[quote=spdrun]ER – I am doing the best I can despite what Mr. BS at the Fed is doing. I’ll probably do fine IF current trends continue.[/quote]
That’s great spdrun. It does sounds like you are making the most of it and made some great purchases picking up properties at distressed prices. I’m not sure how your cap rates are but I’d have to guess the cash flow is good. Did you flip any of them or will you hang on to them for the long haul for cash flow?
Anyway, congrats on the purchases. I have an affinity for real estate vs. other investments. But at this point of my life, I don’t really want to add any more real estate to my portfolio. But if things were to go back to the lows of a few years ago I’ll add some more.
I kick myself for not picking up at least another property here in San Diego.
My strategy the past few years (although I haven’t been crazy about continuing to plow cash into the stock market at these levels) has been to continue adding stock of companies that have a strong balance sheet and making money at a good clip.
Then I’ll sell the forward month covered call option. The % gains have been incredible. I’ll only buy stocks that I would feel comfortable holding for the long haul anyway. Several times stock has been called away and that is ok. I’ll sell the forward month or two option and sell far enough up where I’ll have a good gain plus I make the cash when I sell the call option.
I’ve been doing that with AAPL and been doing well. Bought some the other day at $450 with a GTC limit order that kicked in. Then sold the October $460 Call option the next day and got like a $20 premium.
But you have to be willing to limit your upside reward. Case in point, I sold the NOK $5 call options and it’s exploded the past few weeks with the Microsoft announcement. All I’ll get is $5 for my shares. 🙁
Obviously you limit your upside potential in the event that it skyrockets but I find this conservative type play to be very rewarding. I’ve been selling covered call options for years and it’s paid off extremely well.
But just as FlyerinHI mentioned…there are always ways to make money in good times and bad.