All Forum Posts by: Kathleen E.

Cities and towns across NWA are aware of the shortage of Affordable Housing! Join us to hear from Planning and Development leaders what changes are being made to address this crisis.

Planning Departments, Commissions and City Councils across our region have been studying this issue and how other municipalities are implementing innovative solutions. Tonight we're bring you the decision makers who are changing the regs and implementing new ideas for investors and developers. They'll share:

• Ideas from other municipalities
• What's on the table Now
• Innovative plans for moving forward
• Roadblocks to implementation
• Strategies to address the NIMBYs

Speakers

Keaton Smith is VP of Community Relations at First Horizon Bank, member of Fayetteville's Housing Crisis Task Force, Partners for Better Housing and Advisory Board at Urban Land Institute. Long involved in community planning, he brings vast experience in the NWA housing.

Karen Davis is Community Development Director for the City of Lowell, one of the most investor-friendly cities in NWA. For 14+ years she has led urban planning efforts, written grants and coordinated local festivals. Karen says Lowell is Open for Business - just ask her!

Mark Cloud wears many "real estate" hats. VP of Commercial Lending for 1st National Bank NWA, a Springdale Planning Commissioner and Founder of Integrated Solutions Group providing construction consulting for investors and developers. Mark is definitely a "must have" for your team.

Lonnie Harrell is the Benton County Fire Marshall, and Director of Building Safety. He tells us that the County doesn't have zoning regulations, but if you need a permit or inspection or insight into how Benton County works, Lonnie is your go-to guy!

As all savvy investors know, you make your money when you, not when you sell! Those who follow this time-honored adage will be successful in real estate investing.

It's as simple as Buy-Low-Sell-High! But how do you know what's low enough? For the most part, the numbers are the same, but every investor has their own goals, strategies and process for finding their "Low". Tonight we bring you a veteran investor who will share:

• The basic numbers
• Estimating repairs
• What's the Real ARV
• What to do if the numbers don't look good
• Hidden costs you might have missed

Speakers

Darrel Donohew is an experienced Investor/Builder, a Realtor and an Army Veteran. His primary strategy of buy-and-hold has garnered a growing portfolio of single- and multi-family properties. Darrel has become great mentor and joint venture partner for many of our members.

Regardless of how you feel about AI, it makes sense to implement the benefits of this new technology.

We'll explore innovative new tools streamlining everything from planning and design to procurement to project management. Whether its a lot split, complex Fix n Flip or a new subdivision, this is info you need to know. Iliya will showcase:

• Drone scanning for site control
• Computer graphics for design and planning
• AI tools tools for procurement and reduced cost overruns
• Project Management and stakeholder coordination
• Summary of Pros, Cons and Red Flags

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Iliya Muzychuk is an Architect and Founder of Layouts LLC, a small business powered by AI. He is passionate about data, numbers, design and how technology can help builders, developers and investors streamline their projects.

This is such a great story for Rookies - how a local investor started out, built a Buy & Hold portfolio and moved into the development market - Big Time.

David had a leg up since he was already an architect and then he married one. Most people would think that gave him the know-how to build that investor portfolio; he will tell you differently! Find out how he started investing - just like you. We'll explore:

• How he learned investing vs designing
• Glitches along the way and how he overcame them
• What worked for him - and how that can work for you
• His current project and how it came to be

Speakers

David McElyea is an investor, developer, and architect. Using his architectural background in rehabbing to flip as well as hold, David has come up with some interesting designs for residential properties that appeal to young buyers/renters.

There's a bunch of money flowing into NWA for roads and infrastructure - and more coming! Some are completed: Bella Vista Bypass and 612. Some are being built: Hwy 112 and 612 Extension. Find out what's next for NWA!

This month, we're bringing you the guys in charge of making it all happen - NWA Regional Planning Commission is the agency that creates the projects, solicits public input and allocates the money. They'll discuss:

• Maps of completed projects in NWA
• What's being planned and when
• How they determine growth patterns
• 25-Year Plan for NWA
• How to make your voice heard

Speakers

Tim Conklin is Assistant Director of the NWA Regional Planning Commission. He is the one who takes your calls, hears your complaints and solicits your opinions and ideas. He's a true believer in a vibrant, healthy and growing NWA.

So you have a Clear Vision of what to do with your new project. You know the Highest and Best Use of the land. As our savvy investors will tell you - that may not be how it ends up!

There are many twists and turns on the road from Vision to Completed Project. Site constraints, zoning and code regulations and soil conditions to name a few. Tonight we're bringing you our go-to Problem Solver who will discuss:

• Research before you buy
• Tips for site selection
• Working with the Planning Department
• Solving the Unexpected Challenges
• Bring your project for experienced feedback

Speakers

Larry Kelly is a seasoned investor, broker, contractor, landlord, property manager and one of REI NWA's most valued resources. He's known for his ability to solve problems through personal experience and a toolbox of creative solutions.

Looking for a Process Server, Background Checker? Trying to find contact info for the owner of that perfect property for your next deal? Find out why the right Private Eye is an essential member for your Team!

There are a lot of unknowns in the investment world. Having a solid, experienced private investigator can make a huge difference in winning those Deals everyone else is trying - and failing to put together. Our special guest can show you how. He'll share:

• Ins and Outs of Process Serving
• The Skip Trace process
• Background checks to enhance your tenant pool
• Why vetting potential partners is smart business
• Some of his CSI stories from the Fayetteville PD

John M Brooks is a licensed private investigator with 16+ years as a Crime Scene Investigator. He now has a private practice and teaches criminal investigation at UA's Criminal Justice Institute. John is a great addition to your rei Team!

We've brought together NWA Real Estate and industry leaders for your consideration. These are local authorities and professionals ~ experts in their field. Will you be the one to Stump the Chumps?

Bring all your questions, ideas, comments and crazy project Tuesday and see if you can Stump our Chumps! These are the folks who are making real estate happen in NWA and are ready to share their wisdom with you. Here's so potential questions for our Panel:

What's up with all the zoning changes in NWA? Enough? Too Much?

New design trends in addition to Little Houses

Predictions for the 2025 financial picture

Is Commercial investing viable for the small investor?

Wes Craiglow is Executive Director of NWA Urban Land Institute which brings together leaders in real estate and land use to collaborate on best practices, land use policy, capital development and sustainable development.

Steve Mansfield is an Executive Commercial Broker with Coldwell Banker in Rogers. From a Mortgage Security Trader, to commercial investor-developer Steve introduces "non-experts" to this multi-faceted segment of the market.

Jessica Hester is Principal Architect at Verdant Studios, a woman-owned design. She is a Realtor and Board Member of ULI, using technology and design to address affordability, urban planning and future trends housing.

Wes Fikes, owner of North Forty Realty, Property Management and Construction is a national syndicator and Founder of Passive Asset Investors dot com, a private capital fund. Wes enjoys a well-diversified residential and commercial portfolio.

Sorry everyone it should say Landlord Lunch instead of Main Meeting.

Is it time to bite the bullet and join the world of Automation? Can it really save time and $$? This month we'll answer your questions and hear from a property manager who has made it work!

Garrett learned the pros and cons of Automation by using it to streamline his Airbnb business. Needing to track everything from rentals, scheduling, leases, accounting and marketing - it was a big Ask! Tonight he'll share with us what he learned and how he adapted it to the long-term rental side of the business. He'll discuss:

• Can Automation benefit small-medium portfolios
• What Automation will do - and what's just hype
• Cost benefits and time savings
• How to shorten the learning curve
• How the industry is changing - making Automation easier to use

Speakers

Garrett Ham wears a lot of hats. He is co-owner of Weekender Management, an Airbnb property management company and an attorney who started his career in Wal-Mart Corporate Real Estate. An Army then Air Force JAG officer, Garrett invested in real estate with each duty assignment. He brings a lot to the table!