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Home Insider Blogs Douglass Benson's Blog So why are you reading this?

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Mar 02
2010

So why are you reading this?

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Posted by: Douglass Benson

At least my assumptions is that someone is reading this.  I thought the real estate market was DEAD?  I thought only dudes on infomercials were getting anything out of this game?  While that may be true, I can tell you that Deb and I seem to be doing fairly well and we live smack dab in the middle of (wait for it) Michigan!  I guess there are worse fates, but possibly not when the topic of conversations is real estate, real estate investing and even worse still - MULTIFAMILY REAL ESTATE INVESTING!

Well, don't sweat it.  We all have our cross to bear and since my parents moved to Michigan prior to my being born, I have to endure this.  My sin is I did the same thing to my children as well.  ALL my girls LOVE it here!  They are worse than me.  The point I am trying to make is why do anything if you can't have fun doing it, why run any business if you can't make money at it and why put yourself at a foundational disadvantage right out of the gate by doing this in Michigan!?!  WHY?

Because someone needs to.  Today that someone is me and several thousands of other Michiganians.  I can't wait to be the guy that watches us live up to our own promise and the promise of our forefathers.  Work hard, keep quiet and great things will happen.  The fact that I am out here should show you that I am already failed at the "keep quiet" part.   But I believe we can work hard and I believe that great things will come of it. 

At a later point we will talk NOI, Apartment short sales, good tenants,  bad tenants, marketing, etc., etc. but not today.  Today is to enjoy the promise of spring and a recovering market and celebrate that fact that yes, you are indeed reading this.

Talk with you later.

Doug - Esker Properties

Note - Look for me in facebook - "Adventures in Michigan Real Estate" - never a boring moment.

 

 

 

 

 


Comments (5)Add Comment
62
written by Brent Williams, March 02, 2010
Thank you for the inaugural post, Doug! Definitely looking forward to your blogs down the road.
3271
written by Kimberly Madrigal, March 02, 2010
Welcome Doug. Thanks for the post. You are not alone in wondering if anyone is reading. It is a terminal illness of start-up bloggers. But Brent does a great job of making sure everyone who blogs gets a decent shot at being read. As you'll note, at the bottom of the page is a hit counter, so you can see how many people have actually looked at your post.

Good luck to you in Michigan. Stay warm. Looking forward to your posts on NOI, good/bad tenants, etc. What part of Michigan are you working from? Sad to say the last time I drove through downtown Detroit it looked like a war zone.
463
written by Tarla McCann, March 02, 2010
Thanks for your post Doug. I look forward to reading more of what you have on your mind! smilies/smiley.gif
3698
written by Kim Bannon, March 02, 2010
Being originally from Lapeer, Michigan and with most of my family still there , I can appreciate the difficulty Managers can have in such a depressed market. Best of luck, Doug. And good blogging.
3407
written by Frederic Guitton, March 02, 2010
welcome Doug, I am sure you will bring tons of great insights. One thing I know is that those who face the greatest challenges often come up with the best solutions!
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