The Counselors of Real Estate® Consulting Corps has continued delivering strategic real estate guidance to communities across the United States. In 2024, the Consulting Corps engaged with various municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other entities to provide actionable recommendations and foster economic development. In the second half of 2024, the Consulting Corps assisted the City of South Lake Tahoe, California; Billings, Montana; Evansville, Indiana; Naval Air Station Key West. Mini-Consulting Corps engagements delivered guidance to two churches: Middle Collegiate Church and Bushwick Abbey/ Iglesia de la Santa Cruz, on top of providing guidance to Springfield, Oregon, and the San Antonio Independent School District in the first half of 2024.
We are grateful for the partnership and support of our members, clients, and colleagues, and want to thank Keenan Hughes, CRE, and Greg Peterson, Esq., CRE, for leading the Consulting Corps Committee in 2023-2024. Thanks also to the National Association of Realtors® for bringing the Consulting Corps to more communities through the Transforming Neighborhoods program.
We are pleased to share this update on the Consulting Corps 2024 accomplishments. In 2025, we look forward to bringing Counselor expertise and problem-solving to more communities, nonprofit organizations, and government organizations. Contact us to explore how the Consulting Corps can address a strategic real estate challenge in your community.
2024 Consulting Corps Assignments
South Lake Tahoe, California
The City of South Lake Tahoe confronts a shortage of workforce housing, an economy that is largely reliant on tourism, and a number of underutilized commercial properties. The challenge of tackling the community’s needs is complicated not only by the tourist-oriented marketplace but also by the development regulations in place to protect the environment; regional planning and development is overseen by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, a bistate entity charged with protecting the Lake Tahoe region. As the City began the process of developing a new Mid-Area Plan, the Consulting Corps was asked to address redevelopment goals and opportunities within the boundary of this area.
Billings, Montana
While Billings, Montana, is often considered relatively affordable, the gap between typical salary and typical home price has increased dramatically in recent years. The median home sale price in Billings rose by 50.9% between 2018 and 2023, increasing from $248,500 to $375,000. That translates to a dramatic shortage of affordable, workforce, and family housing. The CRE Consulting Corps was asked to analyze the housing situation in Billings and recommend action steps that could assist the City of Billings and area stakeholders in fostering increased production of housing that would meet the needs of working families.
Evansville Team with Mayor Stephanie Terry (center) and Ward 4 Council Member Tanisha Carothers (left)
Evansville, Indiana
Naval Air Station Key West
Mini-Consulting Corps Engagements
Project Updates
Webinar Features Updates from Peoria, Huntsville, and Spokane
Hear about progress underway in Peoria, Huntsville, and Spokane by viewing the Transforming Neighborhoods webinar presented on Sept. 11, 2024, featuring representatives from Spokane, Washington; Peoria, Illinois; and Huntsville, Alabama. The speakers provide overviews of the challenge presented to the Consulting Corps and the communities’ implementation and outcomes to date.
Paradise, California
The Consulting Corps was onsite in Paradise, California, in July 2021 at the request of the Paradise Association of Realtors® to offer assistance in advancing recovery after the 2018 Camp Fire which burned 15,000 structures. The town has been working hard to implement actions that will assist with redevelopment. For example, Paradise has implemented Consulting Corps recommendations such as providing defensible space grants to help families reduce fire risk, meeting with the state insurance commissioner and advocating in pursuit of systemic change to insurance risk models, and holding regular meetings with housing agencies and other community partners.
Bangs, Texas
The Consulting Corps visited the small town of Bangs, Texas, in October, 2023. The team provided specific suggestions, and local leaders have embraced the recommendations to advance plans for new affordable housing and commercial developments.
Recognition and Presentations
RICS Americas Award – 2024 Highly Commended
Randal Dawson, CRE, Peoria Consulting Corps team member, and the Peoria Consulting Corps team were recognized by the RICS Americas Award – 2024 Highly Commended for their outstanding contributions to redevelopment in Peoria.
Cassandra Francis, CRE, and Monica Hagewood, CRE gave a presentation at the Florida Planning Conference about the CRE Consulting Corps work in Fort Myers, Florida.
Randal Dawson, CRE, Kristie Engerman, Government Affairs Director, Peoria Area Association of REALTORS, Illinois REALTORS®, Jennifer Hamm, CEO, Peoria Area Association of Realtors® and Samantha DeKoven, provided an overview of the Consulting Corps and shared the progress in Peoria as local leaders have implemented the team’s recommendations. Presentation at NAR Commercial Leadership Development Day.
Wendy Timm, CRE, addressed Billings, Montana, stakeholders at the Housing Summit hosted by the Billings Association of Realtors® on Nov. 14, 2024.
WHAT ARE CLIENTS SAYING?
WHAT DO COUNSELORS REPORT ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE?
Thank You to Our Consulting Corps Volunteers!
Thanks to the following Counselors who participated in the Consulting Corps assignments referenced above:
Evansville, Indiana
Walt Clements, CRE (leader)
Naval Air Station Key West
Skip Preble, CRE (leader)
Billings, Montana
Wendy Timm, CRE (leader)
Huntsville, Alabama
Casey Kemper, CRE (leader)
Bangs, Texas
Marilee Utter, CRE (leader)
South Lake Tahoe, California
San Antonio Independent School District
Jackie Buhn, CRE (leader)
Springfield, Oregon
Eric Swanson, CRE (leader)
Peoria, Illinois
Wendy Timm, CRE (leader)
Spokane, Washington
Jackie Buhn, CRE (leader)