Real estate professionals of Chicagoland discuss game-changing strategies, advocacy

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The Association of South Asian Real Estate Professionals (ASARP) hosted its highly anticipated monthly educational meeting February 21, 2025, at the Midwest Event Club, bringing together professionals, sponsors, and community leaders for an evening of insightful discussions and networking.

ASARP President Sunita Kakarlapudi welcomed the gathering.

The first presentation by Phani Krishnan of ANNA Media Group, was a video and speech on the 2025 Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela in India. With over 600 million attendees expected at this once-in-12-years spiritual congregation, Krishnan unraveled the cultural and economic as well as historical significance of this massive 45-day-long event.

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The highlight of the evening was the lead presentation on Tax Strategies for Commercial Portfolios by Pradeep B. Shukla, CPA, CCIM, and ASARP Chairman. Shukla provided a deep dive into sophisticated tax strategies, which, according to organizers, armed attendees with valuable insights to optimize their real estate investments.

His presentation covered:Depreciation & Cost Segregation – How leveraging non-cash expenditures can enhance cash flow.1031 Exchange: The Art of Tax Deferral – The power of tax-free compounding through like-kind exchanges.Opportunity Zones & TIF Districts – Government incentives to build wealth in designated areas.Bonus Depreciation & Section 179 – Accelerating deductions to maximize immediate returns.Entity Structuring for Wealth Protection – The role of LLCs, S-Corps, and Real Estate Professional (REP) status in reducing tax burdens and protecting assets.

Shukla emphasized a proactive approach to tax planning, saying, “Tax laws are written for those who take the time to understand them, not those who fear them.” He encouraged real estate investors to work closely with CPAs and tax strategists to uncover missed deductions and build tax-efficient wealth.

Decoding Commercial Lending: Insights from US Bank

The evening’s key sponsor, Stu Boynton, vice president of Business Banking at US Bank, provided an in-depth look at the intricacies of commercial lending. He explained underwriting criteria, risk assessments, and financial qualifications that impact loan approvals. Boynton’s session demystified how lenders evaluate commercial real estate deals, equipping attendees with the knowledge to navigate financing with confidence.

Nimesh Jani, chair of ASARP’s Political Action Committee, introduced Sameer Gupta, ASARP Advisory Board member and candidate for Village Trustee of Carpentersville, who shared his extensive public service background and reiterated his commitment to advocating for real estate professionals in village and county development matters. His pledge to keep the “Realtor Flag High” resonated strongly with attendees, organizers said,  reinforcing the importance of real estate professionals having a voice in local governance.

The gathering provided an opportunity for past sponsors, including Stacy Mattis, Matt Ingersol, Ramesh Nair (Radon), Shalin Shah (Loan Factory), and members of Main Street Organization of Realtors, to reconnect and network.

Notably absent from the gathering were past Chair Shirin Marvi, who is currently observing Iddat following the passing of her husband, and Mohan Kakarlapudi, who are in India participating in the sacred Kumbh Mela for a holy dip in the Ganges.

A special appreciation was extended to Nick Verma for hosting the event at Midwest Realty’s conference center, with the support of volunteers, including Harsha Shukla, Riya Kakarlapudi, Rajesh Patel, Bimal Pandhi, and others.

For more information on ASARP events and membership, visit www.asarphome.com.

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