Really? 4 hours...

2010-02-08T10:19:00.001-05:00

Have you read The Four-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris? Wow, that would be a great goal. I read the book this weekend. It is all about delegation and automation of your income streams as well as the life you could lead if you did. Man, do I agree with him...I am not big on detail work. I do not do well running things day to day. I have no idea why but my attention span for a project is about 3 years, after that success or failure, I have had enough. I might be there more than three years but I guarantee, I am looking for the exit by then.

Owning and operating apartments is my obvious exception. Like I said, I really don't care for the day to day running of the properties. Managers do a much better job of that than I do. I keep one building to personally manage, keeps me in the game, in touch with the industry. A few years ago...I had a young woman working for me, She did a great job as a "housekeeper" on the properties. She came in one day, said "Friday is my last day Dan" WHAT? Why? What happened?...Her answer? I can't take this anymore, my life is like Ground Hogs Day.She referred to the recent movie of the same. Hmmm...I get it, same thing everyday, over and over. Kind of funny really, I never thought about her world that way. She worked at two identical apartment complexes, She even lived on one of the properties. Each day she worked in the same hallways, same apartments, same laundry rooms...the only difference in her life was where we kept the dumpster! The poor kid, I felt bad for her. She moved on, still rents from us, a silver lining.

I guess it is pretty easy to fall into a situation where everyday is the same. I have done a pretty good job of mixing things up over the years. I worked on ships,Oil Tankers, for 9 years, great job traveled all over. Built a chain of Quick Lube Centers pretty decent business, hard to open...harder to run, make money? Forget it, better enjoy the work! Started an Embroidery Company we grew to be the largest in the State,not saying much, NH is a small state but we sewed 10,000 garments a week with all manner of corporate logos, it was fun. I enjoyed working with a group of people. Many times I have worked alone. I had the best job in the world after I sold my Lube Centers. I got to work as a Police Officer in the Town where I live...I loved being a Patrol Officer, Great job, great guys, a front row seat to life...But my 3-4 years came, it was time to go. I loved that job, more in the rear view mirror than I did at the time.That was the most difficult job I ever had, but so cool. Never dull but as usual it got old...

So the 4 hour work week how does that fit in here. I would like, and I'm sure others would agree, to have my business automated in such away that if I were removed from things, the company would continue on without me. I think I am pretty close to that goal. I work with a property management company in Ohio. I do a large part of my business in that State...(A really wonderful State, so beautiful. Too bad it seems most of the folks out there don't really appreciate what they have.) I have had a chance to grow my business, my property manager has helped put another property under contract at attractive terms. They will continue managing the property, not much for me to do but sign the papers. That is my kind of automation. I would like to develop other income streams. I would like to be a better marketer of my properties. I would like to be able to market other products to folks that already rent from me.Delegation, Automation and Recreation, The 4 Hour Work Week has inspired me.

Are you living the 4-hour work week? Grab the book it is a quick read. Really fun to think about. What you could do to make your life more exciting more profitable. Do not fall into the Ground Hogs Day trap my young friend found herself in. I was born on Ground Hogs Day perhaps that is why I always feel the need to move on...Let me know what you think...Can you automate your business?...Do you want to? Read the book before you answer that question...I sure do...Dan

The first day

2010-01-25T14:49:00.000-05:00

I have never had anything to do with on-line publishing of my thoughts or ideas before today. I want to be able to help people that are in the apartment rental business or thinking about the business. I see property owners make so many mistakes when it comes to rental units. I feel bad for them...I know better. I have had my apartments for 33 years...I only had a couple apartments for a few years early on, now I have quite a few. I spend a lot of time with new property owners at my local Real Estate Investors Club. I enjoy their excitement but I worry about some of their plans.

With my blog I am going to share some of the things I do to find and retain Residents at my properties. That's right Residents...drives me nuts when people use the words Landlord and Tenant...Fine language for Court which is where you will be if you act like a Landlord and treat your Residents like Tenants. I own my building or I manage my building...nothing more. I am around to make sure my Residents have a clean, safe, affordable place to live. I want my Residents to feel they are receiving a fair value for their rent money. I don't run a Hotel but I try to take good care of my folks...In 33 years I've had 2 evictions. I know what I'm doing and I will share my experience with you...Join in ask me a question. If it is about apartments I am your guy...Thanks Dan

Apartments for rent, marketing plans and strategy to rent your apartments.

Really? 4 hours...

The first day