Here's another plug for the monthly NCalCCIM Meeting. (Click on the title to go to the invitation and to register.)
(Since I have started working "virtual", I make an effort to attend more of these type of meetings since it gives me a chance to network and talk to people face to face.)
NCalCCIM March 10th Meeting will launch a new agenda with revised times for the marketing, mentoring and technology sessions. (There are various combinations of fees for the meeting and the seminar, so please look at the invitation.)
9:00 - 10:00 AM Marketing Session
9:00 - 10:00 AM Technology Session
10:30 - 11:30 AM Mentoring Session - Commercial Lending Roundtable
10:30 - 11:30 AM Candidate Portfolio Workshop
12:00 - 1:30 PM Luncheon Meeting - Negotiating Green Building Leases
2:00 - 5:00 PM Collateralized Sales Seminar
There will be opportunities to network between the various sessions.
The meeting will be at the Four Points Sheraton, 5121 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, CA.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Random Disneyland Thoughts
I just got back from a quick trip to Disneyland. (My brother-in-law was selected as Pharmacist of the Year by the California Pharmacists Association and my wife had to get her "Disney" fix.)
We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, so we had to walk through Downtown Disney to get to the Park. For the first time that I could remember, there were 3 stores that were dark (2 of the them were fairly large, one was Department 56 and the other was the large movie memorabilia store).
Even though it is "off season", there seem to be less people than usual in Downtown Disney and the Park. (The upside is that the wait for the rides were shorter and you could get a table in the restaurants.)
My wife made an interesting observation. She thought that there were less "cast members" around, so the lines weren't as neat and organized and the park wasn't as clean. This is not to say that the park was messy or the crowds unruly, but it just wasn't as clean and orderly as it use to be. They also cut out the fireworks on both Friday or Saturday night.
So, I guess that even the "happiest place on earth" isn't safe from the economic downturn.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, so we had to walk through Downtown Disney to get to the Park. For the first time that I could remember, there were 3 stores that were dark (2 of the them were fairly large, one was Department 56 and the other was the large movie memorabilia store).
Even though it is "off season", there seem to be less people than usual in Downtown Disney and the Park. (The upside is that the wait for the rides were shorter and you could get a table in the restaurants.)
My wife made an interesting observation. She thought that there were less "cast members" around, so the lines weren't as neat and organized and the park wasn't as clean. This is not to say that the park was messy or the crowds unruly, but it just wasn't as clean and orderly as it use to be. They also cut out the fireworks on both Friday or Saturday night.
So, I guess that even the "happiest place on earth" isn't safe from the economic downturn.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
LoopNet vs. CoStar
I saw an article in GlobeSt.com (Click on the title for the complete article) today regarding LoopNet and CoStar.
Apparently, both LoopNet and CoStar had filed petitions for preliminary injunctions against each other arguing the other engaged in deceptive marketing practices. However, US District Judge George Daniels did not grant an injunction to either company, according to court papers filed on Friday.
Who do you use and why?
I use both of them for slightly different purposes. I use LoopNet when I'm searching for property listings because I think that they have more listings.
I use CoStar when I want to find out information about a property because I think that they do a better job of researching properties (I've actually seen a CoStar van parked outside of an office building doing property research), but I will use it to search for property listings.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Apparently, both LoopNet and CoStar had filed petitions for preliminary injunctions against each other arguing the other engaged in deceptive marketing practices. However, US District Judge George Daniels did not grant an injunction to either company, according to court papers filed on Friday.
Who do you use and why?
I use both of them for slightly different purposes. I use LoopNet when I'm searching for property listings because I think that they have more listings.
I use CoStar when I want to find out information about a property because I think that they do a better job of researching properties (I've actually seen a CoStar van parked outside of an office building doing property research), but I will use it to search for property listings.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What Are You Reading?
What are you reading?
In addition to the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal, various commercial real estate articles and the usual Selling/Business books, I've just finished "Made to Stick" by Dan & Chip Heath.
In "Made to Stick", Chip and Dan Heath explore why do some ideas thrive while others fade away and how do we can improve the chances of worthy ideas "sticking". Hopefully, one of the worthy ideas that I can make stick is me.
I'm also plowing (and I do mean plowing) my way through "Words That Work" by Dr. Frank Luntz. The book has some very interesting ideas, but the type is a little small for my older eyes.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
In addition to the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal, various commercial real estate articles and the usual Selling/Business books, I've just finished "Made to Stick" by Dan & Chip Heath.
In "Made to Stick", Chip and Dan Heath explore why do some ideas thrive while others fade away and how do we can improve the chances of worthy ideas "sticking". Hopefully, one of the worthy ideas that I can make stick is me.
I'm also plowing (and I do mean plowing) my way through "Words That Work" by Dr. Frank Luntz. The book has some very interesting ideas, but the type is a little small for my older eyes.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Friday, February 13, 2009
2009 State of the Valley Conference
The 2009 State of the Valley Conference is being hosted by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network on February 20, 2009 at Parkside Hall from 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM. (Click on the title to register.)
The meeting will bring together a cross-section of the Valley's movers and shakers, from concerned citizens to our elected representatives to business leaders for dialogue and discussions about our Valley's challenges and opportunities.
Due to a prior commitment, I will not be able to attend, but I would love to hear from anyone who does attend.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
The meeting will bring together a cross-section of the Valley's movers and shakers, from concerned citizens to our elected representatives to business leaders for dialogue and discussions about our Valley's challenges and opportunities.
Due to a prior commitment, I will not be able to attend, but I would love to hear from anyone who does attend.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
CCIM - CI 101 Financial Analysis for Commercial Investment
Okay, here I am plugging another CCIM course. CI 101, Financial Analysis for Commercial Investment is being offered in Pleasanton from March 30 - April 3.
(I'm trying hard not to be negative in my posts and given the current state of the commercial real estate and the economy, it's been very difficult. Here's something that is positive. I've always figured if I wasn't making any money with my time, I might as well spend my time getting smarter.)
If you're at all interested in using financial analysis in your commercial deals, this is the class to take. It's also the prerequisite for all of the other classes in the CI series. (Click on the title to register.)
The course offers an array of financial analysis concepts and calculations to help you make sound commercial real estate investment decisions. You will learn the fundamentals of profitable investing and apply these concepts to commercial properties.
Plus you can enroll at the 2008 course prices and save $50. How sweet is that?
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
(I'm trying hard not to be negative in my posts and given the current state of the commercial real estate and the economy, it's been very difficult. Here's something that is positive. I've always figured if I wasn't making any money with my time, I might as well spend my time getting smarter.)
If you're at all interested in using financial analysis in your commercial deals, this is the class to take. It's also the prerequisite for all of the other classes in the CI series. (Click on the title to register.)
The course offers an array of financial analysis concepts and calculations to help you make sound commercial real estate investment decisions. You will learn the fundamentals of profitable investing and apply these concepts to commercial properties.
Plus you can enroll at the 2008 course prices and save $50. How sweet is that?
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Professional Brokers' Forum Delayed
Back in December, I posted that the Professional Brokers' Forum was going to start up again in February. However, I received an email from Ron Ricard, one of the new sponsors, saying that the next meeting will not be until March 2009.
I'll post the March meeting notice when I get it/
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
I'll post the March meeting notice when I get it/
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Tenant Improvements vs. Free Rent
I saw an interesting article in this week's San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal regarding the move from tenant improvement dollars to free rent as an incentive to Tenants.
The consensus of the article is that landlords are offering free rent rather than tenant improvements is order to get tenants to sign leases. Apparently, this is a break from previous downturns, but it does make a lot of sense when you figure that everyone is trying to conserve cash.
Here's a couple of questions that I have:
The consensus of the article is that landlords are offering free rent rather than tenant improvements is order to get tenants to sign leases. Apparently, this is a break from previous downturns, but it does make a lot of sense when you figure that everyone is trying to conserve cash.
Here's a couple of questions that I have:
- Are you seeing this in the leases that you are doing?
- Does it depend on the size of the property?
- If you are getting or giving free rent, how many months?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Bay Area Apartment Brokers Forum - Feb 11, 2009
If you're interested in multi-family properties in the Bay Area, you should try and attend this meeting. There's a lot of experience at this meeting and they are willing to share.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Group: Bay Area Apartment Brokers Forum
Guest Speaker: Larry Souza - Johnson/Souza Group, Inc. - Principal, RE Financial Economist
Topic: Bay Area Multi-Housing Overview 2009
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2008 - 8 AM
Place: First American Exchange Company, 1737 North First St., San Jose ---- 4th Floor
Breakfast: Continental Breakfast - no charge - First American Exchange
Chairman: Richard Domich - CB Richard Ellis
Vice Chairman: Keith Suddjian - Cornish & Carey
Membership: Kari Noomen - WaMu - J. P. Morgan Chase
Sponsor: Mary Kay Kennedy - First American Exchange
Note: All present will have an opportunity to present their listings, buyer requirements, as well as their analysis of current events and market trends that directly effect the multi-housing (apartment) industry in Silicon Valley and greater Bay Area.
Adjournment: 9:30 AM
Monday, February 2, 2009
Random Thoughts on My Virtual Office 2
Well, it's been a month since I started working out of my "Virtual" office. It's working out fairly well. I think that I'm actually spending more time working than when I was working at a regular office.
The eFax is working pretty well, except I really haven't been getting very many faxes.
I did add a new phone (Panasonic) that has both a speaker phone and a plug for a headset. I find that it's easier making a lot of phone calls when I have the headset on. It's definitely nice to have your hands free.
I also find myself making more of an effort to get out to the various broker forums, such as the Bay Area Apartment Broker Forum and the Investment Exchange Counselors Forum as well as the CCIM Meetings.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
The eFax is working pretty well, except I really haven't been getting very many faxes.
I did add a new phone (Panasonic) that has both a speaker phone and a plug for a headset. I find that it's easier making a lot of phone calls when I have the headset on. It's definitely nice to have your hands free.
I also find myself making more of an effort to get out to the various broker forums, such as the Bay Area Apartment Broker Forum and the Investment Exchange Counselors Forum as well as the CCIM Meetings.
Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
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