Real Estate

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: Rent-To-Own- A Great Lead Generator for Traditional Brokerage!

During the webinar, the host asked the presenters what percentage of their company’s revenues came from lease options. The other presenter quickly answered, “100%.” I thought about it and said “15-20%”; afterwards, I felt like a fraud. Why was I asked to participate as a “lease option expert” when 80-85% of my company’s revenues derived from elsewhere?

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: It’s All About the Narrative: The Key to Maximizing Your Rent-To-Own Client’s Value

“I can’t sell this couple on anyone. If their financial history was made into a movie, it would be in the “Horror” section. Well, the “Drama” section would fit, too. And with eight kids, it could probably be get into the “Adult Content” section as well… (Charlotte Realtor bemoaning the plight of their rent-to-own client with less than stellar credentials)

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: “Abe’s” Commercial Lease Negotiation Strategy Unveiled…

“I will get the lowest price per square foot for my new office lease.” (Charlotte Business Owner)

“I will not drop my initial offer for price per square foot for the new lease. It’s not worth it and I really don’t like this guy anyway.” (Charlotte Commercial Landlord)

“I will maximize this commission.” (Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Agent)

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: Santa Claus, Unicorns, & Risk Free Transactions (Or “How to Risk Manage Yourself Out of a Living”)

“I can’t do lease options. They are way too risky!” (Concerned Charlotte Realtor)

“That’s why it’s a short cut. If it was easy, it would just be the way.” (Paulo Costanzo in Road Trip)

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: Getting Paid- A Growing Problem for Everyone! (Except Realtors & Clients Doing Lease Options)

The biggest symptom of our current economic problems is that people don’t have the money to pay their bills. Think about it. Why is the FHA in trouble? It’s because the home owners they lent to couldn’t pay. Why did the banks need to get bailed out? It’s because the clients they lent to couldn’t pay. Why are many businesses going under? It’s because their customers are businesses that are going under (because they didn’t get paid).

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: The Tipping Point is Coming- Are You Prepared for Lease Purchase?

“I understand that qualified buyers are becoming scarcer by the day. More and more houses I list are sitting vacant on the market while the owner eats the mortgage every month. Do I just tell them to wait for the market to come back or is there something I can do?” (Charlotte Realtor)

“In sociology, a tipping point or angle of repose is the event of a previously rare phenomenon becoming rapidly and dramatically more common. The phrase was coined in its sociological use by Morton Grodzins, by analogy with the fact in physics that adding a small amount of weight to a balanced object can cause it to suddenly and completely topple.” (Wikipedia definition of “tipping point”)

“The Times They Are A-Changin’” (Bob Dylan)

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: Thankful for an Awful Year: Next Top 2 Business Takeaways from 2009 (Part 2)

“The MacArthur Foundation gave out its annual genius awards. This year’s awards went to a journalist, a mental health scientist, and a couple who sold their house three years ago.” (Conan O’Brien from The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien)

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light.” (Ralph Blane)

In last “Charlotte Property Management Weekly’s” episode, I discussed the first two takeaways from businesses looking to survive this tough economic environment. This article will focus on the other top two business adjustments I’ve seen businesses take in 2009. Without further ado, they are:

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: Can You Beat UNC Coach Roy Williams in a Pie-Eating Contest?

“I’m not making any money. The economy is killing my firm. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t in anything but survival mode at this point. My New Year’s resolution this year is to be able to make a 2011 resolution with a roof still over my head.” (Charlotte business owner)

“Creativity without implementation is irresponsibility.” (Ted Leavitt at the Harvard Business School)

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: Jack Welch is Envious of Your Real Estate Firm?

“I’m not sure what we are going to do… Revenue is down and costs are the same. We are scraping by on a few first-time home buyer sales that come through. Worst of all, my employees are having a hard time making a living in this traditional brokerage business model.” (Frustrated Charlotte Real Estate Firm Owner)

“Most small companies are uncomplicated, simple, informal. They grow on good ideas regardless of their source. They need everyone, involve everyone, and reward or remove people based on their contribution to winning.

Charlotte Property Management Weekly: Lies, Damn Lies, & Rent-To-Own Statistics: 5 Ways to Increase Your Odds of Sale

“I’m sorry. My Broker-in-Charge does not permit us to do lease options. She said the percent of people that actually purchase is 8%.” (Charlotte Realtor)

“Statistics are like a drunk with a lamppost: used more for support than illumination.” (Winston Churchill)

Wow- 8%! I still can’t get over that figure.