ULI South Carolina and Elliott Davis Host Annual Real Estate Spotlight

GREENVILLE, S.C., Nov. 11, 2010 – The Urban Land Institute (ULI) South Carolina and Elliott Davis, LLC hosted more than 150 attendees at its annual Real Estate Industry Spotlight held Nov. 10 at the Embassy Suites in Greenville, S.C.

The event began with ULI Senior Research Fellow Stephen Blank presenting “Emerging Trends in Real Estate®.” Now in its 32nd year, “Emerging Trends” is the oldest, most highly regarded annual industry outlook for the real estate and land use industry. It includes interviews and survey responses from more than 1000 leading real estate experts, including investors, developers, property company representatives, lenders, brokers and consultants.

“Real estate market participants continue to see a gulf between buyers and sellers, however, there is an expectation that the ‘bid-ask’ spread will begin to close in 2011 as selling sentiment improves dramatically from last year’s all time survey lows and buyers temper expectations for giant discounts,” said Blank. “Investors with cash could have excellent opportunities to seize market bottom plays by recapitalizing cash-starved owners or buying foreclosed assets.”

Immediately following ULI’s presentation, Elliott Davis hosted a series of sessions related to current issues in real estate including energy incentives, foreign capital, distressed real estate, debt offerings as well as industry developments related to tax and accounting.

“The session on alternative investment strategies was of particular interest this year,” said Mark Cooter, shareholder and Chair of Elliott Davis’ real estate practice. “We focused on the government’s EB5 program which encourages foreign investment in the U.S.”

This instructor-led program offered six credit hours of continuing professional education.

About ULI South Carolina
ULI–the Urban Land Institute is an independent nonprofit education and research organization that is supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute today has some 30,000 members from 92 countries representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines. As the preeminent, multidisciplinary real estate forum, ULI facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information and experience among local, national and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places. As a trusted convener, ULI South Carolina brings stakeholders to find solutions and build consensus around land use and development challenges. Visit www.southcarolina.uli.org.