December 1, 2009  (Washington, DC)   On January 1, 2010 National Real Estate Advisors, LLC (“National”) will begin operations as one of the country’s most experienced and successful institutional real estate investment advisory and management firms. National is the successor entity to the National Electrical Benefit Fund’s (“NEBF”) multi-billion dollar in-house real estate investment operation. Now, as an independent, third-party manager, National is able to offer its real estate investment expertise to institutional clients nationwide. National will open its doors managing real estate investments on behalf of four prominent institutional clients with assets of well over $2 billion under management. The company will offer institutional investors, especially Taft-Hartley pension plans, the ability to diversify investment portfolios and achieve competitive returns through investments in U.S. real estate projects.

 

National has a track record of delivering real estate investment returns in excess of industry benchmarks. In 2009, National’s predecessor, NEBF Real Estate, was awarded an “Altie,” PLANSPONSOR Magazine’s Award for Excellence in Alternative Investments.  The Altie award “recognize(s) institutions, rather than individuals, and … bestow(s) awards for the thoughtfulness of the investment process—how institutions choose their funds' assets and managers rather than merely reward the highest returns.”  Real estate, which is classified in the alternative investment category along with hedge funds, private equity and unconventional investments, has become a sought-after asset class among institutional investors. PLANSPONSOR’s award acknowledges “the important role these asset classes play in institutional portfolios, and the special skills required to manage these special investments.”

 

Jeff Kanne, National’s President and CEO, believes that it is both the experience of his staff as well as a nimble investment approach which has resulted in successful investments over the years and will continue to offer attractive returns for the firm’s clients going forward. Mr. Kanne believes National’s focus on real estate fundamentals and flexible application of capital are the keys to success. 

 

“If we like the ‘dirt’ of a particular project, we can decide where in the capital structure we want to invest,” Kanne said. 

 

National Real Estate Advisors will manage investments to meet its clients’ goals and objectives. National will continue to make equity and debt investments in real estate projects from new, ground-up development to selective, value-add acquisitions.  Investment portfolios will continue to be diversified on both a property type and geographic basis. National will continue to explore niche property types where the application of stable, institutional capital can result in superior investment returns and stable cash flows. Real estate investments may be owned directly or through joint ventures with selected, highly-qualified development partners.

 

National’s staff of more than 30 real estate professionals will manage investments on behalf of clients from origination through asset management and eventually dispositions, targeted to achieve maximum returns. Staff expertise encompasses real estate finance, development and construction, property and portfolio management, law, and all necessary supporting functions including accounting, reporting and regulatory compliance.

 

The firm is able to manage clients’ real estate investments on either a discretionary or non-discretionary separate-account basis. In 2010, National is also expected to launch its first commingled real estate investment fund.

 

Specializing in real estate investments on behalf of large institutional investors, National Real Estate Advisors, LLC (National) manages more than $1 billion of client capital. To learn more about National, please visit our website at www.natadvisors.com.