Welcome back to another segment of how to get rich and stay rich, clothing and accessories style! Today, I will be talking about another one of men’s essentials, the man’s umbrella, and the symbolic swagger that comes with it.

It is difficult to say when we considered umbrellas disposable. Perhaps it was long after some schmuck created the collapsible version. And in reducing it to a mere functional tool as opposed to an accessory, the true symbolic meaning of the man’s umbrella – the sword, the vestigial battle-axe, the swagger stick – became lost.

So, today I am going to show you how I added my first man’s umbrella to my collection. And on a budget to boot!

Now, if money were not an issue, I’d run out and purchase a silver handle, bespoke Brigg Umbrella for $3,000.00 plus, in a heart beat. But, I’m on a budget. But, I’m not sacrificing my taste in quality.

So, instead I scoured eBay for an old Fox Paragon umbrella, manufactured by British steelmaker Samuel Fox. I managed to find two (a men’s and women’s) for around $40.00 a pop. I then contacted and sent the two units to the Kensington neighborhood of Brooklyn and the only known expert umbrella man left in the United States, Gilbert Center. Check it out!

Center recanopied both the paragons in pristine black nylon, striped rust from the frames, polished the brass tips, and gave one of the faux ivory handles a bit of TLC. The result? two rapier-thin 1950s umbrellas that total less than $120.00 each.

So, go out there guys and gals. Find your own umbrellas before the rainy seasons begins. Or, use it to dispatch evildoers and hail cabs. When properly cared for, your umbrella can last a lifetime. Just remember, your umbrella shouldn’t fold up in your briefcase, and should not be sold in bargain bins. It should be able to fend off thugs!

See you in seven!

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to my full feed RSS. You can also subscribe by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.

How is it going readers? With the way the world economy is right now, you probably could be better right? Chances are, if you are reading this, you are living in North America (and yes, that includes you, Canada). And as difficult as it may be for you to believe, you really are rich. “How’s that now?” you may be asking. With rent, car and credit card payments that you can barely pay for, how can I possibly say you’re rich? Well, let’s take a look at the bigger picture.

Being a Real Estate Mogul, I have had the opportunity to travel to many countries outside of the United States. And believe you me, even the projects look like paradise compared to many third world country areas. The terrible reality is that over three billion people live on less than $2 per day while 1.3 billion get by on less than $1 per day. Seventy percent of those living on less than $1 per day are women. Do you know that the pimple-ridden punk kid spitting in your burger at McDonald’s makes more than 75% of the world’s population? In many parts of the world, there are people who don’t have food, never mind a Quarter Pounder with cheese.

You may be struggling financially. You may be living from paycheck to paycheck. The collection companies may be hounding you. You may be on the verge of giving up. It all seems so hopeless. But there is something you can do about it. And you can do it starting right now.

You can appreciate and be grateful for what you already have. To most of the world, you are living the dream life. You have clean water, fresh air, and you don’t live in a war zone. You may think your life sucks but there are billions of people who would gladly switch places with you in a heartbeat.

Take a look at all the things you already have and probably take for granted: freedom, safety, friends, and family. I’m pretty sure you have enough food for dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow morning. You’ve probably got enough change in your pocket to get a latte at Starbucks. You’re living in a place with heat and may be even air conditioning. I bet you have a cell phone, a color TV, a computer and most importantly, access to the Internet.

Stop dwelling on the negative things happening in your life. Take some time off and just stop. Take a deep breath. Doesn’t that feel good? Have you noticed that when you think about bills, all you get in the mail are more bills? That is the law of attraction at work. Take a page out of the book, “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, you attract what you are and you are what you think. Change your thinking and you’ll change your life. If you’re always thinking, “My life sucks!” you will attract things that make your life suck even more. If you appreciate the things you already have and start thinking “My life is great!” you will attract things that make your life greater. It works.

I recommend you take a few minutes each day, stop and appreciate one aspect of your life. Realize that not everyone in the world can enjoy that aspect. You are special and fortunate enough to realize it. Put a smile on your face and you will feel instantly better. It really is a sad fact that most people don’t appreciate what they have until it’s gone. Don’t let that happen to you.

I hope you guys don’t find this too New Age but inspirational. In the fast pace world we live in now, it is often too easy for us to forget to just stop and smell the roses. And in many cases, that’s just all we need sometimes to get us through our stressful days.

While, I do not mean to ask you to feel better because their are people less fortunate than you in the world, I do want you to feel better about your situation. Don’t delight in other people’s misery, be delighted for everything you have.

See you guys in seven!

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to my full feed RSS. You can also subscribe by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.

Hello everyone! Ever wonder what life is like as a Real Estate Mogul? Well, now you can! I finally caved and signed up for the latest social networking craze, Twitter. I managed to dodge Facebook altogether, and it was a good thing I did!

Yesterday, it was discovered that Facebook quietly changed their “Terms of Use” to allow them to own and control all user content and information indefinitely. Check out the original article here. Do you know how valuable all that information is to researchers? It would fetch a hefty sum for companies who want to target specific age groups, sex, and other demographics to sell their stuff to. Facebook has since bowed to the pressure from their users, but who knows how long that will last?

In any case, back to Twitter. It is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Many believe it to be the next step above the current ultimate stalker website, Facebook. However, it does have its uses. One thing I am going to use it for is as a digital scheduler. If I needed to find out what I was doing on a particular day and time, I could just log in and scroll back!

So, if you are interested in what I do all day, scroll down to the bottom right of the site, and click the Twitter button. So, if you ever need to find or contact me, you can! I always have time to talk to people. I also threw in a few other buttons down there as well. With AIM, you can send me an Instant Message regarding a property for sale, or just to say Hi. If I am not logged in, it will be routed to my cellphone as a text message.

I also included a link to my LinkedIn account, as I am a big believer in the power of social networking. It also gives you a better understanding of what I do and who I am.

Okay guys, till next time, think rich, act rich, and be rich!

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to my full feed RSS. You can also subscribe by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.

Hello guys! Sorry for the late post this week, but I had to head up to Alaska and pick out my turkey (that’s a Senator Palin joke, guys). Just kidding!

With a decrease in buyers as of late, people have had to make their wares (house) more attractive to potential buyers. People are no longer overlooking the minor details, and nit pick on the smallest problems. Therefore there has been a trend of refreshing of homes, or remodeling projects in all areas.

Here are some tips that hopefully will come in handy when you do decide to hire a contractor.

1. Get at least three written estimates. Chances are you got a high quote and having two more to compare it with is just good sense. In this market, you may be able to use the lower two to leverage a better price with the contractor you like best.

2. Get references and call to check on the work. If possible, go by and visit earlier jobs. This is just good sense. you want to be able to examine and preview the goods or workmanship before you buy. It’s also a good idea to check with previous customers.

3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints. If nothing else, they keep records of any disciplinary actions or suspensions that your potential contractors have received in the past. You can also check to see if they are bonded or even licensed! Although I have to warn you from personal experience, a contractor has to do something really really bad to have a black mark put onto his record.

4. Be sure that the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled. Don’t leave anything up in the air. It is better to get things straight and clear before any work starts. You don’t want someone to tear down your roof and stop while it rains because you guys could not come to terms with something minor like who pays for the paint.

5. Make as small a down-payment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job. I always like to structure the last final payment to be as much of the total contract price as possible. That way, I hold all the leverage.

6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance. You don’t want to get sued later, after you sell the house, by the new owners, and find that you have no one to file a cross-complaint against.

7. Be sure that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn’t. Also remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it. Please check with the local laws in your area though. I usually put in a penalty clause, such as a $100 per day charge for delays in completion. Keeps the contractors on time. Of course, if there are extreme circumstances, I always have the option of waiving it.

8. Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will do parts. It’s good to know who exactly is working on your property. As with the above tip, if there are subcontractors, you need to get their information, in case you are ever sued. More cross complainants.

9. Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet any local building codes or regulations. This may be a bit difficult. By human nature, no one wants to be liable for anymore than they have to be. So, I suggest you write it right into the contract. If they complain, choose another contractor!

10. Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage. Don’t give them the final payment until the site is clean. You have no idea how much throwing away garbage costs at the dump. Simple rule, you make the mess, you clean it up.

11. Guarantee that materials used meet your specifications. I always like to purchase my own materials. Especially the simpler, smaller things such as light fixtures and what not. That way I know exactly how much is spent. Some contractors buy cheaper products and still charge you for the more expensive ones to make a few bucks.

12. Don’t make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the work. Period.

I don’t have anything against contractors! Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think all of them are bad, or think ill of them as a group. I am merely sharing some tips on how to protect yourselves when hiring a contractor to work on your home. Hope you can use some of these! See you in seven (or fewer, this week).

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to my full feed RSS. You can also subscribe by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.

Well, it’s been another week. My, how time flies. This just goes to show you folks, make every moment count! Don’t dilly dally on anything. This is also the last segment of my How to Sell in Any Market Series. You want any more, you’re going to have to hire me! In any case, let’s not dilly dally, and get right to it!

Important First Impressions
Although there are no concrete statistics to support this, you guys would not believe the amount of sales that have been blown by minute details. Like what? Like unkempt lawns, cluttered closets, unpainted front doors, hard-to-work locks, blown light bulbs, bad colors, stains, unlit areas and bad smells.

Spend time on the little things! I can’t stress that enough. Double up on your gardening, keep things cleaner than usual. Take serious control of your pets during this period. It will pay off in the long run.

The Right Kind of Repairs
However, yes I know, I tend to contradict myself, it is important that you don’t be tempted to make improvements prior to listing without consulting your Agent. Some upgrades will not yield any real increase in value, while others may increase property value substantially.

You don’t want to put in a swimming pool in your yard in San Francisco, for example. Not only will it not increase the value of your home, you won’t get back the cost of putting it in. However, getting a permit for converting an office into a bedroom, would be a worthwhile task. Not only will the value of your property go up, you only need to make a few minor changes to do it, such as putting in a closet and paying for the apllication fee.

Not Giving the Sales Effort Enough Time
You should never give too little time to what is inherently a long process. Homes may take 3-6 months to sell, in any market. Well, more like 7-10 months now. Estimate how much time you have before you need to sell and then plan ahead to allow extra time. You don’t want to be forced to accept a disappointing offer.

Sit down with your Agent and go over a weekly plan. Meet often and stay in touch. With the market as volitile as it is, it always good to meet and refine your weekly plan.

Screening Prospects
One of the best reasons for hiring an Agent (me) is his (my) ability to prequalify a prospect financially before valuable negotiation time is lost. More importantly, your Agent (me) may discover when a prospect has an ulterior motive for shopping homes, other than purchasing.

Basically, let me do all of the leg work for you. I can toss out the lookie-loos, and make sure that the people I bring to your house, actually wants to buy it. Or for that matter, CAN actually purchase it.

You Can Make a Difference
The top agents in the industry report that sellers themselves are responsible for at least one out of ten sales! You can network your business and personal friends, you can hand out fliers at your place of business and elsewhere, and you can keep the house in move in condition. Your Agent should be ready to hand you all sorts of assignments to make the team effort successful.

Testing the Market
I know I have said this before but this is something I have to stress. Never put your property on the market, unless you really want a sale! Don’t waste my time or yours. Get ready for a professional sales push when you list with a great agent (ahem, me). If your plan harbors some indecision, resolve it before you list, because success is every great Real estate Agent’s objective!

Well, that’s it for me folks! Please keep all of these things in mind next time you want to sell your house. See you in seven. I’ll come up with more things to help you save money.

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to my full feed RSS. You can also subscribe by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.