Welcome to Chez Cliff!

I’m taking a break from all this hectic work to do something I haven’t done in four or five months.  I’m hosting a dinner party at "Chez Cliff".  I’m unsure of when I’ll be able to host another dinner party with all the work that will be ahead of me.

This night seemed to be a night of revelations.  It was the first time that I publicly announced my intentions to move into the investor world.  I brought them up to speed on the investment property details.  I also told them about my adventures with the ATM guy back in December.  Anyway, the looks on the faces at the table was interesting because no one seemed really stunned.  I would almost describe their reaction as "It’s about time."

But I discovered that some friends of mine were leaving to go to New York City.  The husband had found a job as the personal chef for the head of Revlon.  Fortunately for her, she can work from home and has made those arrangements already.  So she doesn’t have to search for a job.  Good for them.  I’ll miss them but they are happy to be going to New York City.  And I’m happy for them.

I slapped the menu together.

First Course:  Tapenade served on basilic baked crackers with Veuve Clicquot Champagne.
Second Course:  Cream of Artichoke Soup with Black Truffles.
Third Course:  Crab cake, served in a red bell pepper shell on top of black rice.  Fried mushrooms and a champagne butter sauce accompanied the crab.
Four Course:  Light spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette.
Dessert:  Creme Anglais with chocolate truffles
Wine Selection:  1998 Chateauneuf de Pape, 2000 St. Emillion

Needless to say, it was incredible.  I even surprised myself!

The best compliment was from my friend, the chef.  He looked at me at the end of the meal and said "Cliff, this was good.  And the portions were perfect size."

I’ll never understand people’s predilections regarding eating food.  Why eat until your stuffed?  While the menu I created sounds like a lot of food, I didn’t serve it Denny’s Style.  That is to say heaping piles of food on people’s plate.

In any event, it felt good to take a night off an unplug.

The broker called and the CEO of the software company wants to meet with us.  I setup and appointment and my mentor is available.

Score!!

I’m so stoked about this.  It is hard for me to fathom that I’m getting an opportunity to sit in on these meetings.  I know that one day, I’m going to be a player and this is my glimpse into this world.  And I consider myself extremely fortunate that this is happening.

I got some more information about the software company.  This is great.  It’s software is a subscription based software package which means revenues every month coming in from existing customers.  It’s not a "one time purchase" program.  And the software allows for complete remote administration which means all technical support is handled in house.  The company only has 12 employees, including the CEO and it’s annual income is around $3 million.

I think I’m going to pee my pants!!

I couldn’t wait.  I’m sorry.  I was totally impatient but I couldn’t help myself.  My cell phone was working over time, this morning, ringing up the Loan Officer.  I finally got her and the phone number to the real estate agent was mine.  He was on vacation so I couldn’t call him for a few days.

That’s alright.

I have to break someone else’s heart in the mean time.

I called Carolina.  I told him I wanted out.  He said it would take a day to prepare the paperwork to back out of the loan.  I tell him that I’ll be there around noon the next day to sign the paperwork.  He said he’s not surprised that I’m backing out.

I don’t care.

I’m happy.

It feels like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders.

At the coffee shop this morning, I announced that I had purchased the condo.  I tried to be positive about it but I couldn’t.  Once again, I started bagging on Carolina and the entire deal.

There are two ladies who come to the coffee shop.  I see them every now and then and we talk.  Nothing heavy, just light conversation.  One of them asked me about my condo and I explain to her that I’m not happy.  When she asked me the reasons for my sadness, I said that it’s not what I wanted.  I really want investment property but every lender I talk to tells me that I can’t get it because I don’t have 10% to put down.

Then came the most beautiful set of words I had heard uttered in a long, long time. 

She said, "Cliff, if you want to get into investment property I can get you in."
I replied "If you were single, I’d marry you."

Come to find out, this lady specializes in loans for investment properties.  In pressing her further, I found out that she owns several rental properties in the Long Beach area.  That impresses me.  I would much rather work with someone who has experience in what I’m trying to do.  This makes it easy to ask questions and find answers.

Plus, she works with a real estate agent who specializes in rental property.  He lives in Long Beach and has several rental properties as well.

She gave me her phone number.  I’ll call her Monday morning to get the real estate agent’s phone number.

Carolina, you’re out.

My loan documents came.  Score!  There certainly is a lot of stuff here.  But I can’t bring myself to look at all the paperwork.  This is bad.  I’m not happy.

I put the paperwork aside.  I’ll look at it this weekend.