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    Real Estate Investment Properties & Ownership

    The different types of investment properties that real estate investors consider vary in many different ways. We’ll identify the different types in this article and briefly discuss each one. We’ll also discuss the different ownership structures available. The basic types of investment properties include retail, office, apartment, mixed developments, and hotel/motels.

    Retail properties include freestanding buildings and shopping centers. A freestanding building is one where it stands alone, not connected to any others. Shopping centers range from strip malls to super regional malls with many stores located in one area.

    Office properties can be small (one, two or three tenants), office parks where many building exist serving different businesses or high rise complexes where many tenants are located in one building. Most will be located in downtown urban areas or in or near suburban towns/developments.

    Apartments range from multifamily homes or “mother-daughters” to commercial units. A commercial apartment building will consist of at least 5 units. The larger the apartment complex, the higher the need for on-site management of the property.

    Mixed developments consist of a combination of residential apartments, houses, and condos with office space and retail stores. Many communities that are growing at a fast pace have developers who are maximizing the feeling of community by mixing all different types of structures, creating small neighbhorhoods with all the essential aspects of small town, such as restaurants, entertainment, jobs for the local public, and of course, shopping.

    Hotels and motels require excellent management if they are to be successful. Their locations near airports, business parks, inner cities and other active areas help to keep their doors open. Their failure rate is relatively high and must be managed correctly in order to remain in business.

    These are the basic types of investment properties. The single family home is of course a consideration as well as other types of investments, however the properties featured in this article are appealing due to their income potential.

    There are several different types of ownership and ownership structures. These are usually referred to as business entities in which investors hold real property. To keep things simple, we’ll simply cover the very basics of each structure and how each owns property.

    A corporation is considered an artificial person. It is a separate legal entity. The corporation conducts its business according to the state law where the entity was created. The key here is “separate legal entity”. Due to the fact that the corporation is considered an artificial person, the real property is considered to be owned by one person, the corporation.

    The management of the corporation depends on its board of directors which are elected by shareholders. The important point here is that any person who wishes to form a corporation and purchase real estate must speak to an attorney about managing the corporation appropriately, so that it operates the corporation according to state and federal law (if applicable).

    Another business entity that is becoming more popular is the Limited Liability Company. This business entity takes advantage of the same type of liability protections as a corporation, however, it differs from the corporation in that it takes full advantage of the federal tax benefits and flexibility of a partnership. Again, check with your attorney in order to take full advantage of the benefits of this “pass-through” entity. Ownership of real property is also different and consulting an attorney to discuss how the LLC takes ownership of property is wise.

    Some of the other entities include real estate investment syndicates, both private and public organized into a corporation, limited liability company, general partnership or limited partnership. Syndicates usually involve one or more projects and different types of ownership (tenancy in common, joint tenancy, etc.).

    In conclusion, it’s very important that the new investor has, at the very least, a basic understanding of the different types of investment properties and ownership. It’s often something that is overlooked by new investors due to the complex nature of learning the business of investing, however, without at least consulting an attorney and doing some reading, the new real estate investor is bound to make costly mistakes that are definitely avoidable. It’s a great thing to learn from mistakes, however, making stupid mistakes like avoiding education due to a lack of patience is just plain old dumb!

    ©2007 noobdogs.com

    noobdogs.com Noobdogs.com offers a place for fellow new investors in real estate to ask questions and get good, sound information they can understand.
    noobdogs.com Noobdogs.com is owned and operated by AmeriCountry Realty Group LLC. Founded in 2006 by Tom McGiveron, a real estate agent and entrepreneur,
    noobdogs.com is becoming the premier site for new investors to achieve success in personal development and real estate investment.

    Real Estate Development Marketing

    A Specialist Article For Those Interested In Real Estate Development

    From the desk of Colm Dillon …

    Author of 

    “Residential Development Made Easy”


    Hello Colm Dillon here …

    Real Estate Development Marketing!


    When do you start?


    As soon as you open your ‘baby blue eyes’ every morning!


    “The Easy Part of Property Development is Spending Money” … “Marketing Is What Gets It Back A Bit More For Profit.”

    Anyone can spend money. It takes a good manager to spend it at a predetermined rate in line with a planned ‘cash flow.’

    So this topic is very important. People think Development Marketing is all about putting an advert in the paper, designing a brochure and following up the agents … I don’t think so folks!!

    Marketing starts before you buy the land.

    The location of the land impacts on marketing. Is it a desirable address? Is it in a prestigue location? What market sector of the buying public are you aiming for? Does the site have local prominence? Does the land have quality houses around it?

    All of these questions impact on your marketing plan, the home designs you select, the costings and untimate sales prices.

    So if marketing starts with the land selection, it logically then goes on to the
    design stage. Assuming you don’t want to just copy something you’ve seen another developer has done, you need market knowledge.


    You need maket knowledge of the exact standard of product you are competing against in the market now. Remember you won’t be producing yours for another 12 months or so and you’ll want to improve on what is being produced today, so you have a market difference. An ‘Edge.’

    Marketing is no more than the presentation of your finished product to the
    buying public in the most favourable light, highlighting all the benefits
    your home has over the competition.

    One kind of marketing style that is a failure as far as I am concerned is the one that is based on the “Numbers Comparison.” I am sure you’ve seen the on site project boards.

    Our house has 5 of these, and 6 of those … when that guy’s house only
    has 4 of these and 3 of those.
     
    The potential buyer will eventually want to know these things, but “Right Now” they want to know “How They Feel” about living in the place, on your Road, in this neighborhood.

    Understand this: People SELL for Money … People BUY with Emotion.

    If they don’t feel good in your place, it does not matter if you give then 12 of these and 20 of those … OK?

    I have always DEVELOPED and MARKETED on the basis of appealing to the human senses of See - Feel - Touch - Smell & Sound.

    I transfer all those into my designs, because I am designing and building for
    ‘Humans Beings’ and human beings buy with emotions … and if I do my work well, I’ll make a profit.

    So as a buyer, if a house looks good when I drive up to inspect it, I am favouable disposed to buy before I open the garden gate.

    When my feet touch the pathway/ entrance foyer and see the lovely landscaping my desire to buy is enhanced.

    As I enter the house and feel the ambience of the house envelop me I
    respond in a positive way to buy, if I feel emotionally comfortable in the space.

    When I smell all the new house smells, it translates into ‘fresh’ ‘clean’ ‘new’ and who doesn’t want to buy fresh new things.

    When I close the door of the house I enjoy hearing the sound of silence, which is conducive to rest and recuperation after a hard days work.

    Think about how you respond to each house you inspect as you go about gaining market knowledge. Do you see, it does not matter how many ‘bibs & bobs’ the place has … if they don’t feel emotionally comfortable in the place, they won’t BUY!

    Can you see why this is my number one topic?

    So naturally I write about it a great deal in Residential Developmemnt
    Made Easy.

    So now you have some idea why marketing starts as soon as you open your ‘baby blue eyes’ every morning … marketing is a direct reflection of who you are and how you expresss yourself in creating beautiful livable space FOR HUMAN BEINGS.

    The ‘by-product’ happens to be ‘money.’ And if you do it very well,
    it happens to be ‘Lots of Money.

    Colm Dillon author of “Residential Development Made Easy” the only
    ‘How To’ Become a Developer eBook, selling in 38 Countries,
    has developed $1.2 Billion worth of real estate - read more
    on his web site:

    Finding a Real Estate Agent

    Finding your Real Estate Agent is like having a relationship. You want to get to know your Real Estate Agent. How is that Real Estate Agent gonna be able to get a long with you.

    You should be in a position to feel secure that they are gonna be there for you 24/7. His not doing Real Estate on a part-time basis. Just like having a relationship with somebody you want them to be committed to you the whole way and not on a part time basis.

    Make sure he/she is REALTOR, they follow the National Associations of REALTOR ethics. Have the Agent give you a copy of the Code of Ethics to make sure he/she abides by them. Making sure his morale ethics are good.

    Check his background. Why did your Realtor decided to switch to this career path. Very similar to having a relationship, you don’t go into a relationship without knowing them right.

    Discuss his or her Broker on why he choose to work for that Broker.

    Discuss what makes him or her unique for other Real Estate Agent.

    How will the Real Estate Agent Market your Property.

    Key factor is to communicate at all times.

    Main factors you should look into:
    REALTOR Profile
    Work Ethics
    Marketing your Property

    There are more aspect of finding the perfect real estate agent. Always think of having a relationship there should always be an open communication so you could work together accordingly. Hopefully this would be helpful. Good Luck!

    Mortgages for the Self-employed

    When you are applying for a mortgage, usually the lender will focus on your financial history over the past 2 years. For employees, that means 2 years of personal income tax returns, as well as W-2s and paycheck stubs. If you are self-employed, that changes the usual process a little. For one thing, you probably won’t be able to provide W-2s or paycheck stubs.

    Many lenders specialize in working with borrowers who are self-employed. It’s worth your time to shop around for a lender you’re comfortable with, who has done this type of loan before. Be aware that it may take a little longer and involve a bit more paperwork, but mortgages for self-employed people are approved every day.

    By the way, you may be surprised to find that you fall into this category. If you are employed by a business that you own 25% or more of, you’re considered self-employed. If you own a construction company equally with your 4 siblings, you own 20% so you’re not considered self-employed. If you own the same company equally with 2 siblings, you own 33% so you’re considered self-employed.

    The lender will be concerned with your financial stability, and the financial health of your business. After all, in this situation, if your business fails, you are likely to default on your mortgage, as well. So, the lender will be checking two sets of documents – your personal financial records, as well as your business records.

    You’ll need to supply your personal income tax returns for the past two years. If your company is incorporated, you’ll also need to supply two years of income tax returns for the business. The lender will often also request a current balance sheet for the business, as well as a current profit and loss statement.

    If your credit is good and you don’t have any other major loans, the lender may simply work with the first two pages of your personal tax returns for the past 2 years. In this case, your financial history is strong enough that they aren’t concerned about the business. However, this is the exception.

    Normally, the lender will check the credit rating of your business, as well as your personal credit rating. Both will be considered in approving the loan.

    The documentation you’ll need to furnish, and the way it’s viewed by the lender, depends on the structure of your business:

    • Sole Proprietor
    • Corporation
    • Partnership

    Sole Proprietor

    As a sole proprietor of a business, you own the whole thing. Your business income and expenses will appear on Schedule C of your personal income taxes. Your taxable income (or net income) is considered your total revenue (or total income) minus expenses.

    Corporation

    If your business is set up as a corporation, it’s separate from your personal income. The lender will need to see your corporate tax returns for the past two years, as well as your personal tax returns.

    Partnership

    If your company is a partnership, the lender may ask for two years of tax returns from the business. On the other hand, if your credit score is high and your current loans low, again, they may simply work with your personal tax returns.

    Additionally, for those with strong credit scores and profiles, there are loan programs that can greatly reduce the amount of documentation necessary to obtain a mortgage. No Doc, Low Doc, Stated, and No Ratio loans are all loan types that are available to self employed borrowers who wish to streamline the mortgage process.

    MyRefi.com’s professionals understand the unique needs of self employed borrowers. Contact MyRefi.com for a free myrefi.com mortgage quote today.

    Even if you are in the process of working with another lender, the experts at MyRefi.com will go over your current loan offer and make sure that you are getting the best mortgage for your unique situation.

    Looking for a californiarefinance.net California Mortgage or amicre.com Commerical Financing? MyRefi.com and its lending partners can help!

    Properties

    In todays scenario land is a hot property to invest in. Land is an intangible asset. Few years ago people thought of investing into shares or fixed deposit rather than investing into land but now a days the trend has changed. We don’t like to invest in fixed deposits or any life insurance policies because the yield is very less as compared to the intangibles.

    The interest rates are fixed for FD and dividends are also fixed to a large extent but the rate of land is increasing at an alarming rate. I read new rates from Realty section of Hitavada and was surprised to know that the rates of land in my locality had increased from Rs 300 per square feet to Rs 1000 per square feet.

    The rates of houses has also increased due to increase in land rate. A simple house could be bought for Rs 5 Lac’s in Somalwada area but that same house now costs Rs 8 Lac’s, now one can imagine the rise. It is just a matter of 2 Years when the rates are touching the sky.
    Bank loans are available. Every bank has got a different interest rate and various loan plans to please a customer. Almost every bank provides Home loan.
    The EMI is charged according to the loan amount.

    To save income tax we purchase land or when we have ample money to invest somewhere. This change in mindset has given rise to various land selling companies ex: Vastu vihar – This whole company is making profits by selling land and employing thousands of people for marketing, from this example its clear that the demand is high.

    We have made a user friendly site for customers where they can list properties, contact us and draw more information for purchase of land specially in nagpur.

    For more information visit :

    Adverse Commercial Mortgage Provides an Opportunity to Grow

    Adverse commercial mortgage loans are taken for commercial or business purpose despite having a bad credit. Commercial mortgage loans are an excellent way of expanding your existing business or even to start a new business.

    Commercial mortgage loans are almost similar to other mortgages. It is normally believed that small businesses gets high rate of interest as compared to large businesses. But, unfortunately it is not true. The interest rates for all kind of commercial mortgages are same. The rates of adverse commercial mortgage loans may be fixed or variable.

    However, adverse commercial mortgage loan companies will take several things into consideration while processing the loan. Mortgage lenders will consider credit history of the company, income resources, present value of the property, resale value etc. By examining all these factors, the mortgage lender will be in position to offer you reasonable commercial mortgage rates.

    Unlike past, adverse commercial mortgage makes it possible for people of low credit score to apply for a mortgage loan and get it approved. While applying for mortgage loans, no pre-qualification process is required. On the contrary, adverse commercial mortgage offers an opportunity to the borrowers to earn good credit scores for themselves.

    Bad credit record is characterised by high interest rates. Borrowers with bad credit history are often perceived as risk by the lenders. That is the reason high interest rates are charged from them. There are several lenders who offer adverse-credit-commercial-mortgages.co.uk/Adverse-commercial-mortgage.html” target=”_blank adverse credit mortgage loans. Make sure you learn everything about adverse credit mortgage before striking a perfect mortgage deal.

    The author is a business writer who is expert in writing articles on financial and credit products. He is specialized of finance industry. He has done his masters in Business Administration and is currently assisting Adverse-commercial-mortgage as a finance specialist.

    For more information please visit our site:

    Getting To “Sold” When Nobody Wants To Buy Your House

    Does this sound like a familiar conversation you had with your real estate agent recently, “There are a lot of properties on the market (and more coming on everyday), properties are staying on the market (not selling as fast) longer, property prices are depreciating in our market and after some careful thought and consideration, I really need we need to think about…”

    If so, read this article BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO DROP YOUR ASKING PRICE (assuming that it is properly priced to begin with, which coincidentally is the number one reason why properties stall and fail to sell).

    Learn How To Maintain Your Selling Price, Increase The Number Of Interested Buyers in Your Property And Get Your House Sold Faster Using An Interest Rate Buy Down Finance Option What Is A Buy Down

    A buy down either temporarily or permanently reduces the note rate on a mortgage. A temporary buy down is prepaid interest held in escrow and dispersed over a short term period (usually the first 1-3 years of the mortgage). A permanent buy down are discount points paid to offer a lower note rate over the life of the mortgage.

    How Does It Works? (Example will be based upon a Temporary Buy Down)

    Let’s say that your house has been listed on the market for several weeks at 200,000 and you are now considering reducing the asking price to 195,000 (that’s 2.5% of the original asking price). Let’s assume that the current note rate for a no-points 30 YR FXD Mortgage is 6.375%.

    Instead of reducing the asking price by 5,000, maintain the original asking price and dedicate a portion of the 5,000 to be converted into a subsidy to be used to temporarily offer a below market note rate.

    By subsidizing & offering a no-points 30 YR FXD Mortgage at 5.375% for…

    * One year—it would cost the seller $1533.60 or .767% of the asking price;

    * Two years—it would cost the seller $3067.20 or 1.534% of the asking price;

    * Three years—it would cost the seller $4608.80 or 2.304% of the asking price.

    Why Does It Work?

    1. It allows you to maintain the property values of your old neighborhood.

    2. It allows for an increased number of qualified buyers by reducing the note rate in the first 1-3 years (Lower interest rates = Lower payments = Lower qualifying income required = More buyers).

    3. It creates increased tax deductibility for yourself (subsidies and seller concessions are tax deductible in the year the home is sold)

    4. It preserves the commission level/amount to your real estate agent (Lower the asking price = lower commissions; higher commissions = stronger motivation).

    This is just one of many strategies at a home seller’s disposal when you decide to partner with a knowledgeable home mortgage lender.

    Real Estate and insanity aren’t usually used in the same sentence, but doing the same thing (that everyone else is doing) and expecting different results leads to the same conclusion.

    ——————————————————————————————-

    H. Scott Miller is a nationwide commercial and residential lending professional specializing in the creation, management and growth of real estate wealth from a mortgage prospective. He is also the author of “The Not So Funny Games That Lenders Play With Your Money That Can Cost You A Fortune Every Time You Get A Mortgage” which is freely distributed at themortgageinnercircle.com/investors.html The Mortgage Inner Circle.

    To learn how combining themortgageinnercircle.com Open Book-Fixed Fee lending with seller concessions like a Buy Down Plan can sell your home faster and for the money you are asking, mailto:EZMortgageLoanz@aol.com CONTACT US.

    Tips on Moving with Pets

    If you’re a pet owner and are planning to move to a new home, remember that moving can be even more stressful for your animals than it is for you. But there are several things you can do to make it easier on your dog or cat.

    Start your packing well ahead of time; it’s not only easier on you, but on your pets as well. During the time leading up to your move, try to keep your pets’ eating and exercise schedules as normal as possible. Give them the same amount of attention and affection as you always do.

    Things to do before your move:

    • Get copies of certificates, medical, and immunization records from your veterinarian.

    • Purchase identification tags with your new address.

    • If you’re planning to travel by air, schedule your flights early and try to book a direct flight – this will be much easier on your pet. You need to find out what the airline’s regulations are for transporting your pet. You will also need to find out what kind of crate will be necessary to contain your dog or cat.

    • If you’re driving and the trip will take more than one day, be sure and check ahead and reserve motels that will accept pets.

    • Contact the state to which you’re moving and find out the regulations regarding animals. Some states require an entry permit for pets.

    • If your new home is nearby it’s a good idea to take your pets for a visit and let them become familiar with the neighborhood and the new sights and smells. This is especially true of dogs. Of course, keep the dog on a leash and the cat in a carrier.

    When Moving Day Finally Arrives . . .

    All the confusion is certain to upset your pet so the best solution is to have a friend or family member keep Fido or Fluffy while the loading is being done. If that isn’t an option, keep your pet in a small room, perhaps a bathroom, along with sufficient food, water (litter box for Fluffy) and some favorite toys. Attach a “Do Not Enter” sign on the door so the pet is secure and won’t be accidentally set free.

    You’re on Your Way . . .

    The packing and loading are all done and now it’s time to head for your new home. There are things you’ll want to make sure are packed for your pet. These include:

    • The new identification tags.

    • Medications and veterinarian records.

    • Recent pictures of your pet in case it becomes lost.

    • Litter box or scoop and plastic bags.

    • Paper towels in case there are accidents.

    • Leashes.

    • Toys and treats.

    • Food and water bowls.

    • Can opener and cans that can be resealed.

    • Regular food and water from the old house (enough for several days). Different water can upset an animal’s digestive tract so it’s a good idea to provide water from the old house for the first few days after moving. This would not be a good time to try a new brand of food either!

    Your New Home ~ At Last . . .

    When you finally arrive at your new home, let your pet explore with your supervision. Then place Fido or Fluffy in a small room with a crate or bed (and, of course a litter box for Fluffy) while the unloading and unpacking are taking place. Make sure to put some favorite toys in there and perhaps an old sweatshirt, or something that smells familiar.

    It’s very important that you not let your pet outside alone without a lead or tie for the first few days. Cats usually require about a week but dogs adapt quicker. You don’t want your pet to wander away and get lost.

    Your pet may be insecure and more prone to misbehaving during the first few days in a new environment. Try to be patient and not punish the initial misbehavior, instead, try to find ways to reduce stress. Extra TLC can go a long way toward making pets more comfortable. It’s also a good idea to follow the usual feeding and exercise schedule.

    In closing, there are just a couple of things you should be aware of to keep the moving experience as trouble-free as possible:

    • If you intend to fly, be aware that puppies and kittens
    less than 8 weeks old will not be transported.

    • And finally, never move a sick animal ~ it could well make his condition worse and endanger his health.

    Enjoy your new home!

    Kyle Thomas Haley has been helping people relocate on the Internet since 1999 with Apartment and Relocation Websites:

    relocation-guide.net/Moving/ Nationwide Moving Directory

    Copyright 1999 – 2005 STANZEEKAY Inc.
    You have permission to publish this article, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included and none of the links or
    content are removed or changed.

    Why People Should Buy Condominiums

    Busy people who are always on the go might profit much by buying condominium units. However, condominium units may not be advisable for people who are married and have kids, since these places are really designed for single people or for those married couples who have no kids. One of the best attractions of condominiums is that you can easily find condo units right in the heart of the city where you are working. You never have to go far or drive for hours just to get home if you live in a condominium. If you are lucky, you can even find a condominium building just a few blocks away from your workplace. Living in a condominium would help you avoid fighting the daily traffic in going to your workplace as well as save on gas consumption.

    Another advantage of getting a condominium is that unlike renting an apartment, the condominium unit becomes yours after you have completely paid the amortization. Unlike when you are living in an apartment, where you will never gain ownership of the apartment unit even if you have been paying rent for several years, the condominium unit will become yours after you buy it. Furthermore, as soon as you move into your new condominium unit, you can decorate the interior in anyway you like. The unit is yours, so you can do anything you like with it, as long as you do not violate the rules and regulations of the building administrator or endanger the lives and properties of other occupants of the condominium building.

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    Questions to Consider When Procuring Professional Security Services

    Why contract out security services?

    I can immediately think of four reasons. First is the increased value an outsourced company brings to the table because of its professional staff and experience in the security industry. This depth and breadth of experience and knowledge is offered because of relationships with other clients that have faced the same or different challenges. The second reason is the cost. Simply put, because of the expertise and experience that the vendor brings, the financial weight of training, recruiting, hiring and providing benefits for the employees is considerably less to the client than administering these programs in-house. Third is the transfer of liability from the client to the security company. The security company bears the legal load and ramifications of particular incidents that could occur on your property. Lastly, and in my opinion, most importantly is the peace of mind an effective security company can provide so you the client can focus on the everyday business that defines you as a company.

    Why Change Security Vendors?

    Change vendors when the value is gone, plain and simple, but you have to know what’s valuable to you as an individual client. If you have a small budget and need a low bill rate, know that’s what you value. If it’s superior management and executive accessibility, than know that’s what you value. If it’s a vendor that can accommodate a client on a national basis, than know that’s what you value. When value isn’t there anymore and when your vendor’s program no longer represents you as a client anymore, it’s time to change vendors. However, certain values have repercussions. Low bill rates will produce low wages. National vendors might not give you specific attention on a local level. And having a phenomenal program with high-end personnel combined with strong management will cost you more. You just have to know what you value the most and work off of that.

    What are important things to include in an RFP?

    First things first, an RFP must be designed to allow you to compare “apples to apples”. This is especially important when it comes to the financial proposal from each potential vendor. To achieve this, the pricing structure must include the itemized list of costs to include wages, bill rate, necessary insurance coverage, employee benefits costs, as well as vendor overhead and supervision structure. A well defined scope of work included in the RFP will allow the vendor to completely understand the “job” requirements and price accordingly. When preparing the RFP, remember the more you specify; the more accurate and comparable the respective bids will be.

    What comprises the cost of security services?

    The cost of security is found in the difference between the client’s hourly bill rate and the guard’s hourly pay rate. That difference between bill rate and pay rate is the result of an equation based on the value of particular line items, which vary company to company. Examples of these variable items are liability insurance because it fluctuates due to claims against the individual company. Another is worker’s compensation insurance which fluctuates in suit. Corporate and branch salaries, marketing, cost of bidding projects, and rent are examples of general administrative expenses that differ. Paid holidays, paid sick time, medical and dental benefits, and more are also factors. Therefore, it’s important to know what the benefits are and how much they cost per individual per month in order for you to make a fair comparison of one company to another. Lastly is profit which will vary depending on the company’s prerogative. Whether it’s low, high or normal, it is a direct example of their business model. Security is an industry where the quality of service should dictate the cost of the program. Never should the cost of security dictate the quality of service.

    What are good questions to ask security companies and why?

    Four questions that quickly come to mind are the following: First, Who are your competitors? This is important because you want to know what niche a company serves. This will help you gauge whether they are the correct fit for you and your property. Second, what are the responsibilities of the salesman and his guidelines for selling work? This is important because it will reveal management structure and should address a well designed business model. You want to be treated as an appreciated client and not as a number of hours. Third, how many hours are assigned to the area manager? This question will give you an idea of attention you’ll be receiving and how loud you’ll have to shout to be heard. Finally, how many accounts has a company lost in the past year? This general question might be the tip of the iceberg in regards to attrition rates, wages, performance, and client satisfaction. The commitment to understanding your needs, defining them in the RFP, and asking quality questions of your vendor to produce a perfect fit is the difference between a long term value-based relationship and starting the process over and over again.

    By Nick Sapia
    The Guardian Force, Inc.
    www.tgfinc.com

    Nick Sapia is the Director of Business Development and an Operations Manager for The Guardian Force, Inc., a private security and concierge provider in Boston, MA.

    A graduate of Northeastern Univerisity, Nick Sapia has previously worked for the Executive Office of Public Safety for Massachusetts, top law firms, and presidential campaigns. He can be contacted via email at mailto:nsapia@tgfinc.com nsapia@tgfinc.com or mailto:nsapia@sapiacorp.com nsapia@sapiacorp.com