Environmentally conscious people are finding ways to bring their green practices into their homes, even ones they don’t own. No more ‘the grass is greener on the other side.’ More and more apartment and condo renters are finding ways to make their residence more eco-friendly, even with heavy restrictions placed on them by apartment owners [...]

Although initially it appeared to overlook the Commercial Real Estate Industry, it appears that the ever deepening economic bailout could be reaching more deeply.
Recently plans were shared that a sub-sector of commercial real estate, multi-family housing, could see some trickle down from the Feds efforts to buoy a shaky economy.
The decision to use $100 billion [...]

With home buying continuing to be slow, apartment rental rates are likely to remain steady and even to increase.
According to Mercury News, the Bay Area continues a three year slide in housing starts as October numbers reveal builders have put a hold on starting new projects until the market show signs of improvement.
So far, 2008 [...]

As more and more homeowners lose their homes to foreclosure, most have to seek rental housing. At the same time, many present renters have been hesitant to purchase homes as home prices still continue to drop and the economy softens. These renters are tuned in to concerns that their equity would be siphoned away until [...]

Affordability is causing people to avoid large home purchases that were so popular during the housing boom. People are instead moving to apartments and condos of smaller scale. These housing trends have caused a change in design for furniture manufacturers.
Persuaded by the data that more people are buying and renting smaller spaces, furniture makers have [...]

The general consensus is that there is light at the end of the tunnel for apartment owners. However, the road to stability should be paved with patience and basics.
The economic health of the apartment industry is expected to return in Q2 2010 and apartment owners will be better positioned by watching key indicators and turning [...]

Creativity is leading the way with some trends to battle rising vacancies for commercial property owners. With more and more empty commercial spaces for rent littering the retail landscape, not to mention the fact that many companies, including Linens N’ Things and Wilson’s Leather, are closing their doors, property owners are turning to unorthodox methods [...]

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While at the California Apartment Association luncheon, I had a chance to catch up with one of the sales reps for a magazine that advertises apartment spaces. It is the kind of free magazine you find at the grocery store. She indicated that her business had dropped off precipitously [...]

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During the introductions and reports from various brokers, the same message became clear;

Our recession will probably not stabilize until 2011 or 2012 depending on your optimism.
Lenders reiterated the return of the Recourse loan
Apartment [...]

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Happy Veteran’s Day to all. Today we were graced with our own WWII veteran Hawley Smith. Hawley served as a paratrooper during WWII and shared his collection of ribbons, awards and medals. Hawley’s medals include the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star- a true HERO! Thank you for your [...]

As I’ve been saying for some time, just because commercial real estate is at a stand still or looking bleak in many cities across the US, it is not true for all! There are some fantastic opportunities out there. If you are a local or regional investor and looking for a stable investment in a [...]

While many accuse commercial real estate practitioners to be living the the Dinosaur Ages, there are some cutting edge technologies and marketing happening out there. In a diversion from our usual discussion here, I’m bringing you another new technology happening. ffice or retail space could be a text away.
In a late October the San Francisco [...]

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Tonight I joined the CCIM group in the Sacramento district to learn about trends in our State’s capital. An expert panel of three lenders shared their insights as to the capital markets and what is driving… or not driving the economy. In a nutshell, the gap analysis I presented [...]

Tonight I had the honor of reviewing investment projects by students of a Commercial Real Estate Class in Sunnyvale. Thanks to their instructor, Rich Arzaga for the invitation to do so. Thank you also to my other colleagues who also reviewed the projects.
The students learned the basic skill sets of organizing data, calculating [...]

This month’s marketing meeting was as expected- a core group of veteran brokers and affiliates.  The guest speaker was an apartment broker who confirmed all that I have written in the past.
It’s all about the jobs, as jobs leave the area so do property values.
Lending underwriting guidelines are more restrictive
Acquisition pricing overall is [...]

Nicole Kayes, MBA
President/Broker
Global Funding Partners
T. 415.474.7786
F. 866.384.1885
GLOBAL FUNDING PARTNERS is committed to helping you maximize the investment of your commercial realty. Using your mortgage preferences, financial goals and qualifications, we link you directly to lending programs offered throughout the country.
Our staff knows commercial lending inside and out. With many years of banking underwriting experience plus constant [...]

Joseph A. Lawton Jr.
Castle Management Company
12885 Alcosta Blvd.
San Ramon California 94506
925-328-1240 X 212 office / 925-216-0680 cell
www.castlemanagement.com
Our goal is to become the premier provider of property management services in the Greater Bay Area by working as a team of committed professionals and honoring the worth and dignity of each property, property owner, employee and community [...]