S.E.C. Real Estate Observer

Welcome to the summer 2015 issue of the S.E.C. Obsearver. In this issue, John Brennan, S.E.C., CCIM, the 2015 president of the Society, advises you to “kick-start your investing career.” Tom Langel, S.E.C., advises you not to “bury your money—to invest it” instead. Stephen R. England, S.E.C., describes his “most challenging transaction,” which was also […]

How does one begin the process of investing in commercial real estate? Without a doubt, this is the question that I often hear from first-time prospective investors as well as new and seasoned brokers.

In my opinion, depositing all of your money into a bank is tantamount to burying it. In fact, it may sometimes make more sense to bury it in your backyard — especially when you factor in the risks, inflation, and opportunity loss of the depreciating cash locked up in CDs or other long-term and low-interest investments. Let’s just take a minute so that I can explain what I have just said.

In the late 1970s, I was a farm specialist and received a call from a former client. Pat then worked for a small-town feed company that was owner and manager of a 640-sow farrow-to-finish hog operation that he wanted to sell. Being a young broker, I was really proud of my new listing but never expected it to be as challenging as it was.

The Gordon Technique: This is like Richard R. Reno’s un-priced listing concept. The Gordon Brainstorming Technique is for purists. It is the ultimate technique for free-flowing ideas. Think of charades in understanding it.

The secretary came in to say that there was a man outside who obviously did not practice adequate personal hygiene and that he wanted to speak to a real estate agent or broker. She said she would not go back outside to relay an answer to him and that I would have to take care of it.

The S.E.C. Education Foundation is committed to bringing professional teachers, high-quality courses, and skilled moderators to interested real estate associates throughout the country. It is also committed to offering all the core courses required for S.E.C. membership frequently enough that S.E.C. candidates can complete their course requirements within a two-year period.

The S.E.C. National Invitational Marketing Session will be held at the Sheraton Boston Hotel at 39 Dalton Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02199.

The S.E.C. Education Foundation and the Society of Exchange Counselors are pleased to announce that Ted J. Blank, S.E.C., CCIM, will present “Understanding Your Client” from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on September 13 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The S.E.C. National Invitational Marketing Session will be held at the Chattanoogan Hotel, 1201 Broad Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37402.