“I consider myself fairly risk tolerant,” says Tanya Ragan, President and CEO of Wildcat Management, a Dallas-based real estate investment and development firm. “I see myself as a trailblazer, an urban pioneer, someone who is constantly pushing myself to be uncomfortable and to not get bored.” This wildcatter mentality—named for the oil industry risk-takers who ...
In an industry where 70% of Realtors closed zero transactions last year, PROACTIVE Real Estate stands out with knowledgeable local agents averaging 17 transactions annually—more than four times the local and national average. Founder Jabin Norris is so invested in this concept that he trademarked the term “Hyperlocal®” to reflect the company’s distinctive methodology. This ...
“What if I could show you five or six actions that statistically reduce your likelihood of lease churn by 10 percentage points?” asks Ray Hespen, CEO and Co-Founder of Property Meld. This isn’t just a hypothetical question. With data from over 750,000 rental units and approximately $1 billion in annual repairs, Hespen’s company has uncovered ...
“We have an optimistic view of the future,” says Rob Huthnance, newly appointed President of CT Realty, a company at the forefront of industrial real estate development across the United States. With over 11 years at the company and a background as a longtime Prologis executive, Huthnance is guiding CT Realty through what promises to ...
“We’re supporting more sustainable infrastructure by using regenerative materials, such as soybeans and other agricultural oils that we can grow here in our backyard,” says Lindsey Hermes, COO of BioSpan Technologies, a chemical manufacturer focused on sustainable solutions for infrastructure maintenance. In an industry dominated by traditional petroleum-based products, BioSpan is pioneering a different approach—one ...
“We don’t sell houses—we sell community,” says Nick Schlekeway, Founder and Designated Broker of Amherst Madison, a brokerage that has grown from $14 million in sales its first year to $1.35 billion in 2024. This powerful insight has guided Schlekeway’s remarkable journey from firefighter to the leader of one of America’s fastest-growing brokerages, recently ranked ...
“The office today is fundamentally an experience,” says Gonzalo Aguero, Co-Founder and CEO of OFFI. “Companies are focusing on creating environments that offer more value than working from home because they’re competing directly—the office versus your home.” In today’s workplace environment where the traditional headquarters model has shifted dramatically, OFFI has emerged as a key ...
“We probably paid 30 cents on the dollar for that building. But of course, it required considerable effort to make it worth the full dollar,” says Sean Sedaghatpour, Founder and Principal of Elisheva Realty, describing a recent Manhattan acquisition that exemplifies his firm’s specialty: converting seemingly toxic real estate assets into profitable investments. Finding Value ...
“Because we’ve run out of land east and west of us—East of us is the Atlantic Ocean, West of us is the Everglades—for density purposes, we really need to go vertical,” explains Michael Hinton, Principal at Lee & Associates. This geographical reality is steering development in Miami’s real estate landscape, with developers increasingly looking upward ...
“When the blood is in the street, that’s the time to buy,” recalls Yuval Shram, Founder and CEO of Tay Investments, describing his entry into real estate during the 2008 financial crisis. This forward-thinking approach formed the foundation of what would become one of New Jersey’s most dynamic multifamily developers—a company that has steadily grown ...
“We’re an Applied Research Center, and that means all our work is intended to inform practitioners making decisions about housing policy, investment, and strategies affecting neighborhoods,” explains Geoff Smith, Executive Director of the Institute for Housing Studies (IHS) at DePaul University. In Chicago’s complex housing ecosystem, where affordability challenges vary dramatically by neighborhood and market ...
“We want to be the Four Seasons and the Ritz Carlton instead of the motel,” says Ting Qiao, CEO and Founder of Wan Bridge Group, describing his vision for the company’s role in the build-to-rent (BTR) industry. This philosophy has guided the Texas-based developer since its founding in 2016, establishing it as one of the ...
“You have to survive to thrive,” says Tauheed Siddiqui, CEO of TAAS Investments, summarizing his methodical approach to real estate investing that has helped his firm weather market volatility while building a diverse portfolio across multiple states. This Wall Street veteran turned real estate developer brings a unique perspective to the industry—one that emphasizes downside ...
When Scott Clark discusses housing, he’s careful about his terminology. The founder and CEO of The True Life Companies doesn’t talk about “affordable housing”—a phrase laden with political and regulatory connotations. Instead, he focuses on what he calls “attainable housing.” “We use the words ‘attainable,’ not ‘affordable,’” Clark explains. “Our definition of attainable is when, ...
“In the residential real estate industry, as a broker owner, when you want to sell, you can’t tell anybody. The second you do, rumors start, and your competitors hear about it. It’s like crabs in a bucket… And so they have to keep the whole thing secret.” – Brad Clayton, President of Clayton Wolf. Discretion ...
