Real Estate Development & Investment

INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

David M. Bentley, dba BENTEQ, is a real estate developer & investment advisor with over 40 years of experience in land use entitlement, subdivision development, commercial real estate, valuation, brokerage, asset management, CEQA & business litigation, and financial advisory.  David has sourced, acquired, financed, developed, managed, appraised, brokered, marketed, leased, sold and/or exchanged virtually every type of real property across several U.S. states.

David began his real estate career in sales and management; he became a real estate broker in 1984.  David earned his Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation in 1987 and completed the Appraisal Institute-MAI candidacy program while working as a multi-state independent fee appraiser (CGREA) in the early 90s.  As an appraiser, David supported federally regulated banks and the RTC (ref. FIRREA) in resolving the massive problems arising from the Savings & Loan crisis.  The knowledge, experience and skills acquired as a real estate broker, appraiser and “work-out” consultant provided the ideal theoretical and practical foundation for David’s multi-decade development & investment management career. Since the mid 1990s, BENTEQ has been primarily focussed on land development and investment.  During 2020/21, David earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation through the American College of Financial Services.  

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

Real Estate Development is a high risk endeavor requiring substantial capital, vision, skilled management, perseverance and a diversity of professional disciplines. The Developer orchestrates the entire development process, from concept to completion, including business entity formation and operation, property sourcing and acquisitions, economic and market analysis, financing, land use regulations, environmental permits, design, infrastructure, public and government relations, negotiations, marketing, leasing, sales, contracts and legal aspects.  Development is a dynamic, capital intensive business with a steep learning curve and extraordinary risk.  The Developer is the first to put equity in the project and the last one to get paid.  

INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE & FINANCIAL ADVISORY

Income producing real estate provides benefits not available from other assets or investment platforms.  Investment real estate receives preferential treatment under the tax code, including lower long-term capital gains tax rates and depreciation “tax-shelter“ for improved properties,   Similarly, proper application of IRC Section 1031 exchanges can substantially enhance profitability by enabling investors to defer paying capital gains taxes.  Investment real estate can also provide a reliable, inflation-hedging source of income along with significant capital appreciation.  A “net-leased” property with a credit tenant and a long term lease can serve as a reliable source of retirement income.  With good estate planning and legal structures (i.e. irrevocable trusts, FLPs, etc.), real estate can provide income for the life of the owner then pass tax-free with a “stepped-up” basis to the designated beneficiary.  (Note: The U.S. Tax Code is subject to change and specific tax treatment is different for every taxpayer, thereby requiring qualified tax and/or legal counsel to determine the best tax and estate strategies and the financial implications).

CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT

Services include limited scope, shorter duration assignments and comprehensive, longer term projects.  Partners and Clients served:

* Property Owners & Investors

* Attorneys, CPAs, Trustees

* Financial Planners & Investment Advisors

* Homebuilders & Commercial developers

* Banks, Private equity, LPs & LLCs