 |
|
|||
 |
| Bob Hampton |
|
|
|
|
"I consider the value of Jim's wisdom and counsel to be on a par with that of any other trusted advisor that I rely on to make important qualified decisions." Pacific Silver I wish to convey my perspective and testimonial to any business owner or investor who may find themselves facing similar decisions that I encountered several years ago. I started my company, Pacific Silver, a wholesale jewelry and fashion accessory business the way most businesses start; under capitalized, ignorant of the market, no customer base and no credit resources. Slowly, I began to ally myself with others who contributed valuable, qualified information to the success of my business and my company grew. Like most fledgling business owners most of my efforts were devoted to gaining market share and focusing on gross revenues. Gradually, as my business grew, I became more aware of, and more victim of, the way our tax system likes to "reward" successful businesses. I also began to realize that more capital investment into my primary business was no guarantee of higher profits and in many cases, exposed me to greater associated risk. I came to the realization that I needed to diversify my assets into a business vehicle that would allow me to benefit through inflation, offset actual gains with paper losses, leverage the greatest amount of other people's money to my benefit and offer my primary business a controlled infrastructure from which to expand. Investing in commercial, rental real estate was the only viable method for me to accomplish these objectives. Thus, I began my search for an existing building or property that could be developed commercially. For approximately one and a half years I worked with an agent in Gig Harbor whom I had worked with on the purchase of my home. The agent was diligent, honest and well meaning but had little experience in the commercial arena, thus we had no success finding the right property. Eventually, I decided to broaden my search to include the neighboring community of Port Orchard. About that time my bank notified me of a commercial real estate listing service called LoopNet. My bank also provided me with a report that outlined approximately 20 properties that had one thing in common, they were listed by Jim Freeman. It became obvious that Jim Freeman specialized in commercial real estate. During my initial visit with Jim, he provided me with a synopsis of various properties that we also previewed. After evaluating my needs and objectives he presented a strong case for me to consider one particular property. Though his case was compelling I wanted to review all of the possibilities. Eventually, through a process of educating me about the various nuances of commercial real estate, we made an offer on this property. Throughout the negotiation process Jim was very forthright about keeping open dialogue between me and the seller. Clarity of detail was important to all of the parties involved and Jim worked hard to make sure we all were aware of the effects of our decisions. Now two years after acquiring the property Jim and I continue to work together as he works as the leasing agent for my multiple tenant building. We have all heard it said that the purchase of a home is the largest investment that most people ever make. However, for most people the purchase of a home is more of an emotional purchase than it is an investment. Consequently, because the purchase of a home is so emotionally driven, the degree of education, ethics and professionalism varies widely among real estate agents who sell homes. From the perspective of business owners, whose largest investments are typically their businesses, not their homes, it is vital that they are represented by someone who understands business. No one expects their CPA or attorney to be a soccer mom first and then sideline in taxes and legal counsel secondly. The practice of commercial real estate is serious business to Jim Freeman. His numerous years in finance and an ongoing education, in the form of seminars and correspondence, testify that he is a professional who desires to be the best in his field. I consider the value of Jim's wisdom and counsel to be on a par with that of any other trusted advisor that I rely on to make important, qualified decisions. I would recommend Jim Freeman to any other business owner who may be considering opportunities in commercial real estate. Sincerely, Bob Hampton President Pacific Silver Port Orchard |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
|
|
|||