Hope…Change

It’s the year of hope and change and I am really really slow to respond. I’ve got a lot to say during the day but when I do have time to squeeze a few moments into my day I end up doing something other than writing in this blog.  So…that’s the first thing that I will change. Blog more.

I also want to change where I live. I’m getting antsy and my son is coming up on 6th grade and its do or die as far as I am concerned so I’ll update you about that as well. Areas that are of interest are Lamorinda and Marin County. The diversity scale plumments to near low levels. In some places such as Moraga that color ratio falls to around 3% if you’re lucky.

Marin is more my cup of tea even though certain areas lack in hue as well. But change we will and you know what it boils down to? School systems. My son’s private school is around $17,000/yr so financially it doesnt make sense anymore. The crime rate has risen and frankly I want to give my son a better life, educationally, socially, environmentally and just overall quality of life even if its at the expense of diversity.

I feel the vibe of change and hope like the next sister. People are feeling good. We’re expectant and in the mean time we are inundated with story after story of the harrowing unemployment rates, the squandaring of the bank bailout money, corrupt senators and more home owners in trouble while foreclosures are hitting thier all time high.

How can you have faith that it will turn around?

The only solice I have is by remembering that what goes up must come down AND what goes down must come back up. Historically the housing market has always jumped back from a downturn. This time it will be much harder and much longer of a wait but Obama gives us hope. He’s a different type of cat, speaks to the general population and I think honestly wants to set things right as much as he can. I also wonder how long it will take for him to become status quo? The machine quickly and easily sucks up the best of politicians where money and alliances are concerned rather than imlementing true public policy.

But I have hope.

The hope and the change that I see in woman today who are investing in real estate is that they are moving with the opportunity.  I recently had an informal meet/greet with a woman who for the past 14 years was a hard money lender. Now that opportunity presents itself…meaning real estate at its historic lows…she is getting away from the lending business and is starting to buy up property. She’s a smart cookie and has a lot to tell. I’ll let you know when “Ms. Terry Guest” is ready to share her story with us.

I also recently interviewed Barbara Stanny author of man books including “Prince Charming Isn’t Coming” and “Six Figure Women”. What a phenomenal and inspiring woman.  Lynnette Khalfani-Cox gave great insight into how women should start on their path to purchase and ultimately investing. Saman Dias explains how women should look at 4 factors when deciding where to invest. Bernice Ross has an incredible story and you hear first hand how she parlayed it into a full time real estate coaching business.

One woman. One step. One story. That’s the foundation of the Women Building Wealth through Real Estate Interview Series. Each of the women we interview have shared their stories. they each have a different approach and risk level. Some prefer to work with bank owned properties, some like to whole sale and then others are flipping property in the high end areas. Great stories and I hope to have them up soon.

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Until the next time.