This is a great idea for talented high tech folks who want to work near San Jose/Silicon Valley and cant afford the red tape. I believe this will get done due to demand for skilled people cheap in the valley....It will get funded, its just when ....
http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_19562639?source=rss
SUNNYVALE -- You've heard of tech companies starting in a Silicon Valley garage. What about on a ship?
That's the idea being floated by a California startup that wants to dock a vessel off the coast to house foreign entrepreneurs who have dreams of creating the next Google (GOOG) but can't get visas to work in the United States.
Sunnyvale-based Blueseed Co. says current immigration rules can sink promising ventures and torpedo innovation and job creation.
The ship aims to provide a remedy by giving foreign entrepreneurs a place to build their companies only a short boat ride from high tech's hub.
"A lot of people say, 'I'd like to go to Silicon Valley' but there is no way for them to do it," said Max Marty, Blueseed CEO and co-founder.
Marty, the son of Cuban immigrants, thought of the ship after listening to international classmates of his at the University of Miami business school lament about having to leave the U.S. after graduation.
Politicians have wrangled with the issue, but efforts to change the system have stalled.
Last July, President Barack Obama said during a Twitter town hall he wanted to make sure talented people who studied in the U.S. were able to stay to create jobs.
"We don't
want to pay for training them here and then having them benefit other countries," Obama said.
A bill to address so-called brain-drain was reintroduced this year by Sens. Mark Udall, D-Colo., John Kerry, D-Mass., and Richard Lugar, R-Ind. The Startup Visa Act would allow immigrant entrepreneurs and foreign graduates from U.S. universities to appeal for a two-year visa "on condition that they secure financing from a qualified U.S. investor and can demonstrate the ability to create American jobs."
But Blueseed founders don't expect any real reform from a bitterly divided Congress during an election year.
"Our solution is an entrepreneurial solution," said Dario Mutabdzija, Blueseed's president.
From cruise ships to oil rigs to military aircraft carriers, there are several examples of individuals living and working on ships. This one would accommodate about 1,000 people and be docked 12 miles southwest of San Francisco Bay, in international waters.
It would be registered in a country with a reputable legal system, maybe the Bahamas or the Marshall Islands, Marty said. Residents would be subject to the laws of that nation.
Residents would be ferried ashore with temporary business or tourist visas, which are easier to get, to meet with investors, collaborators, partners and others. Mutabdzija said the ability to have face-to-face meetings cannot be underestimated when trying to gain trust -- and secure funds -- from investors.
"Yes, we live in an interconnected age with Skype and other video conferencing. But if you want to grow a company, physical interactions are of paramount importance," Mutabdzija said. "We're a startup. We ran into this. Some people said if you're not within a 20 mile radius, we won't talk to you."
The proximity to high-tech's center, Silicon Valley, is also important.
"The talent, the money, the expertise and a cultural acceptance of risk. Elsewhere if it doesn't work out, you're a black sheep and the funds dry up," Mutabdzija said.
The ship would be a remodeled cruise ship or barge that Blueseed leases or owns. It would have all the high-tech amenities expected of a startup incubator and the look of employee-friendly Internet giants Facebook and Google, famous for their modern campuses complete with gourmet cafeterias, exercise facilities and an environmentally-sustainable design.
A live-work space would cost about $1,200 a month.
Logistical support, including food and other supplies, would come from local businesses along the coast, helping the economies of Half Moon Bay and San Francisco, though it hasn't been determined exactly which port Blueseed would use.
A helicopter also would be available for emergencies.
Critics deride the ship as a publicity stunt, and say investors would be better served contributing to ventures that help Americans create businesses.
"I would say the whole thing is a perfect metaphor for how in corporate America the practice to grow talent and incubate business locally is drifting away -- quite literally," said Bob Dane, of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which advocates for limited immigration.
But supporters of foreign entrepreneurship say immigrants are responsible for some of the most successful businesses in the world and if the U.S. doesn't try to attract them, others will.
"The ship may sound like a crazy idea but it illustrates how seriously flawed the immigration system here is," said John Feinblatt, who runs Partnership for a New American Economy, which advocates for immigration reform.
The organization published a report in June that said 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children.
Feinblatt said countries including Chile, Singapore and the United Kingdom have programs to attract immigrant entrepreneurs.
"While the U.S. is driving people away, other countries are welcoming them with open arms," he said. "If you miss out on them, you miss their talent, their ideas and ultimately the jobs that they create and the taxes that they pay."
Christopher S. Bentley, a spokesman with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said the agency has not seen the proposal and it's premature to comment.
Maritime experts say such an idea is feasible, but very costly.
"A good single point mooring costs in the millions of dollars but it could restrain a ship-shape vessel in quite severe storms and in deep water," said Bil Stewart, CEO of Houston-based Stewart Technology Associates, an engineering consultancy specializing in offshore and marine structures.
"But it would be prudent if the vessel had its own propulsion if you had a Pacific hurricane come along," Stewart added.
Blueseed's idea has started gaining steam.
Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel, a founder of PayPal, announced he would lead Blueseed's financing search. Thiel has been a big supporter of "seasteads" -- self-ruling cities on the ocean -- and both Marty and Mutabdzija worked at the Seasteading Institute.
Blueseed wants to raise $10 million to $30 million over the next year and a half. The goal would be to launch in late 2013.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Should you consider listing your home during the holidays?
I would agree with the author that the advantage is that many people hold off and wait till the spring. That gives those willing to list during the holidays a distinct advantage...
Why not enjoy less inventory and listings if you are going to list your home?
Sometimes going against the grain has its pay offs!
As the holidays approach, I'm always asked the same questions:
Should we keep our property on the real estate market or take it off?
Do we list now, wait until after the first of the year, or hold off until spring?
In the past, conventional wisdom said you shouldn't try to sell a home during the holidays. However, the old thinking doesn't really apply any longer - thanks to the Internet and hectic lifestyles as well as traditional rules of supply and demand.
Whether to sell or not at the end of the year has to do with your particular situation and market. But in general, here's some real estate advice about why you should consider listing your home during the holidays, or even in January.
Buyers are always looking for properties online
Historically, potential home buyers felt that the holidays were too hectic for home shopping. They were preoccupied with planning parties, cooking meals, buying presents or planning vacations. Going out with a real estate agent to look at properties conflicted with a busy holiday schedule. This made perfect sense - before the Internet, smart phones, and tablets came along.
In my opinion, traditional buying and selling seasons have evolved as a result of instant, ubiquitous access to property listings. Someone who is serious today about buying real estate is always looking.
Our hectic
Advertisement
lifestyles also play a role. Often, serious buyers are working hard and not shifting into holiday mode until the last minute. Even during the holiday break, they're squeezing in work. They're already staying "on the grid," so why not continue monitoring the real estate listings in their area too?
The inventory - and the competition - is usually lighter during the holidays
Despite our always-on access to property listings today, there's still a lingering perception that the year-end holidays aren't a good time to list a home. Similarly, if your property has been sitting on the market for months, conventional wisdom says to give it a rest during the holidays. Given these factors, we end up seeing the inventory for good homes tighten up this time of year. But buyers are still out there looking at real estate and no doubt wishing there were more properties available.
In fact, if I have a seller who has been talking about selling, is truly motivated, is flexible on timing, and has a home that truly sparkles, I often suggest they list right after Thanksgiving. There's still a window of several weeks to get buyers into your home before the end of the year. And those buyers flipping through listings at their kid's soccer game will be so excited to see something new and awesome hitting the market - especially if there's a lack of good inventory in their area. Those motivated soccer moms and dads are the ones who'll take the time to see your home, regardless of what the calendar says.
Home been on the market too long? This could be a great time to lower the price or change your strategy
If your property has been sitting on the market for months, most buyers and their agents will see it as stale or overpriced and disregard it - no matter how great it is or how light the competition currently is.
In that scenario, it's time to take action, and the year-end holidays can be a golden opportunity to shift course. Making a dramatic price reduction or overcoming some major obstacle that has been preventing the sale might be just the right thing to do this time of year. If you had lower offers early on but you weren't ready to accept them, or you keep hearing that there are issues with the way your property shows, this could be your chance to show the market you're listening and serious about selling. The motivated buyers will notice you and take a look.
You even stand a chance of getting a sale closed before the end of the year; I've seen it happen. As always, before you make any big changes, talk it over with your real estate agent.
Don't want to be bothered during the holidays? List your property in January
Admittedly, the thought of keeping the house clean, holding open houses, and vacating to accommodate last-minute showings during the holidays is a deal killer for some. If so, consider listing your property after New Year's Day.
Traditionally, we don't see much inventory coming on the market in January. It's cold in most places, and many sellers prefer to wait until the spring, a more conventional time to sell. As a result, we don't see much inventory in January. And yet, each January my phone rings with new buyers wanting to get into the market. Or I'll hear from on-the-fence buyers who may have lost interest earlier in the year and are now suddenly motivated again.
The something about the beginning of a new year that galvanizes people. The motivation to buy could be due to year-end tax planning, with buyers seeing how much they owe and how owning a home could help. It could be because of New Year's resolutions to finally stop spending money on rentals and invest in property. Maybe a rich relative gave them money for a down payment (wouldn't that be nice?).
Whatever the motivation, for sellers it means one thing: There can be an increase in demand at a time when inventory is traditionally low - resulting in less competition from other sellers. If you're motivated to sell your home, you'll have an even more "captive" audience in January.
http://www.mercurynews.com/real-estate/ci_19435793
Why not enjoy less inventory and listings if you are going to list your home?
Sometimes going against the grain has its pay offs!
As the holidays approach, I'm always asked the same questions:
Should we keep our property on the real estate market or take it off?
Do we list now, wait until after the first of the year, or hold off until spring?
In the past, conventional wisdom said you shouldn't try to sell a home during the holidays. However, the old thinking doesn't really apply any longer - thanks to the Internet and hectic lifestyles as well as traditional rules of supply and demand.
Whether to sell or not at the end of the year has to do with your particular situation and market. But in general, here's some real estate advice about why you should consider listing your home during the holidays, or even in January.
Buyers are always looking for properties online
Historically, potential home buyers felt that the holidays were too hectic for home shopping. They were preoccupied with planning parties, cooking meals, buying presents or planning vacations. Going out with a real estate agent to look at properties conflicted with a busy holiday schedule. This made perfect sense - before the Internet, smart phones, and tablets came along.
In my opinion, traditional buying and selling seasons have evolved as a result of instant, ubiquitous access to property listings. Someone who is serious today about buying real estate is always looking.
Our hectic
Advertisement
lifestyles also play a role. Often, serious buyers are working hard and not shifting into holiday mode until the last minute. Even during the holiday break, they're squeezing in work. They're already staying "on the grid," so why not continue monitoring the real estate listings in their area too?
The inventory - and the competition - is usually lighter during the holidays
Despite our always-on access to property listings today, there's still a lingering perception that the year-end holidays aren't a good time to list a home. Similarly, if your property has been sitting on the market for months, conventional wisdom says to give it a rest during the holidays. Given these factors, we end up seeing the inventory for good homes tighten up this time of year. But buyers are still out there looking at real estate and no doubt wishing there were more properties available.
In fact, if I have a seller who has been talking about selling, is truly motivated, is flexible on timing, and has a home that truly sparkles, I often suggest they list right after Thanksgiving. There's still a window of several weeks to get buyers into your home before the end of the year. And those buyers flipping through listings at their kid's soccer game will be so excited to see something new and awesome hitting the market - especially if there's a lack of good inventory in their area. Those motivated soccer moms and dads are the ones who'll take the time to see your home, regardless of what the calendar says.
Home been on the market too long? This could be a great time to lower the price or change your strategy
If your property has been sitting on the market for months, most buyers and their agents will see it as stale or overpriced and disregard it - no matter how great it is or how light the competition currently is.
In that scenario, it's time to take action, and the year-end holidays can be a golden opportunity to shift course. Making a dramatic price reduction or overcoming some major obstacle that has been preventing the sale might be just the right thing to do this time of year. If you had lower offers early on but you weren't ready to accept them, or you keep hearing that there are issues with the way your property shows, this could be your chance to show the market you're listening and serious about selling. The motivated buyers will notice you and take a look.
You even stand a chance of getting a sale closed before the end of the year; I've seen it happen. As always, before you make any big changes, talk it over with your real estate agent.
Don't want to be bothered during the holidays? List your property in January
Admittedly, the thought of keeping the house clean, holding open houses, and vacating to accommodate last-minute showings during the holidays is a deal killer for some. If so, consider listing your property after New Year's Day.
Traditionally, we don't see much inventory coming on the market in January. It's cold in most places, and many sellers prefer to wait until the spring, a more conventional time to sell. As a result, we don't see much inventory in January. And yet, each January my phone rings with new buyers wanting to get into the market. Or I'll hear from on-the-fence buyers who may have lost interest earlier in the year and are now suddenly motivated again.
The something about the beginning of a new year that galvanizes people. The motivation to buy could be due to year-end tax planning, with buyers seeing how much they owe and how owning a home could help. It could be because of New Year's resolutions to finally stop spending money on rentals and invest in property. Maybe a rich relative gave them money for a down payment (wouldn't that be nice?).
Whatever the motivation, for sellers it means one thing: There can be an increase in demand at a time when inventory is traditionally low - resulting in less competition from other sellers. If you're motivated to sell your home, you'll have an even more "captive" audience in January.
http://www.mercurynews.com/real-estate/ci_19435793
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