The Initial Plan...

I neglected to mention in my first post that my Cedar Creek venture started out as a plan to buy and flip or rent out houses on a small scale.  Small meaning only a $10-15k or so profit on a flip or a steady revenue stream on a rental property though I have to admit I'm not thrilled at the prospect of being a landlord (but I'm keeping an open mind).

Anyway, too many folks have gone bankrupt after letting greed cloud their decision making process and shooting for gold that in today’s economy just isn’t there anymore.  I wanted to do enough to supplement my income and set the stage for an eventual and comfortable retirement wholly avoiding the prospect of having to share in my cats daily food ration.

The Beginning.....

This venture formed its roots with the passing of my sister in Sep '08, followed by my mother's in Feb '10. 

During my mother's last two years, on her behalf I had been maintaining some 52 acres and couple of buildings outside of Waco, TX.  I had been entertaining the thought of moving there and doing something productive with the property but the day after her passing on the 87 mile drive from Dallas where I live to the property, it suddenly crystallized in my head that that was NOT what I wanted to do, it was NOT where I wanted to live for the rest of my life.

Funny how life works.  That startlingly clear epiphany 40mins into the drive jarred me onto the road towards considering a different path, something specifically for me and by me.

I mentioned the change in thoughts to some of my friends, Danny, Jim and Pat.  All immediately (well, Danny a LONG time ago) suggested I consider relocating to the Cedar Creek Lake area of Texas.   Contrary to Waco and similar to Dallas, I knew Cedar Creek Lake had a firmly entrenched community, a cast of like minded members and characters that could and would provide much in the way of support, friendship, and entertainment.

According to the guys (they have homes there) it was a swell community to live in where I could contemplate eventual retirement and, if I got crazy, hungry or lonely (not necessarily in that order), I would be only an hours drive to the Big D; Dallas.  I must admit to being intrigued with the idea of actually living on a lake and having owned a boat for some 10years now, it made sense.

There were other considerations that came in to play as well, most notably the cost of living was considerably less than Dallas, the population count was way less, the pace a bit slower and last but not least, I'd been in my Dallas house for some 12 years which seems to be a magical number for me.  12 years??  Time of a change!!

So, let the search and the fun begin!