Ten years ago I fulfilled my dream of becoming a motorcyclist. I “graduated” from a local training course sponsored by Rider Education of New Jersey. The instructors were a top-notch band of brothers who were dedicated to safety and fun.
That’s right — safety and fun. Take every precaution but enjoy the ride to the fullest.
Of the myriad of guidelines I learned during the three day ______ course (do not insert the word ‘crash’), one acronym sticks to the top of my mind.
S.I.P.D.E. which stands for Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute. You have perhaps three to five seconds on a bike to make a life or injury-saving reaction. How does S.I.P.D.E relate to Real Estate?
Scan — On the open road the rider must continually scan 360 degrees, using peripheral vision and mirrors. What’s coming from the left, right, forward or behind? When looking for a real estate investment the purchaser must educate themselves of all the factors influencing their selection.
Identify — Between the handlebars the biker must immediately assess an obstacle. Is that a car or a shadow? A skittish deer on a dark country road could be more hazardous than a semi during a sunny morning. Identify the factors that could prove costly with the real estate investment. It’s always better to maximize the effect than minimize.
Predict — Now that the leather-clad throttle-jumping free spirit has identified the demons that could make his jaunt a Hell, he now must forecast what its going to do and what he’s going to do. If the little old lady with the blue hair and Mary Kay pink Cadillac makes a sudden stop, can I navigate around her in a split second? How much cash will the investment generate and if the worst case occurs what’s the investor’s Plan B?
Decide – The assessment completed, the rider must now commit to a strategy. Brake, turn or accelerate. Perhaps improve visibility by flashing the motorcycle’s lights, laying on the horn, communicating with hand signals. The same goes for the investor? Buy or pass?
Execute — On a motorcycle hesitation in that split second window of recovery carries extreme risks. That’s when reflex takes over. The mind has already rationalized an entrance or exit strategy. The body carries out the brain’s orders. Now real estate investing isn’t so spontaneous. It could be but those investors that leapt before looking are now having second thoughts. Execution comes last; only until the investor and the team of experts have performed all the analysis and research. Compulsion will kill you on a bike and compulsion will cost you serious wealth as a real estate investor.
That’s my correlation of Motorcycle Safety to Real Estate Investing. Granted, not the sexiest blog I ever wrote. Feel fortunate. I could have started with “Real Estate Investing is Like Baking Chocolate Cookies.”
Copyright, 2008. Andrew J. Lenza, All Rights Reserved.
ANDREW J. LENZA REALTY
73 State Highway 34
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Office (732) 431-9003
URL: www.andrewlenza.com
Andrew – Very nice tie in to real estate. I used to ride a bike, until the day I hit a curb and dumped the bike. Figured out I could not pick the bike back up. Guessed this could be a problem. lol From then on, became a passenger on the back on Dan’s bike. : -)
How does this relate to your post. Know you limitations and hire a real estate professional,Andrew Lenza, of Colts Neck, New Jersey!
Wow! I had no idea how much danger I’ve been in! I’ll be thinking of your words as I meet my 2PM client fot the first time. Hope you have a fabulous week!
Andrew, I remember my father taking me to a motorcycle safety class put on by the California Highway Patrol before he would let me ride my motorcycle to UCLA for classes.
The training probably saved my life more than once. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately the bike was stolen and I was able to put the money in to a cheap car. A Gremlin to be exact. What an ugly car.
Thanks for the words of wisdom.
Hey Andrew!
This is weird. I haven’t been on AR since my post on my fiance dying from injuries related from a bicycle accident.
Today, I decided to browse AR and saw you had “relocated”.
It was important for me to find you… don’t know why. This is the post I found.
Weird, huh???
Anyway, I’m glad your still out here. I think with over 9000 back links….
Have a Fabulous Real Estate Day!