Thursday, April 17, 2025

Another Potential Real Estate Obstacle in Florida Could Go Well Beyond

 We may all need to face the fact that the real estate industry as we know it is on its way to drastic changes which could impact hundreds of thousands of jobs. Florida has brought many real estate opportunities over the years both nationally and internationally. People move in, people move out, and everyone from short-term rental landlords to developers to retiring consumers have been able to participate and take advantage.

 

Many licensed real estate professionals work relocations and/or have a license in more than one state. Meanwhile, recent natural disasters have left billions of dollars in work to be done while fears of what insurance companies can, can't, and won't do have many people up in arms.

 

Now we have word that the current Florida real estate licensing structure may no longer stand as it has been. Even the 225,000 licensed professionals in the State may not be able to stop proposed legislation.

 

If it happens in Florida, there is no telling how it would impact transactions involving out of state real estate licenses. Consider the chaos which resulted from the change in buyer commission structure last year, and how elements of the industry still need to recover from that.

 

This news may, in the long run, be a much bigger concern than rates and the current economic battles:

 

Challenges for Florida Real Estate

 


 

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

How Did Seven Companies Know To Bid On A Housing Conversion?

Over the years I have come up with questions to ask real estate professionals and investors when I am curious about how "smart" they are willing to work. It comes from the saying, "Work smarter, not harder". 

 

Sometimes I ask questions like, "Who handles your research?" to bring up how important research is toward uncovering opportunities and for long term planning. Another question is "When is the next local Zoning Committee meeting you plan to attend?"

 

You could be in the thick of a new project, but that should not stop you from attending (or sending a trusted representative) to zoning meetings in municipalities your work includes. The one time you find out something that your competitors don't know out of five meetings you attend could literally be the "million dollar difference" for you and your team. If a group of competitors also "know", you will be in the running.

 

Here is a prime example. The city of Menlo Park CA announced an opportunity for converting parking plazas to affordable housing. They received SEVEN applications. Those entities have a one in seven chance of being selected for a large project. However, there are entities, some of which may be a better fit, that will have a ZERO percent chance because they were not ready for the opportunity.

 

In the Menlo Park situation, there are seven applicants. If there was one application, that company gets a big project in part because they took the right steps to pursue it while competitors did not. Because they had the right research in place, six or seven figures could be added to their bottom line.

 

Who handles YOUR research?

 

https://sfyimby.com/2025/04/menlo-park-opens-three-downtown-parking-plazas-to-affordable-housing.html

 



Monday, April 14, 2025

Finding The Best Amenities Matters

Buyers and renters look for certain amenities, while sellers and landlords look for amenities which could give them advantages over 'competing' properties. The "hidden" features can make a difference in the choice of a potential buyer or tenant that others on both sides of the transaction would not think about.

 

A tenant might be willing to pay $20 a month more for a unit with extra built-in shelves which could hold their book collection. Someone using a walker might prefer the unit next to the elevator instead of the quieter one at the far end of the hallway. In this day and age where customer service continues to fade into oblivion, knowing the 'particulars' of the potential buyer or seller could be a difference maker in getting a deal done.

 

An investor I know that has his real estate license will access similar properties on the market to compare those amenities against what he currently has (or plans) for a property his team is about to fix up or renovate. He knows that he will be competing for some of the same potential buyers or tenants that will be looking at those other properties. His goal is to be able to tell them things like, "You won't find A or B in any other currently available property" or "This unit has the biggest closet in West End". It could be he finds another unit using "cheaper" tile and being something he can pick up on for his benefit.

 

It's a two-pronged process to be ready in these situations. Knowing as much as possible about competing properties is one element, but knowing what the "customer" wants is another. Each property, even if in the same building or within the same development, is or can be made to be unique. Same with each potential buyer or tenant.

 

Knowing how to uncover that information brings success.

 

https://www.realestatenews.com/2025/04/11/renovations-that-attract-buyers-and-maximize-roi-for-sellers

 


 

Friday, April 11, 2025

When A "No Comment" Makes It Worse

My having worked on marketing with real estate agents, brokers, developers, and investors for more than 30 years helps me (and, consequently, my valued clients and students) to readily identify marketing opportunities even when there aren't any.

One of the most important things to do is to be ready to turn a negative in to a positive no matter how many of few years of experience. There are times when things do not go as hoped or as planned, especially in real estate. The news article below describes one such time, in which a multi-million dollar property sold for over $400,000 LESS than the asking price and below a sales price from 2013. (This sale occurred in the Fall of 2019.) 

The article about this property sale appeared in the Chicago Tribune, which remains one of the largest newspaper publications in the country. It so happens that the reason for this story is that the 'featured' home was once owned by a former Head Coach of the Chicago Bears. 

However, this sale of the house had nothing to do with the former coach, who did rather well with buying and selling the property earlier in the decade.

The "negative" in this story is the report that the home sold for $400,000 under the asking price and for less than it did in 2013. (This is only one example, since we know this continues to happen today.)

Within the story it is noted that the agent, Paige Dooley, "declined to comment". This is exactly where an agent needs to turn that negative into a positive. Trained journalists know to report the specific results of attempts to contact an individual for a story. Frankly, declining to comment is the worst thing she could have done. Declining comment infers that Paige had nothing to say about this story. 

It is as though she is admitting that she did not do well for the sellers and wanted this story to go away. There are likely to be potential home sellers reading this story that would be less likely to consider her for selling their home because she gave NO explanation for a deal that was not what it should have been for her client.

I try to advise my clients and coaching students about looking for the benefit of outside publicity. Dooley had the opportunity to be quoted in the Tribune, at no cost, and could have turned that in her favor. Chances are she spends marketing dollars on social media and advertising of her services. Positive publicity in this newspaper and its web site would normally cost a large amount.

What she should have done is commented about how "This home is one of many great opportunities for buyers in Winnetka to secure a great deal!". Had she done so, she would have pointed out how this buyer got a home in 2019 for less than it cost in 2013. Such a quote would have made readers of the story think that if they contacted her, she would help them find a good deal.

By declining to comment, she put out only a negative impression. To me, this was a 'double' negative. The first is that there are no reasons for a potential buyer or seller to contact her. The second reason is that the reporter is not likely to contact her for a future story, meaning she lost her chance.

Do not decline comment and lose out on publicity. Be ready with a positive spin. I can't help but think about how much her income would have increased if I had been her marketing and/or research person.




https://www.chicagotribune.com/real-estate/elite-street/ct-re-1206-elite-street-trestman-20191206-cyn6hmvijbd5xbysxsnnjlhb3u-story.html

Thursday, April 10, 2025

If They Can't Afford To Buy - Be Ready With Rentals

Population figures prove that people continue to want to live in locations which have much higher than average home prices, making it more challenging for many to buy a home where they choose to be. People have various reasons for choosing not to buy in those situations.

 

Some people choose not to buy at current higher prices because they expect prices to drop at some point in time to make buying a house more affordable (or realistic) to potential buyers. If they "buy high" they could be stuck a few years from now when considering selling. Other people don't have what it takes to get a down payment done at higher prices.

 

If you own one or more "older" properties, especially with plenty of equity, this figures to be a great time to rent them. Based on home prices, you could be able to command a much higher rent rate than in previous years and ride the "increased profit" wave for as long as you can. 

 

The research in the below linked article shows ideal income levels by state when it comes to buying a home. That info could be a big help when it comes to planning rental properties. People that are "waiting on the market" could make ideal tenants. Show them how you are saving them the down payment and allowing them to live where they would like.

 

It is not always only about the property. Offer the benefits and the opportunity. Let's work together for mutual success!

  



 

https://www.livenowfox.com/news/how-much-you-need-afford-home-us

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Create Your Own Bid On A Property

Another instance of how far doing your research homework could take you is in this scheduled upcoming auction in Florida. Two luxury condos are hitting the auction block for just over one-third of their current estimated value. Even if renting them out is not allowed, there are several exit strategies to choose from even if competing bids take the purchase price to 60%. 


The first step is to find out as much as possible about each unit, especially why they are going to auction instead of being listed in the traditional way. Although in the same auction setting, the reasons may be different for each unit and make one more attractive to bidders than the other. However, if that happens, it can be worth exploring both opportunities separately. Why?


If one opportunity has a clear lead over the other, the first one may attract the majority of bidders. Having little to no competition for the “second” condo could result in an even better deal. The hundreds of thousands of dollars potentially saved without competitive bids could cover the added costs of preparing a property for the chosen exit strategy.


Creative strategies may be able to be implemented upon acquisition. For example, if these condos cannot be rented out, perhaps a “rent to buy” situation could skirt the issue. (I don’t know in the case of these properties, but it should be part of the research to find out.) If not, there are likely several seller financing options to increase the profit potential. 


Sometimes it is worth bidding (if you have the resources available) to be able to get the results and eventually find out who the winning bidder is and what their eventual strategy is or was. That is the type of information that becomes valuable for future auctions and potential purchase situations in the same property or area.


As my clients and students know, the majority of the opportunities you research thoroughly do not pan out. The value of knowing exactly why they did not pan out and comparing it with the eventual results of the deal can prove well worth the time investment over the long haul. Let me show you how.

 

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/799525095/two-waterfront-sarasota-fl-properties-to-be-sold-at-online-auctions-beginning-april-14th

 

 


Monday, April 7, 2025

When One Bidder Gets A 60% Discount On A Property

There is no denying that there are some problems and concerns with some aspects of the real estate market. That should not mean that a real estate professional or investor should not continue to constantly research for current and future opportunities. An airplane needs enough fuel to reach its destination regardless of the number of passengers. 


We had a recent situation in which a (literally) billion dollar asset, the biggest office building in Boston, was sold at auction for 40% of its estimated value. It remains to be seen how the property will be utilized as rumors swirl about conversion to mixed use or various forms of repurposing. Clearly, by spending $400 million to acquire a discounted property, the buyer has research and information leading them to a vision of long-term profit potential.


From my viewpoint, the large purchase and the 60% “discount” the buyer engineered is actually not the most significant part of the story. According to the recap article, the winning buyer was the ONLY bidder. We may never know if there were no other bidders because of the large sum of money needed or if other realistic potential bidders had non-financial reasons for passing on the property. 


Meanwhile, the winning bidder obviously has research indicating the potential for making a $400 million investment work. Had there been other bidders, they may have had to go higher, or perhaps drop out of the bidding, depending upon their research.


The fact that there was only one bidder is what stands out in this situation. An offer of slightly under half price might have outbid this buyer to acquire a property at a bargain rate. Let this serve as a lesson about missed opportunities. We won’t know for sure for a few years, but, as the saying goes, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. 


https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/400-million-bid-wins-foreclosure-auction-for-one-lincoln-office-tower-in-downtown-boston/ 

 

 


 


Thursday, April 3, 2025

Turning Real Estate Problems Into Opportunities in Florida and California

Some real estate investors, developers, and brokers see sales and market trends that are down and shy away from the impacted area. Others see them as a reason to explore the future potential. A case can be made for either decision. 

 

Meanwhile, some people and teams are in it for "today", while others prefer to look toward the long term when it comes to real estate decisions. Making a transaction based on the exit strategy could mean the "payoff" is years away or months away. Real estate is often a cycle. Right now, there are a lot of questions about Florida and California because of recent major natural disasters. Concerns about rebuilding are heightened because of significant insurance costs and how they are likely to add to a new real estate venture. 

 

However, insurance risks simply can't stay high forever. It may take a few years, but you can't tell us that parts of Southern California and Florida will be abandoned and without rebuilding while insurance companies sit back and do nothing about it. Simply put, there may be opportunities right now that won't be there in a few months or years. 

 

Over the past couple of years, many investors have taken a pass on commercial and residential deals because "rates are too high". Others have taken advantage of those deals knowing that they could refinance when rates finally drop.

 

Right now, there are opportunities to acquire properties and land for rebuild and development in Florida and California that won't be there down the road. Some displaced residents and businesses are still looking for their next property. Opportunities are there for those that know to create them.

 

Research I have done for my valued clients and connection (and myself) allows me to create long-term strategies which benefit investors, developers, and other real estate professionals. For example, I have a "100% Funding on Vertical Construction" Program for residential properties with horizontal in place and using the land as collateral. I have an approved and highly experienced builder ready to participate. I'm aware of land parcels available right now that would be an ideal fit. Some investors know that conditions will change in those states and areas, whether sooner or later, and they could be in great shape when they do.

 


Opportunity is knocking. Let's connect!

 

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/729964-south-florida-home-sales-prove-dismal-in-march/  

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

No Waiting For Office to Apartment Conversions - If You Know How and Where to Look

Converting unused office space can be a great opportunity for commercial property owners and investors, while providing plenty of work for contractors, brokers, lenders, designers, and other services related to real estate transactions. From what I'm seeing, it appears to make a difference which municipality you are considering for making a conversion happen.

 

Some cities are looking to regulate conversions to the point of helping with grants and tax incentives. Other cities are trying to regulate rental costs or the exact type of build(s) allowed. Stamford CT is an interesting example of what can happen. The city is not offering any grants, tax incentives, or advantages, but several developers are doing conversions anyway. Although the demand appears to be there to support the need for housing over office space, some cities are more concerned with controlling rent than with providing needed housing. 

 

It is likely that municipalities making it more challenging will lose out to others that are making it easy. This situation is another example of how and why research and having the best information can make a huge difference when it comes to real estate.

 

My team and I are here to help you and your team create the best possible opportunities!


https://propmodo.com/how-cities-are-turning-empty-offices-into-housing-and-what-it-really-takes-to-make-it-work/

 

 

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Tracking Current and Potential Tenants Is The Lease You Can Do

When it comes to working in real estate, the quest should be to have better information at your fingertips than your competition and people you are negotiating with. Before the numbers work, the concept has to work. 


The article linked below focuses on how the one-time leader among “family” multi-location steak restaurants has lost its lead, and to which establishments it did. Outback is no longer the leader, while Texas Roadhouse has, statistically, taken over. Unfortunately, we have seen this movie before. A leading business starts a decline and in today's business world, does not recover and winds up in bankruptcy. This is not to say that Outback will wind up that way, but plenty of restaurant chains have. 


Whether a real estate developer, broker, contractor, lender, or investor, you want to associate with a leader on the rise whenever possible. Keep track of trends which could impact your bottom line. If I was currently leasing space to Outback, I would start looking for potential “eventual” candidates now and make or continue contacts. If I have space to lease to a restaurant chain, I would consider Texas Roadhouse, or another chain on the “way up”. Years from now, it could mean a lot to your wallet by doing constant research.

 

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/28/business/outback-steak-texas-roadhouse-longhorn/index.html 

 

 


Monday, March 31, 2025

Success From Seeing What Is Not There

Seeing opportunities in real estate is only the start. Making them happen is the next step. The below linked article shows three separate historic buildings which have been converted into boutique hotels in Texas.

 

Some people see this type of story and think, "How did they do this?". They did it by having solid research in place. I highly doubt that any of the historic buildings were listed or advertised as being potential hotels. Yet, three separate organizations were able to put deals together and make them a reality, likely with zero competition.

 

In real estate, it helps to see what is NOT there along with knowing what to do about it. Having a vision and then determining whether or not the numbers can work is a module of operation for some. Those that carry it all the way through are setting the pace. These boutique hotel owners had enough information to bring the opportunity they envisioned to life. It goes from dream to reality when funding appears followed by architects, designers, contractors, and brokers get involved to make it happen.

 

It is not a new or recent concept to convert problems into successful opportunities. The article about these three ventures ties them together from over a 20 year period. This is NOT market driven. Opportunities for success in real estate are always there - for those that know how to find them.

 

https://www.chron.com/life/travel/article/texas-historic-hotels-boutique-buildings-20246495.php

 



Thursday, March 27, 2025

If The Space Is So Great, Why Is It Being Auctioned?

If the space is so great, why is it being auctioned off?

 

I spend a part of my business day seeking opportunities for my valued clients, students, and connections, and am always working on at least one.There are endless stories about repurposing, transforming historical buildings, billion dollar upgrades, and so on. 

 

Many of us are aware that JoAnn Fabrics is going under, and understand that happens when retailers don't have a solid strategy. The big shock for me came this morning when I read that leases from 11 stores with at least 10,000 square feet each are going up for auction. Auction??

 

It would seem there would be at least one broker that could be working those spaces, whether talking with neighbor tenants, competitors, retailers, and service businesses about taking or sharing those locations. These leases are spread around different communities which may have different needs.

 

Empty spaces in malls and shopping centers don't help anyone. If a storefront "couldn't sell at auction and the business in there went bankrupt", it's not like there will be market demand moving forward. You can't tell me that how a property is positioned doesn't matter.

 

From my viewpoint, no one wins from this decision. If these leases sell at auction, the buyer has the task of filling the space - but with no certainty of eventual renewal at a favorable price. The current owners get minimal return, even if it does go to creditors (who deserve better). At the same time, plenty of opportunities for brokers, landlords, developers, investors, lenders, and contractors go down the drain.  


We need to create opportunities from realistic situations.

 

https://jerseydigs.com/joann-fabrics-auction/ 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

How Tomorrow's Successes Take Flight

 

It happened again yesterday. I was asked about what I look for when researching or evaluating a property. As always, it brings on a two-part answer, which is the opportunity AND the numbers. Or is it the numbers and the opportunity?


I’m going with opportunity first. It may come in the form of motivation, something happening in the neighborhood, or an expansion. There should be reasons to look into real estate opportunities within a specific area before running the numbers. Strategies don’t come from reading the latest real estate trends and statistics.


The article linked below is about the upcoming expansion of facilities at and near Chicago O’Hare Airport. Whether you have anything to do with real estate in that area or not, there are plenty of opportunities for success upon finding numbers that work in your favor.


Seeing the increase in hotel room demand, an upcoming ice rink, and other plans for the area already are creating opportunities for real estate developers, brokers, investors, lenders, and contractors. Guests and visitors to the area, whether using the Airport or not, are clearly on the increase. They like to eat, drink, shop, and be entertained. Investors may want to acquire land for development or look at expanding existing buildings. 


If your current role doesn’t allow time to find these opportunities that could pay off big time down the road, it shouldn’t stop you from finding and evaluating them. Ask me how……

 

https://rejournals.com/ohare-takes-flight-with-new-cre-investments/ 



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Real Estate On The Right Side of the Tracks

While the numbers must be the primary consideration for acquiring or selling a property or real estate opportunity, your research and running the scenarios should not stop there. I’m amazed at the number of times I have to remind a student, client, or valued connection about this. Facts about demographics, nearby properties and amenities, and the potential for the location sometimes are as important as the numbers.


Sometimes, as the below linked article shows, it’s a matter of which side of the tracks you are on. (Or, in this example, which side of the freeway.) No matter what our individual feelings and philosophies are, the local environment plays a role in the pricing and structuring of real estate. Which side of the tracks, freeway, mountains, or woods a property is on can make or break a deal. It’s another reason you can’t rely solely on the numbers.

 


https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/new-study-shows-how-much-highways-block-social-connection



 

 


Thursday, March 20, 2025

Houston - We Have New Opportunities

It amazes me how many people in the wonderful world of real estate pass on reading about opportunities like the plans for the huge $2 billion expansion of the convention center area in Houston. A project of this magnitude means plenty of business for investors, brokers, lenders, and contractors. There will be new insurance policies, title searches, and design needs which will involve proposals and bids from potentially hundreds of vendors. Attorneys will be needed to finalize leases, complete closings, and review permits. Technology like Custom Interactive Virtual Staging and virtual reality tours for proposed properties (which my team and I can help with!) will be called upon.


Although my office is hundreds of miles away and I have not been to Houston in six years, some of my valued clients and connections have already heard from me as I alert them to this major news.


I continue to uncover opportunities because, no matter how ‘busy’ my schedule is, I look for research that could help my clients and my team to increase their bottom line. The more I know at the negotiating table that the other party does not, the better my chances are to score a good deal. Just like in school, the one that does their homework gets the better grades.

 

https://www.archpaper.com/2025/03/populous-houston-convention-district/



 

 

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

The Lessons of Wildfires

What a difference a few months can make. The story (linked below) about building a “wildfire resistant” house would not have generated many views as recently as Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Now, there are plenty of real estate developers, investors, and brokers that should find the information helpful.


There are lessons to be learned because of all of us seeing the spread and damage of wildfires in Southern California and more recently in other parts of the country. Add in the consideration that new construction starts are becoming less frequent than we have seen in recent years. If they are going to be built, they need to have added protection.

 


 

However, the significance to me is that this type of research is available, and not only because it is timely. Part of my strategy of performing and providing helpful research for clients and connections is to take from my resources. Over the years, I have made it a point to save helpful and credible articles like the one below to have this type of information handy for if and when needed. Just as many sales people lose business by not following up when they should, a lot of helpful research goes unused because real estate investors and professionals didn’t retain it.


Whether you make notes of your key takeaways or save and label the link, it can make a huge difference to have information to rely on that your competition or the person at the other end of the bargaining table doesn’t. I enjoy coaching real estate professionals and investors on how to collect and best utilize research to their advantage. Let’s connect!

 

 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-build-a-wildfire-resistant-house/

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Should Be Plenty of "Room" For Hotel Research

Even if you are not involved with hotels as a broker, developer, or investor, your real activities might involve a property or opportunity which is, at least in part, dependent upon hotels. Nearby restaurants, event centers, and shopping are examples. Sometimes nearby employee housing is a part of the involvement.


Travel trends seem to indicate that after an overall increase in 2024 that economic uncertainty is a factor in the recent reduction in air travel. If you are considering investing or expanding a hotel property or one which is impacted by hotels, it would help to research the area to better determine the target audience. It is another example of how you need to consider more than the data relating to a property. 


The article linked below focuses on hotels in Hawaii, but some of the concerns apply in many more places. Whether you own or invest in hospitality related properties, or are a broker or service professional working with owners and investors, it helps your business to keep up with industry trends and concerns.

 

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/03/a-talk-with-the-hawai%CA%BBi-hotel-alliance-about-an-uncertain-time-for-tourism/




 

 

Monday, March 17, 2025

Credit Card Debt Means Renting

It is well known that some cities and regions are more favorable for renting than buying regardless of what it costs to buy a home. Some people would like to buy (instead of rent) but simply don’t have a choice, at least for a period of months if not years. Under current economic conditions, more and more people are facing increased credit card debt. One of the most important factors a mortgage lender or bank considers is the debt to income ratio of the applicant.


The percentage of consumers facing higher credit card debt compared to “emergency funds” has increased from 22% to 33% over the past three years. A debt to income ratio at or over 30% typically means that consumers will be denied credit, and that is for amounts which are much less than for what obtaining a new mortgage requires.


A multi-family landlord or investor in multi-family properties should be aware of such trends, especially prior to making decisions regarding a potential transaction or if looking to leverage a property to expand a portfolio. These elements can be a part of your research, and could play as much of a role as home sales and price trends within the market(s) under consideration.


Meanwhile, this same research could be just as valuable to landlords that rent and investors looking at single-family homes in specific cities and areas. Just as some cities show more people with much higher than average credit card debt (which favor rental situations), there are others with much lower debt. Having “lower” debt means that more local consumers are likely in a much better position to purchase a home if other market conditions are right and/or the motivation is there.


If you knew that very recent research showed Toledo, Milwaukee, and Des Moines among cities with lower average credit card debt, you would have motivation to sell or invest in homes to benefit from those areas. Or, if you knew that NYC, Riverside (CA), and Chesapeake (VA) were among cities with the most consumer debt, you might have better rental options.


You would not make real estate decisions based on this data alone. However, this is the type of data which could greatly impact and improve your ability to achieve success in real estate. The link below is to some of the results of the research needed to add this criteria to your investing decisions. My team and I are here to help you formulate and utilize this criteria within your research and add to your success. 


I want my clients to have this and more information when negotiating with a party that does not. Which side of the negotiating table would you prefer?

 

https://www.newsbreak.com/san-diego-post-314653203/3857408330306-americans-carry-1-35-trillion-in-credit-card-debt-with-california-cities-leading-the-pack

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, March 14, 2025

Reasons To Call Commercial Real Estate Clients

In this era where Customer Service is becoming a thing of the past, the savvy real estate professional or investor should constantly be on the lookout for ways they can BETTER serve past, current, and possibly potential clients. I want my research and marketing clients and connections to have strategies to stay top of mind whether in a potential transaction situation or not. (Emphasis on the "or not".) Working relationships should not just be confined to leading to a closing table.

 

Only a percentage of my readers have been or are involved with restaurant owners and transactions. However, a much bigger percentage would benefit by having a reason to contact people from a past transaction or that they need to stay in contact with.

 

The news story from Chicago about possible political involvement in regulating restaurant reservations to reduce no-shows which cost revenue would seem to have nothing to do with buying or selling real estate. Actually, it doesn't.

 

However, if I were a betting man, I would bet that many restaurant owners in Illinois are not (yet) aware of this story, and might want to be. If I was currently involved with selling or investing in commercial real estate, I would be calling my restaurant contacts to make sure they saw this story (link below).

 

Why? It is something they could get involved in which could directly and positively impact their bottom line. They might not have known "if not for you". Chances are significant that no one else in the real estate community is going to call them today to make sure they are aware about possible legislation to help them eliminate bad reservations. It is your chance to get them to talk about their business. Maybe they are looking to expand, sell, or buy the building they are now renting. You would catch them at a time when no one else is.

 

If you are not involved with restaurants or commercial real estate, you could still tip them off to something. Maybe they know of someone that needs what you provide. This approach does you a lot more good than having them on a group email of a pie recipe.

 

You should be making calls like this, and doing so without reservations!

 

Reservations Legislation?

 


 





Thursday, March 13, 2025

Will The Airlines Give Some Landlords Reasons To Fly Away?

It's a story about top executives at the major airlines showing concern about economic concerns. This is a blog which focuses on real estate. My instincts from years of performing research tell me there is a connection for some people and companies on the real estate side.

 

The message is clear that fewer people will be flying over, at the very least, the next few months. There are many reasons, ranging from people having done "extra" travel to make up for missed time due to the pandemic to increased fear over job loss to recent airplane disasters scaring off potential passengers.

 

Some landlords and investors need to take this situation into account. If you have one or more properties on short-term rental plans, you need to consider that you may be facing less of a target audience this Summer and beyond. Might be worth looking at pursuing long-term tenants or perhaps selling or exchanging with someone who is not taking these possibilities into account.

 

If you are on the commercial side, consider that hotels, restaurants, and tourist venues which depend heavily on customers flying to and from the area are likely to be impacted by this expected downward trend in air travel.

 

As I continue to preach to my valued clients and connections, being aware of "everything" that could impact your business and/or properties is of the utmost importance. This is whether it's good or bad possibilities. Be ready to adapt.

 

You could have the most wonderful property deal on the planet, but you need for people to want to travel there for it to matter.



 

 https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/11/airline-ceo-domestic-travel-demand.html