Finance
Challenges and Opportunities: The New Normal Lending Landscape
While there is optimism in the market for 2012, there is still hesitation – and those negative factors include debt availability, the tightening of the CMBS market and the need to resolve distressed debt.
Law & Policy: Foreclose and File? Buyers of Mezzanine Loans May Be Liable for Mortgage Debt
While the purchase of a mezzanine loan typically follows a predictable path, two recent rulings have upheld the custom of the mezzanine lender being required to pay the outstanding balance of the mortgage loan prior to foreclosing on the equity interests.
Mortgage Bankers Roundtable, Part I: Maturities, Here They Come: CRE Lenders Prepare to Meet the Wave of CMBS Loans Needing Refinancing This Year
Is this the year stakeholders in commercial real estate debt will have to “face the music?” CPE spoke with top executives at Cohen Financial, Marcus & Millichap, NorthMarq and Walker & Dunlop to get their opinions on financial strategy for 2012.
Economy Watch: Economy Growing, but Not Gangbusters
The latest Beige Book found that, while the economy is growing, it’s not growing very quickly. And during the report’s release, Bernanke made no hints to Congress regarding QE3. Restaurant owners reported the third consecutive month of expansion.
Distressed Debt & Asset Update: Is CMBS Here to Stay?
CMBS debt represented more than one-third of total outstanding commercial real estate debt at the height of the market in the mid-2000s, and is once again being looked upon as a potential solution to help solve existing distressed-asset issues and manage significant looming debt maturities.
Campus Living Villages Completes University of Delaware Student-Housing Refi
Campus Living Villages, a specialist in student housing, has completed the refinancing of Studio Green, a 704-unit, off-campus residential property near the University of Delaware, through C-III Capital Partners.
CBRE Lines Up $181M Financing for D.C. Office Project
CBRE Capital Markets has arranged $181 million in financing for the first two phases of Sentinel Square, an office development in Washington, D.C., that will eventually total 1.3 million square feet. CBRE arranged the funding on behalf of Trammell Crow, Crow Holdings Capital Partners and Cottonwood Partners.
Midland, Freddie Mac Achieve Advances in Online Automation
While servicers are using automation at a more advanced level than originators today, both ends of the business have eased processes through application of technology. CPE offers examples of successful applications.
Economy Watch: Sears to Raise Cash With RE Sales
Sears intends to sell some of its real estate holdings, including an expected 11 stores to General Growth Properties for as much as $270 million. Unemployment claims continue to move in the right direction. And Europe is going to face an economic contraction in 2012.
W.P. Carey to Become REIT
Change is afoot at W.P. Carey & Co. The multibillion-dollar investment firm — a leader in the sale-leaseback sector — has received the green light from its board of directors to convert to a REIT.