The Club Mastermind, LLC

OK... one could argue, based on the response to the last two Seeds of Success that I sent out, that I may have stepped in "IT" big time.

Although I was not called any names, I was challenged to defend my perspective regarding Atlas Shrugged, the notion of Socialism as it seems to apply to today's current situation.

And last but not least...came a few refreshing comments that went something like this... "I am responsible for the consequences of my decisions."

First... to those of you who provided responses... Thank You! Your contribution to the dialogue is appreciated and always welcome.

Second... I must challenge each of you to consider where you are as investors in our overall economy. Simply put... are you a "Creator" or are you "Taker"?

Where do I get these titles? From Atlas Shrugged, of course. In Ayn Rand's over-simplified world the "creators" were the entrepreneurs and the capitalists. Bill Gates would be considered a "creator".

The "takers" were the government and all of those who lived off the Government in one manner or another. Your local mayor or city council would fall into the "taker" category.

In my opinion, in our economy today, we are quickly becoming a society of "takers". "How so," you say? Well consider this... and as much as it pains me to say this, if you are a landlord and you rent to tenants who receive Government assistance for housing...which category would you fall into?

Would you be a "creator" because you saw an opportunity to provide a product someone needs, at a price the market supports... or are you a "taker" because it is tax dollars, money you may have paid, that is used to pay the rent for your tenants? Or how about if you sell a house to a buyer who obtains financing from FHA? Are you a "creator" or a "taker"? 

Interesting conundrum isn't it? And that is why it pained to me to make the statement above about Government assisted tenants or Government guaranteed loans. I have done very well learning how to specialize in renting and selling to others who were one way or the other supported by the Government.

Does that make me, or you for that matter, a party to the slippery slope of socialism? Maybe... maybe not.

So... how can I rationalize my motives for renting and selling property where the government was involved? Perhaps to some of you I can't....

For others, since I am taking the risk, creating a quality product (homes) where previously none existed, and targeting my market for the highest-paying customers... perhaps I am being a very calculating capitalist - read "creator" - seeing an opportunity and seizing upon it.

In our present and near-future America, there is not and will not likely be a bright-line distinction between business and government. Opportunities can come from the private and the public sector.

"OK... Pete... what's the point?" It is pretty simple... and it goes back to this concept of how we contribute, while making a profit, as real estate investors, to our current economy.

Here it is: I see some pretty substantial opportunities ahead for every individual who calls themselves real estate investors. Are there going to be risks? Absolutely! Will there be big profit opportunities? You bet! Are you going to have to take some kind of action in the very near future to take advantage of these opportunities? Yup!

In short... we have now entered into a target-rich environment for anyone who wants to be "creator"... not only because of the opportunities before us, but also because there are going to be more and more "takers" all supported by the Government. Meaning two things for us... 1) competition, vis-a-vis those actually doing things, is going to be very light, and 2) everyone needs a place to live...

I will part with this comment - and you have heard it from me many times in the recent past... "where there is great turmoil, fear, and uncertainty... there is also great opportunity."

I hope you are actively seeking those opportunities... NOW?

To your success,

Pete