The Death of Oil (Again) and Housing Choice

May 13, 2013

What does oil have to do with multifamily? Oil affects housing choice. People, particularly renters, will relocate closer to job centers as the costs of commuting rises.

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Five Low Tech Business Gadgets That Work

May 6, 2013

Going “low tech” in business? In an era where “apps” response times are measured in Nano-seconds what chance does a low tech gadget have in this environment to promote your business?

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Multifamily Acquisitions: Quality, Speed or Price. Pick Any Two

April 30, 2013

In multifamily acquisitions once a strike price is reached the clock starts ticking on the due diligence phase. When it comes to the choice of “pick any two” my advice is to avoid this perspective to the best of your ability.

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Property Management: The Case for Strategic Vacancy

April 22, 2013

Why does a multifamily owner or property manager create vacancy? Strategic vacancy is always planned and has a purpose. Usually, that purpose is increasing rents, but it could be to retain customers in a tough market where absorption is slow.

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Rents and the Poverty Trap

April 15, 2013

What is a Poverty Trap? Is there a solution to generational subsidized housing? Is subsidized housing passed down from one generation to the next? Does our society assist in perpetuating the poverty trap?

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Where is the Shadow Housing Inventory?

April 9, 2013

Is the housing shadow inventory from years of high foreclosure rates a threat to increasing home prices? What information do we look to for guidance on housing inventory and future prices?

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Property Management vs Wile E. Coyote (Super Genius)

April 1, 2013

What was the one continuous mistake that Mr. Coyote made time and time again? For one, getting all caught up in his own ” super genius”. How do we make sure not to get ahead of ourselves as property managers? Here are a few ideas.

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Multifamily Demographics: Clinical Definition of a Submarket

March 26, 2013

Submarkets are boundaries that define where a property competes. Having specialized knowledge at the sub-market level is a significant strategic advantage over your competitors.

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Beauty in the Eyes of the Lien-holder

March 18, 2013

It’s true; mortgagee’s (lenders) are people too. But most are not real estate people, they are lenders charged with protecting the assets within their respective portfolios.

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Property Management: Collecting Rent

March 11, 2013

Being in this business long enough will allow you to experience the greatest story telling in the world. People are creative. Ghost appear, tooth fairy’s steal, robbers wearing track shoes.

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Multifamily’s Best Kept Secret

March 4, 2013

Multifamily’s best kept secret is no secret at all; that long-term ownership provides significant financial rewards. Why do I call this a secret? Because so few take advantage of the power of income compounding that is included in the rewards of long-term ownership.

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Multifamily Financing: Y W8?

February 25, 2013

Consider the present interest rate environment as a window knowing there is no such thing as a window that stays open forever. And, unfortunately but true, sometimes when windows close they slam shut- unexpectedly.

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Property Management: 5 Easy Crazy Cost Cutting Strategies

February 18, 2013

This article suggests low cost or no cost ways to save money on property. Some of the savings are in return on capital, sometimes as preventative measures. Both types of savings reduce costs long-term.

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Property Management: Preparing for Disaster

February 11, 2013

How do you prepare for the inevitable? In this case I mean natural disasters. For those of us that refrain from keeping a few extra cases of water in the house… are we as passive about having backup for our businesses?

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Property Management Passion Fruit

February 4, 2013

Is it true that to be a good property manager you have to be a little like passion fruit; hard on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside?

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Multifamily Financing – The Seller Carry-back

January 28, 2013

This article will discuss seller carry-back from the sell side perspective. A seller carry-back that works for the seller is when equity in the deal equates to at least twenty percent (20%) and the amount carried-back by the seller does not exceed one third (33%) of the senior mortgage financing.

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5 Reasons Why People Rent Multifamily Apartments

January 22, 2013

Many believe the only reason people rent apartments is because of housing affordability, meaning; people only rent because they cannot afford to be home owners. This is simply not true.

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5 Multifamily Rental Revenue Growth Strategies

January 14, 2013

Every operator wants rent growth. Rent growth, rent growth, rent growth. Ok, ok, ok. I understand. Year over year rent growth is the most important driver of revenue growth. How do you get it?

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Multifamily and the Pace of Change

January 7, 2013

Been to a construction materials conference lately? Recognize anything? Anything at all? Why replace a counter top when you can use a paint roller to cover the existing surface with material that has a granite-like finish?

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Property Management: Leaving Things Broken

December 31, 2012

How do you know when to leave broken things… broken? As seldom as possible, of course. Matters of public safety require immediate attention; water leaks, controlling utility costs, these are always near the top of the list.

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