- Basic Training
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Commercial real estate has experienced a dynamic market shift during the past five years that has affected nearly every aspect of the industry. As the slow economic recovery remains fragile, many commercial property owners and investors wonder if they can
- Energizing Tax Benefits
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In response to the growing focus on energy conservation, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 or EPAct, which created tax incentives to encourage the construction and retrofitting of energy efficient buildings. Although initially scheduled to sunset after two
- Distressed Decisions
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With the real estate collapse several years behind us, the industry has been riding a wave of available distressed commercial properties. But this groundswell of opportunity also brings a groundswell of risk. Knowing what to look for can ensure that
- 1031 Timing
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Under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031, real property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment may be exchanged and capital gain taxes deferred through a delayed exchange, which requires the taxpayer to sell the relinquished
- Why Comply?
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Until the financial crisis in 2007, banks and other lenders seldom included restrictive financial debt covenants in their commercial real estate lending agreements. Today, debt covenants are becoming far more commonplace in commercial mortgages. Many property owners who are refinancing
- Retail Therapy
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The climate for retail real estate deals is improving around the country, as pricing stabilizes and it becomes somewhat easier to forecast the performance of a retail center. With more sellers realizing that now might be a good time to
- Self-Rental Rule
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The only thing worse than incurring a loss on investment property is incurring a loss that cannot be deducted for tax purposes. Self rental property may cause this tax result for some property owners if rental arrangements are not strategically
- Struggling Properties Can Exercise Workout Options to Improve Financial Health
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This year is shaping up to be the most active period for real estate workouts since the early 1990s, primarily due to the declining value and performance of commercial properties during the economic slowdown. Tightening capital markets have compounded the
- Understanding Today's Underwriting Criteria Makes Refinancing Easier
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With historically low interest rates still available, many property owners are seeking to refinance their loans. However, they should be aware that today's lenders underwrite real estate values far differently than in the past by using a relatively new set
- Understand Lender Criteria to Finance Manufactured-Housing Communities
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Manufactured housing is a niche that offers potentially strong returns for some investors. Once thought of as simply mobile home parks, today's manufactured home communities are split into two primary categories landlease communities where residents own their homes and lease
- Wait and See
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Last year, the commercial real estate debt market again decreased considerably from the last decade's double digit growth rates. This slower growth indicates a lower level of transactional activity —buying, selling, and refinancing — taking place as the industry awaits
- What's Your Exit Strategy?
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There are many factors to consider when entering into a fixed rate commercial real estate loan what’s often forgotten is how to get out. Negotiating a solid exit strategy should be a critical aspect of all fixed rate loan originations.
- Affordable Money
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With the ever increasing need for more affordable housing, both nonprofit and for profit developers must consider every available below market rate financing program to make such projects economically feasible. Viable sources may be 501(c)(3) bonds for nonprofit developers
- Borrower Beware(1)
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Most commercial mortgage lenders charge application, due diligence, and loan commitment fees, but do your clients know what that money really is buying? Often, it is less than they think. The loan application process is becoming increasingly arduous as lenders
- Bridging the Gap
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The credit crisis has had a significant impact on commercial real estate and the availability of financing. Most lenders have reduced maximum loan to value thresholds to 65 percent and increased debt service coverage ratio minimums. Life insurance lenders are
- Companies Can Improve Cash Flow With These Strategies
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Corporate real estate professionals always look for creative ways to help their companies manage costs while growing their core businesses. In today's cooler economic climate, finding them is not a luxury — it's a necessity. Myriad corporate financing strategies are
- Cool Down Costs
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While occupancy, maintenance, and zoning matters consume a great deal of property owners and managers’ time, these professionals also must consider other important business components, such as energy costs, to remain competitive. When left unmonitored, energy costs can become a
- Consider the Future When Negotiating Loan Document Details
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After the basic business terms have been agreed on, proper negotiation and execution of loan documents can make or break a commercial real estate deal. Whether acquiring an existing income producing property, developing a new property, or refinancing the debt
- Redefining Debt
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Downsized operations and scarcity of tenants have temporarily left many business owners and developers with too much real estate and too much debt. Refinancing often is the solution of choice, but doing so isn&rsquo t always viable. Owners or developers
- Sale-Leasebacks Provide Capital for Core Business Investment
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The market for sale leasebacks — transactions in which companies sell and then lease back real estate assets — is growing at an estimated $10 billion to $15 billion annually. Continued increases are expected due to today's difficult real estate
- Rising Rates
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Recent commercial real estate capital market demand has caused capitalization rates to decline significantly, which has inflated real estate values despite poor fundamentals. Yet most experts believe that cap rates soon will climb. Investors should assess their properties to ensure
- Separation Anxiety
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In February the White House published a report to Congress mandated by the Dodd Frank Financial Reform Bill. The white paper indicated a significantly reduced role for the government sponsored entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, winding down their conventional
- Repayment Options
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When defeasance became standard call protection for average commercial mortgage backed securities loans in 1998, the timing could not have been worse for borrowers. Yields on government securities declined steadily in 2001 and 2002 making defeasance increasingly more expensive as
- A Taxing Situation
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As markets conditions continue to squeeze both landlords and their tenants, renegotiating loan terms can be an effective strategy for property owners to reduce overhead. But beware — the financial implications aren’t as simple as they sound. Many property owners
- Cost-Segregation Solutions
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Cost segregation is an accepted Internal Revenue Service method of allocating the purchase price paid for real estate property. Generally, cost segregation enables owners to increase the depreciation deductions from their properties, providing substantial present value benefits by reducing income