Attention to detail
Konichiwa! I’m here in Atsugi, Japan on mostly family business and wanted to get out this quick post while I had a minute (amid my jet lag). This is my third time to Japan this year with my girlfriend to visit her family, and I’ve learned a thing or two about this fascinating country.
I’ve learned that Japanese culture is very much about paying attention to details! Case in point: individually wrapped snacks. This isn’t like America where you buy one big bag of peanuts and scarf away. Oh, no. Here, you have peanuts in wrappers — inside bags. Each wrapper might have only 4 peanuts in it, but that’s ok.
Sticking with the food theme, a balanced Japanese meal will also feature multiple textures. Unlike an average American meal which is generally moderately chewy throughout, a Japanese meal may feature chewy rice and firm kabocha (pumpkin) along with some crispy vegetable tempura, washed down by a bowl of miso soup (happens to be what I had for dinner tonight). This is all by design! Details that got noticed or I wouldn’t be writing about them. For those of you either Japanese or familiar with Japanese culture, of which I assume there are many being that Big Rock Investments is based in Honolulu, Hawaii, this is already known.
Where are we going with this, Mike…
Ok, ok, ok. Let’s tie this into real estate investing, shall we? Details can often be the difference in achieving your goals or watching and wasting your precious resources — time, money, effort. It’s easy to get caught up in the potential profits on the purchase of a house from a distressed seller that you forget to take care of their needs first and foremost. If you’re an investor, don’t do that! Your seller’s needs are everything.
If you’re leveraging private investor capital, details are an absolute necessity as you’re likely dealing with a large amount of capital — a large amount of someone else’s capital. You owe it to them to iron out all the details. Do so, and you’ll appear significantly more professional and be on your way to building a great relationship.
Of course, we all know the difference details can make in rehabbing a property for resale. Did you add any sizzle features? Fix all repairs, no matter how minor? Replace the mailbox? Little things like that will help you sell the house. Don’t skimp on the details!
Final Details
Last but most certainly not least, Japanese culture is very aware of details when it comes to social interaction. Social capital and obligations are apparently well known and tracked. At the same time, the politeness can ooze out of the wall cracks! It’s quite pleasant. 🙂
The message here is that social interaction and relationships are critical, just as they are back in Hawaii and the rest of the country (hint: for the best book ever written on business relationships, click this link).
I’m thoroughly enjoying my time out here with my Japanese family. In the meantime, Big Rock Investments keeps moving along! We have an open private capital funding spot on an upcoming oceanfront Oahu rehab. We’re raising $600-700K and offering a recorded lien and very handsome rate 12%+ (sure beats your checking account and the rollercoaster stock market)! Click here for more about Private Lending! or Contact Me HERE to secure your funding spot, either as the whole or partial funder!