The connect between real estate
and power goes back to the first inklings of human governance. The person with
the most land typically had the most say in how governments were formed. Today
is no different. The largest land owners typically have the ability to obtain
variances more easily, influence zoning, avoid property taxes and even
influence the city plan. This influence is usually asserted through legal
tactics, like lawsuits, through para-legal methods, like lobbying and can even
be done through direct influence. One instance of direct influence that came to
light last year was the situation between Dave Chappelle and his threats to
withdraw his business from his town if they didn’t scrap their affordable
housing plans. You can read more about that situation here. Needless to say, the affordable housing was never built.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Real Estate Is Power
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Discipline and the Down Payment: Using Your Superpower To Get Paid!
One of the most controllable aspects of our lives is our behavior. How we act and respond to the world shapes our present and our future. Our ability to act in a way that brings about our desired outcomes is uniquely ours and belongs to no one else. In that way, discipline is our superpower.
Discipline also applies to those
who are entering the real estate market, as well. Preparing to enter into the real
estate market is also all about asset management. Saving for a downpayment is
the first asset allocation that you will make in the real estate world.
Managing your personal budget toward the goal of purchasing a property is as much
about learning fiscal discipline as it is about personal discipline. The skills
learned while saving for your first downpayment are invaluable and lost on many
who take the “get rich quick” approach to building wealth in real estate.
I encourage you establish savings
goals, if you really want to move forward in real estate. The rule of thumb is
that between 10
- 20% of your income should be saved, with 5% of that amount used for short-term
goals, such as a down payment on a property. Getting into the habit of
saving, however, may take some time, as does any change. I therefore invite you
to research and find a savings plan that works for you. There are number of
downpayment assistance programs that can help first-time homebuyers and you
should take advantage of them, if you apply. That said, think of these programs
as assistance and take lead of your savings journey.
Take this opportunity to see
yourself as truly beginning your journey into real estate by practicing the
skills necessary for every investment property owner through saving. Hit those
savings targets and show the world that you are the next real estate boss.
Sunday, March 19, 2023
We’re Back Again
It’s a pleasure to once again write to on this blog. TRET’s contribution to 2023 is long overdue and I couldn’t let the year go by without a post. As some of you may have noticed. The TRET website was down for a few weeks, which had to do with some hosting issue that have been corrected and we are now happy to bring you new content.
One of thing that I am learning as I evolve as a person and
as a professional is the value of following the established path to success. In
many areas of life, mastering the “fundamentals,” being consistent and paying
attention to the details yields huge dividends. Real estate is no different.
When I started this blog, I was a realtor trying expand my horizons, share my
real estate knowledge and motivate myself to learn more. Many years and roles
later, as an attorney with nearly a decade under my belt, I have experienced
and worked with most aspects of the real estate market, from the property to
the securitization of mortgages and the selling of whole loans. At one point, I
was even valuing the assets of unwound Collateralized Debt Options (CDO’s) that
held mortgage assets. The lesson that I learned through all of that experience
is that although knowledge can facilitate wealth, it does not create it.
It is with that lesson in mind that I wish to push this blog
toward discussing how to create wealth in real estate. I want to facilitate the
growth of fortunes in real asset wealth and this platform is my way to do so.
For those who genuinely seek higher-level real estate discourse, I invite you
to look through the catalogue of previous posts on this blog. I will also
occasionally do topic-driven post, as well, but these posts will no longer be
the primary focus of the blog.
Let’s allow 2023 to bring us all wealth and prosperity. I
look forward to where this year will take us.
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Transform Your Garage Into a Home Office Area
Suzie Wilson
If you work remotely or run a business out of your home, you know how important it is to have the right work area. It’s almost impossible to set any kind of boundaries between work and life, without one. If you don’t have a room in your house that can be used as a home office space, there are other alternatives out there, including turning your garage into an office. Because the garage is set apart from the central living spaces in your house, it can work especially well for those who need a little more privacy or quiet for their work.
Structural
considerations
Before starting your renovations, assess
the structure itself and see if it is sound. There’s no point in putting a lot
of cosmetic work into a garage that simply isn’t safe for working. Also, make
sure it is suited to be made into an office, and figure out what changes will
need to be made. For instance, garages tend to be less well insulated than
homes, so if you want to use your garage as a year-round workspace, you might need to add insulation, and possibly an extra layer of
drywall. The garage door may let a lot of cold or hot air in, so consider
replacing it with something more solid, or having a wall installed.
Do
a major declutter
For many people, garages double as
storage spaces. this often means a lot of random objects and items end up
there. Whether it’s broken lawn furniture you meant to fix, half-empty paint
buckets, or your kids’ old sports equipment, there might be a lot of stuff in
your garage just taking up space and gathering dust. So before you start
renovating, you’ll probably have to tidy up, throw stuff out,
give stuff away, and clean up.
Practical
considerations
Making a garage into a workspace that is
genuinely livable may take some other alterations too. A concrete floor may be
chilly and uncomfortable, so you may want to add some tile or laminate. Think about
how to update the lighting to something warm and inviting, to make the space
look less industrial. Also, consider details like ventilation, heating, and
cooling. If there isn’t easy access to a bathroom from your garage area, you
may need to extend plumbing for added convenience. You’ll also need to think about storage space that is both
functional and attractive. And don’t forget to make sure you are set up for
your technological needs, with spots to plug in devices, and access to good
internet.
The
aesthetics of your office space
Obviously, functionality and practicality
are top considerations, but a good office area will also be aesthetically
pleasing, so consider updates like fresh coats of paint, attractive furniture,
and stylish window fittings. If you plan to meet with customers in your
workspace, make it comfortable and appealing. Look up different office design
styles to see which might be a good fit for you.
Financial
considerations
While having a garage attached to your
house raises its value, having a fully equipped home office may raise
its value even more. If you can save by working from home instead of purchasing
or renting out office space, the savings deriving from this investment may be
substantial indeed. And if you’re worried about what to do with your vehicle now
that you’ve exiled it from the garage, don’t worry – you can always add an
affordable carport, or even more affordably, purchase a car cover. A good car
cover can
protect your vehicle from the elements and make your life easier if
you live in a climate with more extreme weather.
So long as it follows all local laws and regulations, having a dedicated office space in your home can make your life easier and increase your home’s overall value. So it might be worth your while to transform your garage, especially if it’s mostly serving as a storage place for clutter. If you need more guidance or information pertaining to real estate in general, check out more articles like this one at The Real Estate Think Tank.
Saturday, January 1, 2022
2021: What A Year
2021 marked 10 years since I published the first post on
this blog. At the time I was real estate agent and teacher who was about to
begin law school and was looking for ways to better understand real estate
modeling and real estate finance. I hoped to create a community of like-minded
people so that we could explore ways to better value real estate properties and
mortgages and discuss the market. Ten years and many experiences later this
blog has grown and transformed into a general forum on all things real estate and
I am amazed at the direction it has taken. 2021 has been an amazing year for
TRET, so let’s take a look at the year in review.
What a crazy year for real estate! 2021 started with an
insane housing market in which demand greatly outpaced supply. The pandemic
created so much pent-up demand that in some markets, average time on the market
was less than two weeks. This state of affairs, was clearly a carry-over from
the effects of the 2020 quarantine. As the year progressed, housing prices
rose, however so did inflation, depressing any true wealth gains.
Inflation and pent-up demand places the housing market in a
strange position, as inflation rises the cost of construction making an the
housing supply unprofitable. On the other hand inflation reduces the real gains
from selling property, which also makes selling property less desirable. The Fed’s
response to this situation and the market in general will be to raise rates,
which will lower demand, making acquisitions more expensive. This will lead to a
market with inflated prices and high interest rates—a rare market in which buying
is undesirable and selling is only mildly incentivized. For housing, 2022 is
looking to be a slow year for housing as the market returns to normalcy. That said,
the traditional approach to sales and acquisitions will likely be the most
successful. CNN Business has a similar assessment of the market, but with a slightly
different conclusion. Feel free to check out their article here.
Commercial real estate had a unique year as well, but for different
reasons. The year began with depressed asset prices across all classes as
businesses struggled to project their physical needs after the pandemic. Although
asset values were down across the board, multifamily properties performed the
best and proved to be the best way to the whether the storm. Then something
even more interesting happened…seemingly out of the blue, institutional investors
woke-up and began acquiring everything.
A surge of institutional acquisitions took place during the second and third quarters of 2021. Multifamily, retail and industrial properties started to surge. Office properties were being left behind, but many municipalities began to facilitate their conversion into multifamily properties in order facilitate even more activity in market. Then, just as quickly as it came, the wave was over. In retrospect, it is clear that the major players in the market were looking to move money into real estate to avoid the effects of inflation, but at the time, the frothy commercial market felt very much like a feeding frenzy.
The Podcast:
The 10th Anniversary of TRET saw the start of TRET: The Podcast. Although it certainly wasn’t an easy journey, recording the podcast episodes with my childhood friend and real estate extraordinaire, Conrad Bastien, Jr. was a lot of fun. TRET also branched into TRET Shorts, which were also a lot of fun to make. Expect more in future. The podcast was an opportunity to explore a number of topics in a manner that required even more depth and research than would be required by a blog post. Moreover, the chemistry created on that podcast cannot be duplicated. Please feel free to check out our episodes, which are posted here and on this blog.
The Growth:
This year has also seen TRET expand into the area of guest
contributors. We were privileged to benefit from the perspectives of a number
of guest authors, who allowed us to expand our content. I am personally thankful
for the contributions as they served a motivation to keep TRET going.
So after a year like 2021, where do you go? The only answer
is up. Look for more and better from TRET in addition to a migration to a new
platform. TRET is growing, we’d love you all to be a part.
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
TRET Short: For Sale By Owner
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
The End of Summer
Stephon Martin
August is coming to a close and although Summer isn’t officially over until September 23rd, the end of August has an unofficial feel of transition. School will soon have begun for all children in the United States and the country will attempt to push forward out of the shadow of COVID-19. Some areas will forge ahead more successfully than others, but an attempt will be made by all. The beginning of September means that the holiday season is just around the corner. With the impending change of the season, how will the real estate market be affected?
Residential Prime Time
The first few months of the school year, be they August or September, typically trigger a time of reflection for homeowners. The start of the school year is one of the many ways that people mark the passage of time and the beginning of yet another academic year frequently prompts many homeowners to put their houses on the market. The current seller’s market should only serve to further motivate more homeowners to try to capitalize before prices drop. As Bob Vila.com points out, a few select markets have already begun the decline or, in some cases, never quite started the climb. September, October and November will be true indicators of how close to a new normal we really are, both socially and in the residential real estate market.
Commercial Watershed Moment
The current commercial real estate press is praising the bustling commercial real estate market, fueled primarily by multifamily acquisitions and refinances. This praise, however, is a bit shortsighted, as it fails to address the woes of the office market and the real issues of use and change in the retail market. With the economy so tenuous, any good news is great to hear, but commercial real estate has some real questions on the horizon. It seems that most participants in the commercial real estate market are taking a “wait and see” approach, while continuing to invest in the few small pockets where retail and office are making some headway.
Well, that is my quick take on today’s market. I couldn’t let August pass without giving a recap. Please feel free to put your comments below.
Monday, August 23, 2021
Moving to a Bigger House to Start a Business: How to Do It
To succeed in finding the right home for your business and prepare for future expansion, The Real Estate Think Tank offers the following tips below.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
The Ultimate Guide to Picking a New Tenant Referencing Provider
Hello TRET Readers/Followers:
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Improvement Options You Should Consider to Increase the Value of Your Home
Saturday, July 31, 2021
Stick With Properties—For Now
Cautioning against whole loans almost goes against the very
nature of this blog, which promotes all profitable methods of real estate
investment. Whole loan trading and valuation is the very reason why I started
this blog and whole loan investing can be a great way to find hidden value real
estate. That said, the following are various reasons why whole loan investment
is not the best strategy in the current market:
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Press ‘Home’ — Selling Properties With Smart Tech
Please enjoy this article from guest author Suzie Wilson of Happierhome.net
There are many advantages to home automation:
ease of use, better accessibility, and let’s face it — there’s something cool
about a fireplace that starts up when you clap. What you may not have foreseen,
however, are the benefits that technology provides when selling a property.
The Role of Tech
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
12 Baffling Mortgage Acronyms Explained (UK)

Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Foreclosures and the Moratorium
An increase in residential foreclosures and evictions is certainly bad news for affected homeowners and tenants, who will have to find new living arrangements, undergo costly moves in short timeframes, uproot their lifestyles and, in some instances, face long term financial effects. Increasing foreclosures will also serve as a market correction in the real estate market, which is currently driven by inventory scarcity. Amidst the market change and its social implications, many real estate investors can be left wondering which strategy to employ. The answer is simple—any or all of them.
Monday, May 31, 2021
Calculating the Cost of Delay
Let us quickly discuss, on this last day of May, the value
of Delay. Late payments, be they intentional or not, are costly, no matter how
late they are. Time has a calculable value and delayed payments provide a
monetary benefit to the payee and punish the lender or vendor. This value is
easily observed in the world of retail, where giants like Wal-Mart, not only connect
the speed with which they pay their vendors to the success of the products in
their stores, but also fine retailers for late shipments. In retail, late
shipments equate to lost sales. In real estate, late payments lead to increased opportunity
costs and decreased value of money.
Sunday, April 4, 2021
ARMs: A Quick Look
Sunday, March 21, 2021
How to Navigate Legal Structures in Real Estate

Monday, February 8, 2021
Why Most People Don't Get Rich In Real Estate
This may seem harsh, but please
let me qualify my statement by saying that it is not easy to maintain consistent
motivation. Having sufficient motivation to push through real estate losses,
market downturns, bankruptcies or even years of unfruitful prospecting takes inner
strength. During down times and after particularly difficult lessons in real
estate, it can often feel like the experience was a sign to quit or move in a
different direction. It takes true motivation, self-confidence and some self-delusion
to look at a negative real estate experience, learn from the experience and continue
on. This motivation is intrinsic and it only comes from a goal-driven approach
to make it in a real estate. Quitting can never be an option. To that end, I want to share the following link to
“The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale, in the hopes that it is helpful to
someone.
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
How To Get Rich In Real Estate: The Proven Method
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
The End of 2020: Now What?
2020 has been a life-changing year for everyone, literally everyone. From the global pandemic, to the fluctuating economy, not to mention the seismic shift in the perception of "going to work," it is safe to say that the world is different place than it was 12 months ago. Now what?