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    • 18-year property cycle in real estate marketSubscribe to The Property Hub magazine to learn about the 18-year property cycle and receive previous issues for free.

      Rob and Rob are discussing the 18-year property cycle in their latest podcast episode. This concept is further explored in issue 2 of their magazine, which is coming soon and can be subscribed to at thepropertyhub.net/magazine. The podcast hosts have recently returned from their breaks and are excited about the upcoming content they have planned. They also mentioned that subscribers to their magazine will receive all previous issues as well. The 18-year property cycle theory suggests that the real estate market experiences similar trends and patterns every 18 years. While the hosts reminisced about their mixed-up locations, they acknowledged that there have been some developments in the property market since their last recording. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the magazine before the 24th of the month to receive the physical copy of issue 2.

    • Commercial Property: A Bond with a Roof and the 18-Year Cycle DebateCommercial property offers reliable yields, but the 18-year property cycle may not be a reliable rule, as property crashes can occur more frequently.

      That while commercial property can provide reliable yields and even high yields in less popular markets, the idea of an 18-year property cycle may not hold up to scrutiny. The speaker mentioned an article from The Telegraph that highlighted how international investors often focus on the West End and City of London for perceived safety, but there are opportunities in secondary cities and even overseas. He also described commercial property as a "bond with a roof on." However, a listener named Matt challenged the idea of an 18-year property cycle, pointing out that property crashes have occurred more frequently throughout history. The speakers then plan to address Matt's concerns and provide evidence for the existence and validity of the 18-year cycle. Stay tuned for more insights on this topic.

    • Evidence for Fred Harrison's property cycle theory is debatable for earlier crashesWhile Harrison's property cycle theory has some merit, its application to earlier economic downturns is debatable due to various contributing factors and unclear data.

      While Fred Harrison's 18-year property cycle theory is supported by the data from more recent crashes like those in 1989/90 and 2008, the evidence becomes less clear when looking at earlier crashes. For instance, the severity of the dip in 1980 is debatable, and there were significant global events preceding crashes in 1972 and 1956. Although Harrison's theory suggests that the second half of the cycle is more aggressive, the validity of this claim is open to interpretation. Overall, while the theory has some merit, it's important to approach it with a critical mindset and consider the various factors that may have contributed to each economic downturn.

    • Real Estate Market's 18-Year Cycle of Growth and DeclineThe 18-year real estate cycle is an average pattern of growth and decline, with exceptions and variations. It includes periods of reasonable and aggressive growth, followed by mid-cycle dips.

      The real estate market exhibits an 18-year cycle of growth and decline, but this pattern should be viewed with caution as there are exceptions and variations. The cycle includes a period of reasonable growth, followed by a mid-cycle dip, and then another period of aggressive growth. The 18-year cycle holds up well throughout history, but it's important to remember that it's an average and not a definitive rule. Some areas may experience more frequent downturns, while others may continue to grow for longer periods. For instance, London's aggressive property market growth raises concerns about an impending crash, but not all areas of the UK have recovered from the last crash in 2008. If a dip does occur, it could fit into the mid-cycle dip pattern. Overall, the 18-year real estate cycle is a useful framework for understanding market trends, but it should be approached with a nuanced perspective.

    • London property market cycle correctionLondon's property market, influenced by global factors, is expected to experience a correction in its 18-year cycle, though the timing and severity remain uncertain

      The London property market, despite recent aggressive growth, is expected to experience a dip as part of the 18-year property cycle. This correction could be triggered by various factors such as China's economic instability, interest rate increases, or geopolitical events. While some areas of London have seen significant price increases in recent years, others argue that London has decoupled from the rest of the UK and is following its own cycle, or that the market is simply magnified due to its status as a global city and store of value for the wealthy. Ultimately, the timing and severity of the correction are uncertain, but it is expected to happen at some point.

    • London's property market defies traditional 18-year cycleLondon's unique status as a global city with geographic constraints leads to price fluctuations but consistently high values. Long-term investment perspective and avoiding peak buying crucial.

      London's property market behaves differently than the traditional 18-year real estate cycle. While affordability and global money influence prices, London's unique status as a global city with geographic constraints may lead to price fluctuations but consistently high values. Investors should approach the market with a long-term perspective, understanding that prices will rise and fall, and avoiding buying at the peak of the cycle is crucial. The UK property market as a whole follows a cyclical pattern, and being aware of its stages can help investors make informed decisions. Tune into the Property Hub podcast "18 Year Cycle: The Scam?" for more insights on navigating property market cycles and surviving potential crashes.

    • Understanding the property cycle for smarter financial decisionsRecognize real estate market patterns of growth and decline to make informed investment strategies and avoid costly mistakes. Stay informed about current events and market trends, and utilize helpful tools like Sunrise Calendar for schedule management.

      Understanding the property cycle can help you make smarter decisions about your money and investments, even if you don't fully believe in the 18-year cycle theory. The cycle shows that real estate markets are not static but instead go through periods of growth and decline. By recognizing this pattern, you can adjust your investment strategies accordingly and avoid making costly mistakes. The discussion also highlighted the importance of staying informed about current events and market trends to make informed decisions. Additionally, the hosts recommended the Sunrise Calendar app as a valuable resource for organizing and managing schedules, especially for those who use Trello. The app integrates well with other apps and offers a user-friendly interface. In summary, understanding the property cycle and staying informed about market trends, along with utilizing helpful tools like Sunrise Calendar, can lead to better financial decisions and overall financial success.

    • Manage your schedule and tasks with Google Calendar and its integrationsGoogle Calendar helps users integrate various aspects of their life and work, providing a centralized platform for managing appointments, to-dos, and travel information through integrations with services like Trello and Tripit. The platform also offers features like automatic icon selection and time blocking for meals.

      Google Calendar can be used to integrate various aspects of your life and work into one place, making it easier to manage your schedule and tasks. With integrations to services like Trello and Tripit, you can see your appointments, to-dos, and travel information all in one place. Google Calendar also offers fun and useful features like automatic icon selection and time blocking for meals. Additionally, the podcast received a glowing review from listener Warren, who praised its educational value and encouraged others to take action and make their first investment. The importance of taking action and building a team, including working with a property sourcer, was also emphasized. Overall, Google Calendar's integration capabilities and the value of the podcast and its community make these tools essential for anyone looking to invest in property.

    • Exploring the benefits of working with a property sourcer and signing up for the Property Hub magazineWorking with a property sourcer can help you navigate the property investment world, while the Property Hub magazine offers in-depth learning opportunities for a small fee.

      If you're interested in property investment and have questions about working with a property sourcer, make sure to tune in next week for more information. In the meantime, consider signing up for the Property Hub magazine, which delves deeper into topics like the 18-year property cycle, for only £5 a quarter. The magazine provides an opportunity to learn at your own pace and in-depth detail, making it a valuable resource for property investors. If you can't afford the subscription fee, it may indicate that property investment isn't the right path for you at this time. To join the conversation and access additional resources, visit propertyhub.netforward/magazine. Don't forget to subscribe to the Prophecy Podcast, leave a 5-star review, and join the mailing list at theprophecypodcast.com. Stay tuned for more episodes next week!

    Recent Episodes from The Property Podcast

    ASK435: Should I set up one company or many? PLUS: Should I be trying other brokers?

    ASK435: Should I set up one company or many? PLUS: Should I be trying other brokers?

    Happy Tuesday! We’re back with two more listener questions! 

    • (0:43) Paul currently has three buy-to-let properties and intends to grow his portfolio to ten in the future. Each property is currently held in a separate SPV, and he's trying to decide if he should continue putting his new properties in their own SPVs or combine them all into one. Aware of the pros and cons of each method, Paul seeks advice from Rob & Rob on what to do. What will they suggest? 
    • (5:09) Lee’s been searching for the best deal for his mortgage renewal and wonders if he should stick with the advice of one mortgage broker or talk to a few to get a better range of options. 

    Enjoy the show? 

    • Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! 

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    The Property Podcast
    enJuly 02, 2024

    TPP589: The 5 surprising areas where property is booming

    TPP589: The 5 surprising areas where property is booming

    Location is everything in property investing, and this week Rob & Rob reveal the UK’s top 5 areas for property growth. Forget the usual city hotspots - these under-the-radar locations are stealing the show. Tune in as the guys share their theories on what's driving these areas' success and learn how you can leverage this information to shape your own investment strategy. Can you guess which ones made the list? Hit play to find out! 

    • (0:49) News story of the week 
    • (3:40) The best performing areas for property growth… 
    • (7:25) Kicking off with city hotspots  
    • (8:25) The top 5 performing areas revealed 
    • (15:30) Other notable areas 
    • (17:15) What’s driving these locations success 
    • (19:43) Hub Extra 

    Links mentioned: 

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    The Property Podcast
    enJune 27, 2024

    ASK434: Is now the right time to sell this property? PLUS: What do I do about this arrangement fee?

    ASK434: Is now the right time to sell this property? PLUS: What do I do about this arrangement fee?

    It’s time for your weekly dose of Ask Rob & Rob! 

    • (0:42) Gary’s recently inherited a flat in Notting Hill that he plans to sell and use the proceeds to invest in a cheaper property with better growth potential. But the current value is about 20% less than its original purchase price, leaving him unsure whether to hold off for better market conditions or sell now for the best possible price. 
    • (3:28) Ryan’s wondering if he should add his arrangement fees to his mortgage or pay them off in full, so he turns to Rob & Rob for their advice. 

    Enjoy the show? 

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    The Property Podcast
    enJune 25, 2024

    TPP588: June Market Update

    TPP588: June Market Update

    Get ready for one of our juiciest market updates yet, as we bring you the latest happenings in the property world, including a build-to-rent mini special packed with fascinating rental stats. But that’s not all - we dive into the hottest topic right now: the election! 

    What’s the latest updates? The manifestos are out, but what do they mean for property investors? Did The Robs see anything that worries or excites them? Join us as they break down all the news and share their beliefs on politics. Will they lose your vote? Let’s find out... 

    • (0:55) The latest data on house prices 
    • (2:20) Some interesting news on rents 
    • (5:40) What’s happening with build to rents 
    • (7:57) Let’s talk politics 
    • (14:40) Hub Extra 

    Links mentioned: 

    House prices: 

    Rents: 

    Build to rent: 

    Election: 

    Hub Extra:  

    Enjoy the show? 

    • Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Property Podcast
    enJune 20, 2024

    ASK433: How do I value new build properties? PLUS: Are flats with cladding an opportunity?

    ASK433: How do I value new build properties? PLUS: Are flats with cladding an opportunity?

    Rob & Rob are back to offer their advice to two more listeners! 

    • (0:45) Mussa is curious to know if flats with cladding still face a negative perception, even with EWS1 certificates. He seeks Rob & Rob’s advice on whether these properties offer good capital growth potential or should be avoided as property investments. 
    • (3:48) Thomas is at a loss on how to properly value new build properties since there are no comparable ones in the area. He turns to the guys for their expertise and guidance. 

    Enjoy the show? 

    • Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! 

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    The Property Podcast
    enJune 18, 2024

    TPP587: How to avoid a leasehold nightmare

    TPP587: How to avoid a leasehold nightmare

    The most frequent questions we receive are about leaseholds, and given they make up around 40% of the property market it’s crucial for every investor to understand them. Tune in as Rob & Rob deep dive into the topic, discussing the pros and cons of leasehold vs freehold, shedding light on ground rents and service charges, and bringing you up to speed with the latest changes from the Leasehold Reform Bill.  

    • (0:58) News story of the week 
    • (3:27) Let’s talk about leaseholds… 
    • (4:25) What actually is a leasehold? 
    • (6:06) The pros and cons of leasehold vs freehold 
    • (7:01) How about ground rent? 
    • (9:50) Details on the Leasehold Reform Bill 
    • (12:40) What about service charges? 
    • (21:37) Hub Extra 

    Links mentioned: 

    Enjoy the show? 

    • Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Property Podcast
    enJune 13, 2024

    ASK432: Who should I vote for? PLUS: Do I really need to pay this fee?

    ASK432: Who should I vote for? PLUS: Do I really need to pay this fee?

    It's Tuesday, and that means it's time for Ask Rob & Rob! Join us as we tackle two new listener questions… 

    • (0:44) Tom wonders what property investors should be looking for in each party's manifesto for the upcoming July election. He's curious if any appear to favour landlords and investors and which might introduce stricter policies. He turns to Rob & Rob for their insights to help him decide who to vote for based on his investment strategy. 
    • (2:44) Jalon received a payment request from the Information Commissioner's Office and wants to know if the fee is something he’s required to pay as a small property investor. 

    Enjoy the show? 

    • Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Property Podcast
    enJune 11, 2024

    TPP586: Should property investors be scared of Labour? (Election special)

    TPP586: Should property investors be scared of Labour? (Election special)

    It's the topic that sparks the most passionate debates: politics! With the unexpectedly early election just around the corner, what does this mean for the property market, and will a potential new government bring significant changes? Join us as Rob & Rob tread on dangerous territory, sharing their thoughts and opinions on the possible impact of a Labour government! 

    • (0:40) News story of the week 
    • (2:49) Let’s get into it… 
    • (3:20) What’s happened as a result of the election being called early? 
    • (6:40) What will happen in the run-up? 
    • (8:40) What will happen if Labour win? 
    • (16:30) What do we make of it all? 
    • (22:18) Hub Extra 

    Links mentioned: 

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    The Property Podcast
    enJune 06, 2024

    ASK431: Would you rent to someone with a CCJ? PLUS: What type of company should I set up?

    ASK431: Would you rent to someone with a CCJ? PLUS: What type of company should I set up?

    Let's dive into your questions and get some answers on this week's Ask Rob & Rob! 

    • (0:38) A potential tenant with a CCJ has applied to rent Chris's property. The tenant has a guarantor, and the lettings agent offers a protected rent scheme. He wonders if this provides enough protection or be cautious and asks Rob & Rob for their advice. 
    • (3:10) Ashley’s at the start of her property journey and unsure whether to set up an SPV or a limited company. She wants to know the difference between the two and which option would be best for her situation. 

    Enjoy the show? 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Property Podcast
    enJune 04, 2024

    AOB: What do Rob & Rob actually DO?

    AOB: What do Rob & Rob actually DO?

    In this candid peek behind the curtain, Rob & Rob delve into what they actually do on a day-to-day to keep their £100m property business running. 

    From handling operations to marketing and growth initiatives, they get raw about their current roles and responsibilities - and how the wrong role had Rob D considering if it was his time to leave the business... 

    Links mentioned: 

    Enjoy the show? 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Property Podcast
    enMay 31, 2024

    Related Episodes

    ASK58: Never sell a property?

    ASK58: Never sell a property?

    This week on Ask Rob & Rob, Mike...

    Asks Rob & Rob –  Should I never sell a property? 

    Rob D admits this is something you hear a LOT from everyone, including from The Robs. However he also says that his thinking has changed a little in recent year. If your property price is increasing a lot faster than the rent and your yield has fallen, you could take the view that you have had the majority of your gains and you could sell now and buy a property elsewhere where there's more growth in it. There's no right answer, and there is a logic in both approaches.    Rob B says his attitude has changed too but only slightly - and that still feels that never selling is a decent principle. There's a time and place to take stock and maybe move some units on though - for example if you have a dud property that just hasn't performed as you expected, or was one of your earlier purchases and you made some mistakes on it, or you have had a constant string of bad tenants that have cost you a lot of time and money; then you should be prepared to walk away and move on to something else.    Rob B continues by saying that as he believes in the 18 year property cycle, he will be inclined to move properties on when we're at the top of that cycle (which we are a fair way away from just now).    So it's not quite a 'never sell a property' answer, and there is definitely a bit more to it than this, depending on your situation, your longterm plan, and where we are in the cycle.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    TPP224: Back to the future: how to predict future property prices

    TPP224: Back to the future: how to predict future property prices

    This week we have been busy putting the finishing touches to the next issue of The Property Hub Magazine, which is looking fantastic. We've also been planning the details for the new and improved Property Hub Summits which we will give you more details on very soon.

    The topic this week is how to predict future property prices and we've used lots of historical data in order to help us forecast what the next few years may have in store for the property market in the UK. 

    If you'd like to take a look at the data we used for our research then check out The Nationwide price index, you may also wish to refer to our earlier episode on The 18 year Property Cycle - and we are working on the belief that the last cycle started after the crash in 1989 and ran for (would you believe it) 18 years to 2007. We looked at London vs the Northwest and Yorkshire & Humberside (The modern day Northern Powerhouse). 

    We made some surprising discoveries and if you listen to the podcast in full, you will be able to hear our take on what is likely to happen next and most importantly, how you should prepare and protect your investments for the next few years.

    News story of the week: Britain's top seaside property hotspot revealed

    Broadstairs in Kent has been identified as Britain's top seaside property hotspot in 2017,  you can find out more about the top seaside investment locations here.

    Resource of the week

    LiveYield was suggested from one of our listeners (sorry, we don't have your name to hand!), and this takes data from Zoopla and uses it to tell you how different areas are performing. One note though - it is automated, so use with some caution.

    Join the conversation over in the forum

    What do you make of Rob & Rob's findings? Head over to the forum to discuss in more detail here.

    If you enjoyed The Property Podcast, please leave a review on iTunes

    Reviews are really important in helping other people to find the show, so by way of thanks we read out every single review we receive on air.

    If you’d like to hear your name on the show, leave us a review on iTunes here.

    Not sure how to leave a review? This video shows you how to review and subscribe on iTunes.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    TPP223: What is happening to the London property market

    TPP223: What is happening to the London property market

    This week we're focussing on a topic discussed regularly - what's happening to the London property market?

    So, what's happened over the last 8 years?

    • London prices have grown 80% over 8 years (since 2009)
    • Every price band has increased by roughly the same percentage...BUT timing differs
    • Top 30% recovered from 2009-2012. Driven by overseas buyers and domestic residents who didn’t need mortgages or could get them more easily
    • Lower sectors only grew strongly from 2013 onwards. Driven by ripple effect, confidence, access to finance
    • (This is why it’s best to own prime assets. They grow first and further - because growth is a % of a larger number)

     

    What’s happening now?

    • On average, 5% annual growth makes it one of the 5 slowest growing cities in the UK
    • Many of those who are selling are moving out of the capital. “Almost half the agents in London surveyed by LonRes say that 10 per cent or more of their vendor clients intend to quit the capital once they sell their property”
    • Rents are falling. “New tenants in the capital typically paying almost £100 a month less than their counterparts a year ago, according to Your Move”.
    • Transactions are very low, and at an all-time low in 3 boroughs.

     

    What have we learned from the London property market?

    • Just because an area has performed best doesn’t mean it will continue to! This is why we’ve said to avoid London for the last few years - poor yields AND low growth
    • Prime assets are more volatile - both grow and fall first and fastest. You can either use this to your advantage or stay out of the way!
    • When you tax something you get less of it. SDLT has had a major effect on London transactions
    • Property isn’t immune to market forces. Rents and prices can’t grow ahead of incomes forever. Affordability in London is ridiculously stretched, so if it stagnates (real terms fall) and we see wage growth, affordability can come under control without a major correction

    Want to take a further look at all the data? We got a lot of our information from the following links:

     

    News story of the week: New BTL mortgage options for ex-pats.

    We've heard quite a bit about Vida in the past few weeks, and their proposition seems to be pretty good. If you're an ex-pat investor, you may want to check them out. Read more here.

    Resource of the week

    Make your clipboard work harder! This keeps your clipboard history which is a huge time saver. Check out Jumpcut for Mac, Clipboard History 2 for Chrome, or this option for Windows. 

    If you enjoyed The Property Podcast, please leave a review on iTunes

    Reviews are really important in helping other people to find the show, so by way of thanks we read out every single review we receive on air.

    If you’d like to hear your name on the show, leave us a review on iTunes here.

    Not sure how to leave a review? This video shows you how to review and subscribe on iTunes.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Best Advice for Succeeding in the Laundry Industry

    The Best Advice for Succeeding in the Laundry Industry

    Today’s guest is Mike Worthy.

     

    Mike is the VP of Equipment Sales for the oldest/largest commercial laundry distributor in the Mid-South area. 

     

    Show summary: 

    In this podcast episode, Mike Worthy, discusses the laundry business and the opportunities and challenges it presents. He emphasizes the importance of doing business right and getting the right advice from reputable distributors. Mike explains that every case is different and thorough research is crucial. He provides case studies to illustrate the differences in laundry facilities and talks about the changing model of the industry. The conversation also covers rising costs, sophisticated ownership groups, the future of the laundry business, and the importance of choosing the right equipment mix and reliable distributor. 

    --------------------------------------------------------------

    Intro [00:00:00]

     

    Opportunities and challenges in the laundry business [00:01:46]

     

    The shift in ownership and consumer expectations [00:05:29]

     

    The changing model of the laundry industry [00:09:07]

     

    Barriers to entry in the laundry business [00:10:38]

     

    The importance of research and partnering with experienced professionals [00:11:51]

     

    The future of laundry [00:18:19]

     

    The specialization of people within their niches [00:19:44]

     

    The importance of distributor guidance [00:21:29]

    --------------------------------------------------------------

    Connect with Mike:

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-worthy-0973b048/

    Web: https://www.centrallaundryequipment.com/

    Phone: 800-467-3194

     

    Connect with Sam:

    I love helping others place money outside of traditional investments that both diversify a strategy and provide solid predictable returns.  

     

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HowtoscaleCRE/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwilsonhowtoscalecre/

    Email me → sam@brickeninvestmentgroup.com

     

    SUBSCRIBE and LEAVE A RATING. Listen to How To Scale Commercial Real Estate Investing with Sam Wilson

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-scale-commercial-real-estate/id1539979234

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4m0NWYzSvznEIjRBFtCgEL?si=e10d8e039b99475f

    --------------------------------------------------------------

    Want to read the full show notes of the episode? Check it out below:

     

    Mike Worthy (00:00:00) - So people get into this phase of I'm just going to drop it off, have someone touch it, do it. I don't have to worry about, come back and pick it up. And that it continues to increase with wash dry fold, people wanting to use a phone app, people not wanting to use quarters and that that demographic changes daily on the value of people don't want to do what the old laundries used to do.

     

    Intro (00:00:20) - Welcome to the how to scale commercial real estate show. Whether you are an active or passive investor, we'll teach you how to scale your real estate investing business into something big.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:00:33) - Mike Worthy is the VP of Equipment Sales for the oldest and largest commercial laundry distributor in the Mid South Central Laundry Equipment. Mike, welcome to the show.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:00:42) - Well, thanks for having me.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:00:43) - Absolutely. Mike The pleasure is mine. I think this is the first time I've had anybody come on the show and talk about laundry. If anybody who's listening to this knows we are going long in the laundry business.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:00:54) - And so I think this is a lot of fun. I'm glad to have you on today, Mike. There are three questions, though, that I ask every guest who comes on the show in 90s or less. Can you tell me where did you start? Where are you now and how did you get there?

     

    Mike Worthy (00:01:05) - Okay, so our company started back in the mid 80s when everyone had mullets and parachute pants and listening to Duran Duran. So we've been around for a long time. We started out also owning some some small laundry operations and we soon found out you you can't own an operation and compete with your customers. And so for the last 38 years or so, we've been totally independent, providing everything from commercial laundry to hotels, motels, vineyard laundries, hospitals and hotels and I've been doing this for good, gosh, over 20 years. And so had a lot of fun And enjoy the ride, man.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:01:39) - That's cool. Well, tell me, I mean, is now a good time to be in the laundry business?

     

    Mike Worthy (00:01:46) - It is if you do it right, that the key is it's always a good time to get in business and expand your portfolio.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:01:52) - But do you do it right and do you have the right advice from the right people? So, yes, absolutely. Great time.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:01:59) - Well, let's let's talk about what do it right might entail. I mean, there's we we see unlimited opportunity. And I think in our space, which we're in the retail you know where would the retail laundry space. So we do the self-serve, we do drop-off, we do delivery, all of those things. And I see unlimited opportunity to acquire stores and then go do it right. But I want to hear from you because you get to see all across the country all different types of laundry facilities, what does do it right mean for you?

     

    Mike Worthy (00:02:30) - So it's every case is a case by case basis. That's that's the key. You can't just use a universal cookie cutter and says what works in Dallas is going to work in Marion, Arkansas, for example. So everyone is a is a is a case by case basis. And the key to everything is is getting as much information as you can from a reputable distributor.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:02:52) - And so there's a long listing of things that you look for in distributors. But but the key is getting good advice, doing your research and getting as much research as you can. But boots on the ground is also equally important.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:03:06) - Okay. So boots on the ground. But so you say you stay on a case by case basis. Let's look at some of these cases. How could some of how give me maybe two different case studies and how they would differ.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:03:16) - Okay. So for example, suppose we're talking in a large town that has laundries for sale. So just because the laundry is for sale doesn't mean that it's a great idea or a great investment. It could be, but there's a reason that it's for sale to begin with. And there's a long list of scenarios that that something could be for sale. But as a business person, if I've got a business and it's doing well, why do I want to sell it? There's always that. Why there's always underlying things that's being sold because the equipment doesn't work or it's outdated or they can't get service or the equipment is obsolete.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:03:52) - So there's a long list of things that you look for for sure, but you also have that equal opportunity if you want to buy your own property, build your own laundry, you know, kind of custom tailor it to to your needs. So we've got people that start from a ground up situation. We just had a great success story in South Arkansas, $1 million plus laundry that built from the ground up all the way to 16 foot ceiling fans and floors that look like the ocean to, hey, I'm just buying something and I'm just going to re-equip it and try to get my profits up. So a lot of different scenarios and everyone is different.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:04:26) - Everyone is different. And I think that's that's the fun part about it, is that is that you got to you have to determine what the right store needs in a particular location. But let's let's talk about the Y sell scenario. I have this theory that the average laundromat owner is getting older. This is what we're seeing on the stores we're acquiring. They're getting older.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:04:51) - They are still taking coins. They mean a lot of the stores we're buying don't have a website. They don't have a phone line. They don't do pickup and delivery and the list goes on. You know, I mean, the store we just bought, the guy was telling me all about how to do a bearing overhaul on a machine. And I just kind of looked at him and I'm like. Now. I don't want to know how to do that.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:05:15) - No, you do not. It is not fun.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:05:17) - No, in a poor use of their time. So I'm seeing. I'm seeing this this shift in ownership from older to younger, which just makes sense because, I mean, the model they have built is unscalable or unsustainable, rather.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:05:29) - No, you've nailed it right on the head. And what you've also seen is that the days of the small laundry will be coming to a close sooner or later, Maybe not in the particular town that you're in or someone else may be in. But unfortunately, due to this day and age of Covid and social distancing, people don't want to be cramped in a small laundry.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:05:47) - They want to have the amenities of a nice laundry. And I give this example all the time. I'm in my mid 50s and I grew up in the 80s, of course, watching a Chevy Chase vacation. And you'll hear a and I tell this to everyone, you'll hear a sentence in there that says, I'm so hungry I could eat a sandwich from a gas station and that back then you would think of a gas station. You would never eat there. You wouldn't want to use the restroom there. I don't want to stop, but nowadays you see a nice gas station and they've got food and drink and TV and Wi-Fi and all this good stuff. So what our demands are as a consumer has changed for laundry and gas stations and doctor's offices and shopping. And a lot of these people aren't up to speed and you hit it right on the head when you said wash dry fold and things to that extent, because I've got a I've got a son that's second year of college that doesn't want to do laundry.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:06:36) - So people get into this phase of I'm just going to drop it off, have someone touch it, do it. I don't have to worry about, come back and pick it up. And that it continues to increase with wash dry fold, people wanting to use a phone app, people not wanting to use quarters and that that demographic changes daily on the value of people don't want to do what the old laundries used to do.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:06:57) - I think that's that's probably the best comparison I have heard yet. I had I hadn't put that those two together. But you're absolutely right. And you would say, I think I think previous mentality would have said that that the people that want and use laundromats don't demand that those amenities. But they do. I mean, we just retooled a store here in Memphis. And I mean, it's like like you said, the floors are, you know, everything's new top to bottom, brand new paint, signage, machineries or equipment, the payment systems. I mean, it's just it's it's a spotless brand new store.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:07:31) - And the place was a dump before. Yes.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:07:33) - And you get into the stereotypes when you just say the word. Well, first of all, when you say the word coin laundry, it's no longer just coin. But you have that vision of your head of broken equipment and nasty and no air conditioning. And the market's changed because suppose you're you're you're a well-off gentleman and you're married and you've got three kids and you went to, let's say, Silver Dollar City over the weekend and you have all this laundry. Well, do you want to come home and you guys spend the rest of your Sunday doing laundry or take it down to a nice laundromat and knock it out in an hour, an hour and a half. Right. And so the general consumer doesn't want to go to a laundry that's nasty and dirty or unsafe or unlit. And so when you provide those services, you're not only opening up customers that don't have a washer and dryer, but now you've got grandma that spilled something on the comforter and you've got the kids that don't want to do all the football uniforms.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:08:21) - And so your your clientele just basically jumps through the roof with the offerings that you can offer as a smart laundry owner, right?

     

    Sam Wilson (00:08:28) - Absolutely. Yeah. On that store in particular, we've doubled revenues in just a few short months, which.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:08:33) - Is just very, very doable.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:08:34) - Very doable. Right. So let's talk about that. One of the one of the not one of the objections I was going to say blowback, but that's the wrong word. One of the objections I receive from potential investors, as they say. Well, I mean, well, if you can do it and it's so simple, like you just mentioned, lighting, machinery, payment systems, point of sale systems, staffing your stores, you know, increased hours, all those things that we do there, like that's anybody can do that. So what prevents somebody else from coming in and putting a store in the corner right next to you? I have an answer for that, but I'd love to hear kind of what your thoughts are on that.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:09:07) - So as a distributor and I know I stress on this, but the model has changed so much because in the past, the way the laundry industry worked is you had to be a laundry owner to to be able to be a distributor because you have quotas. Just like in any job, you've got a quota, you got to hit your number. Well, if you're not out selling the customers, then the only way you're selling is to yourself. And so that is kind of changed where, hey, they're looking for manufacturers are looking for a full fledged distributor, not just an owner, but someone that is that handles everything from a hotel to a vintage laundry to a to a hospital. And so the ownership has changed on what they're looking for. And by ownership, I'm talking about the manufacturers. But when we get into looking to compete with someone, one of the things that we promise is we're not going to put a laundry next to you. If you partner up with us, you've got a you've got our word as a vendor of almost 40 years that why do we want to put someone right next to you? Why would we want to put something else you got to worry about? Two is franchised stores.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:10:06) - We're not going to put a franchise store next to you. We're going to make sure that we take care of our customer. And it makes no sense to put and I know certain areas in Memphis. You can go into a two two square mile radius and find ten laundries. And half of them are all put in by the same person and four of them are owned by the. By the distributor. So you need to really even out the playing field and really dive into what you're doing. But that's the key of making sure you're finding demographics and a good spot. And as us, we're not going to build against somebody that we just built for.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:10:38) - I think I think the other side of this and one of my answers to it is that the the cost to build stores has risen. I mean, incredibly incredible.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:10:49) - Well, yeah. And the finance. Right. Just went up, too, as you know. So this is we take the call every day, 3 or 4 times a day. Hey, I'd like to get in the laundry business.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:10:57) - I've got $5,000 and we do take that. So unfortunately, getting into a business, it's one of those things you got to have some money to make some money. Right? And that's kind of true because some of the bigger investments now are million dollar stores or half million dollar stores easily easy before you start getting into it. Really a lot of improvements. These are some basic stores that are 4 or $500,000 just on equipment. Right. And then contractor cost and plumbing, all of that stuff adds up. And sometimes people aren't educated enough to and I don't mean that badly. I'm saying they don't do their legwork right, of saying, hey, before I buy this property, let me see the demographics. Let me see if there's laundries nearby. And oh, let me make sure if I'm going to put a laundry here, I don't have to bore a drain under a state highway. That's going to cost me an extra 20,000 grand.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:11:43) - Right?

     

    Mike Worthy (00:11:43) - Right. So there's a lot of things and that's that's the key, is to partner up with someone that's that's done it, that understands every nuance of how it works.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:11:51) - You're spot on. Correct. And those are all the all the answers I give to investors because we have our clean laundry fund, which is we're going out and acquiring 20 to 25 stores through that fund. And people say, well, why can't, you know, why can't just the guy down the street just come out and start a laundromat? Because all the things you just mentioned, one, it's knowing what you're doing. And two, it's just the the incredible amount of capital now that it takes to get to build and then, you know, furnish a store it completely or put all the equipment in a store. I mean, I'm budgeting anywhere from 750 to $1.5 million per store now. I mean, at the low end at 750 to 800 and easily.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:12:27) - And then if you have to build your building, add to add to that, add to that.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:12:31) - Right. And so I think that's one of the barriers to entry that I personally really like one because it's like it keeps the mom and it keeps it keeps just that I hate to say it keeps them out, but there's just there's just a natural barrier to entry and getting in the business.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:12:44) - And so I think that's it's good in the sense. The other thing I'm seeing I think is really good is a, um, a sophisticated ownership group entering the space. Tell me what you think about when I say that. What do you think?

     

    Mike Worthy (00:12:59) - So and that's kind of a loose term because everyone's different and sophistication is based on someone's own opinion on for sure. Where did they get that information? So you get some folks to get some great information and you get some that, hey, I read it. You know, everything you see on the Internet, it's true. And everything you read is true. You get some people that get some bad information. And that's that's the key. I can't stress that enough is if I'm shopping for a vehicle, I'm going to look at the three or 4 or 5, six different brands, and then I'm going to start looking at dealerships. And in this day and age of point and click and instant gratification through through a, you know, through a drive through or through your phone.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:13:36) - Sometimes people don't do the research. They just say, Hey, I found the first guy right here. Here's the first one on Google. I'm going to call him. Oh, he sounded good. And don't do the rest of the research. So there's a lot of underlying things that we see when we say, Hey, this group may be great and this group may not be so great, but they both think they're great. And so the key is just using the research that's available at your fingertips.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:14:01) - Right? Right. When I when I say that one of the things I'm thinking of is that we're just seeing people come to the space that want to do this professionally. They want to build a replicable, scalable business that serves their customers really well. It goes back to, you know, the, you know, the rise of the Speedway gas station, talking about things that you you know, where it's like, hey, you get there clean. They're well lit. I mean, you can see two gas stations, one across.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:14:26) - I'm thinking of BP versus and BP maybe coming around. I don't know. But if I think of which one's going to be better lit and more well equipped, I'm going to say, well, it's going to be a speedway gas station versus maybe a BP gas station because maybe. Right. Different standards. And so what I'm seeing is that same thing in the laundry space where we're seeing consolidation ownership groups are buying ten, 20, 30 stores at a time or in their portfolios, rather, versus the just stand alone mom and pop owner that, again, you know, is lacking a phone line or a website to.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:14:54) - That's correct. And that's not where it's at. So if I'm building a laundry, that's what I'm looking for, is if my competitors, the small little laundry mom and pop, the biggest thing if I walk into a competitor and there's all these signs that say Broken out of order, that's my key to build. Absolutely in in a heartbeat builder by now. And it makes it makes sense.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:15:13) - But you've also got to do those demographics just because you see the one laundry in town and then you start looking at the number and going, Well, I'm going to spend $600,000, but the laundry is only going to make $80,000 a year. That's not smart, know, And being able to understand the demographics, it's not just let me print something out and hand you a nice portfolio and you figure it out. You have to be able to dive in, do the talk, walk the walk, and then you get into the you know, then you get into the deep dive of who's the distributor in the service after the sale and the parts and the equipment brand and, and it goes on and on. But this is not we do see a lot of people that have got the right mindset, like you said, But, hey, my wife's going to run it in her spare time and I'm a doctor over here. This is not that. This is not the glamour of a subway or a restaurant.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:15:56) - And look at me. You're going to you're going to have a baby stock hung in a pump. You're going to have someone lost their money and they're upset. You're going to have you know, you're going to have a myriad of things that could could happen in a laundry, as you can imagine. But this is your this is a hands on. This is not just I'm going to set it and forget it and go rake up all the money and go buy a new bass boat. And that's where the mentality has been for the last couple of decades, right?

     

    Sam Wilson (00:16:20) - Yeah. And you said all the things that could go wrong. I'm going to switch that word out and say all the things that will go wrong. Well, I was.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:16:26) - I was being optimistic, But you're you're right on there, you know. You know what I'm talking about.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:16:29) - Absolutely, man. I've and that's that's the other thing is that is it is. It is. And you can decide, I think, how operationally complex you want to make it.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:16:39) - But even even if you're not doing wash dry fold, even if you're not doing delivery laundry with drivers and trucks and all that stuff that you can add on, even on just the self-serve side of things, it's still an operationally complex business. And I think that's that's what people kind of miss estimate as they look to get into this and go, oh my gosh. And we just have the fortunate pleasure of just kind of learning on the job and having other things going on too. We got in the laundry business kind of by mistake, and then I found out I loved it. I'm like, Oh, this is great. Well, it's.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:17:10) - Great. It is. It is fantastic. You meet a lot of nice people. Yeah, it is. It is one of the things I mean, we've been doing almost 40. I've been in almost for 20. And I learn something new every day.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:17:19) - Absolutely. Let's talk.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:17:20) - Coming to work.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:17:21) - I do, too, man. I think. I think it's great.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:17:23) - One of the there's two things I love about the business. One is that it has excellent margins. And then I think the other side of it is that when you bring an excellent product to market, we get to serve a demographic that's not used to being served in that way.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:17:36) - I'm almost shocked if this is for me, this, wow, this has air conditioning, you know, so many places you walk into and it's really kind of sad of how can you expect someone to to operate a facility and you don't have heating air or you don't have a restroom or you don't have a just basic a chair, right? And so you come in and offer. Someone that what they expect and you go beyond the expectations and that's your advertising. They will tell people and then they'll spread the word. They'll post it on Facebook. That's your that's where you're going after is the word of mouth.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:18:11) - Right? We have we have this new store we just brought online. In the last seven days. We've generated over 55 star Google reviews for that store.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:18:19) - I mean, it's like it's just not that hard to present a really great product that people love. I want to talk to you before we run out of time, though. Let's talk about the future of laundry. One of the things that I always emphasize is that I feel and tell me if I'm right or wrong. So I'd love some feedback on this that that the laundry business is recession and inflation resistant. What do you think?

     

    Mike Worthy (00:18:42) - Well, they've been saying that same sentence and you've hit it right on the head again for for decades. And when the when the chips are down, guess what? People are at the laundry, Right. And then when the chips are up and everyone's doing well, guess what? Then you've got to think of other ways to keep that business going. And guess what? The wash dry fold you've just hit an area if you're doing wash dry fold for people that have a washer and dryer and have a have a two car garage and have a college education, they just don't want to do laundry.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:19:06) - I don't like to do laundry. I hate it. But if I can take it and drop it off and someone will have it all nice and pressed and ironed for me, hey, great. I'll pick that up and I'll pay for that service. You pay for the for the biggie fry or the biggie drink. You know, there's there's things people want to pay for and that's one of them that more and more people are going, I don't want to do laundry. I don't want it. You think of the think of the the influx now of landscapers and yard workers. Used to be, you know, everyone was proud to do their own yard. I'm going to mow my yard. I'm proud Now. I was like, I'm not doing I'm hiring that I got my time is valuable, right? And so put value on your time. And that's why you see the Wash Dry fold is doing so well.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:19:44) - It really is. Yeah. I mean, this goes back to just the continued specialization of people within their niches.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:19:51) - It's like and the same thing holds true for me. I mean, you hit it on the head the maybe 2 or 3 years ago. I'm like. I'm no longer mowing my lawn. This makes no sense to me to go out on a Saturday and spend two hours mowing my grass when it's like, Well, I could spend two hours building our laundry business or any of our other commercial real estate businesses and have a far greater return on my time than pushing more around this.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:20:14) - Maybe it's me. I take the two hour nap on a Saturday. You know, let me relax. People want to enjoy some time off for a while, and that's not where it's at. And laundry also is not where, you know, do you really want to have to spend all that time doing that? More and more people are saying, no, I'll take it somewhere, as long as it's cool, clean and comfortable and reputable. That's not going to happen in these little small, dumpy little laundries. You offer what you know, you basically you build it, they will come.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:20:37) - You build it, they will come. That's so true. Yeah. I always make the joke. One of the stores we just bought the five closest stores to this one that we're remodeling. I wouldn't wash my dog in, let alone go. It's like, okay, we have. We have nothing but unlimited opportunity in upside. So I really love the idea. I didn't know that that was really something you've been saying for, you know, since coin laundries or just laundry.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:20:59) - It's been around for a while. But that but you hear that and people hear it. But you still have to have the eagerness and the finances to get into the business. Right. And it's a great and you were right when you said, hey, it's think of how many people have a restaurant, mom and pop restaurant, and you see them come and go, This is not going to be the mom and pop come and go investment. You're not going to see that. Nope. And so kind of weeds out the bad investments.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:21:22) - Hopefully. Now it doesn't mean we doubt everybody, but then now you've got to make sure you've got the right equipment mix and the right distributor to help.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:21:29) - That's it. I mean, that's it. And we rely heavily on our distributor for making those informed decisions because it and one of the things I keep saying to our investor base is that we want to thoughtfully scale, like as we grow, because you can still buy a bad store, you can still buy a bad location, you can still overbuild under build wrong, mean wrong payment systems. You can misread it without all of the correct data and think that is where a distributor such as yourself really, really comes in and helps guide. And I know you guys are in the business to sell equipment. I understand that that's how you get paid, but also you build alongside of those that you work with because if we fail, you fail too.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:22:07) - So that's actually part of that is true and part of that is false. So one of the things that we've said since we've opened our doors is my job isn't to sell you equipment and you go, Well, what's that? My job is to make you successful.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:22:21) - I can't afford to sell you equipment. And then you're, you know, I'm just talking. And I said, you get you all hopped up to buy equipment and you fail. I can't afford that. I want you successful. And then you're going to tell someone or you're going to buy another store or they're going to know, Hey, call Mike. This guy really treated me right. I can't afford to fail. So, you know, when we say we're truly behind the customer from the demographics to the design to, you know, trying to get same or second day service being in town, we put a strong focus on that. So it's it's not hey, let me just make a quick sale that, you know, we all like to make money, but I like to see you successful. That's that's my number one goal.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:22:57) - Love it. Mike. Thank you for taking the time to come on the show today. It was certainly fun for me to get to banter with somebody else about the laundry business.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:23:05) - I don't get to do that every day. We talk a lot about all the other commercial real estate asset classes, and this was personally a lot of fun for me, just because it's something we are so passionate about right now. If our listeners want to get in touch with you or learn more about you or the laundry business, now that they've got a front row seat to how it should be done, what is the best way to do that?

     

    Mike Worthy (00:23:25) - Okay, so a couple of ways. Central laundry equipment, that's our website, Central laundry equipment. Or you can call our 800 number. We have offices in central Arkansas and Memphis. That number is (800) 467-3194. (800) 467-3194. And we'll even send you a couple of some information about our company. And we've got some great infomercials that will talk to you and you'll hear from our customers, our manufacturers, our people that have invested in laundry and people that we've done service for, for 20, 30 years that will kind of talent who is central laundry equipment.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:24:05) - That is fantastic.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:24:06) - We'll make sure we include all of those things there in the show notes. Mike, thank you again for your time today. I certainly appreciate it.

     

    Mike Worthy (00:24:12) - Take care. Thank you again. Hey, thanks.

     

    Sam Wilson (00:24:13) - For listening to the How to Scale Commercial Real Estate podcast. If you can do me a favor and subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, whatever platform it is you use to listen. If you can do that for us, that would be a fantastic help to the show. It helps us both attract new listeners as well as rank higher on those directories. So appreciate you listening. Thanks so much and hope to catch you on the next episode.

    TPP208: How would we invest in property if we started again

    TPP208: How would we invest in property if we started again

    This week The Robs jump in their time machine and look at what they would do if they could start investing all over again.

    Listen to the podcast in full to find out how both of The Robs started out, and what they would have done differently with the benefit of hindsight. What opportunities did they miss, which disasters do they think they avoided, where would they focus their investment, and what do they think they definitely got right.

    News story: Irish government meet with Airbnb to address housing concerns

    The housing minister met Airbnb amid concerns that the business is driving up rents and removing housing stock from the rental market in Dublin. Pressure has grown on the government to limit the number of days that a property can be made available to let on Airbnb after findings that there were 2,984 listings in Dublin that involved entire properties being made available for more than 90 nights a year.

    Read more on this one right here.

     

      Resource of the week

    This week's Resource of the Week is  www.walkscore.com. This one combines Rob B' favourite things - walking and fundamentals! This one we grabbed from over on The Property Hub Forum (what do you mean you haven't checked it out yet?!). This resource gives you a walk score for the fundamentals in any given area - enjoy playing about with that one!  The Robs checked out their own postcodes and one fairs significantly better than the other!

     

    Continue the conversation over in the forum

    How did you begin and what would you do differently if you could rewind the clock? Let us know over in the forum.

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