Real Estate Technology

George Slusser, head of the WAV Group's New Real Estate M&A Advisory Division

prnewswire | January 14, 2021

George Slusser, one of the land business' generally capable and notable valuation specialists, will join WAV Group to head its new Mergers and Acquisition Advisory Division, land's driving counseling and examination firm reported today.

As the most up to date individual from the WAV group, Slusser brings over 35 years of involvement, remembering individual investment for more than 300 land business consolidations and acquisitions on both the procuring and selling side including many financier organization valuations.

"George literally wrote the book on real estate M&As," WAV Group Managing Partner Victor Lund said. Slusser authored the industry best-selling book, Acquiring Profit, which created the foundation for today's modern M&A industry for U.S. real estate brokerages. "We can honestly say that no one will offer brokers better M&A advice than WAV Group with George on board."

Lund clarified that at Cendant, Slusser helped led the significant acquisitions that made what is currently Realogy, the world's biggest land organization. Slusser most as of late was the previous COO and Chief Growth Officer of SVN International (earlier Sperry Van Ness), and past President and COO of Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate. He likewise was a top leader at GMAC Home Services, ERA Franchise Systems, and Merrill Lynch Realty.

"No one has more experience helping real estate brokers navigate the challenges of preparing a succession plan and the right exit strategy than George," added Marilyn Wilson, WAV Group Managing Partner.

"WAV Group already assists organizations to increase the value of their companies with the services we provide in technology, recruiting, retention and organizational excellence. Once an acquisition is complete, WAV Group supports brokerages with overhauling branding strategies, technology and data services creating operational and organizational efficiencies. WAV Group Communications is there to help the newly formed organization communicate the vision and strengths of the new entity to expand the brand strength as well as helping to retain agents and clients by minimizing disruptions. With our new M&A division, we now provide an end-to-end service to help our clients maximize the growth and profitability of their businesses­­­," she added.

For Slusser, heading up the WAV Group's new M&A Advisory division allows him to "fill an unmet need for broker-owners."

"There's an absence of firms offering brokers comprehensive M&A advice," Slusser said. "In the next three years, we expect the record consolidation we have already seen in the real estate brokerage industry to continue. As the ownership in our industry continues to age, the transfer to the next generation is underway. Broker-owners want - and need - guidance. We specialize in helping them understand the value of their company, create succession planning, explore partnership structures, help them raise capital, and most importantly, provide strategic support for each of these processes. And with M&As, both the selling side and acquiring side benefits from independent representation."

At WAV Group, the M&A Advisory Division offers a far reaching scope of value and moderate administrations for customers, conveying "unparalleled skill." Slusser will head a group that has partaken in more than 600 acquisitions and consolidations with buy costs adding up to $1.1 billion. With a consolidated 55 years of M&A experience explicit to the land business, the Division can deal with a wide scope of arrangements, going from little consolidations or association purchase outs to the biggest, most complex industry exchanges.

M&A Advisory administrations are accessible to land business organizations, both private and business, property the executives firms, innovation suppliers serving the land business, and start-up or beginning phase financier and specialist co-op organizations.

"Our experience in being owner/operators, as well as senior executives with multiple top brands, allows us to bring a unique perspective unmatched by other advisory services. Our practical knowledge allows us not only to help properly value your firm, but we deeply understand that the most important assets of your organization are your reputation and people," Slusser said.

About WAV Group

WAV Group is real estate's leading consulting and research firm, offering a depth of experience in technology, strategic planning, research, business development, Mergers & Acquisition and valuation advisory, content creation, public relations, sales, product development and marketing in the real estate industry. Clients include some of the largest MLSs in North America, international real estate franchise organizations, large independent brokerages, technology companies, and trade associations. WAV Group partners have been CEOs, executive team members, or founders of Fortune 100 and venture-funded corporations and approach each relationship with a clear understanding of the challenges that face each client's businesses today.

Spotlight

Spotlight

Related News

Real Estate Technology

REcolorado and SkySlope Join Forces to Streamline Real Estate Transaction Management

REcolorado | September 28, 2023

Today, in partnership with proptech leader SkySlope, Colorado’s largest real estate multiple listing service, REcolorado, announced they will co-develop an innovative product called Offer Insights. Scheduled to be released first to REcolorado subscribers in early 2024, Offer Insights harnesses the power of machine learning and market data to alert agents of opportunities and potential errors as they are completing real estate forms. This feature streamlines processes and boosts compliance by delivering market-aware suggestions to agents, using real-time data to signal when any information entered on a form falls above or below accepted industry standards. “When co-developing Offer Insights, we wanted to improve compliance, but we also wanted to provide REcolorado subscribers with essential market visibility,” said SkySlope CEO Tyler Smith. “Offer Insights will provide key indicators of what’s happening in the local market. Agents who use it will have access to beneficial information that’s not available anywhere else.” REcolorado is dedicated to engaging with their subscribers to gain a true understanding of their ever-evolving needs, which gives the company the ability to develop technological solutions that address those needs while also advancing the industry. By participating in co-development partnerships like this, REcolorado’s expertise can be leveraged to build meaningful solutions that give brokers and agents the ability to serve their clients as a trusted advisor. “Our subscribers trust us to listen and understand their needs so we can deliver the data, services, and insights that can be used to serve their clients and advance their businesses,” explains REcolorado President and CEO Gene Millman. “With their ability to transform data into powerful solutions that help brokers and agents work efficiently by making transactions move more smoothly, SkySlope is an ideal partner for us.” The REcolorado-SkySlope partnership underscores the ongoing movement among MLSs to evolve their services. By embracing collaboration with technology partners and brokerage leaders, MLSs are identifying agent pain points and actively participating in the development of tech-forward solutions that empower their subscribers to serve their clients efficiently and effectively. “This strategic partnership will develop a service that keeps our subscribers’ needs squarely in focus,” said Millman. “These types of collaborations are essential to creating innovations that will give agents a competitive advantage as the industry shifts.” Additionally, REcolorado will soon be launching two SkySlope signature solutions, SkySlope Offers and SkySlope Forms, to over 26,000 Colorado real estate professionals. Designed to bring time-saving automation to real estate transactions, these solutions significantly reduce administrative tasks for agents. About REcolorado REcolorado is the largest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in Colorado with over 26,000 professional subscribers who operate throughout the state. Recipient of Inman’s 2023 Innovator Award in the MLS, Association, or Industry category, REcolorado's vision is to empower a trusted, cooperative, and comprehensive real estate marketplace to position customers for success by providing data, technology, and intelligence. The company is REALTOR® owned and serves real estate professionals including the members of Denver Metro Association of REALTORS®, South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association, Mountain Metro Association of REALTORS®, REALTORS® of Central Colorado, and Steamboat Springs Board of REALTORS. About SkySlope Established in 2011, SkySlope is the customer experience platform managing real estate transactions from contract to close. Serving over 650,000 real estate professionals across the U.S. and Canada, SkySlope manages nearly 3 million transactions annually. SkySlope is on a mission to build solutions that reshape the real estate industry by creating the most powerful autonomous transaction platform. For more information, visit SkySlope.

Read More

Real Estate Technology

AREP Partners with Award-Winning Tech Accelerator Unstuck Labs to Ignite a New Era of Innovation at Rosslyn City Center

Business Wire | September 01, 2023

American Real Estate Partners announced a partnership with Unstuck Labs, an award-winning tech accelerator and mobile app developer that works with early-stage startups, founders, and innovation programs. United by a shared goal of providing environments for people to feel and perform at their best, Unstuck Labs chose one of AREP’s custom-designed SuiteX office spaces for its new startup studio location at the company’s newly transformed Rosslyn City Center (RCC) in the heart of Arlington, Virginia. And every week, RCC will be home to Unstuck Tuesdays, a free workshop for the brave, curious entrepreneur looking to level up. “We are incredibly proud to partner with Arlington Economic Development, Rosslyn BID and Unstuck Labs to support and bring new businesses to Rosslyn,” said Paul Schulman, Principal and COO at AREP. RCC isn’t your typical office building. With innovation and technology ingrained in its DNA, AREP developed RCC to accommodate the ever-changing customer and digital landscape, incorporating prop tech to elevate the tenant experience. RCC offers tech-advanced workspaces that foster innovation and connectivity and leverages broader tech partnerships like Wired Score, Datawatch and VTS to better serve and understand its customers. Each tenant has exclusive use of AREP’s award-winning tenant engagement app AREPx to seamlessly access exclusive events and programming, building features, and amenities in and around the building. Unstuck Labs’ jargon-free, no-fluff approach to accelerating startups’ growth and commitment to building a learning community of passionate founders who help each other succeed perfectly aligns with AREP’s mission. And there’s no better place for the two companies to lock arms than the gateway to the nation’s capital. Ranked No. 3 on Niche’s list of Best Cities to Raise a Family in America and No. 5 on its list of Best Cities for Young Professionals in America, Arlington has emerged as one of the nation’s premier destinations for new businesses, especially in the technology field. RCC’s prime location in the heart of Rosslyn coupled with its unapologetic customer-first philosophy and world-class amenities make it a premier destination for growing businesses - not to mention its location above one of the Washington region's busiest Metro transit stations, providing seamless access to the wider DMV area. "You know, at Unstuck Labs, we're not just about lighting up creativity or speeding up innovation. We're about dreaming big, about building a future where ideas have no limits, and RCC? Well, it's the perfect place for us to make this happen," said Wa'il Ashshowwaf, CEO and Co-founder of Unstuck Labs. "Just think about it. We're right in the middle of this amazing hub, with big-name corporations and top universities as our neighbors. We're surrounded by incredible talent and folks who are just as eager to make a difference as we are. And our new spot at RCC? It's not just an office with a killer view, it's a place where dreamers and doers come together. After a day of shaping the future, we can kick back at the Assembly Food Hall, get our sweat on at Gold's Gym, or just jump on the Metro and be home in no time. It's all part of the journey. We're super excited to be a part of the Rosslyn BID and Rosslyn City Center community, and together, we're going to make a future where every idea has the potential to change the world. And you know what? We can't wait to get started." “Rosslyn is attracting innovators from all over the country, and RCC is the epicenter of it all,” said John Chesley, AREP’s MD Asset Management. “More and more tech companies are choosing AREP because we offer connectivity, accessibility, and world-class amenities in bustling, walkable communities. And with a prime location in one of the nation’s top cities for startups and incubator businesses, RCC provides companies like Unstuck Labs with everything they need to grow their business and thrive.” "Arlington has always been an excellent location for tech companies to grow and thrive, and the region's local tech startups are some of the most innovative in the nation," said Michael Stiefvater, Acting Director of Arlington Economic Development's Business Investment Group. "The resources of Unstuck Labs will allow for some of these early-stage startups to collaborate and expand on opportunities available locally. We are proud to support Unstuck Labs in Rosslyn via the Arlington Innovation Fund.” “Rosslyn is designed to help companies like Unstuck Labs plug into an ecosystem in a prime location with business amenities and connections that support growth and expansion at any stage,” said Mary-Claire Burick, president of the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID). “When I met the Unstuck Labs team, I knew that their commitment to dreaming big and building the future of innovation would be an asset to Rosslyn and, in turn, could help them thrive and excel within our connected and vibrant neighborhood. I can’t wait to see what the future of this relationship will hold.” ABOUT AMERICAN REAL ESTATE PARTNERS Headquartered in the Greater Washington metropolitan area, AREP is an institutional fund manager and operating partner focused on data center, residential, industrial, and office assets, on both a development and repositioning basis in key markets along the East Coast.Since the company’s founding in 2003, AREP has deployed over $5.3 B across targeted geographies, acquired more than 21 million SF of Class A real estate, and currently oversees over 10 million SF. AREP's vertically integrated real estate platform and experienced Management Team provide exceptional expertise in all ownership disciplines from acquisition to realization. By leveraging this expertise, AREP remains at the forefront of real estate innovation, maximizing investment and enhancing performance to provide added value for its investors. ABOUT UNSTUCK LABS Unstuck Labs is an award-winning digital agency, venture-building studio, and hyperlearning community based in Arlington, Virginia. Founded by a team of career professionals turned entrepreneurs, Unstuck Labs helps early-stage startups and innovation programs to validate ideas, build products, and launch ventures. Unstuck Labs offers a range of services, including mobile and web development, branding and marketing, pitch decks and fundraising, and advisory and mentoring. Unstuck Labs also runs a 12-week startup studio program that provides hands-on support, deliverables, and perks to selected founders.

Read More

Market Outlook, Real Estate Investment

JPAR® - Real Estate Announces Acquisition of JPAR Modern Living in McAllen, Texas

PRweb | July 14, 2023

JPAR® - Real Estate, a leading real estate brokerage company, announced today the acquisition of JPAR Modern Living, a franchise affiliate located in McAllen, Texas. The acquisition represents a significant milestone in JPAR® - Real Estate, Texas’ expansion strategy. JPAR Modern Living, led by the esteemed Anna Hammad, has a stellar reputation as a trusted real estate brokerage renowned for its commitment to excellence, exceptional service, and cultivating long-term client relationships. The acquisition represents a powerful alliance, combining JPAR® - Real Estate’s corporate resources, the incredible platform built by Anna Hammad, and the tremendous growth opportunity and strategic significance of the McAllen and Rio Grande Valley markets. "The potential that the McAllen market holds is remarkable, and we view this acquisition as a catalyst for JPAR® - Real Estate’s accelerated growth in this region,” says Chris Sears, President, JPAR® - Real Estate, Texas. "Anna Hammad has built an impressive franchise over the last four years, and by bringing JPAR® - Real Estate’s corporate resources to bear on this market, we can unlock unparalleled opportunities for JPAR’s expansion.” JPAR® - Real Estate and JPAR Modern Living will benefit significantly from this acquisition. JPAR will look to establish a dedicated market leader, empowering the leader to spearhead agent recruitment, development, and retention efforts. The office will also leverage the company’s robust recruiting infrastructure, successfully recruiting over 900 agents last year. Aligned with the recently developed recruiting initiative focused on Spanish-speaking agents, JPAR® - Real Estate is also focused on lead-generation efforts for the Hispanic market. These initiatives will bolster agent diversity and better serve the community’s needs. “We are committed to providing our agents with support and opportunities for growth,” says Anna Hammad, Owner, JPAR Modern Living. “With a dedicated market leader, our agents will receive increased access to the same comprehensive training programs and mentorship that have propelled our company-owned locations to great success.” This acquisition perfectly aligns with JPAR® - Real Estate’s long-term growth strategy, which revolves around establishing a strong presence in attractive markets and empowering agents. With its robust population of nearly 900,000, the McAllen market presents immense potential. Agents joining JPAR® - Real Estate will benefit from the company’s industry-leading 100% commission model and extensive support, equipping them with the tools and choices needed to build their businesses successfully. About JPAR® Real Estate JPAR® - Real Estate is a full-service real estate brand and franchise platform offering a highly competitive transaction fee-based model and agent-centric culture. The JPAR® platform provides agents seven (7) days-per-week support, a comprehensive tech stack, marketing, lead generation, training, and mentoring. JPAR® affiliated owners benefit from compliance review, 1-on-1 consulting, recruiting support, and a peer network of influential industry leaders. The company boasts 4,000 agents operating in 65 offices across 25 states and closes $7.8B annually in sales volume.

Read More