2 Hours of NC CLE, CIE, CPE, and CFP were applied for.

7:30 AM Door Open
7:45 AM Announcements
8:00 AM Why Invest in Real Estate?
9:00 AM The $3 Trillion Blindspot: Why Advisors and Other Financial Professionals Ignore Real Estate (And How It Costs Your Clients)
10:00 am CE Ends

Title-  Why Invest in Real Estate?

Abstract- Real estate is widely championed as an infallible asset class, yet historic yield data and current market headwinds challenge standard investment assumptions. This discussion cuts through conventional optimism to examine the structural friction points, interest rate risks, and land cycle traps of property ownership. Participants will gain an analytical, value-investing framework for stress-testing acquisitions, managing leverage, and structuring real estate transactions safely in today’s market.

Speaker- Preston Nelson 

Retired real estate attorney and private investor Preston Nelson focuses on residential and commercial portfolio acquisition, private debt placement, and avoiding unnecessary work. Holding active Bar licenses in North Carolina and Illinois, along with a background in mortgage lending and real estate sales, Preston has advised investors at every stage of the asset lifecycle. He is known for challenging conventional wisdom and spotting what others overlook — with just enough common sense to act wisely.

Title: The $3 Trillion Blindspot: Why Advisors and Other Financial Professionals Ignore Real Estate (And How It Costs Your Clients)

Abstract- Real estate is one of the most widely held assets among clients, yet many financial advisors remain reluctant to discuss it, refer clients to real estate specialists, or incorporate it into holistic planning conversations. Drawing on nearly three decades as a financial advisor and even longer as an active real estate investor, Cubby Bice examines why this blind spot persists and what it costs advisors and their clients. This session covers core tax strategies unique to real estate, key distinctions between residential and commercial investment, and practical guidance for building collaborative relationships with CPAs and legal experts — equipping advisors to confidently support clients’ real estate goals within a broader financial plan.

Speaker- Cubby Bice

Cubby grew up in a small town 20 minutes south of Utica in upstate New York, about an hour east of Syracuse. After graduating high school in 1992, he played junior college basketball for a year before transferring to Eastern Washington University, where he played Division I basketball in the Big Sky Conference and graduated with honors in business management. He consulted with the government for about nine months before earning his MBA in finance, with honors, from Georgia State University, and has since completed roughly a third of a PhD. He has taught continuing education courses at several area colleges, including Lenoir-Rhyne, UNC Greensboro, Catawba College, and Davidson College.

Cubby moved to North Carolina from Atlanta in early 1999 and worked as a bank consultant for about a year before joining PaineWebber to begin his career as a wealth manager. He moved to the independent side of the industry in 2003 and holds Series 7, 63, 65, and 3 licenses. In addition to his MBA, he holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designations from the College for Financial Planning, attends three annual tax and coaching meetings each year, and is a member of the Academy of Preferred Financial Advisors.

His main office is in Mooresville, NC, where he currently manages just over $200 million in assets. He was married for 22 years and has three children, ages 21, 20, and 18. He currently lives in Mooresville and has coached football, baseball, soccer, and basketball for 27 years, most recently with the South Iredell High School men’s varsity basketball program. He enjoys CrossFit training, mud runs, and staying active across nearly any sport.

While Cubby has been a financial advisor for 29 years, he has been a real estate investor even longer. He currently owns 11 residential properties as well as the commercial property where he runs his business.