Monday, October 19, 2015

National Real Estate Firm only tries to Double End Deals

Since 1991, when I first got licensed in Real Estate, I was taught that doing the right thing for your client was the sure path to future success as a real estate broker.  And, the broker who taught me this was a short stocky former Gold Gloves boxer from Brooklyn, NY -- who happened to move to Southern California in the early 1950's and earned his California broker's license.

And, in the years that followed, I found him to be one of the hardest working real estate brokers I have ever met.  And, I have since worked for a variety of real estate firms since first getting my license.

Anyway, after he past away, and I moved from Southern California to Las Vegas, I interviewed with a several real estate brokers and notably one very large national real estate firm. The managing partner at the time said that since I didn't have enough listings, I was unable to join them.  (It has been revealed to me through the years that he was actually a pompous ass and not going to work for him was the best end result for me.)

So, he rejected me.  I was denied joining this large national real estate firm because I didn't have 'enough listings.  Oh, well.

I subsequently went to work for a former Century 21 franchisee.  That led to working for another regional commercial real estate firm, who in the six years I spent there, I discovered first hand that partners stealing commissions from the Associates was the norm.

Unfortunately, the other partners were not very good business men.  They decided to reward this arrogant nat a 100% contract without a desk cost. (Stupid? Of, course.)

And, since he was the #1 sales person for the firm, he was given all the up calls -- so he could decide whether or not they were worth his time to pursue.  (I eventually was told, that, that also included sign calls.)

I was never so glad to vacate a firm as fast as I did.  I now wish I had seen the rocks in the shallow water ahead that that ship was heading toward. (They have since gone out of business.)

So, after being denied a partner position at that firm, and because the arrogant ass didn't like me, I moved on -- for a short time -- to another national franchised firm, then a "supposed" real estate firm that "specialized in gaming properties;" to finally just hanging my broker's license all by myself.

Yet, for some reason, most -- if not all -- of my clients stayed with me.

So, through all this. one constant has remained and that is that this one particular National Real Estate firm doesn't like co-operating with other brokers.

Why?  Well, I think it is because they work in teams.  And, since there is very little commission left for the team to split after the national firm takes their share, splitting half with another broker, leaves the team less money.

Recently, I had a listing meeting with a local boutique hotel owner who was under the impression that listing with this national real estate firm would enable him to have 6,000+ agents worldwide trying to sell his property.

After several minutes of explaining how this firm truly works, the owner decided to NOT list.
(He did say he would pay me a 2% fee if I brought him a buyer.)

Anyway, the best thing I think that ever happened to me was when a client specifically flew to Las Vegas -- once I had my own company opened -- to have lunch with me.

During lunch, he said: "You are our guy here in Nevada!"
I said, "Thank You. But, what made you think that about me?"
He replied, "Because I think you are the baseball player who when he hits a grounder to short, you hustle your ass off trying to beat the throw to first base."

I know for a fact that this client has never regretted his assessment of me and my work ethic in his interpretation of success.

Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes

Friday, October 16, 2015

Las Vegas Hotel Resort Casinos For Sale!

Attention, companies that are interested and who are qualified to acquire a Las Vegas Hotel Resort Casino Property!

I have information on several Las Vegas Hotel Resort Casino Properties that will be coming on the market in the next month or so -- according to a well place gaming executive source.

So, IF your company is interested in pursuing a Las Vegas Hotel Resort Casino Property Opportunity, please click on the Las Vegas Casino Information Button in the right column (to the lower right of this page).

You must have your company's signatory (President/CEO) fill out and sign this Non Circumvent, Confidentiality and Commission Agreement in order to obtain any property information for any of the subject properties that will be coming available.

(Please be mindful that no property details will be offered to anyone unless I have received this form, completely filled out, and signed!  Please print the attached form, fill out, scan and then email it back to me for my signature.)

The values of these Hotel Resort Casino Properties will run from -- well, it will be +/-Hundreds of Millions and up!  So, be mindful and not waste my time.

I appreciate your patience in this and I am hopeful to be able to help you acquire a Las Vegas Hotel Resort Casino Property in the next few months.

For more Information about Las Vegas Commercial Investment Real Estate Property, contact David Howes at: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet; OR, 702-501-9388!

Monday, October 12, 2015

Mike Sitren was Correct!

RIP Mike!  It's been 22 years since I worked & learned from the best broker I ever knew.  Mike passed away in 1993 -- the year I went from salesman to broker in California.

He imparted wisdom on me that -- at the time -- I thought he was being too insistent about.  However, I realize now, that back then, he was ever so patient with me.

He once said: "Don't do any real estate transactions with family."

I asked: "Why?"

He replied: "Because if something goes wrong, you will be the one they blame!  And, they will make sure everyone knows you screwed them over."

I found out the hard way that this is so true when I tried to help my younger brother buy a house.  To this day, he still thinks he knows more about real estate then I do.  I would tell him the truth; he would insist I was lying.  (So sad.  I refuse to this day to even talk to him.  He is such an A**!)

He works as a computer programmer.  So, since he works on computers all day, he has learned all the ins and outs of real estate better than my 25 years actually working -- making a living -- at real estate.

So, please learn from my mistake.  Trying to help family will lead to them knowing more than you.  Don't fall into that trap!

:-)

Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes

Thursday, October 8, 2015

There are still some Good Deals in Las Vegas CRE right now!

However, I am dealing with several "Buyers" who tell me they want a deal on a property, yet, when I recommend one of these properties -- that already passed my litmus test -- Yes, if I had the money, I would have already bought this property -- the Buyers are like, ugh!

I would recommend a good price; they would change it to a weak price, thus killing any chance at a counter – or even a chance to open escrow!

I'm sorry: but, the Steals are long gone!  That window closed a couple of years back.
However, there are some good deals that could make money in the short AND long term.  You just have to have faith in the future of Las Vegas -- which is still growing!

For example: A fast food location on a high traffic street that is only one parcel away from a very successful McDonald's.

Here's another: a +/-1.8 acre of land zoned M-1 near Nellis AFB.  It also has a long term tenant on it.

So, if you are a serious Real Estate Investor -- looking for a Good Deal -- take the time to please give me a call.

OR, you could just give me the money, and I will buy it for me!

Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes

Saturday, October 3, 2015

"You are too honest for your own good!"

A few days ago, an attorney friend of mine and I had lunch.  We're both getting up there in age and for the first time we are both dieting. (Okay, we're just watching what we eat. Our metabolisms aren't what they used to be.)

Anyway, my friend, asked me about moving his office.  I asked about his remaining lease time, etc. He told me and I gave him some suggestions on what he could do.

Fast forward to the end of the lunch.  He then tells me. "David, you are too honest for your own good!"

I playfully asked if he was trying to insult me?  I told him it didn't work.

He replied he wasn't.  He continued to say he wished more real estate brokers where as plain spoken and truthful as I have always been with him.

And, that is when he said, "...that is why you lose deals to other brokers."

I wasn't shocked by this at all, because I know first hand that other brokers have slick tongues and are able to convince property owners and buyers that they desperately need them when dealing with a commercial real estate transaction.

Now, I do know the "closes" according to Tom Hopkin's Book, "How to Master the Art of the Sale."

But, most of the time, I don't use them because I feel as if it makes me "look and sound" desperate.  You do understand what I am saying, right?

So, instead of focusing on "the close," I try to be helpful and show them that my being honest with them, answering their objections directly, allows them to be relaxed and confident with me.

So far, it has worked.

Do I lose the occasional client?  Of course!  But, in some of those cases, I think they were being dishonest and they were trying to be a bigger shot than they truly were.  I'm sure, most of you have run into clients like that, right?

So, if you are looking for a Las Vegas Property?  Why not give me a call or email to see what I can do to help you.  Would that be okay?

Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Just in case you didn't know: When Acquiring a Las Vegas Resort Hotel Casino, The Buyer Pays the Real Estate Fee!

Recently, and by that I mean just yesterday, a Buyer gave me a hard time about the real estate fee that I want to charge to help him acquire a Las Vegas Resort Hotel Casino Property.

At the last minute, he doesn't want to pay and said that it is customary for the Seller to pay.

Okay, true!

In normal real estate, the Seller would, as part of the listing agreement, pay the Listing Broker a fee to market the property; and, the Listing Broker in turn would normally split that fee with a Procuring Broker.

I am good with that, because, that is what normally happens in Las Vegas, too!

However, it has been a long standing understanding, that when it comes to a Resort Hotel Casino Property sale, the Seller will NOT pay any real estate commission fees.  This, the Buyer must be willing to pay, (and I will get that agreement up front before disclosing any available properties that are for sale).

End of discussion.

And, I know there are companies (people) who think that they are better off going around a Broker. (There are several Sellers right here in Las Vegas who feel they know real estate better than a Broker.)  And I will live with that, too!

So, if you want to acquire a NON-GAMING property, I can find a property where the Seller pays my fee.

If you want to acquire a Las Vegas Resort Property, the BUYER has to pay my fee.

And, I only ask for 1%!  When Clark County bought the Riviera, they paid Morgan Stanley 3.5%

So, who rips Buyers off more?  You decide.

Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

"It ain't over, til it's over," Yogi Berra RIP

As a youth growing up in the 60's and 70's, I was a huge baseball fan.

Then, the owners and players got greedy and each didn't want to give.  It made me sad that MLB finally decided that a strike was the only recourse.  (I don't like strikes.  It slows down progress.)

Anyway, as a Red Sox fan, I hated the Yankees because they seemed to always have the Red Sox's number.  And, they were never going to be denied.

However, one Yankee was always my favorite Yankee: Yogi Berra.  I don't know why.  Maybe it was because as a kid who only got to look from the outside looking in, that Yogi loved baseball.  He was going to play, rain or shine.

I decided to look up some of Yogi's quips.  I knew he had a lot, but I didn't know they all made a lot of sense...

Enjoy.

"Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."
"All pitchers are liars or crybabies."
"He hits from both sides of the plate. He's amphibious."
"You can't think and hit at the same time."
"So, I'm ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face."
"It's déjà vu all over again."
"Even Napoleon had his Watergate."
"You can observe a lot just by watching."
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did."
"Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel."
"The towels were so thick there I could hardly close my suitcase."
"Cut my pie into four pieces. I don't think I could eat eight."
"Never answer an anonymous letter."
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."
"If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else."
"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
"If you can't imitate him, don't copy him."
"The future ain't what it used to be."
"A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore."
"I never said most of the things I said."
"It ain't over 'til it's over."
"Always go to other people's funerals. Otherwise, they won't come to yours."

RIP, Yogi.

Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes