There may be uncertainties within the market and larger economy, but Tom Turnage, vice president of Bellwether Enterprise, believes much of the activity on which 2018 hung its hat will continue. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are coming off record years, as are companies like Bellwether. Turnage believes the multifamily and industrial markets will remain active…but so will competition. This means borrowers and lenders must approach this year with creativity and flexibility. Both will be key to success in this lending environment. Watch the video for insights from Turnage on the lending landscape in the coming year.
Ernie Katai, executive vice president and head of production, and Christopher Philipps, head of small loan originations at Berkadia, believe commercial real estate lending activity will continue with steady momentum through 2019. Katai was admittedly nervous about last year’s interest rate increases, but was happy to see his worry was for naught as the commercial market took it in stride. In Katai’s experience, investors have remained active. Most are willing to accept lower returns, which won’t keep them from buying in 2019. Philipps is focused on future growth. He notes Berkadia’s intention to utilize new small balance loan programs from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to offer a wider spectrum of resources to current clients, while introducing a new pool of borrowers to the firm. Watch the video for more insights from Katai and Philipps.
BUDA, TEXAS — SWBC Real Estate LLC, a multifamily developer with offices in Dallas and San Antonio, has acquired land in the central Texas city of Buda for the development of Royalton at Sunfield, a 300-unit multifamily community. The average unit size at the Class A property will be 908 square feet across one-, two- and three-bedroom residences. Amenities will include a pool, sunning decks, outdoor grilling areas, fitness center, dog park and package lockers. SWBC plans to begin construction, which should last about 20 months, in May. Cross Architects is handling design, and Kimley Horn is the civil engineer.
HOUSTON — An affiliate of Megacenter has completed Phase I of Megacenter Willowbrook, a 235,627-square-foot mixed-use project in Houston. Phase I of the project, which is redeveloping a former Walmart Supercenter, consists of 37,000 square feet of flex warehouse space, 20,000 square feet of self-storage space and 15,000 square feet of office and coworking space. Upon completion, Megacenter Willowbrook will also include a 114,000-square-foot gym and 34,000 square feet of entertainment space. The property is currently 75 percent leased. Michael Johnson and Stuart Hepler of HFF arranged project financing through Icon Bank.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Two local firms, Manifold Real Estate and OakPoint Real Estate, will develop Bouldin Creek, a 165,000-square-foot office building in Austin. Designed by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, the property will feature a rooftop deck, green space with meeting areas, an onsite gym, tenant lounge and bike storage. Tenants at the property will also enjoy proximity to several public transit lines and walkability to nearby restaurants, shops and bars. The developers plan to break ground in March and deliver the Class A building in summer 2020.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Proper Hospitality will open Austin Proper Hotel & Residences, a 244-room hotel that will be located at 600 W. 2nd St. in downtown Austin. The property will also house 99 for-sale residences, as well as three restaurants, two bars, an outdoor lounge, two pools, a spa and wellness facility and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The opening is scheduled for June.
DALLAS — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of Enchanted Hills, a 229-unit multifamily property in Dallas with a land use restrictive agreement (LURA). The property is situated on 11.7 acres with access to Interstates 30 and 635. Al Silva and Ford Braly of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, a local private investor who owned the property for 22 years. Silva and Braly also procured the buyer, a Dallas-based investment firm.
SAN DIEGO — Politics may slow down progress, but positive changes are on their way to the seniors housing industry and U.S. healthcare system, according to former Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan. Ryan’s comments during the opening general session Feb. 21 at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) 2019 Spring Conference. The event drew nearly 1,700 seniors housing professionals to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, gave a speech before sitting down for a discussion with moderator John Kelliher, managing director of Berkeley Resource Group. Ryan identified Kelliher as a long-time friend with a deep background in legislation, law and the military. The event was Ryan’s first speech since retiring from his political office six weeks prior. “We’ve got a lot of work to do because we are not ready for the baby boomer generation,” Ryan said regarding seniors housing. Ryan identified the top political challenges facing the seniors housing industry as healthcare reform, immigration reform and entitlements such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Facing the labor shortage Ryan said low unemployment is good for the economy as a whole, but creates struggles for business owners who simply can’t …
Chad Thomas Hagwood, senior managing director and Southeast regional manager at Hunt Real Estate Capital, believes times are changing. Hagwood asserts a change in perception is what originally made multifamily such a popular investment years ago. He believes another change is necessary to address our nation’s housing and affordability crises. Hagwood sees manufactured housing as being a partial solution to these challenges. Like the broader multifamily market, this specialty product has suffered from an image problem in the past. While lenders have been willing, borrowers haven’t always been sold on the product. Hagwood is confident that the industry will come around, however, as increased competition leads to creativity — and an opportunity may be staring investors right in the face. Watch the video to hear more about Hagwood’s predictions for 2019.
IRVING, TEXAS — JPI has begun construction of Jefferson Texas Plaza, a 282-unit multifamily community that will be located within Irving’s Las Colinas district. The property will feature a resort-style pool, private parking garages, fitness and yoga studio, a dog park and a two-story clubhouse with a coffee bar. The community will also offer proximity to a variety of restaurant and entertainment options, including Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Toyota Music Factory. Construction is scheduled to begin during the first quarter and to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2020. Jefferson Texas Plaza will be JPI’s 10th community in Irving, where the company is based.