On Thursday, May 24^th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors, the local “A-team” of real estate investment professionals will offer the Santa Barbara community education on strategies for investing in Santa Barbara real estate, including how to evaluate an investment property, and what is involved in “trading up”.  The seminar, entitled “The Santa Barbara Apartment Investment Workshop”, is free and is open to the public and will be of interest to both new and seasoned real estate investors.

Speaking at the seminar will be Norm Cotnoir, CPA at Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co., Jay Peet, Assistant Vice President, IPX Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc., Scott Glenn, Broker/Principal, Radius Group Commercial Real Estate and Steve Golis, Broker/Principal, Radius Group Commercial Real Estate.

A 1031 Exchange specialist, Jay Peet will explain what a 1031 Exchange is and how this powerful tax strategy should be structured. Norm Cotnoir will explain the tax benefits and strategies of owning investment property and how to use a 1031 Exchange to defer capital gains.  Cotnoir will also address the security of 1031 Exchanges.  Under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 1031), the exchange of certain types of property defers capital gains (or losses) that would otherwise be due at the time of the sale.

Scott Glenn will present the basics of evaluating and analyzing apartment investments and how to maximize these investments.  Steve Golis will cover the major trends in today’s apartment investment market with particular focus on Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties. The seminar will conclude with time for questions and answers.

A light dinner will be served at the seminar.  Those interested in attending should call (805) 879-9624.

Radius Group participated in a well attended October 2006 investment seminar.