Scale:               1 Abysmal   2.Poor    3.Fair    4. Good    5. Excellent                                                  2015                     2016* Retail                                       3.01                      3.19 Hotels                           ... Read more

In Japan, the word for constant and never-ending improvement is kaizen. Not only is kaizen an operating philosophy for modern Japanese businesses, it’s also the age-old philosophy of the warrior class—and it has become the personal mantra of millions of successful people all over the world. Virtually all world-class achievers, in business, sports, and arts, are committed to continual improvement. They understand that in order to succeed in an ever-changing world, they must constantly ... Read more

According to the Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2016 survey, US residential construction starts totaled 1.2 million for June and July 2015 -- the most activity in the last 8 years. Single-family housing, rather than more apartment development, spurred this growth. Historical normalcy appears to have returned, as the inventory of finished new homes for sale now approximates 5 ½ months, and price increases have begun to reflect a shortage of supply.  While interest rates ... Read more

1. Tax-Deferred Exchanges Real estate investors can offset real estate capital gains or losses with a tax-deferred exchange. Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code allows real estate investors to sell property, take a profit, and defer capital gains or losses, as long as the proceeds are reinvested in real estate. Most real estate investors use 1031s to build long-term tax-deferred (or even tax-free) wealth. There is no limit on the number of 1031 exchanges ... Read more

As California nears legalizing marijuana for medical use, expect to see significant impacts on the industrial real estate sector.  In Colorado, where marijuana has already been legalized, 1 in 11 of Denver’s industrial buildings is used for marijuana.  The cannabis industry occupies over 3.7 million square feet of industrial space in Denver, mostly in areas with older warehouses, according to a recent study by a commercial real estate firm.  In the 5-year period between ... Read more

Discount grocer ALDI plans to open 25 new stores in California by next July, and have 45 stores serving Southern California by the end of 2016.  The company currently operates 1,400 stores across 32 states.  ALDI is hailed as a nationally-recognized low-price grocer committed to value and innovation-focused private brand development.  In 2014, ALDI was recognized as the nation’s low-price grocery leader for the fourth year in a row in a consumer survey, ahead ... Read more

Most real estate owners and operators are familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "ADA") (42 U.S.C. §§ 1211, et seq.). The ADA prohibits discrimination, and is intended to ensure equal access for the disabled in public places. The ADA's proactive companion legislation, the Federal Fair Housing Act ("FHA") is a remedial statue, intended to provide fair housing, free from discrimination, in residential properties throughout the United States. (42 U.S.C. §§ ... Read more

Economic indicators should continue their upward swing through 2016, which is good news for property owners, according to the Commercial Real Estate Outlook Report recently released by the National Association of Realtors.  All signs point to strong results over the next 19 months, the report suggests.  “Net absorption rose across the property types, driving rents higher,” according to the report. “As employment gains are expected to continue into 2015, demand for commercial space is ... Read more

Regal Properties just closed escrow on the sale of 2 residential triplexes it had listed for sale in the trendy North Park community of San Diego, California, on Utah Street and Howard Avenue.  The first property sold as an owner-user/investment rental with new financing.  The second could not be financed by conventional means, due to deferred maintenance, but Regal Properties procured a cash buyer with substantial development and rehabilitation experience.  As part of our ... Read more

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, among other things, introduced a new independent Federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"), to protect consumers and the U. S. economy from dangerous financial products. The CFPB has since formulated new mortgage rules, including the TILA-RESPA disclosure rules.  Effective for mortgage applications received on or after August 1, 2015, the CFPB will replace four existing forms used for decades: the Good Faith Estimate, ... Read more