Ramesh, our new full-time CPA who is doing an awesome job), we are building the systems to provide quarterly updates on each property investment. In going through the properties and preparing some of the information, two powerful things occurred to me. The first thing is what an incredible team we’ve assembled in our group of companies. We simply couldn’t do what we do without the people that have chosen to be on our team (and some of whom actually moved from another province just to work with us, like Taryn!) Our team has more than doubled in size from less than a year ago, and I expect it will grow significantly into 2007. When I think about each of the various properties we have in our portfolio, what comes to mind are all the little stories and moving parts behind each one. Our gatekeeper and troubleshooter extraordinaire, Eva dealing with calls from tenants we “involuntarily” inherited.. Taryn our business manager, dealing with behind-the-scenes details like closing documents, utility accounts and deal sheets.. Our new and fantastic property manager, Jiubasco (rhymes with Tabasco, with a ‘J’), who has really taken control of the portfolio and created a solution for many of those inherited tenants.. Our construction manager Cal juggling dozens of projects, renovations, headaches, trades and details, helping move our construction and renovation plans along.. and so many other stories come to mind. I’m not sure anyone deals with as many daily challenges and headaches as Cal cheerfully does .. Our in-house agents, Warren and Kevin, who continually beat the bushes trying to uncover good properties and deals for us, while managing their own investments as well .. It helps remind me that real estate truly is a people business. It’s not about the buildings or the rent roll as much as it is relationships, expectations and team work. There are a lot of pieces to real estate investing, and I’m truly proud of the team we count on every day to help us achieve what we’ve been able to achieve. The second – and perhaps more profound – realization I made is that we’ve come a long way this year. It’s very exciting to review all the recent transactions we’ve been involved in. Having our portfolio break through $40 Million dollars under ownership & management earlier this year is an outcome I couldn’t have imagined only 2 or 3 years ago. Like so many other people, I sometimes feel like I should be doing more .. accomplishing more .. that I should somehow be further ahead. Everyone seems to have these kinds of feelings at some point or another. However, when you stop and look in the rear view mirror a bit to acknowledge what you have accomplished — in other words, look at the scoreboard occasionally — it’s amazing how much energy and excitement that can create for you. On the one hand, it’s striking what we’ve accomplished this year. Based on our goals for 2007 however, I expect this year will pale in comparison to what 2007 brings! I’m a true believer in setting large goals and then aggressively pursuing them. 2006 will go down as another key year in my life; one that has proven to me yet again that when you surround yourself with great people and work hard, it’s incredible what you can achieve.]]>