David Nettles

David Nettles of Houston is the Owner and founder of Nettles & Co. Property Tax Consulting. This firm specializes in tax reduction, value analysis, and real estate valuation and research. His company uses advanced software, private market data, and incomparable negotiating skills with the appraisal boards. Mr. Nettles offers personalized customer service to ensure that each case is approached with full dedication and passion.

Nettles & Company Property Tax Consulting has successfully reduced property tax for thousands of homeowners and business owners. As a result, more than 10 billion dollars of property value is currently under Nettles & CO. Management.

Mr. David Nettles worked as a broker since 1997 and with his 25 years of experience, he has successfully managed thousands of appeals for his clients. He has good relationships with appraisal boards in over 30 Texas counties. He worked as a real estate broker representing buyers, sellers, and tenants before starting his tax consulting firm. He also collaborated with engineers and local governments. He has represented clients in tax appraisal challenges as a property tax consultant and arbitrator. As an MCE instructor, he conducts classes for real estate licensing and continuing education. MCE or Microsoft Certified Educator credential verifies that teachers possess the global educator technology literacy competencies required to offer students a rich, personalized learning experience.

David A. Nettles attributes his success to his passion for what he does to persistence and hard work. He always keeps updated on the latest technologies and software in order to provide his clients with the best possible services.

Where did the idea for Nettles & Company Property Tax Consultin come from?

It all started when the mortgage meltdown happened in 2008. People were losing their homes and I saw this as an opportunity to focus on the tax appeal business. As a result, I started working with my clients and taking that next step into helping them save money.

I’m a property owner and taxpayer and have been in the real estate business for over 25 years. I know how difficult it can be to manage property taxes as well as their increasing value. Because of that, I decided to jump into this industry since I was already doing appraisal work for myself. That’s how Nettles & Company Property Tax Consulting started.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Well, to be productive, I try to start my day early. I usually wake up at 5:30 am to take an HOUR-LONG walk. Then I have my breakfast and head to work. My work day can vary greatly, but I spend a good deal of time visiting clients and properties. I work on tax amendments with the goal of reducing the property taxes someone is paying so that their investments become profitable again.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Ideas are brought to life through determination and communicating with the right people on your team, which is very important. You need to be determined, visualize your goals, remain focused on them, and break them down into smaller tasks so that you know what needs to be done next. It also helps to identify potential challenges so you can get ahead of them. Above all else, make sure that you are surrounded by the right people so that they can help encounter you to realize your vision.

What’s one trend that excites you?

There are different trends that excite me. One trend is the increasing equipment and software for appraisals. It helps cut costs, provides quick results, and increases accuracy. However, we should not rely on solely software. Although I feel that it helps improve the valuation process, there is still a place for individualized attention that you can’t get from technology.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I do not procrastinate, and I believe in the importance of turning ideas into. I have the ability to think fast, assess the matter at hand, and take action. For example, if I am having a conversation with a potential client, I will have the property in question pulled up on my computer so I can have as many facts as possible at hand, including specs of the home and historical information. During the call, I will ask about any previous issues with the home or concerns they may have so that we can address them and make sure we have a good chance of achieving a tax reduction.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Never stop learning! Education is a huge key in any business, but knowledge is how you win! Stay on top of the changes in your industry and learn how to use those to your advantage — be it to save the client money or to just have a reason to connect with and stay in front of them.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

There are many things, but I think it’s better for me to focus on one thing. Some people may not agree with this but I believe that you are the average of the 5 people you spend most of your time with. That is why I always try to be around professionals with the highest of standards. If you are around people who can help you become a better person, then I believe your life will be better.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Planning ahead, setting goals, and taking action in order to achieve my goals in a given period of time. For example, on January 1st, I set my annual plan in terms of personal tasks as well as business tasks. This way, when the deadline comes around, I have accomplished them all. Nowadays, technology helps us achieve our goals faster and on time. In a more timely manner. We can see our plan more clearly and organize it on a spreadsheet, or use an app that does it for us. I strongly believe that entrepreneurs should maximize the use of applications and software for business.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I grow my business by networking with people I like, and that I would enjoy doing business want to work with. At that point, I am surrounded by people who can help to improve my product and reach those people who can benefit from using my service. From there the business will roll in from your good work.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Expectations of others. This is something many business owners have a hard time with. There are times when you think you have hired someone as dedicated to the success of your company as you are. However, in reality, that employee is simply punching a time card and leaving work behind.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

“Invest in your own backyard” I have told clients this for over 20 years: Stay in the area you know; the area that people know you. This familiarity can prove very beneficial and will also allow you to visit the property more often and check on its progress as well as the pitfalls.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Marketing, always stay in front of your current, past and future clients.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

To-do list apps definitely help me stay organized and focused on what I have to do. My favorite app at the moment is Any.Do because it reminds me every day what I have to do and what’s next.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I think it depends on how old people are at this point. When I was growing up, my mother always gave me books such as The Little Prince or Rich Dad Poor Dad because she knew that those books would help me understand entrepreneurship better; what other people can benefit from today may change depending on age, knowledge, and experience. But if you’ll ask me a good book for entrepreneurs, I’ll recommend The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. It’s a great book for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to build a business from the ground up.

What is your favorite quote?

“If you want something that you’ve never had, then you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” I like this quote because it tells us about dedication and hard work. If we want our business plan to succeed in the end, we have to work toward it; we can’t skip any of the tasks or make excuses.

Key Learnings:

• Build good relationships with your clients because this is how you can build a successful business in the long term.
• Entrepreneurship requires real dedication and hard work; you can’t skip any of the tasks or make excuses.
• You are the average of the 5 people you spend most of your time with. If you are around people who can help you become a better person, then your life will be better.