It’s a beautiful Monday morning.  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  Have a few thoughts running through my head, which is more than usual.

First off, a quick shout out to my friends Mike and Tassie Phifer formerly of the 254. About a month ago Mike and Tassie and their five kids, “the Phifer 7, ” packed their bags hand headed to Belize for a year-long mission trip. Quite a calling. Am hoping and praying they are doing well. Also want them to know how much they are missed and what a void their absence creates.   Click link below for an update on them.

http://www.genesis-church.com/#!phifer-belize-mission/z0rph

Also want to give a shout out to my friends Josh and Grant in the 032 and the group they led this past weekend out to the San Carlos Indian Reservation.  They are working with “Arizona Reservation Ministries” to help build houses for families in San Carlos.  Lot of hard work.  If you are interested in finding out more about “ARM” click link below. Great job guys, Rocknroll!

http://azrez.org/

Lastly, my own shameless plug.  Have begun advertising on “The Ray Adams Show” on NBC Sports 1060 am.  His show airs Saturday mornings from 6-7 and Monday nights from 6-7.  Tonight I will be on with Ray at about 6:45 talking a little bit about my business.  Tune in if you can!

Have a great week everyone.

When I began this blog, much of my thinking was to market my services to the “Millennial” group chasing up my back-side. Not a new idea.  Who isn’t trying to capture that market? They are vast; the Millennial (whom we define as between ages 18 to 34 in 2015) are projected to number 75 -80 million, surpassing the projected 74.9 million Boomers (ages 51 to 69). They are smart and they are entering into their earning prime.

Talking about my generation, the “Gen Xer’s,” (ages 35 to 50 in 2015) we sit at about 50 – 60 million. Seems no one is talking about capturing us as a market.  “What, just because we are a small, not-so successful generation that isn’t as tech savvy like the up and comers?

Googling “Genration X” may provide some explanation. The headlines read like a bastard step-child that needs to go away. “Gen X is the Most Screwed Generation when it comes to Real Estate”, “Millennial are better at saving than Generation X”, “Gen X and the big self-help lie: In furious middle age, a ‘Life Reimagined’ feels impossibly out of reach.” And my favorite “Generation X: Americas neglected ‘middle child'”

I’m listing all this without providing any context to what they mean, but overall the indication is that things haven’t turned out so great for the Gen Xers. But moreover, the prospects of turning things around are not looking so good. There is a reality to it all.  For myself coming out of the housing collapse in 08, it hit me square between the eyes one day, “I’m going to have to work the rest of my life !?!”  Better to accept it for what it is and roll-on. The silver lining for me is that I am securely self-employed and enjoy what I do.

This seems to be the favorite saying of the termite guys.  Let’s just say the desert and wood are a really bad combo.  So you go ahead and get your property treated complete with warranty.  Or you buy an existing home and you have it inspected and are given a clean bill of health. In either case you think you are good to go.  Keep your eyes pealed folks, sorry to say, termites seem to pop up any time any place.

Case in point, last summer had a through inspection done on an investment property I acquired.  Guy say’s, “Place is good, no termites.” Awesome.  6-7 months later, I’ve got a buyer.  Their inspector comes in and say’s, “The place is infested.” “What?!?” I call my guy who did the previous inspection and ask, “Can it happen that fast? Or did you miss something?”  He stands by his inspection, and says, “Yes, it can happen that fast.”

Seems fishy, but I’m no expert and really, we are all at the mercy of what the professionals say.   So CYA. If one company say’s you don’t have them, possibly it is in you and your properties best interest to get a second opinion. If that seems redundant, then make sure you keep up with annual inspections. There are also companies that will provide monthly critter treatment which do not necessarily protect against termites, but at least you will have eye’s on the place and if they see’em, they will let you know.