Banks lend money but so do private equity firms. Less regulation allowing for speed in closing, a feature of private equity firms, is important to the real estate industry and not so easily provided by banks. Lenders discussed the type of real estate their companies considered good investments.

Over the past 20 years, to take advantage of changes in medical care, physicians now practice in large groups and are employed by hospitals; hospitals are converted to ambulatory care centers. Discussion included urgent care centers, walk-In facilities, tele-medicine, and electronic medical records.

Korean chefs and owners, embracing their ethnic heritage, their culture and traditions are offering customers the opportunity to explore new dishes, superbly prepared at their award-winning, highly recommended restaurants.

New York's condo buyers are taking longer to make a decision! Blessed with a wider selection, buyers are careful about location, transportation, layout and unit efficiency; price point - very important.

Opportunity Zones are all around us - in all of New York's five boroughs! Opportunity Funds, "a new investment vehicle created as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" are available. Guests work to unravel rules and regulations surrounding these investments.

New York's office market is still a tenant's market! Less traditional law firms require less office space, as they search for lower rents. Competition between tech companies and brokers provides renters with more options. Panelists discuss concessions.

Guests concluded it was a good time to be a borrower! Despite the liquidity in the market and low interest rates, the search for deals is very competitive: hotels, fast casual dining, transit oriented development. Lenders careful about lending to retail and to co-working facilities.

Wanting to "give back" to individuals and communities, members of the real estate industry have developed public/private partnerships with various New York schools. With tutoring, mentoring, music and internship programs, designed to "open eyes-open minds," thousands of young people and their communities have greater opportunity and access to successful futures.

Newark's development is not a "one trick pony!" A visionary mayor and administration, with supportive community leaders, have developed plans to energize Newark's residential, industrial, business, and retail assets.

Guests discuss the success of the industrial market, the increasing popularity of co-ops, the Long Island Partnership's promotion of a life-sciences campus, the proximity to Roosevelt Island and their growing tech industry - all positive for Long Island City's future.