#real estate development senior housing

[bcgroup268]

Advantages of Using a Portland Commercial Real Estate Advisor for Senior Housing Development 

Discover the key advantages of leveraging expert guidance in senior housing development with Portland's top advisors. Our latest blog delves into the pivotal role of a Real Estate Construction Management Company and Portland building consultant in shaping successful projects. From meticulous planning to navigating regulatory landscapes, these professionals ensure seamless execution in real estate development senior housing initiatives. 

Learn how Portland commercial real estate advisors bring unparalleled market insight and strategic foresight, optimizing investments and project outcomes. Whether you're initiating, expanding, or refining senior housing facilities, their expertise becomes your competitive edge. Stay informed and empowered with actionable insights from leaders in the field. 

Dive into our blog today to unlock the full potential of your senior housing development endeavors. For more details, visit our blog at - https://bcgroup3.wordpress.com/2024/07/11/advantages-of-using-a-portland-commercial-real-estate-advisor-for-senior-housing-development/

[umissquotedme]

.Everything stated here is 100% true. Look it up yourself. They’re counting on our ignorance, but we just can’t plead ignorance any longer.

Here you go:

“It’s all connected. It goes to principles and platforms, NOT personalities. Know who your voting for:

Part of the Democratic Swamp;

People should know who they're voting for with these facts. This is some pretty interesting stuff here.

YES, THE GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN USED TO WORK FOR GEORGE SOROS.

YES, CALIF GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM IS NANCY PELOSI'S NEPHEW

YES, ADAM SHIFF'S SISTER IS MARRIED TO ONE OF GEORGE SOROS’ SONS.

YES, JOHN KERRY'S DAUGHTER IS MARRIED TO A MULLAH'S SON IN IRAN.

YES, HILLARY'S DAUGHTER CHELSEA IS MARRIED TO GEORGE SOROS' NEPHEW.

YES, ABC NEWS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER IAN CAMERON IS MARRIED TO SUSAN RICE,

OBAMA'S FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER.

YES, CBS PRESIDENT DAVID RHODES IS THE BROTHER OF BEN RHODES, OBAMA'S DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS.

YES, ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT CLAIRE SHIPMAN IS MARRIED TO JAY CARNEY, FORMER OBAMA WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY.

YES, ABC NEWS AND UNIVISION REPORTER MATTHEW JAFFE IS MARRIED TO KATIE HOGAN, OBAMA'S FORMER DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY

YES, ABC PRESIDENT BEN SHERWOOD IS THE BROTHER OF ELIZABETH SHERWOOD, OBAMA'S FORMER SPECIAL ADVISER.

YES, CNN VP VIRGINIA MOSELEY IS MARRIED TO TOM NIDES, FORMER HILLARY CLINTON'S DEPUTY SECRETARY.

THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL A "STACKED DECK". IF YOU HAD A HUNCH THE NEWS MEDIA WAS SOMEWHAT RIGGED AND YOU COULDN'T PUT YOUR FINGER ON IT, THIS MIGHT HELP YOU SOLVE THE PUZZLE.

Now you know why no one is investigated.They all have their hands in the cookie jar!

You might remember James Comey who investigated the Clinton email scandal and the Clinton Foundation, and made the final decision to not recommend prosecution by the DOJ.

It turns out that the Clinton Foundation was audited by the law firm DLA Piper. One of the executives there was in charge of the Clinton Foundation audit. Who was it? Peter Comey, James Comey’s brother.

Peter Comey held an executive position with the Washington law firm that did the audit of the Clinton foundation in 2015.

Peter Comey was officially DLA Piper “Senior Director of Real Estate Operations for the Americas,” in 2015 when the Clinton Foundation scandals first broke and Hillary was preparing her Presidential campaign.

Not only was DLA Piper, the firm where Comey’s brother worked involved in the audit of the Clinton Foundation, but according to the foundation’s donor records, DLA Piper has given between $50 - 100k to the Foundation.

It gets even cozier.

DLA Piper executive Douglas Emhoff is taking an extended leave of absence from the firm.

Who is Douglas Emhoff?

He is the husband of KAMALA HARRIS! Just a coincidence? Amazing if it is. You can't make this stuff up! And it only gets worse.

This "Family Tree" will make your head spin. THE SWAMP IS DEEP!!

Dominion (voting machine provider) serves 40% of the US market. It is in 30 states - -

The state of Texas rejected the machines.

Admiral Peter Neffenger is on Biden's transition team.

Neffenger was the President of the board of Smartmatic - Smartmatic (another voting machine supplier) entered into an agreement with Dominion in 2009 - Smartmatic counted votes in Venezuela - Smartmatic is connected to Philippine voter fraud. Smartmatic is run by Lord Mark Malloch Brown who works for George Soros (he and Brown are life-long friends). Brown chairs the Boards of a number of non-profit boards including the Open Society Foundation, Brown chairs the Centre for Global Development.

Open society of course is owned by George Soros. Smartmatic partnered with DLA Piper Global - Douglas C. Emhoff works at DLA Piper Global - Douglass C. Emhoff is Kamala Harris's husband

Guess who owns Dominion?

Blum Capital Partners, L.P.

Guess who is on the board for the company? Richard Blum.

Richard C. Blum is Dianne Feinstein's husband.

Nancy Pelosi's husband is also a major investor

An aide to Nancy Pelosi, Nadeam Elshami, was hired by Dominion Voting Systems. And it goes on.

Dominion Voting Systems is listed on the Clinton Foundation website.

Dominion Voting is listed as a $25,000 -$50,000 donor to the Clinton Foundation in 2014 by The Washington Post.

Georgia Governor Kemp used Dominion Voting after Texas and Florida rejected them.

Dominion has a lobbyist named Jared Thomas - Jared Thomas was Governor Brian Kemp’s chief of staff and press secretary from 2012 to 2015.

You must remember the Feinstein-Kavanaugh-Soros connections to understand this next information:

Debra Katz (Christine Ford's lawyer) worked for George-Soros at the Open Society Foundation. Debra Katz (Christine Ford's lawyer) also worked at Project on Government Oversight (POGO). - POGO is funded by Soros’s Open Society Foundation. POGO is the co-signer of the letter Diane Feinstein presented against Kavanaugh's nomination.

Kamala Harris did not prosecute OneWest Bank for their fraud when she had the authority.

Soros owned OneWest Bank.

Now you know why a woman who placed 7th in own her State when running for President is now VP! Oh what a tangled web of deceit and lies.”

Please share

[1americanconservative]

WORTH THE READ

Be an informed voter in 2024: * THE GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN USED TO WORK FOR GEORGE SOROS. * CALIF GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM IS NANCY PELOSI'S NEPHEW * ADAM SHIFF'S SISTER IS MARRIED TO ONE OF GEORGE SOROS’ SONS. * JOHN KERRY'S DAUGHTER IS MARRIED TO A MULLAH'S SON IN IRAN. * HILLARY'S DAUGHTER CHELSEA IS MARRIED TO GEORGE SOROS' NEPHEW. * ABC NEWS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER IAN CAMERON IS MARRIED TO SUSAN RICE, OBAMA'S FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER. * CBS PRESIDENT DAVID RHODES IS THE BROTHER OF BEN RHODES, OBAMA'S DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS. * ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT CLAIRE SHIPMAN IS MARRIED TO JAY CARNEY, FORMER OBAMA WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY. * ABC NEWS AND UNIVISION REPORTER MATTHEW JAFFE IS MARRIED TO KATIE HOGAN, OBAMA'S FORMER DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY * ABC PRESIDENT BEN SHERWOOD IS THE BROTHER OF ELIZABETH SHERWOOD, OBAMA'S FORMER SPECIAL ADVISER. * CNN VP VIRGINIA MOSELEY IS MARRIED TO TOM NIDES, FORMER HILLARY CLINTON'S DEPUTY SECRETARY. THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL A "STACKED DECK". IF YOU HAD A HUNCH THE NEWS MEDIA WAS SOMEWHAT RIGGED AND YOU COULDN'T PUT YOUR FINGER ON IT, THIS MIGHT HELP YOU SOLVE THE PUZZLE. Now you know why no one is investigated. James Comey investigated the Clinton email scandal and the Clinton Foundation, then made the final decision to not recommend prosecution by the DOJ. It turns out that the Clinton Foundation was audited by the law firm DLA Piper. One of the executives there was in charge of the Clinton Foundation audit. Who was it? Peter Comey, James Comey’s brother. Peter Comey held an executive position with the Washington law firm that did the audit of the Clinton foundation in 2015. Peter Comey was officially DLA Piper “Senior Director of Real Estate Operations for the Americas,” in 2015 when the Clinton Foundation scandals first broke and Hillary was preparing her Presidential campaign. Not only was DLA Piper, the firm where Comey’s brother worked involved in the audit of the Clinton Foundation, but according to the foundation’s donor records, DLA Piper has given between $50 - 100k to the Foundation. It gets even cozier. DLA Piper executive Douglas Emhoff is taking an extended leave of absence from the firm. Who is Douglas Emhoff? He is the husband of Kamala Harris! L It only gets worse. This "Family Tree" will make your head spin . . THE SWAMP IS DEEP! Dominion (voting machine provider) serves 40% of the US market. It is in 30 states - - The state of Texas rejected the machines. - Admiral Peter Neffenger is on Biden's transition team. - Neffenger was the President of the board of Smartmatic - Smartmatic (another voting machine supplier) entered into an agreement with Dominion in 2009 - Smartmatic counted votes in Venezuela - Smartmatic is connected to Philippine voter fraud - Smartmatic is run by Lord Mark Malloch Brown who works for George Soros (-he and Brown are life-long friends) - Brown chairs the Boards of a number of non-profit boards including the Open Society Foundation, - Brown chairs the Centre for Global Development. - Open society of course is owned by George Soros - Smartmatic partnered with DLA Piper Global - Douglas C. Emhoff works at DLA Piper Global - Douglass C. Emhoff is Kamala Harris's husband - Guess who owns Dominion? - -Blum Capital Partners, L.P. - Guess who is on the board for the company? -- Richard Blum. - Richard C. Blum is Dianne Feinstein's husband. - Nancy Pelosi's husband is also a major investor - An aide to Nancy Pelosi, Nadeam Elshami, was hired by Dominion Voting Systems And it goes on & ON!! - Dominion Voting Systems is listed on the Clinton Foundation website. - Dominion Voting is listed as a $25,000 -$50,000 donor to the Clinton Foundation in 2014 by The Washington Post

[mariacallous]

Among the many disruptive economic policies former U.S. President Donald Trump is promising to pursue if he returns to the White House next year—a list that includes massive tax increases on imports, a global trade war, and an exploding budget deficit—his insistence on a weaker U.S. dollar stands out as bizarre, if not downright counterproductive.

For decades, Trump has clamored for a weaker dollar, first as a heavily indebted real-estate developer, then as a presidential candidate, then as president, and now again as a candidate for reelection. Trump’s weak-dollar push has gained support from key figures such as Robert Lighthizer, his former trade czar, who may well play a pivotal role in a second Trump administration.

Their reasoning is wonderfully simple: The dollar, they argue, is overvalued compared to currencies used by trade rivals such as China, Japan, and Europe. A weaker dollar would make imports that much more expensive for Americans and make U.S. exports that much more attractive on global markets. Voilà—a simple tweak to start balancing an out-of-balance trade deficit that for some reason is their bête noire.

The problem—there are many, but more on that later—is that pursuing such a policy would run directly counter to the one thing that Trump claims to be fighting against, and which seems to still worry Americans the most: high prices.

“It makes no sense to run against high inflation, and then advocate lower interest rates, higher tariffs, and a weaker dollar, all of which will add to inflation,” said Maurice Obstfeld, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “It just makes no sense.”

Or, as researchers at the Brookings Institution put it when Trump toyed with the same idea when he was president: “If the objective of the U.S. administration is to worsen their trade deficit, only temporary devalue the U.S. real effective exchange rate, boost the trade balances of U.S. trading partners, support China’s economy and undervalue China’s real effective exchange rate, provide only a temporary sugar-hit to the U.S. economy, worsen global currency misalignments and provoke retaliation from their trading partners, then this policy will achieve those objectives.”

First, though, Trump and company do have a point. The U.S. dollar is a bit overvalued compared to other major currencies, no matter how you look at it—even if it tripped on the carpet Wednesday over some disappointing economic news. The IMF figured it was about 6 percent to 12 percent overvalued the last time it looked, in 2019, and big rivals such as the Chinese renminbi and Japanese yen are relatively cheap by comparison. (The yen is near 40-year lows to the dollar.)

The bigger question is why. U.S. interest rates are still on the high side to tame inflation, which explains why the yen is tanking. But a lot has to do with the fact that the U.S. dollar is the world’s reserve currency. This means that foreign central banks buy and hold dollars, like everyone else in the global economy, which props up their value. U.S. securities, such as government debt, remain the absolute safe haven for investors in times of trouble, even when those troubles emanate, like during the 2008-09 financial crisis, from the United States. That demand props up the dollar. Massive fiscal deficits in the United States, such as that caused by Trump’s $1.9 trillion tax cut, require foreign funding to finance. That demand props up the dollar.

But the problems with pursuing a weak-dollar policy remain legion, even if the policy were actually workable.

For starters, a weaker dollar would neither put a governor on U.S. imports nor turbocharge U.S. exports, which is the explicit goal of the entire approach. In the very short term, a cheap-money, weak-dollar policy would boost U.S. economic growth, which would put money in consumers’ pockets, which would lead to an uptick in imports. That is why the U.S. trade deficit widens when times are good at home—consumers are flush.

But more importantly for Trump and Lighthizer’s case, a weak dollar would do little to boost U.S. exports. There are all sorts of things beyond the marginal value of the dollar that stand in the way of U.S. goods elbowing their way into foreign markets, from non-tariff barriers and regulatory regimes (no chlorinated chicken in Europe, please) to consumer preferences; massive trucks with poor gas mileage are a terrible fit in a place like Europe with pricey petrol and narrow roads.

The biggest reason, though, is that in the modern world of global supply chains, the ability of the value of any country’s currency to affect the level of exports is quite small. Products are made with inputs from foreign countries, sold to other countries, often re-imported, tinkered with again, and exported again somewhere else. The upshot is that in a globalized world, supply chain intermingling makes the value of the export currency increasingly irrelevant.

Another problem is that the easiest way to force the dollar down is by lowering U.S. interest rates, one of Trump’s long-standing obsessions. The one thing that axiomatically follows lower interest rates (unless you are Japan) is higher inflation, which is exactly what Trump and his acolytes have been bashing U.S. President Joe Biden over for years.

And there is a national security component, too. The United States maintains about 800 overseas military bases in more than 70 countries, which collectively underpin a globe-spanning projection of U.S. power. That is kept running day to day by spending dollars on fuel, power, supplies, and a million other things. The weaker the dollar is, the more expensive it would be to maintain the country’s sprawling overseas commitments, which sits rather awkwardly with Trump’s advisors’ plans for “peace through strength” overseas.

But Trump’s plans for a weaker dollar would be hard to realize in any event, which makes the whole exercise befuddling.

Take the Chinese currency, which, despite years of scolding from U.S. officials before, during, and after Trump, keeps getting cheaper in relative terms. The renminbi is partially pegged to the dollar. If the dollar goes down in value, the renminbi will follow it down like George Costanza’s rock-climbing partner. Other countries can equally stand aside and let their own currencies slide a bit to offset the dollar’s move, and everything goes back to square one.

Then there is the tariff angle. Trump has already vowed tariffs on every country in the world, and especially on China. The last time he did that, China and Europe retaliated in kind. Foreign tariffs would erase absolutely any tiny advantage gained by a cheaper dollar.

And then there is the exploding deficit. One-quarter of the entire U.S. national debt was accrued during Trump’s term, in part due to his massive unfunded tax cuts. He promises to double down in a second term, with more unfunded tax cuts that can only be filled by enticing foreign investors to pay for them—which requires higher yields on U.S. government debt, which would then act to push the dollar back up again, undoing all the work he just tried to do.

So why, knowing what we know about the pitfalls and perils of a weak-dollar policy, is this such a Trump priority? It seems that the lodestars for Trump and his economic brain trust are found in years past, and none of them are particularly good for learning economic lessons.

Trump himself seems keen on replaying the 1930s, not exactly a golden time for the U.S. and global economies. His love of tariffs is well known, but it takes a special breed to make worship of the infamous 1930 Smoot-Hawley tariff the hill to die on. He couples that with a love of competitive devaluation of currency to get a trade advantage, another tactic that featured heavily in 1930s beggar-thy-neighbor economic thought (though recent research suggests competitive devaluation only slightly beggared some neighbors and tariffs were a greater evil).

Lighthizer last took his bearings in the 1980s, when the Reagan administration strong-armed Japan over trade, imposed trade restrictions that raised prices and lowered choice for U.S. consumers, and got European allies to help deflate an admittedly overheated dollar with the Plaza Accord, named after the New York hotel in which Trump once made a cameo in a Christmas movie.

But that was, Obstfeld said, a very different time. The dollar was wildly overvalued, there was no common European currency, and Europe was utterly dependent on the U.S. security umbrella during the Cold War. Trump previously threatened to pull out of NATO (and now says he’ll only stay as long as European countries pay their share), refuses to commit to collective defense, and has already started a trade war once with those allies. None of the levers that did the lifting back then are even around today.

Trump has been chasing a weaker dollar for decades and didn’t manage to get there during his chaotic term. He may not get there again, even if he gets to the White House again. But it is a reminder that beyond the crimes and the misdemeanors and the worries about everything else, there are literally dollars and sense at stake this November.

“I just don’t see how the United States can stand alone and be strong. It is all back to the 1930s and isolationism,” Obstfeld said. “It is so misguided.”

[rjzimmerman]

Massachusetts Land Trust to Tackle Affordable Housing and Land Conservation in One Project. (Sierra Club)

Excerpt from this story from Sierra Club:

In Easthampton, Massachusetts, there isn’t much open land left. The area’s housing shortage means that most unprotected areas are attractive lots for real estate developers to add stock to this post-industrial artist’s haven, where old mill buildings house studios turning out pottery and paintings and new restaurants and microbreweries. The skyrocketing demand for housing then prices out land conservationists who aim to protect wildlife and air and water quality, and connect residents with nature. A new project in the city seeks to overcome the either-or narrative between sprawling cul-de-sacs and conservation, a shift rippling throughout the conservation movement. On a 53-acre parcel of land in this former mill town, Kestrel Land Trust will conserve 42 acres and will work with a partner organization to develop the other 11 acres into affordable housing. 

“We’re dealing with a climate crisis, a biodiversity crisis, and a housing crisis all at the same time,” said Mark Wamsely, conservation director at Kestrel Land Trust. “The effectiveness of the projects—both in terms of addressing the various crises as well as their practicality and feasibility—might be better if we focus on all of them at the same time.”

In recent years, land trusts across the country have begun to reevaluate their historically narrow missions, which prioritize traditional land conservation, and to consider how they can better serve all members of their community. As workers at land trusts began to watch local residents and their own colleagues struggle to afford housing, this shift in priorities has increasingly led to more collaboration between conservation land trusts and affordable housing organizations. Kestrel received an anonymous donation specifically earmarked for such collaboration. 

“I think [the donor] was reading the tea leaves in this particular community,” Wamsely said. 

Conservation land trusts acquire and manage land or conservation easements, which are agreements between landowners and trusts, or governments, that put permanent protections on land. Some critics say this takes land needed for housing out of circulation, thus worsening a housing crisis that disproportionately impacts marginalized groups. Collaboration between conservation land trusts and affordable housing groups is sometimes difficult due to past disagreements and cultural differences between the two groups. 

Most of the housing options in Easthampton are large farm houses or old mill housing in poor condition, Mayor Nicole LaChapelle said. A report published in 2021 found that more than half the renters in the area are “cost burdened” and spend more than the recommended 30 percent of their income on housing, but longtime residents were hesitant to support developments that changed the city’s small-town feel. In order to maintain a sustainable local economy, LaChapelle’s administration knew it needed to look for new, innovative opportunities for affordable housing upon taking office, when Kestrel’s novel plan landed on her desk. 

Kestrel’s partner in this new mission is the Community Builders, a national nonprofit that develops and manages affordable housing. It already owns a senior living community adjacent to the parcel earmarked for this collaboration, allowing for intergenerational connection, in addition to the other benefits of the project.

Kestrel’s conservation acreage will protect forests, floodplains, and a tributary of the Connecticut River, while the Community Builders will develop 87 affordable rental units. The low-income housing tax credit will help finance the project, making the units affordable to people making 60 percent of the area’s median income or less. Residents will pay 30 percent of their monthly income for rent.

[archinform]

George W. Maher, architect - part 1

Hutchinson Street District, Chicago

Unless otherwise noted, photographs are by Roger Jones

George Maher in the 1890s (Kenilworth Historical Society)

George Washington Maher (December 25, 1864 – September 12, 1926) was an architect who worked in the United States mainly during the first quarter of the 20th century. Maher was noted for his designs in the Prairie Style, and in his time was often more well-known than his contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright.

Maher was part of a new movement in architecture that sought to establish a distinctive American style. East Coast architect Henry H. Richardson had garnered attention by designing monolithic stone buildings. In Chicago, a new architectural style was emerging. Variously labeled as “The New School of the Midwest,” “Rationalism” or “Chicago Style,” it is today known as the Prairie School.Many young architects had begun their careers together and were inspired by Richardson and Sullivan. Maher, George Elmslie and Frank Lloyd Wright had worked together in the office of architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee, whose influence can also be seen in their work. Evanston Roundtable

Maher is well-represented in Chicago, notably in the Hutchinson Street District, and found early success in Oak Park, as well as in Kenilworth, where he lived.

This post focuses on five houses he designed on Hutchinson Street, and includes links to interior photos and historic images.

Mosser House, 750 W. Hutchinson St., 1902

The facade of the Mosser House isn't easily seen from the street. Photo: Zillow

Exterior views

This house was designed by George W. Maher in 1902, and sits on 6 city lots of private landscaping, designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen. The home's interior features details crafted by designer Louis Millet, who also designed the stained glass Tiffany dome in the Chicago Cultural Center. The home is located in the former Scales parcel (see Scales house below).

Above floor plans and fireplace views courtesy of Pricey Pads. Click on link for extensive views of the house.

Willliam H. Lake House, 832 W. Hutchinson St., 1904

Front view

Above: images from the Inland Architect and News Record, Vol. XLVI No. 3, Oct. 1905

W.H. Lake was a grain broker and senior partner in the firm of W.H. Lake   & Company which was located in the Board of Trade Building. Lake, following the lead of his neighbor, John Scales, chose to commission George Maher as architect for his home, which was constructed in 1904. In the Lake House, Maher developed his final version of the Farson House (1897) type. In this type of design Maher made his most significant contribution to the indigenous American architecture he worked so hard to develop. Unity is achieved by formal arrangement of elements within the design. The basic form of this house type is a massive rec- tangle with horizontal elements dominating the composition and drawing it together. Hutchinson Street District, City of Chicago Landmark Designation Reports

Images of the interior an be found on the real estate site here.

Seymour House, 817 W. Hutchinson St., 1913

The house at 817 Hutchinson was designed by George W. Maher and constructed in 1913 for Claude Seymour. Drawings of the front facade were published in the Chicago Architectural Club Catalog for 1913. Seymour was a vice-president of Otto Young and Company, an upholstery business. Like many of his neighbors, Young was active in the Chicago Automobile Club and a member of many other fashionable clubs.

In his design for the Seymour House, Maher borrowed heavily from English country houses by C.F.A. Voysey and the firm of Parker and Unwin. The two-story house is basically H-shaped, though a one-story porch (not an addition) does break the symmetry of the facade. The many windows and their arrangement here are typical of Parker & Unwin's designs, but the geometric pattern in the leaded glass is distinctly the work of Maher.

This design and its variations are used consistently in all decorative elements to lend a measure of continuity; Maher called it his motif-rhythm theory.

City of Chicago Landmark designation Reports

Image from The Western Architect, March 1914

Images of the interior an be found on the real estate site here.

John C. Scales House, 840 West Hutchinson Street, 1894

John C. Scales came to Chicago with his parents in 1845 when he was just 4 years old, and his father set up a commission business in town, where John eventually became a partner. Scales, the son, invested his money in real estate and purchased a section of the Buena Park subdivision on the city's then remote north side. Chicago designslinger

The Queen Anne style and busy roofline contrast strongly with Maher's later designs along Hutchinson St. The rough-cut stone along with half-timber design is almost playful.

Archival photo of the Scales House

Brackebush House, 839 W. Hutchinson St., c. 1909-10

Maher designed this home in 1909 for Mrs. Grace Brackebush.

Despite the rather awkward handling of certain elements in the design of the house at 839 Hutchinson Street certain experts feel that the design is the work of George W. Maher. The design probably dates from the period between 1905 and 1910, when Maher was beginning to work with a new type of design, one that was inspired by English architects such as C.F.A. Voysey and the Viennese architect Joseph M. Olbrich. - Hutchinson Street District, City of Chicago Landmark Designation Report

Images of the interior can be found on the real estate site here

Sources:

City of Chicago Landmark Designation Reports, Hutchinson Street District, Revised Summary of Information September 8, 1975, Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks

Geo. W. Maher, a democrat in Architecture. The Western Architect, March 1914

George W. Maher's Prairie Style. Owlcation.

Four Architectural Gems in Chicago's Buena Park for Sale. Chicago Magazine.

Buena Park Neighbors, History of Hutchinson Street.

The George W. Maher Society, About George W. Maher.

Block Club Chicago, Want to Own a Piece of Chicago's Past?

Evanston Roundtable - George W. Maher

[softlifesims]

⋆˚🐚🫧𖦹⋆🥥The Summer I Turned Pretty Story Challenge by SoftLifeSims ⋆˚🐚🫧𖦹⋆🥥

Have you ever read a book or watched a TV show and created Sims based on their lives? Yeah, me, too.

This new fun, heart-breakingly romantic challenge is perfect for you! Inspired and based on the book and series by Jenny Han, it's your turn to live a life surrounded by beautiful sims and hopefully find love!

PSA:

Don't find yourself limited to the rules of this challenge! The point of the Sims is to play with life, so play!

There are certain packs required for certain parts of the challenge, but if you don't have them, then that's okay! Again, play with life and improvise!

Not everything in this challenge comes from the books/show; there are tweaks in the plot for sims gameplay because I don't want to spoil the show/books for others.

Money cheats are not ALLOWED, but money cheats may be used for things like free real estate and story-line purposes when necessary.

To ensure your sims don't go to school or work during the summer, you will need them to be on summer break (requires Seasons) for the entire Summer. Click here to watch a video on how to create a Summer break and other holidays in the game.

PHASE ONE: Welcome to Tartosa!

It's finally summer and you've been waiting all year long to return to your favorite beach house in Tartosa (requires Wedding Stories expansion pack; if you don't have Wedding Stories, you can use Sulani from the Island Living expansion pack) with your longtime family friends, the Fisher family!

You’ve arrived and immediately see that this summer is going to be different! All grown up now, you no longer remind Jeremiah and Conrad of the same little Belly they grew up knowing. You're a woman now!

You're a child of the ocean, slightly socially awkward, active sim who just wants to finally experience being in love, especially by the sim you've loved a long time.

You have had a crush on Conrad your entire life, but this summer, he seems different. Or maybe it's you that's different.

GOALS:

- Develop a "Romantic Interest" relationship status with a Tartosan/Sulani resident

- Develop an "It's Complicated" relationship status with Conrad

- Develop a "Lovebird" relationship status with Jeremiah

- Attend the debutante ball (requires Seasons) (click here for instructions on how to create custom holidays in-game with Seasons).

- Swim in the beach house pool for an hour every night

- Kiss your Romantic Interest after your first date at night

- Have your heartbroken by Conrad

- Kiss Jeremiah five times

- Become good friends with a Tartosan resident

- Kiss Conrad on the beach of Tartosa as the sun rises

- Rarely wear makeup/love to dress casually

PHASE TWO: All Grown Up!

After a rough summer and even tougher senior year, you managed to graduate high school and attend Foxbury University (requires University Life expansion pack). Studying biology to become a Conservationist (requires Island Living expansion pack), you run into Conrad while at the library in Britechester.

You two rekindle your awkward romance from your teenage years and finally decide to give love a try! You both finish college and Conrad asks you to be his girlfriend, officially! Of course, you say yes (because why wouldn't you)! Now that it's winter, things are a bit different.

GOALS:

- Develop an "It's Complicated" relationship status with Jeremiah

- Go on four dates with Conrad in four different worlds/lots

- Move in with Conrad in Willow Creek

- Have your first Woohoo with Conrad in front of a fireplace in the beach house in Tartosa

- Have a snowball fight with Conrad

- Have Conrad propose to your sim in Tartosa on the beach

PHASE THREE: It's Not Summer Without You

As you live your life with Conrad and begin the stressful process of planning a beach wedding, things between you and Jeremiah become extremely tense. You two fall out of friendship with each other and he won't return your calls or texts. Maybe it's time to try and find him to see what's been going on.

You search all over Tartosa, San Sequoia (requires Growing Together expansion pack), and Newcrest for Jeremiah but have no luck finding him. You tell Conrad that you want to talk to his brother to make things right. Conrad, not happy about how his brother is treating you, sets off to find his brother.

In the shady bars of Oasis Springs, Conrad finds Jeremiah and drags him to your home in Willow Creek. After he's sobered up, you and Jeremiah finally have the long awaited conversation that you hope fixes your relationship.

GOALS:

- Develop an "Good Friends" relationship status with Jeremiah

- Pick out a beach wedding dress

- Level up your wellness skill to Level 8

- Have Conrad become a doctor

- Get married to Conrad on the beach in Tartosa in front of your five closest friends + Jeremiah

- Become pregnant and name all of your children after the beach and nature; name your first-born daughter Susannah

- Live the rest of your life with Conrad in the beach house in Tartosa

⋆˚🐚🫧𖦹⋆🥥THE END ⋆˚🐚🫧𖦹⋆🥥

I hope you all enjoy this fun challenge! I'm playing through it right now and I'm having so much fun! Be sure to tag me in your gameplay screenshots!

[sidewalkstamps]

Mogil-Kahn Construction Company 1957 (Photo taken by Tim Aarons in March 2023 on Collins St. between Lankersheim and Tujunga).

Kahn was Edwin “Ed” Walter Kahn, born on June 3, 1922 in Pittsburg to “Theodore and Helen H. (Meyers),” and a “construction company executive, engineer” (Who’s who in the West: A Biographical Dictionary of Noteworthy Men and Women of the Pacific Coast and the Western States, A.N. Marquis Company, 1989). In 1935, he lived with is family in Portland, Oregon. He was still with his family in Portland in 1940 (per the 1940 U.S. Federal Census). However, he attended Fairfax Senior High School in Los Angeles, CA. Before WWII, he also attended UCLA, where he played soccer and baseball. In WWII, he was a lieutenant pilot in the USA Air Force -  a B-24 bomber pilot in the 89th and as a flight instructor. He was later a civil engineer and, if I understand the abbreviations correctly, he had gotten a B.S. degree in civil engineering from the University of California in 1948 (assuming Berkeley).

According to his obituary, he was a “Registered Professional Engineer and a licensed General Contractor.”

He married Arleen Barbara Rudolph on December 23, 1951, and they had two children - Gregory Michael and Julia Fran. He was the chief structural designer for General Engineering Service Company in Los Angeles in 1948 and then a partner in Pollak-Kahn & Associates, engineers, also in Los Angeles in 1949. and Mogil-Kahn Construction Company (World Who’s who in Commerce and Industry, Volume 10, Marquis-Who’s Who., 1957). He died February 5, 2016 and is buried in the Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Pollak-Kahn was located at 1106 S. La Cienega Boulevard, now LB4LB Boxing Gym (Glaziers Journal - Volume 35, pg. 60, 1956). One project they had was the design and engineering of “a fully integrated community for light industry” on a 100-acre “tract of industrial buildings and plant sites” (Industrial Development, Volumes 3-4, Conway Publications, 1956).

According to the realty company, Crisby Doe Associates, “it is clear that Pollack & Kahn fully mastered the now classic post & beam glass house style pioneered by the U.S.C. School of Architecture just after war. Their work seems most closely aligned with that of Richard Dorman’s designs of the period. The living spaces are lifted, and set above the carport to allow maximum light and views from the close-in hillside setting.”

Some more info from his obituary: “He retired after 40 years as a real estate developer and as President of Kahn Construction Co., Contractors and Engineers. He had a commercial pilot's license and served as a docent at the original Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. Ed was a member of the Masons, Scottish Rites, Shriners, Commemorative Air Force, Air Force Association, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Ed is survived by his wife and best friend, Mariko, sons Greg and Winston, daughter Julie, stepdaughters Pam (Harry) Kraushaar and Andrea (Jeffrey) Lustgarten, stepson Mitchell Barnow (Dale Leininger) and step grandchildren, Shelby Powell (Brian), Kimberley Kraushaar, Brandon and Rachel Lustgarten.” (No mention of Arleen?) They also had two pets named Maya and Corey.  

I have no idea who Mogil is. Really strange how I could find out so easily who Kahn was but not Mogil. Mogil may be Norbert V Mogil, who was located at 6517 W Olympic Blvd according to the Los Angeles Street Address Directory, 1956, May (Los Angeles Public Library).

Additional source:

Who’s Who in Steel and Metals, pg. 209, Atlas Publishing Co, 1964

[axel-mathis]

Welcome to Aurora Bay, [AXEL MATHIS]! I couldn’t help but notice you look an awful lot like [JENSEN ACKLES]. You must be the [FORTY-FOUR] year old [INVESTMENT FIRM CEO]. Word is you’re [FUNNY] but can also be a bit [HARD-HEADED] and your favorite song is [FANCY BY REBA] I also heard you’ll be staying in [AURORA BAY DRIVE.] I’m sure you’ll love it!

–BIOGRAPHY–

tw: alcohol abuse, physical abuse

Axel grew up in a wealthy neighborhood in Orange County. While he was privileged in most aspects, he had a very troubled childhood. His parents were notorious for cheating on each other, and Axel was aware of it. His dad, an extremely successful corporate lawyer, had an alcohol addiction that he failed to ever get fixed. As it never seemed to affect his work life, he denied it constantly. However, his alcoholism lead him to physically and verbally abusive behavior towards his wife and son. Axel grew detached from his family at a young age and often times relied on others for attention and care. Teachers, friends, parents, coaches, anyone that he could.

Through high school, Axel did well in school, played on the varsity baseball and football teams and had his fair share of romances. He was known for being incredibly social. He almost always stayed at friends’ houses whenever he could. Yet because his family was well known, and known to be wealthy, any warning signs went unchallenged and ignored. To avoid going home as much as possible, Axel managed to work as many odd jobs as he could while still participating in school athletics. Saving money so he could eventually try to get himself out of his situation, he worked extremely hard, and learned not to spend a penny of it.

Because of his families’ high connections, Axel was able to get some of the best recommendations for his college letters. He had good grades, was an athlete and worked which all provided him his ticket to be accepted to Stanford University. He spent the summer before college making as much money as he possibly could. He wanted to live on his own as soon as possible. Once his freshman year of college came around, he got to experience his first real taste of freedom. He came out of his shell, was rushed into the Sigma Nu fraternity which was known as the party fraternity. Axel immediately started to become an entirely new person. Partying, getting into trouble, breaking hearts, it all became a part of his new ‘grown-up’ personality. Through college, he managed to keep his grades up, and simply started by signing up for the same classes as his friends. With most of the Sigma Nu brothers being business majors, he naturally swayed that way.

It didn’t take him long to develop a serious interest in business, finance and strategy. He and his best friend at the time, Adam, became close friends and together would draw up fantastical ideas for potential business that they would own together. Little did Axel know that his friend was in line to get a good job at his father’s company. The summer of his junior year, both he and Adam became interns with the company. Because of Adam’s relationship with the CEO, COO, and entire board, they got more opportunity to create good impressions than most interns. Their internships quickly turned into jobs when they graduated their senior year. With both of them skipping multiple lower level jobs, they got to start right into management. Spending a lot of their young lives together, and making a much better wage than most, Adam and Axel got into their fair share of trouble.

They were both set up by Adam’s father to rise up to the top level of the company. By the time he was 30, Axel had become COO to Adam who became CEO. It was a large scale real estate company. Together, they pulled off a few scams to help raise the profile and price of the company. In their early 30’s they were both making a small fortune a year. Having made friends with a talented and up-and-coming businessman, it was clear that Axel had some career moves to make.Stepping out, he accepted a position as CEO of a real estate investment firm. He is always looking for properties that he can buy for cheap and sell later.

[bcgroup268]

The Benefits of Using a Real Estate Construction Consultant

Unlock the potential of your next development with BC Group’s expert insights! The blog "The Benefits of Using a Real Estate Construction Consultant" highlights the critical advantages of partnering with seasoned professionals. Whether you’re planning senior housing developments or hospitality real estate projects, BC Group provides unparalleled expertise.

Learn how a  senior housing design consultant ensures spaces are functional, efficient, and aligned with market demands. Explore the value of a Real estate project cost advisor in maintaining budget integrity without compromising quality. Understand why Real estate construction consultants are essential for streamlining processes and minimizing risks.

For those venturing into Hospitality real estate development, the blog reveals how BC Group’s guidance transforms concepts into successful ventures.

Partner with BC Group today to bring your vision to life. Read more on the blog: Click Here.

[mortgagelead-blog]

Everything You Need to Know about Affordable Housing

Investing in affordable housing can be extremely profitable, if you do things right. Many property investors include affordable housing in their portfolio mainly because of the government tax credits associated with them. However, you have to make sure the investment you make is marketable in your area and also profitable.

Although affordable housing is cheaper than other real estate properties, there are a lot of costs associated with them. Apart from the buying costs, there are also the renovation and the maintenance charges you will have to consider, before determining its viability.

The main advantage of affordable housing is the tax credits given by the government. As a property owner, you can receive these tax credits by using a percentage of your property (say a few rental units in your building) as affordable housing. The renters of these houses will also get assistance from the government, to pay their monthly rent.

Eligibility Criteria for Affordable Housing

Affordable housing was introduced mainly to provide housing for people with limited income. These include four groups of people:

Seniors and People with Disabilities

People with disabilities and people aged 65 and above are eligible for affordable housing. They require housing closer to public accommodations, along with some modifications such as handrails, wheelchair accessible bathrooms, ramps instead of stairs, and modified closets and cabinets.

Students

Many students including adult students, university students, and non-traditional college students require off-campus housing that is affordable. They prefer affordable housing that is closer to the campus. Many international students keep looking for affordable housing throughout the year, as they won’t have to make too many international trips.

The Military

Veterans and active members of military service keep looking for affordable housing too. The government (Department of Veteran Affairs) provides them assistance through VA loans to construct as well as buy houses. You can contact any of the VA loan lenders through VA live transfer leads and apply for a VA loan.

Both on-base as well as off-base housing options are available for military service members. However, you need to make sure off-base housing that you select is closer to your base.

Rehabilitation and Re-Entry Programs

Another section of people that requires affordable housing includes homeless families and people with addiction who are in recovery. Adults and children who are into mental health programs and state protective services need neighborhood-based housing and group homes with privacy and adequate facilities.

Apart from the above, people in the lower income group can buy or rent affordable housing, by applying through Section 8 and other subsidized housing programs. However, they have to be aware of their area’s median income. This information should be available on most real estate websites, housing authorities, economic development agencies, and state and local governments.

Determining Profitability and Marketability of Affordable Housing

There are two things you need to consider while investing in affordable housing – profitability and marketability

Profitability

The first step in determining the profitability of your investment is to calculate your operating expenses. For affordable units that you have rented out, you have to add up your taxes, insurance, utilities if any, maintenance charges, transfer costs, and other fees charged by the municipality or your county.

If you are buying affordable housing, your operating costs would include financing costs, closing costs, transfer costs, and labor as well as material costs if you are renovating or constructing the property.

You can add up advertising and marketing costs if any.

Once you have estimated your operating costs, it is time to determine your income. While calculating your cash flow, you should also consider the tax credits and financial assistance that you receive from the subsidizing authority, to pay up your utilities. Deduct your estimated operating costs from this amount to determine your gross profit. Make sure you also consider depreciation charges, if any.

Marketability

You can get information about affordable housing available in your area, from your local housing authority office. Make sure these units meet the guidelines specified for rental subsidies. If you are going to sell the units that you are buying, you will have to consider your renovation or construction costs, to establish their profitability. If they are not profitable, they cannot be marketable.

You can also consider buying foreclosed homes acquired by your local economic development agencies. The guidelines for buying these houses may be different for different regions. Also, these units may usually need significant rehabilitation. The turnaround time required to resell these is also longer.

One other way to find affordable housing is to enter the FSBO or For-Sale-By-Owner market. With information from realtors, you can find many short sale deals with sellers looking for quick sales at reduced price for a reduced mortgage payoff.  You can fix them up and resell at profitable pricing.

Successful investment in affordable housing is all about timing the market well. It may not be a good time to purchase properties if the financing, labor, and material costs are high. At the same time, it may not be the right time to put your unit up for sale if there aren’t too many renters. If the median income and the market rent of your area is high, it might make sense to retain your property and enjoy the rental income it generates every month.

Special Considerations for Affordable Housing Investment

You need to be a business executive, an investor, or a landlord, to invest in affordable housing. As a landlord you can help families and the community by creating a market for affordable housing. As an investor, you can invest in some of the best properties at best prices, in certain desired areas, to generate maximum profit. As a business executive, you can create your own brand, maximize its value and generate some goodwill for your brand. You can also create employment opportunities for many.

The Bottom Line

Just being a landlord will not make you a successful investor in affordable housing. You also need to be a savvy business executive who understands how to make these investments profitable and marketable. Collect as much information about affordable housing in your area, create a market, and apply your wisdom to make your investment work for you.

[kentecosanctumm]

The ambition to own a home is a universal one, yet it is often clouded by myths and misconceptions, particularly those related to age. A commonly held misconception about homeownership is the belief that there exists an "ideal age" for purchasing a property. It is widely believed that one should either invest in their 20s to ensure a long-term financial commitment or wait until reaching their 40s or 50s, when they are expected to have achieved financial stability. Such age-related stereotypes can greatly influence housing choices. This blog aims to clarify these misconceptions, especially for those looking to buy a flat in Kochi, highlighting that the appropriate time to buy a home is determined not by age but by personal circumstances, financial stability, and personal ambitions.  

Myth 1: Young Adults are Too Impulsive to Buy a Home

The assumption that young adults are not mature or financially stable enough for homeownership is a common stereotype. Although it is true that financial responsibility develops over time, many young individuals showcase impressive financial capabilities. With strategic planning, effective budgeting, and the support of financial advisors, young adults can effectively manage the challenges of homeownership. Early entry into the housing market offers considerable long-term benefits, such as the ability to build equity, potential increases in property value, and establishing a strong credit history. Moreover, it can provide a sense of stability and contribute to a strong foundation for future financial goals.  

Myth 2: Older Buyers Missed Their Chance

Another myth suggests that if you haven’t bought a home by your 40s or 50s, it’s too late. This perspective is misleading. Many people in this age group are in their prime earning years, allowing them to make more informed financial choices. Senior buyers typically enjoy the benefits of greater savings, better credit scores, and a clearer insight into their lifestyle requirements. Whether they are looking to upgrade to a more spacious residence, downsize, or invest in a vacation home, there are no age barriers to making a smart real estate purchase.  

Myth 3: Buying a Home is Only for Families

Many people hold the view that homeownership is exclusively for families or those who plan to settle down. However, there is a notable increase in the participation of single individuals, young couples, and retirees who are making their way into the real estate market. Buyers who are single may prefer options that require lower maintenance, such as apartments, whereas retirees may look for properties that fulfill their retirement plans. The concept of homeownership is about creating a living space that meets personal needs, irrespective of age or family status, whether one is 25 or 65.  

Myth 4: You Need to Wait Until You’re Financially ‘Perfect’

Waiting for an ideal financial condition is a common misunderstanding. Although it is important to be financially ready, the reality is that perfection is rarely within reach. If you choose to wait until you have paid off all debts, achieved a certain income level, or saved a specific amount, you may miss valuable opportunities. Instead, focus on assessing your financial stability. If you have a stable income, manageable debts, and a satisfactory credit score, you may be more prepared to buy a home than you initially thought. Remember that real estate is a long-term investment, and your financial situation will develop over time.  

Conclusion

The process of buying a home is a highly personal choice that depends on individual circumstances rather than age. Whether you are a young professional, a middle-aged parent, or a retiree, the primary focus should be on your financial stability, lifestyle demands, and market conditions. If you’re looking for a trusted partner in your home buying journey, Kent Constructions provides luxury apartments in Kerala that are designed with careful consideration for diverse needs and age ranges. By prioritizing personal circumstances and future goals, you can find the perfect home at the perfect time.

[omaxevrindavan]

Omaxe Vrindavan: Price List, Developers, and Key Highlights

Nestled in the serene town of Vrindavan, Omaxe Vrindavan is a haven for those seeking a tranquil lifestyle amidst spiritual surroundings. Renowned for its modern amenities and thoughtfully designed spaces, Omaxe Vrindavan stands as a testament to the art of creating perfect homes. Whether you're a prospective buyer or simply exploring real estate opportunities, this article delves into the Omaxe Vrindavan price list, developer insights, and why this project is a prime choice.

About Omaxe Vrindavan Developers

The developers behind Omaxe Vrindavan, Omaxe Group, have a stellar reputation in the real estate industry. Known for delivering high-quality projects across India, Omaxe Group combines architectural brilliance with customer-centric approaches. Their commitment to timely delivery, sustainable development, and innovative designs has made them a trusted name among homebuyers.

In Omaxe Vrindavan, the developers have captured the essence of Vrindavan’s spiritual charm while incorporating modern amenities. With years of experience and expertise, Omaxe Group has ensured that the project resonates with the aspirations of home seekers who value peace, comfort, and accessibility.

Omaxe Vrindavan Price List: Affordable Luxury

When it comes to real estate investments, the price is a crucial factor, and the Omaxe Vrindavan price list reflects excellent value for money. The project offers a variety of housing options, including plots, villas, and apartments, catering to different budget ranges. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect:

Plots: For those who wish to design their dream home, Omaxe Vrindavan offers plots with competitive pricing.

Apartments: Designed for modern living, the apartments range from 1BHK to 3BHK, with prices depending on size and layout.

Villas: For luxury enthusiasts, the villas are spacious and come with premium features, providing an opulent lifestyle.

To get the latest and detailed Omaxe Vrindavan price list, visiting the official website or contacting the sales team is recommended. The competitive pricing, coupled with flexible payment plans, makes these homes an attractive investment opportunity.

Key Features of Omaxe Vrindavan

Strategic LocationSituated in Vrindavan, the project is close to major temples like the ISKCON Temple and Banke Bihari Temple. It offers residents a blend of spiritual tranquility and modern connectivity.

World-Class AmenitiesOmaxe Vrindavan developers have ensured that the project is equipped with top-notch amenities, including:

Landscaped gardens

Clubhouses

Swimming pools

Gymnasiums

Children's play areas

Sustainable LivingOmaxe Group integrates eco-friendly practices into their projects. Omaxe Vrindavan features rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, and ample green spaces to promote sustainable living.

Safety and SecurityThe gated community boasts round-the-clock security, CCTV surveillance, and advanced fire safety systems, ensuring a safe living environment for all residents.

Why Choose Omaxe Vrindavan?

Investing in Omaxe Vrindavan is not just about owning a property but experiencing a lifestyle that merges tradition with modernity. The developers have designed the project to cater to families, senior citizens, and individuals seeking a serene retreat. Additionally, the steadily appreciating property values in Vrindavan make it a lucrative investment.

By considering the Omaxe Vrindavan price list, buyers can find options that fit their budget while enjoying premium living standards. The developers’ dedication to quality and innovation further enhances the appeal of this project.

Final Thought

Whether you're drawn to Vrindavan for its spiritual aura or the promise of a modern lifestyle, Omaxe Vrindavan is a name to consider. With its thoughtfully crafted homes, world-class amenities, and competitive pricing, this project offers something for everyone. Explore the Omaxe Vrindavan price list and connect with the esteemed Omaxe Vrindavan developers to embark on your journey toward owning your dream home in this enchanting town.

[24dailyblog]

Property Spruiker Henry Kaye's Associates Face Public Grilling over Land Scams

Liquidators on behalf of the corporate regulator will publicly examine 10 key players behind two failed development schemes proposed for Melbourne's outer west and Bendigo and were part of a network land-banking scams across Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, revealed by The Age in early 2015.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is now seeking to untangle the complex web of companies, trusts, loans and properties behind the schemes as part of its ongoing probe of land banking.

Among those to be examined are senior lawyers from the firm formerly known as Clamenz Evans Ellis which is also linked to the alleged Plutus tax fraud syndicate scam in NSW along with Adam Cranston, the son of Australian Tax Office deputy commissioner Michael Cranston.

Clamenz's Sydney-based tax lawyer Dev Menon was one of 10 people arrested this month over an allegedly fraudulent scheme that skimmed $165 million in taxes through a network of payroll businesses.

Other Clamenz lawyers summonsed for public examination in land-banking case are Daniel Clarke from Sydney and Darren Eliau from Melbourne.

Clamenz Evans Ellis lawyers were central to the land banking operation including as directors of key companies involved.

Kaye's sister Julia Feldman, who often oversaw the marketing of the schemes, as well as long-time Kaye associates lawyer Colin Adno and project manager Michael Grochowski also face questioning.

So too does Sydney accountant Ian Stephens. He was a director of one of the Melbourne-based land-banking companies and also is a director with Adam Cranston of the private equity company Synep in Sydney. Mr Stephens has not been charged in relation to the alleged Plutus fraud and there is no suggestion he was in any way involved.

Kaye – whose role in the scams was hidden behind secretive trusts and financial deals – has not yet been called for public examination. However, the court has also ordered lawyers to produce an array of documents including communications with lenders to the projects, which would include Kaye.

The Belarus-born Kaye amassed a fortune from get-rich seminars in the early 2000s. His wealth education empire collapsed in 2003 owing 3500 investors up to $60 million.

Some of that money is believed to have been sunk into Melbourne's sprawling western fringe where Kaye and his associates worked up their new strategy for fleecing gullible real estate investors – high-risk "options" on yet-to-be-developed housing projects.

In manipulative seminars from 2011 to 2014 they flogged glamour development projects like Foscari (an "iconic architectural masterpiece") and Veneziane (the "Toorak of the West").

Years after it was first marketed, the Foscari site in Truganina remained a disused rubbish dump, the Veneziane site paddocks in Melton.

In April 2016 ASIC succeeded in having two of the land-banking companies wound up, arguing the companies were insolvent.

In his findings Federal Court Justice Beach identified Kaye as a beneficiary behind the Foscari scheme, reaping up to 60 per cent interest from loans he had made via a company called Bourke & Queen Mortgages. Clamenz lawyer Darren Eliau is listed as an original director of the company.

Investors sunk tens of millions of dollars into the schemes, much of which now appears lost in an impenetrable maze of secretive trust accounts. The land-banking scams highlight the widespread use of trusts in Australia to both avoid tax and reduce transparency.

[platznerrealty123]

The real estate market continues to flourish, fueled by stable economic growth across both developed and emerging economies. With the global GDP projected to grow at 3.6% between 2021 and 2023, opportunities within the sector are expanding rapidly. This growth is further supported by the increasing demand for construction activities, which play a pivotal role in driving real estate development. For instance, the US construction industry saw a remarkable 10.2% growth in value from 2021 to 2022, highlighting the market's dynamic nature.

For seamless operations in senior housing communities, partnering with the right experts is crucial.  If you’re searching for tailored solutions for Residential, Commercial or Industrial real estate in the New York area, trust Platzner International Group (Merrick Platzner: 914-774-5860, Merrick1@usa.com) to guide you in finding or optimizing properties that meet your unique needs. Contact us to create spaces that foster comfort and efficiency!

[federalcourtjustice]

Property Spruiker-linked Land Banking Companies wound up

A group of companies linked to notorious property spruiker Henry Kaye’s failed land banking schemes, that fleeced millions of dollars from mum and dad investors, have been successfully shut down by Australia’s financial watchdog.

Federal Court orders issued this week will wind up, “in the public interest,” five companies used by Kaye, his lawyers and business associates to scam investors of as much as $100 million.

All five companies were linked to the slickly-promoted land banking schemes in Melbourne's outer west and Bendigo, part of a network of scams across Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, revealed by The Age in early 2015.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) successfully applied for Federal Court orders to wind up Brookfield Riverside, Bilkurra West, Bilkurra South, and Gillies Road, claiming the companies were insolvent.

Money raised from investors was transferred between the companies without any concern for the investors and had largely disappeared, ASIC claims.

The regulator is still untangling a complex web of companies, trusts, loans and properties that were behind the schemes as part of its probe into land banking.

None of the scheme’s many investors, who were sold “options” over empty farms and rubbish dumps, have had any of their missing millions returned.

A fifth company, Project Management (Aust) which was used to control the other companies, was also wound up.

Its directors Michael Grochowski and Ian Stephens will face court in September after ASIC sought to have them disqualified from managing corporations.

In 2016, the financial watchdog obtained 10-year banning orders against another pair of notorious spruikers, brothers Jamie and Dennis McIntyre, who promoted the land banking scams.

Over a period of several years from 2011, Kaye and his associates flogged the high-risk "options" on yet-to-be-developed housing projects to gullible real estate investors, before making off with millions.

One Kaye associate and senior lawyers from the law firm formerly known as Clamenz Evans Ellis, which helped facilitate the land banking operation, have also been linked to the alleged Plutus tax fraud syndicate in NSW along with Adam Cranston, son of Australian Taxation Office deputy commissioner Michael Cranston.

Other Clamenz lawyers, Daniel Clarke, Darren Eliau and Ben Skinner, were summonsed last year for public examination in the land-banking case. There is no suggestion they were linked to the Plutus syndicate.

The Belarus-born Kaye amassed a fortune from get-rich seminars in the early 2000s. His wealth education empire collapsed in 2003 owing 3500 investors up to $60 million.

ASIC is hoping to build a case against Kaye but it appears he has disappeared, taking much of the land-banking riches with him.