"You Need To Pay My Broker!"

Developers!

All of the Developers I have worked with throughout my near 30 year Real Estate Career have always been the same: Greedy!

Recently, I have been going back and forth with a S Cal Developer, who used to be licensed as a real estate agent in California, who is now searching for Las Vegas houses (to buy and flip).

Fortunately, I have a seller client who will sell his rental houses in a portfolio all cash.

After going back and forth with the Developer, and settling on the price and terms, the developer then throws in that I have to split the procuring commission with his "broker!"

What?

Apparently, this Developer wants half the procuring commission and he found a local agent -- who I know - who is wiling to pay this unlicensed person half of the procuring fee just to have some business!

Is this sleazy?

YES!

First, it never occurred to me that the "agent" actually would be willing to do this.  (He must be hard up for money.)
Second, why would an agent/broker even want to be inserted into any ongoing negotiation post the listing agent procuring the Buyer. (This doesn't make any sense.)
Lastly, this Developer never mentioned "his broker" until the terms of the deal were set and I was drafting the contract.

Now, the Seller does NOT need to sell! (It would be a different scenario if that was the case.) And, the original sales terms have been altered from the Seller's original terms and I have a feeling (knowing the Seller for as long as I have) he is most likely NOT going to accept.

We'll see what happens.

(My wife suggested I report this to the NV RED because I know that the Developer wants and probably will get half of the procuring fee IF I go along with his sleazy deed.

If you are searching for an honest CRE Broker...

Contact David Howes: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Sleazy Real Estate Agents

Late last night, I received a call from a residential agent asking about one of my motel listings.

She and her husband are a Residential Real Estate Team here in Las Vegas.

Not surprised that a residential agent would call.  That happens a lot because residential agents think that selling a Commercial Real Estate (CRE) property will add to their mystic.  (It doesn't.)

Anyway, this morning, The "wife" emails me that they have a cash buyer interested in acquiring a small motel.  I have one listed.

I call the Owner's Property Manager (PM) and set up a tour.

As I was working on other "things," I suddenly get a text from the PM saying that a Buyer and agent are at the property asking questions.  (Now, PM and myself are the only ones authorized by the Owner to answer For Sale questions.)

Fortunately, the PM was at the motel in question and did answer property questions during the tour.
Then, they suddenly left.

In the meantime, I am calling the "wife" and asked what was going on?
She said their tour was ahead of schedule and thought just going to the property to walk around was okay. (It's NOT!)

I told her that, that was unacceptable and unprofessional behavior.  If she had been in real estate any length of time, she would know this.

FYI: If you make a schedule to tour a real estate property, and you are early, you call the listing agent to let them know you are early.  They didn't call.  I had to call them after the PM found them wandering the property and asked what they were doing?

So, if you have agents that are that lacking in management skills, you may NOT want to work with them.

The PM did say the Buyer acted as if he was offended by the condition of the property.  He's a bottom feeder and I am truly sick of them.

The property is Value Add and does need work and is priced for that reason.

More as the Corona virus, COVID-19, rampages through the US.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Value Add Non-Gaming Las Vegas Area Motels For Sale

Are you interested in earning a 15.5% Cap Rate/ROI by owning three Las Vegas Area Motels?

If you contact me right away, I will send you the property details for each.

It's a total of 98 units from three separate motel properties in and around Downtown Las Vegas.

They earned +/-$859,000 Net in 2019.

Casa Blanca Motel

The Economy Motel

The Starlite Motel

For further information on each or altogether...

Contact David Howes at: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

How to Screw up a Commercial Real Estate Escrow!

The corona-virus hasn't been the only thing effecting me the past 22 days.
(I am NOT infected by the virus! It has been one of many things going on around me that have had an effect on me -- like it has on so many others.)

With that said: the escrow that was canceled by the Buyer the day before Close, is still swarming around with accusations now by the Procuring Broker of being screwed; and accusations of me and the Seller screwing the Buyer, and these are from the Procuring Broker.

This accusation has become more nauseating than the Virus! (Okay, since I don't have the virus, this is an exaggeration.)

Let me explain: Recently, the Procuring Broker accused me of trying to "Sideline" his firm from any commission due to him because his client canceled escrow.

Essentially, he is accusing me of trying to screw him.

Potential Screw Job?

That's NOT true given that one of the partners in the Buying Entity is a local real estate agent who is with another firm.  That agent has made direct contact with me and continued to do so even after I told him to keep the procuring broker involved. (He didn't).

So, when I emailed this Partner, I also cc the broker and agent involved to keep them in the loop.

Yet, apparently, the Broker doesn't keep up with his email correspondence. (That's another story.)

Anyway, when a Buyer cancels an escrow the day before closing, it is a reminder that there are a lot of Buyers out there that lie.  This Buyer claimed to be qualified to buy ALL CASH, yet never had the money to close.  It also puts into focus his Proof of Funds that he presented claiming he had the ability to close. (What happened to it?)

My suspicion is, and has been, he was trying to "flip" the properties. And, his up escrow/sale canceled on him.  Now, he is trying to get his $275,000 EMD back which he is NOT entitled to per the Purchase Agreement he signed.

Since I do my best to be diligent and honest, if you are a Buyer who lies and pretends you are more than you are not, please do NOT contact me.

If you are a Buyer who is serious about acquiring a Nevada CRE Property...(and don't like screwing or being screwed)...but like being treated in an honest and forthright manner...

Contact David Howes by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Small Las Vegas Casino For Sale!

The Owner of a Small Las Vegas Casino with 45 rooms just told me he's interested in Selling.
He said he will NOT List with any Broker, but if I bring him a ready, willing and capable buyer, he will compensate me.

So, if you can acquire an Unlimited Gaming Casino at $30 Million, contact me right away.

Las Vegas, NV

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Corona Virus is NOT a Reason to Cancel Escrow at the Last Minute!

The Downtown Las Vegas Motels that were in escrow suddenly canceled last Monday -- the day before the escrow was supposed to close.

The Seller is very, very upset because the Buyer had run through all of his contingencies and at the last minute he claimed he couldn't get financing, thus he emailed a Termination Letter to escrow demanding his $275,000 Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) returned.

Per usual, he is claiming the Corona Virus and the US Travel Ban are to blame -- thus he can NOT close.

BULLSHIT!

First: his Due Diligence passed and he had no problem with all that was disclosed to him about the three motels. (Yes, he knew they are Value Add and the Buyer accepted that fact.)

Second: At the last minute, he claimed his bank refused to finance the transaction.  Unfortunately, he claimed from the very beginning he was a Cash Buyer, thus he did NOT have a Financing Contingency in his contract.

My Attorney Friend (who I used to play golf with every week) said that just because there is a Pandemic and a Travel ban, those items are NOT in the contract, thus the EMD rightfully belongs to the Seller.

That is in the contract!

Besides, the Buyer's Up Buyer canceled on him leaving him high and dry.  That's NOT the Seller's fault!

In the meantime, the Attorney is going to respond to the Termination Letter and said we'll see where that takes us.

So, are you looking for a (Non Gaming) Downtown Las Vegas Motel that can be acquired at about a 15% Cap Rate?

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

The Assignment has NOT been Received!

In almost 30 years of being a Real Estate Broker, this has happened to me less than a half-dozen times.
However, as of yesterday, this is the first time it happened within three days of closing escrow!

I have had the three Downtown Las Vegas Motels in escrow four times now.

In my attempt to ward off would be flippers, I have been diligent to overly vet prospective buyers.
Most approach as buyers interested in acquiring value add, net income properties that they can fix and operate.

However, I didn't see this one coming because the "Buyer" has acquired several properties in Downtown Las Vegas that he bought, fixed, and operates.

So, when all of the Buyer's contingencies expired, he suddenly wants to cancel the escrow -- and receive 100% of his Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) back!
WHAT?!

The Seller was just as surprised, too!  And, since the Buyer threatened to sue to get his EMD, the Seller sought his attorney's advice; and his attorney says the EMD belongs to the Seller.

Then, while discussing the situation with the Escrow-holder, she lets out that she had been waiting for the Assignment of the Escrow.
WHAT?!

Assignment of  Escrow

She tells me that the Buyer's assignment of the escrow has NOT been received.  I was stunned. Apparently, this Buyer either didn't have the funds to close (As he assured me); or his flip Buyer pulled out of the deal at the last minute.

(I think the latter.)

Now, the Buyer either has to close, or he loses his $275,000.00 EMD.

At this point, we shall proceed with caution.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

SHUTDOWN!

Real Estate is a business that requires a lot in personal interaction.  Granted, most of it is on the telephone and through other electronic communicating, but it is still a personal relationship business.

Yet, truly it is a non-essential business -- except when you have an escrow that needs to close within the shutdown period.

Sigh!

Buyer wants to extend closing because he is restricted from re-entering the US; and Seller's attorney says close right away.

Somehow, as the Real Estate Broker in the transaction, I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

(Boy do I feel squeezed.)

What to do? What to do?

Keep moving forward.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Taverna Costera -- A WHL Designed Restaurant!

Rarely do I ever mention my wife's design firm.

I really should mention her firm more because her team does amazing work.

Here is the latest from Carol, Larry and crew!

Vegas Eater Taverna Costra Story

Magnificent!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Multi Family Plex Properties For Sale in Downtown Las Vegas!

If you have been searching for a smaller Value Add Las Vegas Investment to get started -- or, you have a limit on your available funds, there are 5 small multifamily real estate properties that are available in Downtown Las Vegas!

They are each in the $300,000 range - if bought individually; OR, you could acquire all 5 for $1.5 Million.

621 & 625 N 11th Street

208 N 13th Street

1302 Stewart Ave

610 N 11th Street

Interested Buyers should...

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Las Vegas Residential Portfolio For Sale!

Have you been searching for Single Family Homes to purchase as rental income?

Then, I have a portfolio of homes that are rental properties for you.

There are 11 homes and 1 Condo in this portfolio.  You can acquire One or all Twelve.  It's up to you.

1189 Balzar Ave

1392 Hart Ave

2060 La Salle Street

 

4420 Shalimar Ave

4562 Baby Bird Lane

4604 Van Buren Ave

4608 Van Buren Ave

5151 Paradise Valley Ave

7078 Burcot Ave C-14 (Condo)

2160 Clancy Street

3019 Asante Cove Street

1913 Wild Jan Drive

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Sports Loving Investors - A Long Term Leased Sports Bar is available for your review!

Hey!

Sports Loving Investors!  There are two Las Vegas Sports Bars For Sale!

Football is back in full swing!  And, the Super Bowl is just around the corner!

With that said, these are fabulous opportunities for the correct Sports Loving enthusiast to acquire a perfect Net Leased Investment Property where local Las Vegans go to wet their whistles and make friendly wagers on the games right inside of the bar!

That's right!  These Sports Bars have sports wagering kiosks that can accept wagers on the game right at the bar location without having to go to a major resort to place a bet at a sports book!

And, these are located in these particular sports bars because of the credibility of the Tenant which is a National Credit Tenant who has a Corporate Guarantee on their lease!

These two can be acquired together or individually.  Both have a Net Leased Income of more than $20,000 per month!

AND, there is basically zero Landlord responsibility!

The Tenant pays for the building maintenance, the building's Real Estate Taxes, and Insurance on top of their  annual rent!

So, don't wait!  The long term leases and tenant financials are available.  But, I will only let those qualified get to see them.  In order to get qualified, you need to call or email me.  I suggest you do so as soon as you finish reading this so you do NOT swing and miss on this too good of an opportunity!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Rail Served Land in Las Vegas!

Recently, I've been thinking about the Railroad.
All the live long day.

Okay, enough of that.

About a year ago, I ran into a Land Owner who resides here in Las Vegas who owns several acres of land that he is considering for sale.
One of his parcels is adjacent to a parcel that has rail service.

Now, there's no warehouse, or anything like that on the parcel; but, there is a rail spur on the vacant parcel.  This could add value to this owner's parcel if he does acquire it.

It sits there all by itself, all alone with no other rail served parcel in the area.

However, the parcel with the rail service is NOT big enough, by itself, for any warehouse development.  So, in order to build and be able to utilize the rail spur cost effectively, you would have to acquire the surrounding parcels.

Unfortunately, there's the rub.

But, I have approached the adjacent land owners about selling.  Some are willing; others no so much.  (Their prerogative. )  Some want more than top dollar, the others are content to keep their land and keep it as is.

Anyway, if interested in developing a rail served parcel in Las Vegas, and need my insight...

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Tragedy Attracts A Low Balling Crowd!

Ever since the Alpine Motel Apartments suffered it's worst day ever and a resulting six people died, there has been an uptick in real estate interest for this property.

Yes, the Low Ball Flippers have contacted me about buying the property.

Alpine Motel Apartments

All have the ability to close real fast, and they are Cash Buyers -- they claim!

The problem, aside from the legal liability the Owner is going to suffer from (alleged) code violations, is these Low Ball Flippers can buy quickly -- only if the Seller would carry back a loan!

Now, I know from my years of experience, that when you are a Buyer asking for a Seller to Carry Back a Loan, you are NOT a Cash Buyer!

And, to add insult to injury, their quick buying price is way less than what the property is worth.  Vacant, the property should sell for about $3 Million in it's "As Is" state.

But, with the pending litigation, that puts this property on hold.

In the words of the Owner's attorney, "Hold for now."

In the meantime. my heart goes out to the victims caught in this tragic event.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Five Tips about Real Estate

Happy New year, Everyone!!

Now, I didn't stay up for any of that New Year's Celebration stuff.  So, I rested well and woke up late New Year's Day.

However, I noticed someone connected to my blog from another blog.  And, checking out the other blog, she described some real estate items I think everyone should know.

https://therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Happy New Year!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a Pleasant New Year's Eve and Day!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Wishing Everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree!

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

The Redevelopment of Downtown Las Vegas is the future of Las Vegas Development!

Since Tony Hsieh started buying up lots and lots of real estate parcels east of the Downtown Las Vegas Fremont Street Experience more than 10 years ago, land flippers have also been buying up property with the intent to flip to Tony's Downtown Project.

And, with the City of Las Vegas investing in widening the Fremont Street sidewalks east of Las Vegas Blvd, this area is beginning to become more pedestrian friendly,  Local businesses have high hopes this attempt to draw foot-traffic will help the businesses in this area become profitable.

AND, with businesses drawing more people, the City also hopes this will draw more development in affordable housing -- which is in such dire need in this area.

Now, The Downtown Project has built a 250 unit apartment building called Fremont 9 at the intersection of (you guessed it) Fremont and 9th Streets; and, they are beginning to develop another +/-250 unit apartment building at 11th and Ogden.

Housing is in such demand, that even older apartment buildings are being sought to provide housing developers the opportunity to cash in on this trend.

The Alpine Motel Apartments

One such opportunity is the Alpine Motel Apartments.  Don't let the name fool you.  It's NOT a Motel -- even though that's the name it was given when built in 1972.

It is and has been Studio Apartments all along.  It currently has the ability to rent out weekly.  But, the City of Las Vegas would like to remove that grandfathered ability with any new construction at this site.

Now, it is currently being rented monthly.  But, because of the run down state of the property, it is in dire need of renovation.

That's where the rub begins.

Some developers think it will be too much to renovate.  Others just want to low ball offers so they can do a lipstick on a pig and flip.

Even The Downtown Project made a low ball offer which was quickly rejected by the Owner.

Comparable Sales, though, indicate the AS IS Market Value to be $3 Million.  OR, at about $73,529 per unit.

BUT, the Seller will accept $2.8 Million.  OR, $66,667 per unit.

And, this falls right into what I think the cost of renovation could be: +/-$6,000 per unit or more.

Now, like I mention above, this property has had it's share of offers -- mostly low-ball offers that the Seller has continuously rejected.

Yet, I continue to strive toward a Closed Escrow/Sale for this property.

So, if you are ALL CASH with a QUICK CLOSE, there is a price that this could be acquired at!

You just need...

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

When a Buyer needs a Seller Carry Back, the Property is being Flipped!

You spend a lot of time exerting a lot of effort marketing a property for sale.  Then, you run into a Buyer who claims (says) you don't need to work so hard. 

They're easy.  They have all cash and can close real fast!

You think your efforts are finally paying off!

Phew!  That was .... Wait!

That was too easy....

And, so it goes.  You work so hard to get a fair market value offer for a property listing, and then, all of the sudden, along comes a Buyer with cash. (So, they say.)  You think your effort has finally come to fruition?  Or, has it?

This is a scenario I have run into for a long time since I obtained the Listing on several Las Vegas Properties.  I worked my marketing magic as best I can; and, then out of the blue comes a Buyer (a Flipper), who presents themselves as the key to my success.

(They claim) They are an ALL CASH Buyer who can close easily and quickly -- if the Seller can carry back a 2nd for six months to a year.

Sound familiar?

I've heard this a lot in the last year or so.  It's become so redundant, I can recite their pitch in my sleep.

The Seller, who I have known for a long, long time, is a well educated property owner with a lot of experience in owning, buying and selling real estate.

And, yes.  He buys low and sells high.  (That's the Golden Rule of Real Estate.)

So, when he told me he will NOT carry back a loan, I knew, right from the beginning, he knew the secret of a Flipper.  That is because he's a Flipper, too!

But, since I've known him, he's always been the real ALL CASH Buyer type that does pay ALL CASH and he does closes quickly. (Less than 30 days).

He isn't a Buyer who tries to get a carry back from a seller.  He pays cash, fixes the property's problems, then re-sells.

Moral of the story, if you are a flipper, and you want to steal equity, you need to do it quietly, quickly and move on to the next property in a blink of the eye.  To do that requires ALL CASH. 

Get in.  Close.  Then, Get Out.

Carry backs only keep the Seller's interest in a property.  It allows the Seller to keep an eye on what you are doing.  And, that creates the problem.  Once the Seller knows you are stealing their equity, that's when the Buyer's problems begin. 

And ALL of Your Efforts were for not.

Moral of the Story, I will keep marketing and putting my effort into finding a Buyer who wants to own the property rather than someone just looking for a flip.

It really does matter.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

Attention, Lowball, Bottom Feeders! Don't Bother!

Last week, while back in "Boston" where I grew up, the extended family gathered together to celebrate the passing of our mother.

She was a 90 year old spit fire.  (Okay, you get the picture.)

Anyway, after the wake and before the funeral, we went to her favorite spot and we each had our favorite drink in a toast to honor of her.

While there, my youngest brother, who is a Colonel in the US ARMY, and I were discussing local real estate events. (My Apologies.  I can't help myself.)

He had been a real estate agent for a short time years ago but could never make a go of it.  (Maybe because he was fully into being an Army Officer?)

Anyway, while discussing the multiple low-ball offers I get for my listings in Downtown Las Vegas, I was complaining that too many of these bottom feeders feel entitled to steal the Seller's equity value of a property listing.

During our discussion of this, he said, (paraphrasing) if you treat the low-balling Buyer seriously, maybe you could work a deal.

I knew then that he didn't understand how real estate works. 

I replied: Since I am the listing Broker, my fiduciary duty is to the Seller.  If a Buyer makes an offer too low, I am going to tell the Seller to reject the offer.

Now, several of these rejected low-ball buyers do return and try, and try again and again.
(It's as if they are masochist and want the punishment.)

Yet, the market value (per Comparable Sales) keeps going up, but their offers stay the same.

What did Einstein say: If you keep doing the same thing over and over, and expect a different result, you must be crazy or stupid?

For a fair, Las Vegas market value deal, you can...

Contact David Howes: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!