Although investing may seem like a numbers game to some, the experienced investor knows that research and personality still wins and in some cases it dominates. Most recently, I visited the Myrtle Beach S.C. area for a little R&R as well as some land searching. The agents I worked with seemed extraordinarily nice. We had a nice morning drive and everyone they introduced me to was just as cordial as can be. After a while, I realized the questions they were asking me seemed awfully insightful before it dawned on me these people sure know a lot about me. In my case, it created a very warm outcome in most places but still there are some who don't like what they find or see.
Isleworth is a very tightly ran operation in Orlando that houses superstars like Tiger Woods, Patrick Ewing, Shaq, etc. Most of the residents apparently feel the need to be extra-protected and rightfully so if you're subject to getting your Cadillac beat up in the wee morning hours. Some of the residents own more than one property there which I couldn't quite figure out. Understandably they wanted financial records before they showed their multi-million dollar properties to ensure they weren't wasting their time. Once again, they knew about everything they needed to know about me but we just did not do business well at all. Perhaps, I was too laid back or something. Plus they wanted just too much of a premium for the right to call Shaq your neighbor. I love exotic homes and manicured communities, but there is a such thing as too high of a price for the same house and this community certainly qualified. Maybe their research told them I was only interested in obtaining only one over the top residence.
I kept moving further south until I arrived in one of Miami's premier communities. The same level of qualifications applied for the price range but the people were far less snooty to me. I ended up spending three hours in a very impressive estate with more marble than I ever seen. The owner's wife could have written my autobiography I think. Meanwhile, he and I scoured his motor court filled with exotic cars almost never driven and motorcycles almost never ridden. He was even willing to throw in a shiny new Ferrari 430 to close the deal. He was only willing to sell to people he likes and will not upset the personality of the neighborhood regardless of how much money you have simply because of how much money he has. Football fans will appreciate that Dan Marino, who occasionally pops in, was the next door neighbor while "extra tallems" Shaq would have been at the other end of the community back in Orlando. The owner was friends with billionaire Richard Branson and mentioned the opportunity to literally fly over the moon. I can just see this conversation with my parents now. "You going over the what with who? If you don't..." I assure you that even though this man had more money than he can ever dream of spending, I spent hours there because we liked what each other saw. He even invited me back to spend an evening on the balcony with an orchestra to enjoy the night views of the property to demonstrate how I'd appreciate the entertainment value.
The point I'm hoping to drive home is do your research on people before you make an investment as they've probably already done their research on you. Also, if personalities collide, it is a lot cheaper to walk away from the deal now than when conflict arises. If you can sit with them for a few hours or so, which you should anyway before you pony up your money, then things flow a lot smoother. At that time, their behavior may be more than you can bear and little problems will surely turn into big ones Ferrari or not.
While standing near a yacht, one of the deal facilitators turned to me and said, "I'll sure be glad when I luck up and have something like this fall in my lap." I had to quickly assure her that nothing like this falls anywhere. I've had things fall out of my lap but nothing of value ever falls in. You have to figure out what it is you want in this world, make it known and then relentlessly pursue it. You may have a little favor along the way but you have to be willing to journey 1000 miles while all your friends are partying just to get to an event to catch a glimpse at who you think you need to talk to in order for something to potentially happen and you may have to go there more than once. Being at the right place at the right time usually means you've been at the wrong place at the wrong time many times. The beauty is if you do what they won't do now, you'll do what they can't do later.
On a side note, I'll have to thank those who have continually said I'd be in a magazine as this summer you will see the end results of how you truly can speak things into existence. In terms of the breakfast with the Capital's owner Ted Leonsis, it is still in the works. You have to understand that when a team is in the playoffs so is the owner and seemingly much else is a lower priority. In fact, I believe he mentioned in his book that he let a very good player go because research showed he couldn't get along well with others. What a fitting ending.
