Let me tell you about Glen. He's my mechanic. Yes, I have one mechanic. Whenever I need help fixing any of my cars or our kids’ cars for over 20 years, I only think of Glen.  Why? Well, first, it's because I know making cars run right is definitely not at the top of my experience or skill set. And second, because I trust Gen and after a couple decades of great service and conversations, he's become my friend. 

Yesterday, I picked up my wife's car after he fixed the four wheel drive. The bill was half what a "front end specialist" I spoke to said it would cost. I drove home in the snow, so grateful for Glen and his family-owned and operated shop that has served me so well for decades.  Last summer at the peak of our 100 degree weather, the AC on this same car quit working. I took it to the nearest specialist and they said they needed to replace the entire AC system for a few thousand dollars. I decided to sweat a few more days until Glen could take a look at it. Glen told me he could just do a simple patch of one hose that should last for many years…for a few hundred dollars. 

Glen could have made more money on me in either of these transactions but because I trust him to do the right thing, I've invested virtually all my auto repair dollars with him for many years. And I've concluded that everyone needs a friend in this business that they can trust!

When it comes to investing in real estate, many investors don't know how to set up their portfolio for success, especially during times of economic turbulence with dramatic swings from hot to cold market environments. They may feel they lack the expertise to make informed decisions about when to buy or sell or how to minimize risks. Additionally, they may not have the time or experience to ensure the properties they invest in are being managed to maximize value. Most investors know that diversifying their portfolio with real estate is important, however, unless they have a friend with deep experience in that asset class, they’re not sure if they’ll get the best possible outcomes.

At Wilkinson, we aim to be that trusted friend. With more than 30 years of successful real estate investment and management experience, we invest alongside our clients and manage every aspect of the process with time-tested strategies. Our goal is to provide peace of mind by handling clients’ investments as if they are our own.

With each investment decision, we ask ourselves: “What would we do in this decision if every dollar invested was our own?” No sponsor, including us, can guarantee a return on investment or even a return of capital. However, what we can promise is to do our best to care for our clients’ investments as if they were our own. We are committed to being loyal to our clients’ best interests to the best of our knowledge and ability. This commitment is not just a marketing ploy or legal obligation but an internal impulse that flows from the heart of our Core Values.

We believe that demonstrating integrity at all times is the testing ground of trust and the springboard of sustainable success. Our decisions are based on what is ethical, moral, just, fair, and right, regardless of the immediate personal or corporate cost. We are committed to doing the right thing, no matter what, no matter who sees, and no matter who knows, and letting the consequences follow.

Determining the right thing is not always easy, and there are times when the outcomes of a given decision are not known or not completely clear. There are situations where there are naturally competing interests, and individual perceptions on an issue differ. It’s in these times that trust is gained or lost, and where the foundation for long-term success is built or eroded. If there is any question about what the “right thing” is, our commitment is to seek the best wisdom and advice we can, engage the right minds in the discussion, carefully listen to each viewpoint, and weigh each option.

Our seasoned real estate professionals spend hours, and sometimes even days, discussing, evaluating, and debating to arrive at a decision that represents what we believe is ultimately “doing the right thing.” Our team members are not afraid to challenge directions based on their answer to the question of what they would do if this were all their own money, resulting in decisions that truly believe will be beneficial to our clients. 

This commitment starts from the top and permeates everything we do. For example, more than once we've had to choose the right ethical response over a profitable one. Time and again, we are honored by having then earned even more trust from the other parties, which led to more business, showing us that the golden rule is actually golden.

So whether you're looking for a mechanic for your car or a sponsor for your real estate investments, my hope for you is that you find a friend you can trust to do the right thing to help you make the progress you want through the various seasons of the market to ultimately reach your desired destination.