Episoder
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The war in Ukraine has dominated the headlines for many months. Since February 2022, nearly 9 million Ukrainians have fled their country, and tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers have died. My guest today, Denis Buyanov, has lived through the sirens, explosions, and tragedies that come with war. During this episode, he openly shares his experience of leaving Kyiv, returning to Kyiv, and being separated from his family. He thinks of himself as one of the lucky ones in comparison to so many of his fellow citizens; however, his story is an incredible display of the strength and resilience of human beings. Although we delve quite deep into his personal story, since this is a real estate podcast, we of course also get into his take on real estate in times of war, including the approach he took as a landlord.
Key Points From This Episode:[01:28] - Episode Overview
Kyle returns to the podcast world with an episode about what is globally one of the most noteworthy topics right now: the war in Ukraine. Kyle and his returning guest, Denis Buyanov discuss this topic from both a personal and a real estate perspective.
SURVIVING THE WAR: THE PERSONAL SEGMENT
[08:55] - Misunderstanding Russia
Denis shares why he, along with many others, didn’t believe a war between Russia and Ukraine would ever happen.
[14:30] - The Day Everything Changed
On the 24th of February 2022, Denis knew he had been wrong about the war. Suddenly, the sounds of sirens and explosions were inescapable and his world was turned upside down.
[18:56] - Leaving Home
Denis and his wife, along with their child, their dog, and her three puppies, attempted to leave Ukraine the day after the invasion began. They packed their cars with their most important possessions and found one of the few routes that were not blocked.
[22:45] - Returning to Kyiv
After 5 hours of driving, Denis realized they weren’t going to be able to make it safely to another city, so they decided to return to Kyiv and move in with their friends.
[25:11] - Difficult Decisions
After 2 days of acquiring information about the war, Denis and his wife decided they needed to leave Kyiv. They went to stay with other friends in Ukraine. They were lucky in comparison to many others but it was a challenging time and after a week they moved back to Kyiv.
[30:52] - Underestimating Ukraine
The Russians thought that overthrowing the Ukrainian government would be an easy task, but they underestimated the power of the Ukrainian people. The conflict in Kyiv escalated and people were being killed on the streets.
[37:18] - Separation
New laws prevented Denis from leaving Ukraine, but with the help of his fellow citizens, he was able to get his family out. He has spent the past few months separated from his family, but their return to Kyiv is imminent.
SURVIVING THE WAR: THE REAL ESTATE SEGMENT
[43:18] - Real Estate In Times of War
From February to June, most commercial and residential landlords did not expect their tenants to pay rent. Now, most rental prices are reduced by up to 50%. As a landlord himself, Denis explains the approaches that he has used with his tenants.
[51:15] - Can the Government Be Trusted?
Denis shares why he is not convinced that people who have lost their houses or their businesses due to the war will receive compensation from the government.
[53:21] - How Different Parts of Ukraine Have Been Affected By the War
Not every city or town in Ukraine has been impacted by the war in the same way. Denis tells us which areas have become overpopulated, why, and how this is affected rental and sales prices.
[01:00:50] - Issues Facing the Construction Industry
Although there is lots of work to be done, finding workers is a major ch
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This Kyle’s Take features commentary on the recent performance of Mexican real estate across the residential and commercial spectrum, insights from the interview with Jaime Fasja, poll results, and a preview of the next guest.
00:15 – Introduction
Kyle sets the stage for the episode by describing the context of his surroundings at the Ritz Carlton in Mexico City.1:28 – BREAKING NEWS
1:32 – Residential Metrics and Drivers
Kyle highlights recent price increases in major Mexican cities that were not only attributed to the pandemic, but also the growth in the middle class and, in some instances, foreign buyers.3:47 – Economic Decline and Subsequent Rebound
After the Mexican economy plummeted in 2020 to levels not seen since the 1930s, the ratings agencies downgraded the country’s credit. 2021 has offered a brighter picture, however, with GDP up 20% through Q2.04:27 – Foreign Buyers and Legislation
Citizens of the US, Brazil, and Spain constitute the majority of foreign buyers in Mexico City. In coastal areas, foreign nationals have been able to own real estate via bank trust since a 1993 amendment of investment law.05:35 – Mexican Lending & Market Statistics
While mortgage rates remain elevated in Mexico, the Mexican Central Bank has made two consecutive hikes in its benchmark rate to address inflation concerns. Industrial activity and the services sector have both flourished this year despite moves by the government that upset investor confidence.07:23 – Office Performance
High vacancy, a robust new supply pipeline, and tepid leasing activity are projected to weigh on the office market in the coming years, resulting in a tenant-favorable market.08:48 – Industrial Performance
An improved vaccination campaign, the reactivation of the US economy, stable international trade, and strong e-commerce demand have acted as tailwinds to the Mexican industrial market.10:17 – Retail Performance
The retail market has shown signs of improvement in 2021, though this progress is occurring at a slower pace compared to other countries.10:54 – GUEST INSIGHTS
11:03 – Jaime Fasja Commentary|
In Episode 24, Jaime made the following points among others:1) Thor Urbana capitalized at a very early stage on the reduction in Mexican tariffs on Chinese goods;
2) a new real estate venture can propel itself from obscurity to a $500mm pension fund commitment within a matter of months;
3) Mexican coastal markets feature lodging that is 2x the price compared to inland cities;
4) Thor Urban’s creative structure led to the consummation of the Ritz Carlton deal; 5) the outdoor nature of Thor Urbana’s lifestyle centers helped retain foot traffic during the pandemic.
13: 18 – POLL RESULTS
Kyle reveals the results from his last poll, which was:When will the major tech companies (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) return to office?
January 2022 or earlier – 14%February 2022 – 26%March 2022 – 30%April 2022 or later – 30%The next poll to be featured at kylenaye.com will be:
How long will it take Western European tourist visits to the United States to reach pre-COVID levels?
Less than 6 months6-12 months1-2 years2-3 yearsMore than 3 years14:50 – NEXT GUEST
Kyle provides some closing comments relating to the next guest for Episode 26.Additional Information
Fideicomiso: https://www.expatsinmexico.com/what-is-the-fideicomiso/ -
Manglende episoder?
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While this episode’s guest, Jaime Fasja, has a family background in real estate dating back 50 years, he crafted his own way to the highest echelons of retail, hospitality, and industrial real estate investment & development across Mexico and the Caribbean. The 180-person firm that he started from scratch in 2012 and now leads as co-CEO, Thor Urbana, owns assets in 20+ locations, primarily consisting of lifestyle retail centers and luxury hotels. Last week, Jaime and his team opened their latest project, the Ritz-Carlton Mexico City, adding to their roster of hotels featuring such flags as Thompson, Montage, and Four Seasons. As you will hear, Jaime has experienced both pleasant surprises and acute challenges since the start of COVID as he navigated temporary mall closures, pandemic safety protocols, leisure travelers from the USA, and new acquisitions. These aspects notwithstanding, Thor Urbana has emerged stronger than ever from the past 20 months and is ready to continue a steep growth path in the years ahead.
0:42 – Episode Overview
05:50 – CAREER FOUNDATIONS: The Ascent of a Dealmaker
06:04 – Family Real Estate Background and Education
07: 48 – Reasons for Business School
08:57 – Mexico’s Historical Lack of Institutional Capital
10:35 – Relationship with Co-Founder Jimmy Arakanji
12:36 – Steps of Creating Thor Urbana
15:22 – Focus on Retail vs. Hospitality
17:52 – Selection of Partners
19:53 – Leveraging Thor Equities Resources
23:12 – Culture at Thor Urbana vs. Thor Equities
25:46 – Co-CEO Responsibilities
27:44 – Expansion into Other Countries
30:23 – Greatest Challenge at the Moment
32:00 – MAKING THE MARKET: A Research Perspective
32:09 – Real Estate Comparison of Inland Cities vs. Coastal Markets
39:25 – Riviera Nayarit News
41:32 – Mexico City Luxury Hotels
46:39 – Mexico City Rate Increase
47:48 – Domestic and International Guests
49:33 – COVID’s Effect on Mexican Lifestyle
52:44 – Lender Discussions During COVID
57:15 – Pandemic’s Effect on Lease Structure
58:43 – Recent Acquisitions Activity
1:02:54 – Deal Competition
1:04:28 – POLITICIANS AND ATTORNEYS: Bureaucracy and Red Tape
1:04:40 – Pending Legislation Affecting Real Estate
1:06:34 – Entitlement and Permitting
1:08:57 – Legal Action for Title Claims
1:10:53 – Property Taxes
1:12:21 – Frequency of Litigation
1:14:50 – FINANCE AND FORMULAS: The Economics Behind the Deal
1:15:28 – Discovery of Opportunity
1:18:34 – Construction Timeline
1:20:21 – Equity vs. Debt
1:21:31 – Choice of Ritz Carlton as Flag
1:23:39 – Fee Structure Negotiation
1:25:40 – Ritz-Carlton Compared to Comp Set
1:27:54 – Unique Amenities & Technology
1:30:47 – Planned Hold Period
1:32:30 – TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN: How to Spend Three Perfect Days
1:32:36 – To-Do List
1:35:26 – First Time Visitor Tip
Go to KyleNaye.com for full show notes and more info. -
This episode of Kyle’s Take features coverage of French real estate performance across product types throughout COVID, noteworthy investment projects, insights from the interview with Alon Kasha, poll results, and a preview of the next guest.
00:42 – Paris COVID Protocols
02:02 - BREAKING NEWS
02:11 – High-level residential performance
02:41 – Effect of Stimulus Payments
03:08 – Domination by French Buyers
03:30 – Market Drivers
04:10 – Grand Paris Project
05:45 – Investment Sales Market
07:33 – Industrial Growth from E-Commerce
07:51 – Rebound Expected in Late 2021
08:58 – Investor Sentiment
09:25 – Sources of Capital
10:17 – Outlook for Remainder of 2021
10:56 – GUEST INSIGHTS
11:00 – A “Grey” Market
11:50 – Tremendous Apartment Demand During COVID
12: 32 – POLL RESULTS
14:30 – NEXT GUEST
Visit KyleNaye.com for full show notes and more info. -
Little did Alon Kasha know at the time, but the move that he and his wife Betsy made to France nearly 20 years ago led to what is today a thriving real estate development and interior design firm called Kasha Paris. In this episode, Alon sits down with Kyle in the kitchen of one of his recently renovated apartments to describe the creation of this business, as well as how it has evolved over the years. As you will hear, this couple's background in finance and public relations has served them well throughout 100 real estate projects in the tony Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood of Paris. After such prolonged exposure to the local residential market, Alon and his wife have an uncanny ability to gauge the complexity, profitability, and marketability of any prospective apartment purchase. Further, they routinely employ innovative architectural and engineering techniques to produce gems that command millions of Euros from French, American, and other international buyers.
Alon is a dual US/French citizen who graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in Economics and French. Betsy graduated from Wellesley College with a dual degree in History and Art History.
0:42 – Episode Overview
3:24 – CAREER FOUNDATIONS: The Ascent of a Dealmaker
4:24 – Finance and Luxury PR Lead to Paris
9:39 – Opportunities with Classic Design
10:53 – French vs. American Home Entertaining
11:30 – Business Model Gains Momentum
13:10 – Investor Relationship
13:45 - Move from London to Paris
15:38 – Early Days in Paris Real Estate
17:57 – Appeal of Apartment Features
19:10 – Creation of a Good Reputation
19:38 – Growth in Operations
22:08 – Concierge Services
26:39 – Buyer Pool
27:53 – Typical Sales Timeline
29:39 – MAKING THE MARKET: A Research Perspective
30:00 – COVID Real Estate Experiences
34:54 – Desirable Apartment Layouts
36:35 – Distressed Deals
37:01 – French Real Estate Financing
39:53 – POLITICIANS AND ATTORNEYS: Bureaucracy and Red Tape
40:09 – Permits and Approvals
45:29 – Homeowners Associations (“Conseil Syndical”)
50:08 – French Property Taxes
55:30 – Unique Ways to Offset Taxes
56:40 – FINANCE AND FORMULAS - The Economics Behind the Deal
56:55 – Challenging Part of Renovation
58:20 – A “Home Run” Deal
59:24 – Investor Communication
1:00:11 – INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Q&A - Vente en Viager
1:03:56 – TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN – How to Spend Three Perfect Days
1:04:08 – Cafes and Restaurants
1:05:21 – Visitor Tip
Additional Links
Kasha Paris - https://kasha.paris/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/abkasha/?hl=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/abkasha/videos/ -
To wrap up summer, Kyle shares some newsworthy real estate headlines and COVID observations from Italy, key takeaways from his conversation with Alberto and Enza Barba, information about his next online poll, and future guest commentary.
00:15- Episode IntroductionKyle expresses the special nature of his podcast, as it was recorded on-location in Positano, Italy after his conversation with Alberto and Enza Barba (Episode 20).
00:53 – BREAKING NEWS: Italy
00:57 – Brighter Economic Prospects Ahead
Italy experienced negative GDP growth of 8.9% in 2020, but has rebounded to the point where the European Commission forecasts average annual growth of 4.4% between 2021 and 2022.
1:16 – National and Local COVID Information
Italy has managed to vaccinate 40% of its population, though the pandemic has resulted in 4.2mm COVID infections and 128k deaths in the country. Positano has fared much better, with a meager 130 infections and no deaths.
1:48 – Improving Tourism Picture
Venice hotels have recently reported 70% occupancy and anticipated bookings for Summer 2021. In Positano, hotel owners have indicated current occupancy in the 50-80% range, with more guests arriving on the weekends. Meanwhile, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence reported a 40% increase in visits from the first to the fourth week of May. Italy expected 39 million tourists to visit in June through August, which would be a 12% YoY increase.
2:42 – US to Italy: Airport Experience
At Newark Liberty Airport, the check-in process caused confusion among passengers, as limited airline personnel were present to address COVID testing & vaccination concerns. On the other hand, the arrival experience at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport was surprisingly easy, as the authorities eliminated a mandatory antigen test for incoming passengers the day prior to Kyle’s arrival.
3:44 – Mask Wearing Protocols
Masks have been required both inside and outside since October 2020, but this regulation was largely ignored in all but a few places in Positano.
4:07 – Tourist Composition
Most of the non-Italian visitors in Positano during Kyle’s stay were French and German, with a handful of Americans also observed. In contrast to a normal year when 80% of business comes from Americans, restaurants are mostly catering to Italian guests from elsewhere in the country.
5:07 - Removal of Mask Mandate
On June 28th, the outdoor mask mandate was removed across Italy, but the Campania government indicated it would remain in place for another two weeks because of India Variant concerns.
5:28 – GUEST INSIGHTS: Enza and Albero Barba
5:50 – Challenging Approvals for Redevelopment
The process of moving forward with any sort of property redevelopment is never straightforward, as the local government / zoning rules are ambiguous. A certain rule may or may not exist on paper, but collaboration with authorities is still needed.
6:14 – Change & Cancellation Fees
Local property owners are suffering economically because they cannot assess the usual changes for booking changes and cancellations due to COVID.
6:49 – Booking.com Dominance
Booking.com is the predominant way that hotels and B&Bs advertise on the Amalfi Coast.
7:24 – Competitive Hospitality Environment
Despite its relatively small size, the hospitality business in Positano is a very competitive one. Competitors are constantly watching each other to see whether regulations and procedures are obeyed.
8:00 – MONTHLY SURVEY
8:15 - Which of the following European countries wi&
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Entrepreneurs Enza and Alberto Barba host Kyle at their spectacular, newly opened hotel called Petrea Lifestyle Suites in the hills of Positano, Italy. With a background in tourism and languages, this dynamic couple has created a 3-room oasis that lends new meaning to the terms “hospitality” and “room with a view.”
Overcoming multiple COVID-related challenges to open the property in May 2021, they explain the property’s unique positioning within the community, as well as some positive effects that the pandemic had on their daily routine.
A graduate of the tourism program at the Amalfi-based L’Istituto Tecnico per il Turismo, Enza has many years of hospitality related experience in Italy and elsewhere. She is fluent in English and Spanish in addition to her native Italian.
Alberto hails from Positano, completed his studies in Sorrento, and has a long-standing track record in the tourism and food & beverage industries.
Petrea Lifestyle Suites plans to accommodate guests throughout the year, including the winter.
00:43- Episode Introduction03:30 – CAREER FOUNDATIONS: The Ascent of a Dealmaker
04:32 – Enza’s Background and Connection to the Amalfi Coast
06:09 – Impetus Behind Start of Petrea Lifestyle Suites
08:10 – Choice of Property Location
10:14 – Management Responsibilities & Hospitality Experience
12:28 - PROPERTY PARTICULARS: Comments in a Hotel Guest Book
12:29 – Connection to Mythology
15:48 – Guest Suite Naming
18:38 – Attraction of Neighborhood
20:38 – To Open or Not to Open?
21:58 – Transportation to/from Montepertuso
23:53 - MAKING THE MARKET: Tourism and Real Estate
23:54 – Local Economic Drivers
24:40 – Pre vs. Post-COVID Tourism Trends
28:45 – Hotel Pricing and Guest Experience
31:52 – Desired Services
34:31 – Local Real Estate Ownership & Financing
38:48 – New Parking Garage
40:34 - LESSONS FROM COVID: An Unforgettable Time in History
40:35 – Takeaways from Famiglia Barba
42:40 – Mask Wearing for Children
43:30 – Benefits of COVID
44:40 – Movement within Positano during COVID
46:52 – Tenant / Landlord Relationship
49:06 - ASSET DEEP DIVE: How It All Comes Together
49:08 – Influences During Construction
52:02 – Project Marketing
54:10 – Guest Room Rates
57:30 – Year-Round Positano Lodging
1:00:12 – TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN: How to Spend Three Perfect Days
1:00:24 – How to Spend 3 Days As a Tourist
1:02:45 – Advice for First Time Visitor
Additional Links
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/firuzsoyuer/
Petrea Lifestyle Suites Website: http://www.petreapositano.com/en/
Gallery of Images from PLS: http://www.petreapositano.com/en/gallery/
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Kyle takes Global Real Estate Dealmakers on the road, reporting from Phoenix, Arizona on breaking Turkish real estate news, key insights from his past guest (Firuz Soyuer), poll results and the upcoming poll, and commentary on the next guest.
Dealmaker Highlights
01:25 - BREAKING NEWS
01:47 – Residential Price Appreciation
Turkey posted the greatest growth in global residential prices from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020, increasing over 30%. By comparison, global residential prices rose an average of 5.6% based on data from 56 countries.02:38 – Erdogan’s Kanal Istanbul Plan
President Erdoğan announced plan to proceed with the Kanal Istanbul plan, creating a second waterway to connect the Black and Marmara Seas.03:09 – Reduction in Benchmark Interest Rate
Another one of Erdoğan’s goals is to slash the benchmark interest rate (one-week repo) to single digits from 19%, though early signs are that he may encounter resistance from other high-ranking officials.03:39 - 2021 Summer Tourism in Turkey
As Turkey expects to receive 100 million vaccine doses before the end of May, the country is likely to represent a very low risk of infection for summer tourists. Tourism revenue is expected to reach 25 million visitors in 2021, 55% of the 2019 volume. This is welcome news given that quarterly tourism revenue fell 50% from October 2020 through December 2020 as a result of pandemic related lockdowns/restrictions.04:54 - GUEST INSIGHTS
05:02 – Lack of Bank Financing for Real Estate
Firuz Soyuer, co-founder of Pamir & Soyuer, stated that little to no bank financing exists for real estate projects in Turkey because of the exorbitant interest rates. With this said, developers achieve quasi-financing from investors in condo units (especially on residential side) who place deposits at early stage of project construction. In this sense, developers often have little of their own equity invested.05:48 – Non-Binding Entitlements
City government has the ability to grant a project full entitlements, but then revoke them at a later stage. As this power potentially represents a major setback to any given real estate development, it is advisable to engage a local partner if investing from outside of Turkey.06:13 – Private vs. Institutional Investors
Most of the Turkish market is comprised of private buyers and not institutional ones. As private buyer tend to focus on factors such as location and architecture and less so on cap rate, IRR, cash-on-cash return, etc., it is important to identify the buyer profile when analyzing sales transaction data.07:08 - POLL RESULTS
07:16 – Last Poll Results
In response to the latest poll about the frequency of in-office vs. remote work post-COVID, the majority of participants indicated real estate professionals would be in the office: 1) similar to pre-COVID with slightly more flexibility or 2) on a hybrid basis with 2/3 days in the office and the remainder at home.08:15 – Next Poll
End of 2021End of 2022End of 2023End of 20242025 or later
How long will it take global hotel revenue to return to 2019 levels? (Total room revenue for 2019 was $550 billion)09:18 - Next Guest
Kyle looks forward to welcoming another guest in the next episode from a country with a lower global profile, but one that has plenty of compelling dynamics. -
Few people are as well versed in Turkish real estate as Firuz Soyuer. Having spent nearly three decades growing his Istanbul-based commercial and residential real estate advisory firm, he joins Global Real Estate Dealmakers to elaborate on the extent to which institutional and private real estate investors have proliferated in the country. Firuz also provides insightful commentary on the economy’s reaction to COVID-19 and the domestic challenges that lie ahead.
Not only did Firuz earn his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Istanbul Technical University, but he also completed his MBA in finance at Southern Illinois University. He is a Capital Markets Board Certified Appraiser, MRICS and MAI certified professional, and member of the Urban Land Institute Board of Advisors.
Pamir & Soyuer was established in 1993 by Ali Pamir and Firuz Soyuer to provide real estate advisory services to corporate clients and high net worth individuals. Expertise includes investment advisory and sales, development advisory, project marketing, tenant representation, agency representation, marketing/feasibility studies, and valuation.
00:45- Firuz Soyuer Introduction04:18 – CAREER FOUNDATIONS: The Ascent of a Dealmaker
07:45 – Engineering to Banking to Real Estate
09:28 – Entry into Real Estate Advisory Services
12:40 – Turkish Commercial Real Estate in the 1990s
14:50 – Institutionalization of Commercial Market
16:29 – MAKING THE MARKET: A Research Perspective
17:55 – Real Estate Market in Turkey and Istanbul
20:00 – Shopping Centers vs. Office & Industrial
21:42 – Real Estate Finance in Turkey
24:32 – Spec Development
26:36 – Real Estate Landscape in Early 2020
29:34 – COVID Restrictions in Istanbul
30:19 – Switch to Remote Work
31:17 – Government Support During Pandemic
32:52 – Landlord vs. Tenant Dynamic
34:00 – Current Transactional Volume
35:10 – Active Market Participants
35:57 – Existence of Multifamily Product
37:37 – POLITICIANS AND ATTORNEYS – Red Tape and Bureaucracy
38:00 – Transparency of Legal Structure
39:40 – Importance of Local Investment Partner
40:44 – Title Insurance
41:42 – Underwriting Standards
42:41 – Turkish Property Taxes
43:55 – Entitlement & Permitting Process
47:33 – FINANCE AND FORMULAS: The Economics Behind the Deal
48:47 – Institutional vs. Private Investors
51:45 – Determination of Offer Price
55:42 – Importance of Knowing the Buyer Profile
57:05 –INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Q&A: Real Estate Entrepreneurship
57:46 – Young Turkish Entrepreneurs
1:01:07 – Funding for New Real Estate Ventures
1:02:38 – 15-Minute City
1:05:15 – TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN
1:05:30 – How to Spend 3 Days As a Tourist
1:07:59 – European vs. Asian Side of Istanbul
1:10:48 – Advice for First Time Visitor
Additional Links
Email: [email protected]
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/firuzsoyuer/
Pamir & Soyuer Website: https://pamirsoyuer.com.tr/en/
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In the second Kyle’s Take of 2021, Kyle shares some real estate headlines from Japan, key takeaways from his recent conversation with Taito Ohe at U Share, past and future poll information, and future guest commentary.
Dealmaker Highlights00:52 - BREAKING NEWS
01:07 - Pandemic’s Effects on Tokyo Housing
01:51 - Mori Building Partnership with Aman Resorts
03:09 - First Janu Hotel in Japan
03:36 - GUEST INSIGHTS
03:57 - Pandemic’s Silver Lining
04:47 - Changing Perception of Foreigners
05:22 - POLL RESULTS
05:25 - Last Poll: Transaction Volume from 2020 to 2021
06:21 - Next Poll: In-Office vs. Remote Work
07:24 - NEXT GUEST
For more information head on over to: kylenaye.com -
The Tokyo-based Taito Ohe joins the show to explain how his architectural background, top-notch education, and interest in entrepreneurship have led him to co-found U-Share as one of its three partners. Balancing his responsibilities as Chief Strategy Officer with a separate role at the acclaimed architectural firm, Plantec, Taito describes the reasons for creating this new residential asset class and the challenges & rewards associated with opening the first two locations during a pandemic.
Having completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture at the University of Tokyo and MBA at Harvard Business School, Taito has worked on condominium, office, and retail projects in the United States, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Dealmaker Highlights00:42 - Episode Intro
05:34 - CAREER FOUNDATIONS: The Ascent of a Dealmaker
10:01 - Decision to Attend HBS
11:53 - Exceeding Expectations at B-School
13:16 - Various Experiences Lead to U-Share
15:27 - Reasons for U-Share Business Model
17:46 - Co-Founder Responsibilities
19:34 - MAKING THE MARKET: A Research Perspective
20:00 - Importance of Tourism
22:56 - U-Share Works Well in Japan
26:50 - Site Selection Criteria
28:42 - Unique Design Elements
30:09 - Attempts at Similar Model in Other Countries
31:33 - Positive and Negative Effects of COVID-19
34:20 - Major Events During COVID-19
38:34 - Effects of Restricted Border Controls
41:22 - COVID’s Effect on Future U-Share Projects
42:56 - Government Stimulus
46:05 - Message to U-Share Investors
47:19 - POLITICS AND ATTORNEYS: Red Tape and Bureaucracy
48:10 - Interaction with Japanese Government
51:35 - Governmental Nepotism
52:25 - Impacts to Permitting Process
53:38 - Unknown Policy Outcomes55:01 - FINANCE AND FORMULAS: The Economics Behind the Deal
55:46 - Salient Issues for U-Share
56:26 - Discovery of Development Sites
58:00 - Rewarding Parts of Development
1:00:14 - Reasons for Creating Expat Housing
1:02:38 - Costs of U-Share Living
1:06:27 - Long-Term Business Plans
1:09:29 - INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Q&A: Japanese Business Practices
1:10:18 - Communications Styles between Japan and US
1:12:17 - Difficulties for Foreign Workers
1:14:55 - Recommendations for Foreign Workers
1:16:28 - Tourist in Your Own Town: How to Spend a Perfect Three Days
1:16:54 - Finer Aspects of Tokyo LifeAdditional Information:
KUROFUNE Design Holdings: https://www.kurofune-dh.com/
U-Share: https://en.u-share.com/top/
Plantec: https://plantec.co.jp/en/about/Contact Information:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/taito-ohe
For more information head on over to: kylenaye.com -
Kyle kicks off 2021 with a solo episode to provide some commentary on 2020 themes and share his views on the most salient topics that will arise in global commercial real estate over the next year.
01:17 - 2020 Highlights
02:06 - Featured Guests Review
05:08 - NOTEWORTHY THEMES OF 2020
05:55 - Sudden Movement
06:08 - Landlord Focus
06:30 - Behavioral Changes
06:53 - On The Office Side
07:24 - Desirability of Coworking
07:45 - On The Retail Side
08:17 - Perseverance In The Face Of Adversity
08:34 - E-commerce Activity
09:00 - Hospitality Industry
09:37 - Other Hotel Space Issues
10:11 - The Residential Sector
11:03 - Compared to the Great Financial Crisis
14:00 - ANTICIPATED THEMES OF 2021
14:08 - Digital Transformation
14:59 - Tenant Spaces
15:28 - Eviction Moratoriums
17:06 - Tenant Preferences
18:20 - Industrial Side
18:57 - Uncertainty Exists
19:45 - Continual Erosion
20:29 - Mixed-use Projects
21:00 - Conclusions
22:20 - Next Guest
Additional Links:
- Global Real Estate Perspective from JLL
- 2021 Commercial Real Estate Outlook - Deloitte
TAKE THE SURVEY (1min) by clicking on the link below:
https://kylenaye.com/survey/ -
Gloria Gil joins the show to discuss her background and 39-year career in commercial real estate, including her 14 years as Senior Managing Director at the Regents of the University of California, the governing board of the University of California. At UC Regents, Gloria built an entirely new asset class and grew the AUM of the real estate portfolio to $5.5 billion across separate accounts and commingled funds. Gloria also discusses the state of the real estate market in the US and the Philippines before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Click this link below for detailed podcast notes:
https://kylenaye.com/ep-14-gloria-gil-manila-philippines
Additional Links:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloria-gil-347680b -
Andrés Berral joins the show to discuss his 10 years as an attorney with Clifford Chance, an international real estate law firm with offices on five continents. Living in Madrid, Andrés discusses his firm, responsibilities, as well as the comparative performance of the real estate market in Spain both before and during the Covid-19 global health crisis.
After completing his undergraduate education at Complutense University of Madrid in business management, Andrés received his law degree and joined the real estate group at Clifford Chance as an associate.
Clifford is one of the world’s pre-eminent law firms, with locations across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. With revenue of nearly $2.4 billion over the past year, Clifford is one of five multinational law firms that comprise the “Magic Circle,” an unofficial list of the highest revenue firms headquartered in London.
Additional LinksEmail: André[email protected]
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andr%C3%A9s-berral-zurita-8ab85926/
Clifford Chance Website: https://www.cliffordchance.com/home.html
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Tom Livelli, a Managing Director at Greystar's office in Santiago de Chile, joins the show to speak about his background, residential real estate experience across the Americas, and strategy for investing in South America in the coming years. Of particular note, Tom discusses the formation of Greystar's recently announced joint venture with the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board and Cyrela to deploy $R 1 billion (~$USD $185mm) of equity into multifamily development projects in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
After receiving his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, Tom briefly worked in management consulting before moving to Chile for several years. Upon returning to the US in 2004 for his MBA at Stanford University, he started to incubate ideas in response to the poor housing options that he observed in South America. Little did he know at the time that his career path would eventually lead him back to Chile to spearhead Greystar's growth plans in the region.
Maintaining offices in more than 50 cities, Greystar is a US-based international real estate developer and manager based with ~$32 billion of assets under management and 693,000 units across its portfolio.
Additional Links:
Greystar: http://www.greystar.com
Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board: https://www.cppinvestments.com
Cyrela: https://www.cyrela.com.brContact info:
[email protected]
For the full version of the show notes, please visit:
https://kylenaye.com/ep-12-tom-livelli-santiago-chile -
From the shores of the Red Sea in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Mowaffaq Al Hashimi sits down to discuss the growth of his career in real estate, including the reasons for founding Saqifat Al Safa in 1996 and focusing on certain business disciplines. Gaining exposure to both the US and Saudi markets throughout his academic and professional lives, he maintains a deep knowledge of international real estate investment, finance, and development, as well as how to properly assess the risk vs. return of a given opportunity. Saqifat Al Safa itself provides comprehensive real estate services in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and Levant ranging from development to marketing & sales and property management. It is an active participant in existing and development projects across residential, commercial, hospitality, industrial, and mixed-use product types. Most recently, Mowaffaq and his company have become involved with a program launched by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Housing to provide affordable homes on a large scale.
Dealmaker Highlights
Saqifat Al Safa's business model as a real estate service provider encompasses numerous disciplines that add value to Jeddah's market.COVID-19 slightly disrupted the timeline for residential development projects backed by the Ministry of Housing. However, these projects, which target low to middle-income Saudi earners, are moving forward again.Reacting to the pandemic, the Saudi government implemented a program to pay citizens a portion of salaries while remaining at home, which helped to reduce anxiety and minimize layoffs.Now that the lockdown is over, the volume of real estate transactions has nearly reached the same level as this month last year. With this said, a recent increase in the VAT from 5% to 15% may force prices downward in the near term.Levels of market distress are relatively low, as the government negotiated a deal with Saudi banks to grant forbearance to homeowners. On the retail side, many landlords agreed to tenant rent relief requests while customers start to re-emerge.With regard to the permitting and entitlement process for a development project, it does not take long to obtain the required permissions as long as existing zoning is not violated. If a project is located in an outlying area of the city, a land rezoning process is significantly easier than would be the case at an infill site.The development timeline for housing projects is set at 18 months by the Ministry of Housing. Once the contract is finalized, developers shoulder the responsibility to complete the project within this time frame. The bank that a home buyer uses for a loan will also provide developer financing for the relevant project. Borrowers in Saudi Arabia have the choice of conventional or sharia-compliant financing. Certain banks are more geared to one versus the other.Mowaffaq makes recommendations for lodging, cultural sites, recreation centers, and restaurants across the gastronomic spectrum.Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mowaffaq-al-hashimi-aa343533
Website: https://www.saqifatalsafa.com/en
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Kofi Asomaning, a Wharton-educated architect, consultant, and developer, provides in-depth commentary about how his firm, Keystone Real Estate, is taking advantage of advisory and development opportunities within the Ghana market. While COVID-19 has slowed down the timeline of his projects, the country has not been as significantly affected by the pandemic as others and is likely to continue to offer attractive deals across product types. With this said, it is crucial for foreign investors to align with someone local to understand the nuances of land entitlement and permitting, as well as any re-zoning efforts. As a Ghanaian citizen who had stints at major consulting and banking firms prior to starting his own business, Kofi has a comprehensive grasp of the strengths and challenges of the Accra market and other parts of the country.
Dealmaker Highlights
Ghana to Wharton to Ghana: A top-tier MBA serves Kofi well in starting and growing Keystone Real Estate.The pre and post COVID market: While the pandemic has delayed projects across the board, areas of opportunity exist in certain sectors including residential and retail.Land related challenges: Navigating the purchase and subsequent entitlement/permitting of land is a major challenge to overcome in Ghana.Keystone’s current pipeline: A 19-unit townhome deal is keeping Kofi engaged and optimistic as COVID continues.Real estate entrepreneurship: Guidance for individuals who are new to the real estate sector in Ghana or trying to innovate within the field.Tourist in Accra: Although there are many sights to see in this relatively small country, the incredible food is more of a draw than anything!Additional Links:
Kempinski Hotel Accra: https://www.kempinski.com/en/accra/hotel-gold-coast-city/
Movenpick Hotel Accra: https://www.movenpick.com/en/africa/ghana/accra/moevenpick-ambassador-hotel-accra/overview/
Buka Restaurant: https://bukarestaurant.com/
805 Restaurant: https://www.805restaurants.com/our-restaurants/accura
Cape Coast: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Coast
Kakum National Park: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakum_National_Park
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +233 20 811 54 81
Website: http://keystonegh.com/
Instagram: @keystone.real.estate
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koasomaning/
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President of Pink's Hot Dogs, Inc., Richard Pink joins the podcast to speak about his life as an entrepreneur, senior real estate executive, and mentor to undergraduate students. Started by his parents in 1939, Pink's has become a staple of the Los Angeles dining scene over 80 years of operation, attracting locals, tourists, and celebrities who love its unique ambiance and menu. Through licensing agreements, the business also has 18 other locations around the U.S. and four in the Philippines. As Richard shares in the episode, COVID-19's effect on the restaurant industry has presented a whole new set of challenges for him to overcome.
Outside of the hot dog business, Richard has dedicated much of his career to commercial real estate acquisitions, asset management, development, marketing, and law. After more than 45 years at JMB Realty, TCW Realty Advisors, CBRE Investors, and Clarion Partners, among others, he has developed a profound knowledge of the factors influencing US and European real estate investments.
Richard has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California (USC), which was earned concurrently with a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University School of Law.
Richard describes how Pink’s was started and how the business grew with the help of a loan from Bank of America into the Hollywood icon it is today.
Dealmaker Highlights
Branding and marketing have been key areas of focus for Richard, enabling him to attract a loyal following across Pink’s retail locations and private catering engagements.
The licensing model allowed Pink’s to grow its footprint domestically and intentionally without investing additional capital.
Keys to success and survival in the restaurant industry are outlined.
Pink’s flagship shut down amidst COVID-19 for the first time in 80 years. The stand will offer a different experience to customers upon reopening due to new health guidelines and safety measures.
The path toward a successful acquisitions career led Richard through different roles and disciplines, highlighting the value of a broad real estate education. Additionally, he learned several valuable lessons about interfacing with European investors and clients.
Giving back to the next generation of real estate leaders, Richard outlines his contributions as a mentor to students at USC, as well as the advice that he commonly provides.
Richard shows his enthusiasm for Los Angeles by elaborating on its finest attributes and explaining how to best enjoy a visit to the cit
Pink’s Hot Dogs: http://www.pinkshollywood.com/CBRE Global Investors: https://www.cbreglobalinvestors.com/Clarion Partners: https://www.clarionpartners.com/Pages/default.aspxUSC School of Real Estate: https://lusk.usc.edu/Republique - https://republiquela.com/
Additional Links -
Kyle Hutchin, an associate director at the boutique tenant advisory firm Franklin Shanks, joins to discuss Sydney's occupier market and the facets that make the city an attractive global real estate investment target. Since joining the firm five years ago, Kyle has helped Australian and international technology tenants align their property needs with high growth business development strategies. As he shares, the country maintains unique characteristics that are likely to uphold the heath of real estate leasing and investment fundamentals in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Episode LinksFavorite Buildings
Hotel: Ovalo - https://ovolohotels.com/ovolo/woolloomooloo/
Office: 60 Martin Place - https://www.investa.com.au/sixty-martin-place
Office - AMT Key Quarter Tower - https://3xn.com/project/quay-quarter-tower-2
Retail - Queen Victoria Building - https://www.qvb.com.au/
Retail - Barangaroo Retail Prescinct - https://www.barangaroo.com/the-project/
Gaming/Hospitality - Crown Casino Barangaroo - https://www.crownsydney.com.au/
Favorite Recreation
The Domain - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Domain,_Sydney
Botanical Gardens - https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
Coastal Walks - https://sydneyuncovered.com/coastal-walks-sydney/
Mona Vale Beach - https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/recreation-area/mona-vale-beach
Avalon Beach - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_Beach,_New_South_Wales
Favorite Coffee Shops
Skittle Lane - https://skittlelane.com/
Bonnie Coffee - https://bonnie.coffee/
Infusion on Clarence - https://www.infusiononclarence.com.au/
Coffee Roaster - https://coffee.com.au/
Portal - https://www.facebook.com/portal.sydney/
Contact Information:
Franklin Shanks - https://www.franklinshanks.com/
Kyle Hutchin - [email protected]
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A research analyst at Nairobi-based Cytonn Investments, Wacu Mbugua joins to discuss her experience during quarantine and and the pandemic's effects on the firm's real estate development projects. Given her experience with site feasibility analyses and acquisitions due diligence across the firm's portfolio, Wacu has a keen perspective on the drivers of real estate investment in Kenya and the ways in which her firm is capitalizing on these trends. Founded in 2015, Cytonn Investments is a developer of large-scale residential and mixed-use projects that cater to a cross-section of the population from high-income to lower middle income earners. The firm's total development costs for completed projects, projects under construction, and projects in the pipeline are estimated at 82 billion Kenyan Schilling (KSh), or ~$800mm USD.
Additional Information:
Favorite BuildingsHotel: Sarova Stanley - https://www.sarovahotels.com/stanley-nairobi/
Office: Prism Towers - http://prism.kingsdevelopers.com/
Retail: Two Rivers Mall - https://tworivers.co.ke/
Residential: Amara Ridge - https://cytonn.com/real-estate/amara-ridge
Favorite Recreational Areas
Karura Forest - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karura_Forest
Uhuru Park - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uhuru_Park
Nairobi Safari Walk - http://www.kws.go.ke/content/nairobi-safari-walk
Giraffe Center - https://www.giraffecentre.org/
Favorite Restaurants
Java House - https://www.javahouseafrica.com/
Habesha Ethiopian - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Habesha-Ethiopian-Restaurant-Nairobi/155890434474877
The Talisman - https://www.thetalismanrestaurant.com/
Favorite Neighborhoods
Karen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen,_Kenya
Westlands - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westlands,_Nairobi
- Vis mere
