Hey, let's start off the New Year with a potpourri of really important, riveting stuff, ok?

                                 Billionaires

We all know about the suffering of people losing their jobs or their homes in recent years. However, the richest people on the planet got even richer in 2012 - a lot richer.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index ranks the world's 100 wealthiest individuals by net worth. According to Bloomberg, these folks added $241 billion to their collective net worth, ending on December 31 at a colossal $1.9 trillion dollars. That's trillion! About 1/2 of the top 20 come from countries like Abu Dhabi, Brazil, Mexico, South Afica, Spain, China, and of course the United States. Carlos Slim of Mexico tops the list with a net worth of $68.4 billion, with holdings in banking, finance, technology, and manufacturing/industrial. Bill Gates was a distant 2nd, trailing Mr. Slim by $12.5 billion.

The beat goes on.

"We have a generation of kids entering adulthood who were never spanked and received trophies whether they won or lost. Now they all get bowl games." Chris Erskine, sports writer, talking about 70 teams playing in college football bowl games.

                                  Foreclosures

Foreclosures are trending!

CoreLogic reports that 55,000 foreclosures were completed in the U.S in November 2012. That's down from 72,000 in November 2011. Prior to the 2007 housing decline, completed foreclosures averaged 21,000 per month. We still have a long way to go, but the trend is in the right direction.

How long does a foreclosure take in your state? Or, how long can a person live rent free waiting for the process to unwind?

According to marketwatch.com, the worst - or best - depending on your point of view - are New York at 1,072 days and New Jersey at 931 days. Texas is only 97 days. Here in the West, we fall in the 200-300 day range, with California leading the way- as usual - at 335 days.

We may have a stampede of investors moving to Texas!

Why don't you try reading my weekly Blog at www.CaliforniaNoteBuyerLLC.com.

                                   Hammurabi

Somewhere in your past you took a class in Ancient History. You studied the Roman Empire, Greece, and of course Babylon. Hammurabi was a King of Babylon, who became famous in history for inscribing his nation's laws on an eight fall tall block of stone. How many laws were there? 282.

In 2012, my beloved state of California added 750 new laws that took effect January 1.  According to Wikipedia, the United States Code has over 200,000 pages of permanent laws on the books. Yikes ! Who's keeping track of and enforcing this stuff?

Bring back the old days?  Google Hammurabi and read some of these laws. Not sure I want to be put to death for stealing my neighbor's sheep.

"The only way to have a friend is to be one." Ralph Waldo Emerson.

                                    Housing

Trulia.com reports it's 10 healthiest U.S. Housing markets for 2013.

4 of the 10 are in Texas: Houston at #1, San Antonio at #4, Austin at #5 and Fort Worth at #9. The reason? Fast job growth and mild price declines. San Francisco is #2, also because it is experiencing fast job growth. Others on the list are Bethseda, Md., Seattle, Omaha, Peabody, MA and Louisville.

If you hold a note in one of these cities, hopefully you have structured it properly. See My Wish below.

"While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children." Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life.

                         My 2013 Wish for You

If you will create a seller carryback note in 2013, and maybe it is a new experience for you, please protect yourself and consider the following:

1. Ask your buyer to run his own credit report and give you a copy. If he refuses, find another buyer.

2. Demand the largest downpayment possible.

3. 7% is your minimum interest rate.

4. Amortize - no interest only payments.

5. If you have a balloon payment, no sooner than 7 years.

6. Pay the small fee to have a 3rd party service the account for you.

If you keep the note till it is paid off, you have protected yourself by creating strong terms. You have minimized your risk as much as possible.This is good for your buyer as well. Should you decide to sell your note, the terms will be attractive to a potential buyer.

When the government for the United States was first formed, there were no political parties in existence. George Washington served as president with no party affiliation at all. Tidbits.

                       Celebrity Real Estate

It's always fun, to me anyway, to peek thru the Business section of the newspaper and see what the Hollywood folks are doing. It puts in perspective what you and I do in our real estate activities. Los Angeles County public records showed 296 homes sold thru November 2012 for $5 million plus. Here is a sample:

Larry Ellison, Oracle CEO, bought for $37 million.

Ryan Seacrest bought for $36 million.

Jennifer Anniston bought for $21 million.

Ellen Degeneres bought for $17 million and sold another property for $13 million.

Adrian Beltre, baseball player, sold for $17 million.

Sheryl Crow has a listing at $15.95 million.

Leonardo Dicaprio has a listing at $23 million.

Dream on!

If you know someone who may enjoy this Newsletter, please forward it to them.

Best wishes for a a fun filled and joyous 2013!

Sincerely,

Denny Stanz

CA Broker # 01915404

760-245-5366
760-245-5367 fax
dennystanz@verizon.net
www.CaliforniaNoteBuyerLLC.com