Real Estate Archives | SHOPPE BLACK

Published on January 20, 2021January 20, 2021

These Two Black Owned Real Estate Firms Have Closed over $60M in Deals Together

National Standard Abstract (NSA) and CB Emmanuel Realty are two Black Owned Real Estate Firms that have closed over $60 million in transactions together.

NSA is a full-service title agency that has expertise in residential and commercial real estate transactions. CB Emmanuel Realty is a real estate developer and investor of Affordable Housing properties.

On December 12th, 2020 National Standard Abstract provided title insurance for a $32 Million deal involving CB Emmanuel Realty. This transaction involved the preservation of Calvary Baptist Senior Housing in Jamaica Queens NY.

This is not the first time these companies have collaborated on deals of this size. In August of 2020, they closed another $30 million affordable housing transaction.

In this interview, Osei Rubie, CEO of NSA, and Chris Bramwell, CEO of CBE, discuss why they decided to join forces. They also discuss the importance of networking and building relationships.

Both men credit much of their success to their fathers and are now passing lessons learned to their children. Osei and Chris also explain how and why they are giving back to the community.

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Tony O. Lawson

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Published on September 6, 2020October 12, 2020

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African and African American Entrepreneurs Collaborate to Build a Community in Ghana

Kofi Anku is a shareholder and board member of Ayi Mensah Park, a vibrant of 200 unit townhouse community nestled at the foot of the Aburi Hills in Accra, Ghana.

This real estate development is the result of the collaboration between Black-owned businesses that operate in Ghana and in the U.S.

In this interview, we discuss:

1) The resources and opportunities available in Ghana

2) The importance and benefits of Black businesses collaborating.

3) Honoring the vision Malcolm X had for Black American and African unity.

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Tony O. Lawson

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Published on August 15, 2020August 17, 2020

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One of the Largest Black Owned Title Insurance Companies Closes $30 Million Dollar Affordable Housing Deal and Continues to Give Back to The Community

It isn’t often that you hear about large businesses that genuinely care about the community in which they operate, but this case is different.

As New York City is slowly reopening while spurring affordable housing to meet the growing demand post-pandemic, National Standard Abstract (NSA) closed a $30 million real estate transaction deal to develop a new affordable housing project in Brooklyn.

NSA is a title insurance agency owned by father-son duo, Osei and Nadir Rubie, widely-renowned as industry leaders after closing over $1 billion in commercial and residential real estate transactions in less than five years.

“In our five-plus years of operation, a common question posed to us is ‘how do we engage National Standard Abstract to provide title insurance for our project or transaction?’ As an MBE NYC Certified firm, our credentials are inclusive of City-funded commercial real estate projects as well as market-rate development projects,” said Nadir Rubie, partner, National Standard Abstract.

The Deal

Vacant city-owned land situated in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn will now become a seven-story residential building with 71 units. The nearly 47,000 sq. ft. structure will include 55 studios, 14 one-bedroom, and 2 two-bedroom apartments.

The amenities include a reception desk and mailroom; a multipurpose room; offices for supportive services, tenant and bike storage in the cellar; a landscaped garden in the rear yard; and a green roof with solar panels.

Backstory

CB Emmanuel Realty LLC is a real estate development company focused on acquiring and revitalizing investment-grade properties in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area. With a focus on dynamic urban neighborhoods, CB Emmanuel Realty LLC develops ground-up market-rate and affordable apartments through the preservation and upgrading of historic, irreplaceable assets.

In 2015, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) issued a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Building Opportunity Request for Proposals.

Two years later, CB Emmanuel Realty, LLC and Services for the Underserved received the award to jointly oversee development of the site into housing for formerly homeless individuals with disabilities.

The HPD Supportive Housing Loan Program (SHLP) has underwritten the project. This designation is pivotal in strengthening Black communities by ensuring every dollar invested continues to circulate amongst Black-owned businesses.

Giving back

Following the announcement, CB Emmanuel Realty, LLC chose National Standard Abstract who has committed a portion of every real estate transaction to support the community in which they do business.

“It is our responsibility to provide opportunities for other minority-owned firms that we know engage, inspire, and empower people of African descent in the community. National Standard Abstract (NSA) has demonstrated this philosophy in action after every transaction they complete. For that reason, we hire NSA to provide title insurance for all of our real estate transactions,” said Christopher Bramwell, managing member, CB Emmanuel Realty, LLC.

“As New Yorkers, we overcame many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to persevere despite our new normal. I am proud that National Standard Abstract remains an integral partner during this critical time to build one community at a time. I look forward to helping with the economic resurgence through our leadership in title insurance and our philanthropic arm, the Osei Rubie Charitable Fund,” said Osei Rubie, president and founder of National Standard Abstract.

To date, via the Osei Rubie Charitable Fund, $100,000 has been awarded in less than a year to fifteen organizations and counting that advance black culture, excellence, and generational wealth.

Tony O. Lawson

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Published on June 18, 2020September 10, 2020

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Meet David Moody, Owner of a Construction Company That Has Done $3 Billion in Deals

Our previous article about C. David Moody has been shared over 1.3 million shares and counting. That tells us that you all want to know more about the man that built C D Moody Construction, one of the largest construction firms in the country.

We caught up with Mr. Moody to find out more about him and his business.

What inspired you to start your business?

I worked for some small construction companies and a very large construction company and this might sound strange, but it just kind of happened. I had reached a point where my wife and I said we don’t have anything to lose, so let’s give it a try. That is how it all happened. Our first office was our bedroom.

What is the most challenging and most rewarding thing about being an entrepreneur?

The most challenging is not giving up during times of struggle and despair. If married your spouse must be all in. My wife went back to school and became a registered nurse, so we could have a steady income.

The most rewarding is never missing a payroll in 32 years and knowing what we started as a dream has helped others create a great life for themselves. Giving back to help others is a great feeling.

You are pretty open about your childhood trauma. Why is it important for you to speak up about it?

I speak up because I remember suffering in silence about being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I had a complete emotional breakdown in 1992, and our business was only 4 years. I had to suffer in silence and I had to heal in secret. That cost me some valuable time in my business growth.

I don’t want anyone to suffer in silence from trauma. I want to help others heal and see they can not only survive but thrive. We will all be knocked to our knees in life. The good news we are stronger than we realize. We can and we will get up. I speak up so others know they are not alone on the journey of healing or life.

What do you attribute the growth and longevity of your company to?

I attribute my longevity to God having a plan for me to not only be a successful contractor but to use my platform to help others turn trauma into triumph.

The other reasons are my wife and I have never had an expensive lifestyle and I have loved architecture and construction since I was a child.

I am living a dream that I didn’t think would happen for me. I grew up in the 1960s. I didn’t see any Black contractors growing up.

What advice do you have for aspiring for success in the real estate/construction industry?

First, it must be your love. Money can’t be your focus. Focus on being excellent in your craft and the money will follow. Be present in life and have a blast every day. Be patient and enjoy life. Keep your faith strong and put positive energy into the universe. Don’t cut corners and honor your word. Never lie and let honesty guide your steps.

-Tony O. Lawson

Purchase your copy of David’s book, “FIGHTING THROUGH THE FEAR” HERE.

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Published on March 31, 2020April 5, 2020

All Posts/Coronavirus: News & Advice

Real Estate is now considered an Essential Service according to U.S. Government

On Saturday, March 28, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) updated its list of essential services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and expressly included residential real estate.

The order now includes residential and commercial real estate, including settlement services, as essential services. However, if a state, city or county has an order with a more restrictive standard regarding what qualifies as an essential service, or more restrictions on activities, those guidelines will still govern the activities of a licensee. Here’s the official notification in you want to read it in full.

Here’s what the California Association of REALTORS® is recommending based on the industry’s updated status to essential services.

“Notwithstanding this new development, all real estate licensees must take into account the health and safety of their clients and fellow licensees, and follow the existing protocols for protecting against the spread of COVID-19. If such heath safeguards and protocols are not followed, the rule for the state could easily change to stop or restrict all real estate activity. To that end, in conformity with current health guidelines, real estate licensees should follow all CDC and local health mandates.

1. No open houses should be held.

2. Showings should be done virtually, if at all possible.”

Here’s a few safety and health protocols ideas to consider:

– Socially Distance – Ask your clients to leave the home or stand at least 6 feet away from you, the photographer or the Home Inspector enters the home. Try not to touch any surfaces, but if you do by mistake, wipe the surface clean with disinfectant wipes or sprays.

Of course, wash your hands BEFORE you enter the home, do not shake hands with anyone and wash your hands immediately AFTER leaving the home. And of course, if you or anyone in your home has been sick with any type of cold or flu, do not enter the home at all.

– Use the virtual showings software that is available and use 3D virtual tours wherever possible to make it easier to understand the home

– Create 3D tours and online Floor Plans – include Floor plans on your listings to help potential buyers get a flow of the house.

– Live, Virtual Walkthroughs – Instead of doing live showings, ask your client to tune into a zoom meeting on their phone and they can walk you and your potential buyer through the home

– Inspections with Hazmat Suits – Ask your Home Inspector to wear their hazmat suits when entering the home to avoid any contamination. Many of them already own hazmat suits because of some of the nasty nooks and crannies they need to examine anyway

Source: WAV Group

Published on March 18, 2020March 18, 2020

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Coronavirus and Black Entrepreneurship: The Impact On My Life And Business – AYESHA

Coronavirus was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Since then, it has spread quickly, causing thousands of deaths globally.

The virus has also resulted in a brutal decline in economic activity that is hitting many Black owned businesses and professionals hard.

In this series, we will be sharing personal stories from Black entrepreneurs and professionals about how they are dealing with this new Coronavirus reality.

What were your initial thoughts when you learned about the outbreak?

I tend to be an optimistic thinker so I honestly didn’t think it was that big of a deal at first. It wasn’t until the CDC started to get adamant about shutdowns did I think this was really a problem.

How has it affected your business?

I have three businesses that are all impacted by this. First, as a landlord, i’ve already heard from a few tenants who’ve told me that they’re out of work for weeks without pay or their employer has cut their pay to keep the business afloat. That means my rents will be impacted.

Second, I’m a licensed general contractor for my own projects. The city has shut down which means I can’t submit plans or get permits. I’m at a standstill on multiple projects.

Lastly, my primary trade is as a licensed stock broker—so the markets being down over 30% (as of today) impacts every part of my business. I’ve spent a big chunk of the last two weeks talking to clients that were concerned about their assets and their income.

How has it affected your lifestyle?

I tend to love somewhat modestly so this hasn’t impacted my lifestyle very much. I’m also not an outgoing person so social distancing is actually a norm for me.

What new strategies have you implemented or do you plan to implement in your business?

I’ll probably go back to having a handful of section 8 tenants on my rent roll. That guaranteed government issued money would be clutch right now lol.

If you had one ask of your community right now, what would it be?

Stop panicking. It was very disheartening to see folks fighting over toiletries at supermarkets around the world.

–Tony O. Lawson

Published on March 10, 2020

All Posts/Black Culture

Charles Barkley to Sell Memorabilia to Build Affordable Housing in His Hometown

Charles Barkley is looking to give back to his hometown in Alabama.

During a recent interview with WJOX 94.5, Barkley revealed that he plans to sell memorabilia from his NBA career to build affordable housing in his hometown of Leeds, Ala.

“We’ve probably got 30 eyesores, as I call them, where houses used to be when I was growing up. Either a rotted-up house or there’s just weeds that are overgrown,” Barkley said. “I want to work with the city of Leeds, I want them to give me the spaces, number one. I want them to give me the houses, and I’m going to use my own money selling my memorabilia.”

Barkley explained that he has an autograph deal with Panini, a company that sells authenticated memorabilia. A representative from Panini said he could get Barkley “a lot of money” for his trophies and Olympic medals, and estimated he would bring in at least $300,000 for his 1993 MVP award.

The Hall of Famer said most of his memorabilia is currently at his grandmother’s house, and he originally planned to pass it on to his daughter. However, Barkley’s daughter asked to only keep his 1992 Olympic gold medal he won with the “Dream Team” and agreed he should sell the rest of his items to help Leeds.

“I want to do something really nice for Leeds. And if I could build 10 to 20 affordable houses—I want to do green housing too. If I could sell all that stuff, it would just be a really cool thing for me,” Barkley added.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Published on March 6, 2020

All Posts/Black Culture

Billion Dollar Black Owned Real Estate Company Launches a Fund to invest in over a dozen Black organizations

The Osei Rubie Charitable Fund is the philanthropic arm of National Standard Abstract (NSA), a family – and Black-owned title insurance firm that in just four years has closed over $1 billion in real estate transactions.

In its inaugural year, the fund awarded $100,000 to help more than a dozen organizations advance black culture, education, and generational wealth.

From education to entrepreneurship, the organizations sponsored by the Fund are shifting the paradigm and changing the narrative for thousands of youth and their families.

Impact

“Our greatest achievement in life is the inheritance that we leave behind for our children. As a father, I wanted to create new pathways that would empower us as descendants of Africa to reclaim and rebuild what was lost in the past 400 years,” said Rubie, a longstanding advocate for community and economic development.

“A high school education is often a dream deferred for so many deserving students unable to afford the cost of tuition to attend some of Jamaica’s leading high schools.

The Osei Rubie Charitable Fund has helped us expand our capacity to provide six additional scholarships totaling forty-two and offer new laptops to 10th-grade students for this academic year,” said Dwight Green, the executive director of Future Leaders of Jamaica.

“One gesture of goodwill, such as purchasing a team’s uniforms, is all it could take to forever transform minds and communities. With the generous support from the Osei Rubie Charitable Fund, we were able to subsidize the enrollment fees for several of our scholar-athletes whose families did not have the financial wherewithal,” said Jacques M. Léandre, Esq., president of the Rosedale Jets Football Association.

The Osei Rubie Charitable Fund is empowering families of all sizes and economic backgrounds by expanding access to supportive services, scholarships, mentoring, and career development.

“Our No. 19 ranking among all HBCUs underscores both the high quality of the education we provide and the cost-effective, real-world value a degree from Lincoln University represents. We are able to achieve this important ranking because of the committed support from donors like Mr. Osei Rubie and the Osei Rubie Charitable fund,” stated Brenda A. Allen, president of Lincoln University.

“This has been a very long five years; college has really been hard for me. I learned a lot from experiences that taught me lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I would have never expected to end my college years with a scholarship in the form of a computer, and I am truly grateful for it,” said Ellisa Martin, a Lincoln University senior and first recipient of the Osei Rubie Technology Scholarship.

Rubie hopes that his Fund will serve as a blueprint to establish a pipeline for young, seasoned, and retired professionals to make monetary contributions and impart their life experiences towards building a better tomorrow.

Published on November 8, 2019November 9, 2019

All Posts/Feature Interviews

Meet Ayesha Selden, the Real Estate Investor who has Built a Multi Million Dollar Portfolio of over 30 Buildings

Ayesha Selden is a self made millionaire who has amassed a real estate portfolio of 0ver 30 properties and 41 units. We caught up with Ayesha to find out more about her incredible journey and accomplishments.

What inspired you to get into real estate?

When I was a kid, we lived in a rough part of South Philly that was close to Center City. We left the area when I was 18, and I told my mom that I had a feeling that area would be valuable someday.

I told her not to sell our house and that she should rent it. She was nervous about being able to find a tenant and sold it in 1997 for $35,000.

Within 10 years of her selling, that house was worth 10 times what she sold it for and today, it’s probably worth around $500k to $600k.

That lesson stuck with me (and her

) and always will.

You are clearly an ambitious person. What drives you?

Two things:

1) I have always been money motivated. I could keep a dollar as a kid. Saving is innate in me.

2) My number one fear is failure. It’s my recurring nightmare. I graduated from undergrad 19 years ago and I still dream of failing an exam or missing a final.

What is your real estate investment formula?

I am a simple and long term investor. I ask myself two questions with every property I buy:

1) Would a reasonable person live here?

I ask this because I don’t want unreasonable people living in my houses and I certainly don’t want to dance with an unreasonable maniac on the first of every month.

2) How long will this investment take to run my money back to me?

18+ months ago, the Philadelphia market was still relatively cheap. I had a requirement that any property I purchased give me a 20% cap rate. This means that I would get my entire investment back in 5 years or less.

Put simply, if I purchased a house for $50,000 cash and put $50,000 cash of renovations into the project, I’d need to be in a position to rent that house for at least $20,000/year. I’m oversimplifying but that was essentially my target. Everything beyond 5 years was playing with house money.

Briefly describe your first real estate deal and your most recent.

I purchased my first house in 2002 at age 24. I saved money by staying home with my parents after college. It was a foreclosure in Philly that I paid $67,000 for. I did a cosmetic rehab, moved in and got a roommate that basically paid my mortgage. I lived almost free. I saved more money and bought stocks and another property two years later—which was strictly a rental.

That first house I purchased would be integral in building the real estate portfolio I have today. I was able to use the equity in 2011 to begin buying and rehabbing more properties. My last property I purchased was a testament to everything I’ve learned over the last 19 years.

I purchased it from a wholesaler in a rapidly developing section of Philly. We had to remove so much of the house, it’s considered new construction on an existing foundation.

We basically have built an entirely new house minus the front wall of the house. It has been an amazing journey to get to this point.

What professional and personal traits have contributed the most to your success as an investor?

I attribute most of my success to discipline. I believe I am more disciplined than most. I have always been willing to forego nice things for long term prosperity. I was a millionaire right around my 30th birthday and basically had holes in my sneakers because I refused to buy more.

I value assets over things. I am strongly anti the normalization of having to own designer items to keep up with the Kardashians. I would love a culture that sees worth in things that matter.

Where do you see your business in the next 5 years?

I’ve been grinding for about 20 years. I sacrificed my entire 20s and a good chunk of my 30s to hustle and wealth building. Within the next 5 years, I want to take time to finally enjoy the fruits of my labor.

At 41, I am traveling more, I purchased a personal residence in Los Angeles earlier this year that I was to use as an oasis. I will still work but I want to slow down drastically. I say all this but may end up buying another 44 units and grinding for the next 5 years.

The neat thing is that I could stop working today and live a very comfortable lifestyle. I love having choice.

What advice do you have for aspiring real estate investors?

Most would-be real estate investors miss the crucial first step that’s required to be successful over time. A disciplined mindset. Discipline is what will prevent you from making mistakes like yanking out all the equity from your properties and balling instead of reinvesting.

Early on, investors should be focused on striking a balance between deleveraging and scaling. Too much debt on properties can be the demise of an investor. At the same time, growth is important. It’s easier to have 25 units than it is to have 2. Keep going.

-Tony O.Lawson

Published on October 27, 2019April 28, 2020

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This Black Owned Commercial Real Estate Firm Has Done Over $15 Billion in Transactions

T. Dallas Smith & Company is a Black owned commercial real estate services firm that specializes in Tenant and Buyer representation services for corporate users of office, industrial, and land.

The firm is Atlanta based, with offices in Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA and Trenton, NJ and projects across the country.

The members of the firm, in their combined CRE experience, have managed over $15 billion in transactions.

Part of that team is Cedric Michael, Principal and Vice President of T. Dallas Smith & Company. We caught up with Cedric to learn more about him and about the firm.

How did you get involved in real estate and why?

I was in high school having an obligatory meeting with my guidance counselor who had just asked me what I wanted to do with my life when his cellphone rang.

In the few minutes it took him to respond to the call, he closed a residential real estate deal worth more than some people bring home in a week. And real estate was his weekend gig.

My mind immediately started racing. If he could operate like that from a phone it meant flexibility. If he could close deals in a day it meant income. However, I knew I didn’t want to work weekends, so residential real estate was out for me.

But I thought, even at that age, I could be successful with commercial real estate Monday-Friday and in a way that did not plant me at a desk 40+ hours a week. I was sold and started mapping my plan to accomplish that goal immediately!

How were you affected by the 2008 financial crash and how did you overcome it?

Prior to that time, my life was G-O-O-D! I had just graduated from college with a Finance and Real Estate degree. While in college, I was working at Bank of America and was named the #1 Small Business Banker in the country. Still in college, I was promoted to Assistant Client Manager. I had my career path laid out and owned a little real estate myself.

The crash was truly a crash for me because the bottom fell out! Two weeks after graduation, I got laid off. Quickly, all of my investments went away. I was evicted from my apartment. I had to take a step back to an old job and move back into my dad’s basement.

It was like a Job experience for me because I lost all of my material possessions but I didn’t lose my faith. At one of my darkest points, a guy who I had only known in circles, Leonte Benton, invited me to hang out.

It was literally the meeting that changed my life. After I shared my story with him, he insisted on introducing me to this new firm he was working with called T. Dallas Smith & Company. I met Dallas and joined the firm a year later after getting my life in order.

Today, Leonte Benton and I are principals and owners of the commercial real estate firm under the leadership of founding principal, T. Dallas Smith.

L to R – Robert Scott (Principal, EVP), Corey Ferguson (Principal, VP), Dexter Warrior (Principal, COO), T. Dallas Smith (Principal, CEO), Leonte Benton (Principal, SVP), Cedric Matheny (Principal, VP)

How is the firm exposing more Black men and women to commercial real estate as a possible career path?

We cover it from almost every angle. We are the largest African American commercial real estate firm in the country focused solely on tenant and buyer representation so it’s in our DNA.

In the community, we work with an organization called Next Generation Men and Women teaching them about commercial real estate; showing them how it applies to their lives and being the example of success they need to see.

Because we can’t hire every minority in search of a career in commercial real estate, we partner with high profile organizations like the Atlanta Commercial Board on initiatives that keep diversity and inclusion on the table and at the table. This way, when young black men and women seek positions outside of T. Dallas Smith & Company, we ensure as many companies and firms as possible know their value and see them as positive additions to their workforce.

We speak at inner-city schools and universities as often as we are invited.

We fill our social media platforms with pictures, stories, tips and facts about the commercial real estate industry and our stake in it.

And finally, we live the life we talk about when we don’t know who’s looking. The best exposure to any life is a living example of that life.

What advice do you have for an aspiring commercial real estate professional?

I would advise them to make sure they understand finance and to master Microsoft Office (specifically Excel). Establish relationships within the commercial real estate industry.

Find a mentor. Most importantly, live like a lion! The lion is our moniker because it’s the leader in the jungle. It knows if it doesn’t hunt, it doesn’t eat.

It’s nimble and quick. It patiently studies the terrain and makes its move at the right time and with the right pride (rarely does it travel alone). It’s bold and brave. Live life courageously, listen to your instincts and go for what you want!

What are some 2019 commercial market trends that you expect to continue through 2020?

Rising rental rates. Over the last 12 months, we have seen rates in Atlanta increase on average 12 percent. This trend is not isolated only to Atlanta, but across all major markets in the US. Companies are making decisions on how they use space differently.

While the bottom line remains significantly at the top, things like atmosphere, culture and space collaboration are also driving how businesses select spaces in preparation for a majority Millennial workforce.

Where do you see the firm 5 years from now?

The firm started from humble beginnings and has been a growing firm since. We have negotiated projects across the country valued at more than $15 billion. I think we will only be limited by our ability to believe in the next five years.

What I would like to see by the year 2024 is our expansion into international real estate, a greater representation of women of color and T. Dallas Smith & Company in the top 10 Commercial Real Estate Companies doing business globally.

–Tony O. Lawson

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