Let’s assume you’ve made this decision: you want to keep your building/property and you think you want to invest in it and restore it because you think you can make some money. Have you considered that there are relationships in the community that you need to make this process better for you?
Questions You Should Be Asking:
- How well do you know the mayor?
- How well do you know the economic development person?
- How well do you know the city planner?
- Which of them don’t like you and why?
- Which of them like you and why?
If you have truthful and honest answers to these questions, you’re well down the road toward finding out if your rehab project can be successful because you need their support. The smaller the town, the more important you are to the city’s politicians.
Public officials are your friends and your enemies. If you don’t know the city officials you’re in trouble. Start networking with them today.
Now think about some other groups you need to know like the neighbors around your property. Have you met them? What do your neighbors think you should do with the property? Beyond city officials, they can make your life much easier or much harder as well.