Welcome to Chez Cliff!

The inspection of the exterior revealed something interesting.

Something besides the missing AC unit.

The tenant did not leave tons of junk behind.  Actually it is nice stuff.  Air compressors, power tools, buckets of nails, bicycles, buckets of nails, small weber grill, buckets of nails . . .

This is better than last time.

Someone suggested I call 1.800.GOT.JUNK.  But I’m thinking my account on eBay may be the better route.  Or a sign that says "YARD SALE".  A few hundred dollars more towards renovations can’t hurt.

There was no trashing of the property prior to their departure.  After years of neglect, there is not much left to trash.

A realization came to me, while patrolling the discarded treasure.  This is something I will probaby have to endure with each property that I get.  Because of the nature of the projects I can afford at this juncture, my inheritance will now consist of discarded equipment, toys, and other various sundries.

Here are some photos.  Click to enlarge the "catalog".  Maybe eBay?

SFX:  Cell Phone Rings
RealEstate Agent:  Get over to the houses and change the locks.
Clifford:  It’s about time!

Now we can move forward.

Life is good.

"So what would it take to get you out of retirement?" my friend asked.

Unbeknownst to many, investing in real estate is not my first attempt into the realm of full-time investor.  Several businesses were started and each one of them failed.

These internet businesses I helped create, and why they failed, could fill an entire blog on it’s own.  This tidbit I will divulge: each attempt angered me resulting in running down old women, small children and squirrels with my car.  Retirement ensued, not only for my mental health but for public safety.

My friend clearly understood my anguish.  His offer was made more enticing with the addition of several incentives.  First, he would deal with the customer and not me.  Next, he would handle all the business and not me.  Third, he guaranteed payment even if he himself did not get paid.

A fleeting thought suggested "Maybe this won’t be so bad if you quote him an outrageous dollar figure."  This lead to quick justification: if he turns me down due to hourly rate then it won’t be my fault.  From there, the decision was made: give him an outrageous number, one he would surely deny.  Then, his urging my "come back" tour would cease; ease my conflict if you will.

He accepted my outrageous number.

Those ideals which I hold close to my heart felt betrayed.  The ideals being "I will invest for tomorrow instead of working for today."  But the prospect of making several thousand dollars, both quickly and minimally, appealed to me.  With some reservation I accepted.

At the end of the project, I knew it had been a mistake.  In the grand scheme, I’ll have to give up a large portion of the money in the form of taxes.  Many nights were spent, trying to integrate my code into his website which was no easy feat.  Some days, my lunch hour was sacrificed.

Was it worth it?  No.  Remembering why I stopped in the first place has been refreshed in my mind.  A new sense of "invest for tomorrow" has emerged, refreshing my beliefs in what it is that I am doing and accomplishing.

Unlike some pop-singers, this was my final come-back.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Birthday to the Duke!

This is in addition to today’s regular post.

The events below border on the realm of unbelievable.

It was Tuesday of this week that funding was to occur.  Day after day passed without the transaction actually taking place.  Finally yesterday, the loan was funded.

Today as the county of Los Angeles was preparing to file the official "change
of title" paperwork the title company called and had the paperwork pulled.  Why?

No one can find the money.

Wells Fargo sent half a million dollars to the wrong company.

This makes me want to give their pony back.

It appears the Keystone Cops at Wells Fargo have begun the process of getting the money back.  But this will take a least one business day.  Afterwards, with my fingers crossed, they will send the money to the correct company.

So funding will happen on Tuesday of next week.

There are two good things, emerging from this debacle.

1. I will not be making the interest payments since Wells Fargo failed to fund on time.  This means I will be getting a refund from escrow (and all those fees!)
2. The squatters have not 100% moved out.  My spy on the street informs me the squatters have made daily trips to the house and remove stuff every day.