Investment real estate is one of the oldest and most inefficient Continue reading ““Be Strong”… I whispered to my wifi signal. by Jen Hudson”
A DIFFERENT KIND OF GREEN. By Jen Hudson
Last month we talked about green energy and ways to keep some “green” in your pocket. This month, there is a different kind of “green.” One that is transforming our real estate world, and one that you should be aware of. Continue reading “A DIFFERENT KIND OF GREEN. By Jen Hudson”
Where is the Market? Hiding in Plain Sight. By Jen Hudson
This week I was down in Seattle looking at property for investors. I know we’ve all seen them: the cranes. The cranes downtown seem to keep working on more and more apartments, condos, and mixed use developments. Those cranes have been around so long, you may not even notice them anymore.
It looks like there is an endless supply of apartment units coming soon. Apartment construction in top markets across the country has surpassed a 24-year historical average.
With all these apartments, you might not notice that Continue reading “Where is the Market? Hiding in Plain Sight. By Jen Hudson”
Zoning. It doesn’t have to be the monster under your bed. By Jen Hudson
This next sentence may be one of those “no, duh!” type statements, but just hear me out. Cities, towns and counties are usually made up of different Continue reading “Zoning. It doesn’t have to be the monster under your bed. By Jen Hudson”
Tired of Treading Water? (Based on a True Story.) By Jen Hudson
Let me tell you a story. Continue reading “Tired of Treading Water? (Based on a True Story.) By Jen Hudson”
Q3 Economy: Seattle
Report by ReisReports.
Among the accomplishments of the Seattle area economy over the last couple of decades was a diversification that lessened its dependence on cycles in aerospace manufacturing and related employment trends. A huge and nationally prominent high-technology sector led initially by Microsoft (and more recently augmented by Google and Amazon.com) emerged along with a large health care sector. These, along with trade activity at regional ports provided cushions against the cycles common to local manufacturing. … Continue reading “Q3 Economy: Seattle”
Good intentions do not replace a qualified appraisal, by Mark Lee Levine
Deduction Denied
Good intentions do not replace a qualified appraisal.
by Mark Lee Levine, CCIM, JD, LLM (tax)
In the recent case of Joseph Mohamed Sr., et. ux. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2012-52, the U.S. Tax Court determined that a taxpayer and his spouse, after making almost $20 million worth of charitable real estate gifts to qualified charitable recipients, could not take the $18.5 million tax deduction for the gifts.
The reason is a failure to follow Internal Revenue Code regulations and use a qualified appraiser. As this case illustrates, in charitable contributions of this size, if such steps are not properly undertaken, there can be a complete loss of the deduction. Continue reading “Good intentions do not replace a qualified appraisal, by Mark Lee Levine”
Retail Remodel: Partnerships & Success by Bridget Grams
Retail Remodel
Are partnerships the key to brick-and-mortar success?
by Bridget Grams and Mark Richardson
In today’s slowly improving economy, retail success depends upon regularly updating the customer experience and a constant focus on managing occupancy costs. One way to accomplish both of these goals is to combine store remodeling campaigns with commercial lease restructuring efforts. With a partnership approach between tenant and landlord, these seemingly unrelated and potentially conflicting efforts can have a beneficial outcome for both parties by creatively aligning incentives. Continue reading “Retail Remodel: Partnerships & Success by Bridget Grams”
Beyond the E-tail Era by Jennifer Norbut
Beyond the E-tail Era
New factors are shaping retail’s next phase.
by Jennifer Norbut
The sharp rise in e-tailing and its game-changing impact has created a new normal in the retail real estate sector. Major national retailers are evolving their strategies in an effort to “survive and thrive” in this new market dynamic. “The good news is that even though Apple, Netflix, Amazon, eBay, and other online giants killed record stores and video rental shops and are in the process of doing the same to electronics and bookstore big boxes, e-commerce will never replace the brick-and-mortar shopping experience,” says Sean Glickman, CCIM, managing director of Glickman Retail Group in Maitland, Fla. Continue reading “Beyond the E-tail Era by Jennifer Norbut”
11 Ways to Finance Commercial Real Estate Energy Retrofits
11 Ways to Finance Commercial Real Estate Energy Retrofits
by Michael C. Polentz
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, commercial buildings account for 35 percent of U.S. (and 40 percent of global) electricity consumption. Most commercial real estate professionals accept that energy efficient buildings can, and do, impact the value of the underlying asset. Notwithstanding this recognition, existing commercial buildings on average spend 30 percent of their budgets on operating costs and account for close to 20 percent of all global carbon emissions.
While they understand the benefits, the challenge for most commercial real estate owners and operators is not whether to implement energy efficient retrofits, but rather how to pay for or finance such improvements. Continue reading “11 Ways to Finance Commercial Real Estate Energy Retrofits”