When each of our four kids neared driving age, we made a deal with them that when they accomplished a certain set of substantial goals we set (like reading and reporting on 50 personal development books), we would pay for half of what it cost them to buy their first car. That means they worked and saved up for the other half. And because they worked hard to accomplish something significant for our half, they felt like they earned and owned the entire car themselves...and indeed they did.

As an owner, they knew they also had to save enough to cover all the operating and repair costs themselves. What my wife and I found fascinating is that regardless of each kid's personality or natural behavior patterns of care and cleanliness in other areas of our life, when they became owners of their first car, they were amazingly careful in how they drove it and how clean they kept it...certainly more careful and cleaner than the treatment our cars got. The same story repeated four times.  

Each of the kids added over 100,000 miles to their very used cars and kept them looking great for several years. In fact, our oldest daughter is still driving her first car. After a marriage, three kids and more than a dozen years later, it looks as good as the day she became its owner. We were truly impressed at how careful they were with expenses and how proudly they polished the car they owned compared with our cars which they didn't own but they just drove. I'm not sure I could quantify the difference in repairs and maintenance, appearance, or resale value but it was noticeably measurable. 

In the same way, it’s hard to quantify the value of investing with and in people who are owners in your deal rather than just drivers of your deal. But the value is noticeable. 

Throughout our organization, we encourage each employee to have the mindset of treating every dollar as if it were our own and every property as if we were the sole owner. With this perspective we have instilled a culture in which our asset management teams go above and beyond to protect and grow the value of each investment property. They work tirelessly, taking ownership of the investments, and making decisions that benefit both the property and our residents. We believe this approach will create sustainable success for our investors and enhance the overall experience for our tenants.

The true magic of this ownership perspective is most evident when facing unexpected challenges. Our team’s unwavering commitment to doing the right thing, regardless of the circumstances, allows them to find a pathway to success. They work diligently, overcoming insurmountable obstacles and finding solutions. When it comes to finding ways to succeed despite unexpected challenges, I would put our team up against the best in the country.

The value of this ownership mindset in creating better investment outcomes cannot be quantified, but it is very real. Experienced investors recognize the value of working with a team that possesses disciplined tenacity and drive and that an unwavering commitment to do the right thing is one of the most reliable multipliers of long-term sustainable success. So even though we can never remove all risks inherent in investing, we hope to remove all doubt that you can count on our commitment to drive every investment as if it were our own.

At Wilkinson, we foster the value of the ownership perspective. It’s not just a slogan or a marketing ploy – it’s a fundamental part of our culture and values. We are committed as any owner would be to seeking the best possible outcomes for our investors despite any unexpected challenges, and to managing and driving each investment property with the same care and attention to detail that we would if it were our own. This approach is the key to our long-term success and the success of our investors.