Marius Grant - Senior Project

senior Project Process 12

It seems that this is going to be my last blog entry. How sad. Although I have changed my project a few times and been unsure of my proceedings, I am initially satisfied with the product I chose in the end. Since I my project got a late start, I was far behind most of my peers, but I stepped my game up and managed to catch up with the rest of the group. Now I am finalizing my acquisitions and equity on the property, as well as drawing an future image of my apartment. I still need to find my last images of East Harlem to sparkle things up a bit in my product. I'll finish the brochure part of the product by the end of this week. Then I will take the highlights of my process, and put then together to form the Power Point.  Happy Holidays!

senior Project Process 11

This week, my mentor helped me by contacting an old friend who gave me much valuable information. I spent time adding local schools to my area description. I also calculated the two scenarios for the property. I did one where I converted the apartments into condominiums and one which the apartments stayed as rental. I calculated all the costs and found a handsome return on equity. Over the weekend I will do the final touches and hopefully complete my project.

senior Project Process 10

Over thanksgiving, I worked with intense focus with my senior project. I managed to complete my East Harlem area description and now I have to complete my property estimates etc. I found an apartment building 208 East 124th Street which I now have to estimate the costs of buying, renovating and selling. I need to know information such as square ft per unit and if the building has an elevator and maintenance, so I will call the real estate agent for the property later today. Over the weekend, I hopefully will have a roughly completed project with only corrections, power point and brochure format to worry about. 

senior Project Process 9

This week I talked to a developer who gave me the information I needed for my product. I have gathered all the necessary information on my area and am now moving on to the selected property. Not surprisingly, I didn't get the preliminary approval to present. However, I will indeed get approved next time! Over thanksgiving I will try to complete my product, so when I come back I can focus on the Power Point and making a brochure out of my research. Happy Thanksgiving!  

senior Project Process 8

The main factor on this weeks Senior Project process was my completion of the Product rubric. My mentor and I decided on a information packet or brochure instead of an essay. I've have also gathered relevant data on East Harlem such as Crime rates, Employment rates and housing data. For the weekend I'll focus on gathering the rest of the data and organizing it into a decent format. I am also hoping to talk with some developers and their opinions and pricing. 

senior Project Process 7

In these past two weeks, I have worked an considerable amount on my Senior Project. Although I believe I could have done more, I am ultimately satisfied with my achievements. I have worked with my mentor on my product rubric and by the end of today (Friday) I've completed it. I have decided to have a Power Point and an essay as my final products. I also had some problems with my outside consultants. As I have sent two emails and tried to call her, and my uncle has talked to her several times about replying to my emails. By the end of the day, however, I'm expecting a reply. I was also in the city last weekend to meet up with some friend from Norway. I used this opportunity to further improve my perception of my areas of choice. By the end of this weekend I will have started on my essay and gathered substantial information on my area.

senior Project Process 6

This week I finally officially got a mentor, Shelby Raebeck. Now I feel I can truly concentrate on my project and proceed with my findings. I now have to catch up with everyone else and decide on an area. I have to sit down over the weekend and complete my process rubric. I also need to talk with my outside consoltants and get their contact information. On sunday, depending on my process, I will go to the city and talk with my outside consultants and analyze my areas. By Monday I plan to have completed my rubric and outside consultant contact information, as well as my criteria list of what I am looking for in an area. 

Senior Project Process 5

This week, I sat down with a potential mentor and discussed the plans of my project. We discussed what I am looking for and what my outcome should result in. At the end, I was asked to find examples of urban development in major cities such as Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles. So I spent some time of this week looking at the history of Urban development and decided that I concentrate more on a smaller scale of gentrification. I also spent some time looking at the history of gentrification in NYC in the past 30 years. Over this weekend I should have found a new outside consultant, I already have someone in mind. 

Senior Project Process 4

This week, I changed my project for the final time. I left my idea of a business plan, and instead Im looking for an investment opportunity in a certain area in New York CIty. I also did my formal proposal and am now finding a new outside consultant. Over the weekend Im going to find an area in which I see improvement and have a good prediction will be a profitable area to invest in. 

Senior Project Process 3

Last week I decided to alter my project a bit. I am now doing residential real estate instead of commercial. This will make it somewhat easier when making a business plan. I also decided  instead of getting a prospectus on a building, I am now getting a overview on a building and will be making my own financial analysis etc. I intended to do this the whole time, but now the team doesn't have to worry about me copying straight from a prospectus.I have also completed an improved outline and have now an example to assist me.