Historically and in general terms, real estate doubles in value every 10 years . . . if you take the time to learn a few critical skills, you can reduce that to around 6 to 7 years. The big question is: 'is it worth spending a little time and money on your personal development if it means significant dollars in your pocket?'
For many years now we have been espousing the virtues of residential real estate - the old reliable 'bricks and mortar', as the only way to confidently build significant wealth. We are not talking overnight millionaire stuff here, rather the building of a low risk, multi-million dollar investment portfolio over time.
It seems we are not the only ones prepared to 'stick our noses out' in an attempt to predict the future. We recently attended a presentation by Michael Matusic who described in some detail why he believes in the virtues of residential real estate. Some of the more critical points he mentioned include further falls in interest rates; increasing rental yields; low vacancy rates; significant undersupply of new stock and net population growth . . . ahhh, a man after our own hearts!
Even more recently Terry Ryder appeared on Channel 7's 'Today tonight' offering his vision for 2020. His message was very clear - average property prices will double over the next 10 years. Let's consider an example: a property purchased today for (say) $300,000 should be worth around $600,000 by 2019; on average that's a $30,000 per year increase. If you structure your purchase correctly AND do your numbers, it's possible to achieve this sort of result without it costing you a cent.
When you add such reputable sources as Residex, ANZ Property Outlook, The Housing Industry Association, Rismark International and RP Data Research to the mix, even the most skeptical amongst us must start to think there is something to all this.
One of the most common questions we get from members of The Australian Buyers Club (our group of like-minded real estate investors), is 'when is the best time to buy?' Just like Matusic and Ryder, our message is very clear AND consistent . . . DON'T WAIT TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE, INVEST IN REAL ESTATE AND WAIT! Based on our (over 40 years) experience, there is no better time than NOW to get into real estate and hold on - hold on for the ride of your life BUT . . . if you don't have the necessary skills and knowledge, get help from professionals you can trust - you will save significant amounts of money, time and stress!
Budget cuts, home foreclosures on the rise, and declining school enrollments in a weak economy send out a clear message ? American schools are in trouble. A clear and present crisis confronts American education. High dropout rates and teacher layoffs in some states create a negative ripple effect that travels far beyond the public school system.
"Just wait. The pendulum will swing and everything will return to normal."
The statement above is an old adage that no longer applies in 2008. What is the cost of waiting for that pendulum to swing? What will this world look like in 10 years without a concerted effort to support American schools?
Let's look at some probable outcomes:
? Fewer graduates will be prepared for the high-skill demands of the 21st century workplace. We all have a major stake in the product that comes from our schools. Rapidly changing technology requiring lifelong learning and training for most occupations provides a great incentive for business to collaborate with education as partners.
? The American worker will be displaced by skilled employees from other countries. Even today a foreign accent often greets us when we seek technical advice by telephone. Medical doctors and other health personnel are often from India or Asia. Foreign students outnumber American students enrolled in engineering programs at some of our finest universities.
? Finding and retaining good teachers will become increasingly difficult. The number of new teachers attracted to the education profession is diminishing. Combine this with the impending retirement of baby boomers and a high attrition rate and we have a serious problem. Why are teachers not attracted to the profession or leaving prematurely? In a 2007 report from the Center for Teacher Quality at CSU-Sacramento it was found that teachers are more concerned about working conditions than salary (California Educator, February 2008). Working conditions include workplace safety, having a voice in curriculum content and instructional strategies, and receiving support and respect from the community.
? America will lose its competitive edge in the global marketplace Well paying jobs will be available to well-educated and well-trained workers. Those who are uneducated, untrained and unskilled will find it more difficult to compete for good jobs with a higher salary and be condemned to lives of poverty.
These predictions are dismal but true unless effective intervention begins now. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) narrowly focuses on test results leaving far too many children behind! Programs that motivate and inspire students to stay in school and perform (art, music, athletics and career-tech education) have often been put on the chopping block because of NCLB. Frustrated educators who have been forced into this narrow corner, have worked hard to comply with this federal mandate but realize it's time for change.
Education is our vital link to the future. Invoking structured partnerships between schools, businesses and the community at large can mitigate many of the problems we face in education. We cannot wait for the swing of the pendulum. It is time to change direction from a path of educational isolation and the narrow focus of NCLB to a destination of success through school-business partnership and collaboration. The book Facing the Future Together: Forming Successful School-Business Partnerships is an easy-to-follow guide to building better schools and a stronger business community through partnership.
Both Garry Macdonald & Jim Leatherwood are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Garry Macdonald has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Omega 3 and Affiliate Programs. Garry Macdonald is a licensed Real Estate Buyers Agent and helps clients build multi-million dollar property investment portfolios in a low risk environment. Claim Garry's popular Free Report 'The Six Critical Steps To Invest In Real Estate With The Skill. Garry Macdonald's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
Jim Leatherwood has sinced written about articles on various topics from Online College, Partnerships and Education. Jim Leatherwood is the author of Facing the Future Together: Forming Successful School-Business Partnerships. Website: ; E-mail: th. Jim Leatherwood's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.