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Recent Blog Posts
Combatting the “Expectations Gap” in Commercial Real Estate
Most everyone knows what it feels like to plan something and set expectations on the outcome, only to encounter an obstacle along the way. Almost immediately, the bottleneck increases stress levels - because, as everyone knows, complications lead to delays and less than optimal results.
In the commercial real estate (CRE) industry, the space in which these losses occur in are known as “expectations gaps.” For the commercial investor and their team, the consequences of a gap can be dire, resulting in lengthy delays and lost income. Learn more about what causes these gaps, and how your firm can overcome them, in the following sections.
CRE Lawyers and CRE Investors - Results vs Expectations
Real estate attorneys are often seen as the “bad guy” in a real estate deal - the reason that bottlenecks occur. This is not the case, however.
CBD Industry Offers New and Exciting Opportunities for Mall Owners
With widespread mall closures for retailers like Nordstrom, JC Penny, and Macy's, commercial real estate owners are scrambling to fill space. Two major mall franchises have announced plans to add CBD shops to their list of retailers. Learn more about this interesting development in the commercial real estate (CRE) industry, and how it could impact your bottom line.
Mall Franchises Partner with Major CBD Retailer
Two mall franchises, Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties, recently announced their plans to partner with the major CBD retailer, Green Growth Brands. More than 200 CBD shops will be opened in malls across the country over the next year. With a strong growth history and high-quality products, the CBD company is expected to flourish inside of malls.
Specifically, Green Growth Brands will be featuring its health and beauty stores inside of malls. They own two specific (but different) brands - one focused on soaps and shampoos, the other on the empowerment and wellness of women. The opening of CBD flower shops is also expected in some locations.
What CRE Investors Should Know Before Adding Restaurant Property to Their Real Estate Portfolios
With more restaurants offering delivery services to their customers, and the popularity of food delivery services rising, the interest in the restaurant investment sector is growing at an unprecedented rate. Unfortunately, far too many investors dive into this industry without fully understanding its risks and nuances. As a result, they increase their risk of significant financial loss. Be proactive and avoid such a fate with help from the following information.
A Closer Look at the Restaurant Investment Boom
From a distance, it might appear that the entire restaurant industry is booming. However, upon closer inspection, current trends indicate that growth is confined mostly to Class A properties. All other properties are seeing little (if any) growth - and in many areas, closure rates for Class B and C restaurants are increasing. As such, investors wishing to break into the restaurant sector are encouraged to focus their sights on high-end properties. Just keep in mind that, because of the current boom, competition in the Class A restaurant sector is exceptionally high.
Commercial Real Estate Valuation - What Investors Need to Know
Although there are many aspects that go into determining a commercial real estate investor's overall return on investment (ROI), the valuation of each property is one of the cornerstones. What do you need to know about property valuation to improve your overall ROI in commercial real estate (CRE), and how can a seasoned real estate lawyer help? The following explains.
There is More Than One Way to Valuate a Property
Property valuations are not as cut and dry as some might like you to believe. Instead, there are multiple approaches that one can use to determine what their final ROI on a property might be.
The first is the cost approach, which examines the amount of money that it might take to procure a property and, if necessary, rebuild it. This is typically used for unique properties, as well as those that need or have undergone extensive repairs or upgrades.
Due Diligence Facts Every CRE Investor Should Know
Due diligence is a critical step in the acquisition of a property, especially for those dealing in commercial real estate. Done effectively, the process can protect you from lengthy project delays, zoning issues, and other negative consequences. In contrast, failures in your due diligence process may lead to extreme financial loss and an overall poor return on investment. Learn how to avoid mistakes and oversights in your due diligence with these crucial facts.
You Need to Spend Time at the Property
Far too often, investors rely on the “experts” to handle the due diligence process. They hire an inspector but do not attend the inspection, contact someone to value the property but are not present during the valuation process, and rely on reports to tell them whether the building is up to code. Sadly, this is a massive mistake.
Spending time at your property not only allows you to learn about it, it ensures you fully understand any potential issues. Rather than simply reading a report, you can talk to the fire martial or inspector to get an in-depth understanding of the issues (and the potential cost to fix). Simply being in the space can help you determine whether your goals and intent for it are realistic. So, if there is even just one thing that you change about how you conduct your due diligence, let it be a massive increase in the amount of time you spend at your properties.
7 Steps to Help You Break Into the Commercial Real Estate Sector
Savvy investors know the best protection against extreme financial loss is a diverse investment portfolio. Yet, many overlook the commercial real estate (CRE) sector. Perhaps it is because they fear the large, upfront investment, big risk, and long-term return on their investment. More likely, however, an investor may hesitate or even avoid the CRE market because they do not fully understand the benefits or the necessary steps for breaking in to this type of market.
Why Commercial Real Estate?
The first issue to address is the “why” behind commercial real estate. Certainly, there are other types of investments with lower risks. Yet, it is the high risk and large investment amount that make CRE properties so appealing. They offer a steady and stable return. Real estate is also considered a tangible asset, which investors can use as collateral on other investments.
Getting Started in CRE Investment - Which Commercial Real Estate Sector Should You Choose?
If you have toyed with the idea of commercial real estate investing, now is the time to take the plunge! Despite the previous concerns over an economic downturn, the market is expected to continue its growth. In fact, investors are likely to see some of the biggest gains in history over the next several years. Of course, that begs to question, where do you start? Also, what sector is most suited for a new investor like yourself, and how can you give yourself the best chance at success? Continue reading to learn the answers to these questions.
Examining the Different CRE Sectors
Commercial real estate is divided into categories known as sectors. Each has its own set of challenges, ROI opportunity, and nuances.
The Office/Occupier Sector: Deals with office space. As an investor, you would be working with corporations, medium-scale businesses, office shares, and the like. Economists expect office-use jobs to see their 10th consecutive year of growth, with a projected 1.6 percent rise in the upcoming year. This data suggests that investors will see a healthy return in the upcoming year.
Three Things to Know Before Entering the “Green” Commercial Real Estate Market
Although the big debate over global warming has made headlines in recent years, the scientific consensus is overwhelming: the planet is getting warmer, and it is happening at an alarming rate. This information, paired with the growth of the “green movement,” has increased the demand for eco-friendly applications in almost every industry. Commercial real estate (CRE) is no exception.
What does it mean to “go green” in the CRE industry, and how can you ensure that you get ahead of this trend? More importantly, how can you increase the chances that your green efforts will be profitable for your real estate company? Learn more in the following sections, including how the assistance of a seasoned CRE attorney can boost your profitability in the green CRE sector.
1. The “Green” Trend is Here to Stay
CRE Development Basics: Building a Neighborhood That People Want to Live In
People measure real estate success in different ways. For some, it is their bottom line. Others only feel they are successful when they meet a certain investment goal (i.e. closing a specific number of deals in a year). Still, there are some who set their sites on sustainable, long-term wealth.
Building a Neighborhood - How Positive Community Impact Improves Investor Wealth
While there are those who fail to see the correlation between community development and long-term wealth, data shows that small-scale developers tend to build a stronger, more stable stream of income when they become intimately involved with the community in which they are developing. That is because they take interest in what the community wants, rather than simply relying on what is “trending,” which can be extremely important in certain parts of a city.
How Can Zoning Affect an Illinois Renovation or Redevelopment?
In the business of commercial real estate, it can often be beneficial to purchase a property that has already been developed, rather than starting a new development project from scratch. Perhaps a developed property is located in the perfect place for your purposes, and you may even find that you can adapt existing structures to your needs. However, chances are that you will need to make some changes, either through a renovation or a complete redevelopment, and if so, you should be aware of zoning regulations that may impact your project.
Zoning Regulations in an Illinois Commercial Real Estate Renovation
You may find that you can adapt a new property to meet your needs by renovating structures that have already been built. A renovation may help you save time that you would need to spend on demolition, construction, and rezoning, but in most cases, you will still need to pay attention to zoning regulations in the local municipality that affect the development. For example, you may need to ensure that your renovation complies with local health, safety, and energy efficiency standards. You will also likely need to ensure that the property is authorized for use as the kind of business that will be operated there.
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