Page 138 - 2

TR U M P STR A TEGI ES FO R R E A L ESTA TE

structures, or maximize the size of the site. Instead of arbitrarily
putting in three or four bushes, consider planting bushes or shrubs
that are carefully chosen to look appropriate in the area and that can be
easily maintained and won’t become overgrown too quickly. Maybe a
small piece of tasteful sculpture or a small fountain could make a prob-
lem area a little more attractive while diverting attention away from
something negative. Often a piece of sculpture, complemented by care-
ful placement of well-conceived shrubbery, can turn a ho-hum garden
area into a showplace. A curved stone or brick walkway bordered with
attractive plantings is another desirable feature for any property.
Trump takes landscaping very seriously. At Trump International
Golf Course in Florida, Donald had 2,000 trees transplanted—and
theseweren’tlittle trees, they were big—which made a spectacular
impact and beautified the property. This was in addition to hundreds
of bushes and shrubs planted on or around the golf course. In all, over
1.3 million cubic yards of earth was utilized to develop the facility.
(That’sthe equivalent of approximately 144,500 cement trucks full of
dirt.) Trump raised the height of the 18th tee to 80 feet, making it the
highest elevation in Palm Beach County. He transformed the site into
aspectaculargolfcourse.ThisishowTrumpdoesit.Hemakesallof
hisprojects exclusive and different from what others choose to create.
You don’t have to plant 2,000 trees on your property, but you can
find a way to make your landscaping distinctive. Landscape designers
come in all sizes. Get someone who is up and coming, and who really
wants to make it big. If you hire people who are good, you use them
on future properties. To induce them you might say, “Look, this is
the first four-unit building I have purchased, but I intend to buy six
more and I would like to use your expertise for all of them.” If you
can get your landscape designer excited about future work he or she
will be motivated to do an exceptional job.
Once a potential occupant perceives the exterior of your building
to be a nice place to live or work, the inside must visually seal the sale.

116