Episodios

  • From Public Service to Private Practice: Casey Seeboth's Journey to Bukowski Law Firm

    From Public Service to Private Practice: Casey Seeboth's Journey to Bukowski Law Firm
    Nov 14 2024

    In this episode of Greater Texas, Sean conducts an interview with Casey Seeboth, a recent addition to the Bukowski Law Firm. They examine Casey's background, including his formative years in Milwaukee, his educational journey to law school, and his substantial experience at the Texas Department of Insurance. Casey offers valuable insights regarding his transition to private practice at Bukowski Law Firm, where he specializes in litigation and property law. The discussion also addresses the challenges and opportunities confronting Austin as it experiences growth, particularly in relation to environmental issues and infrastructure development.
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    34 m
  • Strategizing Success in Texas' Commercial Real Estate Lending

    Strategizing Success in Texas' Commercial Real Estate Lending
    Aug 19 2024

    This Greater Texas Podcast episode features a chat between host Sean Bukowski and Marino "Mo" Orlandi, VP of Commercial Real Estate at Harmony Bank Dallas,. Mo discusses his transition into the banking sector from IT. He talks about the nuances of commercial real estate, the rising interest rates impacting the sector, and how Harmony Bank continues to selectively lend to small and mid-sized builders and investors.



    Takeaways

    - Commercial real estate interactions primarily focus on small to medium-sized builders, developers, and investors.

    - The importance of maintaining a selective lending approach that values client relationships and necessitates a deposit relationship with the bank.

    - Current challenges in the real estate sector include rising interest rates that impact deal flows and lending practices.

    - In view of challenges, banks like Harmony lean towards smaller, manageable projects and cautious towards retail and high-rise developments without solid financial grounding.

    - Federal Reserve meetings and the political landscape could potentially influence future interest rates.

    - Issues like insurance rates, recalibration of expectations among market players, and agility in changing economic conditions are paramount.

    - Harmony Bank tends to be cautious with retail and office spaces due to rise of hybrid work trend, favoring industrial and multifamily projects.

    - Texas' progressive real estate market growth is attributed to business-friendly policies and consistent influx of people & businesses.

    - The need for adaptability, preparedness, and strategic planning is crucial in navigating the complex environment of commercial real estate.

    - Despite challenges, there persists an optimistic outlook for new developments and opportunities in commercial real estate.
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    30 m
  • Evolving Dynamics of Texas Commercial Real Estate: with Blaine Cook of Cook Commercial Realty

    Evolving Dynamics of Texas Commercial Real Estate: with Blaine Cook of Cook Commercial Realty
    Jul 19 2024

    Sean Bukowski had a conversation with Blaine Cook, a commercial real estate broker from Dallas-Fort Worth. Blaine talks about how he originally entered into commercial real estate, shared insights about the current market, and discussed his role in transforming the Pilgrim's Pride land project. They talked about the challenges and opportunities in the area, such as the impact of rising interest rates and tighter lending standards and the repurposing of office spaces. How will the downtown Dallas's densification, the growth in the retail and industrial sectors, and the influence of AI and Big Data affect the future of commercial real estate? Tune in and find out.

    Takeaways

    • Why rising interest rates and tighter lending standards represent significant challenges, especially for smaller investors and developers.
    • Creative repurposing of outdated office spaces is necessary to meet contemporary needs.
    • Densification of downtown Dallas is driven by residential growth and commercial activities, transforming it into a vibrant center.
    • Retail, industrial sectors and data centers are currently experiencing growth, with location significant for retail businesses, and online businesses strategically using storefronts to increase presence and sales.
    • AI and Big Data hold potentially transformative impact on real estate, particularly for data centers and industrial spaces.
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    32 m
  • Adapting Commercial Real Estate in the Post-COVID Era: With Christian Catron from Redeem Investments

    Adapting Commercial Real Estate in the Post-COVID Era: With Christian Catron from Redeem Investments
    Apr 22 2024

    After sustaining injuries that led to a medical discharge from the military, Christian embarked on a nearly two-decade-long career in healthcare, starting from pharmaceutical sales to eventually pursuing an MBA at the University of Texas at McCombs School of Business on a full scholarship. A transition from healthcare to real estate investment, termed as "wealth care," was motivated by a desire to serve in a different capacity and the challenges of mounting tax liabilities. Starting with residential real estate in 2017 and quickly moving to commercial spaces, Christian showed a keen interest in leveraging commercial properties for forced appreciation, particularly in a time when COVID-19 has transformed workplace norms.

    Takeaways

    • Christian Catron's journey from humble beginnings to leading in real estate investment highlights resilience and adaptability.
    • Christian leveraged commercial properties for forced appreciation amidst the changing workplace norms due to COVID-19.
    • His adaptation of commercial properties to meet evolving demands illustrates a strategic response to market trends post-COVID-19.
    • Through Redeem Investments, he emphasizes on rejuvenating buildings to cater to local community needs like medical offices, hotels, and apartment buildings.
    • Redeem Investments exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to real estate investment, championing the adaptive reuse of commercial spaces.
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    33 m
  • Austin's Office Market Investment Opportunities with Scott Studzinski from MoonTower Capital

    Austin's Office Market Investment Opportunities with Scott Studzinski from MoonTower Capital
    Feb 26 2024

    Scott David Studzinski discusses his early career, transition to real estate, and current role as the head and principal of Cresa. He also talks about his investment company, Moon Tower Investments, and their shift towards LP investments. Scott provides insights into the current state of the office market in Austin, including opportunities in distressed assets. He shares his thoughts on the future of remote work and office space, as well as his positive outlook for Central Texas. Takeaways -Scott David Studzinski has had a diverse career, including working in the semiconductor industry, obtaining an MBA, and transitioning to real estate. -MoonTower Investments focuses on multi-family investments, but has recently shifted towards LP investments in various asset classes. -The office market in Austin is experiencing a flight to quality, with companies downsizing their footprints and a focus on well-located assets. -There are opportunities in distressed office assets, particularly in areas with high demand and desirable locations. -The future of remote work and office space is uncertain, but Austin's strong economy and growth potential make it an attractive market.
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    34 m
  • Texas growth and its effect on neighborhoods & civic groups w/ Ricardo Zavala, of Dove Springs Proud

    Texas growth and its effect on neighborhoods & civic groups w/ Ricardo Zavala, of Dove Springs Proud
    Jan 26 2024

    Ricardo Zavala, founder of Dove Springs Proud shares the dynamic changes in Dove Springs, Texas and how urban development and taxation impact inner city communities.  The episode highlights the importance of developer engagement with communities, discussing ways in which builders can work alongside residents to enhance inner cities like Dove Springs for the benefit of all.
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    36 m
  • Reviving Community News through a Nonprofit Model with the Austin Monitor’s Joel Gross

    Reviving Community News through a Nonprofit Model with the Austin Monitor’s Joel Gross
    Jul 20 2023
    Joel Gross, CEO of the Austin Monitor, offers a front-and-center look into Austin’s increasing need for community news. With a nonprofit model, Joel is helping sustain the information landscape within a city rapidly growing into a metro region. Joel’s first mission is to make community news more accessible so that locals can stay informed and engaged, having a voice in the decisions made where they live.     Timecoded Guide:  [5:02] Mission of the Austin Monitor  [7:14] Sustaining a nonprofit news model  [10:26] Access to local news  [14:05] Future of the media landscape  [16:34] Big issues in Austin  [22:33] Austin monitor’s role in the community    What do you see as the mission of the Austin monitor?  The Austin Monitor has a broad mission but with two main facets: informing and engaging the community. Joel says that, with this, comes a prosperous community when it is made stronger by people feeling more connected. Importantly, people gain a sense of agency with community news when they have more of a voice and can go from being informed to being engaged.   “That dynamic of becoming aware, understanding, following, and taking action—That's what we believe is a throughline to a strong, civically healthy community.”    The new nonprofit news model   As newspapers have fallen to the wayside and community news has given way to broader outlets, community news has needed a new business model to thrive again. Fortunately, the nonprofit news model also makes information accessible, removing paywalls in the process. Joel says that this was the first vision of the Austin Monitor. He says that while the highly competitive media landscape has largely dissolved local news, the nonprofit media model is proving to be a sustainable solution.   “We want to do it for all so what they're doing at the state level, you're doing that at the local level. And I think we're starting to see that happen in cities across the country”    What do you see as the current big issues in Austin?  Austin is experiencing an acceleration of population and economic growth. Yet the city itself remains designed for a certain population size. The core issues that are normally present in a city, Joel says, reach a boiling point when the city cannot keep up with the growth. Through elections, big changes, and new developments, being informed and engaged in the community is more important than ever: which leads to a healthier community.  “What we want is people to feel like they are involved in that change, that they can add their voice, that change that they are being able to shape the community that they want to be in, that they want their kids and grandkids to be in.”    How does having access to local news make for a healthy community?  Joel says that there should not be an inequitable barrier to access the information needed to make decisions within a local community. The current information about a local community informs what the trajectory will look like for months and years ahead. Importantly, the Austin Monitor has informed many local leaders and those involved with the local government. The next step, Joel says, is to reach a more general audience, the rest of those living and working in Austin.   “Right now we're trying to get what we call that next level of audience—the people that are curious about what's going on in the city but may not know where to begin.”  ---------- Links:  Keep up with Joel on LinkedIn.  Visit the Austin Monitor.  If you enjoyed this podcast, check out more episodes on Audible, iHeart, and Youtube.   Learn more about the Bukowski Law Firm and the Greater Texas Podcast on our website and Youtube channel.
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    25 m
  • Returning to The “Company Town” and Housing Austinites with Glenn Hart

    Returning to The “Company Town” and Housing Austinites with Glenn Hart
    Jun 29 2023
    Sean and Glenn catch up on exciting things happening in Austin and the unique challenges stemming from the city’s recent growth. Glenn is the Director for Business Development at Broaddus Construction and also hosts the BoomATX podcast. Glenn shares his take on accommodating Austin’s growth and how the city should heed the influence of people like Elon Musk. To Glenn, most of it comes down to supply and demand: the question is if Austin can allow companies to provide the supply.   Timecoded Guide:  [00:00] Start of episode  [10:18] Housing Prices in Austin  [14:05] Elon Musk in Austin  [16:09] The “Company Town”  [21:36] The Future of Housing in Austin  [25:24] The Robin Hood Recapture    Is Elon Musk making a positive development in this market?   Glen thinks that Musk has already positively contributed to Austin’s development. With his speed to the market in Tesla’s manufacturing and plans to expedite downtown Austin transportation infrastructure, Glen thinks that the city should continue to allow Musk to build and develop in and around Austin.   “We should be encouraging it and allowing him to do it. For some reason, the city and public entities are all for all options until it's not their option.”    What do you see as the future of housing in Austin?   Glenn says that, as developers have no incentive to discount their costs, they can provide as much housing as the city allows but can only sell at the market rate. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of people moving to Austin, Glenn says that Austin simply needs more housing of all types. The challenge in meeting the demand and providing more supply are things like zoning, permitting, and city approvals, Glenn says.   “What has been able to get approved and zoned and under construction is such a long runway that's built into the limited supply we have, and, like I said, there’s just no shortage of people wanting to move to Austin.”    What are your thoughts on the Robin Hood Recapture?   The Robin Hood Recapture Law is a Texas House bill that aims to recapture excess local property tax from wealthier school districts and supply other school districts with funds needed to reach state entitlement. Glenn says that a lot of money collected from property taxes in wealthier districts does not go back into education. He says that while it may not be easy, Robin Hood Recapture is the simplest way to address affordability in Austin.   “We're paying two times as much to educate our kids in Austin, that we're getting services going out for the local area, that's a good chunk of money, that doesn't put more money into the pool to fund education across the state.”  ----------  Links:  Keep up with Glenn on LinkedIn.   Tune in to the BoomATX podcast.   Visit Broaddus Construction at their website.   If you enjoyed this podcast, check out more episodes on Audible, iHeart, and Youtube.   Learn more about the Bukowski Law Firm and the Greater Texas Podcast on our website and Youtube channel. 
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    33 m
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