In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Raj Dosanjh from Rent Round.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Raj Dosanjh, founder of property manager comparison site Rent Round that saves landlords & property owners money. I began the business in 2019 and growth has been amazing since (at times hard to keep up with!)
I also run a regulatory consultancy that works with banks such as Bank of New York & Deutsche Bank. Somehow, I find time to also manage my own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu martial arts club as well.
What problem does your product/service solve?
Finding a property manager is often difficult for property owners & landlords. There’s a lot of ambiguity on costs, services and regulations the property managers adhere to. It’s sad to say there’s also a lot of jargon used that can be extremely confusing for those not experts in the rental market.
This is the actual reason I started the business. I was looking for property managers for my own properties in the U.K. I was perplexed at how hard it was to find a well-rated property manager and a reasonable price.
Landlords use our platform to scan property manager fees and ratings in their local area. This enables them to pick the property manager that’s right for them and at a fair price.
On the flip side, Rent round helps property managers get leads, i.e. people who need their services. The property manager market is highly saturated so, for the best property managers, we increase their income substantially.
What are you most excited about right now?
I’m excited about the current levels of growth, even during the current covid-19 pandemic.
It’s difficult in the current environment for property managers to take on new business. People aren’t buying property and tenants aren’t moving. This gives them a lot of time to look into how to grow the business and get ready for the post-pandemic future.
We’ve seen a large uptick in property managers joining our platform which is amazing to see.
We’ve got a host of new functionality just released that makes it easier for landlords to find their property manager. For example, we’ve reduced the time it takes to run a comparison and contact a property manager to 30 seconds. Aside from the benefits this brings to the business, I get excited about creating ‘nice’ things. RentRound’s polished and seamless platform is for sure one of those.
What’s next for you?
When I started the business, I set myself two growth areas for when the current model sees success. Now we have over 300 property managers listed in the UK, the ball is now rolling for the expansion of Rent Round.
First, we are expanding our service into the U.S. It’s obviously a larger market than the U.K and will have a different set of challenges, but I’m confident it will be successful.
The second area the business will grow into is the real estate selling market. The problems that resulted in me starting Rent Round are also apparent when people are looking to sell their property.
Separately, I’m also excited to be onboarding a new director into the businesses. My time is spread across many ventures so the extra support will no doubt provide more focus on the areas we need to grow into.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
As mentioned previously, I run my own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club. This martial art has been a great passion of mine for over 8 years and I’ve competed many times. I’m ecstatic that my passion has become a business.
My daughter is now 4 years old and as that’s the earliest stage to start, she cooercing me to start kids classes. We’re going to be doing them differently and not part of income generating businesses. Classes will be offered to underprivileged children for free.
Martial arts develops great focus & discipline. I hope that with the mindset children get from my classes, they’re able to implement that in the studies & future career.
I’m also passionate about animal rights (yes, I’m an annoying vegan). I’m proud of my contributions to animal welfare societies and attendance at various organised protests. With the covid-19 pandemic linked to animal farming, it’s a crucial time for the world to look at sustainability and our future as a species.
Thanks to Raj for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
Running a real estate team can be a great way to scale—when it’s done right. Tune in and hear how to build your team without busting your budget on today’s podcast with Craig Curelop. Craig built his real estate team in a bustling market and quickly learned when and where to scale back for sustained success. In addition to discussions on team structure and systems, Shelby and Craig cover cutting costs, real estate marketing, and more. Don’t miss it!
Listen to today’s show and learn:
Craig Curelop’s real estate team [1:55]
Craig’s start as a real estate team leader [3:03]
Staying solo or starting a team [5:16]
The next stage of team building [7:32]
Building out your team’s structure [8:40]
Providing systems for an agent’s success [11:38]
How to build better processes with less effort [12:58]
What to document when building processes [15:22]
Minimizing expenses and maximizing leverage [18:09]
How to hire and pay a transaction coordinator [19:45]
Making tough decisions when cutting costs [21:00]
The biggest lesson to learn when starting a real estate team [26:23]
Real estate team marketing expenses [27:20]
Craig’s favorite real estate CRM [28:01]
“The Agent Performance Tracker” [29:00]
How to test your new agents’ drive [32:22]
Protecting your business against agent disloyalty [35:48]
Craig’s plans for his real estate team [40:30]
Creating your perfect day [42:17]
Final words of advice on starting a real estate team [44:41]
Where to find and follow Craig Curelop [46:02]
Craig Curelop
Craig Curelop started out as a house hacker in Denver. After reaching financial independence in 2.5 years after three house hacks, he graduated from his W2 job at BiggerPockets to pursue being a full-time real estate agent inspiring others to do the same.
In his first year of being a real estate agent he did over 100 deals. That’s an exhausting year. He realized, that if he was going to continue onward, he’d have to create a team; hence the FI Team. In just three years, Craig has grown a team of over 20 agents that do $100M+ per year in volume.
In addition to the FI Team, Craig has a rental portfolio of 24 units along with being invested in multiple syndications, and coaches agents to grow their investor-friendly real estate agent teams!
Related Links and Resources:
It might go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: We really value listeners like you. We’re constantly working to improve the show, so why not leave us a review? If you love the content and can’t stand the thought of missing the nuggets our Rockstar guests share every week, please subscribe; it’ll get you instant access to our latest episodes and is the best way to support your favorite real estate podcast. Have questions? Suggestions? Want to say hi? Shoot me a message via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Email.
By now, we have all seen our beloved Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree stand tall in all of its beauty. It’s commonly housed in a chunky, woven seagrass basket at least according to Pinterest.
But why not switch up things a bit and instead of baskets as pots, try using a bag – it’s this week’s Idea to Steal!
All you need is a tall raw canvas tote. You’ll certainly need a sturdy insert in order order for the fig leaf to hold its shape I’d likely cheat with a smaller planter inside.
Depending on the size of your plant or tree, I’m thinking that there are some great laundry bags that’ll do this trick quite nicely. I’m considering giving this one or these a try!
Find all of our favorite ideas to steal right here.
If you love birds, you’re not alone. Birds bring us joy with their bright colors and sweet melodies—and our friends on Reddit seem to agree. In fact, a recent survey found that these 12 magnificent feathered friends consistently topped the list as the most lovable birds around! From stunning parrots to majestic eagles, let’s take a look at what made these birds some of our favorites!
1. Cardinals
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One user said, “Have you guys ever stopped to look at a cardinal? They’re incredible. That pointed crest is adorable.”
Another user replied, “Just saw my first male. He was absolutely stunning.”
“I find both sexes to be mesmerizing. The female’s mottled plumage and blood-orange beak are so pretty. The males are definitely more eye-catching, though. I see them occasionally in the peach tree outside my window in early springtime. Always gets a smile out of me,” a third Redditor responded.
One commenter added, “Ever see a cardinal in the winter? The bright red stands out in a field of white snow. Truly beautiful.”
2. Pelicans
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One of the Redditors added, “I enjoy a good pelican.”
Another user shared his story, “When I first got married, my Mom bought me this weird pelican statue as a wedding present. It’s way outside her norm for gift-giving, so I thought she was joking. Ever since then, my late husband and I would buy her something pelican related every year since she suddenly seemed to like them so much.”
“They look nearly prehistoric. I surf, and they skim the waves in formation, flowing around the lineup of people. Really crazy beings… if you’re able to let go of your familiarity with seeing them for a moment, they look like g-dd-mn dinosaurs,” one replied.
3. Penguins
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One Redditor said simply, “Penguins.”
Another user replied, “You just instantly reminded me of this penguin named Lala I saw on YouTube recently. What a nice bird.”
“Penguins are my favorite all-time animal to the point where, upon seeing the favorite bird question, I simply skipped penguins because, in my mind, they don’t count as birds; they’re just penguins-my-favorite-animal. Anyways, seconded,” one user agreed.
4. Ravens
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One Redditor commented, “Raven.”
Another user replied, “Seconded.”
“There’s a cute young raven that visits my alleyway sometimes. He took a Dorito from us once,” one commenter shared.
5. Chickadees
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“Chickadee,” exclaimed one Redditor.
Another user added, “They have a lot more personality than many songbirds and are quite intelligent. Their warning call even says something about the type of danger. And they’ll stick around through winter while most of the other birds migrate. And I love how they grab one sunflower seed and fly off to a nearby tree to eat it, while other birds are more boring and just sit at the feeder shelling them.”
“Not only just grabbing a single seed, but they’ll take turns and even kinda line up, each one flying one spot closer as the bird at the head grabs a seed and flies off,” replied one user.
One user concluded, “I love chickadees! They are so small and round, and their call is super identifiable.”
6. Hummingbirds
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One Redditor shared, “Hummingbirds.”
A second replied, “So cool. Like there is the only thing that has adapted to move in all dimensions in the blink of an eye, no other fish or land animal can move anywhere near as precise or quickly. They’re the second fastest animal of any kind next to a falcon, even if they can only go that fast for like 2-3 seconds, but then they can also just stop on a dime. From a movement standpoint, by far the coolest animal.”
One user also agreed, “They’re magical!”
7. Crows
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“Personally, I love Crows. They’re underrated,” one user posted.
Another user also commented, “I’m not sure I would say they are underrated. They have huge followings and fans.”
One user also commented, “Compared to most other bird species, not really [underrated]. Long-tailed tit is underrated, as are hooded mergansers, pied-billed grebes, and Wilson’s phalaropes—amazing birds that aren’t likely to be known by the average non-birder. Crows are super rad, and I love them, but they are a pretty popular bird.”
8. Cedar Waxwings
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Another bird enthusiast user commented, “Cedar waxwing.”
One user also shared a story about them, “We have a serviceberry tree in our yard, and every year when the berries ripen, the migrating cedar waxwings stop for a few days. They will clean the tree of berries. I absolutely love watching them from my kitchen window. Such beautiful birds!”
One user concluded, “So very dapper.”
9. Blue Jays
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An ornithologist posted, “Ornithologist (bird scientist) here! I like Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata); their plumage is beautiful, they are intelligent songbirds (all of the Corvidae are smart birds), and they love peanuts! They are a bit loud but mimic other birds (sometimes mincing hawks to scare small birds away from feeders).”
Another user confirmed, “We have a bird feeder. The Blue Jays will mimic a hawk cry to scare off the other birds from the feeder before flying in.”
10. Ospreys
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“Osprey. One dived into the water less than 20 feet away from me; very, very cool,” one user commented.
Another user shared, “There are wetlands near where I work, and at the moment, Ospreys are nesting. They predict the eggs will hatch in the next 3 weeks or so.”
One Redditor exclaimed, “Ospreys are one of my favorites too!”
11. Grackles
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One user posted, “The grackle. The male is pretty in the sun, and they remind me of the zoo.”
Another user commented, “Oh, but have you been amidst a flock of grackles? They are LOUD.”
A third replied, “I like seeing the absolute hordes of them at dusk each night. In my area, you can usually find hundreds/thousands of bedding down for the night in some places (esp., grocery store parking lots with decent numbers of trees). It’s a nightly spectacle.”
12. Vultures
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A Redditor shared, “I love vultures. Especially turkey vultures, since they’re common in my area. They are seen as ugly and gross because they eat dead things, but I find them to be really beautiful when I see them soaring in the sky because their wings can look iridescent black in the sunlight. They live in huge family groups, so when it’s breeding season, there are tons of them. And to top it off, they do a very important job in the environment by taking care of the dead carcasses.”
Another user exclaimed, “I was looking for this answer. Vultures do their part AND look cool doing it.”
One user also shared the same sentiments and commented, “Oh boy, I love buzzards. I find them imposing and beautiful. They don’t like to be stared at, and they will either fly off or make their wings into long fingers and shake them at you. They are so fantastic, soaring in circles in the sky; I always think, ‘I wish I could do that.’
Do you agree with all the birds listed above? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Source: Reddit.
These are 10 Things That Completely Destroyed The Love in a Relationship
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There’s no question that relationships can be confusing, but here are some of the top things to avoid if you want to keep your relationship healthy!
10 Actors and Actresses People Refuse to Watch Ever Again
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We all have a favorite actor or actress, but most of us have a least-favorite as well. Check out this list of actors and actresses people never want to see performing again!
Top 10 Worst Human Inventions of All Time
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Some inventions are world-changing, and some of them, well, they change the world in the wrong ways. Here are some of the worst inventions Redditors could think of.
10 Famous Celebrities Who Look Like They Smell Terrible
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We’ve all had moments of hygiene faux pas—but these celebrities just look like they don’t take care of themselves at all.
10 Terrible Fads People Are Glad Died Out
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Every fad has its time in the limelight, but some of them come and go faster than others; and some just need to die out right away. Check out this list of fads of which people were happy to see the last.
If you have freelance or self-employment income, you must know about this specialized investment account that lets you save a ton more for retirement than an IRA or even a 401(k). And, since you can deduct contributions, you’ll save on taxes this year, too.
It’s no secret that celebrities have said some wild and outrageous things—both on-screen and off. From ridiculous demands to understanding complicated topics, these famous people will make you shake your head in disbelief. Whether it was a misinformed statement or something downright silly, prepare to be amazed by what they had to say or did! So get ready for an entertaining read as we explore the dumbest statements uttered by our beloved stars of stage and screen.
1. Not Fake a Hate Crime
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One user posted, “Jussie Smollett. Tracy Morgan said it best: ‘Yeah, they gave me a role on “Empire.” Contractually, they gave me millions of dollars. Contractually, all I gotta do is not fake a hate crime.’”
Another user replied, “Dave Chappelle’s bit about Jussie Smollett was pretty funny too. ‘The black community supported Jussie Smollett by keeping our mouths shut.’”
“This is the top one for me. It took so much careful planning and effort,” one commenter added.
2. If I Did It
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One Redditor posted, “Making a book called ‘If I Did It’ after being acquitted of murder.”
Another user replied, “The family of OJs victims got the rights of the book and made the ‘if’ incredibly small.”
One commenter added, “Also, the forward they added is called ‘He Did It.’”
Another Redditor said, “Kids today will never understand what a BIG FREAKIN’ DEAL the whole OJ thing was, from the car chase to the trial. So really, if it weren’t for OJ, we wouldn’t have The Kardashians.”
One user explained, “OJ was one of those athletes who managed to cross over to pop culture. He was on TV often between his acting and product endorsements. In addition to being considered one of the best football players, he had a squeaky-clean image. The closest parallel I can draw today is if Peyton Manning killed his wife and went on a police chase. Of course, there probably wouldn’t be a racial component as there was with OJ, but as far as images are concerned, OJ and Manning would be similar.”
3. Joining Scientology
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One user posted, “Joining Scientology, promoting it, and defending it.”
Another user replied, “Just look at Danny Masterson, they tried to cover up his [sexual] scandal, and thankfully he was convicted.”
4. Performing an Ukulele Apology
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“Playing the ukulele to ‘apologize’ for being creepy to kids you met on the internet,” one Redditor posted.
Another user commented, “There’s no quicker way to make people think you’re diddling kids than writing a song about it!”
One commenter responded, “I saw a meme about it today, and it was like ‘Common playing in A minor got you in this situation in the first place’ and I was crying laughing.”
5. Trying to Bring a Controlled Substance On an Airplane
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Another user added, “Former NBA player Damon Stoudamire tried to get over 1 ounce of [drugs] onto an airplane, but got caught at the metal detectors because he wrapped it in Aluminum Foil.”
One user asked, “Is that what happened to him?! I was wondering why he just got up and disappeared.”
“He’s the head coach of Georgia Tech,” one Redditor answered.
6. Being Bill Cosby
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A Redditor shared, “Bill Cosby for being Bill Cosby. Millions adored this man as the father figure they always wanted. Until he wasn’t the father figure anyone wanted.”
One replied, “This one hurt severely. The public loved him. He had great stand-up routines and tv shows. I got to see him perform once.
“Then, Boom. It turns out he’s [sexually assaulted and] drugged women. Ugh.”
Another user added, “It was absolutely heartbreaking. I watched every episode of The Cosby Show, some more than once. It made me feel good; happy memories; everything was okay. Until it wasn’t.”
7. The Streisand Effect
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“Barbra Streisand created Streisand effect. She didn’t want her home to be known on the internet, so she did everything in her power to remove pictures and addresses but wasn’t successful, and in return, her home became a hot topic,” one user added.
One user replied, “It seems dumb today, but the internet was pretty new and kind of unknown to most people. I imagine this was thought the same way as going after a tabloid. But instead, we witnessed an entirely new phenomenon.”
Another user added, “The funny thing was, prior to her lawsuit, the picture featuring her house had been viewed five times. Presumably, one of those was Streisand herself, and another was her lawyer. IIRC, the offending picture was part of a project to photograph the entirety of the California coastline. So thousands of images. One of which happened to show the back of her house. There was nothing in the picture that identified the house as hers.”
8. Antonio Brown Incidents
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One user posted, “Here’s a list of Antonio Brown incidents from another thread. He could have legit been a potential Hall Of Fame player, as he was arguably one of the best WRs in the NFL. Then… he took crazy to a level that makes Kanye look sane. The dude has a lot more time to add some stupid [things] to it, but here goes:
“Edit: The newest is buying an Arena Football Team to be an owner/player then not paying league dues… currently the target of a class-action lawsuit for withholding paychecks to players as well.
“•Kicked out of Florida International University after fighting a security guard…
“• His second year in the league, he took a personal stretch limo to a charity event, had them open every single expensive bottle of wine, and rejected it. They refused to pay for it (charity, remember), then left. -credit Nduguu77…
• Trashed a condo and threw furniture out a window 14th-floor window, which almost hit some people, notably a child…
“• Threw a fit over Juju winning team MVP and trashed him on social media…
“• Held out and refused to show up to training camp because the NFL would not approve his helmet because it was too old for their safety standards…
“• Got fined by the Raiders for not attending camp…
“• Tried to fight Mike Mayock, called him a cracker, had to be held back by Vontaze Burfict, then punted a football down the practice field and said, ‘Fine me for that.’ [He was fined.]…
“• Released a video where he used audio of Jon Gruden, who didn’t know he was being recorded, which is illegal in California (full disclosure, Gruden has said he gave permission, but the generally accepted theory is that he said that in the hope that it would help get him to show up to the facility and not alienate him.)
“• Demanded a release from the Raiders…
“• Made a lot of crazy tweets saying stuff like ‘Devil is a lie,’ a proverb about burning down a village… he made a lot of crazy tweets around this time is the point here…
“• Signed with the Patriots…
“• The sexual assault allegations came out (the one where he’s getting sued)
“• The sexual harassment allegations came out (the one where he’s not getting sued)
“• Threatened the woman not suing him in a group text that included his lawyer and had a picture of her kids in the text
“• Got released by the Patriots after one week
“• Went off on a tweet storm and said a lot of crazy [things] about a lot of people, and was supportive of people sending threats to the writer of the article detailing the sexual harassment allegations
“• Said he was done with the NFL
“• Went back to college via online classes
“• Tried to outsource his homework to Twitter
“• Wants to come back to the NFL
“• Filed several grievances to try and get more than $40 million from the Raiders and Patriots…
“• Tweeted a couple of bizarre tweets about the Raiders using him for HBO ratings and the Patriots trying to steal his stuff and kept using this weird chicken-based metaphor
“• Tried out for the Saints and brought an entourage and film crew to shoot a music video with him when specifically told not to do that…
“• Tweeted ‘No more white woman 2020.’…
“• Used a bunch of slurs and profane language toward cops in an Instagram video he posted
“• A police youth football league cut ties with him and returned a donation after the release of the video saying there was an ‘irreparable rift’ between the department and AB…
“• Was involved in a dispute with movers at his home, where he allegedly threw rocks at the movers and moving vans. He is currently being investigated for battery by the police…
“• Warrant issued for the arrest of AB…
“• Rumors spread about AB signing with Tampa or Seattle
“• AB announces his retirement (for what I believe is the third time, it’s hard to find a good record of the rest of them.) Two days later, AB wants to play again and is asking for the league to wrap up its investigation
“• The NFL announces an eight-game suspension for AB… under investigation for the bike-throwing incident
“• Allegedly acquired fake covid-19 card. Confirmed to have acquired a fake covid-19 card and subsequently suspended for three games
“• Removed jerseys and pads and threw them in the stands before exiting the game verse the Jets. Was subsequently cut from the Bucs for stripping on the field…”
9. Praising Nazi Germany
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“Losing a billion-dollar shoe deal b/c he couldn’t stop talking about how much he loves Hitler,” one user added.
Another user replied, “When Alex Jones is trying to reign you in, you know you’re spouting some crazy [things].”
One commenter shared, “That was such a bizarre interview. Alex REPEATEDLY gave him outs like, ‘As a fashion designer, surely you just appreciated their uniforms, RIGHT?’ And Kanye pretty much says, ‘Nah, I just like Hitler, man.’ Wtf?”
10. Staging a Hate Crime
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One user answered, “[Jussie Smollet] is a contender, although many choices exist. He stages a hate crime to gain leverage in contract negotiations… He hires meatheads to do the deed and pays them with a check. Of course, he lied the whole time, then the video turns up, and the DA figures it out.
“But being famous, he pulls strings and escapes prosecution for making a false claim. THEN…the political tide shifts, and he runs his mouth and refuses to reimburse the county for the cost of the investigation. And so the new DA says f- it and prosecutes him, and he gets convicted because he was obviously guilty.”
11. Posting a Video of Violent Death
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“Logan Paul posted a full YouTube video of someone hanging in a forest,” one user posted.
Another user commented, “Well, his whole family seems like crap, so no surprise he’s a huge [jerk].”
One Redditor added, “Even worse was that he was in Aokigahara, the ‘suicide forest’ in Japan. It’s unclear why that forest is such a popular place for people to un-alive themselves, but to revel in such a horrible event for internet fame is despicable.”
12. Saying You Could Have Saved Flight 11
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One user posted, “Mark Wahlberg saying if he had been on flight 11 (like he was supposed to), it wouldn’t have crashed because he would have killed the terrorists then figured out how to land the plane.”
Another user replied, “So he said what every person in Boston says daily.”
13. Debating Word Definitions
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One user shared, “That time Jennifer Garner corrected Conan O’Brien on the word snuck is one of my favorites. The fact that she throws in the bit about him going to Harvard makes it extra delicious.”
Another user replied, “His laugh when pulling out the dictionary to prove her wrong lives in my mind rent-free.”
14. Gwenyth Paltrow’s Goop
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“Gwenyth Paltrow and everything she promotes. Here’s a tea made with echinacea, random plants I got from cutting my yard. I stirred it with my [privates]. It’ll cure ED, lung cancer, whatever. Now available at Goop,” posted one user.
Another user replied, “Doesn’t everyone want a $100 candle that smells like my [body]..?”
15. A Math Called Terryology
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One user posted, “Terrance Howard ‘invented’ his own math called Terryology.”
Another user replied, “‘How can it equal one?’ he said. ‘If one [times] one equals one, that means that two is of no value because one [times] itself has no effect. One [times] one equals two because the square root of four is two, so what’s the square root of two? Should be one, but we’re told it’s two, and that cannot be.’”
Do you agree with the statements listed above? Share your thoughts!
Source: Reddit.
These are 10 Things That Completely Destroyed The Love in a Relationship
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There’s no question that relationships can be confusing, but here are some of the top things to avoid if you want to keep your relationship healthy!
10 Actors and Actresses People Refuse to Watch Ever Again
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
We all have a favorite actor or actress, but most of us have a least-favorite as well. Check out this list of actors and actresses people never want to see performing again!
Top 10 Worst Human Inventions of All Time
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Some inventions are world-changing, and some of them, well, they change the world in the wrong ways. Here are some of the worst inventions Redditors could think of.
10 Famous Celebrities Who Look Like They Smell Terrible
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We’ve all had moments of hygiene faux pas—but these celebrities just look like they don’t take care of themselves at all.
10 Terrible Fads People Are Glad Died Out
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Every fad has its time in the limelight, but some of them come and go faster than others; and some just need to die out right away. Check out this list of fads of which people were happy to see the last.
If you’re thinking of investing in cryptocurrencies, you’re probably already considering Bitcoin. But other coins, like Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Cardano, Binance Coin, Polkadot, Solana, and Avalanche are strong options for diversifying your crypto portfolio.
Rule #1 by Phil Town is not a general personal finance book, and it’s not a book for beginning investors — it turns a lot of conventional investment wisdom on its ear. The book explores a philosophy ascribed to Columbia University’s Benjamin Graham (author of The Intelligent Investor), and popularized by Graham’s student, Warren Buffet (perhaps the most successful investor of all time).
What is The Rule? “There are only two rules of investing: Rule #1: Don’t lose money […] and Rule #2: Don’t forget Rule #1.” Town writes: “Most Americans are trapped in mutual funds that, at best, ride the waves of the market.” He believes that his method can help investors break free from these cycles.
At its heart, Town’s philosophy is simply “buy low, sell high”. He’s not pushing a get-rich-quick scheme (though at times, especially early in the book, that’s exactly how it comes across). But he’s certainly encouraging his readers to abandon traditional “get rich slowly (and surely)” techniques.
Town argues that there are three myths of investing:
You have to be an expert to manage money.
You can’t beat the market.
The best way to minimize risk is to diversify and hold for the long term.
Dollar-cost averaging will not protect you, he says. These statements may make some nervous about Town’s philosophy. In the recent Wall Street Journal article about personal finance books, one expert cautioned:
“Any book that suggests it has a new way to riches should probably be a little suspect,” says Prof. Kenneth Froewiss, a finance professor at New York University Stern School of Business. A good book about personal finance, he says, always elaborates on three simple themes: Save early, know your risk tolerance, and diversify.
Town says that “knowing you will make money comes from buying a wonderful business at an attractive price”. If you can find a wonderful business, know what it’s worth as a business, and then buy it at a discount, you will become rich. If you repeat these steps, you will become very rich. “The price of a thing is not always equal to its value,” he says, arguing against Efficient Market Theory. He points to the recent Tech Bubble as an example. (As you might expect, Town doesn’t care for A Random Walk Down Wall Street.)
Rule #1 describes how to evaluate the investment potential of a business. You want:
A company that means something to you (you know its inner workings because you’re passionate about it).
A company that has a wide moat, or protective buffer (whether this is a competitive advantage, a huge cash reserve, or an exclusive license).
A company with excellent management.
A company with a margin of safety (that is, a company priced so low that even if you miscalculate its target price, you’re not going to lose money).
Using Town’s method, an investor creates a watch list of companies that meet each of these four criteria. Each company’s financials are checked against five measures of fiscal health (return on investment, revenue growth rate, earnings-per-share growth rate, equity growth rate, and free-cash-flow growth rate) over periods of one, five, and ten years. If a company’s numbers look good, the investor develops a target price for it.
And then the waiting begins.
When the market price reaches 50% below what the calculations show it ought to be, the investor fully commits himself. Sort of. Ideally, says Town, you would hold a company’s stock forever. In reality, he argues that there are a couple of times to sell:
When a company has ceased to be wonderful.
When the market price is above the sticker price.
It is here that the Rule #1 system begins to resemble day trading. When you’ve found your ideal business, and when it passes the Rule #1 criteria and is selling at half-off the sticker price, you begin buying and selling the stock based on market conditions. You use a set of tools to make your decisions, constantly moving in and out of the stock. You’re committed to the stock for the long haul, it’s true, but you’re attempting to use market timing to maximize your returns. (Town stresses that these tools should not be used to find and value stocks, but only to time the re-purchase (or sale) of a stock to which you’re already committed.)
The book jacket incorrectly touts this as a “fifteen-minute-a-week” system (which makes it sound even more like a get-rich-quick scheme). The author, though, is clear that more time is needed to make this work. He admits that constructing a watch list takes several hours per company. It’s only after the watch list is created that the time investment declines.
I can’t recommend this book, but that’s because it’s beyond my ken. I don’t hate it. In fact, I find the ideas fascinating, even plausible, but I lack both the experience and the expertise to evaluate Town’s system. It seems to be made of equal parts sound advice and gimmicks. I’d love to read a review from somebody more firmly rooted in investment theory.
One saving grace — and it’s a big one — is that the system includes a built-in escape hatch. By using the “margin of safety”, you are buying heavily discounted stocks of good companies. It’s unlikely that they could fall further. (But not impossible.)
For more information on Rule #1, check the following web sites:
Rule One Investor is the book’s official site. It includes additional information, including handy calculators. (Which is good, because much of this system requires number-crunching.) Free registration required.
The Rule #1 Blog is author Phil Town’s personal site where he answers questions and provides additional insight. I like the fact that Town makes himself publically available. This, too, makes me less inclined to classify this as a “get rich quick” scheme.
A review of the book at Fat Pitch Financials also seems ambivalent about the system. The author writes “I really wish Phil would have shared more information about his past performance using his investment techniques.” I agree.
This was an actual weekend harvest from our garden last August.
At Get Rich Slowly, we get many requests for information about starting a vegetable garden. This is huge topic, and really enough fodder for an entire website. If you’re a novice gardener you will benefit by asking yourself six questions before mail-ordering seeds or heading to your local nursery. Now is the time to do your research so that you’ll be ready for planting season.
Do you actually like to eat vegetables?
If not, focus on fruits and herbs, edible and ornamental flowers, and a favorite veggie or two. A well-tended garden will produce a lot of vegetables. If you are lukewarm about zucchini then pass up that beautiful seedling. (Or go introduce yourself to your five nearest neighbors so that you can share come July).
What is your gardening space like?
This is probably the most important question for the novice gardener. If you are starting from bare dirt or, more likely, a patch of lawn, you have some work to do. The plot needs to be evaluated for sun and wind exposure, moisture/drainage, soil pH and elemental content, pests, and other factors.
When we moved to the new house, J.D. used math to determine our garden location.
Crop gardens need a sunny spot. But remember that the angle of the sun in the summer months will be different than it is now. Nonetheless, try to watch over the next few weeks to determine where the sun hits your property. If I have to choose between morning sun and evening, I prefer morning sun — it is less intense, which means watering needs are decreased. Here in Portland, however, it’s hard to give a garden too much sun.
Get online and tap the resources at your local university’s extension offices. You can usually find them just by searching for your state’s name and “extension service”. Many states offer free soil testing, which will tell you how to amend the soil if nutrients or organic matter are lacking, or if the pH of the soil needs to be adjusted. Your county’s Master Gardener program may also offer this service. Each crop has an optimum pH growing range. We add acid for our blueberries and strawberries; kale and peas like a slightly alkaline soil. If your soil is close to neutral (pH 7), you can probably proceed as-is.
These tomatoes were started from seed in February. In May they’re ready to be transplanted!
Even if your soil is terrible, you still have options. On a small scale, container gardening can be rewarding. A cherry tomato, well-watered, can do well in a large pot on a patio. Better yet, build some raised beds. These will require an initial investment for the soil to fill them and construction materials, but they provide better drainage, warmer soil temperatures in the spring (and thus earlier crops), and reduced weeding. (Please avoid pressure-treated lumber, though, there is some evidence that the toxic chemicals leach into the soil. Okay for a picnic table, but not for the dirt where your eggplant is growing!)
If this all seems rather intimidating, I encourage you to start small. Don’t roto-till the entire lawn under until you really decide that crop gardening is for you. If your gardening space is less than ideal but you’d like to take the plunge, perhaps one 6’x12′ foot raised bed is the perfect beginning. Or try growing herbs.
During our second summer, we tore up sod to expand the garden space.
Herbs are one of the most forgiving classes of plants to grow — almost as easy as weeds — especially the hardy perennial herbs. Except for excessively moist soil and total shade, almost any conditions will support herbs. They thrive in sunny, dry areas. Herbs are also some of the most frugal crops you can grow because they are outrageously priced at the grocery store and can be used to make even basic ingredients into a stand-out meal. It’s worth the cost to start with herb plants rather than seeds so that you can use them right away.
Perennial herbs like sage, rosemary, thyme, lemon verbena, mints, chives and oregano require very little work. Again, do your homework for your climate. And a word to the wise: some herbs are invasive. Mints have spreading roots that will take over your entire city block. They are best in a container with a solid bottom rather than planted directly in the ground. Others, like oregano and fennel, spread easily by dropping their seeds. If you want to avoid little fennel and oregano families, be sure to trim off the flowers before they go to seed.
Last year we added an herb garden.
Short term, long term, or both?
Plants generally fall into two categories: annuals or perennials.
Annual crops start from a seed, mature and bear fruit (or vegetable) in one season, then die. In our region, corn is an annual, as are cucumbers, watermelons, and tomatoes. Plants that can survive the winter to regrow for another crop season are typically perennials, Examples include asparagus, blueberries, artichoke, and rhubarb. This also applies to flowers, of course: sunflower (annual) versus rose (perennial). I tend to think of fruits in the perennial group: fruit trees and berries are perennials. Most vegetables (again, this is for my climate) are annuals. Obviously there are exceptions to this generalization, like the melon family.
To decide where to focus your gardening energies, you should know your climate zone. This will help you determine the length of your growing season and which annual crops are going to have time to ripen.
Perennials usually cost more than annuals initially (buying an apple tree sapling, for example), and will require patience. We planted asparagus two springs ago and are hoping for our first taste this April. But these plants are longer living, and give you bigger returns for relatively little work. Asparagus plants can live for twenty years before needing replacements; an apple tree may not bear a crop for the first five years, but may live to be one-hundred.
If you’re just getting your gardening feet muddy for the first time, I recommend annuals. Tomatoes are extremely rewarding, as are other salad fixings such as lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, radishes and carrots. Other easy crops to start with are beans, onions (or leeks/shallots), potatoes, and pumpkin (although this needs room to spread). Besides the instant gratification they provide, mistakes with annuals are easily corrected the next season without much expense. Did the birds eat all your peas? Try something next year to protect them. Has your corn crop failed? Next spring, try it in a sunnier place.
Our strawberry plants have spread like crazy in the past three years.
If you have enough space and the inclination, try a bit of both annuals and perennials. A strawberry patch won’t produce much the first year, but the plants will reproduce and spread to give you a bounteous crop. Dwarf fruit trees are a nice option if you are looking for an ornamental small tree; most have beautiful blossoms, too. And don’t forget those herbs!
We planted two apples, a pear, and prune. We also have a filbert and walnut. (We never get many filberts — our yard is home to a Kingdom of Squirrels.)
Who are your gardening neighbors?
Tap those resources. Most gardeners love to talk about their plants. You can learn a lot about what works for your area by listening to their stories of success and failure. If you do a bit of pre-planning, you could also take part in a seed co-op. A typical tomato seed packet may hold 30 seeds — more than enough to split among four gardeners. Many vegetable starts are sold as single pots, but some come in six-packs that can be easily shared. With knowledge and experience, you can even harvest seeds from local gardens (with permission, of course) to plant the following spring. And if you’re lucky, when it’s time for the woman across the street to divide her lavender bush, she’ll share half with you!
Can you control yourself?
Most seed packets run only $2-$3, so they are tempting. But spending money and wasting your time on plants that won’t do well in your garden is an exercise in summer-long frustration. Evaluate your space and the soil and sun conditions. Learn to avoid catalog phrases such as “spreads quickly” or “freely self-sows” unless that’s what you really want. Don’t trust the catalog! The pictures are tempting, but they often show the plant only at its peak — what will it look like the rest of the time? Is it invasive? Poisonous? Hard-to-grow? Will it require constant maintenance? Use the internet and your library’s garden references to research seeds and plants before you buy them. I have found the internet to be a wonderful alternative to a knowledgeable nursery employee.
Do you have the time and money to grow your own food?
Gardening, initially, isn’t cheap. Besides plants and seeds, you’ll need garden tools, fertilizers, soil amendments, watering devices and a million other small things. But for those who savor its rewards, gardening is a labor of love. With time, and smart choices, having a kitchen garden does pay off financially. Herbs will pay for themselves quickly, and over the years, so will the berry bushes and canes, fruit trees and fresh vegetables. J.D. and I literally ate several hundred dollars of free homegrown berries this past spring and summer — all from a bit of our own labor, a few supplies and the investment of the canes and bushes. And that crop will only be bigger next year.
We’ve also dug up the lawn to plant grapes and caneberries.
Most gardens, even sizable ones, can be maintained with thirty minutes of work per day. Hoe weeds while they’re small, mulch properly, water wisely and be timely about harvesting. But if you let the garden tasks slip for a week or two, you may face a daunting task of huge weeds, spoiled crops or everything dead from lack of water. Gardening requires a time commitment if you want to reap the benefits.
Other Thoughts
If you are a beginning gardener, start small. Build on your successes. Be wise: it’s easy to dive in headfirst and then be overwhelmed. Research the plants you want to grow and the conditions they require, build a manageable raised bed if you’re starting from scratch, and use local resources to gain knowledge and cut costs.
Gardening requires a bit of seed money to begin, but the rewards are many! Healthier, fresher food, time in the great outdoors and a connection to nature, as well as engaging in an activity that can build community. And I haven’t even mentioned how much more excited kids are to eat their vegetables when they helped grow them or how people appreciate a homemade gift from the garden — whether a beautiful bouquet, and bunch of fragrant herbs, a fresh salad or a jewel-toned jar of jam.
In January fresh tomatoes are but a gardener’s dream.
Final Note
I recommend keeping your vegetable/fruit garden as organic as possible. One of the greatest benefits of growing your own is avoiding the pesticides (et al) on grocery-store goods. Insect diversity in your yard may be enough to keep pests in check; if you have an outbreak, simply try spraying with lightly soapy water, or other low-impact methods. If your soil is healthy and the plants are well-nourished, the plants will be strong and the bugs will be kept at bay.
This may not be practical in all climates, but here in Oregon, a few minutes each night hoeing will keep down the weeds, and the plants can take some munching by a bug or two once they’re established. With fertilizers, most choices are fine. I like an organic foliar spray — one that goes directly onto the leaves of my plants — but the crystalline concentrates that you mix with water can be fine as well, as long as your soil is already full of good organic matter and friendly worms.
Whether you’re planning to list your home for sale tomorrow or three years from now, it’s never too early to start making investments that will ultimately increase your home’s value.
According to the 2017 Cost vs. Value report, you will get the best return on your investment (ROI) from major renovations including: new attic insulation, basement and kitchen remodels, and adding a second story.
But even if you’re not in the position to start a major renovation—cost or time-wise—there are still plenty of smaller projects. Some you can do yourself, and they’ll help you increase your home’s value to better prepare you for the day you’re ready to sell.
Read on to learn about four small projects that you can work on (maybe this weekend) to boost your home value and make your home stand out in a crowded market.
1. Replace Your Front Door
Updating your front door is a great way to boost your curb appeal. First impressions can make or break your interactions with prospective buyers—especially since most buyers (51%) use the internet to find their home.
If you want would-be buyers to keep reading about your house and eventually schedule an in-person visit, the exterior of your home needs to look clean and inviting.
At a minimum, you’ll want to give your door a fresh coat of paint. Consider choosing a bright color that contrasts with the color of your home, but accentuates your landscaping. Upgrade the hardware on the door, too, for a simple makeover that packs a punch.
If you have more wiggle room in your budget, consider upgrading your front door to steel. Potential homebuyers will appreciate the added durability and security, and you’re likely to get a 90.7% return on your investment.
2. Upgrade Your Landscaping
Landscaping is another component of curb appeal that can really set your house apart from other listings. Prospective homebuyers tend to think (consciously or not) that if the exterior of a home looks well taken care of, the inside will be, too.
Make sure to get rid of any clutter like kids’ toys or bikes that could detract from your landscaping. You’ll also want to make minor repairs or upgrades to parts of your exterior, like painting a rusty gutter or replacing a broken fence panel.
Landscaping isn’t just about a well-manicured lawn and adding color with plants. It could include building a flagstone pathway to the backyard, installing a wrought-iron fence to increase the privacy of your front lawn, incorporating a zen water feature, or creating a peaceful place to relax (not to mention creating more living space) with the addition of a gazebo.
Quality landscaping can add up to 20% to your home’s value—a significant increase!
3. Let the Sun Shine
Maximizing natural light is a great way to make your home look larger and more inviting to prospective homebuyers. Skylights are great for brightening up dark spaces like hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Keep in mind though, adding a skylight is similar to adding another window to your home in that it can increase the demand on your HVAC system. You can cut energy loss off at the pass by purchasing Energy Star no-leak skylights to keep your utility bills low. You may even be eligible for a tax credit.
If skylights are beyond your budget, check out solar tubes. Solar tubes are usually half the cost of skylights and as long as you are comfortable working on a roof, you can probably install one yourself. Even the smallest solar tube, 10-inches, is the equivalent of three 100-watt bulbs, which is enough to illuminate up to 200 square feet.
4. Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Today’s homebuyers are willing to pay a premium for a home with energy efficient features. According to Globst.com, buyers will pay up to $11,000 more for a home with well-insulated windows and Energy-star appliances because of the long-term savings they can expect to experience with their monthly utility bills.
Regardless of your budget, there are plenty of ways to make your home more energy efficient. On the lower end of the cost spectrum, you can start by installing ceiling fans, programmable thermostats, and efficient toilets and showerheads.
If you have more to invest, you could upgrade your insulation—fiberglass insulation ranks high with an ROI of 107.7%—or even install solar panels on your roof.
The best part of this investment is that you don’t have to wait until you sell your home to reap the benefits. You’ll benefit from lower utility bills (and a smaller carbon footprint) while you still live in your home.
No matter which home improvement projects you take on to increase your home value, none of them will be terribly effective if you neglect basic home maintenance.
If there are problems with your home’s exterior—like broken shutters or cracked concrete, or even the way your dryer only works if you shut the lid in a certain way, it will be a big red flag to buyers. Consider creating and sticking to a year-round maintenance plan for a trouble-free home.