Sorry.....this is why I no longer give out client references~!~ - 09/28/09 12:30 PM
About 20 years ago, I started getting would-be client requests for current client references.  I talked to several local clients * 2 of which were real estate agents * and they agreed for me to provide their contact information....problem solved.
Then verious DIY books * including Property Management for DUMMIES * started suggesting that would-be clients get references and that they question (grill) the references in order to avoid mishaps during the management of their property.
I stopped providing reference names when a current client/reference recounted a phone call from a would-be client who seemed more interested in my client's properties … (7 comments)

When do TENANTS read their LEASE? - 09/27/09 07:41 AM
I've been plagued recently by tenants who have misplaced/LOST their lease agreement.  Now, I provide a 19+ page Resident Handbook in 3-ring binder with back pocket where they SHOULD keep their copy of the lease.
When I present my 6-page/8.5x11 lease printed front to back (went GREEN when postage went UP) I present the original and copy both signed by me WITH the Resident Handbook - they read the lease and the Resident Handbook AND then sign 1 copy of the lease for me - I usually already have their move-in monies...so really just want them to read the lease, ask me questions, sign … (12 comments)

Almost 20% of my Property Residents are LANDLORDS Elsewhere!!! - 09/26/09 02:53 PM
While syncing my TENANT Contacts in my Palm cel phone, I was comparing tenants with properties and came to the realization that almost 20% of my current rental residents are actually LANDLORDS elsewhere.
They moved to the Charlottesville/Central Virginia area for new jobs or to attend school.  Some who were fortunate enough to sell their former homes before moving are electing NOT to purchase in the area because they will be leaving in 2 to 4 years. 
The residents who were NOT fortunate to have sold their former homes are electing to be landlords until their former real estate market recovers.  A … (6 comments)

Tell me WHY Realtor Offices have such ANTIQUATED Phone Systems? - 09/16/09 07:46 PM

Why should I write down my callers' phone numbers?  My office phone LAND line forwards to my cel phone and has for over 3 years....there is a way for Realtor offices to utilize their incoming land OFFICE line with a voicemail menu that will make their agents' CEL PHONES their extension phones so that when they call me from their CEL PHONE and I RETURN their phone call, I do not get an office voicemail with a menu tree of 30+ agents....I promise that if you ALLOW me to take your voicemail message and RETURN your call by my phone's … (8 comments)

One that GOT AWAY!! * Just curious what happened to a would-be client!! - 09/15/09 12:08 PM

In July, I received an e-mail from a property owner whose daughter had just graduated from UVa Med school and who was leaving the area and he wanted to keep the townhouse as an investment.  I arranged to meet with the daughter, view the unit and I gave a realistic rent estimate with the caveat that the rent needed to be reduced sooner rather than later because of the late time of the year.....After sending him my management proposal and management agreement, I got his e-mail that he had decided on another property manager.  When I realized who he went … (6 comments)

YES * I work on the weekends...here's why! - 09/12/09 07:20 PM
This late in the season, many prospects who move locally have sold their homes and want to rent while they build a new home or prior to leaving the area in the next year or so...many prospects currently work in the area so seeing property on the weekend is the only alternative to viewing property late in the afternoon when it get's DARK earlier and actually seeing the property is problematic.
Also, if "she" has seen the house during the week - at lunch or during a break - he will need to see before the final decision.  People moving within the … (17 comments)

9 *11 **** Special Memory **** Where were You? - 09/11/09 06:33 AM

At my age, there are several moments in my life where I remember EXACTLY where I was when an event occurred!!!!
....when JFK was shot
....when SPUTNIK went up
....walk on the MOON
....assault on WACO
....9 * 11 * 2001
On that day, I was in my office meeting with a would-be client in my conference room and my office manager came in and said her mother had called and said to turn on the news.  Luckily our conference room had a TV and we watched NBC and saw the second tower go down.  My would be client had … (8 comments)

AGENTS!!! There are investors looking in our market * Put a Property Manager on your TEAM!!! - 09/09/09 06:15 AM
I received a phone call yesterday from a local man who is assisting his son with purchasing an investment property in the area.  He was referred to me by a long-standing client who went to college with his son....after asking me many questions on our current rental market, he advised me that his son was working with a local Realtor who had suggested a property at XXXXX address.  DUDAH!!!! It might be a good BUY; however, it is NOT a good property to expect a positive cash flow with the $$$DOWN son was willing to pay....too far out, not the more … (7 comments)

We are SO FORTUNATE to live in Central Virginia....Big Wigs come to VISIT!!! - 09/05/09 04:46 PM

Although several fellow realtors suggest we should not be political, I drove my RX with local GOP bumper stickers (Race Fans for McCain, Snow KNOWS, Bob McDonnell, Cuccinelli (for AG)) on my back window to the beautiful Auburn Hill farm in Milton (part of the original land grant of Monticello) to meet Fred Barnes (author of Rebel in Chief and commentator on Fox TV) pre-tailgate before the first UVa (v W&M) football game.....the turn out was outstanding with local GOP politicos Duane Snow, Ken Boyd, Rodney Thomas and Rob Bell. Laurence Verga who has filed paperwork to run for the … (4 comments)

Advising clients on INVESTING in Real Estate? Check LANDLORD FRIENDLY states!!! - 09/04/09 12:02 PM

Yes - landlord friendly states.....just like BUSINESS FRIENDLY states, this feature should be in the TOP 5 FACTORS when deciding WHERE to invest $$$ for rental property ownership....how well the purchase $$$ work will be immaterial if all the investor's profits go down the drain with a 3 month eviction for non-payment of rent and if there are onerous rules or regulations for inspections and improvements.
Texas is a GOOD landlord state * Virginia is the BEST.......we have 2 landlord tenant codes and VERY ACTIVE apartment and realtor association involvement in our state legislative process.  We follow federal fair housing guidelines with … (3 comments)

One of the HARDEST Lesson to LEARN is how to do NOTHING!!! - 09/02/09 06:04 PM

No - I don't mean Nothing Nothing - I mean NOTHING.....as real estate professionals, we are educated and experienced and we want to HELP!  We want to make the DEAL happen, we want to get people in the homes they WANT to live in.
Sometimes, the BEST way to accomplish this "end result" is to do NOTHING.  Let the parties come to their own decision about what is best for them.  If the rent is too much for their budget, they need to look for a cheaper home with a lesser school system farther from their work.
If customers or … (7 comments)

 
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Wallace S. Gibson CPM *

LandlordWhisperer

Charlottesville, VA

More about me…

Gibson Management Group, Ltd.

Office Phone: (434) 825-1933

Email Me

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