Looking Out From the Garage: March 2008

I was reading a couple of posts earlier this evening, here and elsewhere, and there was a common thread of efficiency and environmental friendliness... ok, one of them was tongue in cheek about how long it would take to pay back the purchase of a hybrid. 

Well, I would like to toss in my nickel.  And offer up an option that seems to be completely lost on many people... diesel. 

Of course, looking at the price, the first thought is that that would not be such a great idea.  As I write, I see $3.89 for a gallon of diesel, and $3.19 for gasoline.  But... (there is always a but...)

Look at some of the later model diesel powered cars.  Proven technologies (rudolf came up with this in the late 1800s) and some seriously green options.  

Instead, I wandered to a couple of higher-end comparable cars.  The Lexus GS450h (hybrid) and the MB E320 Bluetec diesel.  The Lexus is slightly cheaper when optioned out ($55.6k v. $57.3k).  the Lexus also has a pretty good advantage in the 0-60 time (5.2 v. 6.6).  But mileage?

The Lexus is rated at 22/25, City/Highway.  The Mercedes is rated for 23/32.  It is bigger, wider, longer and has WAY more cargo room.  And we know that MB diesels will run forever...

But, there is another option.  I don't know that I would try it with a brand new MB, but bio-diesel is a pretty cool concept, as is syn-diesel.  Here are a couple of clips from Wikipedia:

Wood, hemp, straw, corn, garbage, food scraps, and sewage-sludge may be dried and gasified to synthesis gas. After purification the Fischer-Tropsch process is used to produce synthetic diesel.^[9]Biomass-To-Liquids or BTL. This means that synthetic diesel oil may be one route to biomass based diesel oil. Such processes are often called

Synthetic diesel may also be produced out of natural gas in the Gas-to-liquid (GTL) process or out of coal in the Coal-to-liquid (CTL) process. Such synthetic diesel has 30% less particulate emissions than conventional diesel (US- California).^[10]

Biodiesel can be obtained from vegetable oil (vegidiesel / vegifuel), or animal fats (bio-lipids), using transesterification. Biodiesel is a non-fossil fuel alternative to petrodiesel. It can also be mixed with petrodiesel in any amount in modern engines, though when first using it, the solvent properties of the fuel tend to dissolve accumulated deposits and can clog fuel filters.^{[citation needed]} Biodiesel has a higher gel point than petrodiesel, but is comparable to diesel. This can be overcome by using a biodiesel/petrodiesel blend, or by installing a fuel heater, but this is only necessary during the colder months. A diesel-biodiesel mix results in lower emissions than either can achieve alone,^[11] except for NO_x emissions. A small percentage of biodiesel can be used as an additive in low-sulfur formulations of diesel to increase the lubricity lost when the sulfur is removed. In the event of fuel spills, biodiesel is easily washed away with ordinary water and is nontoxic compared to other fuels. 

Try to burn garbage in a hybrid...

I trash on ethanol pretty regularly, but there is a huge difference with bio-diesel.  That difference is that it can be brewed with left-overs and materials that are being discarded.  It also can be mixed with petro-diesel without a lot of regard for the ratio in most vehicles. 

So, grab something cool... pictured above, and run bio-diesel.  You will have a carbon footprint that will make Al Gore envious (I have a carbon footprint that will make Al Gore envious, but that is another post).   

Back when I first moved to Atlanta, I was a photo assistant.  My job was to assist commercial photographers in putting together photo shoots.  I did everything from sweeping the floor and taking out the trash to lighting design and film tracking.  With some photographers, I actually pulled the trigger and shot the job... with their "oversight."

I loved my job.  I didn't make a lot of money, but I had some great experiences, met a lot of fun people, and really enjoyed work most days.  And, I worked with a number of different photographers.  

There are two that I worked with very early on that were a study in contrasts.  Obviously, I'm not going to name them, because I am about to dish...

Shooter A was an incredible artist.  I mean seriously.  In a lot of ways.  His imagery, in a non-digital age, was something special.  I knew his secrets, and kept them.  I had a key to the studio and free access to him, his equipment and knowledge.  I was never an employee, but had more run of the business than many employees had in other businesses... and that was where I could see the other side.

He was not a good businessman.  He didn't bill his clients.  He didn't pay his bills.  I would be in the studio and answer the phone and there would be a client that NEEDED to get a bill for the $40,000 they owed him.  He was broke, but he didn't have a clue who owed him what... and they wanted to pay him.  

He ended up working for someone and making more money than he did on his own... but WAY less than he could have made.   

Shooter B was a businessman.  He would tell me about the prestigious school he graduated from... regularly.  He always had lunches lined up with art directors and agency buyers.  The calendar was always full.  I had no key.  I was not even allowed to talk with the clients (not terribly unusual as most assistants, including me, were also shooters and photographers didn't want us pitching their clients... I never did).  But, often instead of being the dutiful assistant, I would do everything but shoot the job.  I would set the lights, place the camera, tune, tweak and make it all happen.  B would come out of his office, look at a Polaroid and then shoot a bracket (set of shots at various exposures).  Photography was no different to him than running any other business.  

As far as I know, he is still in business, and should be doing quite well.  

So, let's relate this to real estate... 

There are different types of real estate agents.  Some are scared to death that their client might talk to another agent about anything (like both of these... but A would only say to the assistant "don't steal my client.").  Some are great at getting the business... but they don't know what to do with it once they get it.  Others can't get the listings or the buyers, but look out when they do... they make a great impression.  

There is a Shooter C... and I'm going to say his name.  Chipp Jamison.  I was Chipp's 1st Assistant for around 7 years.  Key to the studio, alarm code... the whole shebang.  Although I never went there unless he asked me to.  Chipp had the positive qualities of both of the other guys.  At first I didn't recognize his true artistry.  But, Chipp's real gift was that he was able to make good photos in bad places, and great photos in good places.  Everyone can make a great picture in an incredible location... but Chipp could shoot boring and ugly places and make them look cool... fast... with the equipment we were able to transport there.  

Chipp was not worried that I was going to steal his clients.  In fact, he would hand off shoots he didn't want to do.  He never minimized my role... quite the opposite.  He was a supremely confident photographer.  He told me a few times that he was worried about one job or another, but clients never saw him sweat. 

Just to let you know, even as a real estate agent, I ask myself how Chipp would handle a specific situation. 

That is right... he is still a mentor, even though we haven't really spoken in a few years.   Had balance in his business.

I posted a couple of days ago here, and yesterday on LaneBailey.com about an idea I had for a Seller Seminar. 

As things like this have a tendency to do, it has changed even in the last 24 hours.  People that have sold homes previously, but not that recently, or in one case fairly recently, but not smoothly... wanted to be included.  So, done. 

I posted a survey on my other blog about the issues that face sellers, and what they would like information about.  If you might be interested in the seminar, I'd love for you to visit the survey and make your thoughts known.  Feel free to drop into the accompanying blog post as well. 

The goal of the survey is to see what areas need concentration during the seminar, as well as when the seminar might be most viable.  

Of course, the seminar will be free to attend, and there won't be any high pressure to use any of the vendors that share information... even me.   

We see so many seminars for first time buyers.  Everyone and their assistant it seems has a seminar for first time buyers.  They bring in a mortgage pro, perhaps an inspector, and talk about the issues that people face the first time they buy a house. 

I think it is a great idea.  

There are a lot of potential pitfalls, and it is a event.  Aside from the fact that the buyer is going to live in this property for years to come (we all hope), there are financial and tax implications as well.  

First time home buyer seminars are a great way to spread that information.

But what about first time home sellers?

Seriously.  Ok, they have obviously experienced a transaction from the other side, but it is different.  

There is more too it than calling up an agent and waiting for a contract.  If there is interest, I might consider hosting a seminar for first time home sellers to teach them how to maximize the price, minimize the market time, and have a smooth transaction.  

• Inspector
• Stager
• Real Estate Agent

It would focus on learning the process in order to make sure that a home seller's expectations  were realistic and that they would be met or exceeded. 

Interested? 

Welcome to this week's Blog Anthology... plenty of ground to cover, so let's get started.

The traditional start of my blogging week is the videos on Sunday.  This week was no different, with POV Sunday.  POV is Point Of View and I dug up a couple of beauties.  High speed in Paris and on the Isle of Man.  

I have a lot of ideas... some of them are good.  A few more make their way to my blog (that means that more than just the good ones make it to my blog).  So, Crazy Idea? Brilliant Marketing Tool?  Take a read, and find out which one it is. 

I decided I needed to get some more local information on my blog, Woo hoo... added some links.  Oddly, it points back here.   I wrote the post here, and added the links to my "other" blog. 

There is a very big problem with mortgage fraud.  Atlanta used to lead the nation (as recent as last year) in mortgage fraud cases.  Sellers, protect yourselves.  Most of the fraud is based on only the buyers and affiliated parties, but some forms can be big problems for sellers as well.  Don't be a victim. 

Woo hoo...  Newsletter #1 has been emailed.   I'm still looking for a better technology, but I have something that works ok for now. 

The Thrashers lost a heart-breaker to the Washington Capitals.  Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?   There are some lessons to be learned in real estate as well.  Take a look...

People amaze me.  Step back, I'm trying to save lives here!  Tongue firmly planted in cheek, I comment on a recent LA Times article about lack of garage space and people's poor reaction to it.  

So, take a look.  You never know what you might find.  And yes, this is the big brother... white jersey above and collecting those eggs to the left.   

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

I've been using FeedBurner for a few weeks, and one of the handy dandy tools they have are these groovy headline animators.

So, I added them to my email signature... and I have something similar on both blogs, here and LaneBailey.com as well as my website, GarageHomesUSA.com. 

In addition to RSS feeds and widgets (like the one on the right sidebar), these are a great way to let people know what you are writing about.  I even dropped them into a couple of forums to which I post (Jeep, garage and car stuff).  

And I know when they get looked at, too.   

Scary, I know.

Ok, a couple of caveats.  

• Atlanta area agents, don't steal this from me yet... I'm kicking it around in my head.
  
• I haven't talked to anyone about this yet, so if it is stupid... give me the opportunity to find someone to blame.
• I don't know if it would fly with the needed parties yet. 
  
• I don't know if anyone would show up.

Here goes...

I'm thinking about trying to put together a series of lunch or dinner "chats" dealing with real estate, investing, and related financial issues.  I would host, and bring in experts on the various topics.  While it wouldn't be completely real estate related, I think it could be a good source of leads.  

The basic plan is to find an establishment that would offer a discount on a slow night in order to drum up the business.  The first thought I had was to try someplace like Moe's...  Moe Money Tuesdays was the title that popped into my head. 

It would be kind of like a first time homebuyer's seminar.  

What do you think?   

I needed to run some numbers today from just 4+ car garage homes.  The numbers were pretty interesting.

So, if you are paying attention, you might notice a lot of mixed signals.  But, what I am seeing is that while the Single Family Residential numbers overall are currently pointing to about 104 Days on Market, everything under $500k is WAY under 104 Days on Market.  This shows me that some sellers are hitting prices that are getting buyers off the fence.  I am also seeing that the inventory is shrinking for everything over $500k compared to sales.  So, there is still a good way to go, but the deals are going away... fast.  

Anyone can.  I just logged into Ebay, and there were 196 race cars (not street legal) listed for sale.  Anyone with the cash can buy any one of these vehicles.  Assuming they are current, that buyer can take that race vehicle and race it.  This car just to the right is ready to race in the SCCA ITE class.  $15,000 and you can own a race car.  A "real" race car.  Of course, you would have to get a racing license, but you can do that in a couple of weekends.  Most tracks that host amateur racing events around the country also host school weekends.  You take your new race car out, attend the classroom sessions, go out on the track with the instructors and show that you are mostly sane... and then compete in a couple of races where they make sure you aren't an overly aggressive crackpot when the real green flag drops... and they make sure that you don't panic in tight traffic at 130mph on the back straight... and you have an unrestricted license. 

You say that you have NASCAR dreams... but a more McDonald's budget?  What about this.  It is a roundy car.  Currently bid at $3000, and there is no reserve.  I don't know the licensing requirements for the series this car is eligible for, but the car is ready to go.  Get the license.  Get the suit.  Get the helmet.  Get the trailer (it isn't included) and a tow rig.  Show up and you can race.  That is all it takes.  

The final example before I get to my point is this lovely gem.  This Jaguar XJR was raced by Bob Wollek.  He is an accomplished sports car racer.  As such, the car has a storied past, including a 2nd place at Silverstone in England, and high finishes at Spa and Monaco. 

But, off to my point...

You can buy the car.  You can get the suit.  You can get the super groovy ultra-light helmet.  You can have the tow rig... and even hire people to take your kick-butt toy to the track.  You can get the license.  That doesn't make you a racer. 

What is even more true.  You can be a racer... and not win the race.  The Jag is a proven car.  We know it can place on the podium.  That doesn't mean that the person that wins the auction can win with the car.  

Lane... you had a point coming?

You can put the house up for sale.  You can get the license.  You can have the spiffy business cards.  That doesn't mean you will be a winner.  While at first it might seem that I am being mean to agents... I"m not.  I'm being real.  I raced a Shelby Charger Turbo in the Atlanta Region SCCA (G Stock) and won two Point Championships (1990 and 1991).  I got my butt handed to me on more than one occasion.  But I kept coming back.  More importantly, when I was racing I worked to improve my skills.  

As a real estate agent, I do the same thing.  Every day.  I still get my butt kicked... Now, instead of looking for the extra bit of time to take off my total, I look for a way to sell that property.  In January, the NewListing/Sold ratio for Gwinnett County was 10%.  A lot of people had their butts handed to them.  How many looked for a better way?   

My numbers are a LOT better than that... and I look for ways to get better every day.  

Gwinnett County, GA is growing some more. 

Gwinnett is already a vibrant and active suburb of Atlanta, GA... and it is getting better all of the time.  Gwinnett will be welcoming the AAA affiate of the Atlanta Braves to the new stadium that is being built near Lawrenceville.  Formerly of Richmond, VA, the Gwinnett Braves will be playing here starting in April of 2009.   

Just a few miles away, the Gwinnett Center and Arena is home to the Arena Football League Georgia Force.  It is also the home of the East Coast Hockey League Gwinnett Gladiators.  The Gladiators are the ECHL AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers. 

Just outside Gwinnett, in Flowery Branch, GA, the Atlanta Falcons practice.  Suwanee, GA in Gwinnett County was their home until their recent move to Hall County.   

If you aren't a stick and ball game kind of fan...  There is racing... LOTS of racing.  

Road Atlanta covers 750 acres of the north Georgia countryside with sports cars and sportbikes.  Most of the major sports car and sportbike series make a stop or two at Road Atlanta.  It is an incredible facility.  The SCCA, Mitty Challence and Petit LeMans are staples each year.   

Right across the road from Road Atlanta is Lanier National Speedway.  This 3/8 mile bullring is what short track racing is about.  When you want to see the NASCAR stars of tomorrow, this is a great place to start.  The racing is wheel to wheel and bumper to bumper. 

Although it is an hour away (more on race day), Atlanta Motor Speedway is where NASCAR's top series visit.  It is the fastest track in the Sprint Cup series.   

Back on the north side of Gwinnett, up the road just past Lanier National Speedway and Road Atlanta is the Atlanta Dragway in Commerce.   the Atlanta Dragway is the place the NHRA comes to play with the big boys.  Until you have experienced a Top Fuel car EXPLODE down the track (reaching 300 mph in 4 1/2 seconds on the 1/4 mile track) you have missed something amazing.  

Ok, so you aren't into racing, either?

Mall of Georgia, Discover Mills, Gwinnett Mall.  Three large shopping destinations in the heart of Gwinnett.  I don't think you could find a more diverse selections of restaurants and shopping experiences in the southeast.  There are also numerous parks and pools operated by the county.  And let's not forget the Yellow River Game Ranch, home of General Lee... he is the most accurate Groundhog on Groundhog Day.  94%...

Finally (skipping about a million other things to do) don't forget Lake Lanier and Lake Lanier Islands.  Beach, Golf, Conference Center, Waterpark, camping... and a really big lake, too.   

If you are looking for a great place to bring your family, your company or your employees to live, give me a call.