Winning Words 8/31/10
“Buy land! Nobody’s making it anymore.” (Will Rogers) I read in a recent article, “Don’t buy real estate.” What is one to do? Perhaps this quote by Chuck Palahniuk is a good warning: “The things you own wind up owning you.” A lot of people are finding the truth of this statement in their own situation. Some years ago I learned the words,“laissez faire.” Whatever you do, think it through. ;-) Jack

FROM RI IN BOSTON: Buying land is still a good idea...if you acquire it for your recreation and pleasure...not to get rich. Some years ago we had an 80 acre farm out in nowhere, and spending a few days camping there was the best rejuvenation from the urban stress machine. The payback now from real estate investment isn't going to be what it was during the inflationary 60's and 70's. That "Don't Buy Real Estate" article was written by someone interested only in a making a "fast buck". FROM JACK: The best advice from today's WWs is: "Don't let the things you own wind up owning you."

FROM JE IN MICHIGAN: What a dilemma we are in these days with homes and real estate values dropping. I feel fortunate that we are in the midst of a refinance….a friend got as low as 3.67….we have been quoted 3.97 and 4.1/fixed for 10 years. It’s time do whatever we can to salvage our home and property investments. Appraisals are devastating. Thanks for the timely thought. FROM JACK: When I was growing up, we always rented the places where we lived. Since it was during the Great Depression, my parents didn't worry about housing values...only what the cost of the rent would be and if there was enough money to pay it. Each generation seems to have its own set of worries.

FROM MOLINER CF: It's not what you own, it's what you've sown. FROM JACK: The value of what we own has flown! Jesus said: "Lay not up for yourself treasures on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourself treasures in heaven where bad stuff can't get at it."

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Because of job changes, we had always lived in rentals up until 1998 when we finally bought our house. I notice that, whenever anyone comes to see us, I say right away "Hello. Glad to see you. We have a lot of fixing-up work to do here but make yourself at home." Once the explanation is out of the way, we all relax and have a good time. We own a bunch of work, things always seem to be falling apart and needing repair. Suppose when we get to our assisted-living/nursing home, we won't have to say our explanation any more. Someone else will have the work again. But actually we do have some fun on our property and maybe it's our trying to be good stewards of it that is somehow remarked on in heaven. FROM JACK: Henry Ford II, was asked about an indiscretion in his life. His response: "Never complain; never explain." Someone else had words about complain/explain taped to his office wall. Out with the explanations...The people who care don't matter, and the people who matter don't care.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: We were thinking about getting a cottage near here...on Lake Huron or an inland lake close by. However, as you say, the cottage would end up owning us and we certainly don't want that to happen. So, we have decided to rent one each year for a month or two. It is the prefect solution. And I believe as the American Indians believe, we never really "own" the land...we just borrow it (and have to pay a lot of taxes)!!! FROM JACK: I like that comment about the Indians and their view of land. Even the cowboys had an opinion about land, and they put it into a song..."Don't fence me in."

FROM PRPH IN MINNESOTA: at the end of the day, all we really need is a piece of land 7 by 4 by 6 feet deep! kind of depressing but true! blessings FROM JACK: With rise in popularity of cremation, that amount of land is not needed. In fact, the ashes might create more land.