Mexican food as a theme for the Carnival of Real Estate??
Hey, it was the brainchild of Kelley Koehler, aka @housechick, aka NachoChick. I sent out a Twitter message for ideas, Kelley responded, and I like Mexican food. So we’re running with it. Deal with it.
There were 23 submittals, down significantly from the last time I hosted the Carnival back in the day of episodes 33 and 37.
Entries ranged from one really not-so-swift to the truly spectacular. As always, it was tough to narrow down the Top 10, and even tougher to rank them. Cerveza was involved, but I did avoid the tequila…
We’ll begin with the appetizers and move through the Mexican food chain until we arrive, naturally, at the big enchilada.
The chips and salsa of the bunch goes to Bill D. at The Wealth Hunter with, “Is it Better to Rent or Buy? That is The Question.” It’s a good take on the age-old question, and employs a “rent ratio” to help decipher the conundrum. What’s a rent ratio? Read the post!
Bringing out the guacamole is “Silicon Valley Blogger” at The Digerati Life with, “Where To Find The Down Payment For Your Dream Home”. They leave out “buried in the backyard”, but include 10 other possibilities.
Tacos are a staple in my house and Leon Gettler of SOX First (think Sarbanes-Oxley) delivers. “Blame subprime on the banks: accounting rule-maker” is an interview with Bob Garnett of the International Accounting Standards Board. Interesting stuff — ginormous photo not withstanding.
A Torta is a Mexican sandwich, served hot or cold. Patrick Duffy at the Housing Chronicles serves up a hot one. “Homebuilbers and brokers should first ask themsleves: ‘Who’s Your Company?” is a a lengthy tome. Geared mainly to the home builder, there are good lessons here for the real estate broker as well.
Ahhh Huevos… lot’s of ways to serve them up. And Andrew Mattie writing for Geek Estate Blog dishes up a dandy with, “Silly MLS IDX Rules”. As a broker, I deal with IDX sillyness on a regular basis. As an IDX vendor, Andrew deals with it constantly. Interesting insight from an “insider”. (Disclosure, I contribute to GEB and use Andrew’s product. I also really like huevos, but none of that had anything to do with the selection.)
Housechick digs nachos. I don’t know what Joe Manausa at the Tallahassee Real Estate Blog thinks of them. But I know Joe’s article, “How To Analyze Real Estate – The Real Estate Shack” was a great post. It is a very nice explanation of cash flow analysis for investment property — explaining terminology well in easy to understand language.
The burrito begins the heavy stuff. Scott Ficek up there at the Minnesota Investment Real Estate blog may not be able to find a decent burrito, but he can write a great post. “Investment Property Accounting” takes a look at managing the income and expenses of investment properties.
OK, so technically, margaritas aren’t food. But they clearly belong in any lineup of Mexican delights. And Athol Kay, in only the way Athol can, delights and schools us on taking good kitchen photos in his post, “When Your Wife Stabs You With a Fork You Learn to Pay Attention.” (Which clearly wins “Best Title”). Who knows if there is decent Mexican food near the REagent in Connecticut, but Athol always delivers.
The massive Combo Plate, second only to the Big Enchilada, is consumed by John Lockwood of the Sacramento Real Estate Blog. In, “Where’s The Bottom? The Prophet Speaks” John takes a deeply linked look at the real estate market in Sacramento County (which if you follow real estate markets, you know it’s been hit particularly hard). This plate isn’t just Sacramento though, John’s insight holds true everywhere.
And this weeks Carnival of Real Estate “Pick of the Week”, The Big Enchilada, goes to Dan Melson at Searchlight Crusade. Personally, I think Dan is one of the best in the Real Estate Blog Community. His post, “Is The Good Faith Deposit At Risk?” should be required reading. The short answer is, of course, yes. But Dan takes an in-depth look at both the buyer and seller side and provides nice insight into how to handle the question, “Is my good faith / earnest money at risk?”
And seriously, anyone that can inject a reference to quantum physics into a real estate post deserves an extra side of tortillas.
There you have it folks, your 93rd Carnival of Real Estate is a wrap.
Next week, the great Mike Price hosts the 94th edition at Mike’s Corner (which is down right now? Wonder if he’s hosting at Houston’s The Planet, which had a meltdown over the weekend…).
And I’m hungry. . .
Edited to add: If anyone is really interested, here are my notes on all the entries (links included). There are a couple of thoughts in there on some articles on why they didn’t make the cut. Nothing personal, I had to cut more than made it….
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Ahh, Chuy’s…… I love their tortilla soup and the Chuychanga. Oh, this is a blog post about real estate. Haa
Very nice-and I am hungry too now-love Mexican food- Now I will go feed my brain with the top 10.
Wait, what about Valle Luna? They’re my favorite in town!
BTW, I’d like to get in on the next ‘carnival’, how does one get notified?
Matt Pellerin - Realtor
@Matt (and @AnyoneElseInterested) - the “hosting” rotates week to week. Lots more info (including future hosts in right column) at the Carnival of Real Estate (CoRE) site, including a submission form. (also here).
They are a lot of fun. Can be great exposure for your blog, great way to find new blogs. Hosting is a lot of work, but rewarding in it’s own right (and it doesn’t come around often). They have hosts lined up, but invariably someone will back out. Contact info if you’re interested in hosting is on the CoRE site.
Love Valle Luna! I used the Chuy’s sign as a secret nod to my Austin, TX roots. It started there.
Why thank you very much, Jay!
someone has austin on the brain…
Excellent choice of a theme, and a clever interpretation. Hats off to you, Jay. You’re starting to get the hang of this Carnival hosting thing. I wouldn’t mind hosting one myself, but they’ve only published one of my blog posts thus far, so I suppose it’s no tortilla soup for me.
Thank you.
I love the combo plate!
@Dan - no, thank YOU!
@Lani - Ya think? Of all those out there, I knew you’d pick up on that…
@Mark - Keep on plugging. Participating is key to hosting, and you’re participating as much as someone who actually gets picked. You should go to the CoRE site and throw your hat in the ring as a host. I’m virtually certain that some on the list won’t want to host this go around.
@John - combo plate good. Your post good. (and I still owe you a post. Haven’t forgotten, just insanely busy).
Mark -
You can send me a note (drewm at zillow dot com) and I’ll add you to the host list.
Hmmm… The Real Estate Margarita… I wish I thought of that a year ago.
Thanks Jay!
Nice post Jay, I guess I’ll be spending the next hour or so reading some real estate articles - love Mexican food too, but Chuy’s
Can’t imagine how difficult it was to cut down to a top 10 list and then post about it
Sounds like a fun event…too bad I live in Georgia.
WOOT! Best Carnival Theme Ever, if I do say so myself… I feel like a winner too!
@Landflip - Uh, what difference does it make where you live?? This is a “virtual” carnival. It’s been hosted in and had contributions from Europe. All you need is an internet connection!
@Kelley - THANKS for the idea!!
@Drew - Thanks for helping Mark out.
@Jayson - it is difficult. And it likely hurts someones feelings. But there is always next week, and really, other than one submission, they were all good.
@Athol - You’re more than welcome. I thought it was a great post.
Good thing you didn’t have to choose “just one”. That is a lot of blogs to read and you wrapped it up very nicely - enchilada style.
I have never eaten at Chuy’s - I might have to make the trip next time I am in Phoenix.
…wow…the beats the heck out of Taco Johns’ drive thru….
Steve
Yes Jay, we are hosted at The Planet, and that is precisely the problem. Should be up soon.
MP
Now I am hungry! I rarely care what we have for dinner…tonight my wife will have to agree to Mexican.
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