CRE Insights With Cecil Cummins

In this Episode, Cecil Cummins interviews Jake Harris. Jake Harris is a Managing Partner at Harris Bay, a real estate investment firm focused mainly on real estate development. Recently Jake published his book entitled, Catching Knives.  Catching Knives summarizes two decades of Jake's experience. It talks about how to maximize a distressed market by cost control systems, scaling of distressed environment, and opportunity development.  Jake also shares how he started, his personal experience, and how he fell and bounced back. Jake also discusses how the pandemic hit him, his current struggles and how he managed to survive through help from others. 

In this episode, Cecil will be discussing the world of buying, selling, and leasing Commercial Real Estate, and his past experiences investing in real estate. From office buildings to warehouses, to residential flips- we'll dive into the various types of commercial real estate, residential real estate investing, and the unique challenges and opportunities they present. Along with Josh Wilson, Cecil will share a part of himself and his principles in commercial real estate industry. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the game, we hope this podcast will provide valuable information and inspiration for your own real estate endeavors.    

Cecil Cummins, a young entrepreneur, is interviewed by Daniel Ramsey, CEO, and Founder of the Virtual Assistant Company, MyOutDesk. Cecil and Daniel speak about his experience, Four years in the industry, and how Cecil was able to build his business and was able to reach his biggest year in 2021. Cecil decided to become a client in MyOutdesk to seek an assistant that would help him in running his CRM and administrative tasks.  Cecil shares his best practices in training his virtual assistant and provides tasks to be able to maximize his assistant's potential in helping him leverage growth in his business.

In this Episode, Cecil Cummins and Erik Chick discuss commercial lending in 2020, how the first quarter finished out, and what the next 3-12 months may look like for commercial Real Estate Lending.  Erik Chick has over 20 years in the banking industry. Erik Current serves as the Chief Lending Officer and Executive Vice President for Severn Bank. He was a Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager with Severn Bank since 2015. He has held various positions with local community banks including commercial banker, commercial real estate, residential, consumer lending and management roles. Mr. Chick, a life-long Anne Arundel County resident, received his Bachelor of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University, where he was captain of the lacrosse team. He also received a certification in Commercial Lending Practice and Risk Principles from the Risk Management Association Commercial Lending School. Mr. Chick was named a Top Banker by Smart CEO in 2012/2013. He is a former YMCA of Anne Arundel County board member. He has also been active with Habitat for Humanity, the South River Colony Conservancy and various other conservation, community and youth athletic associations. In addition, he coaches and volunteers with youth recreational sports in the county. Mr. Chick lives in Edgewater with his wife and three children.

Cecil Cummins and J Scott sit down to discuss the long term implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Federal Stimulus Bailout, along with its implications in the commercial real estate market. J Scott (he goes by "J") is an entrepreneur, investor, speaker, author, and co-host of the BiggerPockets Business Podcast. An engineer and business guy by education, J spent much of his early career in Silicon Valley, where he held management positions at several Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft and eBay. In 2008, J and his wife Carol quit their corporate jobs, moved back East, got married, started a family, and decided to focus on real estate and investing. In the past 10 years, they have bought, built, rehabbed, sold, lent-on, and held over $60MM in property all around the country. J is also a business advisor and mentor to several companies, business owners, and entrepreneurs. J runs the popular website 123Flip.com and is the author of four books on real estate investing, including the bestselling Book on Flipping Houses. His titles have sold over 200,000 copies in the past six years and have helped investors from around the world get their start in real estate. J has been featured on the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast four times (episodes #10, #63, #311, and #321) and is co-host of the BiggerPockets Business Podcast. J and his family currently live in Sarasota, Fla. He can be reached at j@jscott.com.

Justin joined Hyatt Commercial in 2017 with more than 10 years’ experience in the commercial real estate industry. As Broker of Record and Senior Vice President, he manages the day to day brokerage operations, business development and focuses on sourcing and acquiring commercial real estate investments for the growing Hyatt Commercial portfolio. Justin has completed over $300,000,000 in leasing and sale transactions in his career. He has served clients in various industries including health care, telecommunications, professional services, health and fitness, marketing, and institutional/private investors. Justin is a 6th generation Annapolitan, graduated from St. Mary’s High School, received a B.A. from University of Virginia and has deep roots in the Maryland real estate and business communities. He is very active as a member of the Building Traditions Society of the Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, the Touchdown Club of Annapolis, The Royal Blue Club, and as a youth lacrosse coach. Justin currently lives in Annapolis with his wife Courtney and two young children.

Cecil Cummins and Ned Mahic discuss self-storage, logistical industrial and the potential resurgence of small manufacturing in the US and large manufacturing in the Western Hemisphere. Ned Mahic is an experienced real estate developer and investor. He has accumulated more than 20 years’ experience in acquiring, financing, developing and investing in various real estate properties ranging from the condo, student housing, self-storage to light industrial across North America. As a business veteran, Mr. Mahic is widely recognized for his abilities in creating stellar growth in a sustainable manner. Believing in the power of people, Mr. Mahic developed his own success formula: growth = scalable system+ empowered employees. Under his leadership, the revenue of a home services company in Chicago grew from $2million (US) to $25 million (US) within 3 years. A student housing company in Montreal also significantly increased its assets under development within 3 years.

Cecil Cummins sits down with Ray Bayat of NetCo investments to discuss COVID-19's impact on Shopping Center Retail. Cecil and Ray talk through short term and long term asset management strategies and what the future may hold. Ray founded NetCo Investments, Inc. along with Mitch Bayat in 2002 to pursue value-added shopping center developments and investments. Since then, Ray has been involved in the acquisition, redevelopment, sale, and financing of more than 1.2 million square feet and transactions valued at over $300 million. Prior to this, Ray was with Grubb & Ellis from 1997 to 2003. He was one of the top retail salespersons for Grubb & Ellis nationally, culminating in a Circle of Excellence performance for years 2000 through 2002. Prior to joining Grubb & Ellis, Ray was Leasing Manager for Newhall Land, the largest landowner in Los Angeles County. The company was involved in both residential and commercial development in Valencia, California. Ray was also an entrepreneur. He owned a franchised restaurant and two other retail businesses from 1988 through 1994.

Cecil Cummins sits down with Chris Jensen and Matt Volz of Mana Supply, a multi-state Cannabis company that has maintained profitability- despite the hurdles. In this interview, Cecil, Matt and CJ discuss where cannabis s now- the potential impact of COVID-19 and how they see cannabis navigating a market downturn. Christopher Jensen is a former lawyer turned successful entrepreneur with a history of startups and exits across multiple industries. He was the Co-Founder of Trustpoint International ($60M in annual revenue); Former senior executive at Hudson Global, Xerox and CS Disco; Board Member and Treasurer, National Cannabis Roundtable; Recipient of 2019 Cannabis Dealmakers Summit “Rising Star Award" Matt Volz is a veteran commercial real estate executive with experience in private equity, capital markets, investments, dispositions and asset management. He was the Director of Acquisitions, Excelsa Holdings ($400M in assets); Portfolio Manager, Colliers International (3.6M sq. ft. portfolio); General Manager, ING Clarion Real Estate Investment Management.

Cecil Cummins sits down with David Osborn, New York Times Best Selling Author and Real Estate Mogul to discuss the COVID-19 impact on the real estate market. After sticking out his thumb and traveling the world, David returned home to Austin, Texas broke and unemployed, at the age of 26. Though his travels may not have yielded wealth, they instilled the key motivation that he brings to every part of his life to create it -- freedom. Because to have everything you ever wanted takes the opportunity to design your life and believe it can happen. Through this intention, David began to test his entrepreneurial merits alongside his business-partner mom in the world of real estate. The results were nothing short of remarkable. In less than 10 years, David would go on to build one of the top real estate brokerages in the world, founding over 50 companies. Yet, more than anything else, the inherent freedom derived from his success awards him the time to focus on the importance on what matters most: being a proud father of two beloved daughters, a son, and husband to the wonderful and talented Traci Osborn. Today, still rooted in his boundless sense of adventure, David continues to travel the world not only to be enlightened by new experiences but to share his insight and expertise with others so they, too, can truly be free.

Cecil Cummins and Fred Hubler discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the Financial Markets and on Real Estate Markets, specifically on a 1031 Exchange he is working on, and how it was impacted. Tune in for insights on the potential short and long term implications of this massive Black Swan event! Frederick is an accomplished Senior Executive with more than twenty-five years of success spanning financial services and technology. He is responsible for founding Creative Capital Wealth Management Group, growing the firm to eleven states, and building a retainer-based wealth management program. Frederick is an innovative leader with a keen eye for unique solutions and vast knowledge in alternative wealth creation strategies. He received his Behavioral Financial Advisor TM, BFATM for short, certification as of July 2018. Frederick built a framework to allow third-party experts to collaborate with and assist his clients, a practice now spreading throughout the industry. He is an inspiring leader who draws from a breadth of knowledge in market leadership, business development, goal execution, and wealth management. Frederick attained his MBA from the University of Phoenix and his BS in Business Administration from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. As a seasoned board member Frederick has held board positions with Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation, Rotary, Kiwanis, LGBT Equality Alliance, the Phoenixville Senior Center, Cornerstone for Hope, and the West Chester Schools of Business Advisory Council. He is married to Elizabeth, has eight-year-old twins James and Abigail, and loves Eagles football. His hobbies include technology, cigars, and cars.

Mike Hananel, CEO of Strategic Growth Real Estate and Cecil Cummins Discuss the current situation, along with the short-term and long-term implications of COVID-19. As the CEO of Strategic Growth Real Estate, Inc., the Commercial Real Estate Brokerage, Investment, and Property Management firm he founded in Los Angeles in 2012, Michael Hananel brings nearly thirty years of entrepreneurial experience in business operations and real estate management to the table. A third-generation real estate investor and second-generation real estate broker, Michael has a lifetime of experience in the real estate industry, including the founding, in 2006, of WNY Metro Horizon in Buffalo, NY, a company he grew to over 600 apartment units under management before he sold the company for $36.0 Million in early 2015. As a devoted student of the economy, money and monetary policy, in 2005 Michael foresaw the housing crash and anticipated a massive downturn in the housing market in Los Angeles and nationwide. He began selling all of his apartment building investments in Los Angeles and encouraged his clients (whom he managed apartment buildings for) to do the same. He then began researching markets all around the United States to see if there would be a safer market to roll those funds into (for tax deferral purposes) that would withstand a nationwide housing downturn. Buffalo, NY fit his investment criteria perfectly so he opened an office there and began making investments there and bringing many of his LA clients into the Buffalo market with him. In 2005, when he began investing in Buffalo, it was ranked by Moody's as the 72nd best real estate market of the 100 largest cities in America. When he sold in 2015 Kiplinger's Finance Magazine ranked Buffalo as the #1 real estate market in the country (of the 100 largest cities in America) during the Great Recession from 2007 to 2014. Michael's clients who invested with him in Buffalo made an average overall return of 312% (34% average annual return) during the Great Recession.

When was the last time you reviewed your commercial building insurance policy? Cecil Cummins of Hyatt Commercial sits down with Bill Reagle, Principal Agent with CNR Insurance, and has a great conversation around how to best structure commercial building insurance policies, to ensure commercial building owners will not be under-covered when they need a claim to payout. Bill started CNR Insurance over 18 years ago and has since acquired two additional insurance brokerages to expand his practice. They are a staple in the Annapolis, MD community.

"Engage. Listen. Respond. Keep Dialogue Open...I think that is what is required to be successful in this market; it is the ability to really listen to what you are hearing...so that you can respond successfully" - Leo Wilson Cecil Cummins sits down with Leo Wilson of Hammond Wilson Architects to discuss aspects of Commercial Real Estate as it relates to Architecture and Site Development. Listen in to hear Leo offer suggestions on what strategies developers can have to be prepared for when they consider redeveloping or building a property from the ground up, and the intricacies of navigating the code, variances, and community input. For twenty-five years, Leo Wilson has brought expertise, leadership and vision to the firm’s clients. Leo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture at The Catholic University of America and a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was awarded the Van Alen Traveling Fellowship, enabling him to pursue a summer of independent study in Italy. He credits his creative pursuits outside of architecture – from watercolors, to figure sculpture, to letter cutting in stone – with developing his eye for form and composition. Leo’s passion is the water. He is an avid sailor, windsurfer, kite boarder, fisherman and surfer. “I grew up on a small barrier island along the New Jersey coast and have always been inspired by seaside architecture. These buildings must withstand the constant punishment of the coast and ever-changing tastes in design. The buildings that stand out gracefully over time are the ones that interest me.”

Cecil Cummins of Hyatt Commercial and Ben Thomas of Thomas Commercial Services sit down to talk through ideas on how building owners can maximize timelines for construction, how to efficiently manage future renovation and maintenance projects, and how to save money on materials. Thomas Commercial Services specializes in regular building maintenance and Capital Improvements, tenant fit-outs and you "middle ground" projects that are too big for the small job contractor and too small for your builder.

Cecil Cummins sits down with Jerry Feldman of Mid-Maryland Title to discuss aspects of Commercial Real Estate as it relates to Title. Listen in to hear Jerry offer suggestions on when to record items, what commercial building owners can do to be prepared for when they want to consider selling a property, and the intricacies of easements and encumbrances.   Jerome I. Feldman has always been passionate about business and helping people. His parents and grandparents were involved in businesses, and Mr. Feldman spent his summers as a young man working at family-run establishments. A native of Annapolis, Mr. Feldman grew up in Murray Hill. After earning his B.A. from the University of Maryland and his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law, Mr. Feldman returned to Annapolis to start his career. He has an illustrious history working for over 40 years in the legal industry. Jerry has started and successfully grew and sold a securities dealership regulated by the SEC; Jerry has been a principal in a building savings and loan bank and started, grew, and sold his title company in 2017. Now Jerry works as of-counsel for Hyatt and Weber Law Firm in Annapolis and manages the day to day operations of the title company he sold, Mid-Maryland Title.