Hablar Espanol?

Question

Maybe this is question more in tune for you Southern rehabbers.

Do you think you would have a considerable advantage being able to communicate in Spanish?

I visited a flip recently and the crew was all Mexicans, really polite and doing a great job.  Their English wasn't great and I also noticed the guy running the crew was well spoken and his English was great.

Obviously if you can speak Spanish great, you can get the crew to chat and like you.  You know whats going on, you probably have stronger negotiating abilities etc... So what if you can't speak Spanish, is it worth learning?  Would you benefit enough from it to make it worthwhile?

Account Closed · Answer

my crew is all from el salvador, and they do a phenomenal job..i'm thrilled that i speak spanish...they have friends that pour concrete, are brick masons, landscapers, can get discounts on gutters and garage doors, etc. they're latinos as well, so it's helped me branch out to other guys i wouldn't have known about. i pay them well, and buy them chinese take out (4.50 lunch special!) and gatorades every friday...treat them fair and they'll work their butts off, just like anyone else...and as jon pointed out, it helps in other aspects like finding tenants, selling houses to latinos...i almost owner financed a house to someone with ok english, and a wife with no english....glad i spoke spanish on that one and asked the right questions :) turns out, they were WRONG for the house :)

PS, i'm not very PC myself, but how do you know the crew was all mexicans?? :)

Ryan Webber · Answer

I've been studying Spanish every day for the last year or so.  It just makes business sense to me.  I've bought, sold, and leased property to families that speak little or no English.  To be able to speak their native language builds trust and makes them feel more comfortable with me.

Its just a no brainer in my book.  Now actually learning a different language takes some serious diligence.

Es mucho trabajo, pero es lo vale.

Rob Gillespie · Answer

My best rehabber EVER was from Romania, and spoke no english. We did tons of work together, and he never gave me a problem. I just kinda pointed at what I wanted done and it happened. I would maybe find a crew leader that spoke both languages, but it is not that important if you are savin some coin!!

Jon Holdman · Answer

Yes, its definitely an advantage.  Not just dealing with contractors, but also for dealing with tenants.  Even a small amount of Spanish is better than none.

Nope, don't believe that at all.  I've dealt with a number of tenants who had very limited English.  I've had a few pretty unpleasant conversations with 10 year olds.

Tim G. · Answer

I think I could see the border from the patio of the house!

Tim G. · Answer

I've been in outside sales here in Southern California for two years and have been telling myself this entire time I would learn.  I've listened to some great podcasts while driving and have an entry level understanding at best.  I have a copy of Rosetta stone I need to break out and I just need to grow a pair and start trying to communicate in Spanish to those around me who are capable.

I think my reasoning is two part, one for business purposes which I think the advantages would be huge.  The other is simply because I feel like an idiot only knowing one language.  I grew up in England and moved here at 10, all my friends in Europe speak 3+ languages.

Jon Holdman · Answer

And there are lots of resources now to learn a language.  I've used Rosetta Stone with good success.  Enough French is a few months of study that I was always handed a French menu when in Paris.  I've used Pimsler CDs when driving to learn Spanish.  Its just listening and repeating, unlike Rosetta Stone which is on the computer and gives feedback.  If I was going to buy another course, I'd probably Fluenz.  I also looked at Rocket Spanish a while back, which despite the silly name and pretty simple lessons was pretty effective.  There are also online resources where you can speak or write with a native speaker.  There are so many resources now that if you don't speak a language you want to, its only because you aren't putting in the time.  Plus, learning new languages is supposedly good for the brain.

Don Hines · Answer

I like to claim that I know just enough Spanish "to know when to duck".
Growing up and working half of my adult life in Houston, I have picked up enough Spanish to work with Hispanics. It has become an asset here in Little Rock too.
I am glad to see your question here; and the responses. I have some red in my neck too. But, it is not wise to ignor we need to learn how to communicate with those we employ.
Don

Tara G. · Answer

My first language is not English, so we teach our foreman our language and he teaches us spanish. The next time he visits folks that speak our language for quotes, he floors them with some strategically used words in their native tongue. He always ends up getting the job:-) Words like "water", "garbage", "beautiful" are always in demand!

Aaron McGinnis · Answer

In general, I won't work with someone I can't communicate with either directly or through a translator. I have no problem with someone who doesn't speak English, but if someone in management can't translate... I won't use them.

To wit - my foreman speaks great Spanish, and I'm picking it up here and there.

Hablar Espanol?

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