By Dawn's Early Light

Traveling Up North

Conservative assumptions often include that most federal agencies are staffed by slow working, risk adverse bureaucrats.  My real estate development (affordable low-income housing) requires a great deal of work with federal, state and local workers. 

I have worked now extensively with many fine workers at the USDA Rural Development to help preserve multi-family housing.  Its multi-family program director is leaving for a different position in another state.  I had the opportunity today to thank him and those he worked with in California for a very fine job.  I have found USDA RD to have some of the most creative, can do, hard working individuals outside or inside the private or public sector.

While our company is small, we have in the past years succeeded in preserving and improving 398 family and elderly apartments of affordable housing in California, thanks to the tremendous efforts of USDA Rural Development.

Jeff,  you will be missed.  You have blazed forward an impressive trail in California and made a difference for thousands of the state's residents.  Thank you.

Closing Day

It has been a long time since my last post. A good deal has happened since with my family. My dear step dad was in the hospital for a quadruple bypass followed by several complications.

He is home and on the mend. We are greatful to God for his recovery and we have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas.

My business partner, Kristoffer and I, plus our new employee, Will, are about to board Southwest for a preclosing. This is our fourth closing since embarking almost three years ago on our own. We have preserved 388 units of affordable housing, bringing new capital to improve them in rural areas of California.

I love what we do and have never felt more satisfied with my work. Closings are never easy and the lead up for this one seems way to easy in comparison. Time will tell.

I will post from the law firm and hopefully will have some great shots of the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz.