Public Service Announcement: Please keep your junk in your pants or in your trunk. Seem obvious? Not to Katie Townsend’s client! Katie’s a long-time REALTORÒ in Parsons, Tennessee who learned a valuable lesson about safety early in her career. Tune in to hear what she saw, what she learned, and why she’s a better professional because of it.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting leighbrown.com.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:45 – Introducing Katie, a REALTORÒ of 15 years in Parsons, Tennessee who owns her own firm
• 01:45 – She will be president of her association next year
• 04:20 – On buying and selling real estate
• 04:40 – It’s a very professional business; the consumer is getting wiser and people in the industry who are professional thrive
• 05:20 – People don’t know what goes on at the back-end
• 07:30 – Katies CSIRE story
• 07:45 – It has to do with safety; a gentleman was paying cash and wanted to see remote properties
• 08:08 – On the drive, he pulled out his “junk”; she didn’t have cell service and she made an excuse to leave him ASAP
• 11:00 – What Katie has learned
• 11:15 – She could’ve been in a dangerous situation; now she leaves a list at her office and lets people know where she’s going to be
• 12:00 – She also keeps two guns with her at all times; her husband gave her a gun for Valentine’s Day, too
• 12:56 – Ask better questions before you spend alone time with clients; it makes you a better professional
• 14:48 – Be responsible for yourself
• 15:05 – How to contact Katie: her website

3 Key Points

1. Buying and selling real estate is an adult job.
2. Be safe – crazy things can happen!
3. Ask better questions to elevate yourself as a professional.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Melissa Valder

I’m sorry, did you say Sunset Avenue or Gun-set Avenue? Aaron Fragnito, founder of Peoples Capital Group and successful real estate investor, gives us the nitty-gritty truth about being a landlord. Tune in as he shares about his greatest challenges, biggest shocks, and most valuable lessons that have shaped the way he runs his business today. 

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting leighbrown.com.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:45 – Introducing Aaron, a real estate investor
• 01:30 – On being a landlord
• 01:45 – It’s not as easy as you’d think; Section 8 annual inspections, the neighborhood, and difficult tenants can make it hard to get an income from the property
• 03:15 – You need to pick and choose your tenants to fit what you want
• 03:45 – What he looks for in a tenant and why
• 04:00 – Credit checks and checks on evictions are a good place to start; interview them, see how they speak, and notice how they take care of their car
• 05:22 – He had a bad experience with a tenant who didn’t take care of the property; he visited and it looked like a third-world country, they were living so poorly
• 06:50 – His property manager walks through each unit every 6-8 months now
• 07:47 – They ended up selling the building; they were unable to evict the tenants
• 12:20 – On vetting your tenants and using property managers
• 12:42 – If you interview your tenants well, you’ll profit more and have a better experience as a landlord
• 13:25 – His partner does a 30-second walk-through of their current home as part of the interview process
• 14:00 – Aaron’s piece of advice: Diversify
• 14:38 – They buy an apartment building every quarter and have tons of syndications; they’ve cracked the code to profit in their area
• 15:20 – Get out there, meet people, ask questions, and connect
• 16:45 – How to contact Aaron: peoplescapitalgroup.com

3 Key Points

• Being a landlord isn’t always as easy as it seems.
• Vet your tenants!
• Connect with others to learn, partner, and connect.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Melissa Valder

What makes commercial real estate interesting? Jef Conn, an industrial, office and investment specialist, reveals how a company like Chick-fil-a chooses a location and why he’s always got some cash on-hand. Listen in to hear why he calls his competitors friends, why he wants a unified platform, and why he’s a con-man.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting leighbrown.com.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 01:30 – Introducing Jef, a West Texas commercial real estate expert
• 01:45 – He is good with numbers and has a personality that fits industrial and commercial real estate; it’s very cut and dry
• 04:10 – If he comes across a homeless person or squatter, he gives them cash, respect, and asks them to leave
• 05:20 – On how Chick-fil-a chooses a location
• 05:42 – They find the best location based on demographics, neighbors, location, and average household income
• 06:50 – Using RPR to determine demographics
• 07:12 – He has access to some additional demographics because he is a CCIN
• 08:30 – They have an opportunity zone overlay for people who have money to spend; it helps disadvantaged communities
• 10:35 – Jef’s local action to protect private property rights
• 11:00 – He worked with a group to fight against law prohibiting “social gatherings” from occurring in short-term rental properties
• 13:40 – On sharing best practices with colleagues
• 14:00 – He calls his competitors friends and appreciates his association connections; they do so much for their community quietly and humbly
• 15:15 – He didn’t realize how much his colleagues give back
• 15:38 – On having one centrally-located platform
• 16:00 – He thinks having three platforms is absurd; NAR should create one
• 17:35 – How to contact Jef: email jconn@cbcworldwide.com or phone (806)787-4779

3 Key Points

• Take care of your community and help people – including squatters.
• Wealth can be built tax-free as part of the opportunity zone.
• Talk to connected people and stay posted on what’s happening in your area.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Melissa Valder