|
Planning For The Future
Planning: Experience has taught us that churches need assistance in
long term planning to realize their vision and mission and also in securing
favorable financing. And although our main commitment is to serve the
church with its real estate needs, Service Realty is also dedicated to
assisting congregations in preparing relocation plans, as planning is
the foundation for those churches considering relocation. However, an
even more fundamental plan or concept is required: that of identifying
the specific mission and vision for any given congregation; and that
plan should be separated from real estate decisions. The mission and
vision of a congregation then dictates facility requirements which, in
turn, will then allow Service Realty to formulate long range facility
alternatives.
Finances: As often mentioned, financing is nearly always the biggest
obstacle to a church meeting its facility needs. Service Realty will
assist you with the process of getting financially prepared to purchase
a facility or land on which to build a facility. Our financial assistance
for any congregation is two-fold and is as follows:
Securing Financing: We provide the Self Financial Evaluation contained
within this resource guide which the church can complete on its own.
This process is very informative and results in conservative estimates
of both the price range the church can afford for acquiring or building
a facility and the amount of the required down payment. We will then
connect you with lenders who have expressed a strong desire and willingness
to do financing for churches and who will also provide construction (interim)
financing as well as permanent financing for newly constructed facilities.
Some lenders understand the intricacies of the church and are committed
to serving the church community.
Fund Raising: When churches begin the process of a major move or expansion,
it is vital that the process begin early with obtaining the counsel of
those professionals who conduct capital campaigns. When capital campaigns
are conducted prior to the church needing a bank loan, the likelihood
of their securing financing increases dramatically. Our advice is to
get committed early in the process with the professionals of your choice.
We will refer you to the individuals who can best serve your church.
Marketing: Direct Marketing of properties will continue in the same
manner that has been so successful in the past. Service Realty will continue
to market church properties as well as schools, camps, and retreat centers.
|