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Glimpsing New Efficiencies Through Portals

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

Portals--secure, seamless conduits between Web sites and operating databases--can help commercial real estate tenants and other stakeholders gain real-time access to crucial business information and online services. At the same time, they can provide commercial managers with the opportunity to increase efficiencies through dynamic integration between property Web sites and property management documents and data.

Saudi Fund Names US, UK Property Investment Targets

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

Jadwa Investment, an investment management firm with ownership by the Saudi royal family, has targeted U.S. and U.K. commercial real estate as good focuses for investment, according to the Financial Times. With its first action a bid on a $1.1 billion U.K. sale by insurance company Aviva in partnership with CIT, the newspaper quoted its chief economist, Brad Bourland, as saying it is eying "areas where there is currently a favourable exchange rate, attractive asset prices and a historical connection," which includes the United States and the United Kingdom.

NBA Renewal Marks Big Win for Midtown Manhattan

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

Multiple landlords attempted to lure NBA Properties to other locations in Manhattan and across the Hudson River but Olympic Tower Associates� signed NBA Properties Inc. to a 10-year, 153,000-square-foot renewal at 645 Fifth Avenue.

Signs of Life in 2Q as Sales Volume, Capitalization Jump

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

Despite overall sales figures down double digits from last year, transactions are still move forward, albeit in smaller amounts. Another good sign of real estate activity is the re-equitization of the REIT industry that continued in May as more companies deleveraged their balance sheets with equity capital raised in the public markets.

Capital Markets' Distress Mingles with Hints of Improvement

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

Signs of growth in distressed properties are mixing with evidence that the U.S. and global real estate markets are starting to stabilize, according to a recent analysis by Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.

In Slow Central Valley Market, 685,000-SF Sale Makes Splash

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

Industrial property sales in San Joaquin County in California's Central Valley have been practically nonexistent this year, but USAA Real Estate Co. just broke the monotony with the acquisition of a 658,000-square-foot distribution facility in the city of Tracy, about an hour east of San Francisco.

New Buchanan Street Exec Peterson Sees Troubles, Opportunities Ahead

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

The current economic turmoil might well have� the commercial propertyindustry feeling pain for some time to come. But according to anewly-hired executive with Buchanan Street Partners, the tumult willalso create an environment rife with opportunities.

As Condo Market Remains Tight, Miami Tower Scores Key Fannie Approval

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

In the midst of the sluggish economy and tight credit market, condominium developers are having a tough time selling units. As a result, many projects across the nation have been reverted to rental or stalled outright. But in the midst of one of the most hard-hit condo markets--South Florida--at least one developer is breathing a bit easier.

Stimulus Programs, Financial Market Intervention to Benefit CRE--But Not Right Away

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

The government's pumping up of the economy via various programs created by the nearly $800 billion economic stimulus package and interceding in the financial market will indirectly incite the revival of the commercial real estate market, according to a new report by Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services. But the major impact is unlikely to be felt this year.

Panel: Gov't Programs to Unfreeze Lending May Prove Effective, but Will Take Time

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

The alphabet soup of government programs, from PPIP to TALF, introduced by the federal government to thaw the frozen credits may very well succeed in that mission--but the medicine will take time to take effect, a panel convened by Ernst & Young in New York concluded.

An Integrated Approach

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

Today's commercial real estate market presents an extraordinary challenge but also an excellent opportunity for firms large and small to increase market share. Using an integrated marketing approach to communications will boost your firm's visibility with buyers and sellers who will once again become active. And it doesn't have to cost a lot of money to be successful.

New CRE Website Combines 3D Mapping, Property Data for NYC, NJ

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

Taking real estate expertise and combining it with technology has given birth to REonomy.com, a real estate information Web site designed to serve a range of professionals, from investors to brokers, by providing integrated parcel data, MLS and comprehensive property research tools in one location.

Economic Stimulus & Data Center Construction

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as it is technically titled, has allocated roughly $19 billion for the deployment of electronic medical records. What exactly does that mean?

As Mortgage Pool Shrinks, Lender Turns to LoanMarq for Leg Up

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

With the mortgage industry still in a state of tumult, lenders and investors are on the lookout for new and innovative methods to increase profits and make every aspect of the mortgage process run as smoothly as possible. Such was the goal of Mortgage Solutions, a Knoxville, Tenn.-based lender, when the firm turned to Sthenia Solutions and its LoanMarq software program.

Economic Update - AIG Unloads Choice Tokyo Property for $1.2B

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

American International Group is finally in the news for something other than being a multibillion-dollar black hole for the U.S. Treasury; namely, a property sale. The beleaguered insurer has inked a deal to sell the AIG Otemachi Building and a one-acre site in Tokyo to Nippon Life Insurance Co.

Panel: Despite New Government Programs, Significant CRE Problems Must be Addressed

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

While the federal government has unveiled an array of programs to unfreeze the credit markets, significant issues remain to be addressed in commercial real estate financing, according to a roundtable hosted this morning by the New York Metro CCIM Chapter.

Undeterred by Grim Conditions, Sovereign Wealth Funds Eye U.S. Real Estate

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

The U.S. commercial real estate market, plagued by high vacancies and declining property values, is not at its most appealing right now, but according to a new report by Deloitte, sovereign wealth funds are beginning to see a great opportunity for investment.

Rockwood Latest Investor to Close Fund, Raising $964M

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

Hoping to capitalize on an unsettled real estate environment that could ultimately lead to the "best investment period in the last 20 years," private real estate investment firm Rockwood Capital L.L.C. has closed an investment fund with some $964 million in capital commitments.

Economic Update - Corporate RE Plays New Role in Tough Times

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

It's a whole new world for corporate real estate owners, according to the 2009 State of the Industry Report by CoreNet Global, which was released Monday. The report distilled the views and opinions of more than 60 corporate real estate executives from around the world, along with information gleaned from various corporate real estate case studies.

Economic Update - Economists Call for Downsizing Financial Companies

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:57 UTC

If some esteemed economists testifying before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress Tuesday had their way, "too big to fail" would be a phrase of historical interest only--applying especially to that period of history just before 2008.