Answers with Ray the CPA Ep 9 IRS definition of a qualifying child...oh yeah!

Answers with Ray the Realtor Ep 7

This is a Seattle Real Estate Market Update! How many pending home sales are we seeing in this area? Lots! Pending sales means that a buyer has agreed to purchase a home put up for sale. It is a good indicator of home sales that will take place. Good video and great information.

Answers with Ray the CPA Episode 7 How long do you have to file your 2009 tax return?

Taxes are due on the 15th of April for most folks that have to file. You can get an automatic extension by filing a form 4868. This video talks about that.

Answers with Ray the CPA Episode 5 Are you what the IRS calls Self employed?

Are you self employed? The IRS consideres you to be self employed if you conduct a business, or file a form 1065 (Partnership). A quick reference is, if you are the person signing your paychecks more often than not you are self employed. If you own the company that is signing your paychecks most likely you are self employed. Self employment is nothing to be worried about, that particular status simply has certain filing requirements that you should be aware of.

Darin talks about the importance of the 4th Quarter

As an MBA holder, an accountant and a Realtor this video is dynamite, absolute dynamite. The fourth quarter is important, but EVERY single quarter is important. We have to plan ahead. Every major business plans for next quarter during the present quarter. In fact in the month prior to next month they are already contemplating, analyzing, and projecting for the next month. We all have to do the same in our lives, and in our businesses. Let's make a plan and execute. Each day is another opportunity to turn it all around!

Ray's Non sexual Crush Episode 2 Mr. Byron Allen

Mr. Byron Allen is the most famous star that you may not have heard of. He has been on the airwaves putting on multiple shows since 1979! I salute Mr. Byron Allen's grind and drive!

Ray's non sexual Crush Volume 3 William Friggin Shatner!

William Shatner is an amazing individual. He spent 10 years living in the back of his truck after being the star of Star Trek for four years. He is the epitomy of cool, style, and of course a lesson in stick-to-it-ness to us all. Thanks Bill!

Ray Gives the 'A' Episode 2 What you MUST know about IRS Form 982

This is a must view for realtors. It is also a must view for non-realtors going through any type of forgiveness of debt. You must file this form with your taxes so listen up and if you have further questions just ask you friend and realtor!

Ray's Non-Sexual Crush for the Week Beggining August 9th 2009

This week's Non-sexual Crush is an homage to Gary V! He is inspirational, motivational, and of course gives good content for free. Go and get after it!

The exquisite pain of the Woulda, Coulda, and of course the Shoulda.

There is a pain that comes with missed opportunity. The video above explains two such painful missed opportunities where I didn't act. I was paralized by fear and my inaction was my action, my choice, and my regret.

Where to get money for homes!

Here is an answer to a question I recieved on my FB site: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Everett-WA/Wilburn-Realty-Group/104245779793?ref=mf

It's the end of an era

I simply can not believe that Michael Jackson is gone! I mean chronologically this man's musical catalogue seemed an indelible soundtrack of my life. I remember watching the Jackson 5 Cartoon, the countless made-for-tv specials and mini dramas, and of course every few years the dynamic life-changing, envelope pushing music videos! This post isn't about his legal dramas, or personal proclivities. This video is about the joy he brought to me personally. When I was just a tiny Handsome Raymond at school dances, or attempting to win over ladies' hearts I could always quote a MJ song to spice up my rap. "I wanna rock with you girl", corny but true I have absolutely said it. Unfortunately embedding the videos for my favorites have been disabled. Youtube the following: I wanna rock with you, Don't Stop till you get enough, Thriller, Off the Wall, Ben, Billie Jean, and of course Beat it!

RIP Michael hopefully you find some peace.

Love Handsome

Leadership, Momentum, and sticktoitness!

I just saw a video on youtube that I thought was amazing. When you watch the video you see a lone person having a dance party. Then he uncomfortably continues to dance alone. Then finally another person joins him for a while. They continue to havea dance party. Then a third person joins them. Then something amazing happens. The thing they wished for, and hoped for and fought for becomes real! Exploseively everyone around comes to join thier dance party. WHat they imagined and comes true! This video is powerful and is a metaphor for our own lives and businesses. Conceive, Believe, Achieve! I take the dance party to be a metaphor for our dreams and goals. We have to dream, we have to fight, and if we fight and endure long enough...we can have our dance party!

I love Subway.

I have got a fever and the only prescription is more SUBWAY. I went out with the fellas this afternoon for lunch. We decided on a bit of the old Jared fuel. I don't know if anyone remembers the old SUBWAY commercials with the owner asking you to stop by, but it was awesome before it became all Jaredy. I was reminded that SUBWAY's name and decore comes from my beloved homeland NYC! Take a look at the wall of your local SUBWAY and you can trace the local SUBWAY stops of all five buroughs of the very delicious BIG APPLE! Being a transplant it is nice to be reminded of being a kid back in the Bronx. Thanks SUBWAY for that lovely trip down memory lane! Oh Yeah...the Flat bread, Chicken Club, was off the meat rack!

I have to say I love Everett Crossfit!

Everett Crossfit has really been an inspiration to me. I am a big believer in 'replacing' bad habits with good ones. Crossfit Everett does the trick. It is becoming my 'new drug' and like Huey Lewis I wanted one that wouldn't make me sick, wouldn't make me helpless and wondering what to do...CrossFit makes me feel friggin Great. There are sessions six days a week and the camaraderie and espirit de corps (non-military) is thick and delicious within those four walls! The athletes and superstars range from all levels of fitness and strength, and we celebrate everyone's victories equally. Whether I am pressing 175 pounds over my head, or another athlete just lifts the bar they are all wins and just 'showing up' is a win in and of itself! It is absolutely something everyone should check out. Here is a link to my favorite place: http://www.evercrossfit.blogspot.com/ Get there!

The necessity of being uncomfortable

I did something very interesting the other day. I quit my job. In this econcomy many would call me crazy. I would probably agree, but more because I talk to myself when no one's around not because of quitting my job. It was uncomfortable to be sure. My stomach hurt, and I somehow wanted to get out of it, but I cornered my manager and director and came right out with it like ripping off a band-aid. IT WAS COMPLETELY FINE! The world didn't end, I didn't die, and no one was mean to me. Then I spoke to a gal I have been flirting with and finally introduced myself to her and she was interested! NOTHING BAD HAPPENED AND I WAS COMPLETELY FINE. Next I answered every single phone call that came into my cellular phone rather than screening calls, and EVERTHING WAS FINE, in fact my day started to go a bit better because I got to speak to one of my ex's and I hadn't heard from her in a while so that was nice.

What I'm getting at is safe is just that safe. Risk, CALCULATED risk is okay and the rewards are directly related to the risk taken. All the cliches i've heard as a kid, the squeeky wheel gets the oil, and nothing ventured nothing gained they are all quite true. sometimes your safe job is the worst thing for you because the rest of your life will be plagued with 'what if's'. Damn that I will not be plagued with those. I decide to utilize CBA as I call it. Concieve it, believe it, achieve it! I believe that I will make my dreams come true...so I shall! Although I have quit my job, I still have my other job, real estate and dream brokerage. So essentially I have not quit a job I've gotten rid of dead weight! It feels good!