In this episode, host Nick Smith discusses U-haul's Growth Index Report for 2023.  This report ranks 50 U.S. states by growth based primarily on one-way U-haul equipment rentals that occur within the calendar year.

The reports for the last 5 years were also analyzed.  And several states continuously appear in the top 5 and several others continuously appear at the bottom.  Some of the common traits that you see in both groups are discussed in this episode.

If you'd like to review this report, please check it out at the link below:

https://www.uhaul.com/Articles/About/U-Haul-Announces-Top-Growth-States-Of-2023-30660/

And if you have any interest in investing in commercial real estate, please visit Nick's website:

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/in/schererville/agent/nicholas-smith/aid_244073/

In Part 2 of the interview with J. Calaway with The Gate Church and InnerMission, Inc. of Hammond, IN, the importance of "Who" not "How" is discussed.  He talks about he struggled with this concept early on but has come to value its significance now.

He also talks about an experience he had with his introduction to the Section 8 program.  Though there are many different opinions about the Section 8 program, he sees it as just one of many tools that can be used to help a person move from Surviving to Thriving.

Pastor Calaway also discusses some of the challanges he has faced in doing real estate development, primarily during the crash of 2008.  And he ends the interview giving advice to any individuals that want to break into the real estate development arena while making community and social impact.

If you'd like to learn more about J. Calaway and/ or InnnerMission, Inc., please visit their website:  www.InnerMissionInc.com.

In this episode of Wealth In Real Estate Development WIRED), host Nick Smith interviews J. Calaway, Senior Pastor of the Gate Church in Hammond, Indiana and Founder/ President of InnerMission, Inc. 

Pastor Calaway has been at the Gate for 35 years.  After 3 years of serving as the Youth Minister, he became the Senior Pastor.  From his perspective, the church should be more than a meeting place 1 day of the week.  But it should be more of a practice field where people learn "plays," and deploy those out into the community.

He discusses how the organization, InnerMission, Inc., originated.  And that its mission is to take a person from "Surviving to Thriving" in every aspect of their life.  And housing is a foundational component to this process.

Pastor Calaway shares a moving experience he had while walking around some vacant land that surrounded the church.  This served as a defining moment in his life.

This is part 1 of this interview.  Be sure to also check out part 2!  And if you'd like to learn more about Pastor Calaway and/ or InnerMission, please check out their website.

www.innermissioninc.com

Welcome to 2024!!  On this first Wealth In Real Estate Development episode of the new year, it was a pleasure to interview Rick Wajda, CEO of the Indiana Homebuilders Association (IHBA).  Rick discussed the history of the organization and its mission to keep housing safe and affordable for all Indiana residents, aka Hoosiers!

The current median home price in the state of Indiana is around $400,000.  However, 75% of Hoosiers do not have the income to support this price point!  This disconnect and how this gap can be narrowed was discussed.    

Rick also addressed some of the challenges that face the new construction industry.  The number of developers/ contractors have drastically decreased as compared to prior then 2008.  There is a lack of qualified contractors.  In addition, government impact and permit fees are drastically increasing the cost of new homes in many communities.

Rick talked about how the IHBA is working to get children more interested in the trades.  This is something many communities and schools should be looking into.  And he discussed recent legislation that will allow the State of Indiana and some of it's local municipalities to partner in bringing infrastructure costs down for new housing.       

For more information on the Indiana Homebuilders Association, please visit their website:  www.buildindiana.org

Thank you so much for watching!

In this episode of Wealth In Real Estate Development, host Nick Smith discusses the world of "hard" money with Michael (Mike) Mann aka "Your Money Mann."  One of Mike's specialties is helping investors get their real estate projects financed.

Mike explains the difference between hard money and private money.  And he also shows how both can be beneficial tools for real estate entrepreneurs.  In addition, Mike gives an awesome explanation on how an investor should determine if a certain real estate investment is actually a good investment.

Mike also gives very transparent reasoning as to why it is challenging for investors to get financing for new construction projects.  But he doesn't leave you without hope as he also gives some ways these challenges can be overcome.  

If you'd like to connect with Mike to help get your developments financed, please feel free to reach out to him via email at [email protected].

In this episode of Wealth In Real Estate Redevelopment (W.I.R.E.D.), host Nick Smith interviews Anastacia Fratto of ResElevate.  ResElevate offers development consulting services and strategic partnerships to developers in the Chicagoland area.

Anastacia gives her background as master plan community developer and discusses how planning a community differs from planning/ executing a development.  Anastacia also discusses a $27 Million development that she and some of her partners are currently working on in Hammond, Indiana known as the Bank of Calumet or "The Banc."  This mixed use development once completed will feature commercial space on the bottom floor with 90 units of residential apartments on the upper floors.

Anastacia discusses how important it was to keep the rents affordable, but not make the development a low-income housing development.  In this country, there is a good amount of housing available to those of low income.  And of course the financially wealthy don't have a housing problem.  But the sector that gets overlooked most of the time is the "missing middle."

To find out more about Anastacia and ResElevate, feel free to visit their website:

www.ResElevate.com

And to get more information on "The Banc" development, please visit its website:

www.TheBancHammond.com

In this episode of Wealth In Real Estate Development, host Nick Smith discusses the age-old debate of building new vs. buying existing real estate as an investor.  There is actually no right answer to this question.  It depends on many factors.

Do you have any experience with new construction?  Or do any of your partners have experience with new construction?  How risk tolerant are you?  Also, another big question is how many financial resources do you have at your disposal?

Unless you have new construction experience or you have a partner with that experience, it is probably not advised to start with building a new product.  It is probably better to start with a few moderate rehabs.  This will allow you to learn the basics of how a property's major components are constructed.  But if new construction is the goal, don't lose sight of that!  

If you are interested in discussing real estate development opportunities in the Northwest Indiana/ Chicagoland area or anywhere throughout the country, please feel free to reach out to host Nick Smith via email at [email protected] or by phone at (219) 805-2857.

In today's episode of Wealth In Real Estate Development (W.I.R.E.D.), host Nick Smith sits down with Phylis Mamula of DesignTech.  Phylis has almost 40 years of experience in the interior design field.  Phylis studied interior design at the former Harrington Institue of Interior Design which was located in Chicago, IL.  And she has designed everything from entire floors in high rise office buildings, to medical offices, restaurants, historic renovations, homes and much more.    

Many real estate investors and developers argue that superior interior design and staging are not necessary.  However, Phylis argues that well designed and staged homes will typically sell quicker and for more money than homes that are not.  And this will be even more crucial as the real estate market shifts to a stable and/ or buyer's market.  And the colors you paint your walls do MATTER!  

Phylis also discusses how technology has drastically changed the design industry. During the pandemic, she shifted to doing a lot of residential work because as offices were shut down, people were looking for ways to make their living spaces more "work from home" friendly.  And she was able to perform consultations online.  Phylis also believes that the recent phenomena of co-work spaces and shared offices are here to stay!

If you would like to reach out to Phylis, please contact her at the following:

Email:  [email protected]

Phone: (219) 932-2000

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/phylis.mamula

In this episode of Wealth In Real Estate Development, host Nick Smith discusses the journey of being a real estate investor in Gary, Indiana with Cory Armand of Armand Investment Group.  Cory has been investing primarily in Gary, IN for well over a decade.  This investing career has afforded him the opportunity to leave his job and become a full-time real estate investor.  He details how he bought his first properties through tax sales.  And back in earlier investing days, you could even buy decent houses through realtors for around $10,000.

Cory explains how he went from single family homes to multifamily, and his most recent project was a major rehab of a commercial property.  This property required a gut rehab.  And now, it serves as a location of a fast-food restaurant, 4 individual office spaces that are leased out, a location for businesses that need a physical mailing address along with a few other uses.  He truly maximized the space in this location!   

Cory is a phenomenal example of seeing challenges in your community and doing something about them!  He doesn't just talk the talk, but he walks the walk!  If you'd like to reach out to him, please do so at one of the following. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cory.armand.1

Northwest Indiana Creative Investors Association:  www.nicia.org

www.aigbusinesscenter.com

www.armandinvestmentgroup.com