Let's talk about risk.

Enjoy and have a nice weekend!

Home Depot or ACE Hardware in Moody???

The cited article from The Birmingham News reports on a recent re-zoning in Moody, Alabama. The article states, "a national building supply company". My suspicion is HD or ACE.

Lessons from Iraq: Voter Fraud

Sorry this is not a commercial real estate article, but I can't let an idea like this go to waste. I think you'll understand.

Okay we've all heard about it lately... Voter fraud. The upcoming US presidential election is as heated as ever and therefore some folks are looking for an unfair edge. The premiere story in the news today is dealing with ACORN, a voter advocacy group. Oops, a liberal advocacy group. Did I say that? Well, they have registered Mickey Mouse and a dead goldfish. Hmmm...

My solution is simple. Take a lesson from our Iraqi friends who had their first democratic election two years ago. No high tech surveillance or studies. No profiling or duplicate documents. Just a purple finger.

Maybe we should all don a purple ink dyed finger tip proudly. You can't cover it up. It doesn't wash off until for a day or so. What does that mean? One person can vote only one time. No voter fraud!

The Next Bailout?

The next bailout might be money market funds in distress. An article on Bloomberg.com sites the Federal Reserve's latest plan.

Might Add to Dashboard

I am thinking about adding the Manufacturing Index to the real estate dashboard. Manufacturing can be a leading indicator for what the manufacturers believe the economy will do in the short-term.

Top Ten Reasons to Pick Up the Phone and Call a Prospect

1. They aren't calling me today.
2. The paper clips are already organized.
3. I like using my headset, it makes me look like Garth Brooks.
4. I do want to have a successful year don't I?
5. Relationships begin with just one call.
6. Relationships end with just one call. Call them again!
7. Talking on the phone beats hitting refresh to see the stock market go down more.
8. Do I need to review those files again?
9. If I'm talking on the phone no one else will bother me.
10.Looking busy is better than looking board.

Top Six Reasons to Worry About the Credit Crisis

1. Lender can't refinance with similar terms.
2. Lender can't refinance at current debt coverage.
3. Tenants can't get short-term money.
4. Tenants can't find capital to expand.
5. Investor/partner's lost money in the stock market and needs cash.
6. Tenants don't have customers.

If you are worried about the future, I can help your assess your real estate position in the market and recommend a strategy for success.

Recent Transactions

Value Place Hotel Development land

• Exit 103, Interstate 59
• 2 +/- acres
• $1,250,000
• Closed September 2008

eCO Credit Union - Frankfurt Circle

• Frankfurt Circle (access to Lakeshore Drive)
• 2 +/- acres
• $406,500
• Closed October 2008

eCO Credit Union - Clay Lease

• 1,200 sf retail bay
• Old Springville Road (Trussville/Clay area)
• $13.40/sf NNN
• Closed October 2008

Globe Street On Trinity Hospital Highway 280 Site

Click here to link to Globe Street's article.

Other news:

In a time when you generally are hearing bad news about our economy. I'm not here to defend the current national situation, however, on a local level, Alabama seems to be "insulated" regarding economic downturns in the real estate market. According to the Huntsville Times article, 3.29% of Alabama home mortgages are deemed seriously late compared to 4.5% nationally. Furthermore, only 0.65% of Alabama loans entered the forclosure process compared to 1.08% nationally. You read right, the national rate is almost twice that of Alabama.

Update: Real Estate Market Dashboard

Click the image to download the PDF file.