NAIOP SoCal’s Post

From a young age, my father's ownership and management of rental apartments in a small town in northern Wisconsin ignited my passion for real estate. When I first arrived at Marquette University in 2005, I was unaware of the vast array of opportunities within the industry. It took some time for me to discover the wealth of knowledge available at the Marquette University Center for Real Estate, but once I did, I was captivated. The academic curriculum was enriched by the applied learning and the events and camaraderie offered by the Marquette University Commercial Real Estate Club. Despite excelling in my studies, graduating in 2009 during the Great Recession presented a challenging job market for aspiring commercial real estate professionals. My aspirations of following in my father's footsteps in real estate development seemed unattainable. However, this setback motivated me to invest in myself. I made the decision to attend law school, believing it would strengthen my weaknesses and set me apart from my peers pursuing MBAs or other master's degrees. Following graduation, I was fortunate to land a role as a commercial real estate attorney at Husch Blackwell learning from an amazing team of attorneys. Today at Northwestern Mutual, I work alongside an incredible team overseeing a commercial real estate portfolio exceeding $60 billion. It is a dream come true to spearhead transactions ranging from $25 million to over $200 million, contributing to the creation of iconic developments in the communities we serve. While the current landscape for commercial real estate may pose challenges, I urge you to remain focused and resilient. Every obstacle presents an opportunity for growth. #commercialrealestate #leadership #stayfocused #bethedifference

Andrew's initiative to create a supportive community for estate planning attorneys is commendable. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing among legal professionals can significantly benefit both individual practitioners and the legal industry as a whole. According to recent surveys, over 60% of attorneys report feeling isolated in their profession, highlighting the need for inclusive and supportive networks like the one Andrew has established. By fostering a sense of community, attorneys can access valuable resources, exchange insights, and overcome challenges more effectively. Moreover, advancements in AI automation technology present exciting opportunities for legal practice enhancement. AI tools can streamline repetitive tasks, such as document drafting and case research, allowing attorneys to focus more on strategic and client-centric aspects of their work. Embracing AI-powered solutions can ultimately lead to increased productivity, better outcomes for clients, and a more fulfilling professional experience. Andrew's invitation to join the group demonstrates his commitment to empowering fellow attorneys and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. By leveraging collective expertise and embracing innovative technologies, legal professionals can thrive in an ever-evolving landscape while achieving their personal and professional goals.

📚 “Think what you could do if trained❗️” I was cleaning out some old files this weekend and came across my first commission statement. It brought back many memories from my early days at Century 21 (they were the only brokerage willing to take a chance on me at the time) while I was juggling classes at the local junior college. I was young (21 years old), naive, and often told “no,” (not just by girls, but also when trying to get business… 😂) but I kept knocking on doors, making calls, harassing the local title office (this was before ownership info was available online) and sending lots and lots of letters. That tenacity led to a pivotal moment—my first major breakthrough—a sale of not just one, but two off-market in-fill development properties in Sacramento. I still remember the electrifying rush when the deal closed, and from that point on I was hooked. Despite the excitement of deal-making, I transitioned to the corporate side of the business. It was a great experience and training, but about 15 years later, I found myself missing that thrill. So, I started Capital Rivers Commercial, to recapture the excitement of making deals happen, unlimited potential, and ability to help others grow their careers in the industry. It’s been a journey of sticking to it, even when it was tough, of being constantly lured by the entrepreneurial spirit, and of having an undying zest for this dynamic industry even when it tried to knock me down (which happens often). P.S. Got to love the elementry school sticker on the statement 😂 …. and if your wondering I never got a gold coat.. 🧥 Commercial real estate is a great career‼️ #crc #icsc #commercialrealestate

Located just south of Downtown, in the city’s rapidly-growing Near Southside, PROOF’s windows have quietly observed the history of Fort Worth. What was once the city’s first grocery store became the home of a trucking company, then the birthplace of a true Texas whisky, before ultimately becoming a backdrop for Fort Worth’s bon vivant business class. PROOF is an homage to a city’s past, present, and future – all in one space. Over the course of several months, M2G took the nearly 100 year old abandoned commercial space and transformed it into PROOF, which quickly become fully leased. Want the proof? Learn more in our PROOF Case Study here: https://lnkd.in/gu5zYhJy

Auburn University recently hosted its fifth annual gathering of some of the most prominent real estate professionals in the Southeast in Birmingham, Alabama. Entitled The Auburn CityBuilders Future of Commercial Real Estate in Alabama, this year’s event brought together more than 325 attendees and presenters to discuss the prospects for commercial real estate development in all four regions of the state. Hosted by Auburn’s Institute for Real Estate Development (IRED), a partnership between CADC and Auburn University Harbert College of Business, the view that emerged from the more than 30 commercial real estate developers, capital providers, suppliers, and economic development officials on all five of this year’s CityBuilders panels of experts is that commercial real estate development in Alabama is poised for measured, increasingly broad-based growth during the second half of 2024 and beyond. aub.ie/CityBuilders2024

Atlanta is unaffordable for small, Black-owned businesses. ICYMI — our team at Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative has been working to understand how market pressures are affecting Black-owned brick & mortar businesses in Atlanta’s Black neighborhoods (which are rapidly changing). In the last decade, commercial rents have doubled and the spaces available for lease don’t align w/ the needs of businesses. In short, commercial space is unaffordable for most of the area’s Black businesses. This is just one attempt to illustrate the disparity — the recent data on business revenues by race isn’t all that great, and defining thresholds for affordability can be complicated. We’re looking forward to refining this in the coming months. Read more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/e__YeAh2

This article is interesting for its focus on both Fort Worth and Austin.

“When you’ve been down, you can’t go any lower,” proclaims Kevin J. Kately, the inaugural African American Mayor of Parks Village, Louisiana, capturing his resilient spirit. During the first three years of his tenure from 2015 to 2019, Parks Village witnessed a financial transformation, with its reserves ballooning from $912,857.51 to an impressive $2,524,838.04, marking an extraordinary 176.59% growth. The financial acumen of Mayor Kately, marked by his “conversative” fiscal management, facilitated the allocation of $1,748,785 for infrastructure enhancements in 2023. Where some might see a small village home to around 700 souls, Mayor Kately envisages a prospering community laying the groundwork for future development. Mayor Kately, when queried about the economic potential of the extensive private land in his jurisdiction, expressed that his constituents are reluctant to sell. They fear external investors might “ruin” their town's essence. Despite the immediate financial gains the land could bring, the residents prefer to bequeath it to their descendants, aiming to retain the close-knit character of their community. In response to questions about his constituents' definition of "luxury," the Mayor's reply was definitive: they prize a quiet life and peace above all. He shared that there's a collective apprehension among the townsfolk towards brisk expansion, stemming from a fear of their haven becoming a hotbed for criminal activity, a fate unfortunately befallen upon neighboring cities. Yet, Mayor Kately stands firm in his belief that his blueprint for the city's development, underpinned by his background in law enforcement, equips him with the unique capability not just to counteract crime but to proactively deter it amidst the city's anticipated progress. He champions the idea of welcoming rather than warding off growth. Aiming to avert a myopic viewpoint, he is committed to an exhaustive search for solutions, ensuring that every potential avenue is considered. Mayor Kately marks a significant milestone as the first mayor I've had the privilege to interview in what promises to be a series of insightful conversations during my Internship with B Shivers Realty. These spheres—arts, culture, and politics —converge, sometimes clashing, sometimes enhancing each other, as I explore their influence not just on the luxury real estate market but on the broader community and the global stage we all share. All too often, we find both human and financial resources to be scarce, a hurdle that can impede the pursuit of objectives far beyond the scope of any single person. If it's within your means, I urge you to contribute in any way you can. #Leadership #Resilience #EconomicGrowth #FiscalManagement #CommunityDevelopment #InfrastructureImprovement #LocalGovernment #UrbanPlanning #SustainableDevelopment #PublicService