by Ann Hambly –
I am so excited about our new website. I knew our old website was in dire need of an overhaul so we hired an expert to design our new website. What I learned in the process is that there were so many things that had become outdated in just a few years; not unlike all our electronics. There are so many bells and whistles now that simply didn’t exist when our old website was developed. As I was reviewing this wonderful new website, it made me think how similar building this new website is to what we do for commercial real estate owners.
See, I could have “easily” built my own website. There are many templates and kits out there on the internet today that allow you to build your own website. I can assure you though that the new website I would have built would not have looked anything like the one you are looking at now and it would not have contained the bells and whistles this one does because I didn’t even know they existed. I can’t even pronounce them all today still! This new website of ours took an expert; one that has not only the knowledge of how to build it, but someone that also has the visual graphics eye and background and knowledge of the latest and greatest technology in the market today.
So many commercial real estate owners that we talk tell me that they think they can get a restructure on their own and I am quick to agree with them, to their surprise. The question is not whether or not an owner can get a restructure, just as it isn’t whether or not I can build a website. The real questions should be (1) are you aware of the latest and greatest technology/deal terms, (2) are you an expert at it, or have you just done a few (and if you are not an expert at it, why would you not hire an expert to do it?), (3) do you have the background and “eye” to get the best result, and (4) is this the best use of your time and talent? I am highly confident that our website is better because I hired an expert to do it rather than me take my time to attempt to do it because I will admit that I am not an expert at building websites………but I am an expert at helping owners with their commercial real estate loans!