What Not To Ask On a Job Interview

Hi Prospects & Friends,

I wanted to share a horrible employer interview experience I went though as an employer a few days ago, and recommend from my own experience not to try these tactics on a "Job Interview" with any employer who is younger than you. First I think this actually falls under age discrimination, but because it's not really focused on the "Employer" much and more on the "Employee", I honestly think that's why it's not really a big issue just yet to create a world wide category for it. So this is how my interview went as an employer. I recently had a female applicant come to my firm to want to possibly work for me. I was dressed professional on the interview, and was ready to let her in my office. The applicant who I will not reveal for protection purposes came in my office and immediately glanced around at everything and them "Zoomed" in on me. I requested her to sit down in a seat I provided her, and before I could even start the interview she ask me:

• How old are you?
• How are you able to afford a place like this for rent"? 
• Where are you getting the money to pay this rent?
• How much is this rent here and can you even afford this place?
• Who is A. Colette Harris Properties, LLC & Who is April C. Harris are they the same person?
• Who Are You?
• Are you even licensed?

To stop this interview from continuing to get out of hand, I immediately stepped in and said, "Ms." these questions have nothing to do with the interview, and that the interview is about the job she was applying for. I then explained to her I was the company and the owner, and that my company just didn't have my full name spelled in it, I then informed her I've been in my same office since 2011, and that how I pay my bills has nothing to do with her. This whole interview was bizarre, and I honestly didn't know how to engage with it anymore.  So I cut it short, and said what was required for the job, and told her to go and think on it. I realized the applicant was possibly asking me these questions because she was a "Baby Boomer" since she revealed she was retiring in a few months, and wanted to do real estate as a supplement. I did inform her that if she was uncomfortable with me being a younger boss & etc, then she had every right to go and apply at another firm. So my point is if you happen to have an employer who is much younger than you, that is advertising for a job you need, understand they didn't get where they're at from blowing off their money, or having a lack of education. It is very inappropriate to ask an "Employer" their age, if they are younger than you and if you're just uncomfortable with it, and won't indeed accept it, then don't proceed with the interview just to ask even more inappropriate questions. The whole bizarre thing about this interview was she didn't even know I was the company and the owner interviewing her, because she right away decided to attack me with inappropriate questions, and didn't let me reveal too her who I was. 

Never underestimate who is interviewing you & that it may just be the "Owner of the Company"

When I look at Reese Witherspoon & Jack Dorsey they are indeed my age, and I wonder if they ever get "Age Discrimination" with applicants who are older than them. Well either way I wasn't upset and learned alot from this interview. Maybe in the future the colleges will create a class in human resources, that explains how to approach a younger boss on a interview if you ever indeed have to face it someday.

Revitalization Metrics Applied To "Vacant Land Analysis"

Hi Prospects & Friends,

When we tend to look at "Revitalization" we only focus it on the metrics of homes, but one can apply "Revitalization" to vacant land also. Recently I bought 2 lots that were heavenly wooded, and now they have been pulled into the neighborhoods "Revitalization" metrics which have caused these lots too sky rocket in their values from what I paid for them, because of the developers building around it. If you carefully look at the picture you will see the wooded land, but you will also see across the street the land has been cleared for new development, on both sides of the wooded land homes are being built. Their are other owners in the wooded land also since these are individual parcels too that will reap these benefits also. So you don't get lost with my explaining in this post here are some clarifications:

• Individual Parcels- Are lots platted on the plat map as identifiers of the owners
• Plat Map- A map your local county assessor has identifying the neighborhoods boundaries and owners. You can trigger this online for free on their site since they attach it to your property
• Developers- Are companies who clear land to have it ready to be prepared for building of new construction
• Vacant Land- Is land that doesn't have a structure on it, but it does include trees
• Revitalization- Is where someone like a builder or developer come in to clear some vacant land, in an already older established neighborhood to make it more better quality and new again. They either tear down the older homes that are for sale, or clear land that is still available to push the older homes to skyrocket in value so these owners will sell. This method can become very tricky if the neighborhood doesn't already justify a good location or good rated schools. So because developers and builders already know this metric, they from the start tend to pick neighborhoods that will deliver these results instantly. 
• Builders- They build the structure on the land whether its a home or commercial property
• Built Out- No more land available to use for building, and if this occurs, and you just happen to have some wooded land in this neighborhood be prepared for developers and builders to offer you money for your wooded land since it's the only thing left that they have been "pushed to build on". If this does indeed occur, you don't have too sell your wooded land to these developers or builders. You can like me continue to watch it grow, and keep it for retirement and put a house on it yourself eventually to live in or just to rent out. 

Once the developments start to occur then any wooded land surrounding these new developments will go up in their value too. So to understand how to start with trying to benefit from wooded land as an investment ask these questions to yourself:

• Is the location near major roads or highways that are easy to get to like gas stations, stores, churches, schools, recreation, and employment?
• Is it near good rated schools or very good schools?
• Are the homes in their older than 70+ years old that will indeed need to be torn down and rebuilt eventually because of their age?

These are just some few questions I shared with you I apply, but every person is different and may have a better way in applying other metrics that work better for them. 

So in conclusion I'm planning to build on this land in the future once all the homes around it have been built to new from old and the neighborhood will have been "Built Out" again. I only decided to venture into wooded land recently, because with the way the market has been going, I wanted an investment that didn't really require much of my attention but still yield me good returns without putting in much effort, since I engage in other real estate activities. What I mean by needing little of my attention means this wooded land:

• Is wooded and I don't have to worry about cutting the grass which makes an expense. I only pay annual taxes, and their not much since I bought this land in my "investment parameter budget metrics"
• I don't have to check on it on-going because of it being rented. The only time I check on it is to see if more new development has occurred around it, then I run my numbers and use my i=v/r equations coupled with the gross rent multiplier. I go out to see the wooded land about once a month, and sometimes I may go about every 3 months just depends on what activity I find online that has triggered me to need to view it asap. Activity means in this case, if apparently an agent has listed a "wooded" lot for sale in my neighborhood, or the agent has listed a cleared lot saying "being prepared for newly built home", or the agent saying this "older home is ready for tear down to be newly built into a new home" All this can be worded different, but key is staying on it like as if it was a "rental investment", because if your careful and apply smart metrics you can indeed make a good future retirement out of just buying "wooded land" and later selling or rebuilding on it and renting it with its new home or just moving in it to live after its price has skyrocketed because of the "Revitalization". 

Remember key is to just be paying the annual taxes and nothing else on your wooded land. So if your wooded land happens to have more than annual taxes to retain it as an investment, then it would be wise to pass on it, I know I would since that is one of the alerts I have on my "Investment Parameter Budget" analysis. Your list can be whatever makes your budgeting for the land work, but their are some key metrics that one should apply when necessary to understand and this post touches up on some of them to get you started with your analyzations. I also apply no flood zone metric on my lots, which affects your value dramatically if indeed it has to be sold & its in a flood zone. So don't engage in buying wooded land if you fully don't understand how too, because owning wooded land you can't sell is even worse if you couple it will expenses you could of avoided by just carefully doing your research on it or just hiring an expert in this area of real estate. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Everyone!

Real Estate Investing Equations

Hi Prospects & Friends,

Whether you are renting out your own place to the public or thinking about buying a rental property, you should take into consideration the investment risks of the property against the income you're receiving. One risk I use is the equation I=V/R, what this equation tells me is the cap rate, the income, and the value of the property, once I have the NOI or even the total annual income of the property after expenses which is NOI (net operating income) I can conclude if I want to buy or not. So to quickly sum all this up, the higher the cap rate the higher the risk of the property meaning what you're up against when trying to collect rent or sale it. The lower the cap rate the better chances the income will be produced on-going for the property which will generate a good value. Here is an example of this equation:

Location= A+

NOI= $15,000

Value= $125,000

So my cap rate is 12%, for me even though this property looks enticing because of the price & location I would pass on it, because later on that high cap rate will affect you too keep it stable with income, because of that high cap rate of 12%. Most non risky investors will pass on this property too, because of the high cap rate, and now you got a rental you can't sell coupled with a high cap rate. Here is another scenario:

Location C-

NOI= $15,000

Rate 6%

So in this case my value is $250,000, so I would pass on this property too, because yes the cap rate looks very good since its very low, but I would pass on the income because it doesn't make since to take home $1,250 per month as net pay on a property that is going to cost me $250,000 to buy it.

Another equation I like to use if I don't have the numbers for the I=V/R is I will use the GRM equation. This means gross rent multiplier, and to use this you have to have all the expenses coupled with the most recent comparable rent sale leased in the area of the property. Example would be:

Most recent comparable rent was: $1,050

Total Expenses: $650

Interest Rates are going for 6%-9% for your typical investment property

List prices generating median: $115,000

Sold Prices Median: $95,000

What this equation is telling me if I apply The GRM with the I=V/R this property is generating a cap rate between 4% & 5% and this is a really good investment to have long-term. So it looks like this:

GRM generated the numbers for the I=V/R so $4,800/$95,000= 5% cap rate. So understand how to use these 2 equations when using metrics to analyze rental properties, and you will be a "smart wise investor" for years to come. 

Merry Christy & Happy New Year To Everyone!

 

Hi Prospects & Friends,

I wanted to quickly share this quick vacant land tip for those of you out their looking to buy land.  Realize before you make the purchase you know if the land is restricted or unrestricted, as well as what expenses you will incur if just going to hold the land. Restricted land would be your deed restrictions restrict you from putting any kind of commercial building on your property other than a residential house. Unrestricted land would be you have no deed restrictions, and you can build a home on the land as well as a office/warehouse or you could turn the home into an office, and work out of it with your business. So understand this from the very beginning, and when it's time to look for your vacant land the process will go smoothly, and you will be on your way to owning your dream land.

👀 P.S. you're welcome to shop at my online real estate store at https://tinyurl.com/5ehejb3e you will find some cool stuff I created and will enjoy using.

Apartment Rental Housing Assistance Tip

 

Hi Prospects & Friends,

I wanted to quickly share some advice for those of you out their receiving apartment rental assistance. Recently I've had a surge in clients receiving apartment housing rental assistance, and needing apartment locating services, and what I'd like to disclose is you're given some options with the areas you're approved for and you have to pick within those limited areas, as well as you're given a rent max amount you can't go over. The housing assistance program you're approved for you're receiving the apartment rent assistance from has to go by the guidelines of only allowing you to move to apartments that will accept your rental assistance. So understand this from the very beginning, and when it's time to look for your apartment the process will go smoothly, and you will be in the apartment you like.

👀 P.S. you're welcome to order my popular dream home tote bag if want too @ https://tinyurl.com/548hmcup and I also have different colors available @ https://tinyurl.com/5436ebcu thanks and have a great day!

Friendly Real Estate Reminder

 Hi Prospects & Friends,

Just wanted to make a friendly reminder of the real estate services I offer. If you know anyone needing assistance with real estate or you need any of my services let me know, and I will gladly assist you. I've attached a picture in this post saying what real estate assistance I can provide. I want you all to have a "Happy Forth of July"

👀 P.S. you're also welcome to order one of my popular real estate shopping totes I sell @ https://tinyurl.com/49dz7dad you can use it for carrying home or work tasks. I have other color options for sale too. Check out my online real estate store at https://tinyurl.com/w67kdfk

April

Moving Out of Your Apartment

 

Hi Prospects & Friends,

I wanted to touch up on understanding how important it is in leaving your apartment in a clean condition, if not going renew. When you do your move-in walk-thru with the property manager/landlord they show you the property in its move-in clean condition, and then ask you to fill out the "Inventory & Condition" form. You're responsible for making any notes on this form about the apartment units current condition you will be leasing, and getting it back to them immediately signed and dated. If you decide to not renew, it would be a wise move to go ahead and restore you're apartment unit back in it's condition it was in when you moved in it which was clean. Doing this will prevent you from being held liable from any damages that the property manager/landlord may notice that weren't listed when you filled out the form when moved-in. Understand this real estate tip, and it will continue to help you along the many journey's you may have when deciding to rent an apartment. So remember your check list when moving out as:

• Remember to understand what you wrote on the "Inventory & Condition" form when moved-in will be used against you when move out by the property manager/landlord, so fill out wisely, since they will be comparing their move out notes against your move in notes.
• Make sure to clean apartment & restore back to it's original form.
• Return the keys, and head to your next apartment if that's what you've chosen to rent again.

👀 P.S. you're also welcome to order some of my popular smart renter tote bags if want too @ https://tinyurl.com/m6bpyn62 I have 3 colors in red, blue, & green. 

Real Estate Tip

Hi Prospects & Friends,

The real estate tip I posted in this blog is very valuable, and everyone can benefit from it globally. So if your in process of looking buying residential or commercial, apply this real estate tip I offer, as well as pass it around when need be to your family & friends. I have this tip also posted in my company website, if want to view it their. 

👀 P.S. you're also welcome to order some of my popular real estate note sheets to have on hand to write notes if want too @ https://tinyurl.com/3b3cee58 for future use.

April

Apartment Real Estate Tip

Hi Prospects & Friends,

The apartment real estate tip I posted in this blog is very valuable, and everyone can benefit from it globally. So if your in process of looking for an apartment, apply this apartment real estate tip I offer, as well as pass it around when need be to your family & friends. I have this tip also posted in my company website, if want to view it their. 

👀 P.S. you're also welcome to order some of my popular real estate note sheets to have on hand to write notes if want too @ https://tinyurl.com/3b3cee58 for future use.

Thanks

April

Second Chance Apartments

                                                                                                     

Hi Prospects & Friends,

Knowing what second chance apartments are, and where to find them will be what I discuss about in this post. First second chance apartments are apartment complexes that offer you a second chance to lease one of their apartments, by hearing your negative case. Every apartment complex is different and has different rules towards acceptance, but key is finding an apartment locator that has the experience in finding them for you. A negative case is something that may have caused your credit to be affected in a bad way or your background in a bad way, and it shows up in the public records, or on your credit report. Hardships occur, and finding the right way to explain them to the apartment complex will get you a better chance at renting again if the apartment complex is a second chance apartment complex. Once the second chance apartment complex gives you the opportunity to rent again, use them as your reference once you've stayed their long enough to build positive rental history, and then by then you will be able to go back to renting a apartment from anyone. So if you fall in the category of being affected in a negative way with your credit or background, it would be smart to lease from a second chance apartment complex. An example would be you're applying to different apartment complexes you like, but their all saying no. This example right here would possibly mean something is on your credit report or background in a negative way, and you need to find an apartment locator to help you seek out possibly second chance apartment complexes. The apartment complexes will notify you of why your application was rejected if you don't know why, but key is not to let it get to this point, and know beforehand what is going on with your credit or background so you don't waste money on application fees, and your credit being ran, because each time you fill out an application at a apartment complex your credit is ran, and it stays on your credit report as a hard inquiry for 2 years, which does also reduce your credit score preventing you from anymore possible opportunities of getting new credit. So follow my checklist and you should be ok with moving forward with your apartment. 

1. 1. Know what's on your credit and background before you contact anyone, by viewing your credit reports from TransUnion, Experian or Equifax. Alot of the banks offer free credit snaps and credit score if you have bank accounts with them, this isn't a full blown credit report, but it does allow you to get an idea on what's on their. For example Wells Fargo offers me a snap shot of my credit score, where Capital One, American Express & Discover offer me summaries of my credit report, along with free alerts and credit score. I use them all and its free, so your preference is up to you, but you need to know what's going on beforehand is my point from however you get the information.
2. 2. Hire an apartment locator who can locate you second chance apartments
3. 3. Make sure the apartment locator also has ability to locate second chance apartments who maybe offering specials for move-ins too.
4. 4. Once you find a second chance apartment you like give your case to the apartment locator, and allow them to discuss your situation with the complex and analyze their rules against your case, and wait patiently. if they say no key is finding a apartment locator that will find you a second chance apartment complex that will say yes, and this will be determined by the apartment locators experience, apartment database, and knowing what to ask the apartment complexes in first place about these kind of cases.

Happy Memorial Day everyone, and if you just happen to be a Texas resident needing apartment locating services, contact me, I will assist you. Everyone else I hope these posts will still benefit you in many different ways.

Thanks

 April

Real Estate Posts Update

Hi everyone! 

I'm back and here to deliver again posts about real estate, and my experiences as a small business. Last few years I was working on my bachelor's degree, and juggling my small business and took a leave of absence. Through the years I grew as a small business, as well as a real estate broker with more knowledge and experience. I appreciate all of you who were engaged with my prior posts, and hope you come back to join me for many more new ones. My next upcoming post will talk about "Second Chance Apartments" and what they are, and how to find them. So stay tuned. 

April