Brick by Brick, a Weekend Warrior Builds a Medieval Retirement Home

"SNELLING, Calif. — Most days, the talk here among the farmers and almond growers along this stretch of two-lane blacktop 18 miles from the nearest on-ramp concerns heat units — as hot summer days are known — and the hull split that signals the approach of almond harvest season.

A suit of armor at the entrance to the castle, which also has a moat. Diane Noz and her granddaughter Emma Huber are at right.
But there is also the Kasteel Noz, the turreted brick castle with two towers and a moat that Casper Noz, a 51-year-old contractor who was born in the Netherlands, has been obsessively building by himself almost completely by hand on weekends for the past 20 years."

Click on title to read full NY Times article...

LOST SOVEREIGNITY OIL-RICH FUND EYEING FORECLOSED US HOMES

Click on the headline to read the full New York Post article from today's news.

The article begins:

"There's a new land grab starting in America.

Foreign money, which up to now has focused its attention on investing in iconic commercial real estate - like Barneys New York and the Chrysler Building - is now moving to scoop up tens of thousands of discounted foreclosed homes across the country..."

This is completely consistant with what I have witnessed at the foreclosure autions at the Norwalk courthouse (where Los Angeles County foreclosures are sold). Serious investors make money in both seller's and buyer's markets. Here is the pattern...

When houses are selling high, they typically leverage against smaller properties to buy larger commercial buildings. When houses are selling low, they buy up as much as possible. When houses are selling high, they typically leverage against smaller properties to buy larger commercial buildings. When houses are selling low, they buy up as much as possible...

That's the whole game and if you stick to that simple formula, you'll be buying the Chrysler Building one day.

800 sq. ft. Live - Work Loft, 18 ft. Ceilings, Polished Concrete Floors, FREE Parking, Perfect for Photographer!

Loft Description:

> 800 sq. ft.
> Legal Live / Work Space
> 18-ft Ceilings
> Amazing Panoramic Views of Los Angeles
> Views of Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park Observatory
> Huge Walk-in Closet
> Polished Concrete Floors
> Central AC & Heat System
> One Full Bathroom
> Individual Water Heater
> Large Bath / Shower
> Bathroom Vanity Lights
> One Full Chef's Kitchen
> Granite Countertops and Bar
> Stainless Steel Appliances (Refrigerator, Gas Stove, Dishwasher)
> Garbage Disposal
> Located on the 3rd Floor
> Original Windows and Natural Light
> Exposed Piping
> Unfurnished
> One Parking Space Included


Building Amenities:

> Two Separate Entrances
> Controlled Access (Two Intercom Systems)
> Additional Free Parking at the Wilshire-Union Center
> Tenant Rooftop Sundeck
> Two Keyed Elevators (Regular Service and Freight Service)
> Laundry Room (Five Washers and Five Dryers)
> Paid Water
> Paid Trash
> Onsite Management
> Evening Security
> Full-time Cleaning Staff

Additional Building Amenities:

> Event Parking Available
> Storage Rooms and Units Available
> Maid Service Available