Author Nick: Trail Potter
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Good news has been sparse in the last couple of years. There has been some stories of recovery, a return to profits for some big corporations, but not much for small business. That good news comes from multinationals and investment banks, while we hope for the trickle-down to our part of the world. But a [...]
As the American economy has shifted from the glutton-rich to bargain basement investment shoppers, so too have our priorities. A “getting back to basics” mentality is not only sweeping through every household but can be seen in how we choose to spend our money today and tomorrow both in the public and private sectors. As [...]
This can crop up in the form of theoretical mark to market capital gains, forgiveness on a bank or credit card loan, or gains related to deductions decreasing over time. This situation can cause “taxable income” to increase even though your net income remains the same. An example of mark to market gains is a [...]
The last word about final paperwork on a real estate transaction is recordation. Until the deal closes (by using the term close means record) there is nothing final about it. Even the terminology itself, misused, has caused delays in culmination. For the inexperienced investor and lender alike, stating that the loan is finalized or the [...]
Real estate investors are amidst the year-end scramble for a myriad of reasons. As an aforethought, it is wise to take a perfunctory look at one’s financial portfolio to be aware of what opportunities, advantages, and dangers lie ahead. For most, knowing the gains, losses, legal and tax implications of each assist in decision-making for [...]
Compromise is the backbone of any negotiation, and with economic recovery at stake, it will be important for there to be political recovery to facilitate economic recovery. There are two specific areas that Democrats and Republicans need to work on together to ensure that the US recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression. [...]
Phantom income refers to an allotment of money that one does not necessarily see, but which is taxable. It is reported as part of a person’s income though one may not see the cash flow connected with the reported income. There are several examples of phantom income, one of which is income received from zero [...]
The feeling associated with a non-performing investment is miserable, and feels like you sinking into financial quicksand. Every month, as your cash flow restricts your ability to take advantage of the current market opportunities, you feel like you are on the outside looking in. The best way out is to look for a way to [...]
Due to the property slump, the rental market has become intensely competitive over the past few years. Tenants are increasingly beginning to differentiate properties on the basis of price as well as quality. If you want to attract new tenants into your old rental properties, there are several things you could do. If you are [...]
The US economy is beginning to grow after two years of declines in most asset classes. Opportunities to make money have been few and far between, as credit has been tight, and headline risk has dominated financial markets. In many areas of the United States, commercial real-estate vacancy rates continue to climb, but many think [...]
Once upon a time there was a land where anyone could make serious money in real estate. Commercial real estate prices were steadily rising. In many parts of this land the value of commercial real estate rose significantly between the time you contracted for the purchase and the time you actually closed. You actually had [...]
In the normal world of commerce, “COD” means you GET something of value when you pay “cash on delivery”. As is often the case, the Internal Revenue Service has given a new meaning to “COD”. In their lexicon, COD means you pay them cash when you GIVE up something. If you are the owner of [...]
Outside Phoenix Arizona, along Ironwood Road on the far east side of the county, there are planned communities left abandoned, the few residents in a state of limbo. A block designed for 24 homes has eight completed, four occupied, and three more left in a partial state of construction. The developer has gone out of [...]
The strip mall has been a ubiquitous presence on the suburban American landscape for a generation. At times of growth, the strip mall has been the fertile ground for business expansion – and in recession can become symbolic of the anemic state of business. Because the strip mall businesses rely heavily on mutual support from [...]
