I have been getting pretty frustrated with my kids. They had not been helping keeping up with the house and had been fighting a lot. The other day I turned off the TV when I left and said no TV until such and such is complete. I came home and the TV was on. That did it I blew. I put the TV in the garage, collected all the Game Boys and assorted garbage and unplugged computers from the internet (except mine and my wife’s). They really were not getting a clue. For about a week I have been collecting DVD’s and PS II disc that they do not properly put away and stacking them in my office. I told them they had to work to get them back. They didn’t care, just pulled out another one. Then it slowly began to change. They started playing with each other, riding bikes and playing with real toys. I... 08/23/2009

Passive Losses – Real Estate Investing – Part 7 This is Part 7 of my Real Estate Investing Series. You can view the first 6 Parts here: Are you planning for your Future? Real Estate Investing – Part 1 Starting at Home! Real Estate Investing – Part 2 Maintain Your Leverage! Real Estate Investing – Part 3 Picking Your Investment Property – Real Estate Investing – Part 4 Location * Location * Location – Real Estate Investing – Part 5 Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 A Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 B Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 C Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 D I want to state I am not an accountant and any information here should be reviewed with your qualified accountant for accuracy and applicability. ... 08/21/2009

Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 D This is Part 6 D of my Real Estate Investing Series. You can view the first 5 Parts here: Are you planning for your Future? Real Estate Investing – Part 1 Starting at Home! Real Estate Investing – Part 2 Maintain Your Leverage! Real Estate Investing – Part 3 Picking Your Investment Property – Real Estate Investing – Part 4 Location * Location * Location – Real Estate Investing – Part 5 Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 A Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 B Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 C Part 6 is Cash Flow Analysis. I have broken this into several parts, Part D takes us to Net Spendable Income, what the investments means in your pocket every year.  Go to my web site and get a... 08/19/2009

Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 C This is Part 6 C of my Real Estate Investing Series. You can view the first 5 Parts here: Are you planning for your Future? Real Estate Investing – Part 1 Starting at Home! Real Estate Investing – Part 2 Maintain Your Leverage! Real Estate Investing – Part 3 Picking Your Investment Property – Real Estate Investing – Part 4 Location * Location * Location – Real Estate Investing – Part 5 Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 A Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 B Part 6 is Cash Flow Analysis. I have broken this into several parts, Part C takes us to Tax Benefit Analysis. You may go to my web site and get a Free Cash Flow Calculator and down load a copy of the live example of this example at the same time.... 08/17/2009

Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 B This is Part 6 B of my Real Estate Investing Series. You can view the first 5 Parts here: Are you planning for your Future? Real Estate Investing – Part 1 Starting at Home! Real Estate Investing – Part 2 Maintain Your Leverage! Real Estate Investing – Part 3 Picking Your Investment Property – Real Estate Investing – Part 4 Location * Location * Location – Real Estate Investing – Part 5 Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 A Part 6 is Cash Flow Analysis. I have broken this into several parts, Part B will focus on depreciation. You may go to my web site and get a Free Cash Flow Calculator and down load a copy of the live example of this example at the same time. I believe my example is very conservative and realistic in ... 08/15/2009

Brentwood Housing Market. This report on home sales in Brentwood California is based Single Family Homes reported on the MLS as of August 13th 2009. Due to late reporting the numbers in this months Brentwood Market Report might vary slightly from Last Months Brentwood Market Report. I have broken the Active Sales up into two categories of homes in Brentwood California.  I did all homes, which gave an average price per SF of $212.00 and really drove the numbers up.  Brentwood contains a number of high end properties with significant amounts of land, that can skew the numbers.  So I also looked at the homes for sale in Brentwood with lots of under 1 acre and came up with an average asking price per SF of $151.00.  This is more representative of what homes are selling for in Brentwood. I h... 08/14/2009

Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 A This is Part 6 A of my Real Estate Investing Series. You can view the first 5 Parts here: Are you planning for your Future? Real Estate Investing – Part 1 Starting at Home! Real Estate Investing – Part 2 Maintain Your Leverage! Real Estate Investing – Part 3 Picking Your Investment Property – Real Estate Investing – Part 4 Location * Location * Location – Real Estate Investing – Part 5 Part 6 is Cash Flow Analysis. This area can be dry and complex, therefore I am breaking it down into several parts. You may go to my web site and get a Free Cash Flow Calculator and down load a copy of the live example at the same time. Today I am going to focus on the basic Annual Cash Flow Analysis. I believe my example is very conservative and reali... 08/14/2009

Harvest Park Bowl is the place to Bowl in Brentwood California. If you have not been bowling in sometime you ought to stop by the Harvest Park Bowl and throw a few balls. Harvest Park Bowl is located at 5000 Balfour Road, just near the corner of Brentwood Blvd (old Highway 4); Behind the Cheaper Gas and car wash. Or call them at 516-1221. Bowling is great family fun and Harvest Park Bowl has a great set up for families. They host birthday parties, and we have had my kid’s parties at Harvest Park Bowl. If the kids are small and just getting into it there is bumper bowl or ramps to roll the ball down for the little kids. The scoring machines are automatic and do not provide a lot of problems. There is pool, pinball and a snack bar. Harvest Park Bowl offers lessons and a pro shop so you ca... 08/11/2009

Golden Dragon Buffet is a fine Buffet Restaurant located in Brentwood California. When people think of buffet dinning they often think of mass quantities of mediocre food. Well at the Golden Dragon Buffet you should think of mass quantities of really good food. The Golden Dragon Buffet features Asian and American cuisine. Most of the American food is so so. Stick the Asian dinning, you will not be disappointed. My personal favorite is the bacon wrapped crab, but there are many fine choices to make off the buffet tables, including generous portions of sea food. The fried scallops are only lightly breaded, to me this is a sign of quality that they do not bury the higher end food in a mound of coating. But there is far more to tell you about. My wife and oldest son like Sushi. Now raw fish... 08/07/2009

Tri-Counties Bank is a great local bank and if you Follow My Post you know I generally do not think highly of banks.  I frequently recommend to people that they seek out a small local bank for their banking needs. Tri-Counties Bank is a local Bank serving Northern California.  I see their branches primarily in the valley and some in the East Bay.  I have seen them as far south a Chowchilla.  Some people are always concerned with small banks not having enough ATM's.  Well at Tri-Counties Bank if I use another Banks ATM Tri-Counties Bank reimburses me any fees that I get charged.  So I try to use my Banks own ATM's but if I am traveling or a Tri-Counties Bank is not nearby I can still get cash and not pay extra. Tri-Counties Bank is very helpful and some branches even have Sunday hours.  ... 08/04/2009

I hate the phrase "Teachable Moment" and I even hated it before Barak Obama uttered it in regards to the incidents in Cambridge recently.  I hate it when a Little League coach runs across the field shouting, "Teachable Moment, Teachable Moment."  And yes I really did see that last one. I am not against learning from ones mistakes, and it is even better if we can learn from others mistakes (usually cheaper too).  Maybe it is because it sounds so touchy, feelly, New Age?  Or maybe it is because it takes out the responsibility of the "Mistake."  I realize when dealing with conflict (I also shudder at the expression "Conflict Resolution" but that is for another day.  Some might say World War II was Conflict Resolution in Action.) either as a mediator/judge/umpire or as one of the parties is... 08/02/2009

Location * Location * Location – Real Estate Investing – Part 5 This is Part 5 in my Real Estate Investing Series. You may wish to start with the first Four Parts: Are you planning for your Future? Real Estate Investing – Part 1 Starting at Home! Real Estate Investing – Part 2 Maintain Your Leverage! Real Estate Investing – Part 3 Picking Your Investment Property – Real Estate Investing – Part 4 In Picking Your Investment Property – Real Estate Investing – Part 4 I state that Location – Location – Location is key in any Real Estate Investing decision. Every area of the country is different and every community is different. When selecting the Location you are going to invest there are four stages of development you should look at in a neighborhood: • New. Unless you are in a rapidly appr... 07/30/2009

Summerset 55+ Community in Brentwood is a gated community in East Contra Costa County’s finest city for those 55 and older. Brentwood is one of Contra Costa County’s most upscale, but affordable communities. Summerset 55+ Community in Brentwood offers its members the security of a gated community with many amenities, such as a Club House, Pool, Tennis Courts, a Gym, and a Green Belt. Summerset 55+ Community offers a number of community activities directed at its members. Many of these fine Summerset Homes set right on one of Brentwood’s Fine Golf Courses. Brentwood offers fine shopping and many Community Events. Summerset 55+ Community in Brentwood was built in four phases and the homes available now where built in from about 1993 to 2003. Newer homes in another nearby 55+ communities a... 07/27/2009

Homes for Sale in Brentwood’s Rose Garden include some of the newest and nicest, yet affordable homes in Brentwood California. Brentwood’s Rose Garden was developed by Pulte Homes with built from 2004 to 2006. The Rose Garden Featured four sets of model homes with a size and price range for everyone, yet organized to give the neighborhoods a uniform look without being cookie cutter in nature. Brentwood is East Contra Costa Counties most upscale Community, featuring some of the most affordable luxury living in all of Contra Costa County. Brentwood features fine dinning, shopping, golf, water sports, parks, and a number of community events. Rose Garden Homes include the communities many fine local parks, club house and community pool. Homes for Sale in Brentwood’s Rose Garden are primaril... 07/26/2009

Homes for Sale in Garin Ranch - Garin Ranch is an exciting an affordable community in Brentwood California.  Garin Ranch is on the South East side of town bordering Brentwood's Historic Downtown.  Brentwood’s Historic downtown features fine dining, parks, an old fashioned theatre, a weekly farmers market, and city services.  Homes for Sale in Garin Ranch are some of the most affordable homes in Brentwood California.  Brentwood is the finest community in East Contra Costa County and the Most affordable upscale community in Contra Costa County.  Brentwood area features many Golf Courses, Water Sports, and Community Events.   Garin Parkway runs through the Garin Ranch area.  Many of the lots are smaller than you might find elsewhere in Brentwood, but livable.  Many people like Garin Ranch ... 07/25/2009

Homes for Sale in Brentwood’s Apple Hill Estates – these homes maybe more affordable than you think. Apple Hill Estates is Brentwood’s finest community. Apple Hill Estates is a Gated Community with Custom Homes surrounded by Golf Courses. Apple Hill Estates offers some custom homes in excess of 4000 SF and some lots in excess of 15,000 SF; one third of an acre. Homes for Sale in Brentwood’s Apple Hill Estates feature such amenities as pool, club house, and tennis courts. Brentwood is East Contra Costa County’s premier community and Apple Hill Estates in Brentwood California is Brentwood’s Best. Living in Brentwood offers many fine amenities including shopping, golf, many fine Parks, nearby water sports and many exciting community events. Homes for sale in Brentwood’s Apple Hill Estates ... 07/24/2009

Golf Course Homes for Sale in Brentwood California – Brentwood California is an upscale, but affordable home in East Contra Costa County featuring some very fine Golf Course Homes. Most of these Golf Course Homes for sale in Brentwood California are newer and features many upgrades. Brentwood Golf Course Homes offer 63 unique holes on three excellent club courses. Shadow Lakes Golf Course has two incredible 18-hole courses surrounded by beautiful Golf Course Homes for Sale in Brentwood California. This Golf Course Homes and these Golf Courses set in the scenic rolling hills on the west side of Brentwood California with fantastic views of Mount Diablo. The event center provides fine dinning and is available for banquets and weddings. The nearby Brentwood Golf Club features 27 holes surro... 07/23/2009

I Got My Google Voice - For Free - And Not Sure it Works for Me! I recieved my much vaunted Google Voice activation notice last night.  I was now at the Front of the Que!  This morning I excitedly set up my account.  I must tell you it is not what I expected. I thought Google Voice would be something like Skype, allowing me to make internet phone calls.  I did get to pick out a Custom Phone Number: 925-456-Gene.  The idea is for me to give this Google Voice number out to everyone and when they call this Google Voice number all my phones ring (the ones I want); office, home, cell, etc.  . . .  Currently I use only my cell phone for work, so all the calls I get already go where I want.  I do use my home phone with blocked ID for some outgoing calls.  I thought about combining Google Voice... 07/21/2009

This has been a bad week.  A client failed to get his offer accepted on a very nice home he really wanted.  It just cost too much.  We will have to get back on it next week. Several problems with things on the internet which screwed up some marketing, which . . . . , well you get the point. My first wife is very ill and my oldest two are worried about her. It is set to be 107 today and the AC is not helping. I have been worried about finding time to get my kids camping. Well my calander is magically clear.  No homes to see this weekend.  I have found that when I need a break but am too busy/scared to take on God clears my calandar. I am leaving tomorrow to take my oldest two up to the mountains.  A little hiking, a little fishing, some swimming and I figure at 7000 feet we might only be... 07/16/2009

Here is this months Brentwood Market Report. These figures were pulled from the MLS on July 13th & 14th and are for Single Family Homes only. There are some slight differences in the Sold properties for May in this months report and Last Months Report Due to late reporting. Prices leveled out and showed no increase on a SF basis from month to month. The average and median price still increased. The number of bank owned homes on the market remained about the same going from 39 last month to 40 now. The price of active homes is moving closer to the sales point of the sold homes. The housing supply is slightly over 2 months, but this is still a tight market, and this is part of the reason for the price increases and the downward trend in total sales numbers. Sales and pricing figures in Br... 07/14/2009