johnodavidson.com

No Blog

2010-10-04T13:46:00.000-05:00

So, my life is a little... well boring, so I just put stuff on Facebook. No need to keep this thing kicking. I'm just going to have johnodavidson.com point right to Facebook and remove it... See you on the flip side.

New BB Aps

2010-01-22T15:57:00.000-06:00

I have added foursquare as a regular application and moved to the new CB2 theme. Both are free and a must haves on the BB Flip.

Check them out:
http://foursquare.com/blackberry/
http://crackberry.com/free-cb2-blackberry-theme

I sometimes use the new eBay app but only to check on things i have already bid on, it wouldn't make my top 10 list.

My Top Blackberry Apps

2009-11-03T21:44:00.000-06:00

PodTrapper - Download Podcasts over Verizon, so much nicer than a iPod but it cost real money (only app I have paid for to date)
Facebook - Does Facebook, still not as nice as the iPhone version)
QuickPull - Can actually shut the BB off or reboot on a schegual (the dark side on BB running apps in the background is sometimes it gets slow and reboot helps from closing running applications)
Google Apps - I use Maps and Google Sync (Google maps syncs mymap)
Viigo - RSS reader I love (shows update to friend blogs or website feeds) and has way more features I don't use like streaming podcast. Oh, and you can update it the web and it syncs with your BB
Vlingo - Not as good as it was (now charge for a pro account) but it replaces my voice dialer (call John) with many more options. It does an ok job translating voice into email or text messages (now limited number a month) but is pretty slow. Only options when you're driving and want to be 'safe'
Sametime - Hey, it's the IM we use at work so don't make fun of me (I use Yahoo IM once and a while)

Sometime used
Amazon - check prices when I'm in a store and leverage my prime account to get it in 2 days
Audible - streaming audio book but it's to choppy so I only use it for buying the books and still use my iPod for listening
Opera Mini - nice browser but I stick to a pearl BB for size so I only use it when I want to see a website the built in browser butches
BB App world - don't think this really counts as a app but if you have an older BB you should grab it

Added my gdgt gadget list widget

2009-11-02T21:22:00.002-06:00

Treasury Department Touts Expanded Tax Credit for First-Time Homebuyers

2009-02-26T17:36:00.001-06:00

Not sure the details but Treasury is offering a credit offer up to $8,000 to qualifying taxpayers

Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Originations Plunge 80% from Fourth Quarter ...

2009-02-22T22:45:00.003-06:00

A report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows a 80% drop from the same period in 2007

Housing starts fall to record lows (How many times have you seen this headline?)

2009-02-22T22:44:00.005-06:00

They fell 16.8 percent from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate per Housing starts fall to record lows from Today's Real Estate News

Picking up a Dell Mini

2009-02-18T16:53:00.003-06:00

So, to help the pain giving up my BlackBerry I put in a order for a Dell Mini 9. I'm grabbing the XP version so I wouldn't have the Linux learning curve. I don't get it till March but as soon as I do I'm post pics and my .02 cents...

Update: Called and added build in webcam and it moved the ship date from 2/26 to 3/9 - wish they would have told me that on the phone

Giving up my BlackBerry

2009-01-10T13:01:00.000-06:00

So, I liked the Storm but it was just a little too big and the batter life just plan wasn't good for me. I would still recommend it as a phone b/c I love a lot of things about it but my final decision was to return it in the first 30 days to get a phone phone since that's what the main reason I use it for. I know I'm going to go into withdraw but we will see how bad it is. I was pretty much a crackberry person so it's not going to be easy.

Day one review of Storm

2008-12-19T11:05:00.000-06:00

Overall I really like the phone. I still would like a week to give it my offical review but here are some quick day one notes:

Pros

I have the typing down (I'm still faster on my pearl)
Touch screen with click is nice
Screen is wonderful and video podcasts look great
Facebook reinstall fixed menu problem (I blame stupid appstore)
Voice quality is good and my old Bluetooth headset connected quickly
Easy to move icons around and customize it to your preferences

Cons

Still haven't got the browser down (zoom when I want to click or click on the wrong thing)
I miss the scroll ball
Takes to long to reboot (if you install something)
Flips to landscape to quick (Maybe I hold my BB to flat)
Same with my last blackberry - I feel like the mute button should also be a Silent or vibrate button that switches to configurable profile (top left)
I have answered the phone upside down when I'm using it in landscape mode (strange feeling)

Still need to figure out

Google maps still doesn't use GPS (works with NAV4ALL and BB Maps)
Need an app to easily upload video

Wish list

e-mail/messages in conversation (like g-mail or IM messages)
More app to work with new OS (bbPlaces and Qik don't work)
An application store that works and is up to date (version looks to control it 9)

BlackBerry Storm 1 hour review

2008-12-16T22:11:00.000-06:00

Well, I can't really say that I got to do much in the first hour. I basically played with it for 10 min and then upgraded it to v4.7 of the OS that wasn't a quick process. I'm not sure what was on it before but 4.7 works pretty well. So, first hour was basically set up and that's it. My first hour review:

Pros

I like the luck button (on my old BB I remaped the
Love the auto focus camera: you can push the button (or touch the screen) and it focuses so when you take the picture it's a quick process (about a second)
Transfer of contact and settings was seamless from other BB

They need to fix

Sporadic menu drawing errors (ex, Facebook's submenu never looks quite right)
Browser isn't quite there yet (maybe I just need to get used to it)
Landscape suretype keyboard option
Stop letting applications control the type of keyboard (ex, Opra Mini doesn't use suretype)
Application store is down right embarrassing
A little disappointed my mail accounts didn't port over but that's due to switching providers

ToDo

Figure out why Goggle Maps isn't using the GPS (BB Maps does)
Move around icons (not a fan of default folders)
Look for some new applications
Make some calls on it

One in five homeowners with mortgages underwater (Reuters)

2008-10-31T18:09:00.001-05:00

Nearly one in five U.S. mortgage borrowers owe more to lenders than their homes are worth, and the rate may soon approach one in four as housing prices fall and the economy weakens, a report on Friday shows.

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081031/ts_nm/us_usa_economy_mortgages

Home prices see another record plunge

2008-10-28T08:54:00.003-05:00

Home prices fell in August for the 25th consecutive month and prices in 10 major markets plunged a record 17.7% over 12 months earlier, according to a key index of real estate values released Tuesday.

http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/money_topstories/~3/434687817/index.htm

The pace of new home sales fell to its lowest level in 17 years in August, according to a key government report released Thursday that signaled more dismal news for the housing sector in coming months.

http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/money_topstories/~3/402883414/index.htm

Greenspan: Economy in 'once-in-a-century' crisis

2008-09-14T14:42:00.001-05:00

The U.S. credit squeeze has brought on a "once-in-a-century" financial crisis that is likely to claim more big firms before it eases, former Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan said Sunday.

http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/money_topstories/~3/392443838/index.htm

RE2R001 - Mailing list for multi units

2008-08-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

Topics: Mailing list for multi units <Click here to download the show>

Why? To get deals before they are listed, friend just got a great deal

What I did up to this point
Got a PO Box right by my the office of my full time job
- $20 for 6/months and $2 for a key deposit
Contacted SorA office
- Got a sample report that would only have been $50 (wasn’t able to use it due to everything being in one cell)
- Paying $175 and hour for a file from county’s IT vendor (around $200)
Problems:
- This is only one county so I will need to do the same
- Some properties have a trust mailing address so will not get the owners all the time

I creating my first mailing using VisaPrint

Need to do a review of the sites:
http://www.premiumpostcard.com/
Lets you do standard postage (200+) for cheaper shipping but I didn't research
http://www.click2mail.com/
Example: Yellow cards with black writing - 100 postcards to 100 addresses for roughly 37 cents per piece (per the site)

I went with VisaPrint b/c I could order full color postcard and group them in small group as not to get pounded with lots of calls. Also, if you follow this link (http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=924122510989) you will receive a special promotion and I'll get a discount on my next order for referring you.

Here is the verbiage:
Front: "Thinking of selling your multi-unit? I'm looking for one!"
"I'm a local investor that is in the market for another apartment building. Your property fits my investment criteria of what I'm looking for. If you have been considering selling please let me know. Or, if you just want to chat about investments that's fine also."

Back: "You are welcome to e-mail me:
John@PeoriaInvestments.com
Interested in building your portfolio? Let me know your criteria and I will let you know when I get a lead on a property that doesn't fit my strategy."
Split the mailing
After taking the list and breaking it down by removing the duplicates (people who own more than one property) I decided the list was two big. I have no idea how much interest this mailing will generate so I'm going to do two halves. Note, in my area there is actually more b/c I'm only doing one township.

Dirty Laundry:
Got a collection notice for not paying my sanitary bills for 2 of the properties and now I need to have my PM company follow-up.

Other Major Tasks:
Tool for tracking leads I hope SLOWLY come in
Check on who suggested what on getrealREI thread
Process for coming up with an offer price quickly
Thinking about Larry's ultimate buying machine program
Still thinking about being a Realtor
Will interview my agent

Que Review:
Investor in multi-unit deal (part owner of LLC)
Take on debt
Contribute 2.5% cash
Pitched update - 5-15% privet investor
(15% or interest free with part ownership of LLC)
Spent: $1800 in the appraisal
$1000 soil sample to meet EPA to prove I can build
Looked at a few other places but nothing worth sharing. Do you want me to share my bad deals and why I didn't continue with them?

Disclaimer:
The information contained on this show or the website is for informational purposes only.
In addition, this is not advice or a recommendation, just my opinions and experiences. You should contact an Agent, Layer, Accountant, or other independent advisor for personal advice or material to make any decision or take any action.

Foreclosures rise 14 pct so I'm making offers

2008-07-25T08:19:00.001-05:00

I'm making a low ball offer on a REO in Pekin today. OK, I know all I have done is posted on Foreclosures lately but come on, it all over the news:
The percentage of vacant homes available for sale remained relatively flat in the second quarter, but still hovered in record territory.
http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/money_topstories/~3/344682992/index.htm

Reuters - Home foreclosure filings rose 14
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080725/bs_nm/usa_economy_housing_foreclosures_dc

Foreclosures and stuff

2008-07-14T16:26:00.001-05:00

So, on Tuesday I looked through the MLS for houses that are banked owned and I'm still shocked at what they are asking for them. My Agent did know of some deals that went through but the banks still have near market value on them. Are they just waiting with a high price hoping someone will come along and may near full price?

House of Representatives passed a massive rescue package to shore up the struggling housing market. http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080724/bs_nm/fannie_freddie_dc

In the news, The Federal Reserve unanimously approved new mortgage lending rules to crackdown on shady practices - particularly sub prime loans made to borrowers with weak credit. http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/money_topstories/~3/335014181/index.htm

The number of Americans losing their homes to foreclosure continued to soar in June: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/money_topstories/~3/331566102/index.htm

With all of this stuff going on you would think I would be able to get a deal on another rental.

India 2008 – Power Sightseeing Weekend

2008-06-30T00:42:00.000-05:00

So, we were some busy this weekend I haven't had time to write anything. So, I'm going to post some pictures on Facebook until I get some time (more than likely on the way home from India)

Team Dinner - Leela Palace

2008-06-25T04:07:00.000-05:00

So, tonight I think I might have had the best dinner. It was the whole team and we went to Leela Palace. The place was so big I couldn’t get a picture so here is one from the web.

Here is some video that someone took while we were there, it's a little dark but you can get a better idea

Anyway, we had a nice table at a place called Jamavar. It was the best Indian food I had ever had and it stared with the biggest shrimp (Prawns) I have ever imagined. Really, they were so big I thought they were small lobsters without legs. I didn't take a picture of one but I should have.

I don’t really understand why but at lots of the restaurants are set menus. So you basically have 2 choices, veg or non-veg so I got non-veg of course. We toped off dinner with the first bottle of Indian wine I had. Overall it was a wonderful dinner.

Having a driver

2008-06-24T04:37:00.000-05:00

OK, the whole drive thing. I guess the reason this is so strange is b/c in the states most people have cars and you do somewhere you just rent a car. At most you only use a cab if you’re someone like New York or need to do from point A to point B. Well, here when you get a car you get a drive. Oh, and the drive is pretty much at your beck and call. It’s so strange to get dropped off and have someone say, I’ll be hear when ever you’re done. They never ask what time, they never complain about what time to pick you up, nothing. So, Saturday we got picked up at 7am and didn’t get dropped off till 10PM. The drive was with us the whole day. I have no idea when he ate or drank but he never did in front of us and he was always right there when we came out of where we were. On Saturday we went too 5 shops (2 were malls) 5 touristy places and stopped twice to see local stuff. Guess I know how the rich feel now.

India - First weekend

2008-06-23T05:57:00.000-05:00

So, I pretty much didn’t know what India even was until this weekend. I got a full view with dinner out on Friday. We ate at a hotel called Oberoi and got to sit out in a courtyard.

Traffic was bad but dinner was fun. This was our first trip that wasn’t at 2am so we got to see all the crazy driving. We also our first go at telling vendors NO.

The whole driver this is a post in itself but I will stick to the weekend. The highlight was a trip Meghan and I took to MySore. It was a three hour trip but worth it. We got picked up early and stopped a few time to find out about Papa, Jack Fruit, and Sugar Cane. I was happy with our driver b/c it went out of his way to show us things.

The key reason to go was to see MySore Palace. I can’t begin to explain how impressive it was.

It's to bad but we couldn't take any pictures inside. I could go on and on about it but I can finish up with I got to sit on an elephant (pics on Facebook)

After the Palace we went up to Chimundi Hill which had a temple on the top, a “daemon” statue, and a big bull. The temple was very interesting but a great view down over the city of Mysore. Oh, and I didn't even talk about the place we ate lunch - guess I have to post more later when I have time.

Work and eating

2008-06-19T20:18:00.000-05:00

So, since I have been to China all I have done is work and eat. The crazy thing is there isn't much where I’m located so I'm just going back and forth from the hotel to the office that is just across the street. Here is a picture of the office that it actually really nice.

Since I have been here there hasn’t been a ton of food I really like until today. It’s funny but everything here looks the same so I can’t really tell it apart. However today I found out there is Northern and Southern Indian food. I’m not sure what one I like but one is better I think. I still can’t tell the food apart but here is some stuff that was really good:

So, Friday I hope to do something that will be more fun than cross the street so stay tune.

Made it to India

2008-06-17T16:06:00.000-05:00

Long flight but it wasn’t bad. It took about 24 hours but for the first time I took a shower in a business lounge in Germany. It was just like a hotel bathroom but in an airport business lounge. I thought it was great to break up the trip with a shower. It’s nice after being stuck in an airplane. When I fly back I’m going to plan for it and take a change of clothes. Another cool thing about the layover was in Germany was I got to eat some German food and have a few beers. The meal was the soup below and I took the beer glass as a souvenir. Oh, and I got to eat my first Indian food on the airplane. Not bad but nothing special. I did thing the little bag of mint fennel and other seeds (strange but similar to a mint of piece of gum in the states)

So, onto the first problem. I filled my TV on the plane and actually crashed it. It turned out to be Windows CE and here is a picture of the crash/reboot. Overall, the TV is so much cooler than on planes in the States. It even had video games on it and the best part is that it was included in the ticket price.

Second and more exciting problem. No driver at the airport! So, we called the hotel with the help of a local but they didn’t have a driver reservation. So, we crammed all three of us into a supper small extra mini van and made our way to the hotel. It was a little shady but we agreed on a price before we left and it worked out. Just not the nice air conditioned van we should have had waiting. Here is me in the cab...

New Coaster with 97 Degree Drop - I wish it was closer

2008-06-14T10:21:00.001-05:00

I love costers so I have to put this one on the list: "the Farenheit at Hershey Park, a coaster that drops you down a 97-degree slope. Yes, that's beyond vertical. It hits you with 4 Gs of force, more than what NASA astronauts are subjected to.

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/311472804/new-coaster-doesnt-screw-around-features-97-degree-drop

Homes in foreclosure top 1M

2008-06-05T19:41:00.001-05:00

More than one million homes are now in foreclosure, the highest rate ever recorded. It's crazy to think somwthing like 1 in 10 people are late on there payments. Who do you know that could be letting the payments slip?

Anyway, I need to start looking for another rental!

http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/money_topstories/~3/305358905/index.htm