The Official Blog for Handsome Raymond

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

2009-09-18T01:10:00.001-07:00

Answers with Ray the Realtor Ep 7

2009-09-03T10:48:00.001-07:00

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?

2009-09-03T10:44:00.001-07:00

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?

2009-09-01T12:31:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-27T22:40:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-27T04:28:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-08-27T04:25:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-17T00:55:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-13T02:28:00.001-07:00

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.

2009-08-11T20:34:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-08-07T12:21:00.001-07:00

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

2009-06-25T20:06:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-06-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-06-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-01-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

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!

Non-sexual crush alert!!!

2008-12-17T22:17:00.001-08:00

I have to say ladies and Gentlemen, I have developed a non-sexual crush (ode to Seinfield as I think it's the first place I heard the term) on Timothy Ferriss author of 'The Four-Hour Work Week'. I have read the book thanks to my good pal Moe who first suggested it, and it has truly changed my life. It is further changing it as I implement it's tenants. Now the book aside I have been watching videos about Tim and all of his accomplishments and it truly is amazing! My man has accomplished something that I have always dreamed of. When asked the question 'What would you do if money weren't an issue and you could do anything what would you do?' I can finally answer it! I would like to do whatever the hell I want to do! If i feel like going to Paris for breakfast, and then for dinner going to Italy then that's what I'll do. If I want to go help tribal folks in the amazon I can. If I want to learn to play the cello I can do that too. It is amazing to me that this normal guy who is my age speaks several languages, tangos, fights MMA, while running a multinational corporation! I love this guy. Tim I've selected you as my brother from another mother and I humbly thank you! Here's a video of Tim talking about his book enjoy.

Thanks for your support.

Ray Wilburn
MBA, CPA

Uh Oh now I'm in trouble

2008-12-15T19:58:00.000-08:00

After obtaining my CPA license I had to find a new dragon to slay. Let's back up. The CPA was a big impossible goal for me. I began my quest to become a CPA back in 2004. I really didn't know a lot about accounting at that point. In fact I stumbled onto it quite accidentally. I was in the military and I was put in charge of bringing our shipboard personnel files up to code. I didn't realize it but that was my first foray into accounting...compliance auditing. When I was done with my tour I had just finished my B.S. in General Business. So what now? I decided I would become a big-time accountant and make lots of money. Interviewers had quite a time with me and it seemed impossible that I'd ever be here, but four years later I have obtained an MBA, and a CPA designation. Well upon receiving my license I felt a hole. Where I used to have a challenge a drive now I've got all this time and no impossible dragon to slay (that's what I call goals...because it's cool!).

I got to thinking and as a 300 pound desk bound worker I wondered what could be the most challenging, impossible thing I could aim for? Well ladies and gentleman I've decided. I WILL RUN A MARATHON! Uh oh! The thing about me is that I am stubborn. Once I get something in my head I won't stop. I'm a dragon slayer. The problem is...I can't even run a mile...YET. Any marathoners have any advice for me? I'm going to take it slow and I would like to run 1 year from today in a marathon. For now I'll set my next goal at running a mile, then two, then entering a 5k race, then a half marathon, and then another, and then slay the dragon. Well that's all for Raymond, for now.

Thanks for your support.

Ray Wilburn
CPA, MBA

Milkshakes make you feel good and so should your realtor.

2008-12-10T20:15:00.000-08:00

Milk Shakes. I love them! I have had many a milkshake and one of my favorite milkshake flavors is chocolate. Many places make them, but a certain fast food chain with Golden arches makes one of my favorites. I mean if you order their thick chocolaty milkshake you are transported away from your troubles and taken to a magic milkshake land-o-fun! I mean I think they must have a container of magical goodness back in the kitchen that they add to the milk and chocolate and who knows what other stuff they put in those things. The truth is that the milkshake itself has no power. It's the build up that I create in my head about the milkshake that gives the milkshake it's magic.
Feelings ladies and gentlemen feelings make the difference between my magical milkshake experience, and just sipping melted ice cream through a straw. It is important that patrons of your business feel as though they are receiving magic. It is important that you go the extra mile for them and make a stressful time as magically stress-free as possible.
How do you do that? How do you add the magic to the milkshakes? Well as a Realtor I add magic to the milkshake by staying engaged. Many of my clients come into contact with Realtors, mortgage brokers, banks, title reps...etc that simply do not stay engaged. They are in the midst of a major deal and suddenly after mutual acceptance they lose track of all of the resources. No Realtor to be heard from, no mortgage broker to answer questions. I add magic to my milkshake by staying engaged. Keeping my clients informed. Staying in touch with all of the points of the transaction, the title rep, escrow, the mortgage broker, and the other agent. That's really a big part of our job as Realtors. We manage the project. We also bring our knowledge to the table so that the client feels at home. The client feels secure, the client...feels...the magic!
Realtors just make you feel good! It should be the same with your milkshakes.

Side effects of giving up television

2008-12-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

I was sitting here on the old computer (I call mine Suzy, which coincidentally has been the name I've assigned to cars, weapons, or any other type of machinery that I spend a lot of time with) watching an episode of 'Scrubs' on ABC.com when it dawned on me how estranged I am from 'television'. The new shows almost seem like a Saturday Night Live Skit. Like this crap can not be real. But it's real! The shows I used to enjoy before I gave up the television machine I still watch via DVD, or I catch shows online, but there is not an ounce of cable invading my home...not a drop. Why? At first it was because I was studying for my CPA and I didn't like how much time I was spending watching crappy shows...but after the first month cold turkey when I started not to miss it, it became a weird point of difference. Something that I did that no one else seemed to do. Everyone always says things like...'that commercial with the thing, and that guy...hilarious!'. I then say...I have no idea what you are talking about...wanna use the English language to convey your thoughts to me? LOL, but I ain't laughing. I'm not holier than though, I watch YouTube, and I certainly watch the television shows I watched before I left the matrix, but it is nice to be free. Plus I am able to unabashedly make fun of how horrible the premise for certain shows are. So for example, I never watched 'LOST' before so I don't watch it now...not an episode NOT ONE episode. But when I see the advertisement for it I can't help but notice these manicured people being lost on an island, and i mean they have been lost for YEARS! Plus there is an obese dude on that show...how are you lost on an island and obese? How are you lost on an island and you are able to have cute looking hair, untattered clothing...and no one has horrible teeth. The chops would've been discolored by now without fluoride, and regular checkups. Gilligan's island had the same ludicrous premise, but it was okay cause it was a comedy...this show is serious...lol. I understand though...when you are into a show you can forget about these tiny holes in the premise...because it just feels good...it's icing, but no cake...I can dig it. It's fun as heck though being able to see through that crap...now that I've given up television I do notice that I spend an unGodly amount of time on the net. Ahh well six of one, half dozen of the other.

Thanks for your support

Handsome Raymond