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STARS & STRIPES
HEARTLAND INVESTMENT COMPANIES
NOVEMBER 2019
DARINGARMAN.COM 319-350-5378
REMEMBERING WHOM I’M THANKFUL FOR THIS THANKSGIVING A SEASON FOR GRATITUDE Every year when Thanksgiving approaches, I like to pause and take inventory of where I am in my life and who helped me get there. Of course, I’m thankful to have a roof over my head and shoes on my feet, but, thinking back over the years since I started my business, I’m feeling most grateful for the support of others, namely my family, my mentors, and my clients. without their bottomless patience, understanding, and support. As any small business owner knows, quality work exacts quite a price. It’s usually a combination of time, effort, and energy, and all of those things cut into family commitments. Over the years, I haven’t been able to go on as many date nights, schedule as many family vacations, or make it to quite as many football games and awards ceremonies as other husbands and dads. Thankfully, my family understands the reason I don’t get to do those things with them is because I’m working hard to make my clients happy, and they’re okay with that. I don’t know what I would have done if they’d felt differently, but it’s safe to say I wouldn’t be the businessman I am today. That said, this Thanksgiving I plan to make plenty of time for my family. We always do a small Thanksgiving at home, just me, Gina, and the kids. Everyone helps prepare the big meal, and then we make the holiday into a long, relaxing weekend. We’ll go to the movies or play day-long marathons of Uno and just focus on spending time together. In addition to my family, I owe a lot to my mentors. One of the most influential has been Dan Kennedy, the business guru who founded Magnetic Marketing. I first saw Dan speak on a Success Tour in Cedar Rapids back in 1994. He was the last speaker of the day, following a roster of celebrities, and I almost left before he took the stage, but he hooked me by calling out, “If any of you own your own business and you leave right now without hearing what I have to say, you’re leaving a million dollars on the table!” I sat right back down, and to this day I’m glad I did. I introduced myself to Dan at a meet and greet after his talk, and, over the next few decades, I went from being just a guy who saw him speak once to one of his private clients. Dan taught me that in order to grow my business, I needed to change my mindset. Of course, my wife Gina and our kids have been there for me from the beginning, and I couldn’t have made Heartland Investment Partners successful
“IT’S NOT AN EXAGGERATION TO SAY THAT WITHOUT YOUR TRUST AND BELIEF IN MY COMPANY, IT WOULDN’T EXIST. THANK YOU FOR ENABLING ME TO DO WHAT I LOVE, SUPPORT MY FAMILY, AND HELP ADVANCE YOUR INVESTMENT GOALS!”
When I started out in real estate investment, I thought that because I lived in Cedar Rapids and my company was based there, most of my clients and investors would be from the Cedar Rapids area, too. I only targeted investors in my area until Dan helped me understand my company had much bigger potential and explained I could positively affect hundreds more investors. I took his words to heart and then took action, kicking off nationwide marketing campaigns. Fast forward to today, and 95% of my investors and clients are from outside Iowa. Those additional clients have been a boon for me, but they’re also a perk for apartment owners who partner with us to sell their properties because they can tap into a much larger network of potential investors. Last, but certainly not least, this holiday season I’m feeling thankful for my clients and investors. It’s not an exaggeration to say that without your trust and belief in my company, it wouldn’t exist. Thank you for enabling me to do what I love, support my family, and help advance your investment goals! If there’s anything I can do for you right now — whether it’s helping sell a property or finding the perfect complex to invest in — don’t hesitate to ask. You can reach me any time at DarinGarman.com or by calling 319-350-5378. –Darin Garman
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GET MORE BANK FOR YOUR BUCK
HOW TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
INVEST IN A 529 SAVINGS PLAN. Whether you’re banking with a credit union or a national giant, your financial institution likely offers more resources, account options, and saving plans than you’re using — or even aware of. As one NerdWallet article puts it, “Banks and credit unions continue to find new ways to both delight and confound customers.” If you focus on the delights, you can get more bang for your buck out of the financial institution you’re already using. Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll pick up new ways to stretch your retirement fund, grow your investments, and pass nest eggs to your grandkids along the way. Take these two easy steps to get started. 1. GET CLICKING Even for someone with plenty of internet savvy, bank websites can be intimidating. Most are filled with tabs and portals that overwhelm customers, causing them to limit their interactions to plugging in a username and password to check their balance. Don’t fall into that trap! If you want to get a complete picture of what your bank has to offer, its website is the place to start. Next time you log in, set aside an hour or two to explore the site tab by tab. Take note of products and services you might not be using, like mobile banking apps, 24-hour hotlines, continuing education, and additional account options and their interest rates. Schwab, for example, offers a free online learning center complete with seminars, one-on-one financial advice, and more than 300 informative articles and videos.
2. SCHEDULE A SIT-DOWN If your bank has a brick-and-mortar location near you, make a point to visit it. While there, take the time to learn about the latest updates from the reading materials on offer, make an appointment with a financial analyst, or speak with a bank teller. It’s in your bank’s interest to see your accounts grow, so representatives are happy to help. If you’ve already explored your bank’s website, this is the time to ask follow-up questions on what you found or make a financial move in a new direction. Whether you’ve decided on a 529 plan or a high-interest checking account, your banking representative can make it happen.
HAPPENINGS AT HEARTLAND
THE GLENBROOK COMPLEX JOINS THE FOLD
This fall, something amazing happened for Heartland Investment Partners: More than 15
Glenbrook complex appraised for more than our purchase price, and it has turned a tidy profit at high occupancy ever since!
Our priority investors are the first to hear about incredible opportunities like these, so they’re in the best position to hop on board and profit alongside us. If you’d like to join their ranks and set yourself up for a success like Glenbrook, email Darin today at darin.garman@gmail.com.
years of persistence paid off. For over a decade, Darin has had his eye on the Glenbrook Apartments, a 100-unit community in southwest Cedar Rapids that’s home to 20 four-bedroom apartments, 20 three-bedroom apartments, 56 two-bedroom apartments, and four one-bedroom apartments.
“Because of its location, condition, and size, I spent over 15 years contacting the owner of this property and pursuing owning it,” Darin says.
Finally, after years of communication, Darin was rewarded with a call from Glenbrook’s owner, who told him he was finally interested in making a sale. We acted fast and within hours had sent over a letter of intent. It was accepted, and just 60 days later, Heartland Investment Partners closed on the property. The apartment complex’s close proximity to schools, shopping, and public transit makes it an attractive place to live in the Cedar Rapids area and a prime investment for us and our partners. We weren’t surprised when the
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SUDOKU
I WA LIFE
PAINTING IN THE HEARTLAND
A LOOK AT IOWA’S CONNECTION TO ‘AMERICAN GOTHIC’
Even if you’re not an art buff, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Grant Wood’s iconic oil painting “American Gothic.” It has a classic Midwest vibe, and features a solemn, pitchfork-wielding farmer standing beside his plain- faced daughter in front of a distinctive white house. Are you remembering your high school art class yet? Every Iowan knows “American Gothic” by heart, which is no surprise considering Woods was born and raised right here in the Hawkeye State in the 1890s. In fact, his childhood home still stands in Cedar Rapids, and the very house depicted in “American Gothic” has become a tourist attraction in nearby Eldon. The latter home was built in the 1880s but got a facelift in the 1930s, which left it looking just as it did in Wood’s day when he imagined the people who might live there. Visitors to the site can dress up in period garb and have their photo taken to create their very own “American Gothic,” then tour the interior of the house and the nearby visitor’s center, which spotlights Wood’s life and the history of the home. If you can’t make it to Eldon, don’t worry. Wood’s legacy is celebrated across Iowa with a 25-foot-tall statue of the “American Gothic” duo regularly shuttled from town to town. To this day, Wood is considered one of America’s most prominent 20th- century painters. Over the course of his career, he founded the Stone City Art Colony and taught at the University of Iowa’s School of Art. In addition to painting with oils, he also made art in a variety of other media like ink, charcoal, ceramics, and even found objects. He painted his masterpiece, “American Gothic,” in 1930, and it has been on display at the Art Institute of Chicago ever since. According to TravelIowa.com, Wood fans can also visit the Grant Wood Scenic Byway, the Grant Wood Art Gallery in Anamosa, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and the Cedar Rapids Grant Wood Studio & Visitor Center in Cedar Rapids, and the Iowa State University Parks Library in Ames to become fully steeped in the artist’s history. Next time you’re in the Hawkeye State, don’t forget to add one of these stops to your itinerary!
APARTMENT SALES AND SUCCESS
FOR SALE! 5 PLEX – 17% + RETURN
42 UNITS SOLD!
16 UNITS - 2 BD UNITS GREAT OCCUPANCY - $789,000
CONTACT DARIN TODAY AT 319-350-5378!
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HEARTLAND INVESTMENT COMPANIES Darin Garman: Heartland’s Most Trusted Multi-Family Investment Advisor 2505 Silver Oak Trail Marion, IA 52302 DarinGarman.com 319-350-5378
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INSIDE
Page 1 A Season for Gratitude Page 2 How to Get More From Your Bank 15 Years of Persistence Pay Off Page 3 A Look at Iowa’s Connection to ‘American Gothic’ Page 4 Execution Is Greater Than Strategy
EXECUTE STRATEGY AND KILL STAGNANCY
3 TIPS FOR EVERY BUSINESS LEADER “To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed ... Execution is worth millions.” –Steve Jobs Anyone can take this advice to heart, whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Ideas are easy, but no one becomes successful because they had a great idea. Success comes from putting that idea into action. Being able to execute a plan is a skill every business leader needs. Here are three steps to help you improve your execution. 1. DITCH PERFECTION Have you ever watched a behind-the-scenes featurette of your favorite movie? Some of the most successful films were all but unrecognizable in their early phases. In fact, a lot of early concepts are terrible. Look up the original designs for Woody in “Toy Story” to see for yourself. Fortunately, rather than wait for the perfect script, creators executed their visions and make changes as needed. Putting off action in favor of creating the perfect plan or strategy leads to stagnant business. Successful people know that plans take many shapes before they reach their final form. Don’t jump into something without a clear plan, but don’t be afraid to define your strategy as you go. There’s a reason audiences won’t be flocking to theaters to watch the latest galactic adventures of Luke Starkiller this December. 2. BE METHODICAL While you shouldn’t wait for the perfect plan, you shouldn’t be flying in blind, either. You can be too energetic about execution. Make sure everyone
involved in a plan knows their responsibilities. Confusion will torpedo any strategy faster than you can say, “Who was in charge of this?” The Harvard Business Review states, “Having the discipline to organize people, assemble resources, and then generate a plan that others can commit to will collectively improve execution.” 3. EVALUATE, EVALUATE, EVALUATE We’re not saying you should micromanage your team, but you do need to be checking in on a regular basis to evaluate progress on your plan. Schedule monthly or quarterly meetings to go over the strategy. This is where you look for any changes that need to be made and refine the strategy. A smart strategy feels reassuring, but learning to execute a plan is the only way to make progress. The best business plan in the world is worthless if you never follow through.
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