Led Zeldin

Three New Jobs in Atlanta!

2011-10-18T17:12:00.003-04:00

ACG is actively looking to fill three new positions in Atlanta. Two of the positions are entry-level with private equity firms. Interested applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 and have graduated from a top 20 school. Applicants must not only be analytical but must be excellent writers. Expect long work-weeks in a highly entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment.

The other position is for a seasoned analyst with 4-7 years of experience. Superb Excel skills are a requirement with strong SQL, macro and waterfall / fund level experience a requirement. Argus is a plus but not required.

All three positions offer top pay and will be filled by the end of the year. For more information please send your resume to jobs@acgpro.com.

Jobs Rescinded: New Market Trend

2011-08-19T10:30:00.000-04:00

Over the past few weeks we have had two companies alert us that the jobs they were looking to fill have now been put on hold indefinitely. Although it is entirely possible that these two instances do not reflect market sentiment, recent market turmoil coupled with poor employment growth might suggest that the commercial real estate industry is stagnant and perhaps is contracting. ACG has seen an uptick in the number of portfolio due diligence assignment requests over the past 60 days; however, employment growth is not necessarily correlated with transaction growth as prices have clearly increased for class A buildings over the past twelve months.

Understanding how this impacts firms like ACG might be difficult to digest. For now, candidates responding to job ads might find a systemic delay or general lack of interest in their candidacy. Keeping sharp Argus and Excel skills will surely make candidates more competitive in the marketplace.

Things Heating Up

2011-06-28T16:01:00.002-04:00

Finally the long wait appears to be over! We are fielding more calls now than we have in the past 3 years and the variety of work we are being asked to do has expanded as well. ACG is gearing up to hire full-time staff over the next quarter or two and is looking to fill several full-time analyst positions in Atlanta, New York and Philadelphia. If you have 1-3 years of practical experience and good Argus/Excel skills, send us your resume at jobs@acgpro.com. We might be able to place you with one of our superb clients!

Temp Argus Analysts Needed

2011-06-28T15:57:00.002-04:00

We are seeking up to 8 Argus analysts in DC, NY, Dallas and Boston for a 3-4 week engagement. This is a temporary placement opportunity and not an assignment that would be controlled by ACG. Pay is $40-60 per hour depending on the proficiency of Argus experience (must have very high Argus skills and pass ACG's Argus test).

If you are interested or know of somebody who is interested, please send resumes to jobs@acgpro.com.

In the News

2011-05-24T13:23:00.002-04:00

Streets of Buckhead now ‘Buckhead Atlanta’
San Diego based developer, Oliver McMillan, revealed the revised project at ICSC’s annual conference in Las Vegas. Oliver McMillan will invest $300 million beyond the $400 million already invested.

For more information see the ABJ Article HERE

McCarthy Building Cos. Selected to Build Georgia State University Building
The new Humanities-Law building will be 200,000 SF and is expected to cost $62.7 M to build. It will be on 2.4 acres and will be LEED certified. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2012.

For more information see the REBusiness Online Article HERE

Where is SE Retail Headed in the Second Half?
GlobeSt presents their take on where retail in the Southeast will head during the second half of 2011 and lists target markets and investment strategies. Look for grocery-anchored centers and triple net lease properties to be the big trend.

For more information see GlobeSt.com

Real Estate Biz Hops on ‘Social’ Train
The Atlanta Business Chronicle analyzes how Atlanta real estate professionals are utilizing social media outlets to improve their business, attract new clients, and keep up with ongoing trends in the industry. Pick up some tips for how to stay ahead of the curve.

For more information see Atlanta Busines Chronicle

Seeking Philadelphia Analyst

2011-05-10T09:15:00.000-04:00

We have an opening with one of our clients based in Philadelphia. This analyst position requires somebody having graduated in 2010 who has excellent Excel skills and an ivy-league type education with great grades. The position pays $65-75K base plus 100% bonus and is with an investment bank-type client. Long hours expected but with great rewards learning from the best in the business. MBAs should not apply. If you are qualified for this position send a resume to jobs@acgpro.com.

In the News

2011-04-13T14:32:00.001-04:00

Cumberland Office Park Purchased by Ackerman & Co and Marcus Partners The deal covered 13 acres comprised of six buildings totaling 188k SF near I-75 and Windy Hill. The complex was sold for $7.2M. For More Information See the Bisnow Article HERE

In the News

2011-04-13T14:27:00.004-04:00

Two Ravinia Purchased by Parkway Properties The 438k SF tower in Dunwoody was purchased from Eola Capital along with five other buildings and Eola Capital’s property management business. The combined total price as $462M. For More Information See the Bisnow Article HERE

Events on the Horizon

2011-04-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

Luncheon Speaker Series with Lynne O’Brien (Director of Real Estate, The Coca Cola Company)
Presented by ULI Atlanta
Wednesday, April 13th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Two Alliance Center, 3650 Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA
More Information

NAIOP School Challenge
Presented by NAIOP
Thursday, April 14th, 7:15-11:30 am
More Information

In the News

2011-04-01T08:30:00.000-04:00

Eastdil, one of ACG’s clients, just secured the assignment to sell the Terrace Park Medical Center in Duluth. Read more: EASTDIL SELLING GWINNETT MOB

Events on the Horizon

2011-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Market Focus: Fort McPherson and Southwest Atlanta Community, Panel Discussion
Presented by Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Atlanta
Thursday, April 7th, 11:30 am
Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, 800 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
More Information

In the News

2011-03-31T08:30:00.000-04:00

Walmart Makes Atlanta it’s New Hub for Eastern Business The hub will oversee nearly 1,600 stores in 20 states. Read more: Walmart picks Atlanta for eastern unit HQ Atlanta Business Chronicle

Events on the Horizon

2011-03-25T08:00:00.002-04:00

Deal Time: Finding Financing in Today’s Capital Markets
Presented by ULI Atlanta
Wednesday, March 30th, 7:30-11:30 am
Bank of America Conference Center, 600 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308
More Information

Medical Office Building SIG Breakfast
Presented by BOMA-Atlanta
Thursday, March 31st, 7:30 am
St. Joseph’s Medical Center, 1100 Johnson Ferry Rd., Sandy Springs, GA 30342
More Information

Atlanta Beltline Quarterly Briefing
Presented by Atlanta Beltline
Thursday, March 31st, 6:00-8:00 pm
AGL Resources, 10 Peachtree Place NE #1000, Atlanta, GA 30309
More Information

3 New Analyst Jobs in Atlanta!

2011-03-22T15:00:00.000-04:00

The phone is starting to ring with respect to new analyst positions. This week alone we have three new openings. Two of the positions require a 3.50 GPA from a well-regarded school, no MBA, and routine 70-hour work-weeks. Don't worry - the company compensates well for the additional time one would be spending in the office. If you are not accustomed to working 7 days a week, don't apply for this position.

The third position is a more "normal" position and requires great writing and analytical skills and some development analysis experience.

Send your resumes to jobs@acgpro.com if you are interested and qualified for these positions.

Events on the Horizon

2011-03-18T13:48:00.002-04:00

Land Market Overview
Presented by Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors
Wednesday, March 23rd, 7:00-9:00 am at Atlanta Realtors Center
More Information

Young Leaders Event
Presented by CoreNet Atlanta, Hosted by Jones Lang LaSalle
Wednesday, March 23rd, 5:30-7:30 pm,

Ashford Perimeter, 4151 Ashford Dunwoody Rd.
More Information

NAIOP Million Dollar Club Cocktail Party
Presented by NAIOP
Thursday, March 24th, 5:00-7:00 pm

Buckhead Theatre on Roswell Rd.
More Information

Young Professionals Education Series: After Hours
Presented by BOMA-Atlanta
Thursday, March 24th, 4:30-6:30 pm

Hudson Grille – Brookhaven, 4046 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30319
More Information

In The News

2011-03-18T13:43:00.004-04:00

A team led by ACG Client, Cousins Properties, was selected in their bid to build Atlanta’s new downtown transit hub.

Cousins leads team picked for Gulch
Source: ajc.com

The federal government has released more detailed information about Georgia’s population trends, as noted per the 2010 US Census.

Census: Minority population rose in Ga. last decade
Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

Development Analyst Wanted in Atlanta

2011-03-11T15:15:00.000-05:00

We just received a call from one of our clients who is seeking an analyst with up to two years of experience underwriting development deals. Qualified candidates must have graduated from a top school with an overall GPA of 3.3 or better and have superb analytical and writing skills. MBA's should not apply for this position. Please send all resumes to jobs@acgpro.com.

Calling All COO's - Great Job Opportunity in the Midwest

2011-03-11T15:00:00.000-05:00

We have an immediate job opening with a family-owned real estate firm who has multiple offices and is seeking a COO in their Midwest office (either Chicago, Indianapolis or Cincinnati are options). Qualified candidates must have operations experience, be able to work with accounting and property management personnel, and ideally have worked in the past for retail owners. Compensation is commensurate with experience and a relocation package will be considered if necessary. Interested candidates should send resumes to jobs@acgpro.com.

$905/SF in DC

2011-03-04T12:22:00.001-05:00

Norcross based Wells REIT II purchased Washington D.C.’s famed Market Square for a D.C. record of $905 per square foot!

Did You Know? Argus Tips & Tricks

2011-03-02T08:30:00.000-05:00

Did you know that only one reimbursement method can be modeled at a time for a given Suite/Tenant in Argus? If a tenant’s reimbursement method changes over the course of their term (for example, a base year figure is reset or a tenant goes from paying a PRS of CAM to fixed CAM), an “option” must be created or a Suite must be reabsorbed and re-entered using the new reimbursement method.

Want a $150K job? Read On...

2011-02-28T17:22:00.001-05:00

One of our Atlanta-based clients is seeking an experienced property manager who has at least 15 years of experience and has worked with large office and mixed-used properties. Qualified candidates should be able to implement "best practices" and manage a portfolio of 4-6 assets in Atlanta and 2 other cities. Compensation is $150K plus bonus. Only experienced managers should apply. Please send your resume to jobs@acgpro.com.

New York City Acquisitions Analyst Needed

2011-02-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

A client called us this morning seeking an acquisitions analyst for their midtown, Manhattan office. The position is with a leading commercial real estate company specializing in the acquisition, asset management, development and redevelopment of retail properties across the United States. This position requires that the candidate work in a variety of capacities primarily focused on providing analytical support for acquisition personnel.

If you have excellent Argus and Excel skills, graduated in 2008 or 2009 from a good undergraduate school, and want to work directly with a seasoned acquisitions team, send your resume to jobs@acgpro.com.

Events on the Horizon

2011-02-25T12:30:00.002-05:00

Here are some upcoming events in Atlanta:

ULI Luncheon featuring Katharine Kelley, President and CEO of Green Street Properties (owned by Jamestown).
March 1 from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm
Call 800-321-5011 to register

CREW Atlanta Luncheon: Revitalizing Atlanta's Real Estate through Adaptive Re-Use
March 3 from Noon until 1:30 pm
265 Peachtree Center Avenue

ICSC 2011 Southeast Retail Connection
March 8 from 2:30 pm until 5:00 pm
Register at http://www.icsc.org/apps/meeting_display.php?meeting=2011S03

ULI Atlanta Capital Markets Conference
Deal Time: Finding Financing in Today's Capital Markets
March 30 from 7:30 am until 11:30 am

Definitely try to take advantage of these great upcoming events!

Calling All NY City Senior Controllers

2011-02-25T11:00:00.001-05:00

Want a job that pays $200,000 a year? We are seeking a senior controller for one of our clients in midtown, New York. Candidate must be willing to jump in with both feet, be a hands-on worker (not simply delegate responsibilities) and be knowledgeable with large retail properties. CAM recs, implementing accounting systems like Yardi and MRI, and strong Excel skills are all a must. CPA is preferred. Please send resumes to jobs@acgpro.com.

Seeking Chicago Acquisitions Analyst

2011-02-25T10:15:00.000-05:00

We just received a call from one of our clients who is seeking an acquisitions analyst. Candidates must have 1-2 years of practical Argus experience (using Argus as part of coursework is insufficient) and ideally should have some retail experience. MBAs should not apply. The minimum GPA of 3.3 is required with a business (finance or accounting) or math undergraduate degree. Please send all resumes to jobs@acgpro.com.

March Boot Camp Sold Out - June 6-10 Opens

2011-02-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

Just like the previous week-long Argus Boot Camps, our March 7-11 program has sold out! I was asked by a couple of clients this week why our Boot Camps are selling out even when the transaction market is still below average and the job market has shown little more than a slight improvement. I believe that the primary reasons for the program selling out include:

The Boot Camp is the only week-long intense training program in the country
CPAs receive 45 credit hours toward their CPE training requirements (and several of the people who have signed up for the program cited that as a huge advantage to take the course)
The program covers exclusively the components of Argus that analysts regularly use (office, retail and industrial cases, lots of time on recoveries, learning how Argus calculates, portfolio analysis, etc...) and very little time on the features that are frequently not used because Excel is a better tool (like partnerships, debt, construction budgets, multi-family).
We have offered a $1,000 scholarship to students to help out with the enrollment fees
Our instructors are fantastic and expert users of the software
We personalize every class and meet one-on-one with students during the week if they need additional assistance understanding specific concepts

We thank all of our clients who have sent their analytical staff to our class and who continue to refer others to us. We are humbled by the confidence that they have shown in choosing ACG to be their educational partners and look forward continuing to expand and improve our course offerings.

If you are interested in registering for our June 6-10 Argus Boot Camp, go online today at www.acgpro.com as we are confident that this class will also fill up in the coming weeks.

Did You Know? Argus Tips & Tricks

2011-02-23T08:30:00.000-05:00

Did you know that Percentage rent cannot be modeled with changing tiers over time? In order to model changing tiered percentage rent, an “option” must be created or a Suite must be reabsorbed and re-entered using the new percentage rent methods.

Job Hunting Tip #17: Cover Letter Blunders

2011-02-22T09:00:00.002-05:00

Shockingly many candidates make ridiculously stupid mistakes on their cover letters and resumes. Let me give you one great hint: ditch the cover letter. It can only work against you. Here are some of the examples of cover letter blunders that have been sent to me in the past:

1. “I have an extraordarily eye for detail.”
2. “I have excellent finance skills and have worked on $432 million of office projects and $209 million of retail projects, totaling $661 million.”
3. “My due dilligence skills are well-honed” (notice the spelling error).
4. “I speak fluently English.”
5. “I wish to start my career with a company that allows me to utilize my degree while gaining a lot knowledge that I don’t currently have.”
6. “I want to ask am I qualified for this position given my very limited experience.”
7. “I am very detail-oriented and make sure that I dot all of my eyes.”
8. “In addition to my education, I am a really good person.”
9. “I know that I have had a lot of jobs recently but the companies I join keep going out of business.”
10. “Before I apply for your position, does you company perform a background check?”

The above makes you look pretty good as a candidate, doesn't it!

Job Hunting Tip #16: Stay in Regular Touch with your Contacts

2011-02-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

I was chatting with a client of mine last week and he mentioned to me that it seems like I always stay in touch with him even when his company does not have any deals on which they need our assistance. I told him that one of the lessons I learned really early in my career is to accumulate friends and business associates and to acknowledge important life-cycle events as an excuse to stay in touch with people during the year. Fortunately Outlook makes up for what is traditionally my poor memory as I am able to document recurring reminders (indefinitely) with very little ease.

Given tools like Outlook that facilitate staying in touch, I am surprised that so few people stay in regular touch with others in the industry, especially those who might be "influencers" and assist them when the need arises.

I know of at least two people who are currently unemployed right now who, at some point in their careers, worked with me to land a job; yet, despite months of being unemployed they are not regularly calling me to find out if there are any opportunities that are a good match with their skill set.

With the employment market as soft as it is today, one should leverage every relationship possible to maximize the likelihood of landing a good job. Call your industry contacts regularly, even if it is just to say hello or wish them a happy birthday. It could be the easiest way to learn about job openings.

In the News

2011-02-17T12:36:00.002-05:00

Borders Group Inc., the book and media retailer filed for chapter 11 on Wednesday. They will be closing roughly 200 stores including the five metro Atlanta locations listed below.

• Atlanta at 3101 Cobb Parkway
• Austell at 1605 East-West Connector
• Near Mall of Georgia at 1705 Mall of Georgia Boulevard
• Near Town Center Mall in Kennesaw at 605 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway
• Suwanee at 3630 Peachtree Parkway

Read more: Borders files Chapter 11, five metro Atlanta stores closing Atlanta Business Chronicle

The St. Regis Atlanta has been purchased by the Tavistorck Group, a private investment company based in Florida. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Read more: St. Regis Atlanta bought Atlanta Business Chronicle

Did You Know? Argus Tips & Tricks

2011-02-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

Did you know that components entered in Market Leasing Assumptions overrides are not weighted based upon the renewal probability? Any weighting or blending must be manually calculated prior to entering the figures into Argus.

Job Hunting Tip #15: Perfect Your Computer Skills

2011-02-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Candidates who have the best computer skills (Argus, Excel, Access and Windows) are most likely to be most competitive in the marketplace. Frequently people call me about suggestions I have for them to become more proficient users of Windows and Excel. For those two programs, I strong recommend online courses because they are available and frequently free. Here are some suggested locations for you to perfect your Windows and Excel skills without paying a dime:

For Windows 7
http://www.top-windows-tutorials.com/windows-7
http://www.yoingco.com/main_index.htm

For Excel 2007
http://www.baycongroup.com/el0.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/CR010047968.aspx
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/excel2007
http://www.accountingadvisors.com/exceltips.php

Job Hunting Tip #14: The Name of your College is Important

2011-02-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

I received a resume this weekend from a candidate who listed on his resume that he had received BA in Business Administration / Accounting. Omitting the year he received his degree is not a good idea but something that we have seen with candidates who try to hide how old they are, although employers will find out other ways and hiding the year one graduated actually emphasizes the fact that you are concerned about that issue.

The one item that shocked me about this candidate is that he omitted the name of his undergraduate school! That is a first. I was thinking about what school he might have attended whereby he would be so embarrassed about documenting it on his resume.

For me, I have recruited fantastic analysts from very average schools (provided that the candidates graduated in the top of their class). The school is far less important than how well one did in school.

All I can say is that if you are embarrassed about the school you attended to the point that you omit it from your resume then you probably should not be applying for that job in the first place.

In the News

2011-02-10T09:34:00.003-05:00

Bank of America Plaza headed for default- BentleyForbes had originally bought the building at the height of the market for $436 million dollars. The special servicer is LNR Partners.
Source: Atlanta Business Journal

Reynolds Plantation golf course for sale- Linger Longer Development Co. is searching for a buyer to cover a $105 million payment due on a line of credit.
Source: Atlanta Business Journal

The lending side of commercial real estate took a big step in the right direction in 2010.
Source: Costar.com

Did You Know? Argus Tips & Tricks

2011-02-09T08:30:00.001-05:00

Did you know that under the reimbursement methods, an Admin Fee can only be charged before or after deductions for the entire model? This cannot be adjusted based on individual tenants. The input for this is found on the home screen under Options > Calculation > Detailed Reimbursement Method.

Job Hunting Tip #12: Horologist Should Take Time to Redo His Resume!

2011-02-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

I received a resume this week from a candidate who was applying for an Associate Acquisition position. Although the candidate received an undergraduate degree from a top 20 school and had some excellent work experience, his resume was so poorly formatted that there is a greatly likelihood that he needs help getting dressed in the morning! Within the same bullet point there were multiple font sizes and nothing was properly aligned.

Perhaps a clue to this person's oddity was that his resume included his hobby of "horology," which for those of you who might not know, is the art of designing and making clocks. This person would benefit greatly to take the time (pun intended) to work on his resume. Given that his other hobbies include poetry, agriculture, and horse racing (all of which have absolutely nothing to do with applying for a real estate position other than perhaps the manure he is shoveling) and coupled with the fact that my family includes many college professors who also have some odd hobbies like metal detecting and ghost hunting, I would imagine that this person might be a terrific candidate to work on his doctorate and join a prestigious university's faculty!

Job Hunting Tip #11: Customize Your Resume

2011-02-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

I am sure that you have heard that posting your resume on every Internet job board is not the way to land a job and that cover letters should be customized to the specific person and company with whom you would like to work. You might want to think about customizing your resume as well to meet the specific job requirements of a single job.

Most jobs include a detailed job description outlining the responsibilities and requirements to be a competitive candidate. If your resume addresses these specific attributes you will have a much greater chance of an employer reaching out to you to interview you. For example, if you have been working in the commercial real estate industry and have experience working with office and retail properties and you are applying for a position with a company who develops and acquires industrial buildings, you should deemphasize your retail experience and emphasize other items that are required to do this job (i.e. excellent Excel skills, underwrote $XXX million of commercial real estate transactions, expertise in the markets where the company currently owns properties, etc...).

A good rule of thumb is if another candidate can write the exact same sentence on their resume, you should change your resume!

Job Hunting Tip #10: Don't Volunteer Information Unless You Can Substantiate It

2011-02-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

Over the past couple of months I have run into two different circumstances whereby the candidate should not have volunteered information: (1) the GPA that they had in school; (2) the salary they were earning. Frequently employers are requiring a transcript from your college (and graduate school if applicable) to not only substantiate the information that was stated on the resume but also to confirm that the discussions that occurred during the interviews are entirely valid. Likewise, if you state that you are making $65,000 per year in salary then you should indeed be making that much. Many employers will ask for a recent pay stub to substantiate this information that you are sharing. The primary reason why employers are checking on these facts has more to do with how truthful the candidates are versus the actual fact-checking of the information.

Unless you are asked specifically for this information, it is best to simply avoid discussing it at all lest you somewhat "inflate" the numbers and the opportunity with the employer disappears.

Many In CRE Industry Embracing the Social Networking Phenomenon

2011-02-03T11:02:00.004-05:00

Make sure your keeping up with the times! See how people in the commercial real estate business are using social networking to their advantage.

Many In CRE Industry Embracing the Social Networking Phenomenon

Job Hunting Tip #9: Don't Negotiate Salary Before an Offer

2011-02-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes a prospective employer will ask a candidate how much they are currently making or how much you are expecting to make should you be offered the position. I recommend that you do not get in a discussion about salary until you have an offer in hand, although you should have an idea as to the compensation range being offered even prior to your first meeting. In general we are seeing the following compensation ranges:

Analyst: $30,000 to $45,000
Senior Analyst: $45,000 to $65,000
Associate: $55,000 to $75,000
Vice President: $70,000 to $95,000
Asset Manager: Varies significantly

If you are using a recruiter like ACG to schedule interviews, leverage off of the recruiter to provide all negotiations. That is part of the value-add of having a broker involved in the deal and it could insulate you from a potentially uncomfortable or even disastrous situation.

Did you know? Argus Tips & Tricks

2011-02-02T08:30:00.000-05:00

Did you know that the % rent offset under the reimbursement methods must be modeled as a percentage. It cannot be entered as a dollar amount. If your source data contains only a dollar amount, the percentage must be manually calculated before being entered into Argus.

Job Hunting Tip #8: Include The Years You Received Your Degree(s)

2011-02-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

More and more frequently we are receiving resumes that exclude the year when one's degree(s) were earned. I imagine that the primary reason candidates are omitting this key piece of information is that they do not want to bring attention to how old they are; however, omitting this information actually is bringing attention to this very fact. Employers understand that many candidates have had career changes and perhaps have less experience in the industry for which they are trying to land a job then the total number of years of work experience. At some point in time the employer is going to find out approximately how old you are when you interview. We have placed 35+ year-olds in analyst positions many times. If you have 10 years of related work experience and you are trying to land an entry level analyst position, no employer is going to hire you as they know that as soon as the market turns around you will be among the first to jump ship for a better salaried position.

List the year you received all degrees and embrace your age and experience. If you apply only for those positions that are in sync with your age and experience then you will be competitive.

Job Hunting Tip #7: Add Numbers to your Resume

2011-01-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

If you are applying for a financial analyst position and have prior analyst experience, make sure that your resume outlines your experience by stating lots of numbers. Here are a few examples of how to improve your resume:

Before: Worked on a JV condominium project in the suburbs of Atlanta.

After: Secured $12 million of joint venture development equity for a 410-unit condominium project in a revitalizing sub market.

Before: Was involved in a mezzanine loan package for an Atlanta medical office building.

After: Structured $25 million mezzanine and construction loan package for a 165,000 square foot medical office tower.

The more numbers in your resume, the better...especially if you are applying for a financial analyst or acquisitions position.

Cousins in Partnership with Watkins Retail Group

2011-01-27T09:48:00.000-05:00

Cousins Properties, a longtime client of ACG professionals, is in a partnership with Watkins Retail Group to recapitalize project debt on four existing Retail Group projects.

Buckhead Trophy Offices Sell for $167M

2011-01-27T09:41:00.002-05:00

In a possible sign of good things to come, Atlanta’s Buckhead Trophy Property located at 3344 Peachtree was sold for $167.25 million, or $346/sf.

Job Hunting Tip #6: Brush Up on your Excel Skills

2011-01-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

Overwhelmingly, our clients are seeking highly computer-literate candidates to fill their analyst positions. It is essential that you have advanced Excel skills and that you communicate this prominently on your resume. There are many places for you to learn Excel 2010 online without having to pay for a class. Here are a few resources for you to explore:

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/excel2010
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/
http://blogs.office.com/b/microsoft-excel/
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/24285/use-online-data-in-excel-2010-spreadsheets/
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/training-FX101782702.aspx
http://www.ozgrid.com/Excel/free-training/basic-index.htm

Did you know? Argus Tips & Tricks

2011-01-26T08:30:00.001-05:00

Did you know that ARGUS cannot calculate an annual cap any differently than a cumulative cap? The calculations are always cumulative in ARGUS.

Job Hunting Tip #5: First Impressions are Important

2011-01-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Although making a good first impression is always important, it is critical if you want to land a position in today's soft job market. Generally common sense governs what you should or should not do; however, let me give you a few reminders:

Don't arrive late to an interview! We had one candidate who showed up almost 30 minutes late to a scheduled interview. When they finally made it to our lobby, we told him to go home. Ten minutes early equals on-time....thirty minutes early is sending a message that you don't respect the employer's time at all.
Practice your firm handshake. Grabbing fingertips is not advised!
Stay away from the garlic. No amount of mouth wash is going to mask your bad breath...and do not chew gum in the interview.
Sit up and at the edge of your seat. Save the crossing of your legs or leaning back on the chair for when you have your family over for dinner.
Retain good eye contact. Staring at the floor or the interviewer's body parts is not advised.
Pause a second before answering questions. This gives the interviewer the feeling that you are thoughtful and intelligent.
Bring a copy of your resume. Although you sent the interviewer a copy of your resume already, you might have an ad hoc meeting with others in the office. Providing them with a copy of your resume demonstrates thoughtful consideration on your part.
Come prepared with well articulated questions. Overwhelmingly interviewers will ask you if you have any questions. If your response is "not at this time" or "you have answered everything" then you are demonstrating that you are not prepared for the interview.
Don't talk about compensation. Ultimately you will need to do this and it is best that if a recruiter has served as an intermediary that you leverage off of that recruiter to negotiate financial terms on your behalf. Talking money right away is a bad idea.
Never talk badly about your current or any previous employer. As bad as you feel you might have been treated in the past, nobody likes negativity. If you talk poorly about prior employers, what you will say about your employer after you leave the job for which you are applying?

This Week in Atlanta

2011-01-24T09:25:00.000-05:00

Who: ULI Atlanta
What: “Meet the FDIC: What has changed in the past year and where are the future opportunities?”
Where: Two Alliance Center
3500 Lenox Road 30th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30326
When: Wednesday , January 26th 2011
7:30am- 9:30am

Who: NAIOP
What: “NAIOP January Meeting”
Where: InterContinental Buckhead
When: Thursday, Jan. 27th 2011
7:15-9am

Who: CORENET & CREW
What: “Economic Forecast for 2011 with Marci Rossell”
Where: 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway Atlanta, GA
When: Thursday Jan. 27th 2011
11:30-1:30pm

Job Hunting Tip #4: Watch Out for those Cut and Paste Cover Letters

2011-01-24T07:00:00.001-05:00

I received a cover letter last week that included three different fonts (sizes and types). It was quite evident that that candidate had cut and paste from several other cover letters to respond to my job posting. It was ridiculous that the candidate did not even bother reformatting the text. Additionally, the cover letter accidentally referred to the job as "an analyst position working in the manufacturing industry" as his dream job.

I don't personally like to receive cover letters as I generally can ascertain immediately from a resume whether or not somebody has the skill set to perform the job that I am looking to fill. The one example of when cover letters do help is when the candidate who is applying for the position has been referred by a close friend or business associate of mine. Otherwise, I believe that cover letters can do more harm than good.

Ever Wonder if a Week-Long Boot Camp was Worth the Investment: Part III

2011-01-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

My ARGUS Boot Camp Experience (Part 3)
Every day we learned new concepts that built on what we had learned earlier in the course. I was impressed with myself when, on day two, I found myself building models without having to use a mouse. Probably my favorite parts of the course were the case studies. ACG gave us custom case study workbooks which reinforced the real world application of the software. Every day, we’d build models based on these case studies and each time we’d learn something new, like modeling complex reimbursables (which actually was covered in several case studies). Every time we did this, it reinforced what we had learned in previous cases, and they got more complex. By the end we were actually given a completed ARGUS model and told to find the flaws. This was a very gratifying exercise. I demonstrated that in a relatively small amount of time I had gained the skill set required to audit a model and understand where to look for errors and specifically what are the most common errors made.

As I’m sure it’s clear now, I had a great experience with the ARGUS Boot Camp. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about ARGUS, financial modeling or just real estate investment and management concepts.

Ever Wonder if a Week-Long Boot Camp was Worth the Investment: Part II

2011-01-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

My ARGUS Boot Camp Experience (Part 2)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Prior to taking this course, I had ZERO ARGUS Experience. I knew it was an industry standard in property/portfolio evaluation but I had never had the opportunity to use it. That changed very quickly.

Boot Camp was an intense experience. The entire course focused on the practical use of the software. On day one we jumped right in by building models; learning how to create Rent Rolls, building Market Leasing Assumptions, adding Expenses and more. What added to the experience was the instructors' focus on making sure we understood the principles behind the application. It made the course about more than just a financial modeling program; it was about understanding real estate investment fundamentals. For instance, the first day we learned how to model fixed and variable expenses while having a discussion on understanding this important difference. This instruction was reinforced with homework (yes, there was homework… but it was never overwhelming). The whole class and the instructors would come in the next morning and discuss the homework assignments together. They used it as an opportunity to make sure we understood the previous day’s concepts. The instructors structured curriculum and the time contributed to each topic around our classes needs.

Ever Wonder if a Week-Long Boot Camp was Worth the Investment: Part I

2011-01-19T11:00:00.004-05:00

We recently received the following summary of the experience one of the participants had at our Boot Camp and wanted to share it with the rest of the world....

My ARGUS Boot Camp Experience (Part 1)
My week-long ARGUS Boot Camp concluded yesterday and I can’t believe how far I’ve come. There were major concerns the class wasn’t going to happen due to Snowmageddon 2011, which hit Sunday night. I was impressed how Todd quickly reached out to me (and apparently all of the other participants) to coordinate a start day/time that allowed for everyone to safely get to the class. My first observation upon arrival was the small class size, five people plus the instructors (Kristin and Todd). This seemed to be an intentional decision to ensure that everyone felt involved and received the attention they needed. It was hosted at the ACG training facility in Midtown, Atlanta. Every student had a workstation which included a collection of ACG custom training materials. Kristin was the lead instructor day one was and she was awesome. She knew ARGUS inside and out but her teaching approach focused less on the technical aspects of the program and more on its practical use. Her ability to take complex modeling approaches and break them down to easy to understand steps helped make the course a success.

Job Hunting Tip #3: What Not To Write

2011-01-18T07:55:00.000-05:00

Here is a sample of some excerpts from cover letters that I have recently received:

"I am very detailled oriented and my employers have been impressed with me." Note to candidate...perhaps you should consider spell check the next time you are so "detailed"
"I have had the advantage of knowing very early on what I want to do with my life. " And what exactly do you want to do? Perhaps the fact that this person has had 5 jobs in the past 4 years should be a clue that switching industries or careers might be beneficial.
"I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to come and meet with you at your convenience. " How else would you meet with me, not at my convenience?
"Combining sound science with knowledge in human behavior, I have analyzed data, and aided in turning high-level findings into actionable interactive strategies for clients." I think of myself as an educated person and I have absolutely no idea what this means!
"Ihave attached my resume and qualifications for your review andconsideration. I have a Bachelor ofScience degree inEconomics and I have alsocompleted several graduate andprofessional level real estate courses." Perhaps you could add some spaces in between your words!
"Although I do not have any experience in real estate, I cannot seem to land a job in any other industry." At least this candidate is honest, although she was not granted an interview!
"On numerous occasions I would work as long as needed." How about on other occasions?
"References are available upon request." Of course they are! You need not include this in your cover letter or your resume.

Interesting Atlanta News

2011-01-17T14:09:00.004-05:00

AIG Sells More Atlantic Station Assests to CBRE Investors
Firm Takes Over as Master Developer of 138-Acre Mixed Use Project

Job Hunting Tip #2: Don't Send Resume Just Because

2011-01-17T13:30:00.003-05:00

Over the past two weeks we have received in excess of 200 resumes from the job postings we have listed on behalf of our clients. All of these job postings are for Analyst positions; yet, candidates who have no intention of doing analyst-level work are applying for these positions "just because" they want to have us have their resume available should some other opportunities surface.

Note to candidates: THIS IS A BAD STRATEGY!

We had one candidate who graduated in 1974 and was most recently the Chief Investment Officer of a company. For fun I contacted this candidate to see if indeed they had the Argus skills and wanted to do computer-based analytical work. The candidate responded "not really" and told me that they were really looking for a management position.

Another candidate wrote to me, "The only thing I see that doesn’t match my credentials is the years of experience. Looks like they want someone with 1-3 years, while I have 3 times that."

DUH!

Companies do not want to hire somebody with 9 years of experience for an analyst job as they know that as soon as the market improves that person would look for another position. Additionally, the need for companies to hire analysts with updated technical skills is critical to being successful at the job. If the last time one completed a spreadsheet was when they were in grad school working with Lotus and WYSIWHG, then make note to self...this is not a job you can do!

My advice...you are wasting your time applying for positions that are so significantly junior to your work experience and background. There is a plethora of qualified candidates that have the appropriate number of years experience and the specific technical skills to do the analyst jobs today. I know that it is tough to be unemployed but the answer is not sending your resume out to every single employer posting.

Job Hunting Tip #1: Remember Which Jobs For Which You Are Applying

2011-01-14T16:30:00.001-05:00

I received an email this week from somebody who was responding to a job listing that we have for a financial analyst. Although the candidate had pretty good experience, he did not have the specific skill set and work history we were seeking. Unlike many employers these days, we try to respond to every resume submission with an email thanking the candidate for their interest in the position but stating that their background and experience are not a good fit for us.

We did just this and received the following response from the candidate:

"I applied for a few positions in Atlanta... Can you specify which one this was for so that I can cross it off of my list?"

NOT GOOD!

If you are applying blindly to every possible position and don't even know which position to which you are applying, there is a strong likelihood that you won't get the job. Even worse, you should not admit to a prospective employer that you don't know what you are doing!

I would not put my money on this candidate landing a job in the commercial real estate industry or, for that matter, in any industry any time soon!

ACG Boot Camp Moves Forward

2011-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Although we were delayed for a little more than two days, we finally kicked off the Argus Boot Camp program Wednesday morning. We will be adding Saturday and Sunday classes in order to cover all of the material. This is truly the first "Boot Camp" experience we have had with some participants traveling more than 90 minutes to get to our offices for this class. Now that's commitment!

Stay posted for our March 7-11 Boot Camp program (4 seats remain) and our special end of May program (dates TBD) designed specifically to accommodate people who are finished with school (MBA and non MBA) and who want an intense Argus training program before they start their summer jobs.

Upcoming Local Atlanta Events

2011-01-12T14:38:00.002-05:00

I thought that you would want to know about the following upcoming events, especially for network purposes.

CREW Atlanta - January Luncheon
Speaker: Marci Rossell
CREW Atlanta and CoreNet Global, Chapter President
January 13, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Galleria Parkway, Atlanta 30339
Cost: $50 CREW and CoreNet members and guests

ULI Atlanta - Luncheon Speaker Series
Speaker: Lynne O'Brien
Director of Real Estate, The Coca-Cola Company
January 13, 11:30 am - 1 pm
Two Alliance Center, Conference Room A, Floor: P4
3500 Lenox Rd. NE, Atlanta 30326

IREM GA Economic Forecast Lunch Meeting
Keynote Speaker: David Haddow, Haddow and Co.
January 19, 11 am - 1:30 pm
Ansley Golf Club
196 Montgomery Ferry Dr. NE, Atlanta 30309
Cost: $55

ULI Atlanta - Meet the FDIC
What Has Changed in the Past Year and Where are the Future Opportunities?
January 26, 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Two Alliance Center
3500 Lenox Rd. NE, 30th Floor, Atlanta 30326

NAIOP - January 2011 Breakfast Meeting
January 27, 7:15 am - 9 am
InterContinental Buckhead
Cost: Member - $35; Non-member - $60

CoreNet Global
Atlanta Chapter Sponsor Appreciation Breakfast
February 10, 7:30 am - 9 am
Villa Christina
4000 Summit Blvd., Atlanta 30319

NAIOP Night 2011
Featuring actor, comedian Larry Miller
Benefiting YES! Atlanta and the Ron Clark Academy
February 17
The St. Regis Atlanta

Snow Impacting Businesses, Might Be Closed All Week

2011-01-11T10:11:00.002-05:00

Just in case you live in a cold-weather city where they have more than 3 trucks servicing the entire metro area (Atlanta obviously does not), we continue to have challenges in Atlanta. Most businesses including ours are closed. We are working remotely when we can. If you absolutely must reach us, email is the best mode of communication. Because the temperatures are not expected to rise much above freezing today and tomorrow and will be dipping into the teens on Thursday, street conditions are not expected to improve much.

Just wanted to keep our clients and friends abreast of our current status. We are hoping to commence our week-long Argus Boot Camp tomorrow and have already decided to extend the class all weekend. Lucky for us...and all of our Boot Camp participants!

Money Raising at a Feverish Pitch

2011-01-10T08:30:00.000-05:00

Our clients are anticipating lots of transactions in 2011 as evident of their fundraising activity. One client of ours is raising a $3 billion core fund. A second told me that they are seeking core portfolios to place $1.5 billion in 2011 and another $1.5 billion in 2012. And a third reported to me that over the next 24 months they would like to place $2.0 - $2.5 billion to purchase core assets. Of course all of these numbers are dwarfed by the 2007 activity of such transactions as EOP but they are in and of themselves a telling sign that the transaction market is returning. I estimate that we will see a busy Q3 and Q4 this year with the employment market returning to some normalcy by Q1 2012.

Seeking Hotel Analyst

2011-01-07T08:30:00.000-05:00

One of our clients called seeking a real estate analyst with hotel valuation, due diligence and underwriting experience (1-3 years) with excellent analytical and Excel skills. The job is with a great firm and carries fantastic benefits. If you know of anybody who meets these criteria, please have them forward their resume to jobs@acgpro.com.

Placement #1 Completed in 2011 Already!

2011-01-06T16:00:00.000-05:00

Today we closed our first full-time placement of 2011! Considering that we placed only 2 people in all of 2010, this is a very good thing. In fact, we are getting more and more calls right now from people asking candidates, anticipating that they are going to get busy in the coming months. The client we closed today opted to hire full-time today instead of a 3-month contract position and them moving to a full-time position. This demonstrates an optimism that was have not witnessed since 2007.

Hopefully more opportunities will surface for Associates and Asset Managers. For now, if you have Argus skills and 1-3 years of experience after undergrad, there are some significant opportunities in Atlanta for you. Send us your resume at jobs@acgpro.com if you think that you qualify for one of these opportunities.

Google Purchases NY Building for $1.9 Billion

2011-01-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

With the news of Google purchasing 111 Eighth Avenue for $1.9 billion or more than $600 psf, perhaps the real estate market is poised to reignite! 2010 saw the fewest number of transactions by ACG since 2001. Our brokerage and lender clients have communicated to us that 2011 should be a year of significantly greater transaction volume. We are already seeing an uptick in hiring in the New Year. Hopefully these are all positive signs for a better 2011!

2011 Will Be a Better Job Market

2010-12-31T07:00:00.000-05:00

Based upon the plethora of calls we have received over the past few weeks, the job market is already looking to be much better in 2011 than in 2010. In all of 2010 ACG placed just 3 people. Already we have 6 openings we are looking to fill in January! For those candidates who already have some excellent Argus skills, there are some terrific opportunities out there.

Jobless Claims Down

2010-12-30T14:08:00.001-05:00

The Wall Street Journal reported that the number of workers filing for jobless benefits slid last week to the lowest level in nearly 2.5 years. This substantiates what ACG is seeing in that labor market conditions are indeed improving. May 2011 be a more prosperous year for all.

Apply Now for ACG Internship Commencing Jan 10

2010-12-30T12:00:00.001-05:00

The ACG Internship Program is a 3-month program and requires a significant commitment of time. Participation requires 100% attendance during the entire program and may on occasion require mandatory weekend and/or evening work. Phase I (from January 10 through March 31) will be a paid internship in the amount of $2,500 per month.

As part of this internship program, the candidate will receive ACG’s Argus Boot Camp program and several other training programs. All training programs will be given without fee to the intern.

For more information, send your resume to jobs@acgpro.com. ACG is seeking 1 more intern for Q1.

One Spot Remaining in ACG's Argus Week-Long Boot Camp

2010-12-30T11:00:00.002-05:00

We have just one spot left in our week-long Argus Boot Camp program commencing January 10! For anybody who is looking to break into the industry, there is no better way to get up to speed on Argus than this program. Just read what others have said about our program:

“The Argus training offered by ACG is an absolute essential for our people, and we have insisted upon it for anyone we have hired here at Brookdale. As for the Boot Camp, both of my sons have survived it, and while I’m not sure they were crazy about the hours, the skills and proficiency they now have with Argus as a result of having gone through it have proven to be invaluable to them.”

—Chip Davidson Chairman and CEO, The Brookdale Group

"ACG's Argus Training provides in-depth and practical training that can be immediately put to use on the job. The instructors are skilled in numerous complex techniques that can be learned to greatly enhance the accuracy of Argus models and applied to most asset types."

—Woody Rupp American Realty Advisors Associate - Investment Group

Call Todd Zeldin today at 404-653-0049 if you are interested in this program. Given that we have 6 Argus analyst positions right now, this could be your ticket to an excellently paid position and a new career!

One Last Seat Left in ACG's Argus Boot Camp

2010-12-30T10:55:00.002-05:00

We have one last seat remaining in our Argus week-long Boot Camp program that commences on January 10. If you are interested in attending, please give Todd Zeldin a call at 404-653-0049. Given that ACG has 6 Argus analyst jobs open right now, the increased demand for Argus analysts should be sufficient motivation for people new to the industry to register for this program. If you aren't sure if this is a good investment, just ask around town.

We Need Argus Analysts!

2010-12-28T16:26:00.003-05:00

We currently have 6 job openings right now for people with up to 2 years of experience and excellent Argus skills. Depending on the background and experience of the candidates, compensation ranges from $40,000 to $65,000 per year plus bonuses. All of the jobs are with established companies in their Atlanta offices. If you are qualified and interested in these opportunities, please send your resume to jobs@acgpro.com.

Jobs! No Kidding! Real Jobs with Real Companies

2010-11-09T08:45:00.003-05:00

Over the past two years, I have personally confirmed dozens of instances whereby companies were advertising job openings never to actually fill these positions. Countless emails from frustrated candidates have supported the fact that resume postings don't even receive a rejection letter!

Well, we now have three openings that our clients are looking to fill including one asset management position and two analyst positions. Perhaps this is a positive sign for 2011 and the recent grads. We sure hope so!

When Will Things Get Better

2010-05-11T08:17:00.002-04:00

We just completed a survey of 50 of our clients and asked them what they felt about the market in 2010. There was a consensus that there will be very few deals closed in 2010 because there is a significant disparity between the price they are willing to pay and what sellers/brokers expect for an asset. Most suggested that 2011 will be a better year and that their companies will not commence full-time hiring in 2010 (and instead leverage off of third-party consulting firms to assist them when they are in need). I guess that bodes well for the ACG's of the world but not for the hundreds of candidates who want a job in the industry!

Apply Now for ACG Internship Commencing July 5

2010-05-11T08:15:00.000-04:00

The ACG Internship Program is a 6-month program and requires a significant commitment of time. Participation requires 100% attendance during the entire program and may on occasion require mandatory weekend and/or evening work. Phase I (from July 5 through September 30) will be an unpaid internship. Candidates successfully completing Phase I may be selected to advance to Phase II (October 1 through December 31, 2010) and will execute a three-month contract with ACG, which includes a monthly stipend of up to $3,000 per month depending on experience and education. Candidate will be informed prior to Phase I commencement of the anticipated monthly stipend amount in Phase II.

As part of this internship program, the candidate will receive ACG’s Argus Boot Camp program and several other training programs. All training programs will be given without fee to the intern.

For more information, send your resume to jobs@acgpro.com.

The Obama Impact: New Analyst Jobs in Atlanta

2010-05-11T08:09:00.003-04:00

Perhaps last week's elections are already providing a higher confidence level in the markets. Just this week two new orders for analysts have arrived! Better yet, these analyst jobs are with leading commercial real estate firms. Although this optimism should not be overstated, it is cause for some celebration given the limited number of analyst jobs that have been available in Atlanta over the past couple of years.

Take a look at the job descriptions on our website and email us your resume if you are interested and qualified for these positions.

50 Worst Interview Mistakes

2010-03-16T13:02:00.001-04:00

Check out this new story regarding the common mistakes people make in an interview. We have mentioned these in the past but this is a great list!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/50-Worst-of-the-Worst-and-usnews-3658564314.html?x=0

New Associate Posting in Atlanta

2010-02-22T17:04:00.001-05:00

We just learned of a fantastic position with a leading New York-based real estate investment bank with a strong Atlanta office that assists its clients in the recapitalization of investment grade real estate properties. Responsibilities include analysis of properties using Argus and Excel, review and analyses of leases, historical property financials, and market information, response to RFPs and preparation of offering memoranda, and tracking of due diligence through closing. The Associate will interact significantly with third-party providers including property managers, leasing agents, lenders, and appraisers as well as participate in client meetings.

To learn more please send your resume to jobs@acgpro.com.

New Analyst Posting

2010-02-12T10:56:00.005-05:00

We just received a call from a leading national real estate brokerage firm who is looking to hire a new analyst. The person must have 1-2 years of related experience and be very strong in Argus. What was interesting about this call is that the firm does not want to hire somebody with more than 2 years of experience! From their perspective, they want to be able to mold a new hire to conform to their corporate culture and they don't want the risk of the person leaving the company as soon as the market firms up.

Although this is a very tough market for people with limited professional experience, this is a fantastic opportunity. The challenge is that the market has been so soft over the past 12-18 months that it might be difficult to find qualified candidates with strong Argus skills but only 1-2 years removed from undergrad.

If you are interested in this opportunity or know of somebody who might be interested, please email your resume to jobs@acgpro.com.

New Analyst Posting: Perhaps the Tide is Turning

2010-01-19T10:38:00.002-05:00

We just received a call from a client that they are looking to hire a new analyst. Although this is a mid-level analyst position (1-3 years of experience) and the salary is low compared to prior years ($50's versus $70's plus bonus), it perhaps is a sign (albeit a minor one) that the recovery is near. Check out this job posting on our website.

Acquisition Analyst / Excel Guru Wanted!

2009-10-21T09:34:00.001-04:00

Perhaps the market is starting to change! One of our clients is seeking to fill an Acquisitions Analyst position. The candidate must be exceptional in Excel and have 1-2 years of experience in total. Even if the candidate's Excel experience is in a non real-estate capacity, if they are highly literate in Excel then they are a candidate for this position. The position will pay $50,000 +/- with a bonus. We will be reviewing resumes this week and next and arranging for interviews within the next couple of weeks. Candidates must be in Atlanta for the interview and the company will not pay to relocate anybody.

If you want to learn more about this position, please look at the posting on our website at http://www.acgpro.com/services/career_ops. Please forward all resumes to jobs@acgpro.com.

Know For What Position You are Applying

2009-09-04T10:00:00.002-04:00

I had an interesting response from a candidate who applied for an Associate position we currently are trying to fill. After rejecting this candidate, I received a reply asking me to detail for her to which position this rejection was related. That is a first...so many rejections that the candidate doesn't even realize if she applied to our company for a job! I recommend that you know as much about a company as you are able to find out before applying for a job with that company!

Posting Your Elementary School on your Resume?

2009-08-31T17:25:00.003-04:00

Today we posted a new job opening for an Associate with our firm. We are seeking somebody with very strong Argus and Excel skills, ideally with a CPA as well. I received more than a dozen resumes during the first couple of hours this job was posted. One stood out, but not for the positive! The person noted what elementary school he attended! Now I understand that some candidates are very proud of the schools that they attended, but elementary school? Needless to say it took about 45 seconds after reading the resume to reject this candidate. Just a word of advice...if you want to get hired then eliminate things such as orchestra, student council, year-book staff, and prom committee!

Excel 2010 Preview

2009-08-06T15:05:00.003-04:00

The newest version of "new" Excel (i.e., Excel 2007 which introduced the Ribbon) is in previews now as Excel 2010. Since Microsoft won't be taking us back to "old" Excel, here's a look at the latest version in a great article by David Ringstrom (Accounting Advisors).

The Economy Is Really Bad

2009-07-28T08:28:00.002-04:00

According to today's Wall Street Journal, the recession is the longest we have had since World War II. Additionally, the unemployment rate is approaching the peak seen in the 1982-83 recession and the scope of job losses is the worst since the 1948-49 recession. The decline in GDP is the deepest since the 1957-58 downturn, and Americans haven't seen so much of their wealth evaporate since the Great Depression. Wow...that's just what we needed to boost our confidence. On the bright side we have seen some real estate firms start bidding (and closing) on some transactions so perhaps by Q1 or Q2 2010 we will finally experience some type of recovery.

All the Retail news isn't bad...

2009-07-24T11:45:00.011-04:00

Yesterday, Lance Armstrong announced the formation of Team RadioShack a new American pro-cycling team) for 2010 in cooperation with his Livestrong foundation. From the Press Release:

"Teaming up with RadioShack makes sense for a number of reasons. For one, it's very appealing to me that they have a huge base of stores throughout the U.S. and Mexico. We have an incredible opportunity to leverage RadioShack's connection to tens of millions of people to spread the LIVESTRONG message," said Armstrong. "Also, in cycling, the technology we use on our bikes matters - it allows us to compete at the highest level. It's important to me to partner with a brand that understands the role technology plays in people's lives."

Good news for Livestrong and US pro-cycling and also great to see a retailer stepping up in this economy.

New Name for an Icon

2009-07-16T15:57:00.009-04:00

Effective today, the Sears Tower is no longer the Sears Tower.

Public relations experts said it could take decades for the new name of the Chicago skyscraper to take its place in the public consciousness.

Will you remember the new name?

It's also interesting that the article points out that Sears has actually been gone since 1992 but the name stayed behind...

Atlanta Retail

2009-07-06T10:15:00.002-04:00

AJC reports that Ben Carter Properties' Streets of Buckhead project is back on track.

(via Globest)

Excel help

2009-07-01T10:25:00.003-04:00

Ever have a really obscure Excel puzzle? One great resource is Google Groups. Type in the key words for your question, include "Excel" and get connected to Excel power-users all over the world.

Both ACG Interns Land Jobs

2009-06-29T10:00:00.002-04:00

We are happy to announce that even in this down market, both of the current ACG interns have landed jobs in Atlanta! Steve Rolls will be joining CB Richard Ellis working as a valuation associate in their appraisal group. Mark Lindenbaum is joining Healey Investment Properties as an associate working in asset management, leasing and analysis. Both Steve and Mark added great value to ACG during their internship. We are excited to welcome Porter and Zach as our Q3 interns and look forward to assisting both of them in landing great jobs after the completion of their internship.

If you are interested in applying to the ACG internship program commencing October 1, 2009 please contact Todd Zeldin at tzeldin@acgpro.com.

The saga continues...

2009-06-29T09:28:00.000-04:00

Equitable Building going back on the market.

Argus Analyst Tip 10

2009-06-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

You might be asked to audit, review and update an existing Argus model versus creating one from scratch. If the author of the model used Market Categories for Market Leasing Assumptions then you are in luck because you can quickly make changes by altering a single variable. For example, if you have three different MLAs that assume $20.00/SF rents, it is much easier to set up a variable called $20.00 Rent and apply that to all three MLAs than it is to enter "20" in each MLA base rent variable. The added advantage is that if you want to change your assumption to $21.00/SF you only have to make one change (to the base rent variable) and you never need to access the MLA tables at all.

Argus Analyst Tip 9

2009-06-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

Use the Cap Rate Matrix to help sensitize your resale data. This expands the number of values that you can see on a report. Click the Matrix button when setting up the Cap value.

Are you on Skype?

2009-06-23T12:54:00.003-04:00

We're big fans of Skype. It's free for computer to computer use, has a handy video chat version, a fine text chat version and is extremely cheap for computer to landline use, particularly for out-of-country calling.

What if you can't work for free?

2009-06-22T08:20:00.001-04:00

A valid question was posed in the comments from the last post. What if economics dictate that you can't afford to work for free as an intern and need to take an interim job outside of the industry to pay your bills? How do you keep your skills sharp to ensure you can get back on track when things turn around in the market? A few ideas might include:

Network more than ever.
Don't lose touch with the connections that can get you back into the game.
Consider doing both - in the current market, many people are working multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet.
Can one be an intern AND perform contract work simultaneously?
Read our blog!
Continue to learn new skills.
The web has a wealth of free training resources for using Excel or other software. Even if you don't have access to Argus, there are ancillary analytical skills that you can continue to improve economically.

Argus Analyst Tip 8

2009-06-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

When you first install Argus, the Data Size is frequently not set to be large enough to handle big buildings. Go to Options System File Operations to change the data size. We use 500,000,000. While you are on that screen you can also increase the Recently Used File List to 9 (the maximum number).

Take What You Can Get...If You Have To

2009-06-19T07:33:00.003-04:00

In today's Atlanta Journal Constitution, there is an article that states that "with a surplus of talented, experienced professionals flooding the job market, some career counselors are giving the advice they have never given before: Take What You Can Get."

Based upon the fact that more than 160 people recently applied for our three-month, unpaid internship (we landed two awesome candidates by the way who will surely leverage this opportunity to gain a better position in the market post-internship), in some ways I do agree with this assessment. However, it is important to take a position with the type of company who will augment your resume. In fact, I would suggest that it is better to work for free (as an intern) for a company who will expand your skill set then to accept a paid position with a company who might not have as good a reputation or who is not in the industry in which you ultimately wish to work. If you can afford to work as an unpaid intern or to accept a job that pays less (even substantially) than your prior jobs, do it. The market will return, eventually, in the favor of candidates and you will then be in an enviable position to leapfrog over others who chased the short-term job that paid better.

Argus Analyst Tip 7

2009-06-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Use the Auto Refresh feature in Argus to update your Property Library after exiting a file. You can change the default in Argus by going to Options System Appearance. This saves time from navigating around your server to locate a file on which you have previously worked.

Excel Tips: Good Website

2009-06-17T09:00:00.001-04:00

Check out http://www.datapigtechnologies.com/blog/. It has some excellent tips in building Excel models and has been very useful to me recently on some spreadsheets we have developed.

Argus Analyst Tip 6

2009-06-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes beginning users of Argus forget what is required for an input in Argus. If you find yourself in that position, check out the Hints at the bottom of the window. This can be a life saver if you should have entered a $/SF value instead of a $ amount value or something like that.

Free Download to Overcome 2007 Complexity

2009-06-12T07:00:00.002-04:00

If you are like many of us, you have had a difficult transition getting used to Microsoft Office 2007 because all of the keystrokes you memorized in Office 2000 and Office 2003 don't work. We have a fantastic solution...and it's free!

You can download a quick application, at no cost, that adds a portion of the classic Office toolbar menu directly under the Office 2007 Ribbon. It loads in seconds and doesn't slow down your application at all.

Go to http://www.ubit.ch/software/ubitmenu-languages to download this file. It will save you a ton of time if your company has transitioned to Office 2007!

via journal of accountancy

Companies Post Bogus Job Ads

2009-06-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

Over the past couple of months I have been trying to place a couple of analysts. I have found that several companies are posting ads online but in fact are not actually hiring folks or it is taking many many months to make a decision. Although it is entirely possible that there was an initial intent on hiring somebody at one time and the market has simply not warranted such a hiring today, companies should do a better job updating their own websites and their job postings to ensure that they are not misleading candidates. Perhaps companies want the "perception" that they are bucking the industry trend and are actually expanding. From where I sit, however, it frustrates candidates to send resumes in direct response to job opportunities and never to hear a response back from the company. Isn't it hard enough to search for a job full-time without the false promise that some jobs don't even exist?