Rental Housing Journal Colorado May 2016

Rental Housing Journal Colorado

May 2016 - Vol. 8 Issue 4

3. Dear Maintenance Men – Water Heaters

5. Ask the Secret Shopper – Alive After Five

4. The Increasing Cost of Owning Properties with Onsite Staff

7. Crowdfunding and Peer2Peer Lending for Real Estate Investors

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Monthly Circulation To More Than 7,000 Apartment Owners, Property Managers, On-Site & Maintenance Personnel

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Nightly Rentals

The Hottest Investment Right Now?

Out-of-the-Box Questions and Tactics Multifamily Investors Should Consider Using

How to earn 2-5 times the gross profit of traditional rental properties

I

am sure by now you have heard of the many nightly rental websites that allow property owners to advertise their homes, apartments, and even extra rooms for rent on a nightly basis. There have of course been some controversies over this new industry as it takes revenue away from the hotel industry and thus decreases the amount of taxes that local cities receive from the transient tax. One way or another, you have likely heard of this industry by now. Have you taken the time to analyze this as a viable investment opportunity, though? When you start running the numbers and seeing what others are doing, then it starts looking very attractive.

By Richard Montgomery

I

nvesting in multifamily housing and apartments requires extra investigation, sometimes called due diligence by attorneys, for investors who want to be certain they do not make a mistake. This extra investigation and these questions are beyond what a real estate investor may do normally for a typical commercial real estate investment. As a real estate investor, once you go beyond multifamily rentals such as duplexes or fourplexes, you enter the commercial real estate area. Here are 9 out-of-the-box questions you should be asking, or at least consider asking, before you purchase that multifamily or apartment building.

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continued on page 6

continued on page 2

Charm Residents with Outdoor Living Spaces

By Scott Matthews, Director, Strategic Accounts, The Home Depot ransforming outdoor spaces into comfortable, functional extensions of interior living areas is in demand for multifamily communities.

Residents are interested in spending more time outside, and creating an inviting outdoor space for your property will help attract prospective residents and retain current tenants, especially during the warm months and moving season.

Here are some ideas for outdoor upgrades that will give residents a place to engage with other tenants, family and friends and help you stand out against the competition.

T

Outdoor Kitchens Grills are often the gathering point for many multifamily outdoor areas, so continued on page 2 Advertise in Rental Housing Journal Colorado Circulated to over 7,000 apartment owners, on-site and maintenance personnel monthly.

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Rental Housing Journal Colorado

Nightly Rentals

...continued from page 1

If you take your typical rental that rents for $1200-1500 per month and convert it to a nightly rental, you should see about double the gross income. You will have some additional costs of course, and if you have the right property in the right location that can easily increase to 4x the long term rental income. This all sounds nice, but of course you are naturally wondering about the additional costs associated with nightly rentals and the added time it takes to manage these properties.

The largest cost is the initial design and furnishing of the unit. You will need to fully furnish these units to make sure they are attractive. Furnishing doesn’t end with just the beds and living room furniture. You should ultimately have a fully stocked home, so a complete set of dishes, tableware, pots, pans, etc. will be needed. You will also want to pay close attention to the details - keep in mind that you are competing with hotels that have onsite staff.

So, go the extra mile and provide some travel toothpaste, toothbrushes, Q-tips, shampoo, and ultimately anything else that someone could forget to pack. You also want to make sure that all of the walls are decorated. Obviously this starts with a good paint scheme, but extends to the artwork on the walls and knickknacks on the shelves.

Many of the successful nightly rental homes incorporate some sort of theme in their design. It can be a design that highlights the local area and attractions or something much more unique.

When picking out furniture it is good to remember that you want your guests to feel very comfortable and at home.

So you shouldn’t go with furniture that feels “cheap”; with that said you also don’t have to get expensive name brand furniture either. For many nightly rental investors, the step of picking out furniture or keeping an eye out for unique furniture items that they can incorporate is the most exciting part of the process.

The other cost is that you will have to have the unit cleaned and turned over after every visitor. If you go with a management company like IRC Real Estate, then you can typically take advantage of the volume discount they get from their vendors. This expense should be in the $50-$150 range depending on size and what turn over services you require. With the dramatic increase in income you are still much more profitable compared to a long term rental.

When it comes to maximizing your profits though, nothing matters more than location, location, location. With nightly rentals this isn’t just a business cliché, it truly matters. When choosing a property to use as a nightly rental you should always start by searching within close proximity to areas that travelers might go. The obvious locations are attractions like ski resorts, downtown Portland, near airports or children’s hospitals, wine country, coastal towns, and city downtowns like Bend & Salem for events and legislative sessions, to name a few. If you have a property in a good location with a good interior design, you can end up with a fully booked home almost year round. Depending on the location, design quality, vacancies, and size you can expect $100-$1000+ per night in revenue.

Keep in mind that this type of investment property is truly a full time job.

For a popular property you will have a check in, check out, and turn over to coordinate nearly every week. In addition to this most of these sites are heavily reliant on reviews by your guests and your rating on things like response time to inquiries. So you have to always have your smart phone on you 7 days a week to make sure that you are able to respond within hours.

As you can tell this kind of investment isn’t for everybody given the work it requires. This is why the investors that truly view being an investor as their profession hire property management firms like IRC Real Estate. This allows you to focus on finding and buying the properties in the right locations and possibly handling the remodel and interior design, but then turn it over to the management company. Some companies like IRC Real Estate even offer in house interior design services that take care of that work for you.

If you are seriously considering getting into the nightly rental industry I am happy to answer any questions you may have and offer some free advice. With my involvement at the board level with organizations like the Portland Area Rental Owners Association, NW Real Estate Investors Association, and the Salem Rental Housing Association I am happy to help educate or guide property investors when they run into problems or are simply new to the industry.

Christian Bryant, President of IRC Enterprise / Real Estate Christian@IRCEnterprises.com • www.IRCEnterprises.com • View all credentials at LinkedIn

Outdoor Living Spaces ...continued from page 1 make them as functional and inviting as possible. Explore different options like charcoal, gas and electric grills, or consider installing a combination to give residents a choice. Consider upgrading the grilling area by adding built-in counters to make prep, cooking and entertaining easier. Always ensure the grill is compliant with local regulations, especially regarding fuel type.

One of the newest trends for outdoor spaces is to move beyond simple grills and create full outdoor kitchens. If your community enjoys mingling over meals outside, consider upgrading your area to a kitchen by adding counters, cabinets, sinks, faucets and maybe even alternative cooking methods like a pizza oven. One of the latest outdoor kitchen trends, pizza ovens are a great alternative to grilling and come in different options such as built-in or cart-mounted, as well as gas- or wood-burning.

Residents will be able to prepare, cook and keep their company entertained all in one place without the hassle of traveling back and forth to their apartments.

Patio Furniture One of the keys to comfort outside is to invest in durable, water-resistant patio furniture like couches, dining tables and chairs. Make your outdoor space full and functional by offering seating for both dining and relaxing. A dining set will allow for communal seating and a space for residents to eat after making their meal in the kitchen. Add in a conversation set with comfortable sofas, loveseats and lounge chairs, where entertaining can continue and tenants can relax and unwind all in one place.

When deciding on furniture, consider the construction of the furniture.

Wicker, plastic and aluminum are great, lightweight choices. Wood or wrought iron furniture are heavier options, sturdy enough to handle strong winds.

lanterns and candles, making the space functional and inviting.

Don’t Neglect Maintenance It’s important not to forget the importance of regular maintenance on the outdoor space. Regular upkeep to the lawn and shrubbery is easy to overlook.

Upgrade to a drip irrigation system, a water system that allows the right amount of water to plants and shrubbery without losing money in labor and overwatering.

For patios and decks, it’s important to maintain surfaces by regularly using sealants and resurfacing products to withstand foot traffic and weather. Inspect walkways and surrounding pavements for any cracked or uneven surfaces. Repair and seal with concrete sealant and paint for more aesthetical appeal and eliminate any potential risks.

When deciding where to begin, consider the most effective updates for the property. Whether it is starting the outdoor space by updating the furniture and lighting or upgrading to a full outdoor kitchen, these changes will make the space more inviting and communal for residents, while also setting your property aside from competitors.

By Scott Matthews, Director, Strategic Accounts, The Home Depot Scott is responsible for managing national accounts and e-commerce while overseeing business-to-business relationships. During his 25 years at The Home Depot, he has served in a variety of roles and capacities, including Regional Pro Sales Manager, District Manager and Store Manager.

Exterior Lighting Brighten up the outdoor space with high quality exterior lighting. LED lighting has made big advancements in recent years, giving you a lot of energy-efficient options. Safety is the most important consideration, and LED motion lights can cut down on utility costs while still protecting the space.

Installing solar-powered lighting like post caps and pathway lights will also reduce energy costs, add to the safety of the space and improve the evening ambiance. Finish the area with decorative accents like string lighting, LED

Text 51WAYS to 44222 to receive the FREE e-book

51 Ways to Increase Your Rental Property Cash Flow (And 10 Ways To Ruin It)

“51 Ways to Increase Your Rental Property Cash Flow is full of great advice on how to get the most out of your rental properties.”

–Sam J, Smart Property Management

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Rental Housing Journal Colorado · May 2016

Rental Housing Journal Colorado

DEAR MAINTENANCE MEN: Water Heaters

By Jerry L’Ecuyer & Frank Alvarez

Dear Maintenance Men: I have a hundred gallon water-heater serving seven units. The residents are complaining about a lack of hot water and sand coming out of the faucets and shower heads. The heater seems to be working normally. What would cause sand to come out of the lines?

Johan Dear Johan: Your water-heater probably needs the calcium build-up removed from inside the tank. If your 100-gallon water heater is a commercial unit, you should find a clean out port at the bottom of the tank. Determine the tank manufacturer and purchase a new gasket for this port. Most plumbing supply outlets will have these in stock.

• Turn off the gas supply.

• Turn off the water supply to the tank.

• Drain the water heater completely.

• Remove the clean out port. Some have a series of bolts, others have only one big nut to remove.

Once you gain entry into the interior of the tank, you may see white or yellow sediment on the bottom of the tank. If the tank has not been cleaned out regularly, the build-up may be significant.

A hammer and chisel may be necessary to remove the more stubborn areas.

This is also a good time to check the anode rod and dip tube (note: if your dip tube is damaged it can prevent the cold incoming water from reaching the bottom of the tank and being heated.)

If either is damaged or eroded, check with your plumbing supply outlet for a replacement. The anode rod can be replaced by unscrewing it from the top of the tank. After completing the tank clean out, be sure to check all the faucet spout screens and shower heads to remove any acuminated debris. After all the work is completed, reinstall the port opening and always use a new rubber gasket. Your tank should work much more efficiently & cost less money to run while supplying more hot water. This clean out procedure should be done at least once a year.

Dear Maintenance Men: During the recent rains, my building started leaking. I was surprised, as the roof is less than a year old. The odd thing about the leak is that it is only affecting the downstairs units. What is going on and how do I solve this?

Michael Dear Michael: Water is a funny thing and tracking down leaks sometimes takes a bit of detective work. The first thing we would check is the roof. As you stated, the roof is new, but sometimes the odd flashing does not get caulked and the water finds its way down the side of a pipe, valley or junction area. Have your roofer, double check all the flashings. Another issue to look at, is water pooling around the foundation. If you have cracks in the foundation, water will find its way in.

Be sure to clear any debris, dirt and leaves from around your building or anything that will cause a water dam effect. Overgrown or old landscaping can contribute to leaks by trapping water or redirecting water to the building instead of away from it. Inspect the building’s stucco for cracks. We have seen small cracks in the stucco suck in large amounts of water. Pay close attention to the stucco between floors or on the edge of balconies. Balconies shed a lot of water which may cascade over the edge and flow back into the stucco where a hidden crack will allow the water to enter.

If you have aluminum windows, check the weep holes that allow water to drain out of the window tracks.

for Carbon Monoxide alarms. We lay awake at night thinking about that little check box. In order to sleep, we check the residents smoke and CO alarms every time we do maintenance on the unit. We keep a log of each time we check and what action was taken. The smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms should be “Officially” checked and logged, at least once a year. Typically, January is a good month for the annual check.

2. A typical 100-gallon water heater depending on the BTU rating will costs anywhere from $1,800 to over $3000.00 installed. That cost alone should be incentive to clean out your heater regularly.

Normally, the clean out should be done at least once a year. If the water at your building has a high mineral content, then it should be cleaned out every nine months. Again keep a log of each clean out; it will help in remembering when to do the next cleaning.

3. If your building has forced air & heating, the filter should be checked, cleaned or replaced each October or November and each May or June. This will help keep

your systems working properly and reduce strain on the components. It will also ensure proper filtration before the winter and summer workloads.

4. Cleaning out the exhaust vent tubes of the laundry room dryer. Everyone knows about cleaning out the dryer lint basket and throwing it on the laundry room floor. We’re talking about cleaning out the lines leading out the back of the dryer. Keeping the exhaust vent tubes clean will help cut down on gas and electric usage, longer machine life and shorter drying time and lint in these tubes have been known to be a fire hazard. It should be done at least once a year and again, keep a log of each cleaning for reference.

Bio: Please call: Buffalo Maintenance, Inc for maintenance work or consultation.

JLE Property Management, Inc for management service or consultation Frankie Alvarez at 714 956-8371 Jerry L’Ecuyer at 714 778-0480 CA contractor lic: #797645, EPA Real Estate lic. #: 01460075 Certified Renovation Company www.BuffaloMaintenance.com www.ContactJLE.com www.Facebook.com/BuffaloMaintenance

Dear Maintenance Men: Should I check smoke alarm batteries in my units or is that the residents job?

Also, how often should I clean out my water heaters, not to mention A/C filters and so on?

Linda Dear Linda: 1. Most rental agreements have a check box that says the resident is responsible for the operation of the smoke alarm. The newest rental agreements now have a check box

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Rental Housing Journal Colorado

The Increasing Cost Of Owning Properties With Onsite Staff

By Cliff Hockley, President, Bluestone & Hockley Real Estate Services

E

ven though the sales of apartments are reaching very low CAP rates with expectations of high returns, a number of laws aiming to protect workers have increased the cost of managing apartments.

In Oregon, these laws include state mandated minimum wage increases and sick leave. On the federal level, required health insurance (for full time employees) and potential changes in federal overtime rules keep increasing the costs to staff with onsite management, maintenance and operations.

Sick leave As of January 2016, Oregon joined California, Connecticut and Massachusetts in requiring employers with more than ten employees to offer 40 hours of paid sick leave. Employers with nine or fewer workers must provide 40 hours of unpaid sick time.

In Portland, the threshold is lower. Employers with six or more workers must provide paid leave while those with five or less must offer unpaid sick time. Lawmakers carved out an exception for Portland, which passed it own sick leave ordinance two years earlier, and effectively canceled out Salem’s law, which was due to take effect July 1, 2016 and would have applied to all employers, regardless of size.

The vast majority of Oregon’s workforce (excluding federal employees) is covered by the law, meaning full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal workers will accrue sick time.

Definition of family members expanded The new law allows the use of sick time to care for and/or or help seek diagnosis and treatment (including preventative) of a family member with a mental or physical illness, injury or health condition. In addition, sick leave may be used to deal with the death of a family member.

As part of this process, the statute and regulations defining a “family member” have been broadened. The definition now includes an employee’s spouse, same-gender domestic partner, custodial parent, non-custodial parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, biological parent, step-parent, parent-in-law, a parent of an employee’s same-gender domestic partner, an employee’s grandparent or grandchild, a biological, adopted, foster child or stepchild, or the child of an employee’s same-gender domestic partner, and a person with whom the employee is or was in a relationship of in loco parentis.

Minimum wage increases in Oregon The state’s minimum wage as of January 2016 was $9.25. Beginning in July of 2016, it will rise steadily each year for the next seven years through at least June of 2023. How much the rate will increase will depend on where an employer is located within the state.

Here is the actual implementation table, with some explanation and footnotes showing the rundown of the plan: Effective Date of Rate Increase

Base State Rate

Exception: Rate within Portland’s Urban Growth Boundary2

Exception: Rate within Nonurban Counties3

July 1, 2016

$9.75

$9.75

$9.50

July 1, 2017

$10.25

$11.25

$10.00

July 1, 2018

$10.75

$12.00

$10.50

July 1, 2019

$11.25

$12.50

$11.00

July 1, 2020

$12.00

$13.25

$11.50

July 1, 2021

$12.75

$14.00

$12.00

July 1, 2022

$13.50

$14.75

$12.50

After June 30, 2023, the base rate will be adjusted for inflation, with the Portland rate set $1.25 above the base and the nonurban county rate set $1.00 below the base.

The impact of the increase in minimum wage is probably not a problem for apartment properties with high rent. The challenge falls to market rate and low income properties, especially if the rents are computed at a market driven 4 – 5% of rental income. Other onsite staff, leasing agents, painters, cleaners, landscapers and maintenance employees will see their pay increased which may increase the overall cost of operating apartment properties. continued on page 8 4

Rental Housing Journal Colorado · May 2016

Rental Housing Journal Colorado

sk The Secret Shopper Alive After Five

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very day at five o’clock, people pour out of the work place, get into their cars and head for home.

However, often times they have to run errands or make other stops after they have already put in a full day. Some people even have to schedule appointments to look at apartments when they get off work because their week-ends are packed and they can’t take a long lunch break. Most leasing consultants have put in a full day by five o’clock too, but many rental offices are open until 6:00 or later. Do the prospective renters who come through your door after 5:00 get the same level of enthusiasm and quality of service as those who visit your community before noon? See what happens when the Secret Shopper “drops in” to look for a new home at the end of the day.

The bright flags and attractive landscaping caught my eye so I stopped in.

It was about 5:40 when I entered the leasing. I noticed the office hours sign stating, “Open until 6:00.” The leasing consultant was alone and I could see she was straightening up and had turned off the lights in the connecting clubhouse. I said I had just gotten off work, and wanted to take a look at an

apartment. The employee’s smile faded, as she sighed and practically groaned, “I just locked up the model and show apartment . . .” I apologized for stopping by so late, but explained I was on my way home from work and there really wasn’t any other time I could look for an apartment because of my schedule.

She replied, “That’s okay. It’s not a problem,” but her body language communicated something entirely different. She asked the size apartment I needed and for when, but did not inquire about my needs or ask for my name. We walked

Rental Housing Journal Colorado · May 2016

directly to the model, with little conversation. My efforts at “small talk” were met mostly with silence. The consultant entered the apartment first and turned on the lights. She said, “Go ahead and look around,” and then stood to one side. I walked from room to room, but did not open anything as I felt rushed. I thanked her for showing me the apartment and she replied, “No problem.”

When we reached the office building, she did not invite me back inside. Instead, she gave me a business card and an application, and dismissed me with,

“Let me know what you decide.”

The next evening I visited another community. As I pulled into the parking space for future residents, I observed the leasing consultant locking up. When I got out of my car and approached the office, she tried to avoid making eye contact. It was 5:30 and the closing time was posted as 6:00 p.m. I asked if she works there, and if the office was still open, even though I could see everything was dark. The consultant unlocked the door and invited me continued on page 8

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Rental Housing Journal Colorado

9 Out-of-the-Box Questions Dear Monty: About six months ago, three longtime friends and I decided to make some real estate investments together. Our investment goals are similar; we are each high-income professionals, share similar risk tolerance and see real estate as a long-term investment opportunity. Now, we have identified a 60-unit apartment building we are interested in pursuing. We have the standard list of due diligence items, but wonder if there are some “out-ofthe-box” due diligence tactics to make certain we do not make a mistake as investors. Can you help?

Real estate apartment investing is a series of calculated risks for investors Answer: Buying, owning and selling investment real estate is always a series of calculated risks. “Make certain” are strong words. No matter your methods, you cannot know everything the seller knows. Over and above the standard due diligence list, buyers have ways to discover more about a property that either encourages or discourages them.

It is always difficult to understand the motivation of the seller because many sellers do not share their core beliefs, or some may even mislead or miscommunicate their ideas to create an image of trust. As callous as this statement is, I believe it to be true in many cases. To balance that statement, self-interest is to be expected. Choose carefully which tactics to employ. Business ethics is a subject that is not black and white. It involves various shades of gray depending on the person with whom you are

...continued from page 1 talking. Choose carefully which tactics to employ with which transaction.

Some sellers might not take kindly to a given tactic, while others may well have done something similar, or further out-of-the-box, themselves. I have never witnessed any one buyer applying all of these tactics on a single property. This is a career compilation of tactics I have seen.

No. 1 – The rent roll is not enough: Where do the tenants work? Determine where the tenants are employed.

This data will be on the rental application, but not on the rent roll. If 25 of the tenants are with the same company, and a move to Mexico is announced 30 days after the sale closes, your vacancy rate could skyrocket.

No. 2 – Visit with former tenants Visit with multiple tenants who have moved out of the apartments. You can determine this by comparing year-toyear rent rolls. Look for patterns in the reason they moved out. Getting closer to work is one thing. But moving away from drug dealers is a different story.

No. 3 – Investors should look for patterns in the vacancy swing Get the financials both annually and monthly. Look for patterns in vacancy swings. If you find one, learn what creates it every year. When you hear the answer, trust it – but verify.

No. 4 - Visit the apartments in the morning- and in case you don’t see them also “good day, good evening and good night”

Do you need help with

CONTENT MARKETING E-MAIL MARKETING or

SOCIAL MEDIA?

The quote from the Truman show applies when you want to find out what is really going on with the apartment building. Visit the property unescorted on multiple occasions. Visit in early morning, mid-day, late afternoon and midnight. You will learn something about your potential tenants and how the building functions. • Do tenants congregate in appropriate places? • Are there vehicles with stale damage? • Is the parking lot well lit? • Do you feel safe? • It can be surprising what you learn going unannounced.

No. 5 – Talk with the local police about the apartments Check with the local police department. Tell them you are considering buying the building and ask if you could do anything to help them in the neighborhood. You will learn if the building has a reputation. The best thing that can happen on that visit is they will have trouble placing the property.

No. 6 – Research single-family homes near the apartments Locate the single-family homes closest to the property and canvas them.

Go to multiple homes, possibly a half– dozen. Some owners may be timid, while other will talk your ear off. The goal is to learn what the neighborhood thinks of the property and how the building operates.

No. 7 – What is the average occupancy per unit?

Determine the turnover rate by unit.

Is the average occupancy per unit six months or six years? If it is six months and the building operates on a sixmonth lease, why are they not renewing? Serial leasing is expensive.

No. 8 – Talk to whoever is actually doing the maintenance for the apartments Identify the handyman or maintenance person. Take note of the vendors who perform service for the building.

Interview some of these folks. Ask them if there are any situations in the building they would change. It could take a number of calls before you hit the jackpot.

No. 9 – Visit the neighborhood bar near the apartments and introduce yourself to the bartender That’s right. That is really what I said.

Find the closest neighborhood tavern or bar. Stop in for a drink and introduce yourself to the bartender. You want to talk with a bartender who has been there for years and knows the neighborhood. He or she may have something to say that is beneficial to you.

We can help!

• If you do not have the time or inclination, hire someone who understands the apartment business.

• These tips will undoubtedly add value to your ability to make a good decision.

• Monty’s special tip for investors Ask the landlord owner why he is selling? Any response should tell you tons.

Conclusion Remember these are the special outof-the-box investigation or due diligence questions you want to ask. There are many other standard ones recommended that you should also consider, but these are my special ones from my years and experience in the business.

So remember: • Where do the tenants work?

• Talk to former tenants • Review the vacancy swings • Visit morning, evening and night • Talk to the police • Check single-family homes nearby • Study the turnover rate • Talk to the maintenance folks • Visit the local bartender

Resources Buying an apartment complex is easier than you think (http://www.fool. com/investing/general/2014/08/17/ buying-an-apartment-complex-is-easier-than-you-thi.aspx) Keys to getting started in multi-family apartment investing (www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/01/12/ keys-to-getting-started-in-multifamily-apartment-investing/) Investing returns on apartments (nmhc.org/Content.aspx?id=4707) Dear Monty: No-nonsense real estate advice (dearmonty.com/) Forget buying a single-family home purchase an apartment complex (finance.yahoo.com/news/forget-buying-single-family-home-162100725. html) Are buyers paying too much for apartments? (www.forbes.com) How to buy an apartment building (www.wikihow.com/Buy-an-Apartment-Building) National Apartment Association (www.naahq.org/about) About The Author Richard Montgomery gives no-nonsense real estate advice to readers’ most pressing questions. He is a real estate industry veteran who has championed industry reform for over a quarter century. You can ask him questions at www.DearMonty.com.

Investors remember these due diligence tips • Make these visits or calls yourself.

• Split them up between the four investors or partners.

Inbound Marketing Certified

Contact us at

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Rental Housing Journal Colorado · May 2016

Rental Housing Journal Colorado

Crowdfunding and Peer2Peer Lending For Real Estate Investors The Disruptors we want!

I

f real estate investors weren’t choosing crowdfunding and Peer-2-Peer lending over the alternatives of Wall Street and Big Banks this article would end right here. But it doesn’t. Crowdfunding and Peer2Peer lending are the future of the independent real estate industry for one very simple reason that Wall Street and Big Banks cannot fathom. It’s what people want.

Here’s a quaint idea that I believed as a freshly minted college graduate, and that some companies like Google or Uber deliver on a massive scale. The customer is King. Another way of looking at it is if people are flocking to the competition, then that means they don’t like what you have to offer in comparison to your offering. Beyond obvious, yes?

This then begs the question, “What do people want”? When it comes to investing it’s been assumed for decades that people only want higher, safer returns and that’s it. For a while there, it was assumed to be irrelevant how these higher, safer returns are delivered, nor was anyone really asking “Is that really what we’re getting”? It’s when we begin to question this system that the bankers

and Wall Street scratch their heads and stare at us as if we’re crazy, laugh, and walk off; they cannot comprehend why we’d be saying something like that.

This was brought home to me in an experience I had taking the rideshar-

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ing company, Lyft. I wanted to test it to see what all the ruckus was about and when I did, it changed my life forever. I had never had been offered, nor taken anything more than, a ride home in a taxi cab. I assume this was another taxi cab. It wasn’t. It was a ride home, at 1/3rd off in a clean, well-maintained minivan with a dental hygienist young mother of two named Denise. We chatted. I learned about her and this new way of earning extra money for raising her kids and taking care of the family a few hours at a time. In that one ride my satisfaction level with Yellow Cabs service dropped about 95% and I haven’t taken another cab ride since.

The thing is, it was more than a cab ride. It was not simply the one way delivery of a service to a customer. It was two-way. It was an interaction that made me feel like something more than “fare”. It was a ride home with another human being, who was willing to treat me as if I were a friend; we were both there to help one another, not just give to take. On top of that, the differences like speed of delivery and the personal knowledge I gained from her profile provided me with a connection that was unprecedented in the “cab ride” scenario. I knew more about her as a person than I will ever know about any of the previous cab drivers I never knew nor will remember.

When people became aware of Uber they compared that to Yellow Cab. Yellow Cab declared bankruptcy in San Francisco two months ago. Why? Not because they are bad at what they do. They went bankrupt because the new way of getting rides made the old way totally unacceptable, unpleasant and costly. I believe this is what we are experiencing in the real estate investing and funding industry.

Crowdfunding and Peer-2-Peer lending give people more of what they

want. They want to be treated with respect. They want to be connected. They want the freedom to choose. They want to be knowledgeable. Intelligent. In charge. For this reason, people are rejecting being treated as if: all they care about is money, that they are helpless creatures, that they are devoid of the capacity to learn and that they lack sound judgment. That’s what the current model is telling us.

Technology has opened up avenues of connection and options of communicating never before dreamed of. It is massively disruptive to established, commonly accepted beliefs, systems and structures that never contemplated the possibility of the level and depth of interaction and communication available to each and every one of us at almost zero cost!

The technology revolution has already dictated that to stay competitive we must change. We must deliver more of what people want. Much like Lyft has done with the rideshare industry, real estate borrowers and lenders are turning to Crowdfunding and Peer-2-Peer lending to deliver more of what people want. Does the current establishment understand and welcome it with open arms? Of course not. Wildly disruptive? Yes. A threat? Yes... to the old existing order and an exciting alternative for the end users. We, who can stand a little of the uncertainty that comes with the end of one age and the beginning of another are looking at an amazing opportunity.

By Scott Whaley, President REIFA Discover all of the new technologies, strategies and ways of investing and getting funding with this new business model that has been sweeping through all industries. Now, it’s our turn. Check out REIFA and #REIFACON at www.reifacon.com or www.reifa.org.

7

Rental Housing Journal Colorado

Properities with Onsite Staff Health insurance required for all employees working over 30 hours a week The Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010 and upheld by the Supreme Court on June 28, 2012. As part of the ACA, also known as Obamacare, large employers are required to offer health insurance to all full-time employees and their dependents. The term ‘full-time employee’ means, with respect to any month, an employee who is employed on average at least 30 hours per week, section 1513 of the law reads.

(Scroll down to section 4, paragraph A.) That section, known as the employer mandate, requires any business with 50 or more full-time employees to provide at least the minimum level of government-defined health coverage to those employees.

Businesses must provide insurance for employees working an average of just 30 hours per week, which is 10 hours per week fewer than the traditional 40-hour work week.

If an employer has 50 or more ‘fulltime employees’ and does not offer health insurance, it must pay a penalty per employee for each month it does not offer coverage.

Employees who work at least 30 hours per week or whose service hours equal at least 130 hours a month for more than 120 days in a year, are considered full-time. This added requirements for properties with onsite employees that work more than 30 hours a week, and had a major impact on larger apartment properties that may not already have offered health benefits to onsite employees.

Potential increase in supervisor costs on the horizon for 2016 The Federal Department of Labor (DOL), through the Presidential Memorandum on Updating and Modernizing Overtime Regulations, is proposing changes to “modernize and streamline” the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime regulations. The following outlines the key impacts of the pending regulations changes.

Significant impact. Most employers covered by the FLSA will need to analyze employee classifications and make other changes by an effective date in late 2016, which will be established in the final rule.

Exemption increase. To be exempt currently, workers must make more than $455/week ($23,660 annually). The proposed rule sets the standard salary level at the 40th percentile of weekly earnings for full-time salaried workers, which for 2013 was $921 per week, or $47,892 annually. If the 40th percentile approach is adopted, the 2016 level is projected to be $970 a week, or $50,440 annually.

DOL Proposal. The Department is proposing to automatically update the salary level to be considered exempt (including for highly compensated

...continued from page 4 employees) on an annual basis, either based on percentiles of earnings for full-time salaried workers or based on changes in inflation.

This will have the most impact for onsite managers that supervise staff as well as on onsite maintenance managers who supervise staff. If onsite managers supervise more than two employees that can qualify as exempt employees and if they are paid enough, you don’t have to pay overtime. In other words, a non-exempt employee would be paid over time for work over 40 hours a week , an exempt employee is not paid overtime for work over 40 hours a week, though this topic continues to be debated at the Department of Labor. A final rule on this position is expected to be published this spring.

Exempt supervisors must satisfy the following duties tests: • Primarily manage a distinct unit or subdivision within the organization.

• Spends most of the workweek performing management duties.

This generally means more that 50 percent of the worktime, however, other factors might support exempt status if less than 50 percent of worktime is spent in management. Other factors could include: the employee is paid a significantly higher salary than is paid to nonexempt staff; the employee makes frequent management decisions; the employee is free from direct supervision.

• Supervise two or more full-time employees (or the equivalent of two or more).

Ask the Secret Shopper

...continued from page 5

inside. She apologized for closing early and said it had been slow so she decided to lock up a little bit early and go home.

The consultant tried to stifle a yawn and said, “Slow days make me sleepy.”

She asked what I needed, and then said she could show me a model. However, I felt like I would be “putting her out” and offered to come back the next day.

She smiled and looked relieved. The consultant handed me a brochure and a business card and said, “Give me a call in the morning. I’ll be here at nine with bells on.” (I wondered what time she took her “bells” off!)

On my third evening out, I stopped by another community that caught my eye. It was just past 5:30 when I entered the rental office. The leasing consultant greeted me with so much enthusiasm, I was caught off guard. She apologized and said, “I’m sorry. Did I startle you?”

She extended her hand and introduced herself and asked for my name. She offered me a seat and asked how she could help me. I asked if she has that much energy at the end of every day.

She replied, “Not always, but I work at it.” She explained how the leasing consultants stagger their start times so the person who opens early, leaves earlier, and the person who comes on shift later locks up.

The consultant said, “On the days I work alone, I take a couple laps around the property around 4:30 for a ‘pick me up’ and that seems to give me the extra energy I need to finish my day.”

She was animated and enthusiastic as she spoke and seemed eager to serve.

The consultant filled out a guest card

ASK THE SECRET SHOPPER Provided by: Joyce (Kirby) Bica Former owner of Shoptalk Service Evaluations Consultant to Jancyn Evaluation Shops E-mail: shptalk2@gmail.com Copyright © Joyce (Kirby) Bica

• Have hiring or firing authority or, if not full authority, their recommendations are given particular weight.

• Customarily and regularly exercise authority to make decisions of significance.

5 reasons to use rentegration

Summary In summary, state mandated increases of sick leave and minimum wage increases coupled with federally mandated health insurance for full time employees (30+ hours a week) and potential changes in federal overtime rules keep increasing the costs of staff involved with onsite management, maintenance and operations of apartment properties. Owners will need to calculate these costs as they think through the due diligence of the properties they are about to purchase.

1. Access - Rentegration.com is a web based, multi-user software offering customers 24/7 access to forms generation, archives, property management dataColor Standards for National base, basic accounting, vendor ordering • Logos are provided on the CD in all three forms: and other services.

Resources http://w w w.multifamilyinsiders. com/multifamily-blogs/how-to-payyour-on-site-manager http://www.wagehourinsights.com/ category/new-exemption-rules/

PMS 280/Gray PMS 7543 Exclusive Blue Industry Partner of:

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tion.com is an easy to use, database driven software. Most form fields are auto populated from the database. The modTenant Network Logo ules are all integrated and work together.

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2. Rental and Lease Forms - Unlimited apply fees, and create eviction forms with • No other colors are acceptable for use for the logo. use of •aNofull line of state specific rental a few clicksnotof the mouse. altering of the logo is allowed. If you have a special circumstance that simple requires something and lease forms. provided on the CD,All pleaseRentegration.com call NTN NaTioNaL HeadquarTerS 1.800.228.0989 for assistance.

Logoscreated should not be put a busy background. forms •are byoverattorneys and/or 5. Value - Large property management companies that use Rentegration.com local rental housing associations. forWHITE only generation will save time BLACK (withforms 40% gray circle) 3. Simplified Accounting - Owners and money over other methods. Mid and managers can track income and ex- and small size property managers and pense for each unit, property and compa- independent rental owners can manage ny. Perfect for mid and small size property their entire business at a fraction of the managers and independent rental own- cost of other software and forms. ers, who neither have the need or budget for larger, more expensive software.

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8

for me, determined my needs and then gave me a thorough tour of the community amenities and a vacant apartment.

At the end of the tour, we returned to the leasing office where she made several attempts to close the sale. She presented me with a brochure, community newsletter and an application. She then asked if she could follow up in a couple of days to see if I had reached a decision.

When I left, it was 6:15 p.m.

Are you still “alive after five,” with enthusiasm to burn? If not, what can you do about it? Can you adjust your lunch hour or your work schedule so you have more energy at the end of the day? What about your attitude? Can you adjust that? If your office is open for business after five, shouldn’t YOU be open for business too? If you cut corners after five and don’t give EVERY prospective renter a “full meal deal,” they are going to go away “hungry” and end up renting somewhere else!

If you are interested in leasing training or have a question or concern you would like to see addressed, please reach out to me via e-mail. Otherwise, please contact Jancyn for your employee evaluation needs: www.jancyn.com

CK-OUT CONDIT

OR-RTG-20 Oregon

CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT CONDITION

ION REPORT

TENANT(S): __________ ADDRESS: __________ ______________________________ ____________________ ____________________ CITY: __________ ______ __________________UN ____________________ IT: ______________ _____ STATE: ________ Rating Scale = (E)Excellent ZIP: _________________ (VG) Very Good (G)Good (F)Fair (P)Poor IN Out LIVING AREAS WA-RTG-40 Washington In Out KITCHEN In Out Walls

REPORT 48-HOUR

NOTICE TENANT(S): Windows OF ENTRY OR-RTG-24 Oregon __________________ __________________ ____________ ADDRESS: ____________________________________ __________________TENANT(S) Blinds/Drapes : ______________________ ____________UNIT: ______________

BEDROOM 3

Walls

Walls

Stove/Racks

Windows

___________ ADDRESS: ___________ Rods ___________________ PET AGREEMENTCITY: ___________________________________ STATE: ________ ZIP: _________________ ______________________ DATE:_____ CITY: Ice

TENANT INFORMATION

Rating Scale = (E)Excellent (VG) Very Good

TENANT(S): ____________________________________________________ DATE:________ IN ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________ UNIT: _________ LIVING AREAS CITY: _________________________________________ STATE: __________ ZIP: _________ DESCRIPTION OF PET(S)

Walls

Windows

1) Type _______________ Breed _______________ Size ______ Age __ WeightBlinds/Drapes ___ Color ____ Name ________ Vaccinations: Yes____ No____ License Number: ______________

Rods

2) Type _______________ Breed _______________ Size ______ Age __ Weight ___ Color ____ Name ________ Vaccinations: Yes____ No____ License Number: ______________ Floor

Out

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Walls Stove/Racks Refrigerator Ice Trays Shelves/Drawer

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(G)Good (F)Fair (P)Poor

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48-HOUR NOTICE Light Fixtures OF ENTRY

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Dishwasher

Pursuant to RCW Doors/Woodwork 59.18.150, this is your Counter Tops 48 hour entering the dwelling notice that your landlord Locks unit and or their agents will ______________________ premises located at (Address) Cabinets be Ceilings ______________________ ______________________Sink Electrical Outlets ____________ on between the hours Floor of Garbage Cans (Date) and .

Windows (Time) TV Antenna/Cable (Time) The entry will occur Blinds/Drapes for the Fireplace ______________________ following purpose: ___________ Cleanliness Doors/Woodwork___________ ______________________ _________________________________ ___________ ______________________ Locks ______________________ _ _ BEDROOM Walls

Windows

Blinds/Drapes

Rods

Floor

Rods Floor Light Fixtures

state specific forms for

PMS 280/PMS 7543 over color

arizona, alaska, california, colorado, delaware, florida, georgia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, massachusetts, nevada, new Jersey, new york, north carolina, ohio, oregon, pennsylvania, texas, utah, washington, washington d.c., west virginia & more.

Doors/Woodwork Locks Ceilings Electric Outlets Smoke Detectors

www.rentegration.com 503-933-6437

3) Type _______________ Breed _______________ Size ______ Age __ Weight ___ Color ____ Name ________ Carpet/Vinyl/Wood Vaccinations: Yes____ No____ License Number: ______________ Additional Security Deposit Required:$

Light Fixtures

AGREEMENT

Doors/Woodwork

Locks Tenant(s) certify that the above pet(s) are the only pet(s) on the premises. Tenant(s) understands that the additional pet(s) are not permitted unless the landlord gives ten Ceilings ant(s) written permission. Tenant(s) agree to keep the above-listed pets in the premises subject to the following terms and conditions: Electrical Outlets

1) The pet(s) shall be on a leash or otherwise under tenant’sGarbage control Cans when it is outside the tenant’s dwelling unit.

TV Antenna/Cable 2) Tenant(s) shall promptly pick up all pet waste from the premises promptly.

3) Tenant(s) are responsible for the conduct of their pet(s) Fireplace at all times.

4) Tenant(s) are liable for all damages caused by their pet(s).

5) Tenant(s) shall pay the additional security deposit listedCleanliness above and/or their rental agreement as a condition to keeping the pet(s) listed above.

6) Tenant(s) shall not allow their pets to cause any sort of disturbance or injury to the BEDROOM other tenants, guests, landlord or any other persons lawfully on the premises.

1 7) Tenant(s) shall immediately report to landlord any typeWalls of damage or injury caused by their pet.

Windows 8) This agreement is incorporated into and shall become part of the rental agreement exe -cuted between the parties. Failure by tenant to comply with any part of this agreement Blinds/Drapes shall constitute a material breach of the rental agreement. _____________________________ Landlord

Rods

______________________________ Floor Tenant ______________________________ Light Fixtures Tenant Doors/Woodwork

Locks ©2011 NO PORTION of this form may be reproduced without written permission.

Ceilings Electrical Outlets

Disposal

Dishwasher

Counter Tops

Cabinets

Sink

Floor

Light Fixtures

Ceilings

1

Electric Outlets

Phone

Towel Bars

BEDROOM 2 Walls Windows Blinds/Drapes Rods

Personal Service:

Light Fixtures Doors/Woodwork Locks Ceilings Electric Outlets

may be reproduced without written

Windows

* Add one additional

Blinds/Drapes

Rods

Post and Mail:

day for compliance

Light Fixtures if served by post

Doors/Woodwork

Locks

Locks

Ceilings

Ceilings

Electrical Outlets

Electric Outlets

Smoke Detectors

Smoke Detectors

of this form may

Essential Services Plumbing Heating Electricity Hot Water

©2009 NO PORTION

permission.

Essential Services

Plumbing

Heating

Electricity

Hot Water

Smoke Detectors

©2009 NO PORTION

of this form may

be reproduced without

written permission.

02

Rental Housing Journal Colorado · May 2016

Light Fixtures

Doors/Woodwork

Toilet Tub/Shower Fan (Exhaust) Floor Electric Outlets

sales@rentegration.com

Light Fixtures

Floor

and mail.

Towel Bars

Sink & Vanity

Toilet

Fan (Exhaust)

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Electric Outlets

Rods

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©2011 NO PORTION of this form

Method of Service:

BATH ROOM

Tub/Shower

Walls

Windows

Blinds/Drapes

BATH ROOM Sink & Vanity

Floor

BEDROOM 2

Walls

Landlord

Windows

Blinds/Drapes

do NoT put over a busy background

be reproduced without

written permission.