Ep. 142 Beth Azor: 5 Creative Strategies for Filling Retail Centers

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We’ve all heard talk and seen the headlines that the retail apocalypse is upon us. Listening to the news, it sounds like brick-and-mortar retail centers are going the way of the dinosaurs. However, that’s really not the case. While retail is definitely in the midst of significant change, it’s certainly not on the verge of collapse. As our guest this episode says:

“Retail isn’t dead, bad retail is dead”

filling retail centersBeth Azor is a commercial real estate broker and owner of Azor Advisory Services. She’s also a seasoned real estate investor focusing on retail properties. Joining Terra Nova in 1986, Beth got her start in real estate assisting with commercial leasing. She handled mainly office leasing but was also involved with retail leasing, which is where her love for that asset class formed. Eventually, she worked her way up to President at Terra Nova, but left to spend time with her family and to focus on her own real estate investing goals.

She now owns five retail centers and an office building that she plans to convert to retail. Beth doesn’t worry too much about the doom-and-gloom talk concerning retail investing, despite the worries of some, Beth sees a sunny future for retail. She has developed creative strategies for both finding and filling retail centers that offer strong returns.

5 Creative Strategies for Filling Retail Centers

  • Feet-on-the-street canvasing and property searches

    • Make physical visits to properties; open a dialogue with retail owners
  • The power of social media
    • “Networking on steroids”
  • Dedicated involvement with local Chamber of Commerce
    • Build trust among chamber members
  • Visiting corporate offices
    • In-person visits can go a lot further than a phone call
  • Small group broker networking
    • Connect with small groups of brokers; find similar interests

Connect with Beth

Ep. 141 Brian Bailey: A Federal Reserve Commercial Real Estate Expert’s Outlook on Florida

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As part of the Federal Reserve’s wide scope of responsibility and oversight, the eight regional branches are tasked with monitoring residential and commercial real estate markets; tracking trends and data in order to more accurately adjust to market fluctuations affecting the economy. These studies provide hard data for the Fed to make economic adjustments, but they can also be a great gauge for real estate investors. Any successful investor will tell you that the ability to forecast changes in the real estate cycle is vital. As much as knowing your market and asset class, an awareness of other economic factors is important for mitigating investment risk.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta serves as the central bank’s regional authority for the southeast. It tracks real estate markets for the region, including Florida and offers comparisons on a national scale. Our guest this week is a commercial real estate expert with the Fed’s Atlanta branch.

Florida commercial real estate outlookBrian Bailey is a Senior Technical Expert in the Supervision and Regulation Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Specializing in commercial real estate, Brian tracks and analyzes emerging trends in the southeastern region and provides thought leadership on commercial real estate and guidance for the central bank.

Brian brings a diverse background in commercial real estate finance and acquisitions to the Fed. He has over 15 years of experience in commercial real estate finance, having managed financing for millions of square feet in real estate holdings for several large-scale equity and development firms. Brian received an MBA with concentrations in Real Estate and Finance from the University of Florida and has earned a CCIM designation.

You won’t want to miss this commercial real estate outlook on Florida!

 

 

 

Ep. 140 Courtney Barnard: Top 3 Legislative Issues Affecting Multifamily Investors for 2018

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While investors prefer real estate over other assets and securities due to its relative stability, it’s not without fluctuations of its own. Real estate is affected by a number of external forces, from the economy to local, state and federal legislation. What sets fluctuations in real estate apart from other investment classes is it’s general predictability; hardly anything happens out of nowhere in real estate. Most factors affecting real estate can be accurately tracked and anticipated. Investors who can keep ahead of these changes are able to mitigate much more risk in their investment.

Legislation is one of the most important factors affecting real estate investors. It affects everyone down to the local level and is able to affect every facet of real estate investing from financing to construction. With so much to keep track of, staying on top of current legislation may seem intimidating, but there are tools and resources available to assist you. For Florida multifamily investors, that’s our guest for this week!

legislative updates affecting multifamily investorsCourtney Barnard is a returning guest to the show and we’re so glad to have her back. Courtney is the Government Affairs Director for the Florida Apartment Association (FAA), the statewide chapter of the National Apartment Association (NAA).

The NAA/FAA serves as the primary advocate for residential multifamily investors and apartment owners. Not only does it represent apartment owners in front of lawmakers, it also provides education and support for investors. As Government Affairs Director, it’s Courtney’s job to track all national and statewide legislation affecting multifamily residential real estate and relay it to investors. Each year, Courtney provides an annual legislative update on key legislation that directly affects the residential multifamily industry.

Find out the Top 3 Legislative Issues affecting multifamily investors in 2018!

 

Ep. 139 Tyler Sheff: Buying Notes Can Be a Sustainable Real Estate Investing Alternative!

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buying notesThe real estate market is reaching a peak in its cycle. Investors are seeing a tightening market in many major asset classes, especially in residential and commercial multifamily markets. You may be wondering how you can find deals offering great value for your investment; it may be time to start thinking outside the box.

Did you know that buying notes can be a great alternative real estate investment strategy? Instead of buying a property, you buy and hold the debt on the property. With proper understanding of buying notes, this method can be a great alternative real estate investment strategy and maximize your cash flow.

Here to talk with us about note-buying is investor and educator, Tyler Sheff. We’re very excited to have Tyler on the show. A seasoned real estate investor as well as a licensed residential Realtor, Tyler is also the creator and host of The Cash Flow Guys podcast.

This episode, Tyler will share his transition from house-flipper to syndicator. He also discusses buying notes as an alternative cash flow strategy. He shares tips for developing sustainable investment strategies and pitfalls to avoid along the way.

Buying Notes

  • Buying non-performing notes can be a great strategy during a real estate market peak
  • Debt sold at fraction of value

How to Invest?

  • Joint Ventures: private money or IRA
  • Financing through local banks

Anticipating Returns

  • 12-24 months before first returns
  • Investors receive preferred returns and 5 & 10 year pro formas

Avoiding Pitfalls

  • When buying notes, due-diligence is very important
    • note documents mean a lot more than the property
    • watch for missing or incorrect information on notes

Investor Resources

  • For more info on buying notes and debt investing, check out the Cash Flow Guys podcast. They’ve got several episodes on note-buying.
  • To get in touch with Tyler or the Cash Flow Guys team, email info@cashflowguys.com or visit www.cashflowguys.com

 

Ep. 138 John McNellis: Retail and Multifamily Investors Won’t Want to Miss This Development Outlook

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Where is retail heading?

development outlookThis is a question we’ve gotten a lot lately from our listeners and investors. With the rise of online shopping through Ecommerce options like Amazon, we’ve been seeing some rapid tightening in retail development across the board. With big-box retail winding down and shopping center investments getting tight, many investors and developers are wondering what comes next.

Our guest this week is an expert on spotting development trends and cycles. John McNellis is a developer, speaker and author. Founder and President of Mcnellis Partners development firm, John has been developing a variety of real estate for over 30 years. Although retail and multifamily have been his primary asset classes, John has development experience in several asset classes.

This episode, John joins us to discuss the development outlook for retail and offers advice for investors looking to make the transition to development.

Development Outlook

  • Retail markets challenged throughout the U.S.
    • Over-building of retail
    • Influx of online shopping
  • Retail going through downsizing cycle
  • Industrial market seeing benefits from Ecommerce boom

Approaching Development

  • Residential: best to start with land and build up
  • Retail: finding a good tenant for anchor is best strategy
  • Risk-management is key to long-term success
  • Rule of thumb: look for investments that earn 2% above cap rate
  • Don’t build on spec

Transitioning to Development

  • Find an experienced partner when transitioning to large or mid-size multifamily developments
  • For first-time developers, find a broker in your area that specializes in the asset class you want to develop
  • Approach the public with a project before taking it to city officials

Investment/Development Advice

  • Development follows job growth
  • Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a great resource for developers

Resources

 

 

 

Ep. 137 Ken Rosen: These Buying Strategies Can Help You Choose the Right Investment Property

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There’s no doubt we’re seeing a tightening market. In Florida, especially in the Tampa Bay market, we’re seeing demand outpacing construction; leading to higher prices in asset classes across the board. For investors, this means choosing the right investment property for your portfolio may take a little more work. That’s not to say a great investment isn’t waiting out there for you, it may just require a little creativity.

real estate buying strategiesKen Rosen knows a thing or two about creativity. As one of the leading innovators of South Florida real estate investing, Ken was a pioneer of condo conversions, reinvigorating the area’s multifamily market. Mr. Rosen has continued to be a driving force in South Florida real estate, working with a variety of asset classes before focusing mainly on office investing.

With over 30 years of investing experience and insight and over $500 million in transactions, Ken has earned a respected reputation among investors. He remains an active investor, mentor and educator as well as a best-selling author.

This episode, Ken provides his insight into where the market is at, where it’s heading, and how the right buying strategies can help you make the right investment.


“One good real estate investment is worth a lifetime of labor”


Buying Strategies for Smart Investments

  • Properties with long-term owners of high return opportunities
    • Under-market rates
    • Room to increase rents
  • Account for inflation when writing multi-year leases
    • Office, Flex, Industrial
  • Look for “B” buildings in “A” locations

Investment Properties to Watch

  • Self-storage
  • Multifamily

Resources

Check out Ken’s best-selling book, “Investing in Income Properties: The BIG SIX Formula for Achieving Wealth in Real Estate” for even more insight into Ken’s buying strategies.

For questions or investment opportunities, call Ken directly at (305) 469-6708 or email krosen@kendar.com

 

 

 

Ep. 136 Brian Willis & Gerry Tierney: Learn How Transit & Technology Changes Will Affect Your Property!

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automated transitTechnology is rapidly changing the way we look at the future. Innovations like automated transit are quickly nearing practical realities. In Tampa Bay, we’re seeing advancements in automated transit already, with the area being positioned as a proving ground for automated systems. Automation and other technologies will bring major changes to existing infrastructure.

No industry will be affected by these impending technologies more than real estate. From multifamily to retail, emerging technologies like automated transit will require an entire rethinking of real estate design and development. Urban planners, architects and developers need to consider these effects and start planning accordingly.

This episode, we discuss these changes on a local and national level. We look at what game-changing technologies are emerging and what urban planners and developers are doing to address these changes now.

Meet Our Guests

Tampa Bay sustainable transitBrian Willis is real estate attorney with Shumaker Loop & Kendrick. He is a leading advocate for integrated and sustainable transit in Tampa. Brian brings on-the-ground knowledge of the cutting-edge technologies here in Florida and how Tampa Bay is taking steps to integrate them into current real estate design and development.

 

real estate designGerry Tierney is an Associate Principal at Perkins + Will. Based out of San Fransisco, Gerry is a leading force for automated transit and mobility and adapting real estate design to suit these changing needs. He serves as the Co-Director of Smart Mobility Lab and has Collaborated with both UCLA – Berkeley and MIT in sustainability research.

Technologies Impacting Real Estate

  • Automated transit / autonomous vehicles
    • Autonomy integrating in public transit by 2020s
    • Subscription-based autonomous car ownership coming down the line

Future-proofing Current Real Estate Design

Urban planners, architects and developers needs to consider how current layout and designs will play into emerging technologies.

  • Adaptive Use
    • Big-box retail stores
    • Shopping malls
    • Existing parking structures
      • Vertical Parking vs. Horizontal
      • In-fill
      • Mechanized parking
  • Urban Design & Planning
    • Current developments built to accommodate automated transit
    • Changes to grid structure and street layouts
    • Rethinking asset classes
      • Industrial
      • Office
      • Multifamily
      • Retail

Resources

  • Contact Gerry at gerry.tierney@perkinswill.com or (415) 546-2933
  • Contact Brian at (813) 221-7165 or on Twitter @BrianWillisTPA

 

 

Ep. 135 Alex Rios: These Hot Design Trends Can Increase the Value of Your Multifamily Property!

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Whether you invest in multifamily or other commercial properties, if you’re investing for cashflow, you’re going to want your property to attract tenants. The design and function of a property goes a long way in enticing potential tenants. Updating your property with latest design trends and practical features can also increase the value of your investment.


 

multifamily design trendsThis episode, we talk with Alex Rios. As President of Rios Architecture, Alex has worked on many projects in many asset classes, including office, commercial, medical and multifamily. Lately, he has been actively involved with several multifamily projects around Tampa Bay, including several McKinley developments.

Alex knows that, for cash-flowing investment properties to attract tenants, they need to feature things that people will want. If you want to increase your property value and attract desirable tenants, staying up-to-date with current design trends is important.

Here are some of the hot design trends that can increase the value of your investment property!

  • Apartment investors looking for ways to make their property stand out to tenants
  • Tight multifamily market has led investors to look at value-add opportunities

Hot Design Trends

  • ‘Sophisticated’ look
    • Invest in palette, not singular items
  • Colors catering to relaxing environments
    • Light blues
    • Light greens
    • Accent colors
  • Floor materials
    • Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) mimics look and quality of wood, durable
  • Amenities need to cater to what your desired tenants want
    • Urban lifestyle trends very strong market
    • Digital/online age demands accessible internet
    • Pet accommodations
    • Encourage social interaction
    • Home office flexibility
    • Accessibility and walkability are important features

Investing for the Future

  • Plan for changes with new technology
    • Electric cars
    • Automated transit
  • Manage your construction costs
    • Account for high labor demand
    • Costs for new development materials

Contact Alex

By email: alex_rios@riosarchitecture.com

Website: riosarchitecture.com

Ep. 134 Jason Ellison and Josh Diggs: Solving Tenant Issues – Commercial Evictions to Residential Fair Housing

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The relationship between a landlord and a tenant is unique, to say the least. Whether you invest in residential or commercial real estate, you must maintain a balanced relationship with your tenants.

If you do own tenant-occupied properties, you know that maintaining a balanced relationship is easier said than done at times. When dealing with tenants, there are defined rules and regulations for what you can and cannot do as a landlord; However when it comes to peoples’ homes or businesses, disagreements over a lease can quickly become a tricky situation.  Solving tenant issues can be one of the most important things a landlord can do to retain tenants and stay out of legal hot water.

This live discussion and recording is about solving these common tenant issues. We discussed the landlord/tenant relationship, as well as covering common pitfalls relating to things like evictions and fair housing. One our guests deals in commercial real estate litigation. The other is an owner of multi-family properties.

They are as follows:

commercial lease disputesJason Ellison is an attorney and founding partner of Ellison | Lazenby Law Firm. Jason is a real estate attorney and specializes in contract preparation and dispute resolution. He is highly experienced in landlord/tenant disputes, including evictions.

 

 

dealing with tenantsJosh Diggs is a veteran investor and co-founder/owner of Palm Companies. He is well versed in tenant/landlord relationships and will provide on-the-ground insight into property management issues.Through their property management arm, Palm Communities, Josh has on-the-ground experience managing multifamily properties and dealing with tenants.

 

Check out “Ep. 134: Dealing with Tenants – From Evictions to Fair Housing”!

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You can meet the Invest Florida hosts, get exclusive expert insight and even network with other real estate investors. To find out event information or to join our Meetup, click here.