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Remote Working Trend to Grow Further After COVID-19

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By David Mashian

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As we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic remote working is one of the new trends that has been ignited, and it looks like it will be here to stay after this crisis passes. Working remote is the new normal, as far as this quarantine period goes, and it will be a new work option offered employees going forward. In fact, Indeed, the online job board, has created a remote working category for employers and job seekers alike. Companies seeking to tightly manage costs are realizing the cost benefits of a remote workforce, and the trend looks likely that past on-site employees will be shifted to permanent remote positions.

An unexpected consequence is that some of this remote work will be shifted out of state or offshore, where labor is cheaper. A business owner I know was resisting putting his employees to remote work positions, but soon realized that he can also shift a lot of his expensive domestic labor abroad and save costs. Unfortunately, this will have a negative impact for local or domestic jobs.

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On a positive note, people having to live in expensive parts of the country will be able to move elsewhere, save costs, improve their quality of life and keep their job. The Location Premium that employees pay, such as people who work in Silicon Valley tech jobs to be in Silicon Valley, will be mitigated by employees who work remote. In fact, this bodes well for an improvement in quality of life for many people who choose to work remote or go out of state to cheaper areas of the country. Similarly, this will help lessen crowding and traffic in big cities.

Doing meetings virtually has gone up dramatically, and companies like ZOOM, GoToMeeting and others are taking off. Even Google added virtual meetings to its suite of services. I am hearing that busy executives like these online meetings because it saves them time travelling by plane or car, and that they get more done as a result of the time savings. My executive friends say that once their lease on their office ends, they will not be renewing their lease having tasted the benefits of working remote. They like the savings of rent, parking, gas and time.

IMPACT ON REAL ESTATE

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Given the increase of remote working, it is easy to conceive that many companies will start to reduce their office space after COVID-19, so office properties will be directly impacted. I personally have seen tenants moving out of their offices during this pandemic. The flip side to this is that many remote workers will likely want to have flexibility for a workspace of their own, other than their home, so executive office companies should benefit. Companies as We Work, Regus and others will likely be able to take advantage of this shift in the marketplace by getting better locations, and lower pricing. Other contenders include incubator spaces for business and technology startups. Similarly, office property owners will need to rethink what amenities they offer to attract and keep tenants, such as dining, coffee shop, gym, shared space, outdoor meeting space, or even convert buildings to mixed use.

Bottom line, in this crisis, opportunity also looms, and the old players and roles will shift. Accepting the situation and adapting to it by implementing creative vision will bring wealth and success to those who take the risk.

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David Mashian

David Mashian is the founder and CEO for MoneyMac Loans. David started MoneyMac because he personally experienced and realized that small businesses and entrepreneurs could not qualify for loans under the traditional bank lending standards. MoneyMac is a nationwide lender dedicated to providing investment real estate loans for residential 1-4, multi-family, mixed-use and commercial properties. David provides asset-based investment property loans give financing for tough to qualify borrowers, including W-2 employees, self-employed entrepreneurs and small business owners. MoneyMac focuses on the property’s value and the borrower’s credit, without using bank statements or tax returns.

David is a proven real estate industry leader, who has helped many companies transform their business goals to reality. He has a high degree of real estate experience and expertise spanning from real estate finance, brokerage, sales, leasing, brokerage management, and franchising of real estate brokerage companies. Using his wide base of connections to brokers, investors and industry leaders, David has put together many deals for joint ventures, debt & equity raises, acquisitions, and real estate sales. David graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, and teaches Real Estate Principles at the University of California, Irvine.

Getting Prepared for After COVID-19

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By David Mashian

Thankfully, we now see a light at the end of this tunnel. We all have been self-quarantining, and are eager to get back to “normal” life. It will be a new normal, and things will not be where you left them before the quarantine. Even now the people in China are cautiously and slowly peeking their heads out of their homes to see if all is OK, so there will be an adjustment period for us as well.

If you are in the sales business, like I am, we need to get tooled up to get back into action and start SELLING! You are going to Create or Find New Opportunity. This situation is an opportunity. Things change, they always change, and it is best to accept and adapt. Interestingly, in Chinese, the word for “Problem” and “Opportunity” are the same word. So, this is a new opportunity, and a possibility for a better life and a better you.

WHAT TO DO?

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1) Make a TO DO list for today, and at the end of the day, make a list for the next day.

2) What should be on this list? Sales Activity is #1 – We are going to make and / or find opportunities.

WHO TO MARKET TO?

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1) People you already know and have a relationship with. DON’T PRE-JUDGE – JUST CALL!

2) Call people in your cell phone contacts. Get personal with your calls to create the opportunity. People have time on their hands and are receptive.

a. Call people you have done transactions within the past, no matter how long ago.

b. Call colleagues in the business, and past colleagues in your life. You do not know where your business is going to come from, especially given the current circumstances.

c. Friends and Family.

Implement Marketing Program

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1) Make or clean up your email list.

2) Create or update your marketing, social media, website, meet-up group, bio, brochures, flyers.

3) Start marketing by doing email blasts, post articles on social media, hosting webinars.

4) Offer something of value. Create content of value – not a sales pitch. Become viewed as a leader in your industry. Offer newsletter, helpful website links and useful webinars.

WHAT TO DO PERSONALLY:

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• Eat healthy, cook at home.

• Meditate, pray, bring calm into your life.

• Exercise, go for walks, move your body.

• Sleep well and rest when it is time to rest.

• Play Music, Paint, Enjoy your hobby.

• Talk to positive people.

 

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David Mashian

David Mashian is the founder and CEO for MoneyMac Loans. David started MoneyMac because he personally experienced and realized that small businesses and entrepreneurs could not qualify for loans under the traditional bank lending standards. MoneyMac is a nationwide lender dedicated to providing investment real estate loans for residential 1-4, multi-family, mixed-use and commercial properties. David provides asset-based investment property loans give financing for tough to qualify borrowers, including W-2 employees, self-employed entrepreneurs and small business owners. MoneyMac focuses on the property’s value and the borrower’s credit, without using bank statements or tax returns.

David is a proven real estate industry leader, who has helped many companies transform their business goals to reality. He has a high degree of real estate experience and expertise spanning from real estate finance, brokerage, sales, leasing, brokerage management, and franchising of real estate brokerage companies. Using his wide base of connections to brokers, investors and industry leaders, David has put together many deals for joint ventures, debt & equity raises, acquisitions, and real estate sales. David graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, and teaches Real Estate Principles at the University of California, Irvine.

Breaking: Demystifing CARES Act and Other COVID-19 Resources for Investors

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By Stephanie Mojica

The $2.2 trillion CARES Act is the largest economic relief program in the history of the United States and has two primary programs to offer — the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

These programs, offered through the Small Business Administration (SBA), provide unprecedented economic relief for entrepreneurs, according to Rony Marootian. He is the Marketing Operations Manager for the Los Angeles-based tax preparation and financial consulting firm Robert Hall & Associates.

PPP loans are based on the average monthly payroll expenses of a business, multiplied by 2.5 and capped at $10 million, according to Marootian. They are intended to cover expenses for a business during any eight-week period between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020. PPP funds can be used for payroll costs, rents, mortgage interest, and utilities. If a business owner maintains a certain level of payroll expenses and employee numbers during that eight-week period, the loan is 100% forgiven; as employee numbers fall below those levels, the forgivable amount is phased out.

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While business owners can get both the PPP and the EIDL, both loans cannot be used for the same purpose, Marootian said in a recent email interview with Realty411.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “if you are able to secure a PPP loan, the $10,000 grant will be subtracted from the forgiveness amount.”

EIDLs (also known as emergency advance grants) are to be distributed within three days of a business’ application; however, the PPP program does not have deadlines for lenders to disburse loans, Marootian said.

“However, the purpose of these new programs is to get funds to small businesses struggling to stay open and keep employees paid due to COVID-19, so the CARES Act has provisions to reduce burdens in the processes and increase efficiency,” he added.

SBA PPP loans are disbursed by SBA-approved lenders. Due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis, the SBA has given the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the SBA the ability to grant temporary SBA-lender status to lenders that do not currently participate in the program; this will allow more loans to be approved and disbursed as quickly as possible. The SBA does not issue PPP loans, but instead guarantees them to the lender. However, the SBA directly administers EIDLs.

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“Based on our experience, we’ve not seen the government provide such a rapid response to help small businesses,” Marootian said.

“The purpose of these new programs is to keep small businesses afloat and get funds to small businesses who are struggling to continue to pay employees, so it was imperative that they responded quickly.”

According to the CARES Act, a small business is any business that operates with 500 or fewer employees. In some industries, the size may be expanded by the SBA. Self-employed professionals, independent contractors, and sole proprietors also qualify, according to Marootian.

“The SBA does not currently have an industry size standard for employee numbers for real estate brokerages, property managers, appraisers, or other activities related to real estate,” Marootian said.

Sole proprietors and “gig economy” workers will have to provide documentation to prove eligibility, including payroll tax filings to the IRS, Forms 1099-MISC, and income and expenses from the sole proprietorship, according to Marootian.

Marootian emphasized the importance of not pursuing any financial programs or making any business-related expenditures without some level of professional guidance.

“With so much uncertainty, be sure to speak to your accountant and financial advisor to review your options before you spend any money during this time,” Marootian added.

To find more information about the PPP loan program, please visit: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

To find more information about the EIDL, please visit: https://covid19relief.sba.gov

Robert Hall & Associates is currently offering complimentary consultations about taxes and other financial concerns. For more information, call 818-242-488 or email [email protected].