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Real Estate Investing Information

Feb 12

Government Intervention Causes Commercial Crisis

Government intervention will cause more problems in the the real estate market, especially in commercial real estate. When the government steps in with more regulations and oversight, it impedes competition and growth.

Elizabeth Warren Warns About Commercial Real Estate Crisis

Even as the economy shows signs of recovery, a government watchdog is warning that another financial crisis is coming round the bend — and that the Treasury Department and financial regulators are not prepared to deal with it.

“There is a commercial real estate crisis on the horizon, and there are no easy solutions to the risks commercial real estate may pose to the financial system and the public,” says a report issued Thursday by the Congressional Oversight Panel, the bailout watchdog led by Harvard Law professor and middle-class advocate Elizabeth Warren.

“The Panel is concerned that until Treasury and bank supervisors take coordinated action to address forthrightly and transparently the state of the commercial real estate markets — and the potential impact that a breakdown in those markets could have on local communities, small businesses, and individuals — the financial crisis will not end.”

Over the next five years, about $1.4 trillion in commercial real estate loans will reach the end of their terms and require new financing. Nearly half are “underwater,” meaning the borrower owes more than the property is worth. Commercial property values have fallen more than 40 percent nationally since their 2007 peak. Vacancy rates are up and rents are down, further driving down the value of these properties.

When the reckoning comes, it could threaten everyone from banks and pension funds to renters and small businesses — and small banks could be particularly vulnerable.

Warren warned against government inaction. –more

Technorati Tags: Commercial property, Real estate

Jan 05

Commercial Real Estate is not Fairing so Well

Commercial Real Estate No Comments »

While residential real estate is doing fine in the rental sector, commercial rentals are not thriving. During the real estate boom, many commercial buildings were built, but when the economy started to make a turn for the worse, many of those commercial spots went vacant.

Now investors are having to cut rents to attract business.

Tenants, Investors To Take the Reins in 2010

Commercial real estate markets around the world experienced the full impact of the global economic recession in 2009, according to the 24th annual Global Market Report released today by NAI Global. Rising vacancy rates and declining rental rates were evident in virtually every market sector and geography, with weak demand and a growing supply of sublease space further eroding market fundamentals.

After a turbulent 18-24 months since the market peaked, 2009 marked a year where transaction volume nearly came to a standstill as corporate tenants waited for clear signs of recovery and investors remained on the sidelines waiting for signs the bottomed has been reached. As the year progressed, government intervention in the form of stimulus packages in the U.S., Europe and parts of Asia took hold and by year’s end many markets had begun to stabilize. However, with U.S. unemployment topping 10%, consumer demand and spending power at their lowest levels in decades and international manufacturing and trade proceeding at a crawl, the global recovery will take some time to truly stimulate economic growth.

“The past year was extremely challenging for commercial real estate, and we don’t anticipate much new demand in 2010,” said Jeffrey M. Finn, President & CEO of NAI Global. “We’re working with our corporate clients to help them take advantage of the current tenants’ market to reduce their long-term occupancy costs. Many tenants are able to negotiate more favorable lease terms today in exchange for a longer commitment. This ‘extend and blend’ practice is a trend we see continuing well into the next 18-24 months.” –more