REI Equity Partners launch new real estate strategy
REI Equity Partners (REI), a privately held real estate investment and advisory firm, has launched a new real estate strategy focused on “providing alternative investment options to achieve superior risk-mitigated returns for its clients.”
The investment opportunities offered by REI are typically long-term growth and income-oriented properties.
REI describes itself as a family of companies that focuses solely on commercial real estate investment opportunities in single-property investment funds, commercial real estate consulting, and brokerage.
The managing partners, Alan Blair, Bob Hebert, and Bob Priest have more than 75 years of combined experience in real estate, including finance, property management and asset management.
“REI has a hands-on approach in every transaction it undertakes by coupling its extensive operational experience with a sophisticated knowledge of macro-economic trends, capital markets and institutional alliances,” said Mr. Hebert. “Led by an experienced team of real estate investment professionals, REI provides the skill and knowledge to identify off-market opportunities and manage commercial real estate investments on behalf of its investors.”
REI recently completed the acquisition of a 5,650-square-foot retail center in Broadview, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago. The property is 100% occupied with national-brand tenants and is yielding a 10.41% annual cash-on-cash return.
Mr. Priest said, “Several factors attracted REI to the property. Among them is the property meets REI’s stringent investment criteria and underwriting parameters; the property is 100% occupied; and REI was able to negotiate directly with the seller in an off-market transaction.”
Mr. Priest added that REI is seeking additional properties to purchase in 2014.
“The partners personally invest in each property to further ensure that the firm’s interests remain squarely aligned with its investors,” Mr. Hebert said. “Our clients are comprised of investors who value the benefits of investing in real estate, but do not want the burden of direct property management or ownership.”
All REI investors have 24/7 access to daily management reports by logging into a personal account established for each client. Additionally, REI provides investors with market research and quarterly updates for each property under management.
REI Advisors, the commercial real estate consulting and brokerage arm of the firm, represents buyers and investors only on low-risk, cash-flowing commercial real estate throughout the United States.
Mr. Blair added, “Our roster of advisory clients are people who appreciate confidentiality and the full range of real estate investment services we offer.”
For more information, visit REIAdvise.com .
Laurel Ridge helps fight heart disease
To help fight heart disease in women, a limited quantity of Red Dress pins will be sold at Laurel Ridge Health Care Center. All donations will go to American Heart Association research, education and awareness initiatives.
February is National Heart Month. On National Wear Red Day, Friday, Feb. 7, staff, residents and community members have been encouraged to wear red to lend support to cardiovascular health awareness.
“Maintaining cardiovascular health is an ongoing endeavor and Laurel Ridge is committed to offer heart-healthy menu options to its weekly menu and fitness activities to its residents and patients,” said Thora Perkins of Laurel Ridge.
Special events include football celebrations and Olympic events, adaptive Yogacize, basketball, and exercise games, and a high tea for Valentine’s Day, entertainers, and a special healthy luncheon for rehabilitation patients “to celebrate their success.”
For more information, call Ms. Perkins at 203-438-8226.
Morris announces Green Awards
Greening Our Children, Roni Widmer, and Freund Farm are the winners of the first annual Green Awards, organized by Morris Media Group, based in Ridgefield.
“The judges produced three very impressive winners,” said Geoffrey Morris, president of the media company that produces six regional lifestyle magazines, including Ridgefield Magazine.
Greening Our Children, based in Greenwich, helps educate people about exposure to harmful chemicals in everyday living environments. Some of Roni Widmer’s most significant green accomplishments are her annual sheep-shearing event and her well-received after-school program, Jelly Hill Farm Camp in Fairfield. Freund Farm’s two most significant green accomplishments are the installation of a methane digester — turning waste into fuel — and the invention and introduction of CowPots — recycling manure into millions of flowerpots — to growers and gardeners. They are based in Canaan.
Trillium Architects in Ridgefield earned an honorable mention award.
Two have joined accounting firm
Reynolds & Rowella LLP, an accounting firm with offices in Ridgefield and New Canaan, has hired two new tax associates.
Jessica Scattolini, a tax associate, has four years’ accounting experience after graduating from Western Connecticut State University’s Ancell School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in financial accounting. While at WestConn, she completed a two-year internship with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals in Ridgefield.
Jina Willie has three years’ experience as a staff accountant and is completing a master’s degree in taxation at the University of New Haven. She has several years of work experience.
Both live in Danbury.
Continuing Education has computer classes
Tech and software classes and tutorials through Ridgefield Continuing Education are available day, evening, and weekend.
Classes starting soon include:
Getting Around the Internet (Feb. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.); Excel Intro (Feb. 20 and 27 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. or March 6 and 13 from 9:15 to 11:45); Excel Intermediate (Feb. 8 from 10 to 3:30 or March 6 and 13 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.); Excel Advanced (March 1 from 10 to 3:30); Access Intro (March 8 from 10 to 3:30); PowerPoint Fast Paced (Feb. 25 and 27 from 9:30 to 11:30); Word Intermediate (Feb. 24 and March 3 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.); Photoshop Elements 2 (Feb. 25 and March 4 and 11 from 7 to 9 p.m.); Pinterest (March 7 from 1 to 2:30); Windows 7 (March 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.); eBay (March 11 and 18 from 10 to noon); and iPad 1 (March 12 from 1 to 3).
More sections, plus Computer Fundamentals, iPhone, Social Networks, Publisher, Skype, Word Intro, Picasa, and Windows 8 are scheduled.
Cost is $44 to $119 (plus $4 to $6 materials fee in some classes).
Visit ridgefieldschools.org or phone Peggy Bruno at 203-431-2812 to register.