2024 Women in CRE: Shallini Mehra, Meridian Investment Sales

What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? 

The due diligence for rent stabilized deals with free market units has increased significantly. With the passing of the HSTPA 2019 rent laws, a deregulation may be challenged at any point in time requiring landlords to have the necessary paperwork to prove the free market status regardless of when they purchased the building. As a broker, I wear many hats, including responsibilities in analytics, marketing, and due diligence. This year, I have devoted considerable time to working with sellers to meticulously analyze rent histories and accumulate due diligence materials in advance. Many deals fall apart without this crucial information. By becoming more involved in the purchaser’s due diligence process, I have witnessed fewer price breaks and a faster, more successful transaction process.

Which professional organization(s) would you recommend to women just starting out in your industry:

Girl Gang, an outstanding organization for those starting out in the real estate industry. Girl Gang (GG) was founded in 2016 by Michele Kleger and Gabrielle Everett and has grown to include over 2,000 commercial real estate professionals. GG not only hosts multiple in-person events, but also posts job opportunities and other real estate events around town. The organization boasts a friendly vibe and members attend events with a common goal to connect and be a resource for one another. GG provides an excellent platform to quickly develop a rolodex of smart, motivated, and like-minded commercial real estate professionals.