Hi Folks,

We had a wonderful motorcycle trip the first week in September. The scenery in Washington (along the roads I like) is amazing. King-size bed, spa tub, fireplace and wine in the evenings is good too! The Trail West motel in Grand Coulee, so-so.

We're travelling again from the 21st to the 28th (finally getting some vacation time in this year!) on a wedding cruise and wine research trip. Vanc. to LA, car to Healdsburg (Sonoma Valley) then SFO to YYJ.

So, you might wonder who watches our properties while we're travelling?

On the second trip that person is coming with us!

The sharpest tool in my toolbox is used in this case. My network. When my investor and life friend Ash Knightley is around, he's perfect as a backup (and I return that favour whenever he asks) 'cause he owns lots of suites and likes to fix 'em himself (like me). Today I had to call a friend "out of the blue" and ask to give his phone number to my tenants while we're cruising/wining. Chris's answer - "of course". We sometimes don't talk to each other for a year and yet the quality of our interactions has always been mutual respect and support. You know, overtly caring about the other person. The bedrock of a quality relationship IMO.

I cleaned and waterproofed the big, new deck on our house. I've never done that before. What to do? Use The Network! I went to Rona (got a discount card by joining ROMS-BC) at 2pm on a weekday (nobody around then), went to the paint desk and said "I've got this big deck to stain, what do I do?". Three people helped me as I kept asking questions until I knew exactly what to do. I felt cared for, excited and happy when I got home. The deck looks great and I've got a new sense of accomplishment.

I've previewed a book (will read later) which appeals to my sense of what the RE market is doing of late. It's called Emerging Real Estate Markets by David Lindahl. What it apparantly has is an explanation of the fundamental cycles that RE markets go thru as they are affected by economic ups and downs and the best way to take advantage of them. It is oriented to the US yet I think it is still relevant to Canadian RE investors. Check suggested reading at the club website here for a link to Amazon.ca.

As promised, Dale Schuss of RandallNorth Real Estate Services will speak at the meeting this month. Great Property Management education on Sept 29th, please join us! See details below.

Ozzie Jurock's Outlook 2010 is on this Saturday. We have other plans AND if you still want to go call/email me if you want help contacting others to share a ride over.

Take care,