Online Learning from the Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD)
Your hub for online courses, microcourses, and on-the-go resources.


Dates:
June 7th, 14th, 21st
Time:
1PM – 3PM (Central Time)
Cost:
Registration is now closed.
Note: Continuing Education (CE) credit is not available for this course.
NAR’s Real Estate Investment Summit is designed to provide comprehensive insights into the world of real estate investment, with a focus on understanding the market trends, investment opportunities, and strategies for maximizing returns. This summit will cover the latest trends in increasing cash flow through a second home, investing what you know best, and building generational wealth and investment properties. Throughout the summit, attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of the different investment strategies and the critical factors that affect the real estate market.
Topics Covered
- Market analysis and forecasting: Understanding current market trends and predicting future market movements to make informed investment decisions.
- Asset management: Strategies for maximizing the value of real estate investments, including property management, leasing, and renovation.
- Financing: Techniques for securing funding for real estate investments, including traditional financing, private equity, and crowdfunding.
- Tax and legal considerations: Understanding the tax implications and legal requirements associated with real estate investments, including regulations related to ownership, leasing, and zoning.
- Risk management: Strategies for mitigating risk and protecting real estate investments against market volatility.
Who should attend
- Real estate professionals: Real estate agents, brokers, property managers, and others who work in the industry and want to expand their knowledge of real estate investment.
- Real estate investors: Experienced investors looking to expand their portfolio or optimize their investment strategies.
- New investors: Those new to real estate investment who want to gain a foundational understanding of the industry and learn how to invest in real estate.
- Anyone interested in learning more about real estate investment: Individuals who want to learn more about the real estate industry and investment opportunities.
Sessions Include
- Increase Cash Flow Through a Second Home (Wednesday, June 7th)
- Invest in What You Know Best (Wednesday, June 14th)
- Build Generational Wealth with Investment Properties (Wednesday, June 21st)
Meet the faculty
Emcee: Sarah Ware

Although Sarah Ware has been involved in various facets of real estate during the years she spent working in corporate America, she sought to deepen her involvement to help more people. Now that she has spent 20 years in real estate full-time, she hasn't regretted a minute of it.
As the Principal and Designated Managing Broker of Ware Realty Group, Ware assists property investors and local municipalities that focus on serving communities where there is a push to drive and stabilize prices and increase economic development. Ware runs a boutique office certified by the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois as a Minority-Woman-owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. By focusing on government entities, Ware has carved out a niche to further her company by working with municipalities that need real estate expertise on a more corporate level.
Throughout her time in the real estate industry, Ware has earned accolades such as the Chicago Association of Realtors' 2015 President's Award and CAR's 2016 Realtor Achievement Award. The organization has recognized Ware for her involvement with the Cook County Land Bank Authority's board of directors. Most notably, Ware serves as the 139th President of the Chicago Association of Realtors® and is involved in various committees for the Illinois Realtors® and the National Association of Realtors®. Additionally, Ware serves on the Board of Directors for Thresholds and The Chicago Bungalow Association, filling any gaps in her 24-hour day.
Session 1: Gonzalo Mejia

Gonzalo is originally from Lima, Peru. With a background in financial controlling he started in the real estate business in 2004. Gonzalo holds real estate broker and real estate instructor licenses. He is a national and international speaker and approved instructor for multiple organizations. Gonzalo believes the most important part of any journey is to enjoy the process and have as much fun as you can while doing it. An important part of his life involves fitness. He has participated in different sports competitions including half-marathons, marathons and triathlons. He is a certified fitness instructor as well. He also has been a participant in the theatre world acting in different productions but his favorite ones are the musicals. Gonzalo likes to volunteer his time to support multiple causes and has had the opportunity to join the cast of local Dancing with the Starts and LypSync Battle fundraisers. All these experiences allow him to see a real estate transaction beyond a business transaction but an opportunity to help his customers achieve life goals.
Sessions 2/3: John LeTourneau

John LeTourneau has been a full-time commercial broker since 2005 and specializes in helping his clients build multi-generational wealth through investment real estate. He leads a 5-person commercial team in the Chicago suburbs that actively works with buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants. He is also the Commercial Managing Director over 9 Keller Williams offices in the Western Suburbs with 29 commercial agents.
John is also passionate about commercial real estate education and regularly speaks across the United States, Canada and Europe on a wide range of real estate topics with a special focus on investment trends and global real estate opportunities. He is also a Consultant/Trainer for Dynamic Directions, the premier Realtor® training company. He is a tireless advocate for raising the bar of professionalism in the real estate industry and mentoring the next generation of real estate leaders.
Volunteer Leadership Roles:
- Immediate Past President of the 20,000 member Mainstreet Organization of Realtors®
- Board of Director Member of both the National Association of Realtors® and Illinois Realtors®
- Illinois Realtor’s® Liaison to the Irish Consulate in Chicago and State Legislative Contact for State Senator John Curran
- Vice-Chair of NAR’s Commercial Leadership Forum for 2023, for First Vice President Tracey Kasper