Discover the Latest REI Insight & Strategies at Realty411’s VIRTUAL Sail to Success Summit — ALL ONLINE

Join Us for Our NEW Virtual Investing Summit

Did you miss our last in-person Sail to Success Summit in Southern California? No worries, we have a wonderful alternative for you. Join us for our ONLINE Recap of our latest live event in Southern California.

Here’s your chance to gain important insight on a variety of subjects, including: tax liens, rehabbing real estate, probates, mortgage lending, 1031 exchanges fro growth, negotiation tactics, private lending, probate investing opportunities, long-distance rentals, and so much more!

We are reviewing our latest live event VIRTUALLY for our readers.
Let us guide you as we dive into real estate investing strategies with experienced, licensed real-estate educators who have personally invested both locally, throughout the United States, and even own property internationally.

Our goal is to help as many people as possible expand their real estate knowledge, so all presentations are interactive and guests can participate by asking questions in the chat.

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR ONLINE EVENT!

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR ONLINE EVENT!

Our featured educators have decades of personal experience in real estate investing and many are licensed realty professionals. If you are serious about personal finance, creating wealth and leaving an incredible legacy for loved ones, reserve your online ticket to learn about top markets, success strategies, private lending, insider tips, and so much more. We hope to see you soon — online.

Smart Buildings Command Higher ROI When Cybersecurity is a Priority

By Fabio Zaniboni,
Founder & Chief Executive Officer at BubblyNet

The smart building revolution has significantly reshaped the real estate landscape, offering multifamily developers and investors new ways to increase efficiency, enhance tenant experience, and ultimately drive higher property values. From intelligent energy management systems to cloud-based security controls, these interconnected systems not only streamline operations but also position properties as premium assets in competitive markets.

However, as smart buildings become more advanced, they also become prime targets for cybercriminals. A single breach can compromise tenant safety, disrupt operations, and lead to severe financial and reputational damage. In today’s real estate market, cybersecurity is no longer an optional add-on—it is a key determinant of a building’s success and long-term return on investment (ROI).

Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Smart Buildings: The Hidden Risks for Investors

Historically, smart buildings have relied on centralized cloud-based systems to manage essential operations such as:

  • HVAC and energy systems
  • Smart locks and access credentials
  • Lighting automation
  • Security surveillance

While cloud integration offers convenience, it also presents a major security risk—a single compromised system can expose the entire network. This is especially concerning in multifamily properties, where multiple tenants rely on the same infrastructure for security and comfort.

Additionally, many legacy systems in existing buildings were not designed with cybersecurity in mind. These systems often lack strong encryption and real-time monitoring, making them vulnerable to hacking attempts. As cyberattacks on IoT devices continue to rise, developers who fail to address these risks will see their properties suffer from operational inefficiencies, tenant dissatisfaction, and even legal liabilities.



Future-Proofing Smart Buildings: Cybersecurity Solutions That Increase Property Value

As cybersecurity threats evolve, developers must adopt cutting-edge technologies to protect their investments. Here are some key advancements that enhance security while boosting ROI:

1. Edge Computing for Secure Data Processing

Traditional cloud-based systems send all data to remote servers for processing, creating security vulnerabilities. Edge computing solves this by processing data locally—within the smart building itself—before sending only essential data to the cloud.

2. Privacy-First Smart Devices

Emerging IoT devices are being designed with built-in privacy protections. For example:
• Smart cameras that process footage locally instead of uploading everything to the cloud
• IoT sensors that store only minimal tenant data
• Devices with auto-updating firmware to patch vulnerabilities in real time

Investing in these devices not only enhances security but also builds tenant trust—a key factor in retaining long-term residents.

3. Advanced Encryption and Multi-Factor Authentication

This ensures that even if a hacker breaches one system, they cannot access others, protecting both operational integrity and tenant privacy.

One of the most effective and scalable solutions for securing smart buildings is Bluetooth® Mesh networking. Unlike traditional IoT networks, which rely on centralized hubs, Bluetooth® Mesh creates a decentralized, self-healing network— ideal for multifamily properties and large commercial buildings.

Key Benefits of Bluetooth® Mesh for Developers and Investors

1. Eliminates Single Points of Failure

Unlike Wi-Fi or cloud-based systems, Bluetooth® Mesh allows devices to communicate directly with each other rather than relying on a single gateway. This reduces the risk of complete system failures due to a single cyberattack.

2. Built-In Multi-Layer

Security Bluetooth® Mesh mandates:
• End-to-end encryption for all communications
• Device authentication to prevent unauthorized access
• Protection against replay attacks, ensuring hackers cannot reuse intercepted data

This ensures that tenant access control systems, surveillance cameras, and environmental sensors remain secure at all times.



3. Scalability for Multifamily and Commercial Properties

Bluetooth® Mesh is designed to handle thousands of connected devices, making it an ideal solution for large-scale deployments.

Investing in Bluetooth® Mesh not only enhances security but also improves energy efficiency, automation capabilities, and overall building intelligence—leading to higher tenant retention rates and increased property valuations.

For multifamily developers and real estate investors, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it is a business-critical investment. A well-secured smart building commands higher ROI, attracts premium tenants, and maintains long-term asset value.

By integrating edge computing, privacy-first devices, advanced encryption, and Bluetooth® Mesh technology, developers can future-proof their properties, ensuring security, operational efficiency, and financial growth.

In the competitive real estate market, secure smart buildings are not just an advantage—they are the standard. By prioritizing security at the design level and continuously adapting to emerging threats, real estate professionals, property managers, and investors can ensure the safety, efficiency, and resilience of their smart buildings in the years to come.


About Fabio Zaniboni

Fabio Zaniboni, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at BubblyNet, is a technology leader with over two decades of experience in the Internet of Things (IoT), digital transformation, and sustainable innovation, particularly in the lighting industry. His career, including roles at Emerson Electric and Comau Robotics, has given him a global perspective and market insights. Leading an R&D team, Fabio integrates advanced technologies to enhance building efficiency, sustainability, and user experience. His research on how factors like light, sound, and air affect well-being is driving smarter, more sustainable building solutions. Known for transforming complex technologies into scalable applications, Fabio partners with global organizations to foster digital innovation and sustainability in the built environment. For more about BubblyNet visit https://bubblynet.com/.

Mistakes I Have Made (That You Don’t Have To)

By Mr. Land Trust

As a young man, I never believed I would see 2025. I purchased my first rental house at age 19. While I had very little money to invest in real estate, I did have one very valuable asset…time. I majored in business administration and marketing in college. But I did not really learn anything of value until I met my mentor, Jack Miller. Driving down to St. Louis for a half-day seminar with two friends, my life was about to change forever (and my kids and grandchildren’s lives).



My mentor taught me the value of time. He said, “If you want to become a millionaire, borrow a million dollars and have someone else pay the debt back.” He also taught me how to buy houses with little or no money down. This was a huge change in my conventional thinking. I was taught in college that you always needed 20% down payment and this frustrated my desire to buy many houses (I knew that I would never earn enough money to pay my living expenses AND buy many houses with 20% down). I did not have a lot of money, but I did have a lot of time. Things were looking up!

With my new-found knowledge, I began buying houses as fast as I could. It was the 70’s and houses were increasing in value 1% per month in my town. I could not buy them fast enough. Then came the 80’s and 90’s and I began to invest in other assets besides more houses. I bought partnership shares in a chain of catfish restaurants, apartment buildings, bank stock, network marketing company stock and commercial property. I soon found out that partnerships don’t work and don’t last (at least that was my experience). I made a little money with the apartment buildings but lost money on everything else (who loses money investing in bank stocks? Me!). Eventually, I got out of all other investments other than houses and one commercial property. It cost me a fortune to learn the lesson to stick with single family homes as my long-term investment strategy.

My mentor was THE first person to teach a seminar on buying houses as an investment. Even though Fannie Mae was formed in 1938 and could make 30-year loans, today’s most popular tool for home financing, the 30-year mortgage, wasn’t even approved by Congress until 1948 for new construction homes and even later — 1954 — for existing homes.



Well into the 50’s and 60’s lenders were still making home loans with 5-year amortizations. This meant much higher monthly payments and very few people could afford to buy houses to rent out as an investment. Once the 30-year loan became popular, the value of homes began to rise.

By the 1970’s (when I graduated from college) inflation was in high gear and house prices began to rise significantly. You might remember the author, Robert Allen, and his book, “Nothing Down.” It was a best-selling book that made him famous (he learned his techniques from my mentor, Jack Miller, and wrote his book using those same concepts).

What is the moral of this story? Invest in what fits your personality. I like tenants who live in houses as opposed to apartments. I like long-term tenants that pay my house loans off for me. I like tenants with toolboxes that can fix things that break. I like tenants with families as they are more stable. I like houses because when I sell them the buyer doesn’t ask, “how much does this place rent for?” Instead, they pay full retail and do not determine value with rent multipliers.

Choose the investment vehicle that fits YOUR personality but stay away from partnerships. Be in control one hundred percent! You will be glad you did.


Mr. Land Trust

I encourage you to learn more about the benefits of using a Trust to hold title to your real estate investments by going to my FREE online training at www.landtrustwebinar.com/411 and text the word “reasons” to 206-203-2005 for my free booklet, Reasons to Use a Land Trust. You can also reach me the old-fashioned way by calling me at 217-355-1281. (I actually answer my own phone, unlike most other businesses in America today!)

Are We Becoming a Nation of Renters? (Some People Might Hope So)

By Mr. Land Trust

My mentor, Jack Miller, told me 20 years ago, “Eventually, our nation will become like the housing market in Europe where 90% of the population rents, and instead of passing down property to heirs, they pass down leases to their children.” I think we are headed quickly in that direction.



I have been a landlord for 53 years and have NEVER seen a rental market like the one today. I realize all markets are different (and local), but my market (like most others) has changed dramatically. For 50 of my property management years, I had about 80% of my tenants renew each year and 20% move out. In recent years, since Covid, 95% have renewed their lease with me and only 5% have vacated at the end of their lease. This represents a drastic change in the market. Why did this happen?

The very low-interest rate climate of the early 2000s is partly the cause of this change in the rental market. Rental property owners could sell at a high price for cash to homeowners. This took the rental houses off the rental market permanently, which reduced inventory for those wanting to rent. The other factor in play is the shortage of housing nationwide. The US population is still increasing but not enough houses are being built to accommodate the need. Government regulations, building permit restrictions, and environmental limitations have made it time-consuming, and expensive to build. In that regard, to a certain degree, we are creating our own problems.

What does this mean for investors in single-family homes for rent? BUY NOW! Many investors buy for appreciation, and I like the benefits of my houses going up in value without me having to do anything in return (if I keep the properties adequately maintained and occupied). But appreciation is “gravy.” You cannot count on it.

Think about it. Would it be ok if your houses did not go up in value, but you could live off the positive cash flow? I think so. Money is money. Many real estate investors are “equity rich and cash flow poor.” The future rental market may be the solution to their problem.



I graphed out my houses over a 40-year period. The trend lines were interesting. When the houses increased in value, the rents did not (or not very much). When the rents increased, the house values leveled off. Either way, I won. If my houses stopped increasing in value, but my rents tripled because of the “new American housing market” do you think I would complain that I was receiving no appreciation?

It is still important to negotiate when you are buying rental houses. Get the best deal you can but I can tell you from experience, that losing a good long-term rental house over a $5,000 (or less) price negotiation difference, is crazy. Those houses that I did not buy because of ego in the negotiation process, cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run (appreciation and cash flow).

Now go out and find a “Killer Deal.”


Randy Hughes, Mr. Land Trust

I encourage you to learn more by going to my FREE online training at www.landtrustwebinar.com/411 and text the word “reasons” to 206-203-2005 for my free booklet, Reasons to Use a Land Trust. You can also reach me the old-fashioned way by calling me at 217-355-1281. (I actually answer my own phone, unlike most other businesses in America today!)

Virtual Investing Summit – Be Our Guest

Please review this important post. Thank you.


Discover the Latest REI Insight & Strategies at Realty411’s VIRTUAL Sail to Success Summit —
ALL ONLINE.

Join Us for Our NEW Virtual Investing Summit

Did you miss our last in-person Sail to Success Summit in Southern California? No worries, we have a wonderful alternative for you. Join us for our ONLINE Recap of our latest live event in Southern California.

Here’s your chance to gain important insight on a variety of subjects, including: tax liens, rehabbing real estate, probates, mortgage lending, 1031 exchanges fro growth, negotiation tactics, private lending, probate investing opportunities, long-distance rentals, and so much more!

We are reviewing our latest live event VIRTUALLY for our readers.

Let us guide you as we dive into real estate investing strategies with experienced, licensed real-estate educators who have personally invested both locally, throughout the United States, and even own property internationally.

Our goal is to help as many people as possible expand their real estate knowledge, so all presentations are interactive and guests can participate by asking questions in the chat.

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR ONLINE EVENT!

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR ONLINE EVENT!

Our featured educators have decades of personal experience in real estate investing and many are licensed realty professionals. If you are serious about personal finance, creating wealth and leaving an incredible legacy for loved ones, reserve your online ticket to learn about top markets, success strategies, private lending, insider tips, and so much more. We hope to see you soon — online.


Sterling Ranch is Colorado’s Top-Selling Master Planned Community According to Two National Studies

The master planned community is outpacing the market with technology, amenities, safety, home choices and more

Submitted by Paul Suter

Sterling Ranch, CO (March 2025) – Sterling Ranch, a 21st century master-planned community providing residents with an innovative and beautiful place to call home, is pleased to announce that it has been ranked as one of the Top 50 Master Planned Communities in the nation and number one in Colorado for 2024, based on new home sales according to two independent national studies. 

  • John Burns Real Estate Consulting, LLC (www.realestateconsulting.com) places Sterling Ranch at number 47 in the nation and first in Colorado
  • RCLCO (www.rclco.com) places Sterling Ranch at number 50 in the nation and first in Colorado. 

During the past year, homebuilders in Sterling Ranch recorded 382 home sales, outpacing all other master planned communities in the entire Colorado market. 



Chelsea Scott, Senior Consulting Manager with John Burns Real Estate, had this to say:

“Sterling Ranch has once again made the John Burns Research and Consulting Top 50 Master-Planned Communities (MPC) list out of 500+ surveyed master plans across the county. This list is a testament to Sterling Ranch’s ability to meet its vision as a connected community committed to building sustainable homes with state-of-the-art water resource management and energy efficiency. Sterling Ranch benefits from its beautiful natural landscape and outdoor lifestyle. Congratulations to the management team that runs this community.”     

Karl Pischke, Principal with RCLCO, had this to say:

“The top-selling community of Colorado, Sterling Ranch, became the 47th best-selling master-planned community in the country in 2024. RCLCO’s Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities Report is a publication released by RCLCO Real Estate Consultants twice each year to track the top performing communities in the country and to identify development best practices from the MPCs that have pioneered their way into the top ranks. Sterling Ranch is an excellent example of the success that a project can achieve when community and thoughtful place-making are the primary focuses.”

“This is the fifth consecutive year that we’ve led the Denver metro area market in home sales, something we attribute to our proximity to the ‘quality-of-life’ vision we established for Sterling Ranch more than a decade ago,” said Brock Smethills, President of the Sterling Ranch Development Company.  “We’re providing our residents with adjacency to two State Parks, a high-quality sustainable water system, hiking trails and  a healthy lifestyle in an idyllic Colorado setting, with a vast array of home designs and price points to choose from.  The people who live in Sterling Ranch  also benefit from  the community’s  incredible partnerships with  our technology providers. Every home that is built in Sterling Ranch comes standard with a technology package that includes among other features, an Android tablet that allows our homeowners to monitor their energy and water use in real time, a low voltage system for security and home automation, dual indoor and outdoor water meters, and solar systems. In addition, each home has a dedicated fiber optic line that provides  standard internet speeds of one gig  with options to upgrade to  8 gigs of internet speed..  Sterling Ranch is truly unique and it’s a tremendous honor to see so many  homebuyers sharing in our vision.”



Smethills continued:  “Our national ranking is also impressive considering the size, scope and location of most of the master planned communities in the Top 50.  A majority are located on the two coasts or in states that have a shorter entitlement process and much more available land for development.  Sterling Ranch is in a ‘flyover’ state and is comprised of land that was carefully assembled in order to build a comprehensive community.”

Sterling Ranch attributes much of its success to the desire of people to be close to the mountains while walkable to a future urban environment within the master planned community. 

More information regarding Sterling Ranch is available at www.sterlingranchcolorado.com.

About the John Burns Report                                                                                        

The John Burns Real Estate Consulting Report has been issued for 13 years, surveying 500+ communities across the nation that entice home buyers with a desirable lifestyle, including community amenities, good schools, and various housing options and have achieved at least 368 new homes during 2023.

About the RCLCO Report

Every year since 1994, RCLCO has conducted a national survey identifying the top-selling master-planned communities (MPCs) through a rigorous search of high-performing communities in each state. This initiative, now in its 30th consecutive year, exists not only as a way to commend the most successful communities in the country, but also as a tool for monitoring the overall health of the for-sale housing industry, and a means of highlighting the trends affecting communities large and small. This process also serves as a mechanism through which to learn development best practices and pass along lessons gleaned from the MPCs that have pioneered their way into the top ranks.

Local Garage Experts Cuts Through the Noise: New Guide Helps Homeowners Pick the Perfect Garage Door Opener

Local Garage Experts has released a practical guide, “Chain or Belt Garage Door Opener: Which Is Right for Your Home?”, to help homeowners navigate a common yet confusing decision. The blog post compares noise levels, costs, durability, and maintenance needs of chain-driven and belt-driven systems.

Los Angeles, CA – Mar 6, 2025 – Your early-morning coffee ritual shouldn’t include a symphony of grinding chains. Local Garage Experts is here to help…

Local Garage Experts, your neighborhood ally for all things garage doors, has just dropped a must-read guide to end the “chain vs. belt” debate once and for all. Titled Chain or Belt Garage Door Opener: Which Is Right for Your Home?”, the new blog post is like having a coffee chat with a trusted mechanic—no jargon, just straight talk to help homeowners choose the right opener for their lifestyle, budget, and sanity.



The Silent Struggle (Literally)

Garage door openers might seem like a small detail, but pick wrong, and you’ll regret it every time you cringe at a rattling chain or scramble for surprise repairs. The guide dives into the nitty-gritty:

  • “The Night Owl vs. The Early Bird”: Why belt-driven openers (spoiler: they’re quiet) are a game-changer for homes with bedrooms above the garage.
  • Budget vs. Long-Term Savings: Chain systems cost less upfront, but will repairs eat those savings later?
  • Maintenance Made Simple: Pro tips to keep your opener humming—because nobody wants a 2 a.m. breakdown.
  • Pet-Friendly Picks: Which opener won’t send Fido sprinting for cover? (Hint: It’s not the chain.)

“We’ve all been there—standing in a hardware store, staring at options, and thinking, ‘How different can they really be?’” says Jimmy Hawkins, a lead technician at Local Garage Experts. “Turns out, the choice matters. Our guide isn’t just about openers; it’s about saving time, money, and your peace of mind.”

Why This Matters Now

With 65% of homeowners listing garage noise as a top annoyance (and 78% admitting they’ve ignored maintenance until something breaks), Local Garage Experts is tackling real pain points. The guide doesn’t just compare specs—it reads like advice from your DIY-savvy neighbor, blending expertise with relatable humor.



Real Stories, Real Solutions

The blog also features anecdotes from local homeowners, like Mark from Lakewood, who learned the hard way: “Our chain opener sounded like a tractor. After switching to a belt drive, my kids finally stopped accusing me of ‘waking the whole house’ to grab a midnight snack.”

Beyond the Blog: Your Garage’s Best Friend

Local Garage Experts isn’t stopping at advice. They’re rolling out free seasonal maintenance checklists and a “Ask a Tech” hotline for readers with urgent questions. “We want homeowners to feel empowered, not overwhelmed,” adds Hawkins. “Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned DIYer, we’ve got your back.”

For Homeowners Ready to Upgrade (or Just Stop Cringing)

Read the full guide here: Chain vs Belt Garage Door Opener.

About Local Garage Experts

Since 2003, Local Garage Experts has been the go-to crew for garage door installations, repairs, and “Hey, can you take a look at this?” moments across California. Family-owned and community-driven, they’ve helped over 15,000 homeowners sleep better (literally) with quieter, safer garage systems. Their mission? To turn overwhelming choices into confident decisions—with zero sales pressure.
Website: https://localgarageexperts.com/

Wealth Perspectives: A Comparative Worldwide Analysis

By Rick Tobin

There are relatively few people who truly feel wealthy and don’t worry about their monthly income covering their rising monthly expenses almost daily or weekly. It’s much more important how much you save and invest each month rather than spending 100% of your net income on household expenses.

Comparing one’s wealth with friends and family can be quite depressing for many because you’re more likely to know someone much wealthier than you. It’s much more healing for you to focus on what you do have in life and who loves you by way of gratitude. This is because good health and happiness are the greatest forms of wealth in this world.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
– President Theodore Roosevelt



Let’s take a closer look below at how you may compare with the rest of the world as per the World Bank:

  • Approximately 8% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty back in 2019, which means that they subsisted on just $2.15 (U.S.) per day.
  • The World Bank listed worldwide poverty numbers within two daily income thresholds as lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) at $3.65 (U.S.) and upper-middle-income countries (UMICs) at $6.85 (U.S.) per day.
  • Approximately 23% of the world’s population lived below the UMIC daily income range of $3.65 in daily income.
  • Another 47% of people worldwide lived below the $6.85 poverty line, as shared in a World Bank report entitled Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022.
  • The median worldwide income of $7.60 per person per day is very close to the upper-middle-income countries (UMICs) line.
  • 70% of the world’s population lived in middle-income economies, where the international poverty line might be too low to define someone as poor.

Daily Median Income Doubled (2001 to 2017)

For most Americans, the median worldwide income of $7.60 per day (or $2,774/year) for the 2019 year probably is much lower than what the typical American earns. Yet, the years preceding 2019 had much lower annual income estimates for the years between 2001 and 2017 as shared below:

  • The daily income per person was closer to $3 back in 2001.
  • Sixteen years later in 2017, the daily income doubled to $6.50.
  • Almost 85% of the world’s population lived on just $30 per day ($10,950/year) in 2017.
  • An estimated 65% of people lived on $10 per day ($3,650/year).
  • Approximately 10% lived on less than $1.90 per day ($693.50/year).

Source: Daily Median Income for World by Crews Bank



Will You Outlive Your Money?

Unless you’re close friends with billionaires, the odds are quite high that a high percentage of your friends and family created the bulk of their overall net worth from investing in real estate over several years or decades. Your friend might’ve first purchased their home on their own with 100% financing or it was passed down to them from their parents or grandparents over one or two generations.

One of our greatest fears is that we may run out of savings or not have sufficient amounts of monthly income to cover our expenses. For most people here in the U.S. and across the world, they have probably run out of money at some point in their lives whether they were young teenagers or older retirees.

Running out of money during one’s retirement years is truly one of the scariest situations for an increasing number of older Americans. As shared by the Pew Research Center and Forbes, the fastest-growing demographic for U.S. workers entering (not exiting) the workforce in 2024 were people over the age of 75 because their Social Security and pension (if available) income was not sufficient enough to cover their rising monthly expenses.

A recent study completed by Visual Capitalist found that there was $123 trillion dollars’ worth of cash, savings, time deposits, and money market funds in 2024 that’s described as the Global M2 Money Supply. If the $123 trillion in cash or cash-like instruments were shared equally as savings for the estimated eight billion people living today, it would amount to $15,000 for every person on the planet.

If you earn $3 per day in income while only spending $2 per day, you’re net ahead each day. However, if you earn $15,000 per month and spend $16,000 per month, you’re struggling and likely to eventually run out of cash savings.

The Top 10 Most Challenging Retirement States

Listed below is a detailed analysis created by GOBanking Rates and shared by CNBC that shows how quickly $1 million dollars’ worth of retirement savings plus Social Security income can be depleted anywhere between 12 and 27 years for the Top 10 most expensive states.

However, this report completely excluded federal and state income taxes from this analysis (California’s highest state income tax rate is 13.3% and Hawaii’s is 11%), so it’s more likely that residents will spend their money at a faster pace due to taxes and future rising inflation rates.

Here are the 10 states where $1 million runs out the fastest in retirement:

1. Hawaii
Monthly expenses: $2,761
Annual cost after Social Security: $80,125
Years $1 million lasts: 12

2. California
Monthly expenses: $2,269
Annual cost after Social Security: $61,406
Years $1 million lasts: 16

3. Massachusetts
Monthly expenses: $2,340
Annual cost after Social Security: $51,686
Years $1 million lasts: 19

4. Washington
Monthly expenses: $2,096
Annual cost after Social Security: $45,629
Years $1 million lasts: 22

5. New Jersey
Monthly expenses: $2,001
Annual cost after Social Security: $41,315
Years $1 million lasts: 24

6. Colorado
Monthly expenses: $1,899
Annual cost after Social Security: $39,759
Years $1 million lasts: 25

7. New Hampshire
Monthly expenses: $2,081
Annual cost after Social Security: $38,052
Years $1 million lasts: 26

8. Utah
Monthly expenses: $1,876
Annual cost after Social Security: $37,060
Years $1 million lasts: 26

9. Oregon
Monthly expenses: $2,017
Annual cost after Social Security: $37,346
Years $1 million lasts: 27

10. Rhode Island
Monthly expenses: $2,113
Annual cost after Social Security: $36,920
Years $1 million lasts: 27

By contrast, $1 million in retirement savings plus Social Security should last at least 30 years in 36 other states, as per this same GOBankingRates report.

Source: The 10 states where $1 million runs out the fastest in retirement—it’s just 12 years in Hawaii

Inflation: Weakens Dollar, Boosts Real Estate

You’re likely to run out of cash if the bulk of your investments are held as cash, ironically. How is this seemingly contradictory statement true or not?

Every single year, the dollars in your pocket get weaker and weaker due to inflation. For example, it’s been claimed that $1 in 1913 when the Federal Reserve was formed is now worth closer to 2 or 3 cents today after 112 years’ worth of inflation continually weakening our dollar.

I’ve described real estate as an exceptional hedge against inflation for several decades. This is because home values tend to rise at least as high as the published historical inflation rates. Yet, this description does not give real estate enough credit for how much higher homes have appreciated as compared with inflation.

For example, U.S. home prices between 1950 and 2024, when adjusted for inflation, more than doubled the annual published rate of inflation in every single state in America, according to Brilliant Maps. From a low of a 107% home value gain as compared to inflation in Ohio to a high of a 675% home gain in Alaska, the investment returns for property owners were quite impressive.

The creation of multiple income streams, whether it be from one, two, three, or four jobs or part-time gigs, rental properties, discounted mortgage or note investments, stocks, bonds, or insurance investments, or other sources, is what you should invest your time and energy on each day or week. The future version of you will later thank you for starting your investing strategies sooner rather than later.

If you earn $5 per day or $5,000 per day, you should focus on your daily expenses as well. Are you still earning more than you spend each day? If not, then please focus on ways to generate one or more additional income streams that may likely originate from real estate one way or another.

Should you be holding a coffee in your hand priced near the daily median worldwide income average of $7.60 and have a roof over your head while reading this article, you’re doing OK and should be grateful as compared with the rest of the world.


Rick Tobin

Rick Tobin has worked in the real estate, financial, investment, and writing fields for the past 30+ years. He’s held eight (8) different real estate, securities, and mortgage brokerage licenses to date and is a graduate of the University of Southern California. He provides creative residential and commercial mortgage solutions for clients across the nation. He’s also written college textbooks and real estate licensing courses in most states for the two largest real estate publishers in the nation; the oldest real estate school in California; and the first online real estate school in California. Please visit his website at Realloans.com for financing options and his new investment group at So-Cal Real Estate Investors for more details. 


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East Coast Caravan Tour – RSVP Today

Please review this important post. Thank you.


EAST COAST TOUR:
Elite Dealmakers – Rehab Real Estate Investor Caravan Tour in South New Jersey

Join us for an exclusive in-person event where you’ll get the inside scoop on rehab real estate investing. Our caravan tour will take you to some of the hottest properties on the market, giving you the opportunity to learn from elite dealmakers in the industry.

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to take their real estate game to the next level. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to network, learn, and grow your real estate portfolio!

Elite Dealmakers – Rehab Real Estate Investor Caravan Tour

Saturday, March 22nd, 2025

9:00am – 3:00pm

Tour Price:

$20 Early-Bird registration by 12PM Wednesday (03/12)
$50 General Registration up until 12PM Friday (03/21)

Includes, Coffee, Continental Breakfast & Lunch

We will have real estate professionals on the tour such as: Asset Based Lender, Licensed Real Estate Agent & Licensed Contractor.

The Onsite Rehabbing Caravan Tour is a truly INVALUABLE part of your real estate education where you will be able to walk through multiple properties under various stages of construction and gain priceless hands-on training.

There will be no VAN, and properties will be given upon registered attendees only that morning.

The Tour will cover neighborhoods in Salem, Cumberland, Gloucester & Atlantic Counties of South Jersey

RSVP ASAP – Limited Attendance Count.


Self-promotion & Personal Branding Techniques Have Dramatically Changed

The Shifting Landscape in Marketing Techniques

By Dan Harkey

Summary:

There is a shift from the familiar order we’ve practiced over a long history into unfamiliar territories, necessitating new learning techniques and strategies such as AI-driven marketing, personalized customer communication (e.g., webinars, zoom meetings, customized emails), speed text messaging, and data-driven decision-making (e.g., predictive analytics, customer segmentation).

Order, customs, traditions, rules, and habits were all considered reliable until now. They have all changed. My expectations have permanently been disrupted…

Developing long-term relationships is confusing in the shuffle …
Adapting to these new techniques is necessary in the rapidly evolving marketing landscape. The sooner we embrace these changes, the better equipped we will be to navigate the future of marketing.



Article:

Historic Shift:

Customs, practices, and order have dramatically shifted to a radically new paradigm. Building relationships, thereby creating social capital, has also shifted. In this new era, friends do business with friends, and reliable relationships have moved because of what we call ‘light-speed differential correspondence,’ a term we use to describe the rapid and varied forms of communication available today. Adapting to these new methods to stay competitive is crucial.

The prevailing approach of solely relying on social media for business or sales outreach will diminish over time. Brief, attention-grabbing messages or sensational content aimed at unknown individuals are expected to lose effectiveness.

I believe there will likely be a shift towards re-emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships as the key strategy for sustainable success.

Expanding business opportunities and fostering new relationships are crucial for personal growth and business success. These elements are the foundation for achieving higher goals and driving business growth.

Most people’s reading habits are different. They watch and listen to podcasts focused on digital audio and video files available for downloading or streaming. They don’t seem to answer their phones like they used to, and they do not always respond to emails for marketing purposes or precisely targeted communication about a subject such as a transaction. But one thing is sure: everywhere they go, they look down at their phones so attentively that they miss everything around them.

The most effective marketing tool today is texting prospects, short and to the point, which necessitates obtaining phone numbers rather than email addresses. However, the process must be done individually, with some personalization rather than a mass text software package. Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa can draft and send personalized messages and reminders, making them valuable tools in this approach.

We may first call, leave a message when they do not answer, or follow up with an email or text message. Siri, text Archie Bunker. Archie, I am just checking with you to see if you need any ____________________?

Things change, and disruptions occur, both personally and in business. Technology, such as AI and data analytics, plays a significant role in modifying our marketing output by providing insights into consumer behavior and market trends. These technological disruptions necessitate our adaptation to stay competitive in the market, highlighting the importance of staying ahead of the curve in our field.



Here are a few things that we must become comfortable with:
https://www.newbreedrevenue.com/blog/marketing-terms
https://communications.rutgers.edu/brand-policies/advertising/glossary-marketing-terms

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Automatic Language (AL)
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Search engine algorithms
• Search engine Crawling, spiders, robots, or Google bots.

This is not precisely shaking hands with 500 people, becoming friends, hanging out together, and doing business as usual. Still, it is somewhat data-driven, magnifying or leveraging performance through algorithmic data management.

Lost in the dynamics of changing methods:

The challenges in real estate sales and lending are unique. The market is volatile, and success often depends on factors beyond our control. When business opportunities deteriorate, what do frustrated salespeople do? They may be tempted to perpetuate a losing strategy, which includes working from home, focusing on distracting activities, only taking inbound messages, selectively returning calls, and engaging in what today is called quiet quitting. Quiet quitting is a term used to describe a situation where a person does not outright quit their job but regularly shuffles their daily activities to avoid stressful confrontations, outbound calls, and sales rejections. Instead of focusing on business-related tasks, they may spend their time on social media, take extended breaks, or commiserate with others about work-related issues.

Quitting, also known as the Great Resignation and the Great Reshuffle, is an economic trend in which employees are dissatisfied with their jobs but find a way to avoid action by essentially living off their employers’ payrolls and becoming common parasites. The Great Resignation and the Great Reshuffle refer to the significant number of employees choosing to leave their jobs or change careers due to dissatisfaction with their current work situations.

How about a very inexpensive gadget, a mouse jiggler, that artificially simulates keyboard activity and mouse movement, creating the impression of computer work? Some who work remotely have attempted to outsmart their management while engaging in fake work activity. These individuals, known as ‘parasitic quiet quitters,’ exploit their employers by engaging in fraudulent activities to avoid real work. For example, they might use the mouse jiggler to make it seem like they are working when they are not. Management may use productivity monitoring software as a surveillance mechanism to ensure compliance with company work requirements. The parasitic quiet quitter is actively engaged in fraud, which can lead to significant losses for the company.

Dynamic change:

Reading is a powerful tool that can disrupt the ill-informed. But, as Mark Twain aptly said, “If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you read the newspaper, you are ill-informed.” This underscores the crucial role of seeking out reliable sources of information to stay empowered and knowledgeable in the face of change. Truth in the news is generally only found through alternative media.

Many of our activities are so fast that we cannot keep up and, therefore, have limited time for relationship-building. Much of our work function is now modified to rely on technology, replacing face-to-face and telephone correspondence.

Automatic Language (AL) is an advanced technology that analyzes text inputs, recognizes patterns, and classifies text into natural language processing algorithms. In marketing, AL is advancing the human interface and communication with machines and computer systems, enabling more efficient and personalized customer communication. This technology is revolutionizing how we interact with customers and is a key trend in marketing.

Eventually, AL will drive most of our marketing activities. Analytics and algorithms will drive everything from search engines to service searches, identifying our unique abilities based on our participation in the tech system.

The accelerating speed of change is upon us, and we have permanently said goodbye to the old methods. At best, we can gain the attention of prospects for microseconds or a minute to see if they are interested in our services, which is a difficult task but doable. We can embrace and adopt change willingly or be left in the dust of history alongside the Rolodex client file system and the business lunch. For those who do not remember Rolodex, it was a desktop card index system on a round rotating spindle with removable cards attached. The salesperson would record client information indexed from A to Z.

Future companies may have only five employees, but they operate like a 50-person company 20-30 years ago.

There is a shift to the free-agent nation, where we are independent, and mobility is paramount to success.

Herein lies the need for an executive administrative assistant, independent contractor staffing, and high-tech independent contractors locally or from around the world (somewhere) who can work magic in the tech-driven marketing and follow-up process.

What will not change is the 80/20 rule. 80% of a salesperson’s or organization’s activities contribute 20% of the results? This powerful insight can be applied to various aspects of our lives. For instance, in personal productivity, you can identify and focus on 20% of tasks that yield 80% of your results. In sales and business management, you can identify the 20% of customers that generate 80% of your revenue. The new tools available can ignite our motivation and drive for success, inspiring us to maximize our efforts and achieve more.

Thank You

Dan Harkey
Educator & Private Money Lending Consultant
[email protected] 949 533 8315
www.danharkey.com