Recent posts

#51

Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Tyres in California

Last post by BruceK - August 29, 2026, 04:03:43 PM

If the average motorist would just ensure their tires are properly inflated, which virtually costs nothing to do, that would probably do a great deal to help with fuel economy, road holding, and accident avoidance.

#52

The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...

Last post by 94touring - August 28, 2026, 06:05:38 PM

Ended up doing 8.5-9 hours today. Very uneventful and smooth sailing. Felt good after getting the 1st day jitters out of the way not being 100% sure what issues might arise like the sway effect and tight turning since the bus doesn't do that. Got on average 12mpg which is what I normally get with a mini on the trailer.

#53

The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die

Last post by Jims5543 - August 28, 2026, 11:41:50 AM

I have no plans for it. When I purchased my building, the lady in the building behind me and I were talking. My plan is to only be in this building for 10 years. Then I will either sell it or rent it.  The lady behind is kind of on the same time line, we discussed placing both properties up for sale as a package deal, if I purchased the lot next door to me, I would just sit on it. Toss it up for sale with the other 2 properties which could potentially attract a buyer with deeper pockets.

I am on a very busy commercial corridor that is just about fully developed, that vacant lot is very rare.

My building is the white one right next to the parcel for sale, and then the building behind me. All 3 together could potentially be worth good money. 

If I purchase it, it would be purely for investing reasons. I have no plans to develop it.

We do not have any laws here regarding disclosure of assembling properties.

As far as the driveway issue goes, I think if you have one already it is grandfathered, a vacant lot would not benefit from that, if there was a driveway already, that would be grandfathered.

I have not dove into the issue with the property I may prepare a mock up plan and head to Planning and Zoning to see for myself what is going on.

I am thinking of reaching out and offering 100K as am opening offer to see what kind of counter he would come back with.

#54

The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die

Last post by Dan Moffet - August 28, 2026, 10:53:11 AM

Up here in the wilds of Canada, if you purchase a property adjacent to one you own, you have to certify whether or not you are "assembling" land.

Another question comes to mind: What is it zoned for (residential, commercial, industrial etc.) and can the zoning be changed or a variance be approved by the municipality to overcome the driveway problem since it became landlocked due to the spacing regulation. If the property (as it currently stands vis-a-vis the survey) existed before the regulation it should be grand-fathered. Ditto if its use pre-existed the regulation.

Up here, you can't create a landlocked property without road access.

Find a good property lawyer!

#55

The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die

Last post by MiniDave - August 28, 2026, 10:00:21 AM

What would you do with it if you bought it?

#56

The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die

Last post by 94touring - August 28, 2026, 09:11:08 AM

Not a bad idea

#57

The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die

Last post by Jims5543 - August 28, 2026, 08:11:43 AM

The lot next door to my office is for sale. I keep thinking about it.

Right as we moved into our building there was a survey crew surveying the lot next door. I assumed it sold.

My wife and I were across the street from the office grabbing dinner after work this last week, we were looking across at the building and then we started discussing the vacant lot, wondering what it was being sold for. $279K, here is where this gets interesting.

The seller stopped in my office the next day after we were discussing this lot. I was out in the field (yay for me!!) so my wife talked to him a bit. The sale fell through because the lot is landlocked due to regulations. 

It seems they cannot obtain a driveway permit to access the property off the main Blvd out in front, some rule about driveways not being closer than 100' apart. The entrance to the subdivision to the west and my driveway to the east is causing a problem. The owner popped in to talk to us and see if we would be interested in granting an ingress egress easement across our driveway and parking lot in order to access the property next to us.

It seems the lot is useless unless I grant an easement. He said if he was in my position he would say no, I respect his honesty.  That is my initial reply too, I do not need a bunch of cars cutting through my business parking lot in order to get to a bunch of town homes.

Then I had this bright idea, I might make an offer to buy it.  I know he paid 52K for it in 2014 during the housing crash. 

I also see in the sales history it was purchased in 2006 before the crash for 260K by a Vets office, then it went into foreclosure in 2012 and was purchased for the 52K above in 2014.

I am thinking of offering 130K. Not sure what I would do with the land, I joked with my wife we could build town homes and move into one of them, the commute to work would be a 1 minute walk. (it is a 5 minute drive now, my house is 1.8 miles from the office)

As I see it right now, it is a useless piece of property this cat needs to unload, I will give him a chance to get out of if and double his money.

I probably will not do anything right now, I am still trying to recover from this building purchase.  The new roof and windows were not cheap either. 

#58

The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...

Last post by 94touring - August 28, 2026, 07:43:11 AM

Next stop Flagstaff.  Should get there early afternoon.  Been pulling great so far.  Definitely nice having Ac and cruise control for the bulk of the drive. 

Plan is get to the gate around opening time at midnight.  Then link up with some people we made friends with last year and a Tulsa buddy so we can  form our own little camp.  If getting there at midnight still means sitting in line 8+ hours at least it won't be blistering hot.

#59

The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...

Last post by Jims5543 - August 28, 2026, 07:39:58 AM

Looks cool!! I hope you hae a drama free trip over.  Where is the next stopping point?

What is the plan for BM arrival?  Are you going to get in line early in the morning to get in or wait for it to die down, if it ever dies down.

#60

The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...

Last post by 94touring - August 27, 2026, 06:41:36 PM

Flat tow bar and truck put to the test today. Shortest day of driving at 5.5 hours.  65-70mph is the sweet spot.  65 on the roughest sections of road and 70 on smoothest ones.  The bus will try to sway a little if they're not smooth at 70. Nothing crazy, just mildly annoying. 18 wheelers wake turbulence pushes me around as if I'm actually driving the bus.  So basically it's just like driving the bus but with Ac and cruise control. Pickup truck brake overhaul and adjustment and manual brake bias was a massive success. Anytime taking exits or hitting lights didn't even feel much of a difference, whereas before I had to give myself a little extra time to stop.  This setup weighs about the same as my trailer with mini on it.  I'm loaded up heavily with a truck bed full of water, fuel, and other cargo. Pulling with overdrive turned off, so 68mph is 3k rpms which is what I tend to do. Whatever extra bump in power from the exhaust is doing it's thing it would seem.  Doesn't feel all that sluggish getting back up to speed.