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Interviewer: Marina Salley, Head of Investor Relations
Written by: Bea Pablo, Staff Writer
Ted was the first investor in Equity Platinum Fund 2and recently became a Founding Partner in our new Equity Euro Fund. He is a commercial real estate attorney and a partner at a large law firm who specializes in real estate development and renewable energy clients. In the legal world, Ted is known for his experience, expertise, and the strategic clarity he brings to complex investment and real estate transactions.
Ted’s life journey is one of calculated decisions, family-focused values, and a commitment to smart investing. We sat down with Ted to learn more about what drew him to Equity Residences and how his personal story ties into his investment strategy.
“It’s an intentional thing.”
From the moment the conversation began, Ted made it clear: he doesn’t invest blindly. “It’s an intentional thing,” he said, describing how he approaches real estate investments in the same manner he approaches his decades-long career as a corporate lawyer.
Ted’s investment philosophy aligns with the Equity Residences’ investment philosophy. Having worked closely with both public and private companies, Ted has seen firsthand how capital gets deployed and how motivations differ.
“Public companies… [when they invest money that’s not really theirs] .… they have to spend the money because otherwise it doesn’t look like they’re doing their job,” he observed.
Private investors, he emphasized, think differently. “Private companies are looking for the right things. They don’t just write checks all the time. They’re disciplined.” That discipline mirrors his own outlook and it’s part of what drew him to Equity Platinum Fund 2.
Trust in the Strategy, Not the Speed
For Ted, it’s never been about how quickly the fund deploys capital. It’s about how wisely. And he believes Equity Residences Director Greg Salley adheres to this approach.
“Greg is obviously buying. He’s finding the right buys. He is looking for the right buy, and I know he’s working on it,” Ted said, noting this kind of diligence takes time and that he’s comfortable with that. “There’s nothing worse than watching someone just spend money to make it look like they’re active. That’s not value creation. That’s panic.”
This patience is particularly important in the current market cycle. As economic uncertainty ripples through asset classes, many investors are feeling the pressure to act. But Ted prefers to wait for moments of true opportunity.
“It’s probably harder to get investors at the moment,” Ted said. “A lot of people don’t want to liquidate stocks to buy into a limited partnership because they’ll take a massive loss right now.”
“That may actually make for opportunistic buys in the market,” he added, “because people aren’t buying. That’s when you want to be ready.”
Sitting on Cash Is Sitting in a Strong Position
Before our interview, Ted read a New York Timesarticle about high-net-worth individuals walking away from multimillion-dollar real estate acquisitions. To him, this signals a cooling market and a potential opening for well-positioned buyers.
“That’ll be interesting to see what kind of opportunities that presents for our fund, because we’re sitting on cash right now,” he noted.
Unlike many who are sitting on cash, waiting for the perfect moment, Ted believes that now is a rare window of opportunity — when fear creates value, smart investing can lead to outsized returns. He views our fund’s unhurried deployment as a strength, not a flaw. “We’re not rushing. We’re waiting for value, and we are going to be in a position to move when others can’t.”
A Personal Connection to Europe
Ted’s interest in our new Equity Euro Fund runs deeper than pure diversification. “I mean, my daughter’s in Europe… we like to travel… I just kind of wondered how that was going,” he said, referring to his initial curiosity about the Euro Fund. He was pleased to learn the fund had quickly attracted multiple commitments, with a few Founder Units still available, something he qualifies for as one of the early Equity Platinum Fund 2 adopters.
“It’s also diversifying your holdings in a different currency,” he added, acknowledging the macro benefits of being Euro-denominated in a dollar-dominated portfolio. The Equity Euro Fund (EEF) offers investors the unique advantage of tapping into the European property market and diversifying assets into a Euro-denominated fund. The Equity Euro Fund not only aligns with Ted’s investment strategy but also mirrors his family’s values and provides a long-term growth opportunity in a region he wants to visit repeatedly.
Where Lifestyle and Investment Converge
From family trips to Florence and Rome to his daughter’s summer dance programs in the Dolomites, Ted has long seen Europe as a lifestyle hub. He’s stayed in Italian villas, explored military installations in Stuttgart while visiting his son, and spent holidays soaking in the Mediterranean air.
Ted also enjoys the aesthetic prevalent in the Equity Residences homes. “I think Equity Residence does a great job of picking the houses and the decor and the feel of the home.” Ted is looking forward to staying at the Equity Residences Euro Fund homes because he calls the traditional European hotel and vacation rental options “austere.”
That lifestyle/investment combination is part of what makes Equity Residence funds so appealing to him. He explained that his adult children have started using Equity Residences fund homes for their own travel plans. “They’re really getting used to this. And I think they’ll end up using the Euro Fund homes on their own.
“My son was like, ‘Dad, I think I can meet up with friends in Europe this summer. Maybe we can use some credits.’ And I was like, ‘Sure, go for it.’” This is a perfect example of generational value and how an investment can yield significant financial returns while also creating shared family experiences in amazing destinations.
Montana, Big Sky, and the Allure of the West
When the topic shifted to the future Equity Platinum Fund 2 acquisitions, Ted didn’t hesitate: “Love Montana. Absolutely love it.” The fund is looking to buy more mountain homes in response to investor demand and Big Sky, Montana is one of target markets for acquisition.
Ted said he’s long been drawn to the American West, especially during the summer months. That Equity Residences has identified a home with significant acreage and plans to subdivide the land for additional luxury homesites caught his attention. “That’ll be a great one. Big Sky is only going up.”
For Ted, these are not just properties, they are places where he would consider spending significant time. That’s the essence of our investment thesis: acquiring properties where our investors can experience different locales and create lifelong memories, while also building long-term appreciation.
“Credits Are Credits, Right?”
Ted’s legal mind was still working as he asked about the details of travel credit usage across funds.
“So, if we do Europe, can we combine those credits with the ones we already have?” he asked. We confirmed that Platinum Fund 2 credits and Euro Fund credits can be used flexibly across our international portfolio of luxury homes.
“That’s good to know,” he replied. “We are going to Europe a lot more now, and it would be nice to just plug in and stay at places that feel like home.” These are the practical and personal benefits that keep Ted excited about Equity Residences’ innovative platform. The value isn’t just on paper, it’s lived, experienced, and shared with the people he cares about most.
Looking AheadLooking Ahead
Ted’s closing thoughts brought the conversation full circle: “It’s been the perfect thing for us. It just fits what we want to do, how we want to do it, where we want to do it.” For investors like Ted, real estate is not just a financial strategy. It’s a lifestyle decision, a family experience, and a deeply intentional act.
At Equity Residences, we’re fortunate to have investors who bring thoughtfulness and vision to every decision. As we continue expanding in the U.S., Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and across Europe, we know that partners like Ted will help us decide what comes next.
If you’re looking to diversify into European markets or simply want a smarter way to blend lifestyle and investment, we invite you to connect with our team. Fill out the registration form here or reach out to us anytime.
