Ken Follis an expert in investment real estate

Ken Follis, a real estate consultant at Willis Allen Real Estate, provides superlative proficiency in counseling his clients in investment real estate. Having been in the industry for 27 years, Follis has mastered all the nuances in commercial, industrial, single and multi-unit residential properties.

Follis quickly pointed out, “I consider all real estate an investment, from someone’s first home all the way up to the very sophisticated multi-property commercial investments.”

Many of Follis’ clients have opted to invest their money into tangible effects, such as property. A few years ago, he noticed the rise in popularity to purchase commercial and industrial properties.

Follis has been quite decisive in following this same tangible pathway for his own investment portfolio. “My growth has been through commercial, residential and industrial income,” he stated. “I practice what I preach.”

Before someone decides to take the plunge in single/multi-housing, commercial and/or industrial income investments, one must be introspective in the decision-making process. Though there are specific ways to invest in real estate that are relatively low-risk, an individual must decipher whether he or she has an appetite for risk before testing the investment waters.

“Basically, you are depending on someone else helping you to make your mortgage payments,” Follis advises. He maintains that while this may be a manageable risk for some, to others, it may prove to be quite unsettling.

For individuals who are prepared to purchase income property, Follis typically sees his clients begin with a single-family rental home and then graduate to a duplex, triplex or four-plex. According to Follis, people start at this level because financing is easier to obtain. In the eyes of a finance company, residential property is a necessity for everyone.

“In my opinion, this is how the very basic investor gets started,” he noted. From there, an investor can sell their first property to upgrade to a larger property, or if he or she chooses, they can use the equity to buy another property.

Follis has customers who have each done 15 transactions or more with him over the course of 20 years. He prides himself on building a business partnership based on longevity. “I just don’t sell [the client] a property and go away.”

As Follis explained, every stage of an investment cycle requires adjustment periods. And with every twist and turn, this consultant is there for his clients.

Follis has a keen eye for investment properties and is a strong negotiator. He professionally asserts that this is an exceptional time for buyers. In addition to the bulging inventory in the housing market, the same rings true for commercial and industrial properties. “What wasn’t available two years ago is available now,” Follis said.

Though he has a natural aptitude for income property, Follis always enjoys assisting and working with people to buy their dream homes. “I love showing people homes,” he said. “I like to see that sparkle in their eye when they are drawn to a home.”

Follis has a passion for cars as well as for real estate. Like his father, he is also a car collector. “I am a pretty avid car enthusiast,” he said. “I enjoy going to car shows and restoring cars.” Through the years, he has restored old Chevrolets, Corvettes and a Ferrari.

Follis has broad experience in analyzing investments, negotiating and helping investors make the right decision. “I take pride in knowing whatever portfolio [clients] have built, I have been able to help them along the way,” he said.

Follis can be reached at the Willis Allen office at (760) 723-2353 or by e-mail at [email protected].