What Is Private Equity Real Estate Investing?

Real estate is a broad and complex investment category, with a multitude of options and offerings. One of those options is Private Equity.

What is private equity real estate investing?

Private equity real estate is an asset class composed of pooled private investments in commercial real estate property. Investing in this asset class involves the acquisition, financing, and ownership/operation of a property or properties via a pooled vehicle where a group of investors add money to the pool to buy shares in the real estate investment.

With private equity investing you own the real estate directly, unlike an investment in a REIT where you get exposure to real estate indirectly by buying shares in a publicly or privately held company that owns and manages portfolios of commercial real estate property. With a REIT you are, in essence, investing in the operating profitability of the landlord and not directly in the underlying assets themselves.

Direct real estate investing involves buying a stake in a specific property. For private equity real estate investments this means acquiring an ownership interest in an entity that directly owns an asset such as an apartment community or a medical office building. With direct real estate investing you are using private equity to buy the asset, or a share of the asset and you generate your return from the performance of the real estate you hold.

What are the benefits of investing in private equity real estate?

Pension funds, endowments, family offices, and ultra-high net worth individuals have long understood the merits of holding commercial real estate in their investment portfolios to bolster returns, balance market uncertainty, and generate tax advantages. Most consider real estate as the third leg of their investment stool (alongside stocks and bonds). They gain exposure to commercial real estate principally by making direct private equity investments through limited partnerships with companies or funds.

Historically private equity real estate investing was only available to ultra-high net worth individuals, but increasingly, real estate companies are giving accredited investors access to make direct investments in commercial real estate assets through partnerships they sponsor.

What are the differences between direct and indirect private equity real estate investing?

When an accredited investor wants to allocate funds to CRE they can choose to make a passive equity investment into commercial real estate through a fund or into an individual real estate asset.

A fund builds a diversified portfolio by investing in multiple properties. With a single investment you gain access to a professionally managed portfolio of commercial real estate assets. Single-sponsor Funds are led by one real estate firm and focus on the firm’s specialty which can include a particular region or a specific asset class like office or industrial properties. You end up with diversified holdings as they fill the fund with real estate assets over time.

You can also choose to make passive equity investments directly into individual assets. You are investing directly into the equity of a project of your choosing, not a fund that picks the assets for you. As a passive investor your leverage the power of the syndication and join dozens of other individual investors to contribute to the equity stack in a real estate purchase. Unlike a fund you maintain discretion and get to choose what properties you will invest in and how much you will invest in each asset.

How does Private Equity Real Estate Investing work?

Historically private equity real estate investing was only available to ultra-high net worth individuals, but real estate companies are now giving accredited investors access to make direct investments in commercial real estate assets through sponsored partnerships. When an accredited investor wants to allocate funds to commercial real estate, they can choose to make a passive equity investment through a fund or into an individual real estate asset.

What’s the Difference Between Making Individual Investments and Investing Through a Fund?

You can also choose to make passive equity investments directly into individual assets. You are investing directly into the equity of a project of your choosing, not a fund that picks the assets for you. As a passive investor you leverage the power of the syndication and join dozens of other individual investors to contribute to the equity stack in a real estate purchase. Unlike a fund you maintain discretion and get to choose what properties you will invest in and how much you will invest in each asset.

How does private equity real estate investing work?

Private equity real estate investing was once the bastion of ultra-high net worth investors. Today accredited investors can partner with sponsors to make equity investments in commercial real estate. Sponsors can pool investor capital in a fund or an individual investment entity to purchase the real estate and investor returns come from the performance of the real estate (operating profit and appreciation).

Coast Equity Partners (CEP) sponsors private equity investments in individual multifamily real estate assets. We partner with investors to acquire and operate 100+ unit apartment communities in suburban locations around the major MSA’s in the Pacific Northwest. CEP multifamily investments generate strong overall returns through a healthy balance of passive income from operations and asset appreciation over time. For more information or to register to begin seeing investment opportunities from CEP please go to cepmultifamily.com.

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Jeff Anderson

In his role as Director – Capital Projects for CEP Multifamily, Jeff is responsible for the planning, management, and execution of all capital improvement and deferred maintenance projects, in addition to closely collaborating with the Property Operations team on asset preservation and best practices. Jeff joined CEP Multifamily in 2022 as part of our pursuit to expand our operational capabilities and to bring project management and asset preservation under our in-house suite of services to better serve our growing portfolio.

Prior to joining CEP, he spent over 14 years with Kennedy Wilson, a global real estate investment company, working in various Project Management roles for their Commercial Investment, Property Services and Multifamily divisions. Most recently he served as the Multifamily Group’s Construction Manager for their 20,000+ unit portfolio in the Western United States.

Jeff attended Washington State University where he graduated Magna Cum Lade earning his BA in Business with an emphasis in Real Estate and a minor in Finance.

When he is not working, Jeff can be found relaxing on Whidbey Island, working on house projects, skiing or enjoying the various water activities the PNW has to offer.

Mark Whitcomb

As Director – Property Operations for CEP Multifamily, Mark leads the day-to-day operations of CEP Residential’s expanding multifamily portfolio. Mark is committed to executing core processes and fostering the growth of his CEP Residential teammates in the pursuit of asset and property management alpha.

Mark began managing his first property in 2001, two years after beginning his career in property management as part of an on-site team. Over the course of the next 20+ years, he worked in multiple capacities and markets throughout Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Virginia with portfolios totaling over 2,500 apartment homes and 49 communities.

Mark has always been passionate about developing both people and leadership skills through local and national multifamily housing associations. He was recognized as Property Manager of the Year in 2016 by Washington Multi Family Housing Association (WMFHA) and went on to obtain his NAA CAM and CAPS credentials by 2017. He spent two years as a Chairman on the Career Development Committee through WMFHA before being nominated and awarded membership to the NAAEI faculty in 2018. This allows Mark the opportunity to mentor emerging industry professionals seeking their own designations.

Mark has been married to his wife, Shea, since 2019. Together, they enjoy travel, cheering for their Seattle sports teams, and exploring the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest with their two dogs.

Jessica Disman

Jessica Disman joined CEP Multifamily in January of 2022 as Director of Capital Markets and Investor Relations and is responsible for new investor acquisitions.

She brings over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing in the investment and real estate industry. Most recently she spent 8 years at Broadmark Realty Capital Inc. and Broadmark Capital LLC, raising capital for a series of private lending REITs that ultimately led to the IPO of the company.

Jessica attended Bryn Mawr College where she earned a BA with a double major in English and Fine Art.

An artist at heart, Jessica enjoys drawing and painting and has paintings in collectors’ homes nationwide.

Karin Christianson-Hart

Karin Christianson-Hart serves as VP Finance & Administration for CEP Multifamily. As a member of the CEP Team, Karin oversees all finance, HR, risk management and administrative support for both CEP Multifamily and CEP Residential, the in-house property management division.

Karin has many years of property management experience from small startup firms to a large regional company. Problem solving, tactical management of multiple teams and a working knowledge of day-to-day business operations are strengths that Karin brings to the table. Other areas of expertise include captive insurance management and family office accounting for principal partners.

Karin earned bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Business Administration from Central Washington University.

With a heart for missions Karin has most recently served on the Board of Hands for Peacemaking, a nonprofit that provides high efficiency wood burning stoves and clean water systems to the Mayan population in the highlands of Guatemala. Financial management support has also been provided to the Snohomish County Economic Alliance in its infancy along with a nonprofit football academy.

Outside of work Karin enjoys riding motorcycles, camping, and travelling with her husband.

Shawn Hoban

For over three decades, Shawn has been responsible for establishing and growing each of the operating businesses in The Coast Group of Companies and Hoban Family Office. It all started in 1987 when he co-founded Coast Property Management alongside his brother Tom after identifying the need for a high performing, values-based property management company. Coast has long since grown into The Coast Group which is a vertically integrated, privately owned family of real estate companies. Coast is one of the region's largest and most respected real estate services firms of its kind with offerings in property management, facility services, specialized construction, advisory, and investment services.

Shawn is an integrator and strategist for the Hoban's various ventures with a particular gift of taking complicated situations and making them executable. A leader with strong character, Shawn also
possesses a competitive streak that has shaped the success of their ventures together.

The Hoban Family Office, the holding company for the operating businesses, brings innovative ideas to the commercial real estate industry through Coast Innovation Center while serving the charitable causes of the Hoban family and the Coast Group. He is passionate about identifying and developing talent to
support their businesses, while mentoring the next generation of leaders inside and outside of his family.

His service and awards include Top 40 Under 40 Business Executive by the Puget Sound Business Journal, Director for The University of Notre Dame Alumni Association, Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School Board of Trustees Chair and Board of Regents, Fulcrum Foundation Board of Trustees, Vistage, Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), and many other community organization throughout the Pacific Northwest and U.S. The brother’s ventures together earned them two very prestigious awards: The Washington State Family Enterprise Institute’s Family Business of the Year and The University of Notre Dame Alumni Association of Seattle co-alumni of the year.

Shawn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Finance from the University of Notre Dame and is both a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and a Certified Property Manager (CPM) with the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

Shawn and his wife, Kathie, enjoy travel and outdoor recreation on the Puget Sound while following the active lives of their four adult daughters and a growing generation of grandchildren.

Tom Hoban

Tom has over thirty years of experience as a property manager, real estate advisor, and investor. In 1987, he co-founded Coast Property Management alongside his brother Shawn after identifying the need for a high performing, values-based property management company in the market. Coast has long since grown into The Coast Group, which is a vertically integrated, privately owned family of real estate companies encompassing property management, facility services, specialized construction, advisory, and investment companies. Today, The Coast Group is one of the region’s largest and most respected
real estate services firms of its kind as it is able to leverage the different companies' resources to provide the best possible returns for clients.

Built as an extension of their humble servant leader view of themselves, the Hoban brothers and their executive leadership teams have become synonymous with excellence, innovation, and reliability. Along the way, the brothers have been recognized for their professional accomplishments and work in the communities they serve, earning them the co-alumni of the year award from the University of Notre Dame alumni association and The Family Enterprise Institute’s Washington Family Business of the Year.

Over the years, they invited others who possessed complimentary if not superior talents to join them as partners and co-leaders in the Coast Group of Companies. In 2017, they formed The Hoban Family Office (HFO) to create a platform for innovation (Coast Innovation Center), talent development, and leadership in service to the Coast Group of Companies, their families and the communities they serve. It also serves as their charitable arm, with a focus on service to the poor and vulnerable and development of tomorrow’s leaders.

Tom leverages his vast network, engaging personality and refreshingly transparent approach into many venues, including his long-running column in the Herald Business Journal, as a freelance writer and as a guest speaker or lecturer all while serving on several boards or advisory functions, including Santa Clara University Real Estate School Advisory Board, Washington State University – Everett, University of Portland board of trustee’s, The Washington State Governor’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board, The
Commercial Broker’s Association of Puget Sound, Archbishop Murphy High School (Everett, WA), The Boys and Girls Clubs, chairman for the Snohomish County Airport Commission, The City of Everett
Economic Development Advisory Council, and others. The brother’s ventures together earned them two very prestigious awards: The Washington State Family Enterprise Institute’s Family Business of the Year
and The University of Notre Dame Alumni Association co-alumni of the year.

Tom graduated from The University of Notre Dame with a BA in Finance. A former coach, scoutmaster, and basketball referee, in his spare time today Tom continues plays recreational basketball, remains active in his church and enjoys time with his wife, two sons, and daughter on the Puget Sound.

Josh Jansen

Josh Jansen has over 20 years of multifamily investment experience, both as a broker and principal. As CEO, President, & Managing Partner of CEP Multifamily (CEP), Josh leads the firm’s strategic growth and acquisition, disposition, and asset management functions. Since joining CEP as a principal in 2012, Josh has played an integral role in growing the firm’s acquisition and capital-raising volumes tenfold. Prior to joining CEP, Josh was a top national multifamily broker at Sperry Van Ness for multiple years.

Josh is active in his community and spent 9 years as a volunteer varsity football coach at a local high school. Josh also coached two years of youth football and served as a founding board member of the Private Enterprise Coalition of Snohomish County.

Josh earned a BA in Politics from Occidental College in Los Angeles and All-American honors as captain of the football team. Josh, his wife, Cheryl, and their two children enjoy travelling, hiking, and snow and watersports.

Mike Harmon

In 2004, Mike joined the Coast Group of Companies as CFO and Managing Partner of Coast Equity Partners. Mike’s role is to drive the growth of Coast Equity Partners through the acquisition of investment properties that produce outstanding returns for our clients.

Mike brings many years of business leadership, entrepreneurial drive, and real estate experience to the table. He has held critical roles in the strategic management of high growth companies and early-stage technology start-ups. From raising capital on Wall Street to buying his first rental property while still in college, Mike brings a unique broad range of talents to Coast Equity Partners.

Mike’s entrepreneurial spirit is grounded in a solid business background. He has designed and managed the development of several mission-critical business systems for fortune 500 companies, participated in

the creation of new businesses and nurtured new growth opportunities for existing businesses. Mike has created and grown departments, successfully identified, negotiated, and closed strategic partnerships, managed key client relationships and secured new capital investments for the companies he has helped lead.

Since 1992, Mike has been engaged in the identification, acquisition and rehabilitation of real estate with excellent investment potential. His portfolio of properties includes residential holdings as well as rental properties in various markets throughout the Pacific Northwest and United States.

Mike holds a BS in Finance from San Diego State University and an MBA with concentrations in Marketing and Management from the University of Notre Dame.

Mike enjoys travel, youth coaching, winter sports, water recreation, golf and fishing. He lives with his wife and four sons in North Seattle and is active in his church, children’s schools and local community.