Jan 7

 I was at the Hudson Apts. My broker was very sure that we found a good tenant for the left Apt. No deposit and 1st month rent so far. 

My broker also told me about an off market duplex, which has similar size as mine, that is looking for a buyer. It sounded very appealing on paper, only asking for $250k, with potential income of $3k per month. It is water front too, next to my current duplex. I offered $230k. They told my broker that they already had a $250k offer with mortgage. I countered $250k contingent upon inspection. I demanded to see the property. They wanted me to sign the paperwork thru email. When I read it on my email, it turned out they are a wholesaler whose name sounded Indian (all of my bias bells started ringing:). 

Saw inside, a disaster. Only 1 bedroom apt on each side, not like 2 bedroom apt on mine. $1200/month on each side. Even a $150k offer + $80k renovation cost ($230k, my 6 months worth of work, just for $2400/m?). It does not work! Pass. Plus, I cannot trust the wholesaler, who apparently don't have solid backup offers!!!

The stocks that went up on Venezuela kidnapping, came back down! The VP did sound very cooperative. The US only accomplished the kidnapping only, nothing else, no regime change, no oil?

In the past, I add more shares to an existing position when there is a breakout in the chart. However, if the stock came right down and go lower, I may choose not to do anything in the past. This caused more losses because the position size was so much larger (after additions). I decided to sell out the added shares if the stock failed the breakout. In other words, the added shares have a different stop loss price than the original shares. We will see if the improvement helps the portofolio.