The cost of losing a tenant
Maintaining and improving occupancy in commercial investment properties is essential to increasing asset values. While calculating the financial benefit of a highly occupied building may be relatively simple, metrics demonstrating superior service to tenants, a critical driver of occupancy rates, can prove more challenging. The economic cost of losing a tenant can indeed be quantified, though, which allows property managers to demonstrate the impact of providing and maintaining a …
Receiverships: practice, practicality
Receivers are court-appointed officials whose purpose is to conserve assets for those whose interests will be determined. It is typical that creditors seek the appointment of a receiver to protect the collateral from loss in value, deterioration or “waste.” This article will deal with the general practice and procedure respecting the appointment and utilization of receivers and practical problems that arise.
In most cases, a receiver is appointed over income-producing…
Considerations for medical office leases
Leases for medical office space raise additional issues and considerations beyond those of a standard commercial office lease. Both landlords and tenants should be aware of these unique issues so they can draft a lease that sets up both parties for success.
Some of the key issues for landlords and tenants leasing medical office space to consider are: hazardous materials and biohazard waste, access and utilities, Stark Act and anti-kickback, entry rights and HIPPA, death and disab…
Successful property tax appeal
This week, property owners across Colorado will receive their updated notices of value from the county assessor. Emotions will range widely. Some owners will accept their value as fair; however, if the value doesn’t match expectations, the likely reaction will be surprise, shock and perhaps dismay.
If you fall into the latter category, we offer three important “pillars” for a successful property tax appeal.
Colorado’s property tax rules are unique. Owners…
Making the case for multifamily
Apartments are the shining star of commercial real estate investments. What do investors, real estate professionals, institutional owners, banks and lenders know? Why choose multifamily over office, industrial, retail and other commercial property types?
In terms of commercial real estate, the stars rarely align in the way they have for multifamily rental properties. Fundamentals are everything, and the fundamentals are strong in every area of apartments. This element gets the ca…
Public, private sectors produce sustainability strategies
Public-private partnerships have long proven to benefit both sectors if the parties involved remain focused on the goals they seek to gain from the relationship. For years, private-sector companies have realized that by partnering with public programs, often they are able to reduce expenses, which is a sought-after goal for any business. More recently, the commercial real estate industry has begun to capitalize on the concept that sustainability strategies do not just benefit a co…
Economic outlook 2013
Tom Binnings, senior partner at Summit Economics, fleshes out the 2013 economic outlook in the Feb. 20 marekt forecast issue. Here's some of what he has to say:
It’s hard to imagine interest rates could go anywhere but up, especially 10- to 30-year rates. We’ve been saying that for several years now. The big issue for 2013 is whether the Federal Reserve will continue accommodating bond markets to counter fiscal drag from growing federal austerity. It appears the group…
CRE loan sales as exit strategy
With the banks and other real estate lenders becoming healthier, and with distressed real estate loan portfolios shrinking, what is the future of real estate loan sales? Will loan sales remain as a preferred exit strategy for real estate lenders?
Over the last five years, loan sales have become a popular exit strategy for holders of nonperforming real estate debt, and over this same period real estate investors’ demand for these opportunities has skyrocketed. The demand for…
FasTracks sets the stage for TOD in Denver
Jim Mulligan of Snell & Wilmer reports on the state of metro Denver's transit-oriented mixed-use development. See more in the Oct. 17 issue of CREJ.
Douglas Co. District Court says show me the water
W. Craig Willis, a Holland & Hart attorney, says that a recent court decision changing the development approval process may force development projects to take longer and cost more in Douglas County.In Chatfield Community Association Inc. et al vs. Board of County Commissioners, et al (Case No. 2011CV1437), currently pending in the Douglas County District Court, a group of property owners banded together to challenge the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners' ap…
Special due diligence considerations
As purchasers look to take advantage of recent property development trends, such as the growing popularity of development in downtown business districts and transit-oriented developments, they may need to perform due diligence with special, additional considerations in mind that differ from those considerations on a typical project in less developed areas. Because of the high value of each square foot of property and the need to make the most of that expensive property, purchasers…
Momentum in Denver's office market remains positive
According to Todd Wheeler of Cushman & Wakefield, new and expansion office leasing activity through midyear 2012 is just under 5 million square feet, slightly up from this time last year but clearly holding steady as established companies and new entrants keep looking to grow. To read more, see the Aug. 1 issue.
The changing shape of big-box retail
NVC's Reagan Hardwick observes how market conditions and online competition are shaping big-box retail: Clearly there are merchandise categories that are thriving as a result of changing consumer behavior and some that are exhibiting signs of sharp decline. For real estate investors, consideration of tenant composition has become an increasingly important factor. Comparable sales data and market participant interviews indicate that investors will pay a premium for category-dominan…
Financing options for retail properties improve
Ed Boxer of Essex Financial Group says virtually all commercial real estate lending came to a halt in 2009 and began to recover in 2010. Lending on retail centers has taken the longest to regain its footing and lenders remain cautious when it comes to lending on retail properties but it has recovered and stabilized centers in good locations with strong sponsors can obtain nonrecourse permanent financing at historically low interest rates. The most desirable retail centers continue…
Medical tenants fill space in traditional office, retail
Dann Burke, senior director at Newmark Knight Frank Frederick Ross, says that economic downturns motivate building owners to look for creative ways to keep their properties occupied until recovery brings increased leasing activity. An attractive option for traditional office and retail landlords seeking to fill space in the Front Range region is medical users. Look for the complete article in our June 6 issue.
CREJ launches newly redesigned website
My first blog post on our new website. In fact, my first blog post ever! We've made many improvements to our Colorado Real Estate Journal website, making it more readable, more useful, more "like"-able (we're on Facebook now, too - but didn't bite on the IPO today). In its 20-year history, the CREJ has evolved in its newspaper design; hosted highly informative conferences; and embraced the digital world. We are continuing on that path of progress with the new website. Enjoy!In the…