Building Knowledge

Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals – The Differences” was the topic of this segment of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” 

Daniel Finger, an attorney with Finger and Finger, A Professional Corporation, was the guest. Finger and Finger, which is based in White Plains in Westchester County in New York State, is Chief Counsel to the Building and Realty Institute (BRI). Daniel Finger was a regular guest on the former radio shows of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI). This episode marked his third appearance on “Building Knowledge.” Topics discussed during the segment included: 1) The definition of a Service Animal; 2) The definition of an Emotional Support Animal; 3) If there are limits to what types of animals individuals can use for either Service Animals or Emotional Support Animals; 4) If Service Animals, or Emotional Support Animals, are allowed in the workplace. And, if so, if there are guidelines regarding what is allowed in those situations; 5) Some of the things that Boards of Directors of Co-op or Condo Complexes can, and can’t ask for, or ask about, with requests for Service Animals or Emotional Support Animals; 6) What happens in the event of residents having complaints because they don’t like dogs or cats, or they are allergic to dogs or cats.

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A comprehensive discussion on some of the key phases of construction projects is the topic of this episode of “BuildingKnowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” James Madison, the Chief Estimator for Mid-Hudson Construction Management, was the guest. Mid-Hudson Construction Management is based in Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County in New York State. It was the first appearance of James Madison on the BRI’s Podcast Series. Some of the topics discussed during the segment were: 1) 

What is involved in the Preconstruction Phase of a construction project; 2) A review of some of the components of the Preconstruction Phase (Design Intent to Construction Documents; Project Planning; Procurement; Safety Planning; Quality Control Planning; Risk Response Planning; and Model Creation); 3) The importance of a Construction Budget; 4) The key components of a Construction Budget; 5) Contingency Budgets; 6) Value Engineering - what it is, and its importance; 7) James Madison’s biggest concerns for the Building and Construction Sectors in 2025; 8) Things that make James Madison upbeat for the Building and Construction Sectors in 2025.

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This episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” reviewed key energy issues for Building Owners and Managers. Nick Stolatis, Vice President of EPN Real Estate Services, Inc. - which is based in Pleasantville in Westchester County in New York State - was the guest. His company is a member of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) and its affiliate group known as BACI, the Building and Allied Construction Industries of Westchester. Nick is also the Treasurer of the Greater New York Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). Nick was a guest on the former radio shows of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI). He made his first appearance on the BRI’s Podcast Series during this segment. Topics discussed during the episode included: 1) Getting ahead of potential Westchester County Legislation in the future that will seek to limit Carbon Emissions, like New York City’s Local Law #97; 2) The importance of Building Owners and Managers understanding a building’s Current Operating Profile; 3) Why Proactive Investments in Carbon-Reducing Actions are processes that Building Owners and Managers should explore; 4) If concerns that the new administration will curtail, or eliminate, some of the incentives for Energy Efficiency Upgrades are valid; 5) Careful Financial Planning of Proposed Projects by Building Owners and Managers; 6) The biggest concerns of Nick Stolatis for Building Owners and Managers in 2025; 7) Topics that make Nick Stolatis feel upbeat for Building Owners and Managers in 2025.

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The Economy – Where We Are and Where We’re Going In 2025” is the title of this episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” Gus Scacco, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, was the guest. Gus Scacco has over 35 years of investment experience. He has managed equity and balanced portfolios, and equity and fixed-income assessments at firms that include Angelo Gordon, Morgan Stanley, and J.& W. Seligman. Gus Scacco is utilized by Fox Business News as a frequent guest. He is a speaker at various local and regional industry conferences, business partnerships and associations to provide economic outlooks, as well as updates on business trends. Topics discussed during Episode 47 included: 1) The chances of a Recession happening in the coming months; 2) The current state of the U.S. Economy; 3) The current conditions on Wall Street; 4) How the results of the presidential election could affect Wall Street, and the U.S. economy, in 2025; 5) What could happen with Interest Rates in 2025; 6) The implementation of Tariffs in 2025 and their possible effects on the U.S. economy; 7) Gus Scacco’s biggest concerns regarding the U.S. economy in 2025.

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This segment of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” provided a series of Security Updates for Building Owners and Managers for Winter. Thad McKeown, the Director of Sales for Integrated Protection Services of Darien, Conn., was the guest. It was Thad Keown’s second appearance on “Building Knowledge.” Thad McKeown was a regular guest on the BRI’s former radio shows, appearances that helped him become the BRI’s “go-to-source” on Security Trends and Products. Topics covered during Episode 46 included: 1) What Building Owners and Managers, as well as Homeowners and all Consumers, need to remember about Security Processes for Winter; 2) An update on Security Products for Owners and Managers of multi-family buildings and complexes, and updates to those products that can help Owners and Managers as they face the challenges of Winter; 3) An update on a Building App for multi-family buildings and complexes that can be used through a smart phone, and how it can help with winter conditions; 4) How Office, Retail and Industrial Facilities should prepare for Winter; 5) The importance of “After-Hours Lighting” at Residential and Commercial Properties and why it is so important for Owners and Managers to be aware of the latest developments on that process; 6) Reviews of General Security Guidelines for Building Owners and Managers.

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An overview of Marketing and Advertising Processes for businesses during the 2024 Holiday Season was the topic of this episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” The segment also provided a look at what businesses should do regarding their Marketing and Advertising Strategies for 2025. Our guest was Michael Dardano, the principal of The Buzz Potential, a well-known marketing and public relations firm that is based in Tuckahoe in Westchester County in New York State. Topics discussed during the episode included: 1) The keys for businesses regarding their Marketing and Advertising Strategies for the 2024 Holiday Season; 2) Marketing and Advertising Adjustments businesses should conduct during the 2024 Holiday Season; 3) The areas of Marketing and Advertising that businesses, in 2025, may be decreasing due to economic concerns and concerns with world events; 4) What outlets businesses should utilize in 2025 regarding their Advertising and Marketing Processes; 5) What members of the business community in the New York metropolitan area are feeling regarding the business climate for 2025.

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Westchester County’s Commercial Real Estate Market” was the topic of this episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” Garry Klein, the Regional Manager of Houlihan Lawrence Commercial - a commercial real estate company that is based in Rye Brook in Westchester County in New York State - was the guest. The topic of this segment was inspired by the Houlihan Lawrence Commercial Quarter Three Market Report that was released on October 29th. 

Topics discussed during the episode included: 

1) What happened with Westchester’s Office Market in the third quarter

2) Third-Quarter Conditions for Westchester’s Retail Sector

3) The condition of Westchester’s Residential Apartment Market in the third quarter

4) The construction of Transit Oriented Developments (TOD’s) in Westchester - why they have been popular and if that popularity will continue

5) An overview of Westchester’s Industrial/Flex Markets and what happened in those markets during the third quarter

6) An overview of Commercial Real Estate Transactions in Westchester during the third quarter

7) Garry Klein’s biggest concerns for the Commercial Real Estate Market in the fourth quarter, and for 2025, both on the local and national levels.

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This episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” featured a discussion on the intersection between real estate and estate planning. Nicholas Preddice, a Partner with Affinity Advisors, was the guest. Topics covered during the segment included: 1) How individuals should begin their Estate and Succession Planning as soon as possible in order to protect their families, their employees, and their best interests; 2) How individuals can give away assets, but still manage them and maintain cash flow; 3) The methods for individuals to best utilize Trusts and Life Insurance as part of their estates; 4) Whether individuals are facing retirement now, or even years or decades away, the time for individuals to address retirement scenarios is now, particularly for those who own real estate; 5) The dangers of “putting off” the planning processes for retirement.

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The ‘5 in 25’ Housing Agenda of Welcome Home Westchester, a coalition that is producing important and consistent conversations on the serious lack of housing in Westchester County in New York State, was the topic of this episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” Kate Slevin, the Executive Vice President of The Regional Plan Association (RPA), a member of the coalition, was the guest. Topics discussed during the segment included: 1) The mission of the coalition;  2) The diverse membership of the coalition; 3) A full review of the coalition’s September 23rd Press Conference that explained the specifics of the ‘5 in 25’ Housing Agenda of Welcome Home Westchester; 4) The challenge that the coalition’s speakers at the September 23rdPress Conference issued to all city, town, and village officials in Westchester County; 5) Kate Slevin’s assessments on how the efforts of Welcome Home Westchester are helping legislators on the local and state levels gain a better understanding of the housing crisis that Westchester County is currently facing.

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A full review of the Corporate Transparency Act and how the mandate affects businesses throughout the U.S. were the topics of this episode of “Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).” Carl Finger, Esq., an attorney with Finger and Finger, A Professional Corporation, was the guest. Finger and Finger is based in White Plains in Westchester County in New York State. The firm is Chief Counsel to The Building and Realty Institute (BRI). Topics covered during the show included: 1) A full definition of the act and when it became effective; 2) Why the mandate was created; 3) What types of businesses are affected by the act; 4) The requirements of the mandate; 5) The deadlines for 2024 regarding compliance with the act; 6) The penalties for entities that do not comply with the mandate; 7) Businesses that are exempt from the reporting requirements of the act.

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