The Cabot Group

Investing in Commercial Real Estate in This Environment - Good Idea?

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:31:00 GMT

Submitted by D. Saperstone
By definition, commercial property is used solely for business purposes. A very broad generalization of “commercial property” but strangely accurate. Shopping mall, offices buildings, apartments, gas stations, hotels and industrial parks are all commercial properties and represent investment...

Read More

New IRS Rules Offer Guidance for Property Owners

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:01:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Leonhard
In December of 2011, the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS issued temporary regulations on the treatment of amounts paid to acquire, produce, improve or repair tangible property. The regulations are effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2012.
Change in Accounting Method
The new regulations included significant changes from prior guidance, and many property owners will have to change their tax accounting methods to conform...

Read More

Apartment Industry Outlook

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:20:00 GMT

Submitted by J. Debes
Marcus & Millichap recently released THE APARTMENT OUTLOOK for 2012.
Here are some interesting highlights from the report: The apartment sector has fully moved into an expansion cycle as defined by the broad based recovery in vacancy rates, rising rents, improved operations for Class B and C properties, and the start of a new construction cycle.
Read More

Rochester, NY Ranked Among Top 10 in Apartment Vacancy Rate Rankings

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:29:00 GMT

REIS Reports details the top 10 and bottom 10 Apartment vacancy rates in the country. Rochester, NY ranked among the top 10.

Read More

Can you benefit from a Cost Segregation Study?

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:41:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Leonhard
If you have recently acquired or constructed real estate, or have made a significant renovation or remodeling investment, you have an opportunity to benefit from a Cost Segregation Study. In addition to reducing your taxable income for a number of years...

Rising Rent Rates and Declining Vacancies Make Multifamily an Attractive Investment

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:18:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Laraby

In recent history, multifamily investments have not looked as attractive as they do right now. In Q4, 2011, vacancy rates have dropped for the 5th quarter in a row while rent levels have increased the last 8 quarters...

The Art of Lease Negotiation

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:09:00 GMT

Submitted by D. Saperstone
With the exception of human resources, the single largest operating expense for most businesses is the cost of their real estate. For those businesses that do not own the space they occupy, the cost to occupy that space is driven by the terms of a lease agreement. These business owners are usually...

Read More

Homeowners Association Reserve Study

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:12:00 GMT

Submitted by J. Debes
Often, Homeowners Associations engage a third party to provide them with a "reserve study" to determine what major maintenance related expenditures will the Association likely incur in upcoming years - roof replacements, asphalt replacements, siding...

Read More

Outsourcing Lease Administration

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:52:00 GMT

Submitted by A. Smith
You have just spent the last 3-6 months (or maybe 2-3 years) working with your Real Estate Advisor to establish a list of office space requirements, tour potential sites, review proposals, negotiate terms, get internal approvals, finalize lease documents and coordinate the details of construction and relocation...

Read More

Homeowner Associations (HOAs)

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:53:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Laraby
A Homeowners Association, commonly referred to as an HOA, is a corporation developed for the purpose of managing, marketing and maintaining a residential community. The entity is typically created by the developers and ownership is transferred to...

What is a Court Appointed Receiver?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:39:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Leonhard
In certain situations where a company or individual is in default on loan obligations, such lenders or creditors may seek appointment by an authorized court of law of a Receiver to safeguard their interests. The Receiver is an independent party to the foreclosure and reports to the court. His responsibility is to...

Read More

8 Reasons to Use a Commercial Real Estate Broker

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:32:00 GMT

1) A broker is your gateway to commercial real estate and acts as your representative for all facets of the transaction. As a trusted advisor, a broker optimizes the process and maximize the value delivered to the client in many ways which is essential when embarking on such a complex endeavor...

Read More

Behind the Increasing Demand for Multifamily Households

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:56:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Laraby
Robust projections for multifamily growth are fueled by many favorable conditions within the marketplace. Limited vacancy of multifamily units, declining homeownership, favorable demographic trends and attractive government sponsored programs all fuel the trend toward this type of housing, for both tenants and owners...

Read More

The Key to Successful Real Estate Investing: Do Your Homework

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:22:00 GMT

Submitted by D. Saperstone
Successful people love to hang out with other successful people! There’s a certain energy that emanates when smart, successful business people talk about their businesses and the challenges they’ve overcome to make their respective operations winners.

2012 Multifamily Outlook

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:18:00 GMT

Submitted by J. Debes
Industry experts expect another strong year for multifamily in 2012, thanks to the same fundamentals that made 2011 a great year. Creation of new rental households that accompanies job market revival, continuing preference of rental housing opposed to home ownership, thanks to weak for-sale...

Read More

Educational Institutions Outsourcing Facilities Management

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:25:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Laraby
A new trend has emerged among universities, high schools, and even grade schools: administrators outsourcing facilities management/maintenance. Many schools turned to outsourcing during the recession to minimize overhead and remain flexible in the changing market. Outsourcing these services reduces costs but many have...

Read More

Summarizing the Real Estate Acquisition Decision

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:52:00 GMT

Submitted by A. Smith
Whether owned or leased, a company’s real estate costs are often its second most significant annual expense, just behind its payroll commitments. In order to confidently make decisions on matters that will have such a significant financial impact to the organization, a company will want to make sure that 1) due diligence has been completed on the requirements, opportunities and terms for an agreement and that 2) the financial details of an agreement are understood and supported from within the organization...

Read More

Understanding Occupancy Costs

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:19:00 GMT

Submitted by G. Bryant
Understanding and comparing occupancy of competing facility options can be challenging when rates are quoted in different terms. Tenants will encounter a myriad of different terms which will differ in definition from one Owner or broker to another. To make things more difficult, different Owners include different things in their CAM...

Read More

Why should you hire an Accredited Management Organization (AMO®) to manage your real estate?

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:44:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Leonhard

The AMO designation is the most widely recognized indication of professionalism in the real estate management industry. It is awarded to only the most experienced and well qualified management companies in the business. Since its establishment in 1933, the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®) has only awarded the prestigious designation to firms with a proven track record of...

Read More

Commercial Property Insurance 101

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:34:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Leonhard

Commercial property insurance, also known as business property insurance, offers protection against accidents, damages due to fire, theft, vandalism, storms or many other specific events that may be outlined in the policy. Policies generally cover the cost of replacement or repairs of the property, inventory, equipment, important papers and even lost income...

Read More

Defining the Value of "Relationship" when Selecting a Real Estate Consultant

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:32:00 GMT

Submitted by D. Saperstone

The real estate axiom “location, location, location” is hard to deny. A property’s location is often the prime driver of rents, assuming the property has been well cared for and managed. However, it’s absolutely imperative that a bond of trust develop between the owner/investor and the property manager/consultant. There are well established industry mathematical formulas that...

Read More

Plan Now For New CPSC Public Pool/Spa Drain Requirements

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:32:00 GMT

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is revoking its interpretation of the term "unblockable drain'' as used in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act)....

Read More

Discovering Value in Outsourcing Facilities Management

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:29:00 GMT

Written by Timothy Maechling and Jeffrey Bredeson

An organization can realize immediate benefits from outsourcing Facilities Management to the experts. More importantly, it allows employees to focus on what is important-- the business. "When you set up an outsourcing relationship, indirect benefits begin to accrue. These show up as overhead reductions and increased productivity, and make the company more efficient."...

Read More

FASB Lease Accounting Changes – Be Prepared!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:52:00 GMT

Submitted by A. Smith

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), in conjunction with the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has indicated that they will be publishing new lease accounting standards in 2012. At the core of the accounting changes is the idea that operating leases...

Apartment Cost Savings: Are you spending too much for utilities?

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:50:00 GMT

Submitted by J. Debes

In October 2010, the Public Service Commission quietly approved an increase in delivery charges for SC3 (large transportation service - 35,000 therms or more) accounts. Most apartment communities providing heat likely have SC3 accounts. The change in...

Read More

Let a dedicated Tenant Representation Team guide you through the process of relocating.

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:49:00 GMT

Submitted by A. Smith

According to Commercial Property Professionals, Tenant Representation can be divided into seven distinct steps. Be certain that you have proper planning and execution of objectives by utilizing a professional client services team. A dedicated team can save you time, money, and resources and ensure the success of your move....

Read More

Types of buildings and office space. What does it all mean?

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:48:00 GMT

Submitted by D. Saperstone
Commercial properties, a very broad category that includes just about every type of real estate, often forms the backbone of an investment portfolio. Those of us charged

with managing commercial properties for investor owners, have a responsibility to maintain the physical asset---the building(s) --- and maximize the net operating income...

Read More

Increasing Net Operating Income (NOI) in Today's Economy

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:46:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Laraby

Increasing and maintaining net operating income (NOI) has always been a high priority to property owners and managers alike. Over the last several years, property owners have been forced to find non-conventional solutions to conventional problems to maintain their competitive advantage in the marketplace. One of the increasingly popular solutions...

Read More

Managing Facilities Maintenance

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:41:00 GMT

Submitted by B. Hunt

Is your maintenance department effectively and proactively managing your facilities to promote employee productivity, comfort and safety while meeting budget goals, preserving your assets and maintaining compliance with all codes and regulations? If not, then you should consider outsourcing your maintenance department...

Read More

Tenant Representation

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:39:00 GMT

Submitted by G. Bryant
New York law permits commercial real estate brokers to represent both the buyer and seller (or lessee and lessor) relative to the sale (or lease) of a property, without the requiring the broker to notify both parties to the transaction of the broker’s dual representation. This is analogous to an attorney attempting to...

Read More

Economy Wobbles but Multifamily Remains On Course

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:35:00 GMT

Submitted by J. Debes
While sovereign debt concerns and a slow growth cast a pallor over the state of the general economy, the commercial real estate (CRE) market, particularly multifamily housing, continues to shine. Several factors account for the resiliency of the multifamily market...

Read More

Access to high speed internet services is among the top requirements for commercial real estate tenants.

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:01:00 GMT

Submitted by S. Laraby

An article featured on MarketWatch.com on September 26, 2011 indicated that access to high speed internet services is among the top requirements for commercial real estate tenants. According to the 2011 State of Communications Services in Commercial Real Estate survey...

Read More