The six best books for Commercial Real Estate Brokers

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I get emails all the time from people looking to get into the commercial real estate brokerage business. They ask:

  • How do I go from residential to commercial real estate?
  • How do I get commercial real estate clients?
  • How do I market and sell commercial property?
  • How much money can I make in commercial real estate?

  • I give them as many tips as I can after 10+ years in the business and almost $200M in volume but experience and time are the best teachers. There are also several good books on the commercial real estate business.

    Here are my top six commercial real estate broker books:

    If that is not good enough, here are some recommendations on:

    Real Estate Investment Books and Real Estate Development Books

    Also check out: How to succeed in Commercial Real Estate

Dollar General to open 635 stores in 2013

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NNN Dollar General

Discount retail store company Dollar General Corp., announced Wednesday that it would open 635 new stores this year and add 6,000 new jobs.

via Dollar General to open 635 stores, add 6,000 jobs - Businessweek.

Buy a NNN Dollar General For Sale

IMMEDIATE NNN BUYER NEEDS

We represent clients looking for matching NNN properties: Buyer #1: Walgreens with 15 or more years firm term. Anywhere in US. Price and cap rate dependent on location and term up to $8M.

Buyer #2: Tractor Supply, anywhere in US, price and cap rate dependent on location, term and lease type. Former absolute net leases preferred but would look at brand new NN leases.

Buyer #3: Bite size ($300k to $500k) NNN deal anywhere in US with credit tenant, 5 years minimum on term, 7% cap or higher.

Off-market deals preferred. Have seen everything on Loopnet. No daisy-chains please.

Call or email Thomas Morgan, CCIM with matching NNN properties. 1-866-539-1777

"Ignore the Recession" - More reasons to buy a Net Leased TSC

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TSC is one of my favorite NNN tenants. Nice buildings, great locations, solid financials, long leases, low management for owners; the list goes on and on. ABC News Nightline did a segment this week of why TSC is a "Recession Proof Retailer". TSC's internal strategy has been to "ignore the recession". It appears to have worked.

VIDEO:

[Buy a NNN TSC Property]

Here is a link to TSC's (TSCO) five year stock price.

Buy a Tractor Supply NNN Property

"We Buy and Sell the Earth"

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Everyday on the way to drop my daughter off at school, I drive by this sign. I have a soft spot for vintage signs and typography. And this one, being real estate related, made me pull over to snap a shot:

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"Easy terms, free lists", not much has changed, it is just missing the "www" and 800 #.

Is Baker Land co still around? I wonder how the sign made it from Doniphan MO to Carbondale CO?

Yes, I guess at the core that is what I do "Buy and Sell the Earth" but more specifically:

NNN Properties and Your Future

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NNN properties are a popular avenue for commercial real estate investment. These are typically single-tenant retail properties where the tenant is responsible for paying real estate taxes, providing their own property insurance and taking care of all property maintenance. Tenants take care of these expenses in addition to other monthly costs such as rent and utility payments. Part-time investors can find NNN properties to be an appealing real estate investment option. It offers a guaranteed stream of income from a real estate investment while also absolving the investor of carrying out many day-to-day management responsibilities for the property.

triple net lease NNNOther advantages NNN properties offer are significant. An investor can lock in a long-term lease with a tenant who sets up shop in NNN properties. They can enjoy tax benefits that come from investing in commercial or residential real estate. Finally, successful NNN properties can act as a gateway for securing additional financing to use on other investments.

There are risks in leasing out triple net properties to the wrong tenant. An investor needs to know how to identify a good tenant versus a bad tenant. Assessing the worthiness of any tenant requires an investor to examine a company's business model and the state of its finances. Signing up a tenant in haste can result in disaster for any investor.

A company's credit rating offers an indicator of risk for default. While no investments outside of a federal bond offer a zero percent default rate, a tenant possessing an investment grade credit rating presents less of a risk for NNN properties.

Leasing NNN properties to a company essentially provides them capital. An investor needs to know if their tenant can guarantee long-term success with that capital. Investors should examine multiple criteria when choosing tenants for their triple net properties. They should examine a company's debt to equity ratio, operating margins, the number of stores it operates, the outlook for that industry and how the company is managed.

Investors in NNN properties should also take into account other factors. A successful investment can hinge on everything from location and building size to economic conditions for a particular industry. Triple net properties work best for a smart investor who buys in the right location and selects a low-risk tenant.

Knowing local market conditions is essential for any serious investor. It is important to pay attention to everything from the employment rate to median income in a community before selecting a property. A bad investment can leave an investor with an empty building that is essentially a money pit.

In the end, NNN properties are a great passive income investment that produce low risk yields of 7% or more with little investor oversight and involvement. Contact Thomas to find out more about NNN properties or to buy/sell a NNN property: 1-866-539-1777 or e-mail.

Survey: Problem Properties - hard to sell or lease

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We are working on a solution, called REpotential.

“REpotential” is the possibility of what a property can become. We uncover the REpotential by looking at and evaluating a property or real estate problem from ALL angles. Our process produces a range of options and solutions that maximizes the economic, social, and environmental values of the real estate for the property owner, users and community.

First, we review all relevant information related to the property, improvements, parcel and market. We then make professional judgements as to what strengths could be exploited and what weaknesses could be improved. After our property assessment is complete, we brainstorm to create possible courses of action that will maximize the productivity of the property to achieve the owner’s goals.

Talk to Thomas for more information.

property turn around

Net Lease Properties a Hot Commodity Due to Low Yields on Alternative Investments

Net Lease Properties a Hot Commodity Due to Low Yields on Alternative Investments

Today a 10-year government bond would yield a return of approximately 1.5 percent, while a net lease building offers returns from 5 percent to 8.5 percent or greater. There is also little risk associated with class-A net lease properties—as long as the location is good and the building is well-maintained there will always be tenants willing to sign leases even if the existing occupant leaves. This inspires greater confidence in conservative investors than the recently volatile stock market.

Quora for Real Estate

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Quora for Real EstateDo you use Quora?  Maybe you like learning or teaching or are just plain curious or are trying to get an answer to that question that Wikipedia or Google could not answer. Quora is like Yahoo Answers on steriods.  The answers come from real people (real names shown as opposed to screen names) and those real people are usually experts in their fields.

When time permits, I like to jump on Quora to learn about interesting stuff and sometimes even give my two cents.  Here are some of my answers on Quora as related to real estate:

Real Estate Investment Question

Read Quote of Thomas Morgan's answer to Is buying an empty lot in downtown west Jefferson, north Carolina a good investment? on Quora

Real Estate Redevelopment Question

Read Quote of Thomas Morgan's answer to Urban Planning: How can dying downtowns be revitalized? on Quora

Commercial Real Estate Lease v. Own Question

Read Quote of Thomas Morgan's answer to Why is Google leasing and not purchasing its newest development? on Quora

Commercial Real Estate Vacancy Question

Read Quote of Thomas Morgan's answer to Commercial Real Estate: It seems that lots of commercial real estate will become vacant in the near future as more bricks and mortar retailers go bankrupt (more e-commerce). What could this excess real estate inventory be used for in the future? on Quora

TMO sells $12M Walgreens Property

In mid August, TMO represented the buyer of a northern California NNN Walgreens property. The property sold for $12,184,846 and is leased on an absolute triple net basis to Walgreens (Ticker: WAG) on a 75 year lease with 24 firm years remaining.  The buyer was a privately held real estate investment company from New York who was in a 1031 Exchange.  The seller was represented by Capital Pacific's San Francisco office.  The low leverage transaction was financed by Lafayette Life Insurance Company  which was placed by Ed Isola from Isola & Associates.

For further details about the cap rate and financing terms, please contact Thomas Morgan, CCIM via email or toll free at 1-866-539-1777.

Buy a NNN Walgreens

We sell Walgreens throughout the entire U.S.! Ask about a FREE no obligation NNN consultation.
Contact TMO to find out more about the benefits of Walgreens Real Estate Investments.

1.866.539.1777

Walgreens NNN Deal Round Up

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Here is this week's round up of Walgreens NNN properties for sale across the the US. These Walgreens properties caught my eye as part of research for  Walgreens buyers I am working with.  Contact TMO for for details of these net leased Walgreens via email or 1-866-539-1777

walgreens NNN real estateWalgreens NNN in CA Price: $7,250,000 Cap Rate: 5.77% 60-Year Double Net Lease, -Rare Infill Location, -Over 650K Residents in a 5-Mile Radius, Hard Corner, Signalized Intersection, Strong Store Sales, Highly Visible Location. Learn more...

Walgreens Real Estate For SaleWalgreens NNN in CA Price: $11,060,000 Cap Rate:  5.75% Learn more...

Walgreens NNN in OK Price: $5,650,000 Cap Rate: 6.15% Ten (10), Five (5) year renewal options, Twenty-Five (25) year lease term with Seventeen (17) years remaining, 100% leased and guaranteed by Walgreen Co. (S&P: A) Learn more...

Walgreens NNN PropertyWalgreens NNN in TX Price: $7,285,000 Cap Rate: 6% Strong National Credit, Brand new 25 year absolute NNN lease, Signalized, Hard Corner Location. Learn more...

walgreens investmentWalgreens NNN in KY Price: $4,179,000 Cap Rate: 6.75% Strong corporate Guarantee -Walgreens co., ranked #32 fortune 500 list 2012, America’s #1 Drug store. Learn more...

More Walgreens For Sale

Contact TMO for for details of these net leased Walgreens via email or 1-866-539-1777

Deals are a sampling of available Walgreen NNN inventory from around the US and are for reference only. Subject photos may not be actual location and are representative of Walgreen locations in general.

Who is your tenant? S&P Tenant Credit Ratings

investment grade tenantWhen purchasing a single tenant net leased investment, tenant quality and the financial ability of the tenant to perform is of utmost importance. In essence you are buying the income stream and the bundle of rights subject to the leasehold.  What helps you evaluate the tenant as an investment grade tenant? How do you know you will get you monthly rent check for 10, 12, 15 or 20 years?  One way is to have the "market" rate the risk for you.

Here is the  S & P breakdown of credit ratings, to help you assess your risk.  Investment grade tenants are rated BBB- or better.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

from S&P Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

Likelihood of payment—capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; Nature of and provisions of the obligation; Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

AAA An obligation rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA An obligation rated 'AA' differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A An obligation rated 'A' is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB An obligation rated 'BBB' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C Obligations rated 'BB', 'B', 'CCC', 'CC', and 'C' are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. 'BB' indicates the least degree of speculation and 'C' the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB An obligation rated 'BB' is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B An obligation rated 'B' is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated 'BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC An obligation rated 'CCC' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC An obligation rated 'CC' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated 'C' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The 'C' rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. A 'C' also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.

D An obligation rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

Plus (+) or minus (-) The ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Buy an Investment Grade Tenant Property

What is Impact Investing?

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Impact and Social InvestingYou may have been hearing the words "impact investing" or "social investment". If you care only about making money, read no further. If you care about making a positive difference in the world while making money, read on.

Using for-profit impact investments to solve social problems.

Here is decent video from Forbes featuring the authors of Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference. This new breed of "investment" achieves social and environmental good while earning an investor a decent return. Formerly, donations were the main way to make a difference while having some financial incentive. Now, you can do good and get a good return simultaneously.

I see opportunities for Impact Investing in Real Estate by purchasing properties that are occupied by tenants whose business practices you support (i.e. Goodwill or Whole Foods), buying a green or LEED building, or doing redevelopment projects on existing buildings (i.e. adaptive reuse or historic preservation).

Impact Investments: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference

A ground-breaking book on the transformative power of impact investments: Impact Investing Book

This is the first book to chart the catalytic path of Impact Investing, explaining how it is and can be a positive disruptive force. It shows how impact investments are a transformational vehicle for delivering "blended value" throughout the investment spectrum. Written by two leaders in the growing field of impact investing, the book defines the emerging Impact Investment industry for participants on all sides of the funding equation (investors, funders and social entrepreneurs).

What types of impact and social investments would you consider? What rate of return would you require?

Learn More about Impact Investing in Real Estate

featured img credit: SOCAP

How do you count your money?

In today's tech age people are using online banking, balance by text or mobile apps to check their balances or make payments. Does anyone still use an actual calculator? I mostly use my iphone but when doing some serious math use my HP-10bii or spreadsheets.

A client and friend told me he has a simple system for counting his money.  The guy is worth probably $80M and I expected a series of controls and systems to keep checks and balances.  However, this is what he told me about knowing if he is running his business efficiently as well as "the secret to building wealth".

I have a simple thing I do each month.  I check the bank statements.  If the ending balance is higher than it was last month, then perfect.  If the ending balance is lower than it was last month I know I have some hell to raise.  In terms of building wealth, the best thing I think a person can do is watch their lifestyle and not let it grow with the amount of money they are making.  I always kept my lifestyle pretty much the same.  Sure, I splurged and have toys and cars and houses.  But over the years, even when I had a big year, I kept our lifestyle the same and never got over extended.  I also only pay cash and do not borrow.  Banks are your friend when you don't need money and run the other way when you do need it.

I think that is some of the best advice I have ever received about money.  What about you?  Any good money tips to share?

When talking to another client the other day about writing up an LOI on a net leased property, I asked what he wanted to offer.  He said "hang on a second" and all a sudden I heard an adding machine in the background.  Seriously.  You know the electric kind with the paper tape.  He was doing a quick cap rate calculation to figure his offer price.  After we got the serious details out of the way, I almost asked "Do you save or file the paper tapes?" But I didn't.  It is his system and it works for him.

Here are a few photos of an antique Victor adding machine I bought at a rummage sale for $27.  And, no, I don't save the tapes each day.

I was interested to see if I got a deal at $27.  This is what I found:

Company History Victor Adding Machine Co. was a fledgling company in 1918 when the operator of a successful chain of meat markets gave a Victor salesman $100 for what he thought would buy an adding machine. Instead, he got 10 shares of the company’s stock. In an effort to protect his investment, that man – Carl Buehler – became a director of Victor in September 1918 and was elected president of the company three months later. The first Victor adding machine, Model 110, was introduced in 1919.

Usage his machine was widely used in offices for doing fast additions and calculations. The results were printed. Input from a ten digits keyboard in a 9x10 matrix. Extra function-keys to the right.

Cost The first Victor adding machine, the Model 110 , was introduced in 1919 and proved to be an extremely successful device. The Victor 110 was a full-keyboard non-printing machine with a front-mounted register, with only repeat and zeroing keys. The company sold 100000 of its Model 110 by 1926. The early nonprinting model cost $85, the model without carriage cost $100, the model with carriage $125. In 1921 the machine was extended at the rear to include a printing mechanism and was released as the 200 series. At a retail price of $100, 2000 units sell in the first year.

Current Value

  •     Antique Victor Adding Machine Brown Bakelite with Green keys circa 1940 It WORKS (Price: $75)
  •     A 1920s Victor Adding Machine. Fair condition. (Price: $100)

Source: ebay

So yes, it looks like I did OK.  If I sold it, which I'm not, I would stand to make a few bucks.

Do you think the Victor can calculate the IRR?

Walgreens NNN Financing

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Marabella Commercial Finance, Inc. has arranged permanent financing for two Corporate Leased 1031 Net Leased Walgreen Pharmacies in the First and Second Quarter of 2012 and received a conditional approval on another Walgreen first mortgage expected to fund in the second quarter of 2012. Marabella is also hopeful to receive approval on a fourth Walgreen refinance permanent loan in the second quarter of 2012.

Buy a NNN Walgreens Property

About Marabella Commercial Finance

Marabella Commercial Finance specializes in arranging financing for 1031 Exchange Net Lease Buyers, Commercial Investment Properties and Large Anchored Centers. Past Credit Tenant Net Lease Properties that Marabella Commercial Finance has originated loans for are; Walgreens, CVS, Kohls, Safe-Way Stores, Rite Aid, Jack in the Box, 7-Eleven, Family Dollar, CSK Automotive, and Large Anchored Centers with credit tenants. MCF is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association and is also the 2012 President of the Association of Commercial Real Estate Executives Inland Empire (Ontario, California).

Contact: Christian S. Marabella - President

Marabella Commercial Finance

We Finance America's 1031 Exchange Net Lease Properties

(760) 479-0800

Email: nnn@marabellafinance.com

www.marabellafinance.com

Reuse and redevelopment of former bank branches

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Put your thinking cap on.  How do we reuse and re-purpose all these old buildings? It seems to me the "greenest" building is an existing one.  Why build new when you can buy for 20% of replacement cost?

Specifically, this is a former Citibank branch in a decent location within a major western MSA. The building is about 10,000 sf total (half ground level and half basement). Branch is fully finished and built out as a bank with drive thru lanes, teller counters, office, conference rooms and all furniture. It is for sale or for lease and owner is open to redevelopment.

Let me know your ideas.....

Networking Opportunity for Reuse of Existing Buildings

Also, if you are interested in reuse and redevelopment of existing buildings please let me know. I will be forming a networking group of those interested. This would also go for properties that you own or have listed that are taking a long time to sell/lease, are functionally obsolete or are just plain "weird". I am thinking we can help each other out with some regular brainstorming sessions of how to redevelop and reuse odd buildings and make them easier to sell or lease.  If interested, email here or tweet me.

Pride of Ownership with Walgreens Real Estate

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Here is a great video I found on You Tube showing Walgreens new prototype store in NC.  Walgreens, of course, always has the best locations and corners in their respective markets.  Their buildings have also been some of the nicer buildings on the strip but this new store format takes it several steps further. Owning a net leased Walgreens property like this is not only a great long term passive investment but also has pride of ownership.

I like the new look. What do you think?

Buy a NNN Walgreens Property

General Contractors: Wimco Corp. | Washington, NC Developer: GHK Developments Inc. | New Orleans, LA

I'm giving away my iPad to your good cause

UPDATE 5/30/12:  Thanks for all the responses.  The winner is Linda Summerer who just retired from teaching school and will be using the ipad  "to do free tutoring with kids in the community whose parents are unable to pay for it."  Congrats Linda and nice work.  Make sure to try  out Evernote's Peek app for studying. ORINGINAL POST:

20120525-232037.jpgYes, my iPad is yours; I'll even pay shipping.

Is there a catch?

Of course.

It's yours if you tell me (and the world) what your good cause is and why an iPad would help you achieve that goal.

When I say "good cause" I mean like tutoring kids or helping the homeless or saving whales or being an exceptional parent or something altruistic.

Not something like "to win FarmVille" or "friend more people on Facebook" or "watch more cat videos on youtube" or because you are family etc.

Simply comment below, Facebook me (personal OR work) or tweet me with the reason I should mail you my old iPad. 20120525-232110.jpg

I know a lot of you are up to good things. Just let me know what good you are up to and I'll gladly send it to the Samaritan of my choice.

Specs: iPad is in above average condition. First generation model. Will send with charger and most recent iOS installed.

Offer void where prohibited. Ha ha.

 

 

Walgreens NNN sells for $27.8M

A Walgreens NNN in Vegas has sold for $27.8 million, or $1,736 psf, the highest price per square foot for a single-tenant leased drugstore in America. The WAG drugstore is open 24 hours with frontage on the Strip, able to take advantage of heavy foot traffic from nearly 40 million visitors to Las Vegas every year.

Walgreens NNN For Sale

Similar pricing hasn't been achieved since January 2005, the height of the commercial real estate boom, when a drugstore in Miami was sold for $19.5 million. The only comparable transaction was a drugstore in Fort Myers, Fla., that sold for $1,466 psf in August, according to CoStar.

Commercial listing service LoopNet shows a stand-alone WAG for sale in New York for $11.6 million, or $1,225 a square foot, and one in Los Angeles for $14.4 million, or $1,078 psf.  TMO represents the buyer of a WAG NNN in northern CA for $879 psf.

Walgreens NNN properties provide investors long term stable cash flows.  Contact TMO at 1-866-539-1777 for Walgreens for sale or

CLICK HERE to Buy a NNN Walgreens

News via Las Vegas Business Press :: News : Las Vegas Strip drugstore fetches record sale price.

Marcus and Millichap was the broker for the above Vegas Walgreens NNN sale.