If The State Is Spending Billions, They See The Same Opportunities

With the increased attention being paid to some municipalities taking the lead on residential and commercial development, we continue to see many differences in their approach. The news that the Texas Department of Transportation is looking at the billions of dollars it would take to improve its overall transportation problem goes above and beyond what many of its municipalities are doing.

 

State projections show that Texas could add 9,000,000 more residents within the coming 25 years. Those that live, work, and/or visit the Dallas Metroplex and the Houston area are aware of how much traffic is already in place. Smaller towns also lack transportation other than cars. 

 

Public meetings are already taking place around the State with more to come. If there are going to be locations where train stations and other transportation hubs are going to be constructed, there are going to be plenty of new opportunities. People may want to live near convenient transportation which would save car payments. Restaurants and retail benefit by the built-in audience. Real estate developers, investors, contractors, lenders, and brokers all have the potential for a lot of work and income producing opportunities.

 

In this case, it's not all fuss about a single location or community. Texas is a huge state, with the Dallas, San Antonio, Houston triangle encompassing hundreds of square miles and opportunities within that region alone.

 

Now is the time to increase your research and development so that your team can be "first in" on an opportunity which best fits within your wheelhouse. Let's talk!  

  

https://apnews.com/article/transportation-mass-transit-texas-general-news-952ae04063b7f7d3cb1861b492cf40c8 

 

 

The Impact Of Marketing And Acquiring Hospitality Properties Right Now

The current reduction in flights due to the 2025 Government Shutdown is already having a negative impact on revenue of many hotels and the hospitality industry, whether parts of a chain or individual locations. It is more than canceling trips. Factors like re-booking flights for a day later or having to depart a day earlier also take their toll on destination revenue.

 

You may be wondering what this has to do with real estate marketing, and I'm here to tell you that the answer is "plenty", especially for developers, investors, and brokers. The shutdown is going to end at some point, hopefully very soon. When it does, estimates are it could take weeks before airline travel is back to normal. This is happening during Q4 of 2025, in time to show a less positive revenue trend for the quarter and consequently for the entire year, despite earlier rises in travel dollars.

 

As a real estate investor or developer, right now could be an ideal time to make an offer on an existing facility, especially when lost revenue could serve to reduce the value of an appraisal. (See the office building lending crisis for examples.) Appraisals do not take temporary circumstances into account. By the end of this year, some hotels could be appraised for six or seven figures less than they are "really" worth. A broker representing a buyer or an institutional buyer might be able to step in and pounce while appraisal prices are lower than they should be.

 

Meanwhile, suppose your team is involved with what really is a struggling hotel property and you want "out". Right now is the ideal time to spread the word, because a lot of other hotel numbers will be going "down" at the same time. Perhaps your revenue is not dropping as badly as many destination hotels and resorts for Q4.

 

Of course, it takes more than a couple of days to perform the research necessary to identify these opportunities, produce the offer (or selling package) and prepare to negotiate quickly (before the impact of the shutdown ends), and be ready with an operational plan.

 

Those that know how to react to a situation and plan ahead could gain a lot for years to come if they have the right research, planning, and preparation in place. Meanwhile, those that don't think they need a research person on their team will let still another long-term profit opportunity go by unnoticed. Let's discuss how my personal 30+ years of researching, marketing, and planning can put you in the best possible position!

 

https://apnews.com/article/flight-cuts-government-shutdown-airlines-c21ffa6c3d55e3d2fe7f53702112727b

 

  

When There Is Good and Bad From Zoning and Building Code Changes

While some real estate developers and investors continue to look to build new or for conversion opportunities in big cities, the movement to keep what is currently there has momentum in some locations. It is a reflection of why basing important decisions only on how the numbers pencil out may not be enough to make a solid decision.

 

One example is among the ordinances which were just approved in Baltimore as part of their government plan to ease access to existing affordable housing. When, as shown in the earlier proposal linked below, ordinances allow one stairway (instead of two) for a six-story apartment building, you know that the goal is to keep residents within the city limits. However, the more important components are elements like easing parking requirements and other building and zoning code requirements to actually make it more favorable for development. 

 

It is possible that a developer of a new housing structure, whether entirely or partially affordable housing, may not have been aware of the proposed ordinance when signing off on the deal. The potential difficulty of leasing their entire space may be reduced as the ordinances take effect in relation to construction and availability. Or, there could be elements which make new construction even more favorable!

 

To me, it's like when your favorite football team scores a touchdown. Some people immediately cheer, while others take a moment to make sure there are no penalty flags. When it comes to real estate, it does not all have to happen in a split second, but your proposal can still be "first in". Having the best and most thorough research makes sure there are no penalty flags.

  

https://mayor.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2025-05-12-mayor-brandon-m-scott-introduces-legislation-expand-housing-access#:~:text=buildings%20up%20to%20six%20stories%20to%20be%20safely%20constructed%20with%20a%20single%20staircase

 

 

How To Stop Ai From Further Inflating Real Estate Costs

I'm seeing more and more evidence of problems resulting from too much reliance on Ai, especially in real estate. Maybe it's because I am such a big proponent of doing more thorough research than others to have more information in your favor. The below linked article discusses how the use of Ai for major construction projects appears to be aggressively inflating costs for both materials and labor. In other words, more than ever it depends upon which side of the negotiating table you are on.

 

Until now, my reasons for discussing the use of Ai, compared with using Hi (Human Intelligence) have focused on the data. If I am bidding on a project against five other sources and rely on Ai, I could easily be submitting the same data that four other bidders are and significantly reduce my odds for success. Having plenty of Hi, especially when based on extensive research, should bring me a huge advantage.

 

It now looks like those on the buying side need to be aware of how Ai could be inflating costs. If you don't know how to, or take the necessary time to do thorough research, you could wind up spending thousands of dollars more than necessary. I would not be surprised if the "thousands of dollars more" amount makes a project seem not worthwhile, when it could actually be very worthwhile if priced properly.

 

To put it more strongly, my wife works in healthcare. One of the reasons she dislikes Ai is that medical data could be taken from one or more patients that required heavier doses of medications or a custom diagnosis which does not apply to other individuals in making general determinations.

 

This is not to compare people's lives against real estate transactions, but it is the same theory. My clients, students, and valued connections are learning the difference, and the continuing need for Hi to take over.  

 

https://natlawreview.com/article/will-artificial-intelligence-increase-prices-construction-materials-equipment-and

 

 

 

How Crimes of Others Can Help Your Marketing

One of the elements of marketing for success I remind my clients and coaching students of, and have over the years, is about marketing your process. The below linked article is an example of an opportunity to do that very thing.

 

The article, unfortunately, focuses upon a crooked property manager that used applicants' personal data for illegal purposes. In recent years, many property managers have converted to software, apps, or websites for applications, rent payments, and work requests which require personal credit or debit information.

 

Although such technical considerations are subject to hacks, those are typically more secure than handwritten or snail mail for all concerned. As stories such as this circulate, adding that your property "only utilizes secure payment systems", or words to that effect, is more likely to make a difference in a potential tenant or client's decision.

 

Doing so is a constructive way of saying, "Our company won't put you in a situation allowing you to be compromised". Find out how many (or how few!) of your competitors are doing this very thing. The fewer that are, the more of an advantage promoting this gives you. Keep in mind that your business is not increasing any costs by promoting this more effectively.

 

Many of your competitors will not bother to read this story, let alone react to it. Your being "first in" with a reaction could bring more business your way. You don't have to be a leasing agent or property manager to use this method.

 

Let's connect, and discover what opportunities are already in place to help you! 

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/santa-clara-county-former-apartment-manager-arrested-id-theft-case/  

 

 

 

 

 

If You Overbid On A Property You Won't Win

Coming up with research your competition does not have access to, has not thought of, or does not implement can bring a huge advantage when utilized properly. The below linked article is a great example, focusing on how property buyers that agreed to pay above list price were not able to achieve desired results years later.

 

What makes the findings even more pertinent is that this is not a random survey among 100 purchases made within a single region. The research cited consists of reviewing 14 million home sales across 30 states over 20 years. Anyone that disagrees would need to come up with some very powerful research in order to have a chance to contradict.

 

How you interpret this degree of research depends upon your mission and your perspective. Keep in mind that 14 million home sales across the country would not lead to incorrect information. You should do what it takes to use such powerful research to your advantage, whether you agree with it or not.

 

Let this serve as a reminder to real estate investors to thoroughly understand what their "top price" is for any property they are interested. Brokers representing buyers can use these findings to show clients why their offer is at the number they came up with, especially when the motivation is eventual resale. 

 

Many of my coaching students and marketing clients know how much I emphasize performing their own research for the purpose of gaining every possible advantage. Those that know to track information like agents and brokers sales compared against asking price already have data about who to contact whether looking to buy or sell. It is one of the ways I teach about knowing your audience. The best information can make you "first in" on getting the right deal. 

    

https://nypost.com/2025/11/03/real-estate/new-study-shows-why-winning-a-bidding-war-isnt-worth-it/ 

 

 

A Problem 10 Months After The Property Was Auctioned?

For as much as my focus is on research to improve upon or create opportunities for real estate investors, developers, and brokers, I'm also amazed at how often companies fail to properly follow through on due diligence. 

 

The below linked story about a municipality looking to call back an auction sale made on a property for delinquent taxes is one such example. It turns out the reason the taxes were not paid is because the owner had been deceased for several years. 

 

Although we don't know how many stories and transactions like this there have been, it makes me wonder who knew what going in. Did the buyer make their bid at the auction knowing the owner was deceased? Or was it based on getting a certain price compared with the value of the property?

 

Either way, that buyer had their criteria met in making a successful bid and potentially more information than the "seller", in this instance, did. For my clients and students, the goal is always to have at least one piece of information ready which helps in negotiation and supports my side. 

 

Factors such as additional supporting comps, a more favorable ARV (after repair value) estimate, or pending zoning changes would not fall under non-disclosure. There are many things to look at when putting a buying or selling proposal together. Not having every possible piece of information to help your cause can prove very costly.

  

https://vancouversun.com/business/real-estate/vancouver-auctioned-property-delinquent-taxes-owner-dead