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Ruggieri among 113 individuals who earned commercial real estate’s global standard for professional achievement. 

 Tolono, IL August 26, 2020 – Noah Ruggieri, CCIM of SVN-Ramshaw Real Estate Champaign, IL, recently received the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute. The designation was awarded during this year’s special summer CCIM Comprehensive Exam testing session, which was held across three days and 10 cities in the U.S. and Canada. The testing was postponed from the regularly scheduled spring testing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ruggieri was among the 113 commercial real estate professionals who earned the designation by passing the CCIM Institute’s comprehensive examination, the capstone element in the designation process. This new group of CCIM designees hails from 24 U.S. states, as well as Canada.

“Now, more than ever, commercial real estate investors and operators need the expertise and sophisticated analysis that CCIMs are known for,” says Eddie D. Blanton, CCIM, 2020 global president of CCIM Institute. “We ‘changed the game’ this past week with our candidates taking the exam in 10 different locations with the support of local chapters and regional officers. It was important that the institute honor these individuals and all their hard work and commitment over the years toward earning this esteemed designation and create a safe environment to allow them a chance to sit for the exam and finish what they started. I’ve been lucky to see many new CCIM designees receive their lapel pin over the years, but I’m especially proud of this group.”

“I wanted to be a better commercial broker.  For myself and for the clients I serve.  Becoming a CCIM is the best way to do that.  I can now advise them more confidently and with more stature given the network I’m now a part of.”

To earn the CCIM designation, commercial real estate professionals must complete more than 160 hours of case-study driven education covering topics such as interest-based negotiation, financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis, investment analysis, and ethics in commercial investment real estate. Candidates must also compile a portfolio demonstrating the depth of their commercial real estate experience and pass a comprehensive examination.

Ruggieri is also a member of the IL CCIM chapter.  Having also earned his MBA from the University of Illinois and his CIPS (certified international property specialist) designation from the National Association of Realtors.

Learn more about CCIM Institute’s education and designation program at ccim.com.

About CCIM Institute

CCIM Institute created the language of global real estate investment. Our courses and worldwide community deploy commercial real estate investment methodologies and tools that speed the pathway between opportunity, a go/no-go decision, and success for an asset, taught by instructors who are themselves industry leaders. Today, the organization, through its 50-plus chapters, continues to innovate best practices and elevate the commercial real estate professional through its core designation program to earn the CCIM pin — real estate’s most coveted credential — and its topical education courses offered through the Ward Center for Real Estate Studies. In addition, membership in CCIM includes the industry’s best technology and operational platform, allowing entrepreneurial and mid-sized businesses to compete with the largest multinational providers. Today, almost 70 percent of designees hold the title of owner, partner, principal, or president, representing an exclusive worldwide referral network of 13,000 members in 30 countries. Ultimately, CCIM represents a larger vision of the commercial real estate provider, leveraging investment analysis, opinions of value, and underwriting to become a leader in sourcing capital, building a cash-flow vehicle, and ultimately creating value. Information at www.ccim.com.

Congratulations to Sarah Kasper on her 5 year anniversary at Ramshaw Real Estate. We asked Sarah about her background, interests and time working with us.

Before working at Ramshaw Real Estate, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

I worked at a pet clinic in my hometown for about a year and thought it was so intriguing to witness the various surgeries. It really gave me a better understanding on what it means to care for a pet!

What is your favorite part about working for Ramshaw Real Estate?

My coworkers that have turned family, my tenants that have turned friends and of course, the potlucks!!

How do you define success?

I measure my own success by how far I’ve come, how much I’ve grown and what I’ve learned.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I want to learn to speak Spanish. My mother in law is Colombian and is teaching my daughter Spanish, so I’ve got some catching up to do.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?

I would tell my younger-self to just “be you”. Don’t worry about what other people think or say – just be yourself.

What’s something people might not know or find surprising about you?

I am multi-instrumental! I’ve played piano, flute, clarinet and some guitar. I live for music!

What is your favorite TV show and why?

I love crime documentaries but my guilty pleasure is reality tv. Specifically, Married at First Sight and 90-day Fiance. It’s just so bad – it’s good.

Congratulations to Emma Harris on her one year anniversary at Ramshaw Real Estate. We asked Emma a few questions about her experience:

Before working at Ramshaw Real Estate, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

This is going to sound very weird but my most interesting job was being a cashier at a grocery store. When working at the small town grocery store I met the most interesting people and got so many different recipe ideas!

What is your favorite part about working for Ramshaw Real Estate?

The potlucks hands down! Just kidding, I love the family atmosphere here!

How do you define success?

I base my evaluation of success by how well I do my job. I’ve always wanted to be someone who can be recognized in the workplace as someone who always puts their best effort forward. When I find that I have achieved my goals, I always make a point to ask for new ones to accomplish as well.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I would LOVE to be a professional baker. I love baking so much but the docarting part of baking doesn’t love me.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?

I would tell myself to put down the blue eyeliner pencil and try to learn a sport or two.

What’s something people might not know or find surprising about you?

I got my ears pierced in Belgium! When I was in 7th grade, I moved to Germany and stayed there for 2 years. I got to do a lot of traveling and this was one thing I always bragged to my family about. You got your ears pierced at Icing in the mall? Well I got mine done in Belgium!

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?

I would have loved to witness Abraham Lincoln when he delivered the Gettysburg Address. In school I once had to memorize the whole speech. When doing so, I did so much research about America during this time. I always wondered what it would be like to witness what it was like for myself.

2019 is off to a great start, keeping the momentum of several large transactions in 2018. While a few sales are still pending, our commercial properties are at record low vacancies with new leases signed in the first quarter. A review of 2019 Q1 Lease Transactions:

1. Trade Centre: UIUC Division of Management Information signed a 5-year, 2,700 SF lease
2. Trade Centre: UIUC School of Social Work signed a 2-year 4,200 SF lease
3. 103 W Kirby: Top Food Restaurant leased 3,600 SF and opened in March
4. Glenn Park: RamClean signed a lease on an additional 2,825 SF of warehouse and office space adjacent to their existing space to expand their operation
5. Glenn Park: Sakura Massage signed a 2-year, 2,400 SF retail lease and opened for business in the Small Shops
6. 2305 Village Green: Iroquois River District signed a 3-year, 600 SF office lease
7. 2305 Village Green: Quednau Hearing signed a 2-year, 400 SF office lease

As of today, we have the following spaces available for lease:

Single Office Suites in Business Innovation Center – 505 W. University Ave, Champaign
Retail/Office/Warehouse End Cap at Glenn Park Shopping Center – Champaign

If you are interested in more information on either available property, please contact John Carson at 217-359-6400 or [email protected].

“Open Leasing” may sound (and feel) a little like the running of the bulls in Champaign-Urbana! Here are some insider tips to help find your perfect apartment home.

Sample Lease

First things first, we’ll start with the legalese involved in renting an apartment. In its most basic form, a lease is “a contract by which one party conveys land, property, services, etc to another for a specified time, usually in return for a periodic payment.” Thus, signing a lease is signing a legal contract which typically details the parties involved, a start and end date, total and/or monthly rent amount, and other rules and regulations of the agreement. The tenant, or individual renting the apartment, is called the Lessee; the landlord, or property manager, is referred to as the Lessor.  This is important when reviewing the lease to make sure you understand who is responsible for what (ex: utilities).

Pro Tip: Ask to review a sample lease (often published on the company’s website) before signing your lease for a specific apartment. If you have questions, ask before signing! It is much better to clarify before entering a binding document than have a misunderstanding months into your stay.

Ask for Leasing Options

More legal jargon… sublease, re-rent, lease transfer. Basically, what’s my get out of jail card here? I’m leaving town, got a new job, whatever the situation is and will no longer be living in the apartment I rented. Many companies offer subleasing for their tenants. As the original tenant, you are still legally (and most importantly, financially) responsible for the apartment. In many cases, you are also responsible for finding a replacement tenant, or sublessee. Most companies will require that your sublessee is approved by their qualifications (background check, for example) but the agreement then lies between you and the new occupant. Companies typically require that the replacement tenant be approved through the standard application process, or some portion thereof.

Pro Tip: Check your lease or ask the Leasing Agent for more information on options available to you if you need or want to move out of your apartment before the lease term is up. Be sure to clarify YOUR responsibility or what assistance, if any, the company provides in securing a new tenant.

Watch Utility Cap

Utilities are another important consideration when leasing an apartment. The obvious, most basic ones are electric and water. Some older buildings may have gas heat, which could be another monthly expense to check on. Cable and internet may also be offered through the building itself or through a partnership with a local provider. In some cases, you may still need to pick up your own equipment or pay for additional upgrades beyond basic cable, for example.

Pro Tip: Be mindful of a “utility cap.” This is the amount OVER which charges will be billed back to you. For example, if you have a $90 utility cap, but your February bills come in at $125 because there was a blizzard, you will be responsible for paying the $35 difference.

Check Your Lease Fee Terms

Late fees… leasing detention, a necessary evil. Most companies offer online scheduled payments monthly. This is a great way to avoid late fees! Schedule your payment for the 1^st or 2^nd of the month and you don’t even have to think about it each month. Some late fees are structured as a percentage of the outstanding balance, some are a flat fee, and others are a daily compounding fee.

Pro Tip: Check your lease clause on late fees to understand what you’ll be charged if your payment is late. Also look for the grace period or how late in the month you can pay before late fees are charged, then set up your auto pay accordingly.

Renter’s Policy Tip to Save You Money

Last but not least, insurance. You don’t need it til you need it. Most leases specify the amount of insurance required for minimum coverage. Some companies impose their own form of renter’s insurance to cover THEIR property if you don’t provide your own coverage. Renter’s insurance covers YOUR items in the unit in the event of theft, water damage, or other issues.

Pro Tip: Contact your car insurance agent to see about adding a renter’s policy at a reduced bundled rate. Make sure you consult your lease for coverage requirements and in most cases, provide a copy of your policy to your landlord.

Questions?

Planning to lease an apartment in Champaign–Urbana this fall and have a question about an area not covered in this article?
Check out our FAQs or feel free to contact a Leasing Agent.

To view our 2019-2020 availability, click here.