All Forum Posts by: Shane H.

Snow removal guy here. Most contracts say trigger depth 2" for plowing. My contracts technically don't have a different amount for sidewalks, but I drop any client who won't let me clear them with less that that. Sidewalks are huge liabilities. They need to be cleared anytime there's anything. I've swept them with a broom. Blown it away with a leaf blower. From a liability stand point most states have laws that define either a "reasonable amount of time," or 24 hours to clear dangerous conditions. I suppose you could just up your insurance... kidding...

Honestly, I can't imagine why someone would pass that up unless he secretly has something again at you. Who w ouldnt want to partner with an experienced investor?

My understanding has always been it drops every 20 years or so. The data supports this. Actually I think it's every 18. Changes in demographics, changes in public attitude, changes in the economy etc. All mean he market goes up and down. Less volatile than stocks. And obviously I believe in real estate or I w ouldnt be here or investing in it. But this theory that seems to prevailing in this discussion that it only goes up is nuts. It goes up. It comes down. It moves from area to area. We can build taller buildings, we can do more with less in almost every area of life. The tiny house movement seems to be catching on. Are people going to realize they don't need big lavish homes to survive? Because if that becomes the prevailing attitude there's definitely going to be a decline. We can adapt and overcome these issues. Turning lavish homes and apartments into smaller units for example. Honestly I view changes and particular collapsing markets as opportunity so I'm not concerned so much as anxious for it to happen... a large part of today's boom is millenials. I've know of millenials who've sold their cars to buy video games. I really wouldnt count on this demographic to keep their priorities straight and keep this boom going.  Real estate is a sound investment and may not be very likely to crash,  but let's not pretend it can't... 

I'd also like to point out that I'm confused as to why everyone thinks that 2008 was the only time real estate crashed...

Honestly my biggest concern is the socialism movement, and the possibility of a combination of Hugh taxes, rent control, and failing infrastructure around my properties. I think "fail" is the wrong term, and why some people became irrationally upset by the discussion. Become less lucrative definitely. The business is far tougher now than it has been at some times in the past. It's far easier than at others. As someone pointed out above we will have to adjust. Many investors will fail. Real estate will likely not. I disagree with everyone who thinks urban real estate won't decline. I don't think people actually want to live like sardines. I think we will see a decline in urban real estate value, relative to suburban and rural. Many peoplenwish we could afford to live in wildly rural areas while earning wages that were reasonable. If that becomes a reality there will definitely be people moving rural. To what extent I don't know... now taxation and rent control. Those are real problems that can spell disaster. I don't buy real estate where I live because the taxes are outrageous and the rent is minimal. Renting an apartment is like $400 and a house $700... taxes on the same house are over $3,000. Creates a tough market. Doable but tough. What happens when the socialists win? Schools get bigger and more expensive RE taxes shoot up. Federal tax laws start taking away our incentives. Done a increase rents right? No big deal. Except. Socialists are running the show. They don't think it's fair we increase the rent. So they stop us... that's my fear. 

Also, although in theory a tax lien supersedes all other liens, that doesn't always turn out to be the case. At least here in Pennsylvania, the parties have to be notified. So if the easement was never properly recorded in your deed, the county will not know there is an easement. Therefore they will not notify that party. Which means their rights to the easement are likely not affected. You can always call Lamar and ask who they're paying the lease to. 

Did you order a search or just check your deed? Sometimes easements or parcels get left off the original deed. I own a property that clearly shows 4.5 acres in the deed. After days of research I found 4 other deeds that took parcels. I'm left with about an acre. None of it was properly recorded in my dear. Hopefully that's not the case. But I find it highly unlikely that you acquired 4 billboard leases in a tax sale, unless the owner of the property died and has no heirs, or the property taxes are outrageous. That's just a wild scenario and you're night my lucky. I hope you are!

When I refer to Lamar not allowing the property to get to tax sale, I mean that thwy generally have a clause in their lease that allows them to take the owners payment and pay the taxes to prevent it from going to tax sale. 

Any new information on this?

Have you done a thorough title search? An attorney will be able to answer with state specific information, but unless the property taxes are outrageously expensive it would be unusual for Lamar to allow it to get to a tax sale. My suspicion is that there may be easements with assigned leases for the billboards and someone else is collecting that money. Hopefully that's not the case, but if so you'll be out of luck.