Properties Unlimited

Being Prepared in an Earthquake

In light of the earthquake yesterday that was felt by so many on the East Coast, it begs the question: Do you know what to do during an earthquake? Check out these guidlines from FEMA.gov

FEMA: What to Do During an Earthquake  Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

You're Fired

I had hoped the world would not end on my watch. I take these things personally. Last week was bad. As Lou Mannheim (Hal Holbrook’s character in Wall Street, directed by Oliver Stone) said, “It’s so bad even the liars are losing money”. Counterparty risk everywhere. Companies have ‘low visibility’, no visibility. They are reluctant to hire, people are reluctant to spend. Weaned from quantitative easing measures, the training wheels were removed. We are wobbling about hoping Dad will catch the bike before we fall, and get hurt. Maybe even bleed. We are all feeling like Jack Bauer (24). Nonstop action. It never ends, no time to eat or sleep. Only time to worry.

The ongoing theater in Europe is turning more tragic with each act. This reminds me of several siblings owning a beach house, and when one begins carrying more than their share, relationships deteriorate. Germany and France are repeatedly being asked to bailout the heretofore reckless children (the Piggs). An opposite acronym. Here, GDP first 6 months dipped below 2%. Earnings have been strong, outlook is uncertain. S&P downgrades US rating from top AAA to AA+. We were demoted for the first time since we earned AAA status in 1917!  Instead of reaching across the aisle, members of Congress are pointing fingers of blame across this aforementioned (over-mentioned) aisle. Shameful.

The Budget Capital Act of 2011 kicks ‘tough choices’ down the road, and does nothing to spur growth. Mohamed El-Erian (Pimco CEO, and someone I respect and enjoy), grades the deal “somewhere between an incomplete and a fail”.  And they go on RECESS?!

Our fractious political system is polarized, counterproductive, petty. If you lower taxes (and do not cut loopholes), and do not trim expenses, you can only make up the difference by borrowing. At the state level there are embarrassingly weak accounting standards employed, resorting to ‘budgetary magic’.  When public sector employees ‘demand’ pay raises, politicians grant modest step-ups, while concomitantly granting ever larger pension and retirement health care benefit ‘Entitlements’. This way the numbers don’t look that bad until years later after the politician retires. Well ‘years later’ is now. When W. took office, he was handed a surplus. The Bush tax cut expanded health care ‘bennies’, add two wars without tax increases, and we arrive at 5.8 Billion of debt. Obama inherits this debt. Enter the financial crisis with attendant recession, fed tax revenues collapse, more tax cuts, and QE 1 & 2, and Good God, $14.3 Trillion and growing. Man, the printing presses were smoking. Regardless of who, what, when and where, both parties had a careless piece of this. This is our problem.

This recent Congressional ‘dog and pony show’ is a graphic illustration of the government work ethic. Do the minimum, title it “We Did Our Best”, take all your holiday time, make sure you have good healthcare plan, and a guaranteed “I get mine even if everyone else gets slaughtered” pension and call this ‘work’. There is a notable difference between holding a job and working for a living. Maybe Congress pay should be commission based. Paid if and when they produce. The government work ethic is just plain lazy, resulting in a government that is fat and feeble. We need one that works. We need politicians that work. Please note, I readily admit to my own insignificance, yet I work seven days a week. I have people who are depending on me. Call me crazy, but I take that to heart.

I mentioned in my last blog that this was Congress’ opportunity to distinguish itself. Instead they squandered it. The have disgraced themselves. They did the minimum, by raising the debt ceiling, and continued in fashion to push ‘tough decisions’ down the road. This at the very brink of a menacing, foreboding, wealth destroying ‘Debt Crisis’! They did not, and do not have our backs in the trenches. Dismal, cowardly. Have I mentioned RECESS?!

This level of incompetence is heart-breaking. Spending cuts are back-end loaded discretionary cuts in the second half of the decade. What’s preventing future leaders from not honoring what they did not approve in the first place? Deferred spending cuts vaguely worded and specious? Note to Congress: Do we have the courage to live within our means? This is not about the ability to pay, it’s about the willingness to pay. Get in the ring, place everything on the table (I mean everything), and grow a philosophy of fiscal responsibility that defines us as fiercely intelligent, prudent caretakers of our integrity. D

emocracy is a messy process by its very nature. Last week’s Barron’s cover was a caricature of Obama, Boehner and McConnell bruised and bloodied. Let’s see some of this.

The Congressional effort on display at this moment of crisis is disrespectful. It is incomprehensible that those elected to guide, to lead, to counsel, instead embarrass themselves, and us. They placed our hard-earned, hard-fought credibility in doubt. We had the trust of the world financially, and they carelessly squandered it. THEN GO ON RECESS!  This new level of incompetence is now infamous. We need to refine and simplify the tax code, cut loopholes, and slash feckless, wasteful government spending. We need strong leaders with a vision. Our sanity depends on a narrowness of this vision with the ability to select vital elements crucial to our survival.

Let’s end with another Lou Mannheim. “Man looks into the Abyss and there is nothing staring back at him. At that moment man finds his character, and that’s what gets him out of the Abyss.”

What shakes us is not how weak we are, but how strong we can be.

Til then,
Ray Mott

 

 Posted on August 11, 2011 by propertiesunltd

Buying a Home with a Broker or Agent

It is beneficial to enlist the expertise and support of a real estate broker or agent when looking to purchase a new home. Typically, the broker or agent knows where to find the special features of the neighborhood or community and he or she understands trends within the housing market. To learn more about the benefits of hiring an agent, check out this video.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best broker for the task at hand:

• Look for a broker or agent who knows the area since they will know the local market first hand. They'll have a better understanding of the local market rates as they can be very different from region to region within the same state.

• Ask your friends and colleagues to refer you to a broker or agent they have used and trust.

• When you are reaching out to brokers or agents, how quickly do they respond?  Calls should be returned within a reasonable time frame. That goes for email as well.

• Set up a brief meeting to talk about what you would like in a property. Mention your must-haves and nice-to-haves. This will save time and energy on everyone's part. Also meeting face to face can give you a chance to talk and be sure your personalities are compatible.  

• When sending a list of properties for review, ask the broker or agent to send no more than four at a time, otherwise it's easy to become overwhelmed and confused.  It might seem like a good idea to see everything the market has to offer, but it can actually be counter-productive. 

Finding the right property can be a long and tedious process so having an expert in your arsenal who knows the territory, as well as the ins and outs of the real estate process can be extremely advantageous. When it comes to buying or renting real estate in Rhode Island, trust Properties Unlimited. Our excellent team of realtors will help you choose a beautiful Rhode Island home that is the perfect fit for you and your family. Give us a call today at (401) 213-0405 to speak with one of our professional realtors and start down the path of finding your dream home.

You're Fired

I had hoped the world would not end on my watch. I take these things personally. Last week... read more

Five Fun Facts About Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but that certainly does not stop it from being one of the most beautiful! Each year, millions of people travel to Rhode Island. Some of these visits start off as vacations, but after spending time in this beautiful state, many visitors decide to become residents. If you’re looking for a new state to call home, either temporarily or permanently, then check out these five exciting facts about Rhode Island:

 

1.      Rhode Island’s Nickname is the Ocean State. Who does not love spending some quality time out by the ocean? When you visit Rhode Island, you will find a wide variety of beaches to explore and enjoy, and real estate and vacation rentals with beautiful ocean views abound.

2.      Rhode Island’s State Motto is “Hope.” With such a positive and uplifting state motto, it is easy to find motivation and determination when you live in Rhode Island. This simple yet beautiful motto is a great representation of the spirit you will find in this unforgettable state.

3.      There Are a Variety of Fascinating Museums and Landmarks. Rhode Island was one of the original thirteen colonies, making it an integral part of American history and culture. As a result, there are many entertaining and informative historical museums in Rhode Island that celebrate its unique past.

4.      Rhode Island is Extremely Kid Friendly. Children love spending time in Rhode Island. During the warmer months, the beaches are great for family activities, and there are also plenty of science museums containing interactive exhibits. 

5.      This State Has a Taste for Wine. If you are interested in exploring vineyards and wineries, then Rhode Island is the state for you. The Coastal Wine Trail features some popular vineyards including Greenvale Vineyards and Sakonnet Vineyards.

 

If you are ready to experience Rhode Island for yourself, then contact the team here at Properties Unlimited. We can help you find both high-end real estate and vacation rentals in Charlestown and throughout the rest of South County Rhode Island. To learn more, visit us online or call (401) 213-0405.