Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Third Quarter Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Originations Down 7 Percent from Q3 2011



Jamie Woodwell
 Washington, DC (Nov. 13, 2012)– Commercial and multifamily mortgage origination volumes during the third quarter of 2012 were seven percent lower than during the third quarter 2011, 17 percent lower than during the second quarter of 2012 and up 15 percent year-to-date from last year’s year-to-date levels, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations.

 “Commercial and multifamily mortgage borrowing slowed in the third quarter,” said Jamie Woodwell, MBA’s Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Research.

 “Even though low interest rates continue to make borrowing extremely attractive, a moderate pace of commercial property sales transactions and a continued drop in the volume of commercial mortgages maturing limited the overall amount of commercial mortgage loans originated.”

 To view the report, please visit the following Web link:


For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Matt Robinson
202-557-2727.

HFF closes $10.825 million sale of value-add Tampa, FL multi-housing community



Palms at Brandon, Brandon, FL
TAMPA, FL – HFF announced today that it has closed the sale of Palms at Brandon, a 184-unit multi-housing community in Brandon, Florida. 

                The HFF Florida multi-housing group represented a private seller in the sale of the property to an affiliate of TRIPOINTE Property Group, an Ohio-based investment group focused on acquiring value-add multi-housing assets.  The property sold for $10,825,000 or approximately $59,000 per unit.

Matt Mitchell
Palms at Brandon lies on 11.6 acres near the Westfield Town Center in Brandon, a growing bedroom community of Tampa, Florida.   Constructed in the 1970’s, the property had been converted to condominiums in 2005, although no units are separately owned.   The property offers one and two bedroom flats, as well as two-story townhome units.  Many units feature large balconies, patios or enclosed backyards.  Amenities include two swimming pools, a fitness center and two tennis courts.              

Leading the transaction for the HFF Florida multi-housing group were directors Matt Mitchell and Jaret Turkell and real estate analyst Maurice Habif.   Steven Soclof, CEO of TRIPOINTE Property Group, negotiated the purchase on behalf of the buyer.

Jaret Turkell
“We are excited to add the Palms at Brandon Apartments to our growing Florida multi-housing portfolio.  Located in the heart of the dynamic Brandon market, the Palms at Brandon is a seasoned property that provides a wonderful rental housing option for residents of this vibrant community,” said Soclof. 

TRIPOINTE Property Group (“TPG”), headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is actively engaged in all facets of commercial real estate investment, development and management with a primary focus on multi-family housing.

 Through affiliated entities, TPG managing members manage and are principals in approximately 2,000 apartments and 1,250,000 square feet of commercial space. TPG manages a growing portfolio of stabilized and value-add multi-family properties in the southeast region of the United States.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3500 | cel 617.543.4873 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com




Sale of high-rise multifamily in Washington, D.C. closed by HFF



Allegro Apartments, Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, D.C. – HFF announced it has closed the sale of Allegro, a 297-unit, high-rise multi-housing community in Washington, D.C.

                HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, Federal Capital Partners.  Prudential Real Estate Investors purchased the asset on behalf of one of its client funds.

                Allegro is located at 3460 14th Street NW within walking distance to the Columbia Heights Metro Station, a Super Giant grocery store, DC USA and Tivoli Square in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 

David Nachison
Completed in 2009, the property features studio, one- and two-bedroom units averaging 740 square feet each.  Community amenities include a resident lounge, two courtyards, athletic club with yoga and pilates room, party room, media lounge, internet cafĂ© and business center, underground parking and resident grilling stations.  Allegro’s retail space is 100 percent leased to tenants including restaurants Thaitanic II and Le Caprice, as well as Allegro Cleaners.

                The HFF team representing Federal Capital Partners was led by senior managing directors David Nachison and Alan Davis and director Brenden Flood.

Alan Davis
“The sale of Allegro represents a continuing trend of institutional capital seeking core multi-housing investments in Washington, D.C.’s best urban neighborhoods,” according to Nachison.  “Columbia Heights has proven itself as a magnet for the young professional renter demographic that all owners seek.”

Federal Capital Partners is a leading real estate investment company based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  Since its inception in 1999, FCP has invested more than $3 billion in residential and commercial assets.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:


Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3500 | cel 617.543.4873 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com



HFF arranges acquisition financing for a five-building office property in San Antonio, TX



Network Crossing, San Antonio, TX
AUSTIN, TX – HFF announced it has arranged financing for Network Crossing, a five-building, 143,831-square-foot office property in San Antonio, Texas.

                Working exclusively on behalf of Live Oak-Gottesman Company, HFF placed the 10-year, fixed-rate loan with Northwestern Mutual.  Loan proceeds were used to acquire the property.

                Network Crossing is located at 5253 Prue Road, about 10 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio via Interstate 10.  Completed in 2008, the property was 89% percent leased at closing. 

Mona Carlton
The HFF team representing Live Oak-Gottesman was led by senior managing director Mona Carlton and associate director Robert Wooten.

Live Oak-Gottesman is a commercial real estate development and services company founded upon a commitment to the development, leasing, and management of quality commercial properties and the creation of a diverse asset portfolio emphasizing a conservative approach to value appreciation over time.

Contact:

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3500 | cel 617.543.4873 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com

HFF arranges $12 million refinancing for College Plaza in Oceanside, CA



College Plaza, Oceanside, CA
SAN DIEGO, CA – HFF announced it has arranged a $12 million refinancing for College Plaza, a 92,538-square-foot, grocery-anchored retail center in Oceanside, California.

                HFF worked exclusively on behalf of the borrower, HP Investors, to secure a new fixed-rate loan through Guggenheim Commercial Real Estate Finance.

                College Plaza is located at 3514 College Boulevard immediately south of State Route 76 in Oceanside.  Originally built in 1975, the property was renovated in 2006 and is 97 percent leased to tenants including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Grocery Outlet, Starbucks and Verizon Wireless.

The HFF team representing the borrower was led by senior managing director Tim Wright and associate director Zack Holderman.

Contact:

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3500 | cel 617.543.4873 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com

HFF closes sale of a Class A San Francisco Bay Area Office/R&D development



Tech Park at North Canyons, Livermore, CA
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – HFF announced it has closed the sale of Tech Park at North Canyons, a two-building, 145,220-square-foot, Class A office/R&D development in Livermore, California.

                HFF represented the seller, Prime Finance Partners in the sale of the property to Ellis Partners.

                Tech Park at North Canyons is located at 455 and 477 North Canyons Parkway on 11 acres within the Tri-Valley Technology Park, situated north of Interstate 580 and the Livermore Municipal Airport in San Francisco’s Bay Area.  The two single-story buildings are 65 percent leased to tenants including Nissan, Kraft and Caltrans.

Steven Golubchik
 The HFF investment sales team representing Prime Finance Partners was led by managing director Steven Golubchik and associate director Mark Damiani.

“With increasing tenant demand in the Tri-Valley, coupled with few large blocks of available contiguous space for users, Livermore has become a market gaining both user and investor interest,” said Golubchik.

Prime Finance is a national balance sheet lender that provides first mortgage bridge loans and sub-debt with offices in San Francisco, Chicago and New York.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3500 | cel 617.543.4873 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com

HFF arranges construction-permanent loan for Houston high-rise multi-housing development



Wesleyan rendering, Houston, TX
DALLAS, TX – HFF announced it has arranged a construction-permanent loan for the development of 2929 Weslayan, a 254-unit, high-rise multi-housing development in Houston, Texas.

                HFF worked exclusively on behalf of partners PM Realty Group and the INDURE Fund, a commingled real estate fund managed by National Real Estate Advisors, to secure the loan through Pacific Life.

                Due for completion in the first quarter 2015, 2929 Weslayan will be a 40-story building with 12,156 square feet of ground floor retail and a 547-space parking garage.  

Community amenities will include a fitness center, pool lounge and club area, cabana, fire pit and room service from the restaurant on-site.  

Whitaker Johnson
The property is situated on a 1.7-acre site on the northeast corner of Weslayan Street and West Alabama Street near the Highland Village Shopping Area and the affluent residential area of River Oaks.

                The HFF team representing the borrower was led by senior managing director Whitaker Johnson, managing director Rob Rizzi and director Cameron Cureton.

“PM Realty Group has proven adept in developing best-in-class multi-housing properties and this project, in one of the top performing apartment markets in the country, will be no exception,” said Rizzi.

Rob Rizzi
 “The property’s prime location, along with its unmatched level of finishes and amenities, is sure to raise the bar for Houston luxury apartment options.”

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, PM Realty Group (PMRG) is one of the nation’s leading real estate companies focusing on comprehensive property services, development and acquisitions.

 With a strategic presence in 30 markets, PMRG provides the highest quality services to its clients and investors. 

Cameron Cureton

 PMRG’s clients and investors include large financial institutions, advisors and high net worth individuals.  By capitalizing on the team’s experience and expertise, PMRG has the ability to undertake large and challenging management, leasing, development and acquisition projects. 

  PMRG’s portfolio, including projects managed for third parties, includes commercial office buildings, mixed-use centers, corporate headquarters, industrial buildings, medical facilities, high-rise multifamily buildings and re-appropriated military facilities.  

PMRG’s goal is to generate exceptional returns for its clients and investors by focusing on real estate fundamentals.  For more information, contact Wm. Roger Gregory, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PMRG at rgregory@pmrg.com or (713) 209-5868; or Bryant Nail, Executive Vice President-Development of PMRG at bnail@pmrg.com or (972) 850-1244.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3500 | cel 617.543.4873 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com




Monday, November 12, 2012

DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. ACC6 Data Center in Ashburn, VA 100% Leased


Dupont Fabros ACC6 Data Center, Ashburn, VA
WASHINGTON, DC /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. (NYSE: DFT) announced the Company's ACC6 data center located in Ashburn, Virginia is 100 percent leased.


ACC6 is constructed in two phases totaling 262,000 gross square feet, 130,000 raised square feet and 26 megawatts of critical load.  Phase I was delivered in September 2011 and Phase II is scheduled to open on January 1, 2013.

The Company recently executed a pre-lease in Phase II for 4.33 megawatts filling the remaining vacancy in the building.  This pre-lease is with an existing tenant on our Ashburn campus. 

Mark L. Wetzel
ACC6 Phase II is expected to have 67 percent of the megawatts commencing in the first quarter of 2013 with the remaining 33 percent commencing in the third quarter of 2013.  Upon the opening of Phase II, ACC6 will have a total of six tenants with an average weighted lease term remaining of 11.3 years and will achieve a 12 percent unlevered GAAP return on invested capital, based on the terms of all the ACC6 leases.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

 Mark L. Wetzel,
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer,
+1-202-728-0033,

Christopher Warnke,
Manager, Investor Relations,
+1-202-478-2330,

Stirling Sotheby Says Southwest Orlando Million Dollar Luxury Housing Market Stable; Growth Expected In 2013


Vicky McVay-Froom
ORLANDO, FL--- A new market trends study by Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty shows that $1 million plus luxury housing sales in the southwest Orlando area, which stretches from Windermere to Disney, have stabilized and points to a substantial uptick in sales in 2013.

Vicky McVay-Froom, International Marketing Expert with Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty’s Dr. Phillips Marketing Center, said 78 million-dollar plus homes sold in the southwest Orlando quadrant through the third quarter of 2012, up from 74 million-dollar plus homes during the same period last year.

McVay-Froom, who conducted the study, said the average sale price was just under $1.7 million, down from an average of just over $1.8 million in 2011. 

Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resorts
The surprise market was Golden Oak, Walt Disney World Resorts’ new mega luxury community, which posted 10 sales through the third quarter with an average sale price of $2.5 million or $520 per square foot.

“Listing activity was down by 29 percent through the third quarter in 2012.  The overall average sale price is down, and sales are stable,” McVay-Froom said.


Roger Sodestrom


“Those three indicators are relevant,” said Roger Soderstrom  founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty. “The market has bottomed out. Demand is increasing, supply has decreased, and we anticipate that sales will increase in 2013 as well as sale prices,” he said.

For more information,  contact

Roger Soderstrom, Owner/Founder Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-333-1900
Vicky McVay-Froom, International Marketing Specialist, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-620-0952;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142  



Mortgage Bankers Association President David Stevens Applauds Federal Regulators' Decision to Hold Back on Basel III Rule



David H. Stevens
 Washington, DC  —   David H. Stevens, President & CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) issued the following statement in reaction to the announcement by federal financial regulators that they do not expect new proposed capital requirement under Basel III to go into effect by January 1, 2013.

 “This is a positive development, and hopefully signals that the regulators are rethinking their problematic Basel III rule and are going back to the drawing board for a new proposed rule. 

“The rules, as proposed this summer, would have had serious negative repercussions across the lending landscape, with the impact felt most acutely by residential, commercial and multifamily real estate borrowers, investors and lenders in the form of tighter credit and higher costs.

“It is critical now that regulators re-propose Basel implementation rules that more appropriately allocate risk-weights on real estate-related assets, whether they be residential, commercial or multifamily loans and securities and/or servicing rights. 

“Otherwise, credit for real estate transactions will tighten and consumer and borrower costs will go up, as banks reduce their real estate lending and mortgage servicing business.”

 Contact::       

John Mechem
(202) 557-2924  


HHC Atlantic LLC in Delray Beach, FL Announces Purchase of Seagate Country Club



Seagate Country Club, Delray Beach, FL
DELRAY BEACH, FL /PRNewswire/ -- HHC Atlantic, LCC, in Delray Beach, Florida, owners of The Seagate Hotel and Spa and the Seagate Beach Club, is pleased to announce the $11 million purchase of the Seagate Country Club, a world-class golf and country club located in the heart of the charming beach resort town.

Recently renovated and formerly known as the Hamlet Country Club, the Seagate Country Club is also located on Atlantic Avenue.

As a gated community of charming and estate properties, the Seagate Country Club features one of the best championship golf courses in Palm Beach County, as well as a full-service clubhouse, a fitness center, Har-Tru tennis courts and additional private amenities available to Club members and guests of the Seagate Hotel & Spa.

All of the Seagate facilities are under the management umbrella of Seagate Hospitality Group, LLC.
  
For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

: Shin-Jung Hong,
 Hawkins International PR
, +1-212-255-6541,

N-Play Announces First Real Estate Marketing Platform for Facebook



 JACKSONVILLE, FL  /PRNewswire/ -- N-Play, a company that offers agent-centric real estate applications, announced today the first turnkey solution for agents to market themselves and their listings on Facebook.

The company has developed a real estate ad platform that interfaces with Facebook's ad platform providing agents a simple, low cost and highly effective social media marketing solution.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Raina Van Cleave
Director of Marketing
Call or Text: 352-514-6574

Berger Commercial Realty Brokers Close Two New Lease Transactions


  
Judy Dolan
 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Berger Commercial Realty, a full service commercial real estate firm based in Fort Lauderdale and serving clients around the state, announced two deals from brokers Judy Dolan, Keith Graves and Greg Milopoulos.

 The team represented Oakland Center Associates, LTD in the lease of a 2,040-square-foot office space, located at 3221 N.W. 10th Ave., Suite 508, in Fort Lauderdale, to New York Marketing Group, Inc.

 Additionally, Dolan, Graves and Milopoulos represented Oakland Center Associates, LTD in the lease of a 2,996-square-foot office space, located at 3115 N.W. 10th Terrace, Suite 101-102, in Oakland Park, to Discount Benefits Group, LLC.

Contact: 

Marielle Sologuren
Pierson Grant Public Relations
(954) 776-1999, ext. 226

Colliers International Completes $2.44 Million Sale of Vacant Office Building in Tustin, CA



111 Fashion Lane, Tustin, CA
 TUSTIN, CA -- Colliers International, the third largest global real estate services organization, has completed the $2.44 million sale of an 18,120-square-foot two-story office building located at 111 Fashion Lane in Tustin, Calif.

Chuck Wilson and Blake Garrett of Colliers International represented the seller, Chu Family Trust.  Wilson and Garrett also represented the buyer, Americana Project One, LLC, an investment group.

“This property is in shell condition,” said Wilson, senior vice president with Colliers International.

Chuck Wilson
 “The buyer will utilize half of the building for an urgent care facility and office use, and lease out the other half of the building. The new owner plans to make substantial improvements to the property including build-out of speculative suites that can be modified to suit a variety of tenants.”

Colliers International is the third largest commercial real estate services company in the world with 12,500 professionals operating out of more than 500 offices in 61 countries. 

Blake Garrett
A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV;TSX: FSV and FSV.PR.U), the firm focuses on accelerating success for its clients by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research.

Commercial Property Executive and Multi-Housing News magazines ranked Colliers International as the top U.S. real estate company and the latest annual survey by the Lipsey Company ranked Colliers International as the second-most recognized commercial real estate brand in the world.

Since 1908, Colliers has stood at the forefront of the Los Angeles real estate industry. Today, Colliers operates seven offices throughout Greater Los Angeles, including Downtown Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, South Bay, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, and Commerce.


Contact:

Darcie Giacchetto
Spaulding Thompson & Associates
949.278.6224

CBRE Sees Strong Multi-Housing Market in South Florida



Richard Tarquino
MIAMI,FL --The multi-housing market remains very strong in South Florida. Rents in most submarkets are at record levels and occupancies are over 95%.

“We are seeing  cap rates on class a assets ranging in the high 4 to 5% range on "in-place" NOI,” says Calum Weaver, Private Capital Group, Multi-Housing, CBRE.

This is defined as in place NOI adjusted for RE taxes, insurance and reserves. Class B assets ranged from 5 to 5.5% on in-place NOI and Class C properties are in the 6 plus range.

Strong market fundamentals are causing more multi-housing development projects throughout South Florida. Developers are building to low 6 in-trended yields in urban areas, and 7 in the suburbs.

Calum Weaver
One of the biggest developments over the past year has been an increased appetite by a variety of lenders willing to provide financing for private investors.
Lenders are aggressively pursuing private capital multi-housing opportunities in the $1 to $5 million range.

Even non-recourse financing is now available. With a variety of lending options available, at near record low interest rates, the multi-housing private investor has numerous debt solutions available for an acquisition or refinance. In this month’s multi-housing market update,

For a complete copy of the company’s report and additional market information, please contact:

Calum Weaver
Private Capital Group
Multi-Housing
CBRE
954.331.1763

 Richard Tarquinio
Private Capital Group
Multi-Housing
CBRE
954.331.1764