Patrick.net

Patrick is writing a book!

By Patrick   Follow   Fri, 10 Aug 2012, 12:40pm   9,997 views   152 comments
In Menlo Park CA 94025   Watch (2)   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike  

After several years of encouragement by readers, I've decided to take their advice and write a short (100 page) self-published book based on my original rant at http://patrick.net/housing/crash1.html

Any suggestions for the title? I'm thinking of "The Housing Trap".

And what should the cost be? I'm thinking $14. Has to be somewhat high to make it worthwhile. Unless I can sell a zillion copies.

Speaking of selling, I'd be grateful for marketing advice. I've got Patrick.net, but how else to sell it?

It might make a very good gift that friends can give to friends who are about to be trapped in a bad mortgage.

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1. elliemae Follow Befriend (25) 413 threads 6,983 comments Saint George, UT elliemae's website

   33   11:39am Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike   Title: How I survived the housing bust (and you can too) TMAC54 says FROM TULIPS to TWOLOANS You do know what's better than a dozen roses on your piano? Tulips on your organ... (I'll be here all week, try the veal! Tip your waitress!)

2. Bap33 Follow Befriend (3) 12 threads 3,101 comments

   34   12:01pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   California specific point/idea: Would it be possible to find out how many "planning commissions" and "city councils" and "county boards of sups" had RE Pro's on these boards. That means they were voting on the needed annexations and zoning changes that took place pre-boom (approx 1995-2000) boom (2000-2007) and post boom (2007 to now)?? What I think that may show is, on the way up, there had to be some conflict on interest issues. Those RE Pro votes seem like they would be part of the engine that blew up the balloon. Maybe?

3. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,191 threads 6,158 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

   35   12:25pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   I bet you're right, but it seems hard to find out. Or maybe not. If there is some list of all the people on those commissions, councils, and boards, it could be compared against the list of agents registered in CA with the Department of Real Estate.

4. David9 Follow Befriend (3) 28 threads 747 comments Tarzana, CA

   36   12:31pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   I also vote for "The Housing Trap" as the books title. :) The people who published your web programming book can't help?

5. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,191 threads 6,158 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

   37   1:05pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   David9 says The people who published your web programming book can't help? They skinned me alive on royalties, though I probably came out pretty well overall since I got some good jobs just on the basis of that book. I want to do this one myself, and retain both the copyright and complete editorial control.

6. Bellingham Bill Follow Befriend 30 threads 1,489 comments Bellingham, WA Premium

   38   1:19pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Protected   I like dunross's idea of playing off of Lereah's BS book. http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/David-Lereah-book-title-changes/16560/ But, like Lereah's midstream change of spin, I do think the future is unpredictable. I think it's 50-50 that we'll see some gut-punching wage inflation in this country this decade. 50% that the system just inflates the hell out of everything -- including rents -- and 50% that we just get more of the deflationary plate we're being fed from now. I can't see the future, and I don't think anyone can.

7. TMAC54 Follow Befriend (9) 70 threads 930 comments San Leandro, CA

   39   1:40pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   elliemae says Tulips on your organ... Nobody else knows quite like Silly Mae exactly where my brain is at. I thought of writing about shock value of real estate myself. The title would have been "WOMEN DRIVEN" gahead, let yer imagination meander awhile. A small percentage of adults will be concerned of the negative financial woes of housing costs. But EVERYONE is curios about Driven women w tulips. Women were considered chattel prior to the industrial age. Not until 1973 were they financially equal. I am actually trying to encourage your educational endeavors Patrick. Isn't it difficult to put a positive attraction to our passion of real property ? So throw some sex, drugs and rock & roll in there.

8. tovarichpeter Follow Befriend (1) 6,488 threads 44 comments South San Francisco, CA Premium

   40   5:37pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   About bloody time!

9. hrhjuliet Follow Befriend 7 threads 87 comments

   41   7:00pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike   Patrick, I'm so glad you are doing this. You may not know this, but you saved me and my family from buying at the top. We sent your articles to our extended family who were practically yelling at us to buy a house. All our friends kept saying that we better get in, that the Bay Area never goes down, get in or be left behind, and lots of other wonderful pieces of advice. All those friends lost a lot during the crash. Mind you, a lot were rich children of rich Silicon Valley parents, that were bummed, but not left destitute, but others lost their homes and savings. I will gladly buy your book, promote it on my FB page and recommend it to any friend in this area I see planning to give away their life savings on a dump in the Valley. Thank you Patrick for your honesty, integrity and community spirit. You're the real deal.

10. hrhjuliet Follow Befriend 7 threads 87 comments

    42   7:02pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Patrick says "Don't buy it!" Like it.

11. RealisticOptimist1 Follow Befriend 1 threads 10 comments

    43   7:08pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   How about "House prices never go down" Best way to do marketing is to cross-promote on other like minded blogs - do guest posts and such. You could do an audio-book too since thats a big way people consume information these days. I know I much prefer to download an audiobook that I can listen to while driving.

12. adarmiento Follow Befriend 9 threads 256 comments

    44   7:37pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   How about this: "The only important lesson in real estate: Location, Location, Location"... brought to you by the homeowners in the immediate suburbs of Washington DC..... Or how about this: Rent Fools

13. adarmiento Follow Befriend 9 threads 256 comments

    45   8:02pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   How about this: San Francisco is the only Exception: How Fundamental Real Estate Concepts do not apply to the SF Bay Area or how about this: On the way down to Stockton: How the SF Bay Area is in a steady economic normalization with Stockton

14. B.A.C.A.H. Follow Befriend (6) 5 threads 2,359 comments

    46   8:18pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   It Is (Not) Different Here".

15. Bap33 Follow Befriend (3) 12 threads 3,101 comments

    47   8:21pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   David Losh says Baap33 has it even more correct just had to repost that .... it happens so rarely.

16. Bap33 Follow Befriend (3) 12 threads 3,101 comments

    48   8:23pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Bap33 says "It only goes up!" RealisticOptimist1 says How about "House prices never go down" lmao ...

17. robertoaribas Follow Befriend (23) 55 threads 3,836 comments Scottsdale, AZ robertoaribas's website

    49   8:29pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   I have to say, Patrick's site helped me too. When housing prices started their dizzying climb, I didn't understand it. I started searching the internet and found this site, a HELL of a long time ago. Maybe 2005 or something. Nobody but nobody wanted to even discuss how housing could collapse when i tried to talk to them about it. Since, in addition to real estate investing, I also teach math, I was looking for resources for my students in a practical math class to research, to balance out the "buy now" advice in the mainstream media. I even wrote Patrick an email at that time, maybe he remembers it. Anyways, This site, and Robert Shiller (plus research on other historical bubbles, such as Japanese land prices, Japanes stocks, nifty fifty stocks, arabian horses, Florida land in the 20's etc etc. etc. ) convinced me that a collapse was coming. I sold 4 investment properties at that time.... As of last week, I have now parlayed that money into 13 homes and counting, basically because the same metrics that told me to sell then, say buy now... So, a big THANK YOU to Patrick.net... It wasn't the sole reason I did what I did, but it did help... [today, however, alot of the anti-buying advice seems pretty misplaced, outside the overpriced coastal zones]

18. David9 Follow Befriend (3) 28 threads 747 comments Tarzana, CA

    50   9:54pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   robertoaribas says I have to say, Patrick's site helped me too. hrhjuliet says Patrick, I'm so glad you are doing this. You may not know this, but you saved me and my family from buying at the top. Glad other people are writing how this site has helped them make good real estate decisions. Should you want to do so, I would be happy to write my story (Full name, icon, nickname, it makes no difference to me) about how it began aroune 2005 and there is this Patrick guy on the internet and everyone thinks he is crazy.. I bet you could fill a whole chapter of success stories from others like me. Now, now only did I make good decisions during the bubble, I have continued to do so (Yes, by not buying yet in this coastal area) on this side of bubble. Unlike millions others, I am not upside down, not unhappy with financial troubles, and people actually get jealous. Patrick you are awesome, and I believe helping so many others can only come back to you in marvelous ways. Again, Thank You So Much.

19. B.A.C.A.H. Follow Befriend (6) 5 threads 2,359 comments

    51   10:25pm Sun 12 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Patrick's site saved my relationship with my brother in law, and so, maybe, ahem, my relationship with my partner, too. See, during the Bubble there was pressure to join him with his other inlaws in their Adventures in San Joaquin County House Flipping. Of course they would not listen to me, but I credit my brother in law with being open minded enough to read the links to Patrick's web site. The ideas he picked up from there Turned Him From the Dark Side of the Force. Not only did he find the religion but he let his other inlaws buy him out. They thought he was crazy and told him so at the time. Some foreclosures and bankruptcies later, they are wiser and he did not lose his shirt.

20. TMAC54 Follow Befriend (9) 70 threads 930 comments San Leandro, CA

    52   7:24am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Hey Patrick, How about "A SALE OF TWO MINDS" ! Instant gratification vs Prudence. Our society is hypnotized in "INSTANT GRATIFICATION", this one side of the mind being the emotional side. The other mind, the intellectual one, realizes that we must be "PRUDENTIAL" in our spending habits. Hypothetical; You are the POPE. A six foot Blonde model who could suck a golf ball thru a three foot piece of garden hose offers to sell you some satin sheets at 8 times their market value. The poor Pope, now suffering buyers remorse. Does he have the right to sue that golf ball sucker (realtor) for his over spending ? Should the parish be tricked into paying for his attempt at instant gratification ? This thinking applies to what our gubmint is doing today. Spend now at any risk.

21. Goran_K Follow Befriend (4) 25 threads 1,523 comments Laguna Beach, CA Premium

    53   7:29am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Patrick says They skinned me alive on royalties, though I probably came out pretty well overall since I got some good jobs just on the basis of that book. I want to do this one myself, and retain both the copyright and complete editorial control. Patrick, was the company you published through called Packt publishing?

22. dunnross Follow Befriend 28 threads 1,489 comments San Jose, CA Premium

    54   8:05am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   adarmiento says San Francisco is the only Exception: How Fundamental Real Estate Concepts do not apply to the SF Bay Area Yes, in fact, gravity and the Newton laws don't work here, either. And our sh*t smells like L'eu de cologne.

23. APOCALYPSEFUCK is Shostakovich Follow Befriend (28) 171 threads 4,222 comments Premium

    55   8:09am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (3)   Dislike   Protected   Patrick says APOCALYPSEFUCK is Shostakovich says Will you interview me for the book? So, Mr. Apocalypsefuck, how would you recommend that buyers protect themselves from the deceptions and emotional manipulation of realtors? 1) Refuse to look at any house that is not FSBO. Use the services of a savage, blood-relative attorney and savage, blood-relative general contractor to help you manage risks related to buying a house. 2) Cash only. A mortgage broker is likely even a more criminally oriented psychopath and they often work in tandem with Realtor®s if you read the sentencing memos from the US AG's office. 3) Call your state and federal elected representatives and demand the NAR and all trade associations related to housing be disbanded and that mortgage fraud be reclassified as a capitol offense - retroactive to 1990 - and that every real estate transaction involving a Realtor® be investigated for fraud.

24. dunnross Follow Befriend 28 threads 1,489 comments San Jose, CA Premium

    56   8:10am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   But we all know that it was actually Patrick's site which crashed the bubble. Without patrick, prices would still be going up, up, up :)

25. B.A.C.A.H. Follow Befriend (6) 5 threads 2,359 comments

    57   8:54am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   dunnross says gravity and the Newton laws don't work here The gravity force field is swamped out by other forces that exert over shorter distances all of the time. It's the glue that holds us together. The local force field here is wealthy folks (like yourself) immigrating ("voting with their feet and their wallets") from all over the USA and all over the world jacking up housing costs (for buying or renting).

26. raindoctor Follow Befriend (1) 3 threads 130 comments Mountain View, CA

    58   10:15am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   1. Sell your book on Amazon Kindle 2. For audio books, you can use Audible or you can partner with some VOA, who can work on some profit-sharing on just audio books. 3. Or you can even take some voice lessons, you can create an audio book! 4. On demand print.

27. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,191 threads 6,158 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

    59   10:15am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Goran_K says Patrick, was the company you published through called Packt publishing? It was O'Reilly, which is actually a very good publisher, but just doesn't pay much to authors. I was supposed to get 10% of wholesale price, and wholesale is 60% of cover price. So I was supposed to get 6% of total sales, but somehow got more like 3%. No matter. It was still an OK deal because of the publicity and jobs. B.A.C.A.H. says The local force field here is wealthy folks (like yourself) immigrating ("voting with their feet and their wallets") from all over the USA and all over the world jacking up housing costs (for buying or renting). That's only the physical plane. There is also a huge imaginary force field, where prices are high because people expect prices here to be high. Thought creates reality in this case. It could just as easily work the other way, where prices fall, because of course you know the Bay Area is a huge earthquake zone and no one would want to live in that, right? Did you know the cancer rate is significantly higher in the Bay Area as well? :-) The newspapers are complicit in pumping up prices by constantly refering to housing inflation as an "improving housing market" and referring to better prices as a "worsening housing market".

28. 37108605 Follow Befriend 1 threads 1,055 comments

    60   10:55am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   RUN DON'T WALK

29. B.A.C.A.H. Follow Befriend (6) 5 threads 2,359 comments

    61   10:56am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Patrick says because of course you know the Bay Area is a huge earthquake zone and no one would want to live in that, right? But a lot of people want to live in that, people like yourself included. Besides, it already happened in 1989. There was a housing slump after that, but it was not because of the quake.

30. David9 Follow Befriend (3) 28 threads 747 comments Tarzana, CA

    62   10:59am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Patrick says The newspapers are complicit in pumping up prices by constantly refering to housing inflation as an "improving housing market" and referring to better prices as a "worsening housing market". Is that not retarded or what? Do people want to pay higher prices? (Of course, sellers and investors want that)

31. elliemae Follow Befriend (25) 413 threads 6,983 comments Saint George, UT elliemae's website

    63   11:35am Mon 13 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike   I think it's great that he's gonna fsbo his book. :)

32. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,191 threads 6,158 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

    64   10:46am Tue 14 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   APOCALYPSEFUCK is Shostakovich says 1) Refuse to look at any house that is not FSBO. Use the services of a savage, blood-relative attorney and savage, blood-relative general contractor to help you manage risks related to buying a house. 2) Cash only. A mortgage broker is likely even a more criminally oriented psychopath and they often work in tandem with Realtor®s if you read the sentencing memos from the US AG's office. 3) Call your state and federal elected representatives and demand the NAR and all trade associations related to housing be disbanded and that mortgage fraud be reclassified as a capitol offense - retroactive to 1990 - and that every real estate transaction involving a Realtor® be investigated for fraud. Thanks! How can sellers also be encouraged to avoid Realtor®? If all houses were FSBO, both sides would save money and there would be less opportunity for Realtors® to block offers.

33. uomo_senza_nome Follow Befriend (13) 787 threads 1,542 comments

    65   12:16pm Tue 14 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Patrick, Charles Hugh Smith wrote a few self-published books recently. One example is below: http://www.oftwominds.com/investing-in-troubled-times.html You can create a separate web page for it, may be make one chapter available for free and provide the book outline so that the customers can get an idea on what they'll benefit from the book. They can also become familiar with your writing style. You can price it in Kindle for slightly cheaper (under $10) as e-books are more popular these days.

34. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,191 threads 6,158 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA

    66   3:56pm Tue 14 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   David9 says Should you want to do so, I would be happy to write my story (Full name, icon, nickname, it makes no difference to me) about how it began aroune 2005 and there is this Patrick guy on the internet and everyone thinks he is crazy.. Yes! Please do write your personal story in a paragraph or two on this discussion, in a format that I have permission quote in the book (your choice about real name or username). Anyone else?

35. David9 Follow Befriend (3) 28 threads 747 comments Tarzana, CA

    67   4:00pm Tue 14 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Patrick says Yes! Please do Ok, will do. It might be longer than a couple paragraphs. I was thinking a long version and then just giving permission to edit and use at will.

36. jvolstad Follow Befriend (4) 996 threads 1,128 comments San Antonio, TX jvolstad's website

    68   4:20pm Tue 14 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   How about "Realtors are of the Devil"......just kidding. I'm working on an article for Military Review on NCO Leadership. http://usacac.army.mil/CAC2/MilitaryReview/ I'll let you know if and when it gets published.

37. hrhjuliet Follow Befriend 7 threads 87 comments

    69   6:11pm Tue 14 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Patrick says Yes! Please do write your personal story in a paragraph or two on this discussion, in a format that I have permission quote in the book (your choice about real name or username). Anyone else? I would be willing to answer any questions you'd like, and so would my husband. My husband found your site and sent it out to all the people who said we were crazy not to buy.

38. APOCALYPSEFUCK is Shostakovich Follow Befriend (28) 171 threads 4,222 comments Premium

    70   7:23pm Tue 14 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Protected   Patrick says Thanks! How can sellers also be encouraged to avoid Realtor®? If all houses were FSBO, both sides would save money and there would be less opportunity for Realtors® to block offers. Send the sellers copies of complaints against the Realtor® that's listing their house and recommend they terminate its contract for withholding crucial information about its diabolical history. Run a criminal background check of every Realtor in your county and publish the findings in the local newspaper. Calculate the direct savings to the sellers and the social costs of allowing a Realtor to roam free engrossing itself on the trade of honest human beings. Show the seller clips of recent indictments and sentencing of Realtors to let them know the criminal class that is now informing their decisions, yeah, like finding out the creature from Alien is leading your kids' Girl Scout troop.

39. APOCALYPSEFUCK is Shostakovich Follow Befriend (28) 171 threads 4,222 comments Premium

    71   7:39pm Tue 14 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Poobah Pat, You should do at least one chapter on Realtor and Mortgage Broker Criminality - that reviews the manifold ways the retail level scum bags helped Wall Street ass rape Main Street. There are plenty of cases now that tell the story. At the end, you can conclude with a recommendation that all RE transactions since 1995 be investigated for fraud and that your good friend and correspondent APOCALYPSE FUCK is Shostakovitch be appointed as the sentencing judge in all subsequent cases. Deal?

40. mdovell Follow Befriend (4) 28 threads 776 comments

    72   7:53pm Tue 14 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (5)   Dislike   Patrick says Any suggestions for the title? I can only think of one but everyone here knows it "Suzanne Researched This"

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