Swimming Upstream in a Confluence of Corruption

Vancouver Real Estate: How Big Banks and Big Government can Influence our Local Market.

I rarely dip my toes into the political abyss, but the confluence of Wall Street, Real Estate and Big Government was just too big to pass up in this case. I understand, nearly to the point of apathy, that I can do little to control the outcome of these macro-economic issues. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still tick me off to see what’s happening around us.

I’m pretty close to the “action” in this whole short-sale/foreclosure marketplace, working with clients, both buyers and sellers, who are looking for a way out (or way in) to this unprecedented housing situation. Regardless of your political leanings, no matter your disdain for either big government or capitalism run amuck, this is just wrong on so many levels. And, don’t kid yourself, both sides of that equation are to blame.

So without further delay, enjoy the show…

Election Watch: Clark County Real Estate Style

Mercifully, we are down to the final hours of a 700+ day election campaign.  And two things come to mind.

First, ever thought it strange that someone campaigns two solid years for a position that may only last four years.  Doesn’t seem like a very good ROI there… just sayin’.

And secondly, is there any more appropriate ending of a word for what these election cycles put us through than camPAIN.  Pardon the Freudian slip on the spelling.

Anyway, as most of us will be away from the TV, (again, maybe mercifully?) throughout the day, I came across a great set of links, courtesy of Mashable, that might help you stay on top of it via the web.

Electoral Map Projections

270ToWin.com – To win the election a candidate needs 270 electoral votes; this site shows you what the current projections are.  Breaks down polls, runs simulations and gives you a detailed history on how each state has voted.

Electoral-Vote.com – A map of the electoral votes that is updated daily with the newest data on how the states are breaking down.

ElectoralMap.net – This map is based off of the Intrade prediction market and can be backed up to May of 2008 to see how the map keeps changing.

FiveThirtyEight.com – 538 refers to the total number of electoral votes that are up for grab and the site provides a standard breakdown of how they see the electoral votes turning out, as well as news and in-depth analysis of possible election scenarios dependent on various factors.

Politico.com – The Politico’s map shows you the latest polling data, focusing heaviest on the states that are still too close to call and how they may swing to decide this election.

Poll Tracking

Gallup.com – The election 2008 poll results from Gallup, one of the best known polling companies.

Pollster.com – Tracks various polls and gives you updated charts on how each candidate is tracking.  Also offers an electoral map as well as analysis of what each poll means.

RealClearPolitics.com – Features poll breakdowns by state. You can also see a national overview that shows you which candidate is in the lead in each state and by how many points.

USAElectionPolls.com – Brings together information on national and state polls, battleground polls, house & senate polls, and more.

So there you go. Knock yourself out.

I have to admit, I have nearly abandoned twitter and facebook over the past week, as I grew weary of the non-stop, unproductive, fur that was flying on the web.  Don’t get me wrong, I took Political Science in college, and at one point, I was completely, unabashedly enamored of the political process. Big-time. It’s just a different political landscape out there now.

Despite that landscape, and regardless of who you decide to vote for, please, at least exercise your right to do so.

A Redux – Manic Monday’s… and the Desire to Find the Friday Spirit

One of the great things about the adventures associated with trying new things is the learning aspect of it all. I am committed to the conversation that blogging provides, but I am all too aware that there will be bouts of laryngitis along the way.

For example, I don’t think the video I loaded in my last post came through. At least it didn’t in many of the email versions that were delivered. I know it works on the site directly, so please click on through to the site and enjoy.

Maybe it’s Here…

Manic Monday’s… and the Desire to Find the Friday Spirit

Monday’s are just one of those days that can’t ever seem to be over soon enough. In addition to the daunting task of simply starting the week out right, I am usually following up with weekend showings on my listings as well buyers that I have shown property to. And if there are fires to be put out, assuredly they will start on Monday. Because of that, I have invoked executive decision powers (that means I checked with my wife and she said OK) to add some levity to my Monday.

While I understand that there is something to be said about “Fun Friday’s”, I don’t think it will ruin anyone’s week to bookend the work week with something a little less stressful.

So in this case, I am starting my Monday Movie Moment (if only because it sounded catchier than my “Monday YouTube Video Post”).  This may or may not be a weekly occurrence. Hey, it may happen with the frequency of last month’s eclipse. Regardless, at least for today, I am going to find something to chuckle over, because if history serves as any guide, tomorrow will likely be my second Monday of the week.

I will dedicate this one to those poor folks in Ohio and Texas, who will trudge to the polls tomorrow with the belief that they will affect the outcome of their primaries and ultimately the national election. Kidding! Remember, find the fun…

h/t to Dustin

When You Have this Kind of Money, You Can Afford to be Arrogant

In a shot across the bow to the Clark County Board of Commissioners, WalMart has finalized purchase on a piece of property in Salmon Creek where they intend to put yet another “SuperStore”. Commissioners, in a welcome spurt of common sense, had recently rejected WalMart’s proposed venture for the site.

According to The Columbian, WalMart paid about $6.78 million for the parcel on which they had been previously denied the ability to foist yet another traffic-clogging megamart on an unsuspecting and ill-equipped neighborhood. Almost $7 Mill, for a site in which their proposed store had been declined. That’s some serious coin to throw after a failed deal. Or is it?

That may sound like a lot of money, but if you put it in perspective, it’s nothing more than some loose change on the street to the behemoth corporation.

According to the most recent filing, WalMart did an annualized run-rate of $363.5 Billion in Net Sales (yes, with a “B”). I had to count the zeroes twice to make sure I got it right. Just so you can see the magnitude of it, that’s $363,520,000,000. (Thank goodness I had a big calculator.)

So, in perspective, that purchase is about .000185 of their annual net sales. That’s like the average person, based on average per capita income, spending about .68. (I had to do that math twice, too). Again, just so you can see the magnitude of THAT, that’s about SIXTY-EIGHT CENTS to you and me. Must be nice!

Sounds to me like the county commissioners are in for a tussle. WalMart was willing to toss $7 million at the site – after a denial. How much will they throw at it now that they have a couple of bucks invested into the mix.

That type of corporate arrogance and defiance (let alone the money to fight the will of the people) doesn’t bode well for the community.

Some of you may say, “but Mitch, you’re in the real estate business, you should be happy about that type of money flowing in to property sales.” Yes, I am in the real estate business, but first and foremost I’m in the quality of life business, both for my own family and those of my neighbors and clients. Another megamart at an already over-packed interchange (which is only one freeway exit away from an existing WalMart, by the way) just isn’t a step in the right direction.

Here’s hoping our local commissioners don’t turn tail and run like the recent events that transpired surrounding the WalMart in Woodland. Our Clark County Commissioners found some backbone when they listened to their constituency and stood up to the corporate titan to reject the flawed, unneeded and unwanted development application… let’s hope the weight of all that money being tossed around by WalMart doesn’t ultimately break their backs.