HighTable Insights: Real Estate

Is Trump For Real?

Kenneth Leonard — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:18:54 EST

Three years ago Donald Trump finally opened his troubled,but beautiful, riverfront skyscraper in downtown Chicago. He has issued many press releases about its success but a new article exposes most of his bluster as false advertising.

Las Vegas real estate: A happy new year?

Steve Bottfeld — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:47:31 EST

Santa Claus was very kind to Las Vegas in December, leaving several unexpected gifts. However, as he and Mrs. Claus celebrated the New Year, he began to understand why he didn’t see a lot of cookies and milk near the Christmas trees in the Las Vegas homes he visited.

Commercial property sales plunge in New York City: Why should everyone care?

Robert Canter — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:15:19 EST

Why should this matter? Is this a case as NYC goes, so goes the rest of the Nation?

Are Macy's closures a leading indicator of mall REIT values?

Kenneth Leonard — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:39:18 EST

The recent announced closings of 5 Macy’s and 4 Bloomingdales stores may have created a bigger threat to Mall REIT values then the announced closings of 120 Sears and Kmart stores.

Ireland's commercial property outlook

GLG Expert Contributor — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:53:10 EST

The ongoing Eurozone debt crisis and market volatility will continue to dominate headlines over the next 12 months, but local economic, financial and political decisions will be the primary drivers of pricing and transaction volumes in the Irish real estate sector.

A merry Christmas for Las Vegas real estate

Steve Bottfeld — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:53:59 EST

With apologies to Charles Dickens, both Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge would be pleased with Las Vegas housing statistics for November.

Las Vegas housing market gives reasons to be thankful

Steve Bottfeld — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:38:58 EST

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the past as well as the future. The best way to look at October data for the Las Vegas real estate market would be to think of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock.

Can Spain's housing and construction sectors generate growth again?

Sebastian Mariz — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:10:57 EST

The Partido Popular (PP), which is poised to win the November 20 elections, thinks real estate will have a role in a Spanish recovery. According to the party’s statistics and data, demand for Spanish real estate ampng northern Europeans could equate to 2.5 to 3 million homes. Such demand could easily absorb most of the 1 million-plus housing units currently on the books of banks and savings banks. The impact would probably be greatest in coastal areas.

Las Vegas residential sales statistics: Trick or treat?

Steve Bottfeld — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:37:11 EST

With Halloween less than two weeks away, we can’t tell if Las Vegas September residential housing data is a trick or a treat.

Vinyl Windows Market To Exceed 141 Million Units by 2015

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:13:51 EST

Vinyl windows are gaining in global popularity, in both new construction and replacement markets due to low cost, style and shape varieties, strength, durability, worry-free maintenance, and good quality control.

Home prices will continue to fall

Kenneth Egan — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:55:13 EST

As a professional who has tracked housing prices for nearly 50 years, on the East and West coasts, I unequivocally believe that housing prices will continue to fall.

Las Vegas real estate market: August data suggests bottom formation

Steve Bottfeld — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:54:50 EST

This has been an unusual summer for Las Vegas residential real estate. The city’s unemployment increased for the fourth consecutive month, but residential housing statistics suggest that the worst may be over.

Affordable Housing in India shows the diversity of the Indian populace

GLG Expert Contributor — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:56:28 EST

Recently there has been a spate of announcements in India about a shortage of affordable housing. The national government estimates the overall shortage at about 25 million units.

Has the Las Vegas housing market found a bottom?

Steve Bottfeld — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:33:51 EST

The shadow of seasonality falls over Las Vegas housing statistics for July. But, that shadow is very thin. Does this data mark the beginning of the end of the housing slump in Las Vegas?

General Growth Dumps Its' Troubled Properties

Kenneth Leonard — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:03:37 EST

The recent announcement of General Growth's plans to sell 30 of its' worse performing and lowest growth potential shopping centers raised a very important question in my mind--------"who the heck thinks they are better than General Growth at turning around a bunch of really bad malls?"

Is Dish Network An Apple Coppycat?

Kenneth Leonard — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:37:45 EST

Dish Network's decision to buy Blockbuster's 1500 stores for $320 million is either one of the most brilliant or stupid moves I have ever seen in my 40+ years in the retail real estate industry. My sense is that it seems destined to be judged as being closer to the latter than to the former characterization.

Another Xanadu In the Making

Kenneth Leonard — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:52:31 EST

For those of you GLG News readers who are fascinated by the new breed of reality show that carries with it a good chance to watch a real disaster unfold in slow motion before your eyes, let me be the first to recommend you start paying attention to today's announcement about a massive new development on the site of Chicago's historic Old Post Office. It rivals Xanadu in its' grandiosity and chutzpah and is headed for the same ill fated ending.

LAS VEGAS NEW HOME MARKET IMPROVING

Steve Bottfeld — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:07:43 EST

Evaluating June residential data for Las Vegas is like conducting an electrical experiment. One moment the current is positive. The next, it is negative. And, there are a few minor shocks along the way.The new home market may be showing signs of very slight improvement. And, despite the cloud of potential future foreclosures, June data for existing homes appears to show the market is maintaining a steady pace on several levels.

Affordable Housing Drive in India hits a HURDLE

GLG Expert Contributor — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:02:16 EST

There is massive demand for low-cost Affordable Housing in India - however there are significant construction technology challenges (low cost construction) and also in evaluating the credit-worthiness of potential buyers.

Camden Properties Trust Lays an Egg in Texas?

Jack Kern — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:31:48 EST

Camden Properties Trust NYSE:CPT) , the well respected residential REIT, run by always amiable and friendly CEO Rick Campo recently announced the purchase of eight apartment communities, totally 2,957 units. The properties, spread across 4 markets in Texas increase the firm's holdings to 69,170 units, including deliveries under construction. If the press releases are to be taken at their word, then it means the average cost per unit is a stunning $88,265, We're surprised, to say the least.