Author Profile: James A. Misko

Biography »

James A. Misko (Anchorage, Alaska) is a past member of the Society of Exchange Counselors and for many years taught an education program based on these strategies for the Reno Educational Foundation, the predecessor of the S.E.C. Education Foundation. Jim Misko left the teaching profession to become a Realtor in 1960, starting a career that has lasted forty-four years. He has spoken in fourteen states at conventions and seminars, at the Five State Convention and at National Conventions on this subject. He has written many articles for NAR, the Real Estate News Observer and the Institute of Property Management.©2009-2011 The S.E.C. Real Estate Observer

Publications »

Getting Cash Fees in Exchanging
By James A. Misko
Posted in Spring 2011, The S.E.C. History Files on 25 Spring 2011
Stats: 394 views and No Comments

Cash is not a forgotten word in exchanging. It is not a bad or dirty word. Like many courses of events, exchanging sort of took root in Oregon about 1960 – and while slow to grow and prosper, by the turn of the decade it had become something entirely different.

Grab a Root and Growl
By James A. Misko
Posted in Fall 2010, The S.E.C. History Files on 16 Summer 2010
Stats: 882 views and 1 Comment

Everybody’s “gotta be somewhere” — right? Every property’s “gotta have an owner” — right? From the Empire State Building to the four-unit motel that was just condemned, all real estate is owned by a legal entity.

Time Management
By James A. Misko
Posted in The S.E.C. History Files, Winter 2010 on 27 Winter 2009
Stats: 840 views and 1 Comment

I’ve tried a thousand ways to get more done in a day and the following methods are the ones that work for me. Maybe they will for you. The night before when you go to bed you have chosen a time to get up. When that time comes don’t fight it. At the first sound of the alarm, throw your feet out on the floor and stand up, and MOVE toward whatever you do first. With your day started that way, nothing will be able to withstand your attack.

You Can Always Tell a Pro
By James A. Misko
Posted in Fall 2008, The S.E.C. History Files on 5 Autumn 2008
Stats: 983 views and 1 Comment

Professionals in any field of en­deavor are generally recognized by their enthusiasm, ability, and the results they achieve. These qualities are what put them that “cut above” the average. In the investment field of real es­tate, which includes selling and exchanging, there are many people, some good and some “terrific.” [...]

Persistence
By James A. Misko
Posted in Summer 2008, The S.E.C. History Files on 31 Summer 2008
Stats: 912 views and No Comments

There is an element in man’s makeup that seems to be formed early in his adult life. It is persistence. It can be learned. It can be improved upon. It can be acquired by someone who is motivated enough to want it. And it is something that you can tell about a person when you know him. [...]

Loans Away from Home
By James A. Misko
Posted in Spring 2008, The S.E.C. History Files on 3 Spring 2008
Stats: 944 views and No Comments

When you or your client tackles properties out of an area where you are known it generally requires some sort of capital - and if possible you will probably want to borrow it [...]

Creative Paper Techniques
By James A. Misko
Posted in The S.E.C. History Files, Winter 2008 on 17 Winter 2008
Stats: 689 views and No Comments

My banker recently said that money is getting tight again. If he is right (and he usually is), you may need to do some creative paperwork to solve real estate financing problems. [...]

Real Estate Financing - Creatively
By James A. Misko
Posted in Summer 2007, The S.E.C. History Files on 17 Summer 2007
Stats: 553 views and No Comments

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the December 1972 issue of the R.E. News Observer. It may soon be time to sharpen your skills in this area due to the changing real estate market.
All real estate transactions involve some sort of financing. It is in this arena that most doomed transactions fall.
Given good structure [...]

Life and Three Martinis
By James A. Misko
Posted in Summer 2006, The S.E.C. History Files on 17 Summer 2006
Stats: 597 views and No Comments

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the April 1972 issue of the Real Estate Observer.
The plane is grounded here and I am virtually alone on it. Just sat in the chief pilot’s seat and went through all the controls - fascinating. We are waiting for air to be pumped into the struts - a [...]

The Velvet Hammer
By James A. Misko
Posted in Formulas and Strategies, Winter 2006 on 17 Winter 2006
Stats: 592 views and No Comments

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the November 1973 issue of the Real Estate Observer.
You know - a lot of us tend to forget the “velvet hammer” in making real estate transactions for our clients who are buying with cash or are exchanging desirable vehicles. The term applies to the position the new owner [...]