Can We Learn from Reading Fiction?

Many of us often learn more from reading fiction than non-fiction. It might have to do with an author’s literary license. or maybe it’s because fictional scenes can compile many events. Hopefully, you will gain some fun insight into the world of real estate from my new novel, Bedford Falls.

What is a Cap Rate? - Beautiful business woman with question mark above the head

Grisham isn’t losing any sleep over this, but the story goes like this …

When Danny Bedford, a firefighter and father of three young children, dies in a house fire while trying to rescue a baby trapped in the inferno, his ten year old son, Bally, comes to resent his father’s decision to take ‘too great of a risk’, and vows to always protect his siblings.

30 years later, Bally is a college sports legend and hometown hero. But disaster strikes his newest real estate development, The Neighborhood at Bedford Falls. Suddenly, Bally’s personal fortune and the careers of his entire family are put on the verge of collapse.

When a prayer is answered with a booming clap of thunder in Downtown Columbus, a sinister betrayal is revealed that will alter the Bedford family’s future for generations to come, and a kid on a bike must make the decision of his life.

A contemptible newspaper columnist, fair-weather allies, and the person who sabotaged The Neighborhood at Bedford Falls, all conspire to bring Bally to the brink of ruin.

That’s when Bally and his wife, Emily, retreat to the old neighborhood, where they learn new details about the shocking impact of Danny Bedford’s fall 30 years ago.

Their son Ryan, a renaissance priest, a beautiful violinist, and Tomorrow’s Cowboy, all have roles to play, if the Bedford family is to survive.

If you like stories of seemingly unconnected characters making huge impacts on the dreams of others, you might like this book.

Heroes are everywhere. But will Bally know where to look … when Bedford Falls?

Many of you, in real estate related fields …

might recognize yourself in some of the good characters of the book. Be confident, however, that all of the villains are purely made-up imaginations!

To learn more about Bedford Falls, visit Amazon.

Why Did I Write A Real Estate Novel?

Bedford Falls_cover_EBOOK_rgb copy

I recently released my new book, Bedford Falls.

Every time I gave a manuscript of Bedford Falls  to a friend or colleague, they’d ask, “Why did you write a novel?” The setting of the story is the world of real estate in Columbus, Ohio – a place I know and love. But still, there are always trade-offs, and writing a novel takes a lot of time, energy, and focus. So, why did I write a novel?

I suppose the answer is, like so many of you in real estate, I like to connect.

 Why do you …

  • Organize golf outings,
  • Establish real estate groups, and
  • Launch so many charity events?

Because you are connectors. You bring people together. You gravitate towards being with others.

It’s time to reconnect! This makes for a good excuse to get together.

Over the last couple of years, when it was challenging to maintain relationships, I wrote Bedford Falls, with the idea that it would create a great opportunity to get together with friends and colleagues for breakfast, a cup of coffee, or who knows, maybe even a group-luncheon or two, where all of us can reconnect! I’m open to your suggestions!

That is why I wrote Bedford Falls, a novel.

And yes, you can order the Kindle version here at Amazon.

Or click here to order a paperback edition at Amazon.

 

 

The Change of Landscaping in America

The change of landscaping in America. Photograpch of an old baseball bat with electrical tape around the grip, on the grass, next to baseball with home plate in the background

Photo courtesy of @iStockphoto.com

The Change of landscaping to the American front yard

My dad did such a great job on our front yard in the 60s and 70s. He would seed and fertilize it every year. And the grass around the circle of dirt we called a pitcher’s mound was so green! You couldn’t find a single weed on either side of the base paths we created during our baseball games! We can learn a lot just from looking at old photographs of a typical neighborhood from the late 50s to the early 70s. Back then there were ball gloves, kickballs, and frisbees