Amen, Brother.  I'm in the same place and 50, except that I don't have any investments.  This business is "do or die" for me and if my website is bringing in leads, I'm sunk.  That's why I schedule time to tinker with it and do SEO.  It's well worth it and the time is paying off.

You are a man with a plan. But you should be good ol number 1.

Mike great post as usual.  I too look at this website as my future. It has been my crutch through the good and bad times. I have no real retirement plans since they will probably bury me with a purchase and listing agreement in my pocket. Just in case you know!

I often thought that owning franchises was the retirement dream but that has proven to be more a burden than the dream I envisioned. Perhaps for a younger person it makes sense but when you get old and crotchety like me, you don’t need to start new business ventures but just take care of what you have built. My website has been good to me over the years and I sometimes wish I would have put more of my eggs in that basket.

I have tried to encourage my agents to prepare for the future by establishing a presence in the internet world and only a few have taken me serious. In fact I was happy to see one of the people I am fortunate to work with post on this blog the other day.

Forums like this and the internet in general will shape the Real Estate of tomorrow. It will be your informational link and knowledge base with just a keystroke form finding a good answer to whatever your question.  It will be the opportunity to expose your listings to an ever changing market and provide the clients with the service that each of us desire to provide.

So I guess you can put me in the category that says that I too like my website and the opportunity it provides to garner current thoughts and information from my peers and the industry in general. I like the exposure it provides my listing and the link to a world wide audience.

What's with all this "ol" stuff, aren't we all still young.

I am :-)

but wouldn't mind being able to retire in 10 - 15 years!

Mike, I have had a web site since 1995. About a year or two too late to call myself cutting edge. I care for all the same reasons you do. But, you might move up fast. The girl with the bat, claimed she wasn't going to post anymore on the message board. Unless, you and the others want to go talk to her, I see you at number 4 before the end of next week.

I am . . . and yes, I consider almost 50 young. Apparently, so do all the people who tell me to grow up.  :) (unlikely)

I'll probably be buried with fingers on keyboard. Probably surgically attached, given constant technological advances . . .

I have been writing to Al Gore myself to see if he can help me with my website. Since he invented the internet, I figure he would be the most qualified to help. To this time he has not responded, so I guess I will have to count on Social Security and since their is so much global warming going on I can stay right here in Oregon and it should be about the tempature I like when I hit retirement.

Todd

I believe that our websites are our futures! Our nesteggs, pensions, investments.......

Anyone want to go in with me on a printing press on Ebay? Just for a back-up plan? Ok, I'm kidding...maybe.

Mike ... I couldn't agree more ... our websites are the business tool of the "now" and the future.  I turned 50 last year and started my 2nd career in Real Estate a couple of years ago.  (My prior life was as a military computer/communications officer (AF LtCol) and a partner in a software business.)  That background has enabled me to break into the RE business quickly and sustainably...to be a success I need to own the local RE internet segment.  Most of my new business, in fact, comes from my web presence.  And, given how people are using the Internet, it will probably be that way for at least my RE career.

Of course, I do have AF retirement to fall back on.  And, I want to thank all of you for contributing to it at tax time.  8^)

I've been muffled today in whole humiliashun.  I'd like to pitch in my two bits but I have to bahave. So I an't read nuthin', I ain't heard nuthin', and I ain't sayin' nuthin'.

Y'all be cool, ya hear and be guud to each other!