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FOR MEMBERS ONLY
As a Foreclosure Cleanup Business Newsletter recipient, you are receiving this newsletter as a result of you signing up for Premium Subscriber access. If you no longer prefer to receive, simply click on UNSUBSCRIBE at the bottom of this newsletter OR send us an email at info@foreclosurecleanup.biz (put REMOVE in subject).
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NEW BID: Lawn Bid Needed for "Overgrown" Cleanup Job
Hi Business Owners,
A new landscaping cleanup bid request is below. (Remember to also peek at newly posted Questions & Answers from other business owners I've answered that may guide you in your business.)
The Bid Request: The below bid request came in from client. Here's gist of their email:
I own a property ... and need the overgrown yard cut down and cleaned up. Are you able to look at the property and provide an estimate? (Area: Atlanta, Georgia in 30318 zip code)
Here's some quick info about the Atlanta, Georgia area: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta. Visit http://www.mapquest.com to map from your area.
Want to Bid? If interested in bidding on the job, simply email me at bid@foreclosurecleanup.biz before 6:00 PM, Sunday, October 16, 2011, and I will give you contact info of the potential client. Simply type
"Atlanta Lawn Job"
in your subject line, and I will email you the client's contact info and property details.
As usual, we have no more info on this job other than what's stated above, so please save any questions for the potential client. If you win the bid, this job will be between you and what will be your client. We are simply dispersing the info on as part of our informal outsourcing program.
Good luck to you with the bid!
Questions & Answers
I receive queries often from colleagues and new company owners. Again, I've shared a couple below in hopes you can benefit from them in your own business:
Question #1:
Good Evening Ms. Black. I am emailing to you from California. I came about your website through researching about cleaning foreclosed homes. I have a question, since you own a business in cleaning out foreclosed homes and already have a rapport with banks who are your clients in this business. Companies doing this kind of business here in California are few and we have come to resistance when asking for advice. I have a friend who already does this kind of work [for someone else]. However he wants to form his own company. My friend informs me that banks give him one day to completely clean out a home, regardless of the state it is in -- this includes homes in complete deplorable conditions (as you are well aware). So by saying this he usually works 12+ hours/per day depending on the condition of the home, and he gets paid per home only. I understand that banks would like to have a foreclosed home ready to go as soon as possible for the next buyer. I would like to know what is the best way to come to an understanding with banks in the sense of the best time frame to clean out a foreclosed home, without hurting the worker and including losing a future client? Thank you for your time. I look forward to your reply in this, including any advice or suggestions you may have. Sincerely, D.C.
My Answer:
Hi D.C. You can simply form your own "company policy" and let the banks know your policies are established so you can complete their jobs properly. Homes are sitting empty for long periods of time with no buyer interests, so not quite sure why they are pushing in their timelines out there ... besides, if it's per job, why do they care if it takes you two days to complete (maybe it's a liability issue for them -- i.e., less time you're on the premises, less liability they have to worry about). In any event, you can establish your own company policy and work with those who can adhere to them. If their timeline won't work with yours, consider bidding on the job letting them know you can get it done in a day but your labor charge will need to be more b/c you will need more people.
Most homes can be done in a day, though, with the right crew. You'll just have to charge more. If they can't pay, it means you can't make a profit with that client -- which is not a client you want. Consider the below sources to further guide you:
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Question #2: Hi Cassandra. One question, do most foreclosures have power, water etc? Or do most companies have to purchase a generator?? Thank you, A.L.
My Answer:
Hi A.L. Really depends on bank/lender that owns the home. Many will have power and water... some banks are even turning utilities back on so they don't risk erosion, busted pipes, etc. Did an article on subject matter couple of years back about what to do when a home does not have specifically electric.
Peek at http://fcindustry.hypermart.net/blog.htm#power
for some related reading. Note that many of the smaller banks and lenders who own REOs cannot afford to keep utilities on. Will really depend on who has those properties. Keep in touch to let me know how your business is growing! :) PS: Let your business "pay" for the generator. You can get one at Wal-Mart for approx. $200 bucks that can do a good job -- they are loud! But in meantime, if you need a generator, rent it from a store like The Home Depot and add that cost into your job estimate if you can't yet afford it... see this related article: http://www.foreclosure-cleanup-blog.com/?p=67
. Cassandra
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More Q&A's to Come: I'll add more Q&A's in the next issue!
Help Wanted / Jobs / Small Business Contracts Reminder:
Don't forget to check the industry blog for job and contract leads.
Have a great day!
Cassandra
Why a Real Estate Contracting Service is a Lucrative Business to Start in a Market Full of Foreclosures
| Click HERE for Full List of Industry Products. |
Cassandra
We're adding more and more jobs regularly.
Finally, the New Forms Packet!
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Help Wanted / Jobs: Foreclosure Cleanup, Lawn Maintenance, REO Trash Out Jobs, HUD Vacant Homes Jobs, Etc.
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Link to All Previous Newsletter Issues: As always, don't forget to peruse previous issues of the foreclosure cleanup industry newsletter (especially if you're a new newsletter subscriber) at http://www.aweber.com/archive/fcbizowners for tons of solid advice and guidance to grow your business in 2011.
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Failed Banks Listed by Month
Visit this link to see which banks closed in which month. (Remember, the acquiring institutions of failed banks can be fertile ground for foreclosure cleanup businesses.)
Get Your EIN Today:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97860,00.html.
Tip: To locate your County Clerk's Office, GOOGLE phrases like "Your County Name" and County Clerk; or "Your City Name" and "County Clerk".
Search for Business "Licenses and Permits" Regulations by State: Every business needs one or more federal, state or local licenses or permits to operate. Licenses can range from a basic operating license to very specific permits. Regulations vary by industry, state and locality, so it's very important to understand the licensing rules where your business is located. Not complying with licensing and permitting regulations can lead to expensive fines and put your business at serious risk. (Source: SBA.gov.) http://www.sba.gov/content/search-business-licenses-and-permits
Help Devising a Zip Code List: In your effort to come up with a list of zip codes in which your company does business (or in which your company can do business), use the United States Post Office's Zip Code Finder. You can find a ZIP Code by entering an address, and you can also search for a partial address, such as "Green Street, Los Angeles, CA." Find it at this link: http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp.
D-U-N-S Number Tip: Don't "pay" for a D-U-N-S Number! Some companies charge $149 and up when they box it with other services. Getting your number is free, free, free if you are signing up as a vendor on government contract registration websites.
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Blogs of Interest
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