Podcast appearances and mentions of Mike Cobb

Discover powerful strategies to maximize your rental property returns and minimize costly vacancies. Learn how top investors are transforming their approach to property management, from tenant retention techniques to smart staffing solutions. Key Insights: Master the art of keeping great tenants and reducing turnover Understand when to scale your property management approach Explore innovative investment opportunities beyond traditional real estate Market Trends Spotlight: Rental demand is on the rise Emerging investment options offer unique wealth-building potential Strategic diversification is key to long-term financial success Explore alternative investment opportunities like sustainable teak forestry - a generational wealth strategy that offers: Low entry point Long-term growth potential International diversification Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, these insights will help you make more informed, profitable real estate decisions. Resources: Learn more about the teak tree investment opportunity at Gremarketplace.com/teak Show Notes: GetRichEducation.com/555 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE  or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments.  You get paid first: Text FAMILY to 66866 Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search “how to leave an Apple Podcasts review”  For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— text ‘GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript:   Automatically Transcribed With Otter.ai    Keith Weinhold  0:01   Welcome to GRE. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, learn how to reduce a giant operational expense that you'll have over time your tenant vacancy and turnover, including how many units you must own before you hire your own on site property manager as your employee. Whatever happened to agent commissions in light of last year's NAR settlement, then a timely update on teak tree investing today on Get Rich Education.   Mid South home buyers. I mean, they're total pros, with over two decades as the nation's highest rated turnkey provider. Their empathetic property managers use your ROI as their North Star. So it's no wonder that smart investors just keep lining up to get their completely renovated income properties like it's the newest iPhone. They're headquartered in Memphis and have globally attractive cash flows and A plus rating with the Better Business Bureau and now over 5000 houses renovated their zero markup on maintenance. Let that sink in, and they average a 98.9% occupancy rate, while their average renter stays more than three and a half years. Every home they offer has brand new components, a bumper to bumper, one year warranty, new 30 year roofs. And wait for it, a high quality renter. Remember that part and in an astounding price range, 100 to 180k I've personally toured their office and their properties in person in Memphis. Get to know Mid South. Enjoy cash flow from day one. Start yourself right now at mid southhomebuyers.com that's mid south homebuyers.com   You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education.   Welcome to GRE from Manchester, New Hampshire to Manchester, England and across 188 nations worldwide, I'm Keith Weinhold, and you are back inside one of America's longest running and most listened to shows on real estate investing. This is get rich education. What's all that stuff really mean? I'm just another slack jawed and snaggletooth podcaster, a shaved mammal with a microphone. I'm joining you from here in London, England this week for the first time ever on the show. More on that later. Let's talk about reducing the biggest operational expense that you're ever going to have as a real estate investor, at least the one that you can exert a good measure of control over. That is reducing your tenant vacancy and turnover, that constant menace. Now, I suppose you might say that property tax is your biggest ongoing ops expense, but you've got less control over your property tax rate. So yeah, we're talking about increasing your net income by lowering your VIMTUM operating expenses. Vacancy is the V in that acronym. This is big because this can make or break your ability to have your property create positive cash flow and getting tenant turnover right both increases your income and reduces your expenses. It is springtime currently, and it's soon going to be summer, so it is the right time to talk about this. It's when there is more tenant turnover. The goal here is for you to really move the dial in increase the likelihood that your tenant is going to renew their lease. Now, sure if your tenant gets a new job out of town, they're going to move out. But if they're moving because of too many maintenance issues, well then that's something that you could have fixed. The average tenancy duration in the US over time is two to three years. And of course, that's going to be longer in single family rentals and shorter in apartments. And how long your tenant stays is driven by three factors, the price of your unit, the quality of your maintenance and the quality of your management. Let's say that your tenant moves out. To be conservative, that your vacancy period is two months between tenants. Okay, that's the turnover and the time to lease. It two months is a somewhat longish vacancy period. But come on, it happens sometimes, especially if you're going to make upgrades between tenancies and you're busy with other things in your life, if you have a move out every year at that rate, well, that is too often. That would amount. To a vacancy percentage of 14% you might think it's 17% but it isn't, because it's a 12 month vacancy plus two vacant months, all right, but if instead that tenant moves out every two years, that's just 8% vacancy, and every three years that's just 5% vacancy. Of course, if you keep your vacancy period to only one month rather than two, you can have all those numbers. You can really see how you are increasing your income by retaining the tenant. The most vital thing for you to keep in mind is that fast quality maintenance and good communication are by far the best forms of customer service that a property manager can provide, so prompt, quality maintenance. That's a retention strategy. Being a proactive helps. One strategy you can engage in is to reach out to the tenants two months before their lease is set to renew, and that's the time to give them the new lease price and ask them if they intend to stay. If they say, No, they're not, ask them why. And occasionally, you can sway them if there's been a misunderstanding in your relationship, for example, a lingering maintenance issue that hasn't been addressed, and perhaps they didn't bother to contact you about that, if nothing else, I think I mentioned this to you one time before offering a small reward, like a gift card helps. I mean, creating this sense of reciprocation is really one of the best retention tactics out there, even if the items being reciprocated aren't anywhere near equal value, like the value of a 12 month lease versus you giving them, say, a $50 gift card now, say you've tried those strategies, and none of that works, and your tenant does decide to leave, perhaps 45 days from now, but you know that you've got time in your life to turn over the unit now, and You know that you're going to be really busy with other things in 45 days. One thing that you can do then is shift your strategy to pay the tenant. Say you can pay them as little as 10 or 20 bucks a day to leave early. This way they'll vacate during a period where you've got the time to devote to the vacancy and the turnover and the showings to prospective new tenants, and that way, it's not going to linger vacant as long now, a technique like this is a little similar to an eviction, where if a tenant has violated their lease or becomes non paying, without you having to go through the length of Your court driven formal eviction process, you can pay them a lump sum to leave early. Hopefully that's not your situation, but that can come up. And I think you've heard of it before. This is known as the Cash for Keys strategy. That means to get a tenant that's made some violation against their lease, and you want to have them vacate the unit sooner. This means that you get the keys in your hand and the right to enter when you pay them to leave, rather than having to go through the not so fun eviction process and see a tenant wants to avoid a formal eviction as well, because that goes on their record, and then it can make it tough for that tenant to get rental housing elsewhere. But I dislike the Cash for Keys strategy in order to hold off from a formal eviction, because what that does is that rewards a person that violated a lease, although we know that that might also shorten your economic vacancy period, and it could actually be economically beneficial to you, Cash for Keys. It's just not ethical, though. I know it might be tempting for you, the landlord, the cash for key strategy. It rewards societally immoral behavior. Now, of course, you might be using a professional property manager that does all of this stuff for you, like I do today, but still, these are often the best practices for your manager. And I started out self managing, just like a lot of real estate investors do in the beginning, and that's where I learned strategies and techniques like this for reducing your tenant vacancy and turnover. Now, here's a really interesting question that you may not have had to ask yourself yet, but you may down the road, if you've grown your portfolio to a certain size and you're serious about reducing your vacancy and turnover expense, it might be time to ask yourself one big question, and that is for your management and maintenance. Should you use contractors, or should you start to hire your own employees? Now, if you have a small portfolio, it won't be enough work for you to keep an employee busy, so you should go with contract. Contractors. On the other hand, if you have an apartment complex with on site property management, I would definitely recommend having a make ready crew on site, because it's just so easy for them to get to and from a job site. Now, you should still maintain relationships with contractors as a backup, of course, and you should also have specialists like plumbers, electricians and HVAC people ready to call now, most investors are small and they use off site management, but if you grow big enough someday, or maybe it's two day, the important point about employees is that you really need to stay on them, because every extra hour costs you. You don't want anyone out there who's thinking that speed isn't essential, because they're like, ah, you know, I get paid by the hour. Contractors, on the other hand, they quote you or your manager a job up front. So while an extra day hurts because it's one more day you can't lease the unit, it hurts less than it does if you have your own employees. One problem with contractors is they often can't start right away, and this tends to be more true if you're self managing. See if you use a professional manager. They might have their own in house people so you can leverage their employees without having to manage employees yourself, even if your manager brings in an off site contractor, like an electrician or a plumber. Well, that contractor probably gets a lot of business from your property manager, and they have some sense of loyalty to your property manager, therefore, they're incentivized to show up on time faster than if you're trying to self manage, say, your small portfolio of five properties, and you or your tenant are the ones that call the electrician or the plumber. Well, those contractors are going to be less likely to prioritize you and your infrequent requests, and this is just another reason that I like to employ professional management and not self manage. Now, virtually no new real estate investor is going to hire their own employees, and most are never going to at all. All right, but how do you know? How would you know when it's time to hire your own property manager or your own contractor, and have them on your own payroll and you are their boss, if you've got under 20 to 30 units, all right, typically third party property management or self management with contractors, that's going to make more sense, because having a full time, dedicated employee, it's just not financially justifiable. Below 20 or 30 units, you're not going to be able to keep that employee busy. And I'm generally talking about if you have one apartment building here, or a bunch of single family rentals, only if they're in small, close proximity to each other. What about if you grow up to 30 to 60 units? All right now you're in a gray area. If the property is something that's pretty management intensive, like high turnover, or you own an older building, or you generate a lot of work orders, or you're in a challenging area. Well, at 30 to 60 units, you might justify a part time on site person. So how that could practically work in this 30 to 60 unit gray area, what you can do is have a resident manager that gets free rent, plus perhaps a small stipend from you. Okay, so that's a strategy that you can play in this gray area zone. That way they can be responsive to tenant requests, and you can keep your vacancy and turnover costs down. All right, how about when you're going even bigger and you reach 60 to 100 units. Now you're in the range where a full time on site manager or a maintenance person, starts to make financial and operational sense, because here it's 60 to 100 units. Your staffing model, it might be that you have one full time manager, they do the leasing, the tenant relations, in the admin stuff, and you'll also have a second person, a full time maintenance tech if they're needed, all right? And the final tier here, if you reach more than 100 units, oh, okay, now it is standard for you to have a full on site team. You could be in the hundreds of units. So we're talking about a property manager, a leasing agent, a maintenance lead, a groundskeeper and sometimes also a part time assistant manager. So that's it. That's the hierarchy of how, based on your portfolio size and where they're located, how you can serve tenants well and reduce your vacancy and turnover expense. Yes. All right now, what are some things that can shift those thresholds, those unit counts? Well, high rent or luxury buildings, they often need on site staff at a smaller unit count, very low rent or section eight properties, they may need more intensive oversight, buildings that have amenities, like some of these newer apartment buildings that have a pool and a gym, okay, that can trigger some more staffing needs. And if you own multiple properties that are nearby to each other, well, then you can share employees across those properties. And you've got to look at local labor costs in places like New York City, northeastern New Jersey, parts of New England, Miami or LA, those high cost places. Then breaking even on staffing. That probably takes a bigger property than those numbers that I talked about. But here, we tend to invest in those investor advantage areas, the inland northeast, the South, in the southeast, in the Midwest. Now, if you've got, say, even 50 smaller properties, but they're scattered all over the place, in multiple states, well then of course, you're not going to hire employees. A good general metric to leave you with here is that one on site employee for every 50 to 80 units that you own in the same area, that is common, that is a common industry practice in market rate multifamily apartments right now, these are pretty timeless strategies I've been talking about with you here.    As for what's happening in The market lately, I continue to slowly get more optimistic about the long beleaguered apartment market. A few weeks ago, I talked about how there's finally been greater apartment rent increases, although those rent increases are still historically low. What recently we learned that apartments are seeing a longer duration of tenancy and today, per real page, every single one of the 50 largest apartment markets has posted month over month occupancy gains, and then that's somewhat commensurate with what we're seeing on the one to four unit side, because the home ownership rate has fallen. It just fell from 65.7% down to 65.1 quarter over quarter. Now that doesn't sound like much, but that's actually a substantial drop in the home ownership rate in just one quarter. And fewer homeowners means more renters. So this basically means that the percent of Americans, renting has gone up because you just take the flip side of those numbers. So the rentership rate has essentially risen from 34.3 up to 34.9 in just one quarter. Something that completely makes sense, because we all know that home ownership affordability, especially for that first time, home buyer is lower, more renters. Is good for rental property owners. It's bringing more rental demand, more occupancy and more future pressure on rising rents. Now I want to follow up with you on a story from last year that made a lot of waves in the larger real estate world, but not so much for real estate investors. You surely remember this. That is the NAR settlement that a lot of people thought would result in lower real estate agent fees. Lowered commissions were coming. That's what everybody thought last year. Stories about that were all over the place that realtor fees are about to shrink. What's happened since then? Well, not much realtor fees, they still haven't fallen in any significant way, although the settlement was more than a year ago and this went into effect nine months ago. So to back up for a moment, in case you missed it, what happened is that a group of sellers accused the NAR, the National Association of Realtors, of inflating home costs by letting buyer side and seller side agents communicate about commission rates on the MLS home database, which only agents can see. And a jury agreed, so the NAR settled the lawsuit for over $400 million in damages, and it barred agents from sharing commission rates on those MLS databases. So that was a huge change that was expected to extinguish the globally high five to 6% realtor fee in the United States, because global averages are between one and 3% so as a result, the US real estate industry, they were bracing themselves for up to a 30% drop in the commissions that Americans pay annually in fees. But the new rules. Things have been nothing other than a big nothing burger. It only took a matter of weeks, really, for most agents to realize, you know, what did the agents do? They just simply moved their conversations off the NAR website and over to phone, text and email. That's it. Yes, that's all they did. So since that time, the average commission for buyers agents has barely budged. It ticked down less than 110 of 1% so for example, it ticked down less than 500 bucks on a 500k home that's per Redfin. So agents still expect sellers to pay five to 6% now I'm not against agents. Not only can an agent guide you through the process, what they can do is get you a higher sale price than they could have otherwise, because they really know how to market and advertise your property and reach a greater pool of buyers, but their commission rates have hardly budged. And of course, here at GRE marketplace, we typically use a direct model where agent compensation isn't priced into your properties anyway.    To review what you've learned so far today, being proactive can help reduce your tenant vacancy and turnover expense and increase your income. Prompt, quality maintenance, that is a retention strategy in itself, as can having one on site employee for every 50 to 80 apartment units. And one year later, changes at the NIR really haven't reduced aging commissions appreciably. I'm coming to you from London, England today, taking in all the top sites, Buckingham Palace and watching the changing of the guard over there, Big Ben a Thames river cruise and the London Bridge, which is actually called Tower Bridge. The real estate transaction that I'm currently involved in here is paying $550 a night to stay here at a nice hotel in the center of the city. It's right near the Thames, kind of a steep rate, and I sure didn't have to stay right in the city center, where everything is more pricey. But that's the experience that I want to have. Next week, I'll bring you the show from Edinburgh, Scotland, where I'll be paying even more for a well located hotel right on the Royal Mile, and I'll tell you how much more then I am here to boost their economies, I suppose more next, including a really timely update. I'm Keith Weinhold. You're listening to Episode 555, of get rich education.    The same place where I get my own mortgage loans is where you can get yours Ridge lending group NMLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than anyone because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage. Start your pre qual and even chat with President Chaley Ridge personally while it's on your mind, start at Ridge lendinggroup.com. That's Ridge lendinggroup.com.    You know what's crazy? Your bank is getting rich off of you. The average savings account pays less than 1% it's like laughable. Meanwhile, if your money isn't making at least 4% you're losing to inflation. That's why I started putting my own money into the FFI liquidity fund. It's super simple. Your cash can pull in up to 8% returns and it compounds. It's not some high risk gamble like digital or AI stock trading. It's pretty low risk because they've got a 10 plus year track record of paying investors on time in full every time. I mean, I wouldn't be talking about it if I wasn't invested myself. You can invest as little as 25k and you keep earning until you decide you want your money back. No weird lockups or anything like that. So if you're like me and tired of your liquid funds just sitting there doing nothing. Check it out. Text family to 66866, to learn about freedom. Family investments, liquidity fund again. Text family to 66866.   Tom Wheelwright  24:21   this is Rich Dad advisor, Tom wheelwright. Listen to get rich education with Keith Weinhold, and don't quit your Daydream.   Keith Weinhold  24:37   Welcome back to Episode 555, of get rich Education. I'm your host, Keith Weinhold, with an episode number like 555, you would expect me to go deep with you on real estate pays five ways, but we did that five weeks ago on episode 550 with your audio masterclass right here on the show today, we're talking about something with less upside. Than say that or the inflation triple crown, and instead on reducing your downside, vacancy and turnover expense, next week here on the show, I expect to sit down with a guest that's a highly regarded financier and author of a fairly hot new finance book, Christopher Whelan, and next week's show could get really interesting, because I've heard Chris say something about how real estate prices could fall back to 2020 levels. In my opinion, that is so many levels of unlikely that happening is about as likely as your grocery bills falling back to 2020 levels. So we'll see it could turn into a debate next week with Christopher Whelan and I. He is a sharp, well informed guy that also used to work at the New York Fed. That's next week down the road, longtime and former co host of the real estate guys radio show, Russell gray will join us again here, and we'll see what he's been up to in his post real estate guys, radio life that's coming up in a few weeks. Lots of great future content here, monologs, yes, those slack jawed monologs For me, repeat guests and new guests joining in as well. Back to this week now, there's an intriguing and potentially lucrative investment that we've discussed on the show here before, and I do have a timely and crucial update about it. A little while back, I sat down with the teak operations principle when we were in New Orleans together. These are yes, those Panama teak tree plantations that so many of you have already invested in. Yes. So as it is here. I am an American in London today talking about teak trees in Panama and I interviewed our upcoming guest here when we were in New Orleans together, the teak investment has a long time horizon, because trees have to grow. There's also a low cost of entry and no loans available. This is a real estate investment. You can own the land with the title to it and the trees that grow on top of them. Historically, teak returns have been five and a half percent, which doesn't sound like much, but see it grows in board foot volume at the same time that the unit price grows. And if inflation runs high over the next 25 years, your return might be higher. But the reason that we're discussing this now is because the principal, Mike Cobb here meeting with me, he is going to mention a price, and this is key two weeks from today, on June 9, the price for the teak parcels increases substantially. I'll tell you about that shortly. So for GRE followers, you can get locked into the lower price for just two more weeks. Here's my chat from a little while back with the teak tree investment principle, and then I'll return to bring you more.    Hey, did you know that you can own a quarter acre parcel of a producing teak plantation, you own the title to the land, and you get the growth in the trees. On top of that, this is something that you can do as an investor. And teak trees are a valuable hardwood that you own, typically in Central America. So there's a very low cost of entry to this investment, and that's what attracts a lot of people to it. And I am with Mike Cobb, the CEO. He's also the author of the new book how to buy your home overseas and get it right the first time. But Mike, a lot of people are interested in the teak investment because it is so approachable. Tell us about it. Give us a general overview.   Mike Cobb  28:42   absolutely, you know, thanks for having me on. It's always nice to be with you. We're, we're having some fun here in New Orleans, which is terrific, you know, yeah, the teak plantation is something that I envisioned back in 1998 so what's that like 26 years ago? Right? And in 1999 we planted our very first 100 Acre teak plantation. Because what we thought about at the time, which has now proven true 25 years later, is that, you know, I was either going to need the money in 25 years and be really glad I did this, or I wasn't going to need the money in 25 years and I was going to be really glad I did this. You know what? I don't really need the money now, but I'm really glad I did this. And 25 years comes. And I think that's been really the challenge for a lot of people looking at teak. They're just like, ah, 25 years. It's too long, but 25 years comes. 25 years will come, and you can either have planted the trees and be ready to take this huge windfall of return, or you won't be getting a windfall return. So I think that's the challenge, the mental challenge, I think maybe an average investor has, but I know you work with superior investors because they're paying attention to what you're writing, they're watching your podcast, they're reading your newsletter. You have far superior investors than I would say, the average investor. So I think this is a great thing for folks to check out.   Keith Weinhold  30:00   All right, so you're talking about the investment timeline, from the time a tea tree seed is planted until the harvest time that can feel like quite a while. You have been doing this over 25 years, and that is key when you as an investor go offshore or go overseas to have trust in a stable company that's been around for a long time. That's why, really, you're one of the few people that I work with who are outside of the United States real estate like the teak trees.   Mike Cobb  30:25   Thank you. Yeah, we've been around for 31 years. I've been working in the region. 31 our development company is 28 years old. Our plantation is now 26 years old. 25 with the trees, but we bought the land 26 years ago. But the bottom line, you're right and and the other thing that we should care about. And you brought this up earlier, when we're kind of chatting, is country, what country are you planting trees in that you got to wait 25 years for them to mature and harvest? By the way, the Panama. By the way, Panama, and of all the countries in the region where I feel the most comfortable as an investor, Panama's yet, because Panama's got the canal. And I know people say, oh, yeah, that's right. It's a vital strategic US interest. It's a vital world interest. The Chinese care about it as much as we do. The Europeans care about it. Anybody who wants commerce to happen cares about that canal being open. And so you've got this country, Panama, that has the canal stable, economically stable, politically stable. And when starting to talk about 2550 7500, year time frames, because you own the land, you get the harvest in 25 years, you replant, and then your children get the next harvest, and your grandchildren get the next harvest. It is truly generational wealth. Stewardship   Keith Weinhold  31:41   Panama is a little bit like investing overseas with training wheels on their well developed, first Central American nation. They even use the United States dollars. They do is that familiar? Absolutely well. But as the investors thinking about investing in teak plantations, just tell us about the properties of teak wood, of all wood types. Why teak? Tell us about the value there.    Mike Cobb  32:00   Yeah, teak has been grown in plantations, starting with the British back about 400 years ago. And so you've got centuries of plantation growing of teak as a crop, right? And so you've got this incredible longevity of information and things like that. And I know some of the stats off the top of my head, since 1972 the average price of teak lumber has has risen about five and a half percent a year over a 52 year period. Talk about track record, centuries of growing as a crop, right? 52 years as a lumber commodity. Look, people been using it to make ships. Its hardness is its most valuable characteristic is an extremely hard wood. It's resistant to rot fungus, so it's used in outdoor furniture, for example, right? Some of the stuff on the Titanic they pulled up from the bottom of the ocean, you know, chairs made a teak, right? Teak. But ship builders fine furniture, outdoor furniture and and they're cutting teak down. This is so important, they are cutting teak down eight to 10 times faster than anybody in the world is replanting it. So just imagine what that does to supply and demand and prices based on just basic economics, right?   Keith Weinhold  33:13   Yeah, that is some scarcity. That is a really good point. Tell us about what you're surely interested in. What do the investor returns look like.   Mike Cobb  33:21   Yeah. So you know, to own one of these quarter acre parcels, by the way, you said it before you own the land, you get title to the land you own the trees. $6,880 that's your that's your entry. Gosh. So for less than $7,000 you own a quarter acre of teeth trees that in 25 years projected returns. We all projections right about $94,000 a little over $94,000 so 7000 turns into $90,000 over 25 years, harvest, plant the trees again, and in 25 years, your kids or your grandkids will get the next harvest, and so on and so on. It is a powerful generational wealth stewardship. In fact, right now we have what we call give the gift of teak because look, you know, you got kids, you got grandkids. What are you gonna get them? Right? I mean, they got everything they want, presumably, right? You buy them a teak parcel, right? Buy that kid, buy that grandkid, a teak parcel. What a cool idea. Oh my gosh, in 25 years, you might be gone, right, but they're gonna get this big windfall, and they're gonna thank grandma or grandpa, right for for thinking of them 25 years into the future?   Keith Weinhold  34:27   Yeah? Oh, I love that. And you're so proud about what you do. You regularly offer investor tour so that they come and see the teak. But maybe you know, for you, the investor, you're wondering, okay, if you're used to investing in us real estate, you might be making two leaps here. You'd be going from residential real estate to agricultural, and you'd also be investing in a nation outside your home country. And when it comes to those sort of questions, I think any savvy investor asks, okay, what are the risks involved with this investment? Can you tell us about that?   Mike Cobb  34:59   Yeah, sure. Look, you've got political risk, country risk, political risk, which, I think again, of all the countries in the region, Panama, dollar, economy, canal, safe, stable. So the political risk is minimal. It's there. It's real. You know, fire risk is an issue, right? Trees burn. The good thing about teak is that after about year three, they're up. And you keep them trimmed, trim all the low branches off. So fire risk really drops incredibly low after about year three or four. But ultimately, it's about professional management. We have a company called Heyo Forrestal that we hired 25 years ago, 26 years ago, actually, to help us find the land, do the analysis of the land, make sure it was good for teak. And when you hire professionals, you get professional results. I mean, we stayed with this company for 26 years now, and the guy that we met early on, a little forestry engineer, is now General Manager and partner in the business. So we've watched that business grow up alongside ours at the same time. Those relationships, you know, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers have a song you can't make old friends. So here we are with Jacobo and some of the Luis that we've worked with for, you know, 26 years, and the relationships matter, especially in that part of the world, but professionalism and professional management is the key, and you have that alongside the relationships. Both are important.   Keith Weinhold  36:20   yes. So we're talking about how the property manager is such an important part of your team, and you think about your single family homes or your apartment buildings. And Mike here is talking about the importance of professional management, because teak trees need a little management and pruning, and sometimes there are thinnings which can give you some income so that you don't have to wait 25 years. Correct another way in which you might not have to wait 25 years for the full harvest cycle is at times you can buy trees that are, say, already seven years old, so you can only be waiting 18 years, or that are teens, so you might only be waiting 10 years, or some things about that, those are some of the options. But Mike, before I ask you if you have any last word, if you want to learn more about this, get some information, learn more about it, and learn how to connect with Mike's team. He is one of our GRE marketplace providers, and he's the owner of that company. You can do that at gre marketplace.com/teak, any last thing someone should know about teak before they consider investing? Mike?    Mike Cobb  37:16   Yeah, well, two things you mentioned the tour. So we do run discovery tours. We have one coming up in January, end of January, two days, we go out to the plantation, the teenage teat plantation, by the way, oak, which is eight or nine more years to harvest. Then we're going to the sawmill, because all of our logs go through a sawmill to convert to lumber, which enhances the return to the investor.    Keith Weinhold  37:36   Do the teens sleep until noon? Or can we visit them   Mike Cobb  37:38   and then they're on their phones all day If we're gonna go visit them. We'll wake them up and, like, get on their phones. But here's, here's the last parting word. I think it's scary for a lot of people. It is scary. You're going overseas, you're outside of, you know, residential you're going into a new industry. You're going to a new country. The reason this works for so many people, over 1000 now, have done this, is it's such a small bite, $7,000 and if that's maybe one or 2% of your portfolio, what I hate to say, put it on the table and roll the dice, but you'll be happy you did. I'm happy I did. It's a small bite, but that international diversification is so important. And then you put it in something that's absolutely not correlated to the market. It's not correlated to us real estate. I mean, in 2008 to 2012 when real estate was dying in the US, our trees just kept growing. So non correlated, non US, right? And non residential. I think that's the reason you want to take a little tiny piece of your portfolio and put it overseas in something like teak.    Keith Weinhold  38:42   We know over the long term that it has grown in value 5.5% a year, but at the same time, it grows in volume, in the amount of board fees you're getting a crease, an increase in both unit value and volume. It's really growing a couple ways. At the same time, you've had over 1000 different individual investors invest in the teak now, several dozen, maybe even more than 100 of those have been you the get rich education follower. So again, thanks for joining me, Mike. If you want to learn more, start at gre marketplace.com/teak. I'm Keith Weinhold. I'll see you next time.    Yeah, good information from Mike there again for GRE followers, that 6880 price deadline is Monday, June 9, and then it goes to 8680, that is a 26% price increase, and this is because land and planting costs have skyrocketed. And you know, I have long wondered about when they were going to change that same lower price that they've had for a lot of years. The provider recently added a sawmill to convert logs to lumber, and that enhances investment returns. So when you inquire for more info, you can ask about that, and that could very well put them above the 94k per part. Possible projected payout. Teak, hardwood, it just has some amazing physical properties. It's not your run of the mill. Backyard. Maple, it is a real asset. Think of it as a forest that fights back against Fiat and the provider reputation and continuity are almost impeccable. They've even had the same forestry manager, yeah, sort of like a property manager for trees, because trees take things like prunings and thinnings, the same manager for all 26 years of the teak operation. In the future, I might join one of their teak investor tours in Panama, and if I do, I'll be sure to let you know so that we can meet up that might even be a GRE exclusive tour. What you really need to know now is that, again, the lower price is good until Monday, June 9, to get started or simply learn more, visit gre marketplace.com/teak, that's t, e, a, k, until next week, I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream.   Unknown Speaker  41:10   Nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC exclusively.   Keith Weinhold  41:34   You know, whenever you want the best written real estate and finance info, oh, geez, today's experience limits your free articles access and it's got pay walls and pop ups and push notifications and cookies disclaimers. It's not so great. So then it's vital to place nice, clean, free content into your hands that adds no hype value to your life. That's why this is the golden age of quality newsletters. And I write every word of ours myself. It's got a dash of humor, and it's to the point because even the word abbreviation is too long, my letter usually takes less than three minutes to read, and when you start the letter. You also get my one hour fast real estate video. Of course, it's all completely free. It's called the Don't quit your Daydream letter. It wires your mind for wealth, and it couldn't be easier for you to get it right now. Just text gre 266, 866, while it's on your mind, take a moment to do it right now. Text, GRE to 66866.   The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth, building, getricheducation.com  

Send us a textIn this special Military Appreciation Month episode of Golfweek Amateur Tour – The Podcast, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha spotlight two inspiring veterans whose impact on and off the course defines the spirit of the Golfweek Amateur Tour and Senior Amateur Tour.First, meet Jamal Garrett, a Marine and Navy veteran whose global deployments from Australia to Japan helped shape his perspective on life and competition. Now a standout on the Tidewater Golfweek Amateur Tour, Jamal shares how golf became a therapeutic outlet during his transition to civilian life. His unforgettable hole-in-one at Kings Mill is the kind of moment every golfer dreams of, and he lived it on tournament day!Then we welcome Dave Phillips, a retired Air Force Colonel whose career spanned the end of the Cold War and command positions across multiple continents. Now serving as the DC Metro Tour Director for the Senior Amateur Tour, Dave brings military-grade leadership and planning to our Competitive Golf Events. He shares candid reflections on institutional knowledge, team-building, and running high-quality Amateur Golf Tournaments, even in the face of rising course fees and unpredictable weather.As Memorial Day approaches, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that behind every tournament leaderboard are veterans, families, and stories of dedication and camaraderie. Whether you're a military family, veteran, or part of our Golf Community, you'll be moved by the leadership, friendship, and resilience found in these conversations.Also in this episode:Shout-out to Mike Cobb, Charleston Tour standout and April's Member of the MonthSneak peek at upcoming Regional events: PGA West, Cabot Citrus Farms, and Fripp IslandLearn how you could win a set of Srixon irons through our podcast raffleKeep those nominations coming for May's Member of the Month by June 5th!This is Where Amateurs Play Like Pros, and where stories like Jamal's and Dave's shine brightest. Support the showPodcast HomepageGolfweek Amateur TourSenior Amateur TourFacebookYouTubeSrixonJondo Sunglasses

Not every investment pays off quickly. Some are built to grow steadily, rewarding patience and a long-term perspective. In this episode, we explore a unique form of agricultural investing that takes the long view … teak. Grown over decades, this hardwood asset follows nature's pace, not the market's. And with trees as your tenants, there's little to manage—just steady growth over time. Our guest, Mike Cobb, has spent more than 30 years developing real estate across Latin America. Nearly 25 years ago, he planted his first teak trees—now he's preparing for his first harvest. He explains why teak caught his attention, how it delivers long-term returns, and how investors can get started with surprisingly little capital. We also turn our Market Spotlight on Boise, Idaho with boots-on-the-ground insights from Ken Hozak. Tune in and discover how to move beyond quick returns to building something lasting and sustainable! Since 1997, The Real Estate Guys™ radio show features real estate investing ideas, strategies, interviews, and all kinds of valuable resources.    Visit the Special Reports Library under Resources at RealEstateGuysRadio.com  

Join John Bush on Live Free Now for an unfiltered conversation with Mike Cobb - world traveler, family man, and master of living unconventionally. From the intrigue of a bank in Belize and life in Central America to lively takes on politics, conspiracies, and personal legacy, this episode is packed with stories you won't hear anywhere else. Plus, catch a subtle teaser for an exclusive webinar happening on April 8th. Get ready for a fun, thought-provoking ride into the unexpected! Learn more: https://livefree.academy/op/webinar...  

Does a decades-old case hold the keys to new truths that have yet to be investigated? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Mike Cobb on his new historical novel You Will Know Me by My Deeds.  Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate!Mike Cobb is a writer, a native Atlantan, and a student of history. His body of literary work includes both fiction and nonfiction, short-form and long-form, as well as articles and blogs. While he is comfortable playing across a broad range of genres and topics, much of his focus is on historical fiction, Southern literary fiction, crime fiction, and true crime.  Rigorous research is foundational to his writing. He gets that honestly, having spent much of his professional career as a scientist.  https://mgcobb.comFor more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com

Sometimes, technology just doesn't cooperate—especially when you're trying to record a podcast with a world-traveling real estate expert! In this episode, we planned to have the one and only Mike Cobb from ECI Development join us to talk about offshore real estate and the Remote Renaissance, but unfortunately, the internet demons had other plans. Mike's connection was too choppy to continue, so we had to scrap the interview… for now! But don't worry—Mike will be back on the show soon, and we'll make sure to give you the full conversation when the tech issues are sorted. In the meantime, I take this opportunity to introduce myself a little more to those of you who've been tuning in for the past 10+ episodes. If you're new here or just getting to know me, this is a great chance to hear more about my journey, what drives me, and what's coming up for the show. Thanks for rolling with us on this one—stay tuned for the real Mike Cobb episode, coming soon!   Join the FREE webinar "The Remote Renaissance" Feb 4th at 6pm EST: https://info.ecidevelopment.com/remote-renaissance-free-webinar/Live-Free-Academy *** Support Our Sponsors and Partners: OFF GRID DREAM LIFE Interested in living off-grid? Join Jonathan England's FREE webinar to learn how: https://www.offgriddreamlife.com/eventregistration ***  

 Mike Cobb, author of The Devil You Know and its sequel You Will Know Me by My Deeds, discusses his writing journey and the inspiration behind his character-driven crime novels. Cobb began his writing career with Dead Reckoning, a historical crime fiction novel set in 1895 Atlanta, based on the real-life murder of a prominent merchant.Fascinated by crime, particularly cold cases, Cobb weaves his passion for history and storytelling into his work.Drawing from personal experiences and extensive research, Cobb's books focus on characters like Billy Tarwater, the protagonist of his recent novels. Cobb describes Billy as a reflection of his younger self, embodying a strong connection to his Atlanta roots. For Cobb, compelling characters take precedence over plot, with their development guiding the story.The author also delves into the darker aspects of his writing.His upcoming book will fictionalize the execution-style murder of a young woman he knew personally, a case he has investigated for years. Cobb acknowledges the emotional and personal risks of addressing real-life tragedies but feels driven to explore them through fiction.In discussing crime fiction's evolution, Cobb emphasizes the power of subtlety, preferring to leave graphic details to the reader's imagination. He believes this approach enhances the impact of his stories.Additionally, Cobb touches on the role of historical fiction, blending fact with creative storytelling while ensuring an engaging narrative.With a fourth book set for release in April, Cobb remains dedicated to shedding light on unsolved mysteries and societal issues through his unique blend of historical context and character-driven plots. Readers can find his works on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Mike joins Mark Alyn on this edition of Late Night Health.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/late-night-health-radio--2804369/support.

 Mike Cobb, author of The Devil You Know and its sequel You Will Know Me by My Deeds, discusses his writing journey and the inspiration behind his character-driven crime novels. Cobb began his writing career with Dead Reckoning, a historical crime fiction novel set in 1895 Atlanta, based on the real-life murder of a prominent merchant.Fascinated by crime, particularly cold cases, Cobb weaves his passion for history and storytelling into his work.Drawing from personal experiences and extensive research, Cobb's books focus on characters like Billy Tarwater, the protagonist of his recent novels. Cobb describes Billy as a reflection of his younger self, embodying a strong connection to his Atlanta roots. For Cobb, compelling characters take precedence over plot, with their development guiding the story.The author also delves into the darker aspects of his writing.His upcoming book will fictionalize the execution-style murder of a young woman he knew personally, a case he has investigated for years. Cobb acknowledges the emotional and personal risks of addressing real-life tragedies but feels driven to explore them through fiction.In discussing crime fiction's evolution, Cobb emphasizes the power of subtlety, preferring to leave graphic details to the reader's imagination. He believes this approach enhances the impact of his stories.Additionally, Cobb touches on the role of historical fiction, blending fact with creative storytelling while ensuring an engaging narrative.With a fourth book set for release in April, Cobb remains dedicated to shedding light on unsolved mysteries and societal issues through his unique blend of historical context and character-driven plots. Readers can find his works on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Mike joins Mark Alyn on this edition of Late Night Health.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/late-night-health-radio--2804369/support.

Atlanta author/writer & student of history Mike Cobb talks about his back-to-back releases “Dead Beckoning” and “The Devil You Knew”! Mike is an amazing writer and student of history with numerous works in fiction, non-fiction (short & long), articles and blogs with a focus on historical fiction, Southern literary fiction, crime fiction, true crime, and rigorous research who originally began his career as a scientist! The 1st book is about a blockbuster story of a cold case from the annals of Atlanta history about the death of a prominent downtown businessman in 1896 by a single gunshot, and how corruption, deception and cheating exists in the city government while the 2nd book takes place in '63 in Atlanta where 3 adolescent girls go missing & a killer is on the loose as a young man infatuated with one of the girls gets caught in the drama and suspense of the kidnappers later sets out to find the killer in '80 as a newspaper reporter to really find out who did it! Check out the amazing Mike Cobb and all of his releases on major platforms and www.mikecobbwriter.com today! #mikecobb #atlanta #author #studentofhistory #deadbeckoning #thedevilyouknew #fiction #nonfiction #southernliteraryfiction #atlantahistory #atlantamurder #corruption #kidnapping #spreaker #iheartradio #spotify #applemusic #youtube #anchorfm #bitchute #rumble #mikewagner #themikewagnershow #mikewagnermikecobb #themikewagnershowmikecobb --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themikewagnershow/support

Atlanta author/writer & student of history Mike Cobb talks about his back-to-back releases “Dead Beckoning” and “The Devil You Knew”! Mike is an amazing writer and student of history with numerous works in fiction, non-fiction (short & long), articles and blogs with a focus on historical fiction, Southern literary fiction, crime fiction, true crime, and rigorous research who originally began his career as a scientist! The 1st book is about a blockbuster story of a cold case from the annals of Atlanta history about the death of a prominent downtown businessman in 1896 by a single gunshot, and how corruption, deception and cheating exists in the city government while the 2nd book takes place in '63 in Atlanta where 3 adolescent girls go missing & a killer is on the loose as a young man infatuated with one of the girls gets caught in the drama and suspense of the kidnappers later sets out to find the killer in '80 as a newspaper reporter to really find out who did it! Check out the amazing Mike Cobb and all of his releases on major platforms and www.mikecobbwriter.com today! #mikecobb #atlanta #author #studentofhistory #deadbeckoning #thedevilyouknew #fiction #nonfiction #southernliteraryfiction #atlantahistory #atlantamurder #corruption #kidnapping #spreaker #iheartradio #spotify #applemusic #youtube #anchorfm #bitchute #rumble #mikewagner #themikewagnershow #mikewagnermikecobb #themikewagnershowmikecobb   --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themikewagnershow/support

Atlanta author/writer & student of history Mike Cobb talks about his back-to-back releases “Dead Beckoning” and “The Devil You Knew”! Mike is an amazing writer and student of history with numerous works in fiction, non-fiction (short & long), articles and blogs with a focus on historical fiction, Southern literary fiction, crime fiction, true crime, and rigorous research who originally began his career as a scientist! The 1st book is about a blockbuster story of a cold case from the annals of Atlanta history about the death of a prominent downtown businessman in 1896 by a single gunshot, and how corruption, deception and cheating exists in the city government while the 2nd book takes place in '63 in Atlanta where 3 adolescent girls go missing & a killer is on the loose as a young man infatuated with one of the girls gets caught in the drama and suspense of the kidnappers later sets out to find the killer in '80 as a newspaper reporter to really find out who did it! Check out the amazing Mike Cobb and all of his releases on major platforms and www.mikecobbwriter.com today! #mikecobb #atlanta #author #studentofhistory #deadbeckoning #thedevilyouknew #fiction #nonfiction #southernliteraryfiction #atlantahistory #atlantamurder #corruption #kidnapping #spreaker #iheartradio #spotify #applemusic #youtube #anchorfm #bitchute #rumble #mikewagner #themikewagnershow #mikewagnermikecobb #themikewagnershowmikecobb  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-mike-wagner-show--3140147/support.

On episode 200 of Inside the SCCA presented by RaceSchool.com, we reconnect once again with SCCA President/CEO Mike Cobb. We will talk about the recent changes in club racing classes and as is always the case we'll talk about the success from the last year and what is ahead for 2025. Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! FastLane ⁠RaceSchool.com ⁠ | FastLane is one of California's top SCCA accredited racing schools that offers drivers of all skill levels the best and most fun way to learn competitive track driving. Our programs include defensive driving certifications, high-performance driving days, full SCCA licensing courses and so much more. Whatever your track goals are, our race school will help you achieve them. https://raceschool.com/ Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ - Here's a link to the episode of Inside the SCCA featuring Solo Performance Specialties owner Dave Whitworth    • Inside the SCCA | Solo Performance wi...   Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights - to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday -- Ray Esports is the place to go for SCCA members to racing. What's I like best about the Ray eSports leagues is the racing is much more respectful than the vast majority of eRacing leagues on iRacing. Go to https://rayesportsracing.com/ for all the info you need. Become a patron to support the channel and gain access to exclusive giveaways, Livestream Q&As and more:   / racingwirenetwork  

Many people have dreamed of creating a low-EMF community, most have failed. The ISLA project in Nicaragua is one of the few exceptions, and will start construction in early 2025. In this episode, Nick talks with ECI Developments' Mike Cobb who shares all about this new low-EMF, low-chemicals housing project in Nicaragua. Full show notes available at: https://theemfguy.com/093

Many dream of purchasing international properties, whether for their own use or rentals. Knowing the right questions to ask and understanding how to navigate the buying process in an international location is critical. On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Mike Cobb, CEO of ECI Development, one of Latin America's most exciting, diversified resort development companies providing inspired lifestyles for adventurous souls. Mike's career in international real estate began 30 years ago when he took a trip to Belize. Mike is also the author of “How to Buy Your Home Overseas: And Get It Right the First Time!” As Jonathan and Mike begin their conversation, Mike explains how he initially started buying properties in Belize, ultimately creating a mortgage company and a bank. Mike outlines how he and his business partner began developing properties in Belize and beyond, how relationships with local bankers and developers contributed to the business's success, and two reasons he likes the tough regulatory market in Belize. You'll hear why you must clearly define who your customers are to provide the product they want, the buyer shift and the factors behind that, and how medical tourism influences developments in countries like Belize. Finally, Jonathan and Mike explore the positive impact real estate development can have on a local community, Mike's advice for buying in another country, and what his book offers those who want to purchase international property. If you've ever toyed with buying a home in another country, you won't want to miss Mike Cobb's expert advice backed by years of experience in Latin America. In this episode, you will hear: How Mike Cobb discovered real estate investing opportunities in Belize and created a deal The genesis of Mike and his business partner's mortgage company in the 1990s, which later became a bank catering to foreign property buyers His development projects in Belize and beyond The importance of relationships Mike created with local bankers and developers Two reasons he likes a tough regulatory environment Clearly defining who your customers are to provide the product they want The shift in buyers over the years and the factors that impact who they are Medical tourism and its influence on developing real estate in countries like Belize The positive impact real estate development can have on the local community Mike's advice for buying property in another country How his book can help answer questions about international property purchases Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at https://zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com/podcast/164/ to download it. Supporting Resources: ECI Development's website - ecidevelopment.com Find Mike Cobb on Facebook - www.facebook.com/MichaelKCobb Connect with Mike on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkcobb Website - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

In the latest episode of The Better Learning Podcast, host Kevin Stoller sits down with Mike Cobb, the Futurist in Residence at Forsyth Country Day School and a former member of the NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. This insightful conversation delves into Mike's remarkable journey from working in independent schools in the United States to participating in the groundbreaking NEOM project. Mike shares his transition to NEOM, a futuristic city project in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing its ambitious vision and goals. NEOM aims to revolutionize education with personalized learning experiences, cutting-edge technologies, and a strong focus on teacher-student relationships. Mike highlights the use of facial recognition, biometric feedback, AI robotics, and social robots in enhancing the educational experience. Designed to support NEOM employees and their families, the NEOM Community School provides a unique, flexible learning environment from infancy through the 12th grade. The school focuses on building relationships and giving students agency in their education. Its spaces are designed to be flexible, incorporating natural light and blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor learning. Additionally, the school's scheduling is tailored to meet the needs of employees, offering extended hours and opportunities for personalized learning.   Takeaways: NEOM is a futuristic city project in Saudi Arabia that aims to reimagine education and create personalized pathways for students. Teacher-student relationships are still the most important factor for success in education, even with the use of innovative technologies. NEOM utilizes facial recognition, biometric feedback, AI robotics, and social robots to enhance the learning experience. Mike Cobb's experience in NEOM has shaped his perspective on the future of education and his role as a futurist in residence at Forsyth Country Day School. The Neom Community School in Saudi Arabia was designed to support the employees and families of Neom, starting from infants to the 12th grade.     Mike Cobb is a visionary and results-oriented educational leader with a track record of successfully steering schools towards organizational excellence. With over 34 years of experience, he has served in various roles, including accomplished classroom teacher, division head, admissions/enrollment leader, and Head of School. He is also an international speaker and has been a key education leader in the forward-looking NEOM project in Saudi Arabia.     Sound Bites to Ponder: "The relationships between the teachers and the students were still the number one indicator for success." "We were doing some really cool things using again facial recognition, but we were also using things where we were looking at biometric feedback to look at engagement for students in class." "We blew up the traditional 45-minute class schedule and created a dynamic schedule that allowed for authentic learning and student agency." "Relationships are still the most important thing in education. AI can free up time for teachers to focus on building relationships." "The Neom Community School's spaces were designed to be flexible, bringing in natural light and blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor learning."       Follow on Mike Cobb on Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmcobb1/ Website: https://www.neom.com/       Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.   Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/.   For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/       Episode 187 of the Better Learning Podcast Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.       For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/     Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website!

Our guest today is Mike Cobb, co-founder & CEO of ECI Development and President of Gran Pacifica. Named among the “100 Outstanding CEOs in Central America” by Mercados & Tendencias, Mike left a successful career in the computer industry to pursue opportunities in the emerging real estate markets of Central America. In 1996, he co-founded Exotic Caye International, initially providing loans to North Americans buying properties in Belize and Honduras. As demand grew, the mortgage company transitioned into an international bank under Belize jurisdiction, expanding its financial services. Recognizing the demand for North American-standard real estate for Baby Boomers, Mike led ECI Development into property development. This included a resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize, and a master-planned community in Nicaragua. In 2006, ECI expanded into Costa Rica with a significant land acquisition. Currently, they are developing 200 condominium units on Ambergris Caye. Mike Cobb is also a prominent speaker at international conferences on real estate financing and development. Interview Links: ECI Development Website: https://ecidevelopment.com/ Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter: The Wealth Dojo: https://subscribe.wealthdojo.ai/ Download all the Niches Trilogy Books: The 21 Best Cashflow Niches Digital: ⁠⁠https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-best-cashflow-niches-book⁠⁠ Audio: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/21-best-cashflow-niches⁠ The 21 Most Unique Cashflow Niches Digital: ⁠⁠https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-most-unique-cashflow-niches⁠⁠ Audio: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/21-most-unique-niches⁠ The 21 Best Cash Growth Niches Digital: ⁠https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-best-cash-growth-niches⁠⁠ Audio: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/21-cash-growth-niches Listen To Cashflow Ninja Podcasts: Cashflow Ninja ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cashflowninja⁠ Cashflow Investing Secrets ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cashflowinvestingsecrets⁠ Cashflow Ninja Banking ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cashflow-ninja-banking⁠ Connect With Us: Website: http://cashflowninja.com Podcast: http://resetinvestingsecrets.com Podcast: http://cashflowinvestingsecrets.com Podcast: http://cashflowninjabanking.com Substack: https://mclaubscher.substack.com/ Amazon Audible: https://a.co/d/1xfM1Vx Amazon Audible: https://a.co/d/aGzudX0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashflowninja/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mclaubscher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflowninja/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cashflowninja Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclaubscher/ Gab: https://gab.com/cashflowninja Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/Cashflowninja Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-329875

Mike Cobb, CEO of ECI Development, discusses the concept of freedom and its connection to overseas property investment. He shares insights on the benefits of investing in Latin America, the Azores, and Portugal, emphasizing the affordability and quality of life. Mike also highlights the importance of health, diversity, and the Consumer Resource Guide as a tool for property buyers. The conversation delves into the macroeconomics of investing overseas and the value of international diversification. Takeaways Investing in overseas properties can provide a higher quality of life at an affordable cost, offering diverse opportunities for health, organic living, and financial security. The Consumer Resource Guide is a valuable tool for property buyers, providing essential questions and checklists to ensure informed decision-making when purchasing property overseas. International diversification and the concept of freedom are key considerations for individuals looking to invest in overseas properties, offering a plan B and a layer of financial security. The macroeconomics of investing overseas, including the benefits of international diversification and the value of hard asset investments, provide a compelling case for exploring property opportunities outside one's home country. Chapters 00:00: The Concept of Freedom and Overseas Property Investment 08:04: Affordability and Quality of Life in Latin America and the Azores 15:46: International Diversification and Financial Security

GEORGIA RADIO - Renowned Atlanta-based author Mike Cobb talks with Georgia Radio, offering listeners insights into his multifaceted literary career. Cobb, known for his captivating blend of historical fiction, crime narratives, and true crime accounts, has garnered critical acclaim for his works, which include both fiction and nonfiction pieces.With a background rooted in scientific inquiry, Cobb infuses his writing with rigorous research, lending authenticity to his narratives. His repertoire spans from short stories to full-length novels, alongside articles and blogs of literary significance.Among his notable publications are "Dead Beckoning" and "The Devil You Knew," two gripping tales that have captivated readers with their intricate plots and vivid characterizations. "Dead Beckoning" delves into a cold case from Atlanta's past, weaving a tale of mystery and intrigue set against the backdrop of the city's historical landscape. Meanwhile, "The Devil You Knew" transports readers to 1960s Atlanta, where the disappearance of three young girls sets off a chain of events that culminates in a gripping noir thriller.As Cobb prepares to discuss his literary endeavors on Georgia Radio, anticipation mounts for insights into his upcoming projects. Currently, he is immersed in the creation of a psychological thriller titled "Muzzle the Black Dog" and crafting a sequel to "The Devil You Knew," promising readers further immersion into his intricately crafted worlds.Splitting his time between Atlanta and Blue Ridge, Georgia, Cobb draws inspiration from the diverse landscapes and rich tapestry of Southern culture. His ability to blend historical fact with fictional narratives has earned him a dedicated following, and his upcoming radio appearance is poised to further solidify his status as a literary force in the Georgia community.Listeners eager to delve into the mind of this esteemed author can tune in to Georgia Radio for an exclusive glimpse into Mike Cobb's creative process, influences, and future literary endeavors.QUICK LINK:  https://mgcobb.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/georgia-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Owning raw land, timberland, and farmland is often the domain of the wealthy. This is partly because it is difficult to obtain loans for this property. Today, we discuss an income-producing timberland that also tends to increase in value. For under $7,000 you can own quarter-acre parcels of producing teak trees in Panama and Nicaragua. You can invest yourself. All at once, this provides diversification with a hard asset in a foreign nation and a different product type. Over a twenty-five year period, each $7K quarter-acre teak parcel is projected to return $94K. You get title to the property. Learn more at: www.GREmarketplace.com/Teak With ownership of two quarter-acre parcels, you can qualify for a second residency in Panama for under $22K with legal fees, etc. A SFR does not grow into a duplex. But teak trees grow in volume while its unit price typically appreciates. Teak price growth is historically 5.5% annually. I've met the company CEO and Chairman in-person. This provider has offered this opportunity for 24+ years. They've recently added a sawmill, increasing profits. What are the risks of teak tree investing? Disease, pests, fire, geopolitics and more. They are proven mitigation plans. In-person teak tours for prospective investors are offered. Trees grow through recessions, COVID, market cycles, and Fed rate decisions. Learn more about teak tree investing at: GREmarketplace.com/Teak Timestamps: Welcome to Get Rich Education (00:00:01) Keith Weinhold introduces the podcast and emphasizes the importance of real estate and financial information. The US economy and land ownership (00:01:44) Keith discusses the strength of the US economy and the importance of diverse and resilient real estate portfolios. America's top 100 landowners (00:02:29) Keith talks about the largest landowners in America and the reasons why land ownership is often associated with the wealthy. Investing like a billionaire (00:05:32) Keith introduces the topic of investing in producing land and the benefits of owning producing land. Introduction to ECI Development (00:06:21) Keith introduces Michael Cobb and discusses the company's projects in Latin America. Marriott resort project in Belize (00:07:08) Mike talks about the construction of a Marriott resort in Ambergris Key, Belize, and the challenges of financing such projects. Development and tourism in Belize (00:08:37) Michael Cobb discusses the development and popularity of Ambergris Key, Belize, and the involvement of major hotel brands. Teak tree parcels investment (00:11:30) Michael Cobb explains the investment opportunity in quarter-acre teak tree parcels and the generational wealth stewardship associated with it. Reasons for teak investing (00:14:05) Michael Cobb discusses the reasons why people are interested in teak investing, including hard asset diversification and international residency opportunities. Cash flow cycles and teak investment (00:16:42) Michael Cobb explains the 25-year cash flow cycle associated with teak investments and the generational income potential. Optimal growing conditions for teak (00:19:26) Michael Cobb discusses the optimal growing conditions for teak and the physical growth of the trees. [End of segment] Teak Plantation Locations and Growth (00:19:42) Discussion on the optimal locations for teak growth and the historical track record of teak price growth. Teak Price Growth and Business Plan (00:20:44) The historical 55% annual increase in the value of teak and the business plan's conservative approach to teak price growth. Physical Properties and Residency Opportunities (00:21:33) The value of teak and the opportunities for achieving residency in Panama by owning teak. Residency and Citizenship (00:24:33) Differentiating between residency and citizenship in Panama and the process and benefits of obtaining permanent residency. Sawmill and Value-Added Component (00:27:56) The integration of a sawmill into the investment proposition and the value-added potential of processing teak into lumber. Sawmill Investment Opportunity (00:30:07) Details of the investment opportunity in the sawmill, including the expected return and investment structure. Risks and Mitigation (00:32:41) Discussion on the risks associated with teak plantation investment abroad and the mitigation strategies in place. Property Management and Tours (00:35:25) Outsourcing property management and the availability of tours to visit the teak plantations in Panama. Long-Term Investment Perspective (00:37:43) The long-term growth potential of teak investments and the comparison to the investment strategies of wealthy families and institutions. Earth's Highest Real Estate (00:38:11) Discussion about Earth's highest point, the equatorial bulge, and the location of teak plantations in Panama and Nicaragua. Investing in Teak Parcels (00:38:11) Information about purchasing teak parcels, the absence of loans, and the potential for building wealth through teak investments. Consultation Disclaimer (00:39:34) Disclaimer about seeking professional advice and the potential for profit or loss in investment strategies. Resources mentioned: Show Page: GetRichEducation.com/490 Learn more about teak investing: GREmarketplace.com/Teak For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE  or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments.  You get paid first: Text FAMILY to 66866 Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search “how to leave an Apple Podcasts review”  Top Properties & Providers: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREmarketplace.com/Coach Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— text ‘GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Keith's personal Instagram: @keithweinhold   Complete episode transcript:   Keith Weinhold (00:00:01) - Welcome to gray. I'm your host, Keith Reinhold. An affordable way to simultaneously invest like a billionaire. Get diversified in multiple ways with real estate. Help the earth. And if you prefer, even achieve residency in a second nation today and get rich education. When you want the best real estate and finance info, the modern internet experience limits your free articles access, and it's replete with paywalls. And you've got pop ups and push notifications and cookies. Disclaimers are. At no other time in history has it been more vital to place nice, clean, free content into your hands that actually adds no hype value to your life? See, this is the golden age of quality newsletters, and I write every word of ours myself. It's got a dash of humor and it's to the point to get the letter. It couldn't be more simple text gray to 66866. And when you start the free newsletter, you'll also get my one hour fast real estate course completely free. It's called the Don't Quit Your Daydream letter and it wires your mind for wealth.   Keith Weinhold (00:01:16) - Make sure you read it. Text gray to 66866. Text gray 266866.   Corey Coates (00:01:28) - You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education.   Keith Weinhold (00:01:44) - What category? From Sorrento, Italy to Sacramento, California, and across 188 nations worldwide. I'm Keith Reinhold, and you're listening to get Rich education the Voice of Real Estate since 2014. As we're two months into the year now and the US economy has continued to stay strong. Let me ask, how's your portfolio doing and how resilient is your real estate? How diverse is it? How would you grade yourself on those criteria?   Donald Trump (00:02:17) - I would give myself, I would look, I hate to do it, but I will do it. I would give myself an A-plus. Is that enough? Can I go higher than that?   Keith Weinhold (00:02:29) - Well, well, whether your, I guess, straight A's or not. Consider this land report.com. They recently published a report about America's top 100 Las donors. Now, Lynn could be vacant and nonresidential, yet have active ranching or agriculture or forestry taking place.   Keith Weinhold (00:02:52) - That way the land produces something while it might increase in value at the same time. But the reason that often land is the domain of the wealthy is that it's harder to get loans for land, and therefore one must often pay all cash. Well, by the time they were done. Today, you'll learn about producing land that's actually available at such a low price point that alone typically is not required for you to buy it. In 2024, America's largest land owner is Red Emerson, and that's what the report found. Read and his family owned 2.4 million acres in California, Oregon and Washington through their Timber products company and the number since they became America's largest landowners in 2021, when they acquired 175,000 acres in Oregon from another timber company. Well, with that acquisition, the Emerson surpassed Liberty Media chairman John Malone's 2.2 million acres. And then in third place is CNN founder Ted Turner. Yeah, he's America's third largest landowner, with 2 million acres in the southeast on the Great Plains and across the West. And it was a few years ago now.   Keith Weinhold (00:04:05) - It was 2020 when news broke that Microsoft co-founder Bill gates was America's largest farm land owner, with more than 260,000 acres. So the wealthy are attracted to real assets that can produce yield in something like land, which they aren't making more of. That's the backdrop for today. Surely we'll talk about income producing land, although most years it won't pay out and it's available to any investor, big or small. But before we do, let me share that. About ten days ago, I climbed up the highest point on Earth here while we're talking about non-residential real estate. Well, where was it? Where was I? Yes, I was on Earth's highest piece of real estate. Kind of a trivia question here, and I used to think that that must mean Mount Everest, but it's not. So there's a clue for you there. Where is Earth's highest point is you ponder that. I'll give you the answer later. Let's talk about investing like a billionaire with the opportunity to own producing land did it to you? We've discussed this topic before, but it's been quite some time and there have been some important updates, including a sawmill for the production timber.   Keith Weinhold (00:05:32) - After success in the computer industry, today's guest formed ECI development in 1996. I suppose going on nearly 30 years now. He served on advisory boards for the Na as a resort community developer. They have projects in Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama, and neighborhoods include homes, condominiums, golf courses and over five miles of beachfront. So they got some really beautiful properties. He and I first met in person in 2016. He and his family lived in Central America from 2002 to 2016. It's always fantastic to have back on grea, and I guess I must button up here because it is the chairman and CEO, Michael Cobb. It's good to be with you. Thanks for having me.   Michael Cobb (00:06:21) - Back on the show. It's fun to have these conversations. I didn't realize we met in 2016. That's a little while ago.   Keith Weinhold (00:06:27) - Yeah, it has been eight years. Yes, we met in the region then down there and Mike's about the most relatable and down to earth guy that you can find and literally down to earth is.   Keith Weinhold (00:06:41) - Besides the resort development, you've made it easy and inexpensive for investors worldwide to buy producing teak tree parcels. But before we discuss that, you've got a project that's drawn a lot of interest on Ambergris Key, Belize, which many of our listeners already know, that's Belize's largest island and its top tourist destination. I have visited and owned property there, and it's coming online next year. It's pretty exciting. Tell us about it.   Michael Cobb (00:07:08) - It is exciting. It's been in the works for goodness, eight years. I think we signed our contract with Marriott maybe 7 or 8 years ago. We started construction just about a year ago last January. So almost exactly a year. Yeah, it's a marriott resort, 202 room oceanfront resort. It's fantastic. It will be done in August of 2025. Soft opening heart opening October 25th. So yeah, about 1618 months from now have this project finally finished. You know, the big challenging thing in this part of the world is financing. But it's really hard to get financing or affordable financing.   Michael Cobb (00:07:42) - Let me say it that way. Yeah. And so we took our time and we would not start a project until it was fully funded. I think a lot of challenges are people start these projects are kind of betting on the. Com. Right. Oh well we'll figure it out later. And we don't operate that way. We've been around for yeah 28 years. And so we're very very conservative. And until we had all the money to build the hotel, the resort, we did not start. And so we kicked it off last January. It was just down there last week. Steel is arriving. The superstructure is already going up. Yeah, man. It's just so nice to see it really coming to fruition. But you know, it's prudence and patience to take our time, make sure we have all the funding and then launch so that what we start finishes. And that's really been our mantra for almost three decades now.   Keith Weinhold (00:08:27) - Make it up, make it real, make it happen. In the largest town there on Ambergris Key, Belize, just a few decades ago, it was still this sleepy fishing village.   Keith Weinhold (00:08:37) - And with the setting that that island has and all the great snorkeling and everything else, it's really become popular and is boutique hotels grew into larger hotels. Yeah, it was probably, what, ten years ago perhaps, that you saw some of these big brands start to take more of an interest, like Hilton and Marriott, in branding the buildings what is.   Michael Cobb (00:09:00) - And, you know, I give a presentation called Why Belize, Why Right Now? And you nailed it there when you talked about the timelines. Right. And how a country or a region, it's not even a country in this case. Ambergris key. It's very specific. Right. How ambergris Key Belize has moved through this timeline, this path of progress. And at some point it goes from being a niche market or a no name market to a niche market, to a boutique market. And then all of a sudden, you're right, at some point the brand start to pay attention and then you move into popular acceptance and really mainstream tourism. And so, right.   Michael Cobb (00:09:31) - The cruise ships started going to Belize about 15 years ago, which put Belize as a country into the mind of a more mainstream traveler. And then you're right, about eight, ten years ago, the brand started to pay attention. And we do. We have a Hilton, we have a curio by Hilton, we have an autograph by Marriott, our company, ECI. We picked up the best Western franchise, and so we operate a Best Western on the island for that middle class market. And then Marriott, obviously, for the very high end traveler who wants an oceanfront 4 or 5 star kind of property. So yeah, but the brands are paying attention. And by the way, we're just seeing the beginning of that happening. This popularity curve Belize has entered what I would call the fast growth period. And over the next five, maybe eight years, we're going to see incredible growth in the tourism industry. Airlift is up. JetBlue just started flying down. So we're starting to WestJet. So we've got Canadian Air.   Michael Cobb (00:10:22) - We've got a discount carrier southwest. So when those things start to happen what you see is a market dynamism that's you know really it's exciting and it's going to change. Very, very rapidly. The pace of change is going to grow rapidly as well. So great time to look at Belize. If folks are interested in sort of that positioning in the path of progress in the marketplace.   Keith Weinhold (00:10:43) - Each time I visit Ambergris Key, Belize, the level of development increase is palpable. And, you know, this is an opportunity for a US or Canadian buyer or a buyer from outside that nation to come in. And it's just a very easy step with the English language and the common law in Belize, where you can invest yourself in this Marriott project that Mike discussed. Now, Mike, a while ago, to change topics, you recognize that the world has been really deforested and losing its valuable teak hardwood forests so continuously since 1999, you've offered a program so that individual investors at a really affordable price. We'll get to that price later.   Keith Weinhold (00:11:30) - They can own quarter acre parcels with the property deeded in their name, and reap the benefits and returns from the growth of the teakwood on top of the land. And now this is pretty novel, because for hundreds of years, only the hedge funds and super wealthy had access to an investment like this. So get us up to date with what you're doing on the teak hardwoods, because I know that so many of our listeners and viewers have already gotten involved.   Michael Cobb (00:11:56) - They haven't really. Thank you for being one of the people who put the word out there. Right? Because most people don't even know you can own teak or let's just back it up and you say, own timber, right? You start there. You're right. Only the super rich land barons, hedge funds. Those are the people that have always owned timber for centuries. Right. And so I think in most people's minds it's like, oh, I can't even get there. How would I even do that? Right. Well, then you take it overseas and you take it into something very, very specific, like teak timber.   Michael Cobb (00:12:25) - That's just not on anyone's radar. So. So you have done a great job. Thank you for getting the word out to just let folks know that this is something that they can do. So quarter acre teak parcels. We are now on our third plantation in Panama. We have one in Nicaragua as well. And so we're in our third plantation in Panama. Just because of the incredible number of folks, well over a thousand folks now who have decided they want to invest in own teak. You said something really interesting, Keith. You said you get to own the land, you get title to land and you get the harvest of the trees. That's absolutely correct. But it gets better because when the trees are harvested, they get replanted. And then the next generation of people your children, your grandchildren, whoever that might be, get the next harvest. But because you still own the land and the trees are replanted, a third harvest, you know, and a fourth harvest. So what you've really created with teak ownership is generational wealth stewardship.   Michael Cobb (00:13:24) - And that is something that's just so far beyond the comprehension of so many people that it can be so easy and so affordable to do.   Keith Weinhold (00:13:32) - I'm an investor myself in producing land like this in Latin America, so I know what some of my reasons are for being interested in this. And yes, it's more than the fact that I'm just a geography guy. It's the fact that I know I'm diversifying in multiple ways at the same time, a different product type in residential real estate. And I'm getting international diversification in a different nation, for starters. So are those some of the reasons that you see for why so many people are interested in teak investing like this? What are their reasons?   Michael Cobb (00:14:05) - Yeah, I think you've nailed a big part of it, which is the hard asset. A lot of folks, your listeners, readers in the news that are right, I mean, hard assets are important. I hope more people recognize that. Right. And more and more people are, thank goodness. So hard. Asset real estate being this particular hard asset.   Michael Cobb (00:14:22) - Right. And then the international diversification, one of the challenges we have is us, especially in Canadians to some degree, is that we kind of locked into the US system like we can own, say, Toyota stock, right? Japanese company, we can own Nestlé, a Swiss company, but generally we're doing it on the New York Stock Exchange. And so even if we own an international stock, it's still the US basket are still the Canadian basket that we hold it in. Right. And so when you physically own a titled property outside your home country, you have now truly diversified internationally. And there's a lot of prudence in that. And even just tiny little percentages of your portfolio, 5% of your portfolio, 10% of your portfolio outside your home country and hard assets is prudent because you want some other baskets for those nest eggs. Antiqued because it's such a low price point of entry with a huge yield, by the way, that it has become very, very popular for folks who want that international diversification in a hard asset.   Michael Cobb (00:15:23) - But to have the true international diversification because it's a physical asset outside your home country. And then I. Just say this and we can pick up on the theme or not. The other reason that people are looking at teak in Panama and Nicaragua, by the way, both countries, is because of the availability or the qualification for a visa for a second residency. And a lot of times people look at that as a plan B, if we kind of think maybe the US is going off the rails or Canada or wherever your home country is at, or it could go off the rails. Doesn't have to be now. It could be going off the rails in the future. You sort of that Boy Scout mentality of, you know what, I want a plan B, and if we have a second residency outside our home country, we now have an option. If we don't like the way things are going or where they get to, we can actually pick up and we can move and we have the right legal right, because we have a residency to live in another country.   Michael Cobb (00:16:17) - That's another reason that a lot of people have picked up the teak because it qualifies you for that residency. But I think the bigger reason is the international hard asset diversification. I think that's the leading reason people do it.   Keith Weinhold (00:16:31) - I want to ask you more about the residency shortly, but tell us more about the investment. We're thinking about maybe capital growth as the trees grow. And then what about the income?   Michael Cobb (00:16:42) - Sure. And so I think let me back it up. A lot of people think in cash flow cycles, right? If we have a job, we get paid every two weeks. You know, you have a lot of folks that have invested in properties. We get a monthly rent check, right? Or if we have stocks, maybe we get a quarterly or annual dividend. Right. So those are the what I would call the common time frames that we think about in cash flow. But what the Uber wealthy, what the hedge funds, what the family offices, what the endowment for places like Harvard, Yale, these big institution or big institutional thinkers have known for centuries is that there are actually other cash flow cycles that are largely ignored by the what I would say, the average investor.   Michael Cobb (00:17:21) - And those cash flow cycles are much longer. Teak, for example, is a 25 year cash flow cycle, right? You plant the trees and in 25 years you harvest them. You plant them again, not them. You plant new ones, right? In 25 years you harvest those and then so on and so on. So what you're creating is this 25 year cash flow machine. Now the kinds of returns are truly outsized. I mean you're talking about double digit ers. Now a lot of people say, well Mike, that's great. But what happens if I need the money in year 15? You can't have it because there is no money in year 15. Your trees are still growing, right? So it's this weird investment timeline. It's almost flatlined until the very end. And then it jumps way up and then it drops back down to a flatline again. And so it'd be silly to put tons of money into teak unless you had thousand times tons of money, right? But for some small piece of your investment portfolio where you have enough cash flow coming in from your maybe your job, your rent, your dividends, whatever, that a small piece that moves into this 25 year cash flow cycle with the thought process that this is how I steward wealth into the future, to children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, because the 25 year cycle is almost generational, right? In fact, in the US, it probably is generational because we're having children in the ages of, you know, 25 to 30.   Michael Cobb (00:18:44) - So it kind of starts to line up with generational income as opposed to, you know, sort of that whatever biweekly, monthly, yearly income. So it's just a different cash flow cycle.   Keith Weinhold (00:18:56) - That's right. And I brought up before that, when you think about the growth of one of your investments, you now get to think about it in two ways. If you own a duplex, it might have growth in its price. However, it doesn't grow into a fourplex and have growth in its price. However, with teak, you might have an increase in the value of the wood, perhaps on a board foot unit basis, and at the same time it is growing in height and volume.   Michael Cobb (00:19:26) - Absolutely no. That's a cute way to say it. I never really thought about a duplex growing into a fourplex, right? That's good. Exactly. And so what you do, you're right. You have the physical growth of the trees. And we have located our plantations in the optimal growing conditions, fatigue. And they are very known.   Michael Cobb (00:19:42) - Right? I mean, the British started plantation growing teak 350 almost 400 years ago in Southeast Asia. And so the Brits have just meticulously kept statistical records of every plantation that they were involved with the altitude, soil type, rainfall, temperature, on and on and on. And so it's really well known exactly where teak will grow well, and both where we have our plantations, it does Nicaragua and Panama, and we'll stick on Panama today, but the locations are dead center bull's eye locations for the best optimal growing of teak. So you have this growth of a physical thing, right. But you mentioned the board foot price. And by the way, the track record on teak being grown in plantations is 350 years. So what a track record, right? But since 1970. Two. The average price of teak over 5152 years has been 5.5% a year. That's the growth in the price of teak, right? And so you know who knows the future, right? I mean, the future is the future, right.   Michael Cobb (00:20:44) - But if a 50 year track record on a 5.5% increase in the value of the teak itself is pretty powerful, right? That's the long track record of nice growth. And when we factor in our teak into our business plan, we take that 5.5 and we make it zero. We just say, what if there is no increase in the price of teak over 25 years? How much will the tree grow? And if that tree is cut down and is sold as lumber? When we'll talk about our Solomon in a minute. If that tree is sold as lumber, what's the value of that lumber today? And what will the tree be worth in that value 25 years from now? And so if things do continue to increase at 5.5% a year, that's just all gravy. And that just starts to take that rate of return and just ratcheted up even further.   Keith Weinhold (00:21:33) - Teak has a number of physical properties that make it valuable, from its beauty to its fire resistance and more. Mike has now touched on a few interesting things.   Keith Weinhold (00:21:44) - We'll come back and talk about that soon, including how you can achieve residency in Panama by owning teak, what the risks are, and more about their sawmill that he just mentioned, adding value to the operation there. And then we're going to talk about what the prices are. We're talking with ECI Development Chairman and CEO Michael Cobb more when we come back. I'm your host, Keith Wynn. You know, I'll just tell you, for the most passive part of my real estate investing, personally, I put my own dollars with Freedom Family Investments because their funds pay me a stream of regular cash flow in returns, or better than a bank savings account, up to 12%. Their minimums are as low as 25 K. You don't even need to be accredited for some of them. It's all backed by real estate and that kind of love. How the tax benefit of doing this can offset capital gains and your W-2 jobs income. And they've always given me exactly their stated return paid on time. So it's steady income, no surprises while I'm sleeping or just doing the things I love.   Keith Weinhold (00:22:52) - For a little insider tip, I've invested in their power fund to get going on that text family to 66866. Oh, and this isn't a solicitation. If you want to invest where I do, just go ahead and text family to six, 686, six. Role under this specific expert with income property, you need Ridge Lending Group and MLS for 256 injury history from beginners to veterans. They provided our listeners with more mortgages than anyone. It's where I get my own loans for single family rentals up to four Plex's. Start your pre-qualification and chat with President Charlie Ridge personally. They'll even customize a plan tailored to you for growing your portfolio. Start at Ridge Lending group.com Ridge lending group.com.   Speaker 5 (00:23:49) - This is the Real World Network's Cathy Fekete, and you are listening to the always valuable get Rich education with Keith Reinhold.   Keith Weinhold (00:24:06) - You're listening to the SOS created more financial freedom for busy people just like you than nearly any show in the world. This is guitarist education. I'm your host, Keith Whitehill. We're talking with ECI development chairman and CEO Mike Cobb about teak hardwood investing in Panama and Nicaragua.   Keith Weinhold (00:24:22) - Like, tell us more about how one can achieve residency, for example, in Panama if they own teak there maybe just how residency varies from citizenship?   Michael Cobb (00:24:33) - Sure. Well, why don't we start with the second part, how residency differs from citizenship. And there's a good place to start. You know, citizenship is you become a citizen of the country. You have a passport, you can vote. You have every legal right of that country. Right. The decision would have residency to use a US term is like a green card, right? It's the legal permission to live in that country for some period of time. Many of them are permanent. In fact, Panama's is permanent. So once you have a Panama permanent residency, you could literally pick up, you could move there tomorrow, and you could live for the rest of your life in Panama. And so it gives you the legal right to live there. But you don't have a passport. You can't vote. I guess that's the main difference, right? You don't have a passport, you can't vote.   Michael Cobb (00:25:18) - But for most people, in fact, the overwhelming majority of people, a residency delivers exactly what somebody wants, which is the ability to live somewhere. Right? And we don't care if we vote or not. I mean, right, we'd still be citizens of our home country, US, Canada, or wherever we can vote back home or citizen. We have our passport from those countries, but the right to live somewhere else is powerful. And so the teak in Panama qualifies you in two ways for two quarter acre parcels, and then the legal fees and stuff like that. It's just under 22,000. A little less gives you permanent residency in Panama. Right? That's such an affordable way to be able to I call it the back pocket. Right. The insurance policy or the plan B in the sense that, like, I think a lot of folks are worried about the direction things are headed. And, you know, you have the teak parcels, which are going to produce a tremendous return. And then this byproduct that you qualify for and you have to go, you have to get down there a couple times.   Michael Cobb (00:26:16) - I mean, there's a little bit of administrative stuff, some legal fees, that's all included in that 22,000. Right. So that's all included. You have to go there a couple times. So there's a little bit of friction I would say. But when you get finished with that friction, you are a permanent resident of Panama and you only have to go there one day every two years. So you fly down every other year, whatever. Go, go talk to your trees, maybe sing to your trees a little bit, whatever you want to do and fly. All right. And you have a permanent residency. So it's a very easy, fast way to get that plan B now in the future, if you ever said, well, I really love Panama, I'd like to live here. Panama is beautiful. The city itself, it's got skyscrapers, apartments on the 50th floor of use or killer. You can be out on the beach or somewhere. You can be up in the mountains. So there are a lot of different climates and geographies in Panama where you might say to yourself, yeah, I think I want to come down here and live someday.   Michael Cobb (00:27:09) - Well, you already have your residency. You already have the legal right to do that.   Keith Weinhold (00:27:14) - Yeah, I mean, 100%. Now, Panama isn't predominantly English speaking like Belize is, but Panama just has a lot of inherent familiarity and feel to a lot of Americans. Since the canal is there and there is that strong American presence, and they've even dollarization their economy there, for example, in Panama. So it might be that nice plan B for you. And tell us more about the residency and the investment into the sawmill and how that works. So it sounds like there's now a value added component is you essentially vertically integrated and now have this sawmill with the teeth. Tell us more about that.   Michael Cobb (00:27:56) - So we've always factored in the sawmill into the investment proposition. Because if we were to just take the logs for example, 25 years, you cut down the trees, you stick the logs in the container and send them off to China or India, which is where most of the logs go. The return on investments.   Michael Cobb (00:28:13) - It's not great, it's okay, but it's not great. The way you actually get a phenomenal return on investment is you take those logs and you turn them into lumber, which has about a 3 to 4 x differential, or what we call first stage end product or simple end product, which would be something like flooring, which is basically lumber that's been finished one more level rooted and bulldozed so that you can put them together right on a wood floor. So those two modifications from the log all the way to the first degree of finished product, the returns start to really jack it up into that double digit IRR right over 25 years, which again is phenomenal. So we talked about price. But just to give an idea, a $7,000 quarter acre parcel at harvest turned into lumber and first level finished. Product turns into about $94,000, right? So 7000 turns into $90,000, which is a tremendous return. But the way you get that return is to deliver to the marketplace lumber and first grade finished product. And so Soma has always been part of our business plan.   Michael Cobb (00:29:19) - Well, we are now two years away from our harvest on our first plantation, the one I planted back in 1999. Right? I mean, it's incredible thinking that, you know, 20, gosh, 24 years ago planted a teak plantation. So we're two years from harvest. We have one more set of kind of odds and end thinning of just trees that didn't quite grow. Right. We're going to use those thinning over the next couple of years to practice in our sawmill. Because you know what? We are going to make mistakes. I mean, you don't ever get it right the first time. So we're going to make mistakes. We're going to learn from them. And by the time we actually do the real harvest of that first plantation, 100 acres of teak, two years from now, we will be up to speed with our sawmill will size up, we'll capacity up to do that. But yeah, so folks can actually we have a $2 million opening in the sawmill. And it's a real simple formula.   Michael Cobb (00:30:07) - It's two times your money and then a proportionate 10% interest in the sawmill. So for example, just rough numbers off the top of my head. You put in $100,000, you get twice your money back in about a 3 to 4 year period. As a sawmill really becomes operational. We take the first harvest, like the thinning, aren't going to produce much. In fact, we hope to just basically kind of break even over the next two years while we practice. Then we cut down 100 acres of teak. We start putting that through the sawmill, right? So you get two extra money, you invest 100 to get back to 100, and then your return would be about 13 or $14,000 a year. On going after that, because you get a 10% carried interest in the sawmill into the future as well. So that's the investment opportunity that produces a shorter cash flow, much tighter on the cash flow. But then a nice trailer for many years. But the investment is 100,000. So it's a more significant investment than, say, somebody wanting a little bite sized piece of a quarter acre parcel or two quarter acre type parcels paired with the residency that gets you that.   Michael Cobb (00:31:13) - So a couple different levels of investment depending on what your goals are, but also what your timelines are.   Keith Weinhold (00:31:19) - We described the sawmill investment numbers there. And then just to clarify, on the quarter acre parcels, they cost $7,000 each with an expected value or return of $94,000 after 25 years.   Michael Cobb (00:31:37) - That's correct. 6880. I'm using round numbers, but 6880 is the quarter acre teak and right at harvest when it processes through the sawmill. A little over that, but $94,000 is returned to the investor along the way. I'll mention this. There are maintenance fees. It's about $150 a year. We just take a credit card. We just tap it once a year. That takes care of property taxes, thinning, cleaning, anything that they have to do with the plantation. So $150 a year, your maintenance fee. But yeah, 6880 turns into 94,025 years. If teak continues to go up at 5.5% a year, the return would be better than that.   Keith Weinhold (00:32:16) - You probably have investors that come in oftentimes from North America, maybe some from Europe, and they see this as a really low cost of entry, $6,880 for one quarter acre parcel.   Keith Weinhold (00:32:29) - So are there any risks that one should consider? Therefore, if they're a first time investor abroad, maybe something they're not thinking about if they buy a rental single family home in their own hometown?   Michael Cobb (00:32:41) - Yeah. Very different. I mean, in some ways it's very different. In other ways it's pretty similar. Right. You're going to get title to the property. The process of getting title will be a little different. You're going to have to send in copies of your passport, a notarized utility bill. Just some things that you wouldn't have to do if you were buying a property in the States. But at the end of the day, you will get what's called Escritorio Publica public title. So it's a registered land deed. And so that part of it's all pretty similar risk factors. Absolutely. The business plan has them in there. But the big ones are any kind of disease. It's monoculture. So I mean a disease could come through and kill all the trees. Right. The good thing there is, again, teak has a 350 year track record of being managed and grown in plantations.   Michael Cobb (00:33:24) - So it has a long track record where they've kind of figured out, well, if this happens, then do this or if this pest comes along. This is how we, you know, we mitigate that, but nothing can mitigate all risk. That fire is an interesting one. Fire is a risk in the first three years of teak. So we call it baby teak. But once the tea trees are 3 to 4 years old, they're really above any kind of fire. Because you clean the plantation and the guys are in there with the machetes chopping to keep the, you know, the brushed and grass down in the dry season, which, by the way, you mention the qualities of teak, the hardness of teak is actually the most. Prized quality. And so the hardest of the teak that we get will actually be taken and sold as marine lumber, which is an unbelievable differential in price. But only 5 to 10% of your teak would qualify as marine lumber. So it's a small percentage, but the value of that is very, very high because it's set to hardwood.   Michael Cobb (00:34:20) - But the rest of the tree is also likewise very hard. The dry season is what cures the teak. And so in the dry season teak drops its leaves. And so it's very resistant to fire. If you do good maintenance on the plantation, we do so fires only a risk really in the first three years. And we actually warranty the trees of a fire comes through. In the first three years. We replant the plantation for any parts that are burned. So there's sort of a warranty that comes with the first three years. I mean, the other risks are political risk. What if Panama goes off the rails? The good thing about Panama, it's got the canal. And that is a major, vital strategic US interest. I just don't see the US letting Panama kind of go off the rails. But it could. But those I think are the three what I would call main risk factors. And we mitigate those to the best way possible.   Keith Weinhold (00:35:13) - You heard Mike mention about the thinning and cleaning. Yes, there is ongoing management, but that is already handled and taken care of in any of the prices that you already mentioned.   Keith Weinhold (00:35:24) - Is that right, Mike?   Michael Cobb (00:35:25) - Yeah, correct. And we outsource to a company called Geo Forest. All Geo Forest, all. They've been our plantation manager from since 1999. And and they're phenomenal. What they do, their world class. They've been doing it for longer than 25 years, maybe 30 years at this point. But we outsource what we have to outsource because we're not management plantation managers. So we can find folks that are.   Keith Weinhold (00:35:47) - The same property manager for a quarter century, a property manager that actually doesn't get fired. Hey, that's a novel concept. Two times two is what some investors back here in the U.S. are thinking with their residential real estate investments. If you want to learn more about this investment, I encourage you to check it out. You can do that through Gray Marketplace at Gray marketplace.com/teak. Mike, do you still offer tours.   Michael Cobb (00:36:16) - Oh my goodness yes. And I hope that you will take us up on the opportunity to come down and see the dairy and province. But yes, we do.   Michael Cobb (00:36:24) - And I don't know the dates off the top of my head, but for folks who are interested, uh, two things. One, we actually run a tour that's fun because it's a group of people and it's just, you know, you come down and you do it. But if somebody says, hey, I can't make those dates, but I want to come see the trees. Yeah, it's very reasonable. I think it's a couple hundred bucks. They pick you up at your hotel, they'll run you out to the plantation, bring you back. But it's a whole day. I mean, it's four hours outside of Panama City and four hours back, so it's a long day. And if it's a couple, it's still 200. It's basically for the vehicle out and back. Right? The driver and the vehicle. So you can come anytime or you can come with a group. And if you come with a group there is no charge. I mean, we get the van or the bus and we pay for it all.   Michael Cobb (00:37:03) - And yeah, we make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and we have fun.   Keith Weinhold (00:37:07) - All right. Well, I think people have probably covered for the tea more than the sandwiches, but that is a nice touch that you do for people because you do that whether someone is a great investor or not, whether they haven't invested at all yet, and they just want to go ahead and check it out. And you can learn more about those dates at GR marketplace.com/teague Mike, it's always such a fun chat to discuss something so exotic. It's been great having you back on the show.   Michael Cobb (00:37:34) - Nice to be back with you. I look forward to seeing you in Panama one of these days.   Keith Weinhold (00:37:43) - Trees grow through recessions, they grow through market cycles, they grow through Covid, and trees just keep growing through every single fed rate decision. The wealthiest families on the planet, the top 1%. They have locked up vast portions of their wealth for timeframes even longer than the 25 year peak harvest cycle. In fact, Harvard has fully 10% of its endowment, specifically in timber.   Keith Weinhold (00:38:11) - To follow up on what I asked earlier, as we're discussing non-residential real estate today, Earth's highest point above sea level is Mount Everest. The highest from base to peak is Monica. But Earth's highest piece of land, uh, the highest point is measured from the center of the Earth is Chimborazo Volcano, Ecuador. That's because Earth is not a perfect sphere. But there's an equatorial bulge. That's what I was climbing ten days ago. Earth's highest real estate, Chimborazo, was also there for the closest real estate to the sun and moon. But back down here at a lower elevation where the teak plantations are in Panama and Nicaragua, there are no loans for teak. But at prices under seven K, many GRI listeners have found that they don't need a loan and they have bought ten or more parcels. But you can buy as few as 1 or 2 a quarter acre teak parcels and then later cash it out for yourself or build that wealth legacy for your family. Kind of like the top 1%. If it sounds interesting to you, learn more.   Keith Weinhold (00:39:22) - Get started at GR marketplace.com/t. Until next week. I'm your host, Keith Wild. Don't quit your day dream.   Speaker 6 (00:39:34) - Nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get Rich education LLC exclusively. The.   Keith Weinhold (00:40:02) - The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth building. Get rich education.com.

On episode 150 of Inside the SCCA, we catch up with SCCA President and CEO Mike Cobb. Mike was our guest on episode 50... and I asked him if he would come back every 50 episodes to update us on all things SCCA. Much to my surprise (although I did put him on the spot during a show) he said yes. Then he actually came back for episode 100, and now it's time for episode 150. A lot has happened over the two or so years since that first appearance and I look forward to getting Mike's take on the state of the club and what he and the staff are cookin' up for 2024. Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! Race-Keeper is the official in-car video system of Inside the SCCA -- find out more at https://www.race-keeper.com/ Use the Promo Code "ROK25HH" for 25% off the RoadKeeper and you get a free OBDII scanner -- a $99 value. This Promo Code is good through 12/31/23. Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights - to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday -- Ray Esports is the place to go for SCCA members to racing. What's I like best about the Ray eSports leagues is the racing is much more respectful than the vast majority of eRacing leagues on iRacing. Go to https://rayesportsracing.com/ for all the info you need. Become a patron to support the channel and gain access to exclusive giveaways, Livestream Q&As and more:   / racingwirenetwork  

In the dynamic landscape of education, leaders face challenges that demand agility, a bias toward action, and a keen understanding of the role technology plays in shaping the learning environment. In a recent podcast segment, Mike Cobb, a seasoned head of school, shared his perspectives on leadership, the integration of technology, and the evolving nature of education.Mike Cobb's leadership philosophy revolves around the idea of avoiding the pursuit of perfection. He encourages focus on tasks that can be completed at 80%, allowing for the exploration of additional opportunities. His experiences at All Saints exemplify this approach, where the school took on 31 construction projects, showcasing the impact achievable even when not striving for absolute perfection.In the realm of education, especially amid the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous challenges (VUCA), Mike advocates for a bias toward action. Recognizing the limited time educators have with students, he emphasizes the need to prioritize impactful actions over bureaucratic perfection. This perspective encourages a proactive and adaptive mindset in addressing the ever-evolving landscape of education.Mike also stresses the importance of assembling teams with diverse strengths and perspectives. Reflecting on his collaboration with Jason Kern, an operations-savvy leader, Mike highlights the value of differing viewpoints within a team. Their collaboration at Oak Ridge and All Saints showcased a dynamic where thoughtful, methodical approaches complemented action-oriented decision-making, fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared objectives.The conversation seamlessly transitions to the integration of technology in education, where Mike reflects on the evolution from the first classroom computer to the current era of artificial intelligence (AI). While acknowledging the historical apprehensions around technological advancements, Mike expresses excitement about AI's potential to enhance learning experiences. From facilitating students' daily workflows to streamlining teachers' tasks, AI emerges as a transformative force with the potential to deepen and streamline the educational process.Looking ahead, Mike envisions a future of education centered around personalized learning pathways, authentic experiences, and embedded technology. The core principles of his educational vision include personalization, embedding competencies seamlessly into learning, and providing flexible schedules to accommodate deep dives into subjects of interest. Mike challenges the conventional approach of preparing students for jobs we know about, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability in a rapidly changing job market.In a delightful revelation, Mike shares his passion for car renovation. Beyond the confines of educational leadership, Mike is a car enthusiast with an impressive collection of 25 cars awaiting his attention. He highlights the sentimental value attached to each car, with a special mention of a 1970 C 10 truck renovated with his daughter, embodying a cherished dream that transcends the world of academia.Mike Cobb's insights offer a glimpse into the mindset of an educational leader navigating the complexities of the present while envisioning a future marked by innovation, personalization, and adaptability. As education continues to evolve, leaders like Mike serve as beacons, guiding institutions toward holistic, technology-integrated approaches that prioritize impactful action over perfection. Beyond the school halls, Mike is a multifaceted leader dedicated to both the academic and personal growth of those he serves.

Mike Cobb is the founder and CEO of ECI Development. After vacationing in Belize in 1993, Mike saw the opportunity to help others own properties overseas. Realizing that not everyone wants to be in Belize, the company expanded to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, and Portugal. Over the last 27 years, ECI Development has focused on providing customers with a product that fits their specific needs, rather than trying to sell people a cookie-cutter solution.There are basically two types of people who relocate overseas in retirement: those who are running FROM something (local politics, relationships) and those who are running TO something (better weather, improved quality of life). While both types can find new lives as expats, those who are running TO something tend to have better results.Mike points out that there are many things to consider when moving overseas. The language barrier can be a big problem for some people, as can living with various economic classes close together. Many people find it very difficult to be faced with the poverty that surrounds them in Latin America. Cultural differences are also big. Mike suggests that the most important thing to remember when travelling overseas is humility - "We don't know what we don't know".Mike offers his Consumer Resource Guide to assist people in making this transition. The guide contains information on how to prepare for relocation, including a quiz to gauge your preparation level. It also contains information on each of the Latin American countries in which ECI has developments.Download the Consumer Resource Guide by visiting ECI's website at:https://ecidevelopment.com/

Episode 133 of Inside the SCCA is a brief chat with SCCA President and CEO Mike Cobb. We caught up for a few minutes as this year's Runoffs wrapped up. We chatted about the new B-Spec deal, his thoughts looking ahead to 2024... and the Runoffs return to Road America next year. Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! ---- Our Coverage of the 2022 and 2023 SCCA Runoffs is presented by Goodyear Racing - https://www.racegoodyear.com/ ---- RaceKeeper is the Official in-car Video system of Inside the SCCA -- https://www.race-keeper.com/ Become a patron to support the channel and gain access to exclusive giveaways, Livestream Q&As and more: https://www.patreon.com/racingwirenet...

THIS WEEK ON INSIDE THE SCCA: Episode 118 of Inside the SCCA is our first episode from the 50th SCCA Solo Nationals in Lincoln, NE. We heard about a driver who is driving a car that has been in her family for more than 50 years... and it competed in the first solo nationals in 1972. We also caught up with the SCCA's President and CEO Mike Cobb, last year's CSP National Champion and you'll find out why I consider the Solo Nats Burning Man for gearheads. Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! Our coverage of the 50th SCCA Solo Nationals in Lincoln is presented by Mazda Motorsports -- Please check out these links to learn more about all they do for grassroots racers. Spec MX-5 Challenge – THE Driver Development Series https://specmx-5.com/ Updated 1.3.23: Spec MX-5 Four Pillars + Rules & Regs (VTS with Penalties) – Mazda Motorsports https://www.mazdamotorsports.com/2023/01/11/spec-mx-5-the-kit-and-the-why/ ---- Our Coverage of the 2022 and 2023 SCCA Runoffs is presented by Goodyear Racing - https://www.racegoodyear.com/ ---- RaceKeeper is the Official in-car Video system of Inside the SCCA -- https://www.race-keeper.com/ Become a patron to support the channel and gain access to exclusive giveaways, Livestream Q&As and more: https://www.patreon.com/racingwirenet...

Episode 103 of Inside the SCCA we are joined by SCCA President & CEO Mike Cobb -- we get caught up on where the club is and where it's going after five years on the job. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/racingwire/support

The THC Outline Ebay Auction: https://www.ebay.com/usr/highersidechats ***Click here to join THC+ and get full uninterrupted 2 hour episodes, a dedicated Plus RRS feed, lifetime forum access, merch discounts, & other bonuses like free downloads of THC music.*** See detailed sign up options down below. About Today's Guest: Mike Cobb is the Co-Founder and CEO of ECI Development, where he has been educating people on emerging Expat communities and helping folks obtain residency, acquire property, & even just make investments all across Central America since he first started exploring such things in the mid-90s. Now, ECI Development can help almost anyone looking to escape the rat race, improve their standard of living, or get out of what seems to be an Empire in Decline. If you've been thinking about a Plan B ECI Development should be Option A. Get Mike's Consumer Resource Guide for free ny emailing him at Mike.Cobb@ECIDevelopment.com Tell him THC sent you. Explore the great range of options from ECI Development at www.ecidevelopment.com THC Links: Website Proper MeetUps Calendar THC T-shirts & Merch Store  Leave a voicemail for the Joint Session Bonus Shows Leave us an iTunes review THC Communities:  Telegram Subreddit THC Plus Sign-Up Options: Subscribe via our website for a full-featured experience, or Subscribe via Patreon, including the full Plus archive, a dedicated RSS feed, & payment through Paypal. To get a year of THC+ by cash, check, or money order please mail the payment in the amount of $96 to: Greg Carlwood PO Box: 153291 San Diego, CA 92195 Cryptocurrency If you'd like to pay the $96 for a year of THC+ via popular Cryptocurrencies, transfer funds and then send an email to support@thehighersidechats.com  with transaction info and your desired username/password. Please give up to 48 hours to complete. Bitcoin: 1AdauF2Mb7rzkkoXUExq142xfwKC6pS7N1 Ethereum: 0xd6E9232b3FceBe165F39ACfA4843F49e7D3c31d5 Litecoin: LQy7GvD5Euc1efnsfQaAX2RJHgBeoDZJ95 Ripple: rnWLvhCmBWpeFv9HMbZEjsRqpasN8928w3 Solana: FvsBazMY9GAWuWqh5RH7musm9MPUw7a5uF6NVxxhNTqi Doge: D7ueXbfcKfhdAWrDqESrFjFV6UxydjsuCC Monero: 4ApmFHTgU72QybW194iJTZHZb6VmKDzqh5MDTfn9sw4xa9SYXnX5PVDREbnqLNLwJwc7ZqMrYPfaVXgpZnHNAeZmSexCDxM

Adam Carswell shares his next level interview with Mike Cobb, Founder of ECI Development, on the Liberland Show as they discuss how Mike has created international communities that foster freedom, togetherness, and high quality of life. In this episode, Adam and Mike talk about:The advantages of attending Presidents' Week ConferenceWhat inspired Mike to pursue a free-thinking political and economic lifestyleCommunity-building in Nicaragua for a higher quality of lifeThe comparison between living in one of Mike's international communities versus in developed country like the US Adam would like to give a huge thanks to Mike for coming on the Dream Chasers platform and sharing his knowledge and experience. Contact Mike Cobb: liberland@ecidevelopment.com  Watch the Episode: https://youtu.be/YHFZL6LKql0  Episode Resources:Adam J. Carswell Facebook Group | RaiseMasters | Liberland Show - Episode 92 with Mike Cobb | Liberland Show | ECI Development | Carswell.io Timestamped Shownotes:00:08 – Host Adam Carswell introduces Mike Cobb, Founder of ECI Development 02:33 – What are the benefits of the conference Mike recently held in Las Vegas?08:14 – What makes the attendees of Mike's conference such quality connections?12:27 – What has inspired Mike to build his career and form his political beliefs over the years?24:20 – How has Mike built communities internationally over the past 26 years and how can you get involved? 29:27 – How is the Wifi in Mike's communities in Nicaragua what parts are EMF-free?31:55 – How does purchasing goods in these Nicaraguan communities compare to stores in US cities and developed countries?36:49 – What would Mike like to see happen in the Liberland community?41:24 – What exciting changes are happening that could affect Liberland's first physical buildings?

Mike Cobb, founder of ECI Development returns to discuss updates on his real estate and community developments in Latin America. We dive into how the communities function to get a better understanding of what kind of solutions are available for freedom lovers. Mike goes into what it means to have a freedom mindset and the mental shackles we place on ourselves. Mike left a successful 12-year career in the computer industry to pursue opportunities in the Real Estate market, accurately predicting a growing need for high-quality residential housing for North American Baby Boomers. He discusses the plethora of living options in Central America such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Belize with a climate and lifestyle for anyone. We also talk about ECI's new acquisition at El Zonte also known as Bitcoin Beach. Check out the podcast to hear more about your options for moving to Central America whether you're paying with crypto or fiat.ECI Development: https://info.ecidevelopment.com/-get-to-know-us/The-Conscious-RenegadeRenegade Lifestyle: renegadelifestyle.net

As an investor, you don't want to put all your eggs in one basket because you just never know. And as you're scouting for options – think international diversification! In this episode, Erik Cabral speaks with real estate investor Mike Cobb of ECI Development. Working in Central and Latin America for almost 30 years now, Mike shares some great insights into international diversification and some things you need to consider if this is something you're interested in. Here are some power takeaways from today's conversation: Why a lot of people don't want to make decisions Why invest in Belize Why pick a good brand franchise (ex. Best Western, Marriott) How the cash flow works when you're investing overseas Other options for international diversification Episode Highlights: [23:57] Looking into Alternative Investment Opportunities Today, Belize is in an arbitrage situation where it has become popular enough to start to get a lot of travelers, but it doesn't have branded products yet. And Belize has mainstream tourists who are looking online for a brand. Mike saw this opportunity and that's why he decided to dive into the hospitality market. [34:51] Why Choose a Good Brand Franchise Owning a brand franchise like Marriott and Best Western means the property is 100% yours. You have the title to it and you can use it as a residence and live in it if you want. One of the best things about these brands too is their worldwide reservation system where they deliver heads on beds. [36:53] How Cash Flow Works in Overseas Investments It's hard to make leverage work in Latin America. Mike recommends against financing as an investment. If it's a lifestyle, say you're a retiree, and you want to move down then you can make a loan. But as a rental property, the best option is if you have properties in the U.S., you can pull equity out at a much lower rate and use that money as your leverage in Latin America. Resources Mentioned: https://www.ecidevelopment.com/ Email: cabral@ecidevelopment.com Entrepreneurs Circle podcast is an On Air Brands production. On Air Brands is one of the leaders for launch, production, and promotion of top-rated business and real estate investing podcasts. Reach out to On Air Brands here ---> info@onairbrands.com Learn more at: www.onairbrands.com Find and follow find Erik at: www.erikcabral.co Download Erik's FREE GUIDE to podcasting at: www.erikcabral.co/guide Check out this show and previous inspiring guests at Entrepreneurs Circle in Apple Podcasts. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/erikecabral/support

The Offshore Investment Report | Episode 43: Mike Cobb, the renowned "Offshore Investment Oracle," is flying hither and yon today searching for ever more investment properties that can provide you with a great cash flow and escalating equity. So, today, we revisit one of his most popular Offshore Investment Report podcasts -- back by popular demand! Questions? Email us at offshoreclub@ecidevelopment.com.

In this episode our guest, Mike Cobb, discusses his upcoming conference/retreat. Also discussed is: Mike's conversion from the radical left at a young age to libertarianism. How to become fulfilled in your daily life regardless of temporary achievements. What Mike would like to see in Liberland and its community. Contact Mike: liberland@ecidevelopment.com Follow the Liberland Show: iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/liberland-show/id1442988844?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6oGiaY901GlfWbaFqgEEaF

The Offshore Investment Report | Episode 42: Ever wonder how you could divine the future for fun and profit? Then today's episode of Mike Cobb's Offshore Investment Report was made with you in mind. Mike has built his financial fortune off of rightly predicting where the smart offshore money is going. And it's all a matter of taking savvy advantage of the largest out-migration from the US to Latin America in the nation's history. Mike explains it all in detail. So tune in -- and cash in -- now! Questions? Email us at offshoreclub@ecidevelopment.com.

Are you worried about the stability of the US? Do you wish you had a plan B just in case things don't work out? Well here is one solution... This week we interview Mike Cobb from ECI Development. Mike is an expert in investing in international real estate. He has been traveling and investing in properties in Central and South America for over 26 years. He has seen it all and made all the mistakes you don't want to make. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Megan Gorman | The Wealth Intersection Douglas Heagren | Pro College Planners   Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/investing-in-international-real-estate-mike-cobb

The Offshore Investment Report | Episode 40: You want to invest in a home -- as an investment, or to live in? Well, where you going to go? Somewhere in the US, where property values are plunging and mortgage rates are soaring? Or, in Central America -- where you can get the home of your dreams (right smack dab on the beach!) for about one-tenth of what you would pay in the USofA? In today's episode, Mike Cobb, the legendary "Offshore Investment Oracle" lays out your options for you, right down to the ideal locale and the prices you can expect to pay. So, don't get trapped in the deteriorating US housing market -- when you can live like a king for pennies a day in Central America's sun, sand, and surf! Questions? Email us at offshoreclub@ecidevelopment.com.

The Offshore Investment Report | Episode 39: There is no better offshore investment resource guide than Mike Cobb's FREE Consumer Resource Guide. Absolutely none. Barring none. In this episode, Mike -- the renowned "Offshore Investment Oracle" -- tells you how to get your FREE copy of the CRG... plus he answers two of the most important questions the Guide addresses: (1) "How will you build your home from thousands of miles away," and (2) "How can you know if the development company financially sound & do they have a track record of success?" It's one of the best episodes of the Offshore Investment Report ever. So. Do. Not. Miss. Out. Questions? Email us at offshoreclub@ecidevelopment.com.

The Offshore Investment Report | Episode 38: Imagine a brand new country... on a beautiful island... tucked away in one of the most gorgeous regions of Eastern Europe. Well, imagine no more -- because it is about to become a reality. And soon, you will actually be able to own a home there -- for less than you ever imagined possible. To make matters even better, the renowned "Offshore Oracle," Mike Cobb -- the man whose Caribbean residential resort communities set the standard for luxurious living -- is helping advise on its development. Tune in to learn more! Questions? Email us at offshoreclub@ecidevelopment.com.

The Offshore Investment Report | Episode 37: Ever hear anyone say you should want your HOA fees to be high enough? Say what? Well, get ready for a real eye-opening as the "Offshore Investment Oracle," Mike Cobb explains in detail why -- especially when you are buying in an offshore residential resort community -- your HOA fee may be the best investment protection you will ever have. Plus, Mike tells you how to make certain there are enough green belts, common areas, and controls on future development to protect your investment to the hilt! Questions? Email us at offshoreclub@ecidevelopment.com.

The Offshore Investment Report | Episode 36: Ever wonder what kind of folks you will meet when you make your move south of the border to the sun, sand, and surf of Central and South America? Will they be friendly, fascinating, eccentric, or just good old done home types? Well, as you will learn in today's episode of Mike Cobb's Offshore Investment Report, the answer is "All of the above." And in fact, not only will you learn a lot -- you'll also laugh a lot... as Mike and Carib Carter review James Dyde's delightful article on the "Eight Types of Expats in Central America." Questions? Email us at offshoreclub@ecidevelopment.com.

My guest in this episode is Mike Cobb. Mike is the co-founder & CEO of ECI Development and President of Gran Pacifica. He has been named among the “100 Outstanding CEOs in Central America” by leading Central American magazine Mercados & Tendencias. At the height of a successful career in the computer industry, Mr. Cobb left to pursue more pioneering opportunities in the emerging real estate markets of Central America. In 1996, he and his business partner formed a company, Exotic Caye International, to provide loans to North Americans purchasing properties in Belize, Honduras and throughout the region. As the need for capital outstripped the supply, the mortgage company was converted to an international bank under the jurisdiction of Belize. It continues to provide mortgage services but has expanded its services to encompass the full realm of financial products. Mr. Cobb also saw the need for a regional real estate company that would serve the Baby Boomer consumer with a North American standard product for the next 2 decades. He led the group into real estate development and created a holding company for several properties including a resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize. In August of 2000, Exotic Caye purchased 3.5 miles of Pacific Beachfront property due west of Managua, Nicaragua. This master-planned community hosts world-class infrastructure, homes and condominium units. In February of 2006, the ECI Development group acquired 1100 acres and 3 km of coastline in Costa Rica, setting the stage for expansion into this popular market. Most recently they merged their Belize property with a much larger parcel and have begun to develop 200 condominiums units on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Additionally, Michael has spoken at hundreds of international conferences about real estate financing and development. Interview Links: www.cashflowninja.com/teak www.cashflowninja.com/eci Episode Sponsors: Producers Wealth: Create Your Own Banking System In 30 Days Or Less www.producerswealth.com Pantheon Investments: Build holistic wealth to achieve financial freedom in any economy www.pantheoninvest.com GoBundance: The Tribe For Healthy, Wealthy, Generous Men Who Choose To Lead EPIC Lives www.gobundance.com The Real Asset Investor: Build Wealth With Higher Yield Cash Flow www.therealassetinvestor.com Penumbra Solutions: Buy Your Equity Like Institutions With Life Settlements www.thepenumbraplan.com  - password “penumbra” Producers Capital Partners: Multiply Capital Through Alternative Investments  www.producerscapitalpartners.com Lavish Keys: Your Turnkey Solution For Luxury Short Term Rentals www.lavishkeys.com Grab My Book: The 21 Best Cashflow Niches™: www.cashflowninja.com/21niches Programs: The Cashflow Ninja Cashflow Investors Club™: www.cashflowninja.com/club Your Own Banking System™ : www.yourownbankingsystem.com Your Own Family Office™: www.cashflowninja.com/familyoffice The Crypto Investing Method™: www.cashflowninja.com/crypto The Cashflow Creator Formula™: www.cashflowninja.com/creator The Cashflow Core Builder™: www.casflowninja.com/core The Cashflow Multiplier™: www.cashflowninja.com/multiplier The Cashflow Quantum™: www.cashflowninja.com/quantum Connect With Us: Website: http://cashflowninja.com Podcast: http://cashflowinvestingsecrets.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashflowninja/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mclaubscher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflowninja/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mclaubscher/cashflow-ninja/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclaubscher/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/Cashflowninja Bitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cashflowninja/ Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-329875 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@Cashflowninja:9 Gab Tv: https://tv.gab.com/channel/cashflowninja Brighteon: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/cashflowninja Parler: https://parler.com/profile/cashflowninja/ Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/mclaubscher Gab: https://gab.com/cashflowninja Minds: https://www.minds.com/cashflowninja Biggerpockets: https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/mclaubscher Medium: https://medium.com/@mclaubscher Substack: https://mclaubscher.substack.com/

This week we celebrate Episode 50 of Inside the SCCA with club President and CEO Mike Cobb. We cover a wide range of topics from the health of the club, to finding new workers. Is the club spread too thin and what are the challenges managing a non-profit club versus a for-profit business? That's just a few of the things we chat about. You can advertise on both Inside the SCCA and on our live Runoffs shows. Send an Email to racingwirenetwork@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/racingwire/support

  At Long Last! – We chat with Mike Cobb of The Disaster Relief Trials, occurring this weekend!   Portland Disaster Responder Stats Responder Ratio Stats 14,418 professional first responders 652,503 Portlanders Ratio: 1:45  FEMA says over 95% of major disaster victims are rescued and assisted by ad-hoc citizen volunteers. FEMA Community Response Program Cargo … Continue reading E597 Mike Cobb & The Disaster Relief Trials →

In the first half of the show Nedra Deadwyler speaks with Karim Kamar, of Sierra Leone, head of the Tour de Lunsar race and celebration and country manager for The Village Bicycle Project. In the second half of the show we present talks by Mike Cobb about the Disaster Relief Trials and Cameron Bennett about E-bike incentives.

Building A Bitcoin Village w/ Mike Cobb Here's a new interview with Mike Cobb, CEO of ECI Development, about Bitcoin and Real Estate. He explains what makes the Bitcoin community unique. Furthermore, he explains how this is the first time people have worked remotely, which is beneficial to us and Real Estate in general during this difficult time. Listen to the Full Episode for more. Lower your time preference and lock-in your BITCOIN 2023 conference tickets today! https://b.tc/conference/2023 Use promocode FOMO for 10% off everything in our store! https://store.bitcoinmagazine.com/

Tune in to hear Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton, chat with Mike Cobb, the Head of School at All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler, Texas in a new episode which is now live and available for download on our People of PS Podcast. With a passion for student engagement and authentic learning, Mike Cobb currently serves as the head of All Saints, a 3K-12 school of 650 students. The school has received national recognition for innovative learning and leadership with Mike at the helm. All Saints has created innovative learning spaces and progressive programs that emphasize authentic learning and student agency. The design and implementation of ground-breaking spaces like their Collaboratory, Center for Innovation, Learning Farm, Learning Villages, STEM Zone, Outdoor Learning Center, Science Explorium, and more demonstrate the very best of active learning.  Like PS, All Saints is a member school in the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, and Mike will be leading the Visiting Team considering Presbyterian School's ten-year re-accreditation at the end of March.*************Excerpt from Mike Cobb in the People of PS Podcast:At All Saints, our working definition of authentic learning means having relevancy in your learning, having it be applied today, and having it be as real world as possible. For example, we have students run their own media agency at our school, and they don't just make ads for pretend. They actually represent companies and businesses and nonprofits, not only in our community, but all across the United States. We have students run our retail store. They 100% run the store. We have an E-cafe, and we have students that nurture and nourish chickens to sell eggs and carpool. That's what authentic looks like... having that intrinsic desire to be involved because it is yours which then flows into agency. Letting students actually have voice and choice about what their  learning looks like is so important to me. And it looks differently across ages. Our kids get to decide how many chickens we have, how they're going to sell the eggs in carpool all the way up to kids in our upper school building prosthetic devices for people around the world and deciding what that looks like. And so I think it's so important, though, for us to understand that school has changed.*************

Episode 28 of Inside the SCCA is a conversation about car culture vs car competitors with the CEO of Hagerty Insurance McKeel Hagerty and SCCA CEO and President Mike Cobb. This conversation first aired live as part of the SCCA's National Convention Connect 2022. Hagerty Insurance --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/racingwire/support

We've become accustomed to using a GPS when we get lost on America's roads and highways but what if we start using GPS as a way to guide our daily lives? What if we started to offer grace, positivity, and support in all our daily interactions? What if it became our mantra like it is for today's guest, Mike Cobb.In today's episode, host Jason Ramsden has a conversation with Mike Cobb, Head of School at All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler, Texas. A fascinating leader with a compelling philosophy focused on G.P.S. - grace, positivity, and support, Mike gives us a glimpse into how G.P.S. works at his school with faculty, students, and parents and also shares some impactful lessons along the way.RATE & REVIEW THE SHOWReview us on Love the Podcast or Apple Podcasts -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we appreciate your support greatly.ENGAGE WITH THE SHOWSubscribe, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedInCONNECT WITH JAYEmail, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, or TwitterRESOURCESGuest LinksMike Cobb: All Saints Episcopal School, Twitter, and LinkedInApp LinksCalm App; Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety. (Apple, Android)Amazon Links**EP30: Metahuma: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential by Depak Chopra, MD.EP19: Chatter;The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness ItEP04: The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel RobbinsEP02: Find Your Why by Simon Sinek (audio version)

The North GA Blue: Getting into Good Trouble podcast covers democratic politics in North GA, the 9th Congressional District, and across the state of Georgia. The podcast comprises a Q&A/Interview format with various democratic politicos including county chairs, democratic operatives, politicians, and more. It is our mission to deliver crucial information to our listeners in a timely manner as we fight for community values and principles in the 3rd most Conservative district in the state. Our website is: https://www.fcdpga.com/podcastsOur guests will highlight democratic activities and actions to work toward a Blue Georgia. The 9th Congressional District spans 20 counties across the region and covers a good deal of northern GA including Blue Ridge, Morganton, Fannin, Union, Banks, Athens/Clarke, Dawson, Elbert, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, and White counties. Our democratic party podcast also disseminates information and interviews powerful Democrats across the state of GA who are working to overthrow the suppression tactics of the GOP and ensure democracy and our values, grassroots efforts, and goals remain intact. #podcasts #politicalpodcasts #democraticpolitics #democraticparty #stateofga #democraticactivism, #democraticgrassroots #community #gademocraticparty #georgiademocrats #democraticpodcasts #bestdemocraticpodcasts #freedemocraticpodcasts #deepdemocracypodcasts #gademocrats #democracy #republic #democraticpodcastslisten #fightthegop #votersuppression #voterrights #bluestates #podcastsaboutdemocraticpolitics #grassrootsactivism #climatechange #environment #9thdistrictcongressionalchair Support the show (https://NorthGeorgiaBluePodcast.com/patron)

Mike Cobb has shared hugely important information and advice in the trilogy of podcasts focusing on the 15 must ask questions when buying abroad. The episodes cover the three principles anyone must adhere to when buying abroad – ‘buy what you see', ‘own community' and in this episode ‘know your developer' Mike shares great content on knowing your developer answering the key questions - How are you going to build your home from thousands of miles away? How do you know the developers are professional? Is there a sewage system and how is security being arranged? He also explains the various types of property title in Latin America and how to make sure your property has good title in this episode packed with great advice and information. Sign Up For MSOPI Here: https://bit.ly/msopi-nomad   KEY TAKEAWAYS Who can oversee the building of your home? - standards and expectations mean it's important to have a local architect review plans from overseas. Always contract an independent third-party engineering firm to verify that it's being built to the standards on the plan. Do the developers have a track record? - ask to see their business plan As the consumer, you have the right to see the financials – have they got the money in place to complete the project in the way they say they are going to. What is the infrastructure? – is there a sewer system understanding who is doing this and putting in infrastructure is vital. What kind of security is available? - is it a gated community? if there are security measures in place you need to understand how much this will cost and how it will be paid for. What kind of title will there be? – good title means there will be no challenges to the ownership. To ensure you get good title hire your own lawyer and then pay for another lawyer to check the work. Questionable title means there is a story associated with it and should be avoided. Other types of title exist across Latin America and these vary being country by country-specific. It's important to work with the right professionals to ensure you get what you're expecting.    BEST MOMENTS ‘When you buy property  - date for a while, get engaged for a while to get married for a long time' ‘Surround yourself with the relevant professionals' ‘The vast amount of property in Latin America has good title'   VALUABLE RESOURCES The Property Nomads Website  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-property-nomads-podcast/id1440016017 The Property Nomads - Stitcher Buy To Let: How To Get Started – By Rob Smallbone (Amazon)  101 Top Property Tips Rob Smallbone, Aaron Devoy  ECI Development website   ABOUT THE GUEST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Michael K. Cobb, Co-Founder At the height of a successful career in the computer industry, Mr. Cobb left to pursue more pioneering opportunities in the emerging real estate markets of Central America. In 1996, he and his business partner formed a company, Exotic Caye International, to provide loans to North Americans purchasing properties in Belize, Honduras and throughout the region. As the need for capital outstripped the supply, the mortgage company was converted to an international bank under the jurisdiction of Belize. It continues to provide mortgage services but has expanded its services to encompass the full realm of financial products. Mr. Cobb also saw the need for a regional real estate company that would serve the Baby Boomer consumer with a North American standard product for the next 2 decades. He led the group into real estate development and created a holding company for several properties including a resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize. In August of 2000, Exotic Caye purchased 3.5 miles of Pacific Beachfront property due west of Managua, Nicaragua. This master-planned community hosts world-class infrastructure, homes and condominium units. In February of 2006, the ECI Development group acquired 1100 acres and 3km of coastline in Costa Rica, setting the stage for expansion into this popular market. Most recently they merged their Belize property with a much larger parcel and have begun to develop 200 condominiums units on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Additionally, Michael has spoken at hundreds of international conferences about real estate financing and development. He has acted as a consultant to The Oxford Club and gives counsel to various real estate projects throughout Central America.   CONTACT METHOD https://www.ecidevelopment.com/   ABOUT THE HOST Rob Smallbone the host of The Property Nomads Podcast, is on a global mission to guide your success. Success can happen in many ways, shapes and forms. Think about what success means to you. More properties? More clients? Financial freedom? Time freedom? Rob wants to make a huge difference to people around the world. He is here to guide your success in property, business and life and to inspire you to achieve your goals, dreams and visions. He's travelled, explored, and invested. And he's not planning on stopping these activities anytime soon. Buckle up, sit tight and enjoy the ride that is life.   CONTACT METHOD  Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this second episode of the trilogy examining 15 Must Ask Questions with Mike Cobb the questions are focused on achieving community when buying abroad. Mike takes us through the questions you need to ask about the building and zoning requirements, third spaces, infrastructure, security and common areas to make sure it's possible for a community to be nurtured and developed. Often people purchase a property or piece of land and find its not part of any community It's just one of a few properties along a beach, the majority of humans want to be around others, to be part of a tribe so it's vital you know what to ask to make sure you can access and be a part of a new community. Sign Up For MSOPI Here: https://bit.ly/msopi-nomad KEY TAKEAWAYS Are there any building requirements of any kind, is there any zoning? - No building requirements can result in speculative land buying which is then not developed. No zoning will mean that everyone can choose what they do with their land. Are third spaces planned? What amenities are there?- If there are no communal spaces where people can gather and socialise then its more challenging to grow and foster community. What is the infrastructure? - The community you are leaving is a vital part of your life, you need to be able to maintain relationships with existing community, friends and family. What security is in place? -  A level of municipal security will need to be provided by the developer or owners association. Are the homeowner's fees high enough to support the amenities, infrastructure, security and municipal functions that are being provided? - Often developers set low initial fees but these can be unrealistic over the longer term. Are there greenbelt and common areas? - These areas add to wellbeing and help increase and maintain property prices. Make sure these are going to happen, it's not a possibility the developer will change the use.   BEST MOMENTS ‘When you buy property outside a highly regulated environment it is buyer beware' ‘Make sure the amenities where people get together exist, buy what you see to be able to experience community' ‘98% of us want social interaction but it doesn't just happen'   VALUABLE RESOURCES The Property Nomads Website  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-property-nomads-podcast/id1440016017 The Property Nomads - Stitcher Buy To Let: How To Get Started – By Rob Smallbone (Amazon)  101 Top Property Tips Rob Smallbone, Aaron Devoy  ECI Development website   ABOUT THE GUEST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Michael K. Cobb, Co-Founder At the height of a successful career in the computer industry, Mr. Cobb left to pursue more pioneering opportunities in the emerging real estate markets of Central America. In 1996, he and his business partner formed a company, Exotic Caye International, to provide loans to North Americans purchasing properties in Belize, Honduras and throughout the region. As the need for capital outstripped the supply, the mortgage company was converted to an international bank under the jurisdiction of Belize. It continues to provide mortgage services, but has expanded its services to encompass the full realm of financial products. Mr. Cobb also saw the need for a regional real estate company that would serve the Baby Boomer consumer with a North American standard product for the next 2 decades. He led the group into real estate development and created a holding company for several properties including a resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize. In August of 2000, Exotic Caye purchased 3.5 miles of Pacific Beachfront property due west of Managua, Nicaragua. This master-planned community hosts world class infrastructure, homes and condominium units. In February of 2006, the ECI Development group acquired 1100 acres and 3km of coastline in Costa Rica, setting the stage for expansion into this popular market. Most recently they merged their Belize property with a much larger parcel and have begun to develop 200 condominiums units on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Additionally, Michael has spoken at hundreds of international conferences about real estate financing and development. He has acted as a consultant to The Oxford Club and gives counsel to various real estate projects throughout Central America. https://www.ecidevelopment.com/     ABOUT THE HOST Rob Smallbone the host of The Property Nomads Podcast, is on a global mission to guide your success. Success can happen in many ways, shapes and forms. Think about what success means to you. More properties? More clients? Financial freedom? Time freedom? Rob wants to make a huge difference to people around the world. He is here to guide your success in property, business and life and to inspire you to achieve your goals, dreams and visions. He's travelled, explored, and invested. And he's not planning on stopping these activities anytime soon. Buckle up, sit tight and enjoy the ride that is life.   CONTACT METHOD  Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first episode of an exciting trilogy with Mike Cobb of ECI development, the first 5 must ask questions are explained. These questions are all about what you can see – the infrastructure, the amenities, the access and of particular importance, but often overlooked, the quality of the engineering in place for stormwater management.   We don't know what we don't know and we approach property with assumptions, which is a dangerous thing to do. Mike shares great advice about only ever buying what you can see and why this is crucial when buying overseas because assuming could easily mean you don't get what you want or need. Sign Up For MSOPI Here: https://bit.ly/msopi-nomad KEY TAKEAWAYS Is there year-round access to the property? We assume that there will be access all year round but this is not always true in some countries dependent on the climate. How long does it take to drive to the amenities? It is the time rather than the distance that is key in developing countries. What public infrastructure exists? How can you get to the property and what back up infrastructure is part of the property. Stormwater, has the engineering been installed properly? Stormwater and its management is a key part of any development in the tropics Is there enough water and does the developer have the water rights? In many countries, you have to have a licence to mine it. Is there enough water pressure for your needs at the property? Is the home plumbed with hot water? In Latin America there will be hot water the master suite but not usually in the other bathrooms or the kitchen. How long does it take to get to medical care? This is something that people view differently but you do need to have an understanding of what you want and would feel was acceptable for your needs.   BEST MOMENTS ‘As a consumer, the best time to buy property is in the rainy season' ‘Have you asked about stormwater management?' ‘When we buy property overseas it is the relationship you have with the developer and their longevity that is crucial'   VALUABLE RESOURCES The Property Nomads Website  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-property-nomads-podcast/id1440016017 The Property Nomads - Stitcher Buy To Let: How To Get Started – By Rob Smallbone (Amazon)  101 Top Property Tips Rob Smallbone, Aaron Devoy  ECI Development website   ABOUT THE GUEST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Michael K. Cobb, Co-Founder At the height of a successful career in the computer industry, Mr. Cobb left to pursue more pioneering opportunities in the emerging real estate markets of Central America. In 1996, he and his business partner formed a company, Exotic Caye International, to provide loans to North Americans purchasing properties in Belize, Honduras and throughout the region. As the need for capital outstripped the supply, the mortgage company was converted to an international bank under the jurisdiction of Belize. It continues to provide mortgage services, but has expanded its services to encompass the full realm of financial products. Mr. Cobb also saw the need for a regional real estate company that would serve the Baby Boomer consumer with a North American standard product for the next 2 decades. He led the group into real estate development and created a holding company for several properties including a resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize. In August of 2000, Exotic Caye purchased 3.5 miles of Pacific Beachfront property due west of Managua, Nicaragua. This master-planned community hosts world class infrastructure, homes and condominium units. In February of 2006, the ECI Development group acquired 1100 acres and 3km of coastline in Costa Rica, setting the stage for expansion into this popular market. Most recently they merged their Belize property with a much larger parcel and have begun to develop 200 condominiums units on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Additionally, Michael has spoken at hundreds of international conferences about real estate financing and development. He has acted as a consultant to The Oxford Club and gives counsel to various real estate projects throughout Central America. https://www.ecidevelopment.com/     ABOUT THE HOST Rob Smallbone the host of The Property Nomads Podcast, is on a global mission to guide your success. Success can happen in many ways, shapes and forms. Think about what success means to you. More properties? More clients? Financial freedom? Time freedom? Rob wants to make a huge difference to people around the world. He is here to guide your success in property, business and life and to inspire you to achieve your goals, dreams and visions. He's travelled, explored, and invested. And he's not planning on stopping these activities anytime soon. Buckle up, sit tight and enjoy the ride that is life.   CONTACT METHOD  Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.