Month: September 2013

This panel presented an opportunity for our audience to gain insight into the role of a real estate reporter and learned what our media panel cares about when reporting on a story. They also learned how to establish and build relationships with reporters in order to position yourself and your organization as a source for a story.

The panel topics included:

• Identification of the trends and issues reporters care about;
• Learn what reporters needs from you as an industry expert;
• Insight into how best to pitch story ideas;
• Understand how reporters use and view social media; and
• An opportunity to ask the panelists questions about working with real estate reporters.

Chicago Real Estate Professionals is sponsored by the law firm of Brown, Udell, Pomerantz and Delrahim, Ltd.  The group hosted a breakfast program featuring a distinguished panel of real estate reporters including:

Panelists:

Steve Kerch, Assistant Managing Editor, MarketWatch/The Wall Street Journal Digital Network

Micah Maidenberg, Reporter, Crain’s Chicago Business

Mary Ellen Podmolik, Reporter, Chicago Tribune

David Roeder, Business Reporter, Chicago Sun Times

Moderators:

Michael J. Delrahim, Managing Partner, Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim, Ltd.

Jan Anne Dubin, Principal, Jan Anne Dubin Consulting

The 2008 financial crisis cost the U.S. economy more than $22 trillion, according to a recent study by the Government Accountability Office.  The crisis is considered the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression.  The economic damage is evidenced from coast to coast in commercial and consumer bankruptcies, unemployment numbers and hiring freezes, foreclosed and underwater homes, deferred retirement saving and education.

While post crisis trends reflect a recent decrease of 21 percent in commercial and consumer bankruptcy filings.  Experts believe this is due in part to reduced consumer spending, lower interest rates and tightening of credit and lending standards. Some believe we are not yet out of the woods and fully on a course to renewed financial health and stability.

Chicago Real Estate Professionals presented a panel of bankruptcy specialists who shared their views and short-and longer-term predictions for the financial future.

Panel includes:

David N. Missner, Senior Financial Consultant, Rally Capital Services, LLC

Eric Prezant, Partner and Head of the Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights Group, Bryan Cave LLP

Howard Samuels, Founder and Managing Member, Rally Capital Services, LLC

Joel H. Schneider, Senior Vice President – Dispositions, Hilco Real Estate

Moderator:

Michael J. Delrahim, Managing Partner, Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim, Ltd.

Environmental issues can wreak havoc on otherwise sound real estate projects. While business risk is inherent in all real estate ventures, overlooking environmental issues is a path fraught with challenge and trouble for parties who fail to properly identify, evaluate and manage environmental concerns.

With an improving real estate market, developers, investors, lenders and others are getting reacquainted with properties that have known or potential environmental issues.  Many of these properties would be desirable for acquisition, financing and/or investment without environmental challenges.  Despite the challenges, there is tremendous upside for those who can properly identify, evaluate and manage environmental risks and those who do so can benefit from the opportunities these challenging projects provide.

Chicago Real Estate Professionals presented a panel of distinguished environmental experts who shared their views on how to maximize opportunity and minimize risk from properties with known or potential environmental issues.

Topics included:

• The importance and value of thorough due diligence and appropriate risk management;
• Key dynamics, strategies and factors/considerations related to successful transactions involving environmentally impacted real estate;
• Key issues, factors and considerations related to successful redevelopment of environmentally impacted real estate; and
• Important post-closing issues, factors and considerations to avoid surprises and problems after the transaction is completed and to maximize property value.

Panel includes:

Joshua E. Joseph, Founding Partner and Principal, Frontline Real Estate Partners

Wayne R. Smith, President, Pioneer Environmental Services, LLC

Richard P. Reich,Senior Vice President, Marsh Global Environmental Practice

Adam Meek, Managing Environmental Counsel, Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim, Ltd.

Moderator:

Michael J. Delrahim, Managing Partner, Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim, Ltd.

As the financing environment has become more challenging and complex, getting deals done often requires a multi-tranche approach. Understanding how to leverage the positions of lenders in different tiers of the capital structure is now more important than ever.

This financing panel presented an opportunity for our audience to gain insight into the role of different types of real estate lenders and how and when to use each when seeking financing.

Chicago Real Estate Professionals is sponsored by the law firm of Brown, Udell, Pomerantz and Delrahim, Ltd.  The group hosted a breakfast program featuring a distinguished panel of lenders including:

Panelists:

Molly S. Oelerich, Vice President – Commercial Real Estate, MB Financial Bank, N.A.

Elan Peretz, General Counsel and Managing Director – Finance Division,Barnett Capital Ltd

Daniel E. Rosenberg, Partner, Managing Director – Capital Markets, Cohen Financial

James F. Turner, Commercial Real Estate Managing Director, The Private Bank

William J. Hassett, Partner, McGladrey LLP

Moderators: 

Michael J. Delrahim, Managing Partner, Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim, Ltd.

Michael Hobbs, SRA, RAA, LEED GA, President,

PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy

The economic impact of the 2008 financial crisis could be felt across the Chicagoland marketplace in indicators such as unemployment including a contraction in real estate professionals, foreclosed and underwater homes, and lost or reduced retirements accounts.

Yet from the ashes of a ravaged real estate market, the seeds of opportunity began to rise up.  In early 2010, forward-looking and vulture investors began targeting select real estate opportunities for acquisition.  By the first half of 2013, real estate investors, developers, builders, and rehabbers were returning to the market en masse given the strong momentum that some Chicago markets have experienced.

Chicago Real Estate Professionals presented a panel of distinguished real estate and appraisal professionals who brought their crystal balls and shared their views on the current marketplace, and how to maximize opportunity by understanding the timing, demand and volatility of this real estate marketplace.

Topics included:

• Discussion of all sectors of commercial and residential real estate;
• Unique issues impacting the markets such as “bidding wars” for certain properties;
• Insight on whether the recovery has legs or is primed for another dip; and
• Advice on how find a great opportunities and secure bank funding.

Panel includes:

Chris Feurer, Chief Executive Officer, Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty

Gail Lissner, CRE, SRA, Vice President, Appraisal Research Counselors

Michael Hobbs, SRA, LEED GA, President, PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy

Thaddeus Wong, Co-Owner, @Properties

Moderator:

Michael J. Delrahim, Managing Partner, Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim, Ltd.