Many of you may not know this, but in 2005 I had the pleasure to produce my first independent motion picture called "Sister’s Keeper".  The film stars Eric Roberts from this summer’s blockbuster, "The Dark Knight", Denise Boutte from "Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married", Tico Wells from "The Five Heartbeats" , Esther Scott from "Dreamgirls", and my producing partner in crime, Kent Faulcon (who, by the way, also wrote and directed the film).

The overall process has been a personal lesson in patience for me.  We formed our entertainment production company, SEE Entertainment, LLC (SEE stands for Stimulate, Educate, and Enlighten…Lisa thought of that and I thought it was brilliant) and began pre-production in 2004.  Then, we filmed the movie entirely in Los Angeles in 2005.  We started post production in 2006.  Afterwards, we started touring the film festival circuits in 2007 until now.  Needless to say, this "labor of love" has been going on for over 4 years now, but I am enjoying every minute of it.  Patience is a virtue, you know.

During our tours we have won critical acclaim and amassed numerous awards in New York, San Francisco, Dallas, London, Hollywood, Atlanta, San Diego, and Boston, just to name a few.  We are very proud of our work with this film.  We are now seeking distribution and sponsorship opportunities to generate additional buzz and bring the film to the general marketplace.  This has also been a process. 

The first lesson I learned in producing came from a well respected man in Hollywood who will remain nameless.  He said that there were three ways to produce a movie…fast, cheap, or good.  PICK TWO!  Therefore, the two we chose in producing our movie were cheap and good…hopefully.  You will need to be the judge of that!  Please check out our movie trailer at www.seeentertainment.net and then, take a look at what people are saying about our movie from our Atlanta and Boston screenings, respectively.  It will be screening again next week in New York City at the Urbanworld Film Festival.  The film is screening at the following times and locations…please join us there!

Thurs, Sept 11 @ 4:00pm

AMC 34th St, Theatre 7

And

Fri, Sept 12 @ 10:00pm

AMC 34th St, Theatre 9

Atlanta Screening

Boston Screening

I guess you are wondering what does this film have to do with real estate?  Quite simple…it was because of real estate that we were able to assist in financing this project.  Lisa and I started real estate investing in the Raleigh-Durham market in 1997.  From 1997 to 2005 we acquired a large portfolio of properties that we were able to sell to assist with the financing of our film project.  As we sold properties in 2005, we continued to purchase and we still have a profitable portfolio plus, a dream fulfilled in our little movie that could.

I am not suggesting to you to take your real estate holdings and produce a movie.  Every person’s goals in life are personalized based on their interpretation of the American dream.  What I am saying is that in 8 years of sticking to a strategic plan and seeing a slow, but consistent appreciation to our marketplace, I was able to accomplish something I’ve always wanted.  I could have NEVER saved for such an investment as a film project.  Isn’t it time that you put together your strategic plan and use our marketplace as your leveraging tool for prosperity?  Contact me and let me show you how real estate can help you fulfill your dreams!

Go Hard…Everyday…

Gary  

You probably already knew this, but in case you didn’t know…It’s all about the GREENBACKS, baby!  That’s right…in the investing world right now (especially in Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, and Myrtle Beach), it is a BUYER’S market.  While mortgage financing gets a grip on how it will structure things in the future, real estate investors are like kids in a candy store grabbing all types of real estate…single-family, townhomes, condos, multi-family, and commercial buildings.  The following article from the Investor’s Business Daily demonstrates just how crazy it’s become…

Some are calling this the best market for investors since real estate tanked in the early 1980s. Investors, alone and in groups, are negotiating volume deals as they purchase whole subdivisions and bundles of 10 to 50 defaulted loans for pennies on the dollar. "What we’re seeing today dwarfs [the 1980s] by five or 10 times," says Bob Leonetti, president of SMI Funding, an Austin, Texas company that originates and acquires private and conventional mortgages. "There are huge opportunities for investors."

"People who have cash positions now are going to do very well," says Central Florida real estate practitioner Mike Norvell of Developers Capital Realty in Leesburg, Fla. "It’s just crazy the prices you can buy for right now for cash."

Source: Investor’s Business Daily, Kathleen Doler (07/07/08)

The sky is endless right now.  Have you heard of the term, “Buy low…sell high?”  With the foreclosure rates affecting the marketplace so dramatically, opportunities to purchase with cash have become an easy and lucrative way to acquire real estate.  It is even easier if you form partnerships.

How can you get in on all the action?  It’s simple.  We are structuring partnerships in all dimensions here at United Real Estate & Investment Group to capitalize on yet another opportunity to advance real estate investors to their financial goals.  Contact me so we can identify an action plan to seize this opportunity for you.

Go Hard…Everyday…

Gary 

Who says that real estate is not a viable investment vehicle in today’s economy?  Do you realize that because of the weak dollar, real estate is considered a bargain for shrewd investors overseas?

One of the big real estate success stories this week comes from one of the godfathers of modern day real estate investing, Donald Trump. Here is an article from the Associated Press about his latest residential sale…

Donald Trump has sold his mansion in Palm Beach, Fla., for $100 million to a Russian fertilizer billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.

Trump, who paid $41 million for the 60,000-square-foot oceanfront house in 2004, told the Associated Press, "I think it’s a great sign for the area, a great sign for Palm Beach and all that Palm Beach represents…In an age of so many people getting hurt in real estate, it shows that you can still do well in real estate.”

Source: The Associated Press (07/16/08) 

While a $60 million gross profit in 4 years will secure most of us for life, it is really just a reminder that “perception” is the real reality…not what the media projects.  The perception right now in the world is that America is on sale.  According to this Russian billionaire, $100 million was a fair price for a home in the US.  His opinion now is all that matters…his and the appraiser’s, of course.

Do not be influenced by the media’s skewed usage of propaganda to make you fearful.  Because I have an extensive background in radio, television, and film, I know from experience that the propaganda is only to trump up higher ratings (no pun intended, Mr. Trump).  The time is NOW to act on your fears to do something different and begin or continue your involvement in real estate. 

The next few years, I’m told, will manufacture the largest number of millionaire-turned billionaires in the history of our country.  What investment vehicle do you think will assist them in this? The answer…Real Estate!  Take a look at any wealthy person’s investment portfolio.  Real estate investments are part of just about every wealthy person’s portfolio mix.

My point…you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to take advantage of prosperity.  Just study.  Study the business minds of real estate moguls and others who have successfully moved in a positive direction with this.  Thousands of people will experience tremendous wealth over the next few years.  Why can’t one of those people be you?  Realize that you may need to start small, but the key is starting.  I can help you get started.  Contact me for a consultation to start you on your way to financial prosperity.

Go Hard…Everyday…

Gary

I was recently engaged in a conversation by a fellow real estate investor concerning minor setbacks in the Raleigh-Durham real estate market.  This discussion on "setbacks” was not based from the perspectives of lack of appreciation, equity, or cash flow.  Tenants were causing this investor’s setbacks.

First of all, I sincerely empathize with any of you with regards to your recent real estate setbacks, whether tenant related or not.  Setbacks are an unknown entity in this game.  What is important to focus your energies on is the preparation for these setbacks.  My father always told me that as long as you live through the good times, bad times would soon follow.  Ironically, the good thing about bad times is that good times always follow.  These “setbacks” will always make you stronger to better appreciate your portfolio overall when it is performing more to your liking.

I trust that tenant expenses are not a surprise to most of you, although I do understand that they always come with bad timing.  What you may not understand or appreciate is the ability to control your tenant’s actions. 

Unfortunately, in our business we deal with all types of people.  Most of them are hard working and honorable people.  Some of them are knuckleheads, and some of them are okay until they are provoked.  Whether you realize it or not, an eviction to most tenants is internalized as being provoked.  If a tenant has lost their job, down on their luck, can’t get ahead, and then, the owner enforces an eviction, they could feel like they are being pushed back into a corner.  Most people can deal with it rationally and keep it moving, but every now and again, we experience a tenant that may choose to damage the property as a means to vent or retaliate at their individual issues and shortcomings.  I would imagine that those who have ever rioted might have suffered with the same emotional state.

So, my point is, to just let you know that the real issue is dealing with the human struggle in life.  The issue is also realizing that you are a part of this struggle, as long as you are an investor.  Trust me, if you remain in this game as long as I have, you will definitely have to learn to balance all the challenges you will face. 

You have to remember that you may have acquired your portfolio with minimum cash outlay (usually 5-10% down).  You also may have to remember that many of your purposes for these investments were to obtain long-term equity and growth.  While I am not discounting your potential concerns, what you may be experiencing is all a part of the process, unfortunately.  If you don’t physically manage your own properties at some point, you may not ever fully grasp what I have typed.  If you ever need to talk about these types of setbacks, I am here to help in any way. 

Go Hard…Everyday… 

Gary L. Hooker, Sr.

United Real Estate & Investment Group, Inc.

919-872-6223

919-872-6266  Fax