Most Clicked Real Estate Investment SmartBrief Stories
1. Experts: Real estate probably won't recover until 2011
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 06, 2009
Commercial real estate most likely won't post a full recovery until 2011, according to some industry experts. Meanwhile, some project that 2009 will be the sector's worst year since the decline of 1991-1992. Property values could tumble as much as 20% from their 2007 peaks. InvestmentNews (01/04)
2. What lies ahead in 2009
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
Now that 2008 has come to an end, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and the International Herald Tribune look ahead to 2009 and offer a forecast of financial and geopolitical issues likely to shape this year. Wall Street Journal (free content), The (01/02) International Herald Tribune (01/01) Financial Times (12/30)
3. Obama eyes as much as $310 billion in tax cuts
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009
Faced with warnings that the recession could slide into a lengthy period of deflation and stagnation, U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to ask Congress for as much as $310 billion in tax cuts as part of his huge stimulus package. Data are painting an ever-darker picture of the economy, with a report on U.S. jobs that is scheduled for release this week expected to show that at least 500,000 jobs disappeared in December. Reuters (01/05) New York Times, The (01/04) CNBC (01/05)
4. Simon, General Growth offer 2 different lessons
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009
Simon Property Group and General Growth Properties are a lesson in contrasts. Analysts see Simon as being on solid financial footing while General Growth is scrambling to refinance debt and avoid bankruptcy. "Simon expanded, but not nearly as forcefully as General Growth, and they were not nearly as aggressive in terms of leveraging up their balance sheet or taking on new debt," said Joel Bloomer, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar. Boston Herald (01/05)
5. Fed: Recession may be even worse
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 07, 2009
Minutes from the Federal Reserve's December meeting released Monday show officials downgrading the nation's financial outlook for 2009. Now they predict the first part of this year will see a severe contraction and be followed by slow, insufficient growth in the second. "Amid the weaker outlook for economic activity over the next year, the unemployment rate was likely to rise significantly into 2010," Fed staff also concluded. Wall Street Journal, The (subscription required) (01/07)
6. Commentary: 3 REITs look "danger in the eye"
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009
Glenn Cutler highlights three REITs in a Seeking Alpha commentary that may offer high dividend yields with minimum risk. Pennsylvania REIT, Mission West Properties and HRPT Properties make Cutler's list. Seeking Alpha (01/04)
7. CNL, Macquarie unveil plans for $1.5 billion REIT
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 07, 2009
CNL Financial Group and Macquarie Group formed a joint venture to launch a new, $1.5 billion global REIT. The REIT will focus on all sectors of the commercial real estate market. "Like many others in the industry, we do believe that there will be some tremendous opportunities for those with capital to invest in quality properties within the next two years," said Curtis McWilliams, president and CEO of CNL Real Estate. Commercial Property News (01/07)
8. Thousands of retail stores expected to close this year
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
A disastrous drop in retail sales in 2008 is certain to trigger bankruptcy filings and store closures by the thousands in 2009, experts said. Michael Burden, an executive with retail adviser Excess Space Retail Services, said California, Florida and Nevada will be among the states hardest hit by store closures. CNNMoney.com (01/01)
9. Report: Rent cuts, concessions doing little to attract renters
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
In response to competition from the glut of single-family homes and increasing layoffs, property managers in 13 of the nation's largest multifamily markets are cutting rents and offering concessions but with little impact, according to a Bank of America survey. In the next six months, apartment REITS with "niche defensive plays" and "healthy balance sheets and limited near-term development risk" will be in the strongest position, according to the report. GlobeSt.com (12/30)
10. Apartment owners face first rent decline in 6 years
Real Estate Investment SmartBrief | Jan 07, 2009
Apartment landlords, who got a lift when the housing crisis raised foreclosure levels, are now giving back some of those gains. The deepening recession has prompted some landlords to offer concessions, including free rent. On Wednesday, the Reis Inc. will release data showing effective rents fell in the fourth quarter for the first time since early 2003. Wall Street Journal, The (subscription required) (01/07)
Sign up for Real Estate Investment SmartBrief
