Back To The Future
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Sometime in the early 70’s, I attended an Illinois GRI class in Peoria, IL. One of the instructors was Ed Compere, MAI from Abilene, TX. He told us how stupid we all were taking a listing and then trying to justify the price. We needed education, he went on, and the only place to get it was the MAI or CCIM courses. I had never heard of these, but the next week I started classes. I took two MAI classes and started the CCIM program. That old saying “if you remember the 70’s you weren’t there” is true…I don’t remember the order of the classes but I know I was there!
The first CCIM class offered was CID III Exchange Techniques, or something like that. I’d never heard of exchanges, but it was a start. Palmer Berge was the instructor. He was great!! The course was informative and fun!
One morning, I awoke in the hotel and went to the window and the bible was on a table open to a page. As I glanced down, I thought it said 23rd Palmer, but of course, it was the 23rd psalm. I immediately wrote the parody below.
In those days the average house price was $18,000, and yes, I was a house broker at that time. Well, the week after I got home from the class, I did a 3-way exchange and cash out totaling nearly $400,000!! Palmer Berge certainly changed my life and for that he has my thanks.
The 23rd Palmer
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not “trade” or “deal.”
He maketh me set down in bold figures all the equities in the “F” form.
He leadeth me beside the “C”, He restoreth my basis.
He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for my exams sake.
Yea though I walk through the shadow of the IRS,
I will fear no audit, for thou art with me.
Thy net spendable and thy depreciation, they comfort me.
Thou preparest an exchange before me in the presence of other students.
Thou annointest my head with knowledge, my calculator runneth over.
Surely equity growth and adjusted cost basis shall follow my clients all the days
Of their investments and I will dwell on the techniques in the instructor forever.
Editor’s Note: Bill Warr is a member of the Society of Exchange Counselors and is believed to have held CCIM #504. The letter demonstrates the power and magic of education. The Society of Exchange Counselors now has an Educational Foundation that is dedicated to professional excellence through education. You can view our mission statement, the approved courses that are available to be taught in your city, and the current schedule of the courses being offered across the nation by visiting our web-site at www.secedfoundation.com.
