Bash for the Bulldogs Raises Funds for Long Island Bulldog Rescue

A commercial real estate developer in the Boston metropolitan area, Michael Snedeker serves as the executive vice president of Elite Building Corp, a Massachusetts-based real estate company with over 30 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. In addition, Michael Snedeker is an active member of Long Island Bulldog Rescue.

Founded in 1999, Long Island Bulldog Rescue is a nonprofit organization that provides adoption, education, intervention, and prevention services with the aim of ensuring safe and loving homes for English bulldogs. On December 7, 2018, actress and web personality Coco Austin; her daughter, Chanel Nicole; her bulldog, Maximus; and animal advocate Jill Rappaport invited their friends and fellow bulldog and animal lovers to Bash for the Bulldogs to raise funds for the organization.

The event, held at New York University’s Kimmel Center, was attended by over 200 guests, who enjoyed dinner and bid on auction items such as a boxing glove that belonged to Muhammad Ali, a signed Bruce Springsteen guitar, and a life-sized bulldog statue made of fiberglass, signed by its previous owner, Howard Stern.

The Process of a Commercial Construction Loan Application

Michael Snedeker is a Boston-area real estate developer. Serving as the executive vice president of Elite Building Corp., Michael Snedeker negotiates financing for commercial construction projects. 

Many commercial real estate projects are financed by loans. The process of applying for and receiving a loan is long and involves a large amount of paperwork. 

First, the developer approaches a bank with a construction plan and a loan request. The lender is usually a local community bank with a strong understanding of the city’s real estate environment and the players involved.

The bank looks at the loan request and conducts background checks on the developer to ascertain his or her business reputation and credit strength. If the lender approves the loan request, the bank will issue a term sheet that details the terms of the loan. The term sheet is nonbinding and serves as a base for negotiations between the lender and borrower. 

After the term sheet is reviewed by the borrower, negotiated with the lender, possibly renegotiated, and eventually accepted, the lender proceeds to underwrite and approve the loan. 

While underwriting, the lender takes into account the construction budget, the market conditions, and the capacity of the developers. Some of the documentation requested at this point may include the real estate project proforma, financial statements, engineering plans, and borrower and guarantor tax returns. Once the process is complete, the bank issues the borrower a legally binding letter of commitment and later signs a binding contract with the borrower.

Massachusetts SPCA Offers Fear-Free Pet Training to Veterinary Staff

Michael Snedeker is an accomplished real estate and business development professional based in the Boston area. The executive vice president at Elite Building Corp in Lynnfield, Michael Snedeker supports the humane treatment of animals through annual donations to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). 

The MSPCA, which works in partnership with Angell Animal Medical Center, maintains a training program that teaches staff to calm pets experiencing fear and stress in the medical environment. Many members of the veterinary care staff at Angell have completed this training to become “Fear Free Certified” professionals.

The training includes nine hours of classroom study on calming anxious animals through a variety of methods, including alternative therapies such as pheromone diffusers, behavior management products such as compression garments, and pharmaceuticals. Participants also learn gentle ways to handle and control animals during veterinary procedures.

2019 Commercial Real Estate Trends

Boston-area resident Michael Snedeker earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts before he embarked on his distinguished career in the real estate industry. As the executive vice president of commercial construction firm Elite Building Corp., Michael Snedeker pays close attention to trends in the commercial real estate industry.

Like the rest of the American economy, the commercial real estate industry has enjoyed an extended period of robust growth. Here are three trends that may shape that growth in the near future:

- Technology integration. Every industry has been profoundly impacted by the exponential growth in technology over the past few years, and commercial real estate stands to benefit as well. For example, industry analysts expect that more commercial real estate developers will integrate the “Internet of Things” into both new construction and legacy buildings as companies and other tenants shift more of their daily business to the cloud.

- A slowdown in office construction. While the first half of 2018 saw a marked increase in new office construction, some analysts foresee that trend slowing in 2019. In addition to increased numbers of remote workers who require less office space, new construction may be reduced due to zoning issues and rising construction costs.

- Visual marketing. Though some people might associate visual marketing and professional photography with the consumer goods sector or the residential real estate market, recent studies indicate that commercial real estate buyers are increasingly relying on visuals when they search for office and retail properties. In 2019, analysts expect more commercial real estate developers to raise their photography budgets as part of their marketing strategies.

Forbes’ 2018 Top Cities for Commercial Real Estate Development

Real estate developer Michael Snedeker is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts. Focused on commercial construction, Boston, Massachusetts, resident Michael Snedeker keeps abreast of the top locations for commercial property development. 

In April 2018, Forbes’ Real Estate Council shared their top cities for real estate development. Here are the top two cities for commercial real estate development:

- Downtown Los Angeles, California. Following an increase in commercial property prices in the Bay Area, as well as a shortage of available space in neighboring locations, Downtown Los Angeles is beginning to attract commercial real estate development. Additionally, the city has beefed up security in the area and taken considerable steps to make it safer ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 

- Austin, Texas. Austin’s commercial real estate market is heating up. Bolstered by a 2-million-strong population that is still growing, an educated workforce, and affordable cost of living, Austin is attracting commercial real estate developers who can make due with the property taxes and longer approval times. 

Other cities in the top ten included Miami, Florida for an attractive hub for foreign buyers, Phoenix, Arizona for tax advantages and friendly business climate, and Atlanta, Georgia for strong renter profile including large corporations like Coca-Cola.

LIBR Rescues English Bulldogs

Based in Boston, Michael Snedeker works for Shellback Industries to perform commercial real estate duties ranging from marketing and advertising to sales, customer service, and systems and business development. Outside of work, Michael Snedeker is an active member of Long Island Bulldog Rescue.

In 1999, Laurette Richin established Long Island Bulldog Rescue (LIBR) to care for English Bulldogs that had been subjected to neglect, abuse, or release. The non-profit organization provides services like education, prevention, and intervention in addition to adoption.

- Education. LIBR organizes speaking engagements, works with schools, and joins forces with other rescue organizations to educate and raise awareness on saving English bulldogs.

- Prevention. LIBR helps people learn how to love and care for their adopted pets, which is likened to adopting a member of the family.

- Intervention. LIBR works with shelters, law enforcement, and other rescue groups to save bulldogs by responding to emergency calls, providing complete rescue operations, offering emergency pickup and evaluation, and providing both emergency and routine medical care.

- Adoption. LIBR screens people to match with dogs through extensive interview processes. Aside from this, the organization offers follow-up support to check on successful homing and determine the finality of adoption.

What Traits Make a Successful Real Estate Developer?

Real estate developer Michael Snedeker serves as a consultant at Shellback Industries. Based in Boston, Michael Snedeker has been involved in many commercial real estate projects. 

Here are four traits of a successful real estate developer: 

-Good communicator. Real estate development is a complex pursuit that requires interaction with various professionals, including architects, engineers, construction workers, and investors. A good developer must be able to communicate with each of these groups clearly from the start of the project to the end. 

-Problem-solver. Many things can go wrong while developing real estate. A good developer prepares for the unexpected and is quick to find solutions.

-High risk-tolerance. Real estate development is a risky endeavor. There is no assurance that a commercial development will attract good tenants. A good developer knows that risk-taking is part of the business and that high risks can come with high rewards.

How Project Type Affects the Level of Risk

Michael Snedeker serves with Shellback Industries in the Boston area, where he assists in matters regarding commercial construction and real estate. Experienced in various areas of commercial construction and real estate, Michael Snedeker understands the intricacies of managing risk in real estate development. 

Understanding the risks associated with real estate development is a crucial part of the process due to its lengthy, complicated nature. Projects can take years to complete, and obstacles may arise at every phase. 

Two factors play the biggest role in determining the risks involved in real estate development: project type and stage. The project type generally determines the amount of risk across the project's lifespan since some types involve a higher degree of risk. The overall risk tends to decrease the closer the project comes to completion. 

Project types fall into two broad categories: built-to-suit and speculative. Built-to-suit projects involve less risk across all stages since builders and developers identify buyers and their requirements prior to the project’s start. This also gives the project a higher chance of success. 

Speculative projects base construction on prevailing market trends or estimated property appeal. Since demand and market trends can shift over the course of development, the risks run higher, and the chance of success may vary.

Experiential Retail Driving Commercial Real Estate in 2018

A veteran real estate and business development professional in Boston, Michael Snedeker focuses on consulting on commercial construction and real estate matters at Shellback Industries. To better serve his clients, Michael Snedeker pays close attention to the trends driving the commercial real estate industry. 

For decades, retail stores have been a steadfast anchor of commercial real estate properties across the country. With the rise of the Internet and online retailers such as Amazon, however, physical retailers have had to adjust their business models to keep up. According to commercial real estate analysts, the latest twist in retail is set to drive commercial real estate trends in 2018.

Over the past few years, retail stores struggling to bring in customers have adopted a philosophy that has been termed “experiential retail,” which means creating an overall experience for the shopper that goes beyond buying products. For example, yoga-product retailer Lululemon has conducted yoga classes in its stores, while grocery chains like Whole Foods have added restaurants, wine bars, and cooking classes. 

By adapting to the desires of both younger clients, who often value experiences over material things, and older clients, who are used to visiting physical retail locations, retailers and the larger commercial real estate industry can continue to thrive in the new economy.

A Look at Industrial Commercial Properties

Michael Snedeker, a former Division 1 football player, holds years of experience in the construction and real estate industry. Currently Michael Snedeker serves as a builder and real estate developer at Shellback Industries, specializing in the construction of commercial properties. 

Commercial properties are non-residential buildings that are used solely for business purposes. They may include multi-family homes, such as apartment buildings, as well as retail, office, and industrial properties. 

Industrial properties typically have a large footprint, as they are designed to facilitate large-scale industrial operations as well as numerous workers and equipment. Manufacturing facilities, one of the most common forms of industrial property, are those that focus on the production or assembly of products. Alternatively, warehouse facilities provide storage and distribution capabilities through either a smaller scale flex-facility, or a larger-scale bulk warehouse. Lastly, hybrid buildings known as research and development (R&D) facilities combine the benefits of office and tech space in addition to offering manufacturing capabilities.

The Path to Becoming a Commercial Real Estate Developer

Business owner Michael Snedeker is a resident of Boston, Massachusetts and heavily involved with commercial real estate development. 

Commercial real estate developers are involved in the buying, selling, and renovation of commercial properties. They manage the acquisition of land and the subsequent construction of commercial properties. They also sometimes provide investors with guidance on how to make commercial assets more profitable, considering factors such as property values, regional demographics, location, and local market trends. 

Becoming a real estate developer is a multi-part process. The first step is to acquire an undergraduate degree that will teach you the business and accounting skills required to manage commercial developments. Elective units that focus on real estate will provide additional insight into the field. After graduation, you can take your expertise further by completing a real estate certificate program.

Next, you should earn a real estate license from your home state and look for relevant work experience. Many commercial real estate developers start out as property managers and real estate brokers before making the move to development. After accumulating several years of experience in the industry, you should seek professional certification from an organization such as the Institute of Real Estate Management. Finally, to find success as a commercial real estate developer, you will need to hone skills such as relationship-building, risk tolerance, creativity, and problem-solving.

Effective Measures for Improving Employee Retention

With a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Massachusetts, Michael Snedeker is an ActionCOACH business consultant who works with service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs in and around Boston. Among other key areas, Michael Snedeker provides business owners with insight into employee retention strategies.

A strong recruitment strategy is an important aspect of business development, but employee retention is even more crucial for sustained success. Studies have shown that the cost of replacing an employee can range anywhere from tens of thousands of dollars to more than twice their original salary, while soft costs such as lowered productivity and decreased engagement are also incurred.

Any successful retention strategy should begin at the recruiting level, with employers seeking candidates who have qualities that match aspects of a business' corporate culture and strategy. Additionally, candidates with longevity at previous jobs and those with extensive volunteer or recreation activity should be prioritized.

Beyond the recruiting process, employers seeking to increase their employee retention rate should provide ongoing career education and emphasize the potential for advancement. Employers should promote from in house whenever possible so that employees feel they're crucial to the company's overall success. Offering benefits such as flexible work schedules and remote opportunities can also play a vital role in retaining employees.

The Process of Certifying Your SDVO Business with Veterans Affairs

The recipient of a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Massachusetts, Michael Snedeker resides in Boston and serves as business coach through Action COACH. In this capacity, Michael Snedeker helps Service-Disabled-Veteran-Owned (SDVO) businesses develop effective marketing strategies. 

Registering your company as an SDVO business comes with several benefits, such as access to specially earmarked government contracts, increased traffic, and consideration from potential clients who want to support veteran entrepreneurship. To begin the registration process with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you need to create a user account for your company with VetBiz (www.vip.vetbiz.gov/Public/Register/Register.aspx) and prove your veteran status by uploading military service records, which can be obtained through the Department of Defense, as well as a disability status letter from the VA. The business also must be at least 51 percent owned by yourself or other veterans. 

The VA will then review the documents and application and may even examine tax returns, bank statements, and business inventory to ensure it's capable of taking on government contract work. Site visits throughout the registration process may also occur. Smaller business not seeking government contracts can choose to register with private entities such as Buy Veteran.