Jen's Notes and News: Q2 2022
Spring is here!
Spring is here and I could not be happier! Sunshine warms my soul just like all the exciting things we have going on.
Empire Property Construction ended their first snow season with stellar reviews from our residents and clients. Now that spring is here, we are focusing on a portfolio of commercial real estate investments recently under management to which we will provide landscaping and maintenance services.
Empire Capital Fund purchased its second property, a fix-and-flip in the heart of Bethlehem. Renovations are nearly complete with an expected cash-on-cash return of over 50% at the conclusion of the sale. To say this is a heck of deal is an understatement! If you can't find the right deals, consider investing in the Empire Capital Fund. Not only do you get the benefit of letting your money work for you, but you also get the first priority to any off-market deals not purchased by the fund.
The Empire Investment Club launched in Jan of 2022. This free membership has allowed us to streamline our value to our investors by combining everything in one place. Through your membership in the EIC, you will get access to my Growing Empires podcast, weekly articles, hot properties list of investment properties for purchase, notes from me and the latest Lehigh Valley news. EIC members also get to attend regular networking/learning events called Club Conversations. Each Club Conversation event has a topic that’s relevant to investors and is an opportunity to ask questions of me and my team. Be sure to stay in the know by joining the EIC.
I am so proud of the team at Empire Property Management. We were given the opportunity to work the Easton Yards project from the acquisition of an abandoned warehouse all the way through to zoning approvals, construction and leasing. The team really knocked this one out of the park! We successfully leased 59 units prior to construction completion and long before the final occupancy permits. They were leased at premium rates and the building is now up and running at full occupancy.
Lastly, we are finally in our new home at 456 Union Boulevard in Allentown. Be sure to stop by and say hello when you are in the area.
Lehigh Valley News
Rents rise dramatically in Allentown, new report shows; a studio apartment now averages about $1,600 a month. Read full article: https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-rents-rise-dramatically-in-allentown-20220415-pv4ggy6vanbizg6clzjzoqqbz4-story.html
Developer wants to demolish 12 South Bethlehem homes to build 7-story student housing complex. Read full article: https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2022/04/developer-wants-to-demolish-12-south-bethlehem-homes-to-build-7-story-student-housing-complex.html
N.Y. firm partners with local developer on up to $150M investment on Lehigh Valley properties. Read full article: https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/business/2022/04/ny-firm-partners-with-local-developer-on-up-to-150m-investment-on-lehigh-valley-properties.html
Crews putting finishing touches on home facades as part of home improvement project on Walnut Street in Allentown. Read full article: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/crews-putting-finishing-touches-on-home-facades-as-part-of-home-improvement-project-on-walnut/article_6352bf94-bc37-11ec-8170-b73db9c43b8c.html
More than 1K housing units proposed in Lehigh Valley so far this year, as housing market continues to heat up. Read full article: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/more-than-1k-housing-units-proposed-in-lehigh-valley-so-far-this-year-as-housing/article_da88d220-bc3b-11ec-bf5c-1bdbf13587c7.html
Pektor, management firm to invest $150M in Lehigh Valley properties. Read full article: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/pektor-management-firm-to-invest-150m-in-lehigh-valley-properties/article_0115ea42-ba5f-11ec-b8b5-5750c602c7cd.html