you already contribute to RPAC and
congratulations for that…$5.00 more can help make a difference. If you
have not contributed, give up one or two Starbucks for the good of your
business. http://RPAC.RealTown.com
Sep. 9, 2007
Regional Development Manager
The Regional Development Manager will be responsible for the successful
execution of grass roots real estate marketing activities to increase industry
awareness and adoption of Trulia. This role will focus on marketing initiatives
within specific regions and top U.S. metros to build Trulia’s listings
coverage and customer satisfaction, ultimately opening the door to more sales
opportunity. The ideal candidate is already a well-rounded marketing enthusiast
adept at evangelizing a company vision in front of a public audience. You must
thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and it is essential that you work
well with sales, marketing, vendors & partners to deliver concrete results.
Primary Responsibilities:
·
Identify,
analyze and execute regional grass roots marketing initiatives to increase
industry adoption of Trulia and listings coverage within specific markets in
support quarterly sales goals (includes education, training, media,
co-marketing, PR, events and partnership development)
·
Roll
out national marketing initiatives at a regional level, tailoring them to
individual opportunities for sales team to increase revenue
·
Get
involved in local networking and industry-related events as both a speaker and
neighborhood ambassador, educating the industry on the benefits of working with
Trulia
·
Work
closely with marketing and sales team on promotions and affiliate programs to
increase key account sales
Qualifications:
·
At
least 3 years background in a training, sales and/or account management
capacity
·
Background
in real estate and internal team training is ideal
·
Excellent
presentation & written communication skills among both technical &
non-technical audiences
·
Demonstrable
success building “purple cow” marketing campaigns that deliver
results
·
Experience
with Internet commerce, blogging and online marketing tactics
·
Superior
attention to detail and ability to multitask
·
Team-oriented
but also a self-starter, able to learn and work independently with minimal
supervision
·
Excellent
Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
·
At
least a BS degree and demonstrable strong analytical skills
Benefits
and compensation:
- Full benefits including medical, dental
and 401k
- Competitive compensation package
including paid vacations
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email
your resume and cover letter to jobs@trulia.com with
the position title "Regional Development Manager" on the subject line
nbgrwq .
Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you! Back to top
Sep. 6, 2007
As Chair of the NAR Business Technology and InformationServices Forum, please accept my invitation to attend what I thinkwill be one of the highlights of the NAR Conference in Las Vegasin November. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 14, 2007at 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
I am very excited that Rich Barton of Zillow and Justin McCarthyof Google have agreed to fly in to participate in the Forum. I'lldo the interviewing. We are going to carve out more time forquestions from the audience.
Make your plans now to attend. Leave the myths and speculationat the door and make up your own mind and take some valuable tipswith you. You will probably never have the opportunity to askquestions of these very sought after speakers again.
Rich Barton, CEO of Zillow. Mr. Barton founded Expedia, Inc. in 1994and was its President, Chief Executive Officer and director fromNovember 1999 to March 2003. Mr. Barton was a directorof InterActiveCorp from February
2003 until January 2005. He launched Zillow in February 2006.Mr. Barton holds a B.S. in industrial engineering fromStanford University.
Justin McCarthy, a member of Google's Strategic PartnerDevelopment team joined Google from DoubleClick Inc., where he wasthe General Manager, Entertainment & Travel Networks andresponsible for leading the business development and advertisingsales effort behind DoubleClick's Entertainment & Youth Network.In that role, McCarthy managed partnerships and directedadvertising relationships with top tier customers.
Discussions will include:
New Media
Death of the Classified Ad
Myths and Realities of Google and Zillow - Friend or Foe
Getting the most out of Internet Marketing
Prospecting online for buyers and sellers and building your online persona
Fulfilling Consumer expectations in an online world
Lead Generation and Expectations
Generational Aspects of the Web
User Generated Content
Social Networking
Web 2.0
Widgets, APIs, Mapping, Privacy
Mistakes to avoid when starting up a keyword or search engineoptimization (SEO) campaign
And wait... there's MORE!!
Use the Post a Comment feature below to let me know what questionsor topics you would like covered at the event.
You'll kick yourself if you miss this one.
http://NARexpo.InternetCrusade.com
Saul
Aug. 12, 2007
Several of you asked for more
info on this subject so I will present it here in "bite size" pieces
(I hope) over the next few weeks.
First, a little background:
I passed my California real
estate sales license exam in 1974. I then got my California Brokers
License in 1975 (a college degree allowed me to skip the 2 years as a sales
licensee required to become a broker, although I still sold as a "broker
associate" for a large brokerage firm in San Diego). At that time, we were
taught in the pre license courses, as well as in the sales training courses
taught by brokerage firms, that the seller was our "client" and the
buyer was our "customer." As a matter of fact, we were warned not to
refer to buyers as "clients" (any of you remember this?) as it may be
misleading to buyers.
If you asked most sales
licensees at that time, they were aware that they worked for and had a
"fiduciary duty" to the seller and not to the buyer, but no one (or
very few) were sure why this was the case (MLS and "unilateral offer of
sub agency, which I will address in a later post. Everyone represented the
seller. This was accepted fact in 1974.
About the same time, there was a
case against Forrest E. Olsen (which later became Coldwell Banker), where a
buyer "believed" that a sales licensee (actually, that licensee's
broker...Forrest E. Olsen) was representing the buyer as an agent on an
"inhouse" listing...not because it was stated anywhere or in any
document...but because of the actions and statements of the sales associate
(Ostensible Agency anyone?). The buyer was led to believe that they were being
"represented" by an "agent" and did not understand that the
broker was also "representing" the seller as an agent.
The buyer won the case and it
was then recommended by most attorneys I had contact with in California at the
time, and by CAR as well if my memory serves me, that when preparing a contract
for a buyer on an inhouse (as opposed to an "outhouse" listing :-),
that it would be "safer" to be a disclosed dual agent (which was and
still is allowed under California Real Estate Law) rather than risk being found
by a court of law, after the transaction closes, to be an undisclosed dual
agent (divided agency), where the damages could be very large in a rapidly
appreciating real estate market (and also resulted in disgorging of
commission).
So on any inhouse sale, we
included in the contract words to the effect:
"Buyer understands that
sales associate and sales associates' broker represent both the buyer seller
agent in this transaction as a dual agent."
Are you with me so far???
Good, because this is where it
gets confusing :-)
History of Agency Disclosure
...Actually, getting agency
disclosure legislation enacted in California was about a 12-year process.
There was some serious talk of outlawing dual agency in the 1970s and three
legislative proposals began their way through the legislative process.
One of the three proposals would have made dual agency a criminal
offense. The California Association Realtors worked closely with consumer
lobbying groups and legislators. Over the next eight years the CAR and legislators
developed a compromise bill.
The compromise did not outlaw
dual agency, which was a very common, and some would say disclosed practice
(and others would say undisclosed). The compromise made California real
estate licensees disclose agency relationships in residential
acquisitions. The reasoning was, that if buyers and sellers truly understood
the options available to them, they would choose the representation that was in
their own best interests.
In 1986 the California
legislature passed the agency disclosure law unanimously. The legislature
granted the real estate industry a grace period until the beginning of 1988 to
prepare to implement the disclosure law. The California legislature
mandated that persons selling residential real estate must give agency
disclosure information to the parties involved in real estate
transactions. This
information must include the possible agency relationships that the real estate
firms involved in the transaction may have with their clients.
When the agency law took effect
the real estate business was in a definite upswing and a sellers' market.
Licensees busy scrambling to market properties did not have time to worry about
agency -- they were too busy making money! Unfortunately, even today few people
in the real estate industry understand agency disclosure.
Prior to 1989 (or 1990...these details elude me), an MLS
operating under NAR's Model MLS Rules was (among other things...but this was
primary) a "unilateral offer of sub agency." Everyone worked for, was
the agent of, the seller by virtue of the MLS. It was unilateral and automatic.
The only way a "cooperating broker" MLS subscriber
(the MLS member...the participating broker) could get out of being a sub agent
was to "refute the unilateral offer of sub agency."
Attorneys I have discussed this with over the years
(including extensive conversations with Alex Creel of the California
Association of REALTORS Legal Staff during 1986-88 when the California Agency
Disclosure Requirement was being enacted...and with my partner, Mr. Agency
himself, John Reilly many times over the last few years and, coincidentally, at
lunch today), had no consensus as to how "refuting the unilateral offer of
sub agency" could be accomplished. Besides, why would one want to be
anything but a sub agent...that was the way it was always done.
Then, in 1988, the California Agency Disclosure Requirement
placed California REALTORS in danger of making disclosures that they were
"representing the buyer exclusively" while at the same time they were
already agents of the seller because of the NAR MLS Model Rules, with not even
the slightest clue that "refuting the unilateral offer of sub agency"
was even required...and even if they knew it was required, no one could tell
them how to do it.
It was obvious to those of us who were students of this
issue that something had to be done with the NAR Model Rules. As I recall, NAR
was reluctant at first to change the MLS Model Rules. CAR then created and
adopted what was referred to as the CAR Model Rules, which changed an MLS from
a "unilateral offer of sub agency" to a "unilateral offer of
compensation, sub agency optional." Sandicor, the San Diego Regional MLS,
was one of the first MLSs in California, if not the first, to adopt the CAR
Model Rules.
Jun. 24, 2007
Today, June 24th 2007, as I sit on an airplane headed for the East Coast, I remember thirty nine years ago today, June 24th, 1968, at the tender age of 19, I left San Diego and headed to the US Naval Academy to begin the fulfillment of my lifelong ambition. I was very fortunate. I knew, from my earliest recollection, what I wanted to be "when I grew up," that I wanted to attend the Naval Academy and become a naval officer. Some might think that to be undue parental influence, I believe it to be my good fortune. The two people that gave me that goal at such an early age were my father, Marcus Klein, and Captain E.W. Grenfell. In 1949 when I was born, Captain Grenfell was Chief of Staff for the Submarine Force Pacific (SubPac) and he was my dad’s "boss," stationed at Pearl Harbor.
My dad of course was the major influence and "Co Conspirator." He would often ask me (before I could talk according to my mom) "what do you want to be when you grow up" and "where do you want to go to college?" I knew the response that would please my dad was "a naval officer" and "the Naval Academy." He would also ask" "and you want to be a?" to which I would answer "a submariner" (that goal I never attained). Another response that garnered equal praise was "I want to go to Annie Apolis." These answers gave my father much joy and he would ask me in front of his friends, including Captain Grenfell and I never let him done with the answer. Captain Grenfell let my dad know that when I was ready, he would be ready to lend a hand. As a 3 year old living in the Territory of Hawaii in the early 1950s…with no television and only local radio, I had no idea what the Naval Academy was, but somehow I knew that there was such a thing and such a place and that it was where I wanted to go to school. I owe this and so much more to my dad who realized that the early influence would help guide my life and give me direction and something to achieve, and he was right. My dad was a career naval officer, submariner, and a survivor of Pearl Harbor and 2 submarine war patrols in the Pacific during WWII.
Captain Grenfell was a well know submarine officer who skippered the USS Gudgeon when she was commissioned on April 21, 1941. The USS Gudgeon was the first submarine to go on war patrol from Pearl Harbor after the attack on December 7. Departing Pearl Harbor on December 11, 1941, Gudgeon, commanded by "Jumping Joe" Grenfell was credited with the first Japanese sinking by a US submarine. E.W. (Joe) Grenfell went on to be Commander, Submarine Force Pacific as a Rear Admiral (2 Star) in 1956 and then Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (3 Star) in 1961. He was the first person to command both Sub forces. Pop served as the Admiral’s Morale Officer and Athletic Director in both of those commands, serving also as the varsity basketball coach of both SubPac and Sublant, where his team won the All Navy Basketball Championship in 1964. Admiral Grenfell never said much to me as I was growing up. I remember how good I felt when on occasion, he would say hi to me when I was with Pop. The Grenfell family always meant a lot to the Klein family and to me, an Admiral was about the most important person in the world. On base in Pearl Harbor, the Admiral’s had their own reserved parking places at the Navy Exchange ("Reserved for Flag Officers). Admiral Grenfell was active as a flag officer when there was a battle going on for the soul of the submarine force in the Navy, and the other side was lead by Hyman Rickover, the father of the nuclear navy.
My flight on June 24th, 1968 was a non-stop from San Diego to Dulles. At that time, as my dad explained to me, Dulles was a pretty new airport and seen by some as an "airport of the future," stuck way out in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. I said good bye to my mom and dad and sisters and boarded the aircraft where I was seated next to a Navy Commander, Don White, who knew my dad, and a young man, Randy Bent, who as I was, was headed off to the Academy for Plebe Summer as a member of the Naval Academy Class of 1972 (many years later, Randy was later one of the very first employees at Qualcomm).
When I arrived at Dulles, who was waiting to pick me up at the airport? Retired Vice Admiral Grenfell, who took me to his home in Alexandria where I spent two nights. During my stay I spent time with the Admiral and his son Steve and daughter Jane (Mrs. Grenfell what out of town at the time). Steve took me into Georgetown one evening and on the morning of June 26th, 1968, Steve drove me to Annapolis where later that afternoon about 1:30 (1330), I was sworn in as a Midshipman, United States Navy, to begin the fulfillment of my lifelong ambition.
On many days, but this day in particular, I think of these two heroes in my life, both of whom are gone now…my dad and Admiral Grenfell. I was lucky to have these men as influences in my life. The ongoing life lesson for me is that what we say to kids can have an impact. I have been talking about the Naval Academy to my granddaughter since before she could talk. I kid about it and talk about her going to the Academy as if she were actually going to attend, like it is a "done deal." To me, the important thing is that I am letting her know that I think she is good enough to make the grade, whether she decides to or not. She has no interest in it right now, and probably never will, but that doesn’t keep grandpa from talking about it.
Saul
Saul Klein
President/CEO, InternetCrusade
Jun. 18, 2007
Categorized in: MLS Issues
In my June 10 post entitled “The Future of MLS – A Series of Posts,” I reacquainted you with the “Six Guiding Principles” for MLS created by the California Association of REALTORS (CAR) MLS Working Group and adopted by the CAR Board of Directors (BOD) in September of 2005. These Guiding Principles are an important piece to your understanding the direction that CAR is moving.
In January of 2007, the Working Group, as requested by the CAR BOD, developed a general document outlining two possible directions that would incorporate much of the “Six Guiding Principles” and define the future of MLS in California (and possibly beyond).
1. Statewide Data Aggregation or a
2. Statewide MLS
Over the last few years, three areas of California have been working on aggregation and/or consolidation of MLS data, moving toward greater MLS access for more licensees over greater geographic areas. These areas are known as:
1. CDU (Los Angeles and vicinity)
2. NCREX (San Jose, Silicon Valley, East Bay and surrounding areas), and
3. Quattro (San Francisco, North Bay, and Sacramento).
Each of the above is taking a different approach to the job of preparing their MLS for the future.
At the CAR Board of Directors meetings in Sacramento in early June, the BOD passed the following significant motions. There should be no doubt that the future of MLS is being transformed. Where it leads is another question. Why it is seen as necessary is another story.
Here are the motions:
1. That prior to the issuance of an RFP for Information Engineering, C.A.R. will meet with the current groups (NCREX, Quattro, and CDU) to review in depth their technical work and to maximize use of their work product in the Statewide Information Engineering effort.
2. That C.A.R. authorize up to $500,000 for the Information Engineering effort necessary to facilitate the development of either a Statewide Data Aggregation and/or a Statewide MLS, accelerating the implementation of either plan.
3. That C.A.R. develop more detailed implementation plans for both a Statewide Data Aggregation Service and a Statewide MLS which will be presented for consideration in October. It is understood that participation in either plan will be voluntary.
4. A motion from the floor of the Board of Directors was referred to the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, that the MLS Working Group accomplish two additional goals:
a. Hire a consultant or consultants to advise C.A.R. on how to be more Web 2.0 enabled, how to build a website that will drive, capture and serve consumers on a statewide aggregated data site or statewide MLS site, and build this into a strategic portion of the business plan.
b. Evaluate the feasibility of creating a C.A.R. statewide website that is consumer driven utilizing current IDX data feeds which can be up and running very quickly and not years out.
In future posts we will discuss the above Motions and also further define the 3 areas in California already moving forward and what exactly they are doing, knowing that a possible step forward would be these 3 entities to combine the access to their respective data.
Saul
Saul Klein
President/CEO, InternetCrusade
Jun. 16, 2007
RealTalk Digest - June 16th, 2007
>>
I am a lawyer in NY & NJ and I am also a broker in NY. Real estate is my passion so I am in the process of setting up a real estate brokerage firm with a friend. I would love some comments/suggestions on starting up. In particular we are trying to setup up our partnership agreement. I will be the running the day to day operations of the firm and probably bringing in most of the business early on, what is the best way to structure the agreement? I would love any comments/suggestions that anyone has on that topic or in starting up in general.
Stephania,
<<
What is the Vision of the company you are going to start?
Have you created a business plan?
How much capital do you have to begin?
Have you determined the office location and size?
How many sales will it take at what type of split to break even?
How long will it take you to get to that point?
Consider a corporation or an LLC.
Determine ownership interest based on capital and sweat equity contributions
Determine, in writing, who will make what decisions.
Why do you need a partner?
What about a buyout agreement?
What type of real estate will you be dealing with initially?
Will you be managing property?
In addition to any agent independent contractors, how many employees will you have?
Have you created a marketing plan?
How much capital do you have to begin?
Have you created a business plan?
(I know I asked the above two questions twice, but they are important)
What about Errors and Omission Insurance?
What about Workers Compensation?
How much office equipment will you need and where is the best place to purchase?
For starters…
Saul
Saul Klein
President/CEO, InternetCrusade
Jun. 16, 2007
Hi Albert,
If you are asking about income taxes, the answer is no.
Refinancing is not a taxable event. You can pull equity out of your property by
borrowing against the property and that will cause no tax consequence. Sale of
the property IS a taxable event. Sometimes the result of refinancing is that
little equity is left in the property. I have seen people sell real estate and
end up owing more in capital gain tax than they had equity in the property. Tax
planning should always take place before the sale of property, because after
the sale, it is too late…it is what it is.
If you are asking about property taxes, that would depend on the
property taxing entity. In California, where I reside, refinancing does not
affect the property tax basis.
Saul
Saul Klein
President/CEO, InternetCrusade
Have you visited RealTown.com recently? RealTown.com, the
oldest, largest and most respected online community and network in the real
estate industry has been totally redesigned and offers a wealth of information.
Go to http://RealTown.com
and check it out today!
From: Albert Lundy [mailto:althebanker@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 7:32 AM
To: John Reilly e-PRO; Mike Barnett; Rich Hudson; Saul Klein; Frances
Flynn Thorsen; Hector Virgen II; Ashley Ruble-English; Rich Hudson; Danica
Deering; RealTalk
Subject: RealTown: New "Ask The Experts" Question by Albert
Lundy
RealTown's Ask The Experts
The following question was submitted to RealTown's Ask The
Experts.
Albert Lundy asks,
"When you refinance loan, does tax get reassessed?"
To view this question on the web, follow this link:
http://www.realtown.com/experts.php?q=144
To send a private reply, click here
or simply reply to this email.
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