Episode 33 – The Wilson Wealth Show New South Real Estate Host: Ablavi Gbenyon-Little Guests: Jahlil Lord, Derrick Salter and Herman Hicks, Maurice Wilson & Marcus Johnson Summary: Nashville, Charlotte and Atlanta – an area dubbed the Piedmont-Atlantic mega-region – is having a moment. Join Maurice Wilson, founder of Wilson Wealth, for an in-depth look at these dynamic markets on this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show. Host Ablavi Gbenyon-Little takes a distinguished panel of guests with a range of business, real estate and investment expertise through an overview of how “New South” economies are doing in this post-pandemic moment. The panelists include real estate developer Derrick Salter, certified wealth strategist and banking executive Herman Hicks and financial services provider Jahlil Lord. Rounding out the group is Nashville-based Marcus Johnson, a planner with Wilson Wealth. You’ll come away from this lively conversation with a clear sense of where opportunities (both real estate- and business-related) are both hottest and most affordable as well as a practical list of factors to consider before making any commitments. The group also considers the impacts of rising interest rates and remote work on the commercial real estate market and digs into pockets of affordability for newer investors. They also take a look at the outlook for Airbnbs and how to accumulate that all-important liquidity. It’s all about closing the “wealth gap” and building solid, transgenerational financial rewards for Black-owned businesses and families. Join us!   We hope you enjoyed this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show! Please click here to explore our archive of previous shows!     Key Quotes: “The interest rates are extremely high compared to what we’ve been accustomed to seeing, which may be the new norm.” (Marcus)   “What’s important right now is to really make sure you structure the right deal on the front end when you get into commercial real estate.” (Herman)   “Real estate is completely based on cycles. A lot of people have not seen this cycle (featuring higher interest rates) before, but this is not anything new.” (Herman)   “In a city like Nashville … this is not a good market to be just now entering Airbnb. You need to find that next market. Places like Huntsville, Alabama, or places on the coast of Florida that are not as developed yet.” (Derrick)   “People (in Charlotte) are waiting on the sidelines, waiting either for interest rates to go down or some type of landslide in (real estate) prices.” (Jahlil)   “Properties (in Charlotte) have appreciated so much … (and) buyers are not motivated because of those high interest rates.” (Marcus)   “Charlotte as a city may be slowing down but it’s actually impacting the surrounding areas positively.” (Jahlil)   “Atlanta is still a place where you can find real estate deals if you know where to look. I don’t think there are as many deals … but if you’re willing to go to more rural areas further out from the city, you can definitely find deals.” (Ablavi)   “Atlanta has been a touchstone for the movement … If you own a Black business, you have to have some exposure to Atlanta. It’s kind of like our New York.” (Maurice)   “A lot of Black folk in Atlanta are starting their own companies … and we can definitely help contribute to closing that wealth gap.” (Marcus)   “The cost of living (in Huntsville) compared to Nashville, Charlotte and Atlanta is dirt cheap. Your dollar is going to stretch a whole lot farther there.” (Derrick)   “Business-wise I would headquarter in Atlanta for one reason: I’m no longer a Black business. I’m just a business. Atlanta has transcended.” (Maurice)   “You’re not just going to thrive (in Atlanta) because you’re a minority. You’re going to thrive because business is booming ... It is like the mecca for us and you can’t beat it.” (Jahlil)   “There’s just so much opportunity for everybody to be successful (in Atlanta) and I think that that is part of the