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Keller Williams agent Leah Taylor (above) at 3010 W. 84th Terrace, and Reece & Nichols agents Susan Fate and Diana Resnick (below) all showed off their listings in the Cloisters subdivision over the weekend now that the weather has turned for the better (and hopefully the economy). They especially wanted to point out the state-of-the-art kitchens in each of the homes in Old Leawood that have been completely updated. Residents who live in this small neighborhood just east of 83rd and Mission pay a small homes association fee each month that includes yard maintenance, trash, leaf removal and outdoor sprinkling systems.

Fate’s listing at 3011 W. 83rd Terrace features a remodeled kitchen with limestone countertops. The master bedroom has a 14×9 walk-in closet, big enough for any shopaholic.

Resnick’s listing at 3012 W. 84th Place is an all-brick home with a kitchen that boasts a sub-zero refrigerator and Thermadore professional gas range.  The lower level is finished and big enough to invite the whole neighborhood over!

Sara Armer knows her old neighborhood 

Keller Williams agent Sara Armer literally eats, breathes and sleeps in her listings – She grew up and now lives in the Prairie Village area that she now sells in. She even has sold and resold one of the homes she and her parents lived in. So she’s an advocate for older homes and the Shawnee Mission School District. This year marks Armer’s first decade in real estate, and the fun-loving agent – she and her architect husband Chris are known for winning Halloween costume contests – talked with Metrowire recently about some of her experiences in the field:

 What’s warming up or moving in the market right now?

The “hottest” selling homes – and they’re selling FAST – are well-priced homes in pristine condition. While the market is stronger for the homes under $300,000 (less than 3 months inventory in Northern JoCo), homes priced right & in great condition will sell in the upper brackets, as well. There is a ton of pent up demand – families waiting for the market to improve – and with the government incentives, lots of people taking advantage of the moment before the April 30^th deadline for the tax credits.

 Any new or different features that buyers are looking for in a resale house now?

Buyers are very discriminating in this market, as there is more information than ever available to them. They look at homes and are savvy to values from extensive Internet research prior to ever stepping through the door. There is still a strong contingent of people wanting to find the “bargain” – a bank-owned, foreclosure or short-sale opportunity. The other group of buyers is looking for the house they can move into – and not do a thing!

 What has changed most in the profession since you started in it?

I started in Residential Real Estate in 2001 – when the “new” MLS on-line system was first introduced. There have been tons of changes, both to the world of technology and the financial world since then. I think one of the biggest changes, as a profession, is the need for up-to-date & knowledgeable sales professionals, as people want to work with professionals who can guide them through the biggest purchase they will likely make in their lifetime (or at least until they move up!). By that I mean it’s imperative that agents respond to the changing technology, understand the key mortgage financing changes and how it can impact a buyer/seller & know the area. 

 What’s an example of how technology is changing the profession?

 This past year, I held one of my listings open on a Sunday, had a few people through, and one couple I talked to for quite awhile were helping “scout” out some possible homes for an out-of-town friend. I sent him some possible homes to consider that fed to the schools the family was interested in and later that week we toured the homes I suggested. He showed me another home out South that his friends found online and were interested to know more about it, as well. We were able to get into it that morning, and both he and I knew it was the “right” house for this family. The dilemma – it’s difficult to encourage someone who has never met you to buy a house they have never seen. After all, the Internet can provide a semi-virtual tour of homes these days, but we all know it doesn’t show everything. Anyway, a week after the Open House, they were under contract to purchase their dream home in south Overland Park – with an agent they had never met.

Every sale has a story. Care to share any other unusual experiences you’ve had?

On one of my listings recently, I showed up at the inspection to hear the “summary” so I could relay the results to the seller. It happened to be one of those days when the sky was unloading rain – an absolute deluge of showers that day – and there were some leaks in the basement. After the inspector left, I was walking to turn out lights in the basement and the window well was a virtual in-house waterfall. And here’s the shocker – the buyer was not concerned!

With construction underway, Polsinelli Shughart PC Attorney Chase Simmons  is lead counsel for a new development project in western Wyandotte County that will include the Kansas City Wizards’ new soccer complex and the new regional office for Cerner Corporation.

The development, generally considered the largest economic development project in the history of the state of Kansas, will include 600,000 square feet of office space, an 18,000-seat professional soccer stadium for the major league soccer team beginning with its 2012 season (see drawing below) and a national caliber youth athletics complex.

Simmons and other Polsinelli Shughart real estate attorneys also have been involved in the development of the Kansas International Speedway, Nebraska Furniture Mart, the Sprint Campus and the Overland Park Convention Center.
Simmons, a shareholder with Polsinelli Shughart, concentrates on large-scale redevelopment projects that require public financing. He frequently appears on behalf of his clients before municipal boards and councils in nearly every local jurisdiction. In addition to real estate zoning and his real estate practice, he is knowledgeable in tax increment financing, Corp of Engineers’ environmental approvals, and New Market Tax Credits.

Tell us more about these large transactions in western Wyandotte County.

 These three transactions are really one project with 3 separate but related components.  I was lead counsel for the development group that was composed of Lane 4, On Goal and Cerner Corporation. I assisted in developing the proposed public financing structure which mainly consisted of STAR Bonds and an employment tool called IMPACT.  After that structure was designed, I assisted in negotiations at the state and local level and ultimately documented all of the agreements and approvals.  Now we are working through a series of bond issuances.

We learned the  Stadium project was selected as the “Wall Street Journal Deal of the Week.”  What were some of the challenges of that particular transaction?

 I think the biggest challenge was the fact that the three project components I mentioned before were all so inter-related. From both the developer’s standpoint and the State and local government standpoint, it was really an all or nothing deal. When you are talking about three different asset classes totaling almost a half a billion dollars in development, there are a lot of twists and turns especially in this economic environment.  By necessity, the legal and financial structure we came up with tied all these assets together.  However, the economic development tools, the analytical tools the government typically uses, and the historical form agreements were all based on looking at the different project components in “silos.”  So breaking from the typical way of doing things was a challenge for everyone who worked on the project.  There was no prototype to work from.

How did you get involved in  this project to begin with?

We have long standing relationships with Lane 4 the developer and Oppenheimer the investment bankers that helped structure the initial proposal.

The project was highly visible in the media and the political community. How did that affect your work? 

By most accounts this project represented the largest economic development project in the history of the State of Kansas so there was a lot of scrutiny.  As I said before, it also had a unique structure which also led to scrutiny. And while everything we proposed was soundly grounded in the law, several discretionary political approvals were necessary.  At the end of the day, however, a number of independent studies demonstrated that the project will have a sustainable beneficial impact to the State and the City – plus the major players all have a long term commitment to the Kansas City area.  So the bottom line is that it is a great project with great people involved.  That is always a good place to start.

How did the economy affect getting these deals done? 

In a strange way, the troubled economy probably helped make this project happen where it did.  The only way to build something like this is through a public private partnership and through access to the municipal bond market.  The Village West area has a 10 year history of successful partnerships of this type, and has a lot of credibility in the bond market and that stands out in this economy. 

Who else was involved in the deals and what were their roles? 

Tim Weaver and Owen Buckley at Lane 4 are the real estate advisors.  OnGoal and Kansas Stadium Partners led by Robb Heineman, the president of the Wizards, is the developer.  Rick Worner at Oppenheimer helped with the initial structure.  The whole finance and legal team at Cerner was very involved. The Mayor and administrative staff at the Unified Government work tirelessly on this as did the folks at the Department of Commerce.  

 How were each of the above transactions financed?  

Each of the project components has a public and private financing source.  The Youth fields will utilize county or park bonds to be paid by revenues from the events.  The Cerner campus will be financed by Cerner and by $48,000,000 in IMPACT bonds issued by the State of Kansas. The Stadium will be financed by developer debt and equity as well as $147,000,000 in STAR bonds.

 What do you enjoy most about kind of work?

I started in real estate law, and gravitated toward real estate development law because is was closer to litigation in many ways. The thing that I’ve really enjoyed is that in this type of development work, for good or bad, eventually you see what you’ve been working on. I get to drive my family by a development and see it. It’s something I can be proud of.

What’s your next project?

We’re working on another deal at 39th and Rainbow. For over two years, we’ve been working to redevelop a 2-block area near the KU Med Center. It will be mixed use development with retail, hotel and apartments. It’ll be more of an urban setting which I think will be great for that area.

What do you do in your spare time?

My favorite acivity is helping my daughters (5 and 3) with their art work and then trying to figure out what they actually painted.  I love to ski and enjoy all the local sports teams.  But my favorite is definitely the Wizards!

Earlier this month on Thursday, March 11th MetroWireKC hosted its first real estate happy hour benefiting the 2010 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year Campaign. MetroWire’s very own Charlie Nielsen is a candidate for this year’s Man of the Year Campaign.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society plays a fundamental role in helping to provide financial and  emotional support to patients and families affected by leukemia and lymphoma.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has also proven itself as a front runner in supporting research and development of cures for blood cancers.

Even though the Big 12 basketball tournament was in town MetroWireKC had a good crowd. Above, George Birt, Matthew Leisman, Marshall Mallory, and Kari Winters gathered for a picture.

After a busy winter of snow removal Kevin Shumm with Exterior Decorators is looking forward to spring by enjoying a cocktail and M&M cookie.

Sarah Steele and Wayne Bennett of Continental Title and Diana Ennis with Stewart Title took a break from competing for business and showed great support for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Another first for MetroWireKC, Bryan Barnes our advertising sales manager has finally made an issue. Here he is wearing his closer tie, unfortunately Tom Cohen with Johnson Capital wasn’t buying advertising this evening, just stopping in to support LLS.

Patrick Redetzke and Shannon Ellingson egerly awaited for their names during the raffle.  Raffle prizes included a 4 pack of Royals tickets and gift cards to Sullivan’s Steak House, J. Gilberts, and P.F. Chang’s.

Kari Winters celebrates in jubilation after her name was called. We applaud the enthusiasm and excitement she brought to the raffle. The Man & Woman of the Year Campaign provides a unique opportunity to raise money that goes directly to research and financial assistance in the greater Kansas City area. MetroWireKC and YREP will be hosting another real estate happy hour on Thursday April, 15th that will also benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the Levee Carriage house, we hope to see you there. To RSVP email info@metrowirekc.com

With approximately three decades of commercial real estate experience under his belt, Mac Crowther is the principal for Apartment Realty Advisors’ Central office which is based in Kansas City. ARA is the largest privately held, full-service investment advisory brokerage firm in the nation that focuses exclusively on the multi-housing industry. Over his career, Crowther has led acquisition and sale transactions totaling more than $1 billion in apartment, office, retail and industrial projects, land development and sale/leaseback agreements across the country. His client list ranges from large pension fund advisors and corporations to individual investors which have involved Mac in investment transactions, not only in Kansas City, but throughout the United States.

Compared to other assets in commercial real estate, how are apartments doing?

Apartments both in terms of operating fundamentals and being attractive as an investment are doing well. (A message from the ARA chairman for fourth quarter, 2009, was upbeat, and said “We’re still feeling the effects of the “doubling up/moving home/shadow market alternatives” phenomenon until U.S. employment improves. The silver lining is the dearth of new units being started …. Our industry remains positive and confident. It’s sort of like smiling while getting a flu shot; we know the temporary pain will go away and in the end, we’ll be very healthy!”)

 In your estimates, what percentage has transaction volume decreased when comparing 2008-2010 to 2003-2007?

The decline in transaction volume is around 60% in 2009, but improving in 2010.

How far have multi-family values declined in that time? 

Values have declined approximately 15% to 20%.

Tell us about a transaction you’re currently involved with.

A present offering I’m really excited about is the  Riverstone Apartments (below). It’s a recently developed, fully stabilized Class A apartment complex located in the “Northland” area of greater Kansas City.  The asking price is $36,500,000.

 ARA is nationwide. How is the Kansas City market compared to the national multifamily landscape?

Kansas City for the most part is smaller than many other major offices for ARA; i.e., Dallas, Houston, Boston, Denver, etc.  However, KC is a preferred investment location due to its predictability and stability.

Tell us a bit about your personal life and interests.

My personal life centers around my family and friends.  I stay physically active as much as possible.  I have two grown daughters living in Denver.  The oldest practices law and the youngest is in commercial real estate, concentrating on retail leasing.  My wife Mary and I have been married 40 years.

Who would have thought that one of the most surprising shifts in local residential development this decade would be Kansas City, Mo.’s emergence as the leading location for new housing? Kansas City, primarily in its wide-open Northland north of the Missouri River, began beating out Olathe, Overland Park and Lee’s Summit in yearly single-family housing permits.

One reason for the Northland’s emergence was quality subdivisions like Benson Place. A master-planned community created by Hunt Midwest, Benson Place has developed more than 800 home sites since 2002, and it has another 500 to go. It’s located on the eastern edge of Kansas City’s Northland, just west of Interstate 35 and the city of Liberty on NE 96^th Street, but within the Liberty School District.

Benson Place, with its distinctive limestone entrance signs (above) was designed to accommodate a range of architectural styles and lifestyle buyers. Different sections of the community offer town houses, split levels and patio homes in addition to traditional single-family homes with three-car garages, walk-in kitchen pantries (see model kitchen below) and vaulted entryways. Prices start in the low $200,000s for the single-family homes and even lower for the town and patio homes. But you’re buying more than a home – you’re buying a community. It’s large enough to host its own fall hayrides, garage sales, Easter egg hunts and block parties. There’s a neighborhood swimming pool and a children’s “splash park” with small spraying fountains and posts. Plus everyone from older couples to new families with young bikers enjoy the walking and biking trails that run throughout the community and surround its 5-acre lake. “We have grandparents who have moved to Benson Place so they can live in the same community as their children and grandchildren,” says Tammy Henderson, director of real estate marketing and governmental affairs for Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development. “There’s not another development in the Northland that offers this kind of lifestyle and quality of amenities at these price points.”

Q&A with Kathy Koehler and Heather Bortnick

The Koehler Bortnick Team — led by Kathy Koehler and her daughter, Heather Bortnick — is at the top of the residential game. The team has three partners, including Shannon Stumpenhaus, plus 30 agents and an office staff of 5, and has been ranked No. 1 in metro KC residential sales by The Kansas City Business Journal for 17 years. In addition, The Wall Street Journal has ranked the team as high as No. 15 in the country in residential sales. Recently, Koehler and Bortnick offered their insights. Koehler’s been in real estate almost 30 years and works with the motto: honesty, exposure, results.

The last year or so has been generally tough for residential real estate. How has your team navigated through it?

We overcame adversity with our attitude: Don’t ever ask someone to do what you would never do yourself. On October 2008 when the market dropped, we decided not to succumb to a down market that was changing daily. Instead, we decided to go back to basics and do what it took to stay No. 1. We cold called, prospected, called past clients and asked for referrals. We viewed it as an opportunity. In addition, we worked harder at branding. With more than 2 million agents nationwide, we have differentiated ourselves by creating our own brand — a Website and a magazine of our listings. The Website accounts for 87% of our clients’ initial searches. We created our KBT magazine, and it accounts for 30% of our revenue. It comes out every 90 days with more than 35,000 copies distributed throughout the KC area. This created one-stop shopping. We recognized that our clients have the power. We became the vehicle to get them to where they wanted to go.

 In what segments of the housing market have you seen improvement in recent months?

We doubled our sales in January 2010 compared to January 2009, and we’re on track to do the same in February. It seems like the market has moved up. You used to be able to say $300,000 and under was the hot market because of the first-time buyers’ market, the $8,000 tax credit and the $6,500 move-up tax credit. Now what we’re seeing in the beginning stages of 2010 is that $500,000 and below is a pretty strong market. We’re seeing good buys that were, unfortunately, foreclosures or short sales where they were getting 6%-7% off from the original list price. There is also a huge influx of out-of-town buyers coming in. We think everyone is getting off the fence.

What are buyers looking for these days?

Buyers are looking for a good deal, since it’s a buyer’s market and there have been incentives to buy (tax credits for first time home-buyers and those moving up). They also want more information right away — the Internet era.

What are your team’s strengths and how they those changed over the years?

We have a real estate specialist/agent for everyone, someone who’s knowledgeable about every part and every market in the Kansas City metro area. This hasn’t changed over time, just grown more complete.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Koehler: Networking, movies and fund-raising for the American Cancer Society.

Bortnick: Networking, tennis and fund-raising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Rose Construciton broke ground recently on a 9,000-square-foot office/manufacturing center at Parkside Business Center near Ridgeview and Kansas City Road in Olathe. Above, owner Morgan Rose with project manager Michael Doran, owner Chris Herre, and architect Chris Bell.  “We expect completion to be the middle of August, weather permitting,” Herre said. “The concrete wall panels should start construction in about 30-45 days and take about two weeks to complete. ” The building is the new home of Delka Designs, LLC, a custom interior design/build company that specializes in custom furniture, interior architectural pieces and hand-made trophies and awards.  According to The CoStar group, this project represented the only industrial building in the five-county area to begin construction in the second half of 2009, and the third industrial building start for the full year.  Russell Pearson and Nathan Anderson of Harbinger Property Group represented Rose in the transaction.

BRGR opens in Prairie Village’s Corinth Square Shopping Center

Jeff Berg, senior vice president and principal of Lane4, owners of the Corinth Square Shopping Center, came to the VIBE (very important burger eater) opening of the new BRGR Kitchen + Bar restaurant with his wife, Jamie Berg. They talked with owners Alan Gaylin and Bridget Grams (above) as the evening got underway with free-flowing food and drinks for all VIPs. Below,  Bob Fagan (right), Senior Vice President at CB Richard Ellis, brought a group of family and frends to the party.

Shirley Harpool heading to Haiti

Shirley Harpool, CCIM, Varnum/Armstrong/Deeter, (above left ) is heading to Northwest Haiti on April 23 for mission work, and she’s getting lots of support from her colleagues. When she made her first trip lin 2008, “As a commercial realtor specializing in site selection for national retailers, corporations and institutions I first checked in with my clients. They all told me to go ahead.  As part of the preparation, I then found out that each of us were allowed two 50 lb. crates to take with us to Haiti.  One crate was to hold over-the-counter medicine.  The other crate contained necessary medical supplies for the doctors. But things changed suddenly!  Haiti got hit hard by hurricanes. Food and water became scare.  We stopped collecting medical supplies and started accepted food donations. Many began donating food for me to take to Haiti, including those where I work.” For her second trip, she’s getting that same support and more, especially from her friends at CREW. Her list of needs includes adult, child, and prenatal vitamins, antibiotic ointment, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, gauze and bandaids. To give, contact Kathy Lapp at Kessinger/Hunter & Co., 816-936-8534, or klapp@kessingerhunter.com.

Brian R. Beggs is currently Director of Acquisitions for Block Real Estate Services and a Principal in all of the Block Funds.  He joined Block in January of 2003 as a financial analyst and helped start the Block Funds in July of 2004.  Over the past five years, the Block Funds have raised over $55 million of equity and acquired over $200 million of commercial property.  Brian has personally been involved in property acquisitions totaling over $400 million.  Prior to joining Block, Brian worked as a stock equity analyst for a locally based Registered Investment Advisor.

The lack of lending in commercial investment real estate has been a large contributor of plummeting values over the past 24 months.  When do you anticipate lenders becoming active again?

We are starting to see lenders become active in the market right now for quality real estate and quality borrowers.  Our mortgage brokers are telling us there is money to lend out there, but the underwriting is much different than it was 24 months ago.  Current loan terms are 55%-65% LTV with rates in the 6.5%-7% range.  Fannie and Freddie have continued to stay active during the credit freeze which explains why multi-family deals were getting done over the past 24 months.

How much further will commercial real estate values deteriorate over the next 24 months?

Commercial real estate is not like the stock market.  I can’t say how much more values will decline if any, but I do know that real estate is a cyclical industry.  If you buy functional real estate that is well located, your values will not deteriorate near as much. And your assets should be the first to come back once the market returns.  Once debt financing starts to flow again and a few more deals get done so there are comparable sales, transaction volume will pick up.   I personally think cap rates have stabilized and rents are close to stabilized in most markets we track, so any further value loss in commercial real estate should be minimal.  The only owners that get hurt in times like this are the owners who are forced to sell. Long-term owners like us look for advantages in times like this.

Have you made any purchases lately?  If not, when do you anticipate an increase in acquisitions for Block Funds?

We are looking at many deals,  but we haven’t made a purchase this year.  We have capital commitments from our investors in our 4^th Fund but have yet to call most of the money because the deals we have seen so far to date don’t fit our risk adjusted return criteria.   The good news is we are starting to see some sellers, especially banks, become more realistic with their pricing expectations. As those sellers are forced to sell, our acquisition activity should increase.

What types of assets are you targeting?  What markets?

Our firm is unique in that we will look at any type of real estate deal where we can make money.  While the Funds mostly acquire income-producing, stabilized real estate deals, we have other pools of money where we look to acquire partially or 100% vacant buildings where we think we can come in and add value.  Some buildings are only vacant because the owner doesn’t have any capital to make new leases.  If a well capitalized owner buys that asset, they have the potential to make a lot of money.  Other buildings are vacant because they are poorly located or are functionally obsolete.  Obviously those are the buildings we want to stay away from.  Right now I would say the top three markets we are looking in are Kansas City, St. Louis, and Phoenix, but we will go almost anywhere if the deal is compelling.

How has your underwriting changed over the past 24 months?  

It is more consistent with what the space markets are doing.  When times are good and the markets are in favor of the landlords, we can underwrite increasing rents and lower vacancies.  The reverse is true in times like today where tenants have most of the control when negotiating a lease deal. 

In 2008, you attended the Final Four and your seat was just barely cut from the “Mario’s Miracle” cover of Sports Illustrated.  Will your Jayhawks make the Final Four this year?  If so, do you plan on attending?

I think they will make the Final Four especially since Cole and Sherron have been there before and that experience will really help them once the tournament begins.  It does take some luck getting there however, and the best team does not always make it. So I plan on going to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 in St. Louis if KU is playing there.  If they make the Final Four, I will do exactly what I did in ’08, which was watch the Saturday games here with a bunch of people. If they go to the Championship game on Monday night, I’ll be in Indy!

Last March wasn’t the best economic climate to be launching a new business, especially in commercial real estate. But with more than a decade of commercial real estate experience behind him,  Jared Frost forged ahead and founded Point Commercial.
And now that he and the other company principals, Erik Murray and Jeff Dozier, are approaching the company’s one-year anniversary, they find themselves in a unique position – they’re busier than ever and growing at a
record pace.
 ”We are very fortunate right now,” Frost said. “We’re busier than ever putting deals together, and we’re actively recruiting to build our firm.”
Point Commercial was founded on the principles of “over-serving” the client, building relationships with personal service and commitment. On a local, regional and national level, the firm specializes in tenant and landlord
representation, development projects, land assemblage and investment sales. Currently, Point Commercial is developing a retail center at 119th and Quivira in Overland Park. They also are working with clients across the
Midwest to retrofit vacant retail “big boxes,” which is rather unique in the industry considering the current economic climate.  Nationally, they are working with clients to take advantage of opportunities to open new
locations at below market lease rates in soft markets, or re-negotiate  existing leases that are near expiration.
Their clients run the gamut from one of the fastest growing retail chains in the country in Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches to well established industrial companies like CertiFit Auto Body Parts. Frost and Murray are
especially pleased that Dozier, who joined Point Commercial in January as a Principal and Director of Development Services, brings more than 25 years experience in the management, leasing, development and redevelopment of more than 50 enclosed shopping centers, community centers, mixed-use urban centers, low rise and high-rise buildings.
“There are just six of us now, including the three principals and associates, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Murray said. “We are focusing on recruiting young talent to join our growing company.”

Author discusses urbanism issues

Toronto author Jeb Brugmann (above with Michael Frisch, UMKC associate professor of architecture, urban planning and design) came to town recently to speak at the Kauffman Center  about several “urbanism” issues, any of which are addressed in his book, “Welcome to the Urban Revolution: How Cities are Changing the World.” He took guests on a tour of cities across the globe, and showed how some have succeeded and others have failed at “planned urbanism.” Among the prominent attendees were Bob Berkebile (below), principal of BNIM Architects, with Mary Ellen Culver and Dave Lacy of Opus Northwest.

Brugmann posed many interesting questions, including “Why do some cities unroll great plans” and their redevelopments look like the plans, while many others fail? The key is for cities to have an institution that is doing the research and developing solutions, all the way down to small details like what kind of stores would one group shop at, he said. “Cities where they’re trying to get people to move back to the urban core, you have to understand the culture and make it exciting for a particular group to want to move there. In development, we don’t do analytics well. We don’t aggressively try to understand which user groups want to be in a particular area.” That point and several others (such as he perceived Kansas City as a large downtown area with many underutilized buildings), were expecially interesting to guests such as (below) Ryan Gerstner with Blue Valley Insurance, Jeff Pinkerton and Dean Katerndahl, both with the Mid-America Regional Council.

BOMA KC makes its voice heard in Washington

On behalf of the Kansas City’s Building Owners and Management Association, BOMA KC recently sent members of the executive board and advocacy committee (below) to the 2010 Winter Business Meeting and National Issues Conference in Washington D.C.

  

The conference was an opportunity to communicate the real estate industry’s critical legislative issues to our Missouri and Kansas representatives. Those attending were Shelly Hickey, Highwoods Properties, Helen Lindquist, Kessinger/Hunter Management Company, Inc., Dave Grosdeck, Cassidy Turley, Barry Gregson, Cassidy Turley, Dan Storey, Cassidy Turley, Jackie Older-Hefner, MC Realty Group, Jim Unruh and Susan Moore, both with Grubb & Ellis | The Winbury Group.  After presentation by both the Republican and Democratic parties, BOMA KC representatives met with members of Congress and Hill staff for both Kansas and Missouri to discuss economic and energy legislative that is pending. Then next month, BOMA Kansas City will continue its advocacy mission by visiting representatives in Jefferson City and Topeka, meeting with senators and committee chairpersons with the goal to raise BOMA Kansas City’s visibility on the state level and discuss real estate legislative issues facing both states.

Diana Ennis is the Downtown Branch Manager of Stewart Title Company, Midwest Division, leading an escrow closing and underwriting staff in the procurement, processing and closing of approximately 500 commercial real estate transactions per year throughout Kansas and Missouri.  The Branch also offers full residential title origination and escrow closing services.  Ennis also is the 2010 President of the Kansas City Chapter of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women).

Tell us how and why you’ve made a career at Stewart Title?

In 2002, Stewart approached me about coming on board to lead their Commercial Division.  Marsha Laner, Senior Underwriting Counsel for Stewart Title Guaranty Company, and I had worked together before in a private law practice followed by a stint at one of our competitors. She encouraged me to step into a leadership role with Stewart.   I agreed to do it for a number of reasons but I admired Stewart’s core mission of providing “magnificent” customer service.  Having been a customer of title insurance companies for over 20 years, I felt I could bring value and transactional experience to Stewart.

 What will you and your staff be focusing on in 2010? What’s new with your business?

In 2010, Stewart’s main focus is on obtaining new customers and helping our existing customers grow their business.  For example, my individual office has exclusively been a Commercial Escrow operation.  We are now a full service branch offering residential closing services to better assist those realtors, developers and lenders servicing the Metropolitan Kansas City Area.  Stewart has always been on the cutting edge of technology.  We have been spending the last six months intensely training our staff, lender and residential realtor customers on implementation of the new HUD/RESPA regulations. Time and money (and trees) are saved with our “linked” commitments.  The documents shown as affecting the property in our Title Commitments and Policies are hyperlinked to an image of the actual instrument. 

What is your niche? What makes Stewart Title stand out in Kansas City?

Our niche as an industry is to be the facilitator insuring the orderly transfer and establishment of interests in real estate.  A number of title companies have come and gone recently.  Stewart has been around for over 110 years and unique to the industry, is the only major underwriter still managed by members of its founding family.  Stewart is consistently given an “A” Financial Stability rating by Demotech, an independent financial analysis firm that rates title companies.  We stand out for many reasons, but I believe our associates are simply the best at what they do.

You are president of the Kansas City Chapter of CREW this year. What has that experience been like? 

I’ve worked my way through the Committee and Board ranks for the last 8 years and serving as President in 2010, so far, is rewarding and fun. Our core mission is to promote the role of women in all disciplines related to Commercial Real Estate.  We do that by providing meaningful networking opportunities and targeted programming that includes leadership and professional development training. We’ve had a couple of great programs already this year on The Downtown Area Plan including the I-670 Corridor and the efficacy of projects that are “green by design.”  We socialize at regular Happy Hour events like our recent exclusive screening of The Next American Dream documentary at the new AMC Theater downtown.  It’s very exciting to have direct access to over 8,000 members in 72 cities representing over 20 disciplines.

I heard that your voice also can be heard on the radio. What’s that pasttime all about? 

I’ve been a “guest DJ” on 90.1 FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio since 2002.  Right now, on a volunteer basis, I am engineering and helping co-host a couple of weekly rock music shows with the goal of having my own weekly two hour Americana/Roots Music program.  It’s all about the music – satisfying the listening desires of those who love it and hopefully broadening the base of those who listen to the station to help insure its sustainability.