Real Estate Advisor
Showing 257–272 of 303 results
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Ask the Advisor – What type of insurance coverage is needed for new construction projects?
September / October 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 437
Abstract: Risk management is as integral to a successful project as the construction materials and crew. And the first step is proper insurance coverage. Real estate professionals who are uncertain whether they have enough should ask a qualified professional to help them conduct an insurance coverage audit. This article shows how coverage audits can reduce the odds of an uncovered incident undermining the project’s profitability — or worse.
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Think twice before bailing out – Save your property and your tenants
September / October 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 504
Abstract: A property owner’s financial setback due to loss of tenants can cause a building to fall into disrepair, which may in turn cause existing tenants to leave, leading the owner to lose more money and, in many cases, to lose the property too. This article shows how this vicious cycle can be broken: by working closely with the lender and by adopting a greater “customer service” mentality toward tenants.
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Sec. 1031 exchanges – How to select a qualified intermediary
September / October 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 610
Abstract: Anyone who has ever participated in a Section 1031 exchange (also known as a like-kind exchange) knows the critical role that the qualified intermediary (QI) plays. Yet most states don’t regulate the QI industry. Investors who fail to use truly qualified QIs could regret it. This article discusses why QI selection matters, along with the factors that should be considered before retaining one.
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Closing the deal with seller financing
September / October 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 999
Abstract: The recent dearth of financing options has prompted some motivated sellers to consider offering seller financing, an arrangement previously associated with smaller transactions. Sellers interested in closing larger deals are now seeing the benefits, but they also face many complexities. This article looks at why seller financing might be a good option, along with what the seller should consider and what tax issues come into play. A sidebar lists the documentation that sellers should obtain when navigating a seller-financed deal.
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Ask the Advisor – Will conserving water really help me save money?
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 447
Abstract: Some green measures can not only help the environment, but can also help one’s bottom line by reducing utility bills. Water conservation is a good example. The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) offers a number of simple and inexpensive steps that owners can take to achieve big savings on their water usage.
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7 leasing strategies you need to know about
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 605
Abstract: Commercial and residential property owners occasionally need to get back to the basics of leasing to ensure that new leases are airtight, as well as to determine whether leases that are already in place are still producing the maximum revenue allowed. This article provides seven strategies to help owners accomplish both.
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Loan assumptions – Think of them as an alternative source of financing
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 721
Abstract: Even as the economy shows signs of crawling back from the brink, the credit market for commercial real estate (CRE) has remained tight. Some buyers that wish to close CRE deals are taking a nontraditional approach to financing: They’re assuming the sellers’ loans. The loan assumption process is somewhat complicated, and there can be disadvantages, but it can provide an advantageous option in a formidable credit market.
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A new safe harbor – IRS floats a solution for dealing with bankrupt QIs
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 779
Abstract: Recently, the IRS released a revenue procedure that provides a “safe harbor” for certain taxpayers who initiated deferred like-kind exchanges under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 but failed to complete the exchanges. Revenue Procedure 2010-14 applies when the qualified intermediaries (QIs) have filed for bankruptcy and defaulted on their obligations to acquire and transfer replacement property. Under the procedure, covered taxpayers aren’t required to recognize taxable gain on such exchanges until they receive payment attributable to the relinquished property. This article examines the details, while a sidebar looks at one case in which a taxpayer hoped to avoid Sec. 1031’s related-party rule by using a QI.
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Ask the Advisor – How can I hold on to overleveraged properties until the market picks up?
May / June 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 429
Abstract: Many owners and investors are juggling unprofitable projects and properties that are saddled with debt that exceeds their value. They may want to hold on to the real estate because of its potential long-term value but find that refinancing isn’t a realistic option. Other options, however, are available. These include restructuring debt, raising capital and partnering with one’s lender. In some instances, immediate foreclosure and bankruptcy might be the best option.
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Use a cost segregation study to accelerate deductions
May / June 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 686
Abstract: For those who have recently purchased or built a new building, or even substantially remodeled an existing building that they own, faster write-offs are only a cost segregation study away. A cost segregation study identifies property components and their cost, allowing owners to maximize their current depreciation deductions by using the shorter lives and faster depreciation rates available for the qualifying parts of the property. But the overall benefit may be limited in certain circumstances. This article explores some of the details, while a sidebar addresses the concern some have as to whether a cost segregation study might trigger an audit.
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Key strategies to maintain — or grow — property values
May / June 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 726
Abstract: Commercial real estate has been hit hard by the recession, and many owners have struggled with falling property values. But some simple property management strategies can help maintain or even increase the value of properties. For example, commercial properties are often ripe with expenses that could easily be reduced with a little vigilance. There are also ways to improve vacancy management and tenant retention.
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The feds step in – CRE loan workout guidance
May / June 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 770
Abstract: With the ongoing credit crisis, even borrowers that remain creditworthy have been challenged by the reluctance of some lenders to pursue workouts for commercial real estate (CRE) loans. Federal bank regulatory agencies have responded by releasing a guidance statement which encourages “prudent” workouts. It calls for a workout plan that scrutinizes current financial information on the borrower, and lists a number of factors an examiner should consider when assessing a borrower’s repayment ability. The statement also places on lenders the responsibility for reviewing current collateral values. A sidebar to this article discusses factors that examiners should consider when valuing income-producing properties.
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Ask the Advisor – How can I reduce the use of asphalt paving?
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 426
Abstract: While pavement is necessary for busy roads and the national highway system, there’s a growing awareness of the negative ecological impact triggered by too much asphalt. Developers can help curb the proliferation of asphalt paving. Not only can environmentally friendly paving projects enhance developers’ reputations, but they can also save money on materials and labor. But creative urban planning, which requires a unified effort by policy makers, citizens and developers alike, is key.
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Preventive maintenance programs pay off
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 575
Abstract: As the economy inches toward recovery, it’s tempting to postpone (or forgo) building and equipment maintenance to save money. But this strategy is likely to backfire over the long run. Poorly maintained equipment is a safety hazard, but fixing minor problems early also is often cheaper than dealing with major repairs and replacements later. Following five important steps can be part of a strong preventive maintenance program that will eventually result in increased efficiencies and a healthier bottom line.
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Conduit loans: Down but not out
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 645
Abstract: Like all bank funds, conduit financing is more scarce and its terms are often less flexible than during its heyday from 2005 through 2007 — but it’s still a viable alternative for healthy, diligent borrowers. This article shows how conduit loans work and what they can and can’t do. They may not be right for every development, but they’re still worth a second look for those who can live within certain constraints. And the benefits they offer — low fixed rates and flexible payment schedules — are hard to beat.
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Creative concessions get the deal done
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 935
Abstract: Many sellers, though willing to compromise to a certain extent, may hold out for their “bottom line” price to the point where it appears non-negotiable. But buyers can still find ways to wrap up a deal through creative concessions. This may involve asking for repairs or improvements, or seeking seller financing at below-market rates. One’s options are bound only by one’s own imagination — the secret is figuring out what each side values. A sidebar to this article discusses a few winning negotiation strategies.