Saturday, August 9, 2014

HFF secures joint venture equity and financing for 6-property multi-housing portfolio in Texas


Douglas Opalka
AUSTIN, TX – HFF announced it has secured joint venture equity and financing for a six-property multi-housing portfolio in Texas.

HFF worked on behalf of Commerce Capital Partners, LLC (ComCapp) to secure joint venture equity through Harbert United States Real Estate Fund V (HUSREF V).  

In addition, HFF placed six separate 12-year, four-year, interest only, Fannie Mae loans with M&T Realty Capital Corporation.  The capitalization will facilitate property improvements and the implementation of ComCapp’s repositioning plan for the properties.

The HFF debt and equity placement team representing ComCapp was led by associate director Robert Wooten, senior managing director Doug Opalka and managing director Matt Kafka.

Founded in 2007, ComCapp is a private real estate management and investment firm focused on commercial real estate in the Sun Belt – primarily Texas.  ComCapp seeks value-add and opportunistic investments where they can execute a thoughtful property enhancement plan by making both physical improvements to assets and implementing superior management practices. 


The firm’s principles have been active in commercial real estate since 1984 and currently have ownership interest in more than sixty properties comprising more than 16,000 apartment units and 3.5 million square feet of commercial space in eight states.

HUSREF V is sponsored by Harbert Management Corporation (“HMC”).  

HMC, an alternative asset management firm with approximately $4 billion in assets under management as of June 1, 2014, is a privately owned firm formed in 1993 to sponsor alternative asset investment funds. 
HMC's real estate group, together with its sponsored funds, has owned, developed and managed multifamily, office, industrial, retail and self storage properties throughout the United States. 

 HMC's real estate group has a history of identifying real estate investment opportunities through its network of long-term, strategic relationships.  HUSREF V's approach is hands-on, targeting properties that the HUSREF V Investment Team believes are undervalued, and where value can be created through focused operational management.  Additional information about HMC can be found at www.harbert.net.
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For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Olivia Hennessey
Public Relations Coordinator
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3403 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com


HFF arranges $29 million financing for Victoria Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Miami, FL


Jim Dockerty

 MIAMI, FL - HFF announced it has arranged $29 million in financing for the Victoria Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, an 85,770-square-foot skilled nursing facility in Miami, Florida.

HFF worked on behalf of the borrower, Victoria Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Inc., to secure the 15-year, fixed-rate loan through Ocean Bank.

Victoria Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is located at 955 NW 3rd Street just south of the Miami River. The property encompasses five floors within the eight-story Victoria Medical Center. Originally constructed in 1971, the property underwent a major renovation in 2001 and features 264 beds, 196 of which are private. 

The HFF team representing the borrower was led by managing director Jim Dockerty and senior real estate analyst Scott Wadler.

“The Victoria Nursing Center is a five-star, skilled nursing facility and the professional team at Ocean Bank provided a competitively priced and creative financing solution for our client,” according to Dockerty.

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

Olivia Hennessey
Public Relations Coordinator
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3403 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com

HFF arranges $23.8 million acquisition financing for seven-property, multi-state retail portfolio


Jon Mikula
FLORHAM PARK, NJ – HFF announced it has arranged $23.8 million in acquisition financing for a seven-property retail portfolio totaling 99,675 square feet in Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

               Working exclusively on behalf of an affiliate of Lakewood, NJ-based Paramount Realty Services, Inc., HFF secured the seven-year, fixed- rate loan through Investors Bank. 

The properties included in the financing are: Bricktown Center in Bricktown, New Jersey; Brookhaven Plaza in Brookhaven, Pennsylvania; Howell Plaza in Howell, New Jersey; Sea Girt Plaza in Wall, New Jersey; Philadelphia Plaza in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Exton Plaza in Exton, Pennsylvania and Owings Mills Plaza in Owings Mills, Maryland. 

  The portfolio was 100 percent occupied at closing by tenants including Best Buy, Staples, three full-service WAWA Convenience stores, JoS. A. Bank, CVS and Santander Bank.

The HFF team representing the buyer was led by senior managing director Jon Mikula and managing director Jim Cadranell.

Jim Cadranell
Paramount Realty Services, Inc. was founded in 1994 as a full-service commercial real estate firm specializing in retail real estate in the Northeast. 

Paramount Realty owns and operates more than five million square feet of shopping centers throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and eastern Pennsylvania.


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

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com

HFF San Francisco hires Ben Bullock as a director to focus on office investment sales


Ben Bullock
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – HFF announced that Ben Bullock has joined the firm as a director in its San Francisco office to focus on office investment sales transactions in northern California.

Mr. Bullock has been involved in more than $3.4 billion in total closed transaction volume during his six year commercial real estate career.  He joins HFF from JLL, where he was a vice president in the firm’s capital markets group. 

Prior to that role, he worked for Newmark Knight Frank Cornish & Carey Commercial Capital Group.  Mr. Bullock began his career as an analyst at Eastdil Secured. 

  He is a licensed real estate salesperson in the state of California, a member of Urban Land Institute and a member of NAIOP’s San Francisco and Silicon Valley Chapters.  Mr. Bullock graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

“HFF is excited to have Ben join our growing West Coast investment sales team.  He has a thorough knowledge of the northern California office market and strong relationships with many of the local and national owners, developers and REIT’s,” said Michael Leggett, senior managing director and co-head of HFF’s San Francisco office.

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

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com

HFF closes the $38.9 million sale of Downtown Dadeland in Miami, FL


Daniel Finkle
MIAMI, FL – HFF announced  the closing of the $38.9 million sale of Downtown Dadeland, a 127,240-square-foot retail lifestyle center in Miami.

               HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, Downtown Dadeland Retail, LLC.  A joint venture between Duncan Hillsley Capital and Pebb Capital purchased the unencumbered property for $38.9 million.

               Downtown Dadeland is located on 7.5 acres in the epicenter of the Dadeland “Triangle,” an urban infill location bounded by three of Miami’s most heavily trafficked thoroughfares and directly across from the Dadeland Mall.  The property was completed between 2007 and 2009 and includes tenants such as West Elm, HCA Medical, Chili’s Bar & Grill, Paul Mitchell Academy, Men’s Wearhouse and Panera Bread. 

               The HFF team representing the seller was led by managing director Luis Castillo, senior managing director Daniel Finkle and senior analyst Nat Scarmazzi.

Luis Castillo
“The opportunity to acquire an urban Miami retail lifestyle center with significant value enhancement potential drove incredibly strong investor interest for Downtown Dadeland,” Castillo said.  “The new owner is an experienced operator and will enjoy tremendous growth in NOI and value as the property continues to stabilize.”

Duncan Hillsley Capital LLC (DHC) is a fully integrated, private commercial real estate investment company based in Boca Raton, Florida. 

  DHC was formed in January 2009 to capitalize on the dislocation of the commercial real estate market by acquiring distressed and underperforming assets as well as assisting other investors in restructuring and recapitalizing their portfolios.

Pebb Capital is a wholly owned real estate private equity firm based in Boca Raton, Florida.  Formed in 2014 by Todd and Jeff Rosenberg, Pebb Capital has a dedicated capital allocation and uses its 40 year real estate investment, development and management experience to deploy that capital with high quality operating partners in all types of real estate asset classes throughout the country under a variety of joint venture structures. 

Nat Scarmazzi
HFF’s investment sales team secured more than $1.68 billion in sales of retail assets nationally through the end of the second quarters of 2014.  In Florida, HFF closed more than $539 million in retail transactions across all capital markets platforms during the same period.


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

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com

HFF secures $4.1 million in joint venture equity for industrial acquisition near San Diego, CA


John Chun
IRVINE, CA – HFF announced it has secured $4.1 million in joint venture equity for the acquisition of Southrail Business Park, eight multi-tenant industrial buildings totaling 128,294 square feet in Chula Vista, California.

               HFF worked on behalf of the buyer, Focus Real Estate LP, in arranging the joint venture equity with a regional joint venture equity fund.  Equity proceeds were used to purchase the property.

               Southrail Business Park is an industrial flex facility located in south San Diego County approximately 10 minutes from downtown San Diego.  The park is half a mile from I-5, which provides easy access to I-805 and I-905.  It is also within walking distance to the nearest trolley station and neighboring retail. 

Building features include dock-high and grade-level loading, professional landscaping, street frontage and visibility and no through traffic due to the cul-de-sac. 

Southrail’s eight buildings are 98 percent leased to 26 tenants, including PowerSports Group, Toleeto Fasteners Intl, Delphius Engineering and Bay Bridge Brewery.              

The HFF team representing Focus Real Estate was led by director John Chun.

“Southrail Business Park represented a rare opportunity to acquire a high-quality industrial park in one of the tightest industrial markets in San Diego county with strong barriers to entry due to a lack of developable land parcels,” Chun said.

Richard Ortwein
Focus Real Estate LP, founded in 2000, is headed by real estate executives Richard Ortwein, Michael Ortwein and Jack Kappe. The company’s primary focus is working with owners, investors and users to identify, acquire, and oversee all aspects of value-add investment and development. 

Focus Real Estate has acquired or developed over 1.5 million square feet in 50+ office and industrial buildings in Southern California with private and institutional investors.  Focus draws upon the deep experience of its partners who have a combined 80+ years of experience and have acquired or developed over $2.5 billion in real estate during their careers.

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

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com

HFF closes $2.925 million sale of Emerald Park Apartments in East Portland, OR

 

Emerald Park Apartments, East Portand, OR
PORTLAND, OR – HFF announced it has closed the sale of Emerald Park Apartments, a 44-unit multi-housing community in the Centennial neighborhood of East Portland, Oregon.

               HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, a private investor.  A private, California-based company purchased the asset for $2.925 million free and clear of existing debt.

               Emerald Park Apartments is located at 646-664 SE 148th Avenue near the Glendoveer Golf Course between Route 26 and Interstate 84 about eight miles from downtown Portland.  The property consists of 10 buildings with one-, two- and three-bedroom units averaging 751 square feet each.  Community amenities include a barbeque area and laundry facilities. 

               The HFF investment sales team representing both the seller and the buyer was led by associate directors Tyler Linn and Nick Klein.

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

Kristen M. Murphy

Associate Director

HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109

Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com


HFF closes $2.975 million sale of northeast Portland, OR multi-housing community

  
Nick Klein

 PORTLAND, OR – HFF announced it has closed the sale of Highlander Apartments, a 38-unit, multi-housing community in northeast Portland, Oregon.

               HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, Rael Development Corporation.  A privately-held California company purchased the community for $2,975,000 million, or $78,289 per unit.

               Highlander Apartments is a garden-style community consisting of 16 one-bedroom units and 22 two-bedroom units that are 100 percent leased.  Community amenities include a courtyard, garden views, new flooring and state-of-the-art security cameras. 

The property is located in Portland’s Centennial neighborhood at 1217 NE 122nd Avenue, which is a little more than half a mile to the nearest MAX station and within blocks of cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, medical facilities, schools and shopping, giving the community an above-average walk score of 63.  

Highlander Apartments is approximately one mile from Interstate 84 East and a little more than two miles from Interstates 84 West and 205.

               The HFF investment sales team was led by associate directors Nick Klein and Tyler Linn.

Tyler Linn
“We felt that we could push value by creating a competitive marketplace for the Highlander property,” Klein said.  “We emphasized the recent capital improvements and strong occupancy in the submarket in order to procure multiple offers from a wide variety of qualified buyers.”

Rael Development Corporation is part of RAELCORP, a multi-faceted real estate company comprised of fully integrated real estate development, investment and management businesses. 

  The company was founded in 1977 and operates the privately-held Rael Development Corporation (development) and RDC U.S. Real Estate Funds (value-add and core investment funds).  

RAELCORP maintains offices in Newport Beach, California and Dallas, Texas.  Learn more at www.raelcorp.com.

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

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com

Chatham Lodging Announces Monthly Dividend

  

PALM BEACH, FL —Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in upscale extended-stay hotels and premium branded select-service hotels,  announced that its board of trustees has declared a monthly common share dividend of $0.08 for August 2014.  

The common dividend is payable September 26, 2014, to shareholders of record on August 29, 2014.

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

Patrick Daly
Account Supervisor
Daly Gray, Inc.
Office:  (703) 435-6293

Cell:  (703) 300-8289

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Colliers International South Florida Reports South Florida Again Undergoing an Historic Boom


Alex Morcate
CORAL GABLES, FL -- Alex Morcate, CCIM and Vice President of Investment Analysis, Colliers International South Florida, reports "It feels like just yesterday we were cautioning the potential problems associated with oversupply, lack of demand and unavailability of financing.

"In the span of roughly two years the market's outlook has come 180 degrees from one of caution and pessimism to one of enthusiasm and optimism.

 "Industrial landlords are in the driver's seat enjoying +6% year-over-year rent growth across virtually every submarket in South Florida.

"This is in addition to public investments that will surely spark demand over the long-term. Cap rates continue to decline, signaling confidence in the local market.

 "Land prices remain one of the most heady of headlines with "new" all-time highs being recorded every few months.

Miami skyline
"Multifamily has fallen into second place as the former flavor of the month, now behind industrial product, due in part to the lack of supply of sizable deals in core submarkets.

"Retail remains in vogue, especially for institutional investors with the long-term vision and comparative advantage to say places like Lincoln Road are inexpensive by global standards. Restaurants seem to be leading the retail recovery.

Fort Lauderdale, FL beaches
"Office product is now the diamond in the rough. The market as a whole has stabilized but remains moderate in comparison to other product types that are benefiting from external drivers like international investment or municipal stimulus."

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

Crystal Proenza
VP of Marketing & Culture


Marcus & Millichap sells 34-Unit Coral Gables, FL Apartment Portfolio for $4.28 Million


Landy Toledo
MIAMI, FL, Aug. 7, 2014 – Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate investment services firm with offices throughout the United States and Canada, today announced the sale of a five property portfolio consisting of 34 units, located in Coral Gables, FL. The portfolio sold for $4,282,700.

Landy Toledo, a Senior Broker Associate in Marcus & Millichap’s Miami office, had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, a limited liability company from Aventura, FL.

 He also secured the buyer, a limited liability company from Coral Gables, FL. Toledo, who joined Marcus & Millichap three years ago, has closed on the sale of 31 Coral Gables apartment buildings in the past 30 months.

The City of Coral Gables is one of Miami-Dade County's most desirable and highest performing rental markets. "Debt and equity continue to stream into the Miami-Dade apartment sector from local sources and out-of-area buyers attracted to solid asset performance and robust housing demand generators.

101 Antiquera Avenue, Coral Gables, FL
 The activity in Miami-Dade is dominated by sales of lower tier assets selling from $1 million to $10 million. The greater availability of financing is also bringing more buyers into the market,” says Toledo.

“This portfolio offered an outstanding opportunity for an investor to acquire stable, cash-flowing multifamily properties in an excellent location with upside potential through rent escalation and more efficient management,” he adds.

The portfolio is comprised of 28 one-bedroom/one-bath apartments and six studio/one-bath apartments. The properties are located within a short walk of the central business districts office corridor and Miracle Mile, a high-end shopping and restaurant area.

The addresses of the Coral Gables properties are:

·         101 Antiquera Avenue (12 units)

·         119 Santillane Avenue (6 units)

·         123 Santillane Avenue (4 units)

·         127 Santillane Avenue (4 units)

·         130 Santillane Avenue (8 units)


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

Kirk Felici
First Vice President/Regional Manager, Miami
(786) 522-7000

Charles Dunn Company Completes Sale of 17-Unit Multifamily Property in West Hollywood, CA


Kimberly Roberts Stepp
LOS ANGELES, CA, Aug. 7, 2014 – Charles Dunn Company, one of the largest full-service regional real estate firms in the western United States, has completed the sale of a fully occupied 17-unit multifamily property at 909 N. Gardner St. in West Hollywood for an undisclosed price. 

Kimberly Roberts Stepp, senior managing director with Charles Dunn Company, represented the seller, a private investment company. The buyer was a California-based private limited liability company represented by Shah Noorvash of Coldwell Banker-BH South.

Built in 1988 and renovated in 2013, the non-rent controlled property includes controlled access, an elevator, gated parking, and fitness room. 

Each unit includes central air conditioning, fireplaces, dishwashers, recessed lighting, new upgraded cabinetry and kitchen appliances, quartz counters with under mount sinks and other upgrades.

Shah Noorvash
“Average apartment rental rates continue to grow in West Hollywood with a vacancy rate of just around three percent,” said Roberts Stepp. “Multifamily investments in this submarket continue to draw investors seeking long-term rental growth and property appreciation.”


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


Darcie Giacchetto
D.G. Communications, Inc.
949.278.6224


Hotel Asset Management Association Offers Certified Hotel Asset Manager

  
Melissa Silvers
BOSTON, MA —The Hotel Asset Management Association (HAMA) announced that it now offers its Certified Hotel Asset Manager (CHAM) certification program to non-U.S. asset managers wishing to achieve the profession’s equivalent of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 

HAMA recently opened two affiliate organizations, HAMA Europe and HAMA MEA, adding more than 100 new members to the global organization.  Founded in the U.S. in 1992, HAMA also has affiliates in Asia Pacific and Japan.  

            “The responsibilities of hotel asset managers are far more encompassing than they have ever been in past, and the position has rapidly gained recognition in the real estate investment community,” said Melissa Silvers, principal for SCS Advisors and HAMA board member who spearheaded the CHAM program.

“CHAM certification was designed to confirm the institutional/fiduciary role and expectations of senior asset managers.  

"As the role of hospitality asset managers expanded over the last several years, it became increasingly important to offer certification to our international members to demonstrate that they have achieved the same level of expertise as our U.S. members.”

Ruby Huang
            The CHAM designation places primary emphasis on experience in determining a candidate’s qualifications in the area of hotel asset management.  

To be eligible for certification, candidates must demonstrate a minimum of seven years of lead hotel asset management experience and provide letters of professional recommendation.  

  Upon approval by the CHAM advisory panel, the candidate may take the CHAM exam as the final step in the CHAM certification process.

            The four-hour CHAM exam consists of 200-multiple choice questions covering six key areas of knowledge, including the Asset Management Process, Operations, Real Estate & the Physical Asset, Contracts and Legal Aspects, Benchmarking and the Investment Decision. 

  CHAM candidates receive a comprehensive content guide to assist in studying for the exam, and an accompanying resource guide with more than 40 reference materials. 

  Once certified, candidates are required to recertify every five years, to ensure on-going, active involvement in the hospitality asset management field.

            “The CHAM designation is the world’s only advanced certification available to accomplished hotel asset management professionals, and we anticipate that this certification will not only help asset managers highlight his/her qualifications, but also will assist owners, lenders and the real-estate community more easily identify qualified industry leaders,” said Ruby Huang, senior vice president of Starwood Capital Group and president of HAMA.

            For additional information about the CHAM certification process, please contact certification@hamagroup.org for further information.  Hotel owners, lenders or real estate investors, please visit the HAMA website www.hamagroup.org for more information on the HAMA organization and a comprehensive list of CHAM certified members.

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

Chris Daly                                                    
(703) 435-6293                                                         



Berger Commercial Realty Arranges Sale of Mixed-Use Property in Boynton Beach, FL


Steve Hyatt
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Berger Commercial Realty Senior Vice President Steve Hyatt recently handled the $300,000 sale of an office and residential portfolio located at 444-450 W. Boynton Beach Blvd in Boynton Beach.

 Sold by Boynton Professional Center, Inc. to KMG Holdings, LLC, the portfolio consists of a 1,288 square-foot duplex apartment building and a 3,000 square-foot office building on nearly half an acre of land.

 KMG Holdings plans to open a counseling center and a new residential development. The property previously sold for $950,000 in 2004.

 Hyatt represented the buyer in the transaction.

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

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

RealtyTrac Reports 34 Percent of U.S. County Housing Markets Now Less Affordable for Buying Than Their Long-Term Averages


Daren Blomquist
IRVINE, CA, Aug. 7, 2014 — RealtyTrac® (www.realtytrac.com), the leading online marketplace for real estate data, today released a report analyzing affordability for buying a residential property in more than 1,000 counties nationwide, which shows that as of the second quarter of 2014, one-third of the counties analyzed have surpassed their historical averages for income-to-price affordability percentages since 2000 — making them less affordable now than they have been on average over the last 14 years.

The report calculated both the percentage of median income needed to make monthly payments on a median-priced home in each county in May 2014 as well as the historical trend in each county’s income-to-price affordability percentage going back to January 2000. It also analyzed the impact of rising interest rates on affordability, calculating the percentage of median income needed to make payments on a median-priced home if interest rates rise by a quarter percentage point, a half percentage point, three-quarters of a percentage point or a full percentage point.

“The good news is that none of the nearly 1,200 counties we analyzed for the second quarter has regressed to the dangerously low affordability levels reached during the housing price bubble, and even if interest rates increased 1 percentage point, only 59 counties representing 2 percent of the U.S. population would be at or above bubble levels in terms of affordability,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. 

“But the scales are beginning to tip away from the extremely favorable affordability climate we’ve seen over the last two years, with one-third of the counties analyzed — representing 19 percent of the total population in those counties — now less affordable than their long-term averages.

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

Jennifer von Pohlmann
PR Manager
Office: 949.502.8300 ext 139