As job growth supports a healthy economy in Southwest Florida, the region is experiencing major population growth, causing a surge in new Class A multifamily construction. The number of new construction Class A units in Southwest Florida has increased by nearly 150 percent year-over-year. In first-quarter 2018, there were 257 Class A units completed, and in first-quarter 2019, that number rose to 622. With this increased supply of Class A properties, there is now more demand in Class B properties among renters, and ultimately from investors. Class B properties tend to have more affordable rental rates, and investors have now noticed the potential for higher investment returns. Illustrating this demand, in the first quarter of 2018 in Southwest Florida, there were 17 Class B properties sold that totaled nearly $39 million. In first-quarter 2019, the sale volume increased to $68 million with nine properties sold. Also, investors were willing to pay more for these assets if they had a value-add component With Class B vacancies being tight at 4.6 percent, investors are making interior and exterior improvements to properties and gradually raising rental rates to increase their returns. For example, a value-add Class B multifamily property in Fort Myers recently …
IRVING, TEXAS — Locally based multifamily developer JPI will build Jefferson Innova, a 433-unit community in Irving’s Las Colinas district, the company’s sixth project in that submarket. JPI has closed on construction financing for the five-acre project and expects to open the property in spring 2021. Amenities at Jefferson Innova will include a pool, business center, fitness center with a yoga studio, a coffee bar and two outdoor kitchens. Humphreys & Partners is the project architect, and Glenn Engineering Corp. is the civil engineer. CrossHarbor Capital Partners is serving as JPI’s equity partner on the project.
FRISCO, TEXAS — StreetLights Residential, a multifamily developer with five offices across the country, has broken ground on The Margo, a 358-unit project within The Canals at Grand Park in Frisco. The property will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 505 to 2,000 square feet. The Margo will offer amenities such as two pools, an entertainment lawn with outdoor games, a fitness center, game room, theater room and a private lounge. LRK served as the architect for the project, completion of which is scheduled for spring 2021.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Parallel Co., a student housing development and investment firm, will open MUZE, its new 502-bed community that is located two blocks from the University of Texas in Austin. The grand opening is set for Sunday, Aug. 18. Located at 2100 Neuces St., the 18-story property will offer one-, two-, three- and four-bed units that will come fully furnished with stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and washers and dryers. Walk-in closets will be available in select units. Amenities will include a study lounge with private rooms, a rooftop pool and theater, outdoor kitchen and a fitness center. Rhode Partners served as the project architect, and Rogers-O’Brien Construction served as the general contractor. KeyBank Real Estate Capital provided construction financing.
ALLEN, TEXAS — Berkadia has provided a $47.2 million HUD construction loan for Stacy Pointe Apartments, a 326-unit multifamily community in the northeastern Dallas suburb of Allen. The property will offer one- and two-bedroom floor plans and amenities such as a pool, fitness center, business center, media areas and coworking office space. Chad Bedwell of Berkadia secured the loan through HUD’s 221(d)(4) program on behalf of Texas-based Stacy Pointe Partners LP. The loan carried an 85 percent loan-to-cost structure.
Confluent, Harbor Retirement to Build 113-Unit Senior Living Community in South Windsor, Connecticut
SOUTH WINDSOR, CONN. — A partnership between Confluent Development, a Denver-based developer, and Harbor Retirement Associates will break ground this month on HarborChase of Evergreen Walk, a 113-unit senior living community in South Windsor, located near Hartford. The 111,915-square-foot community will offer one- and two-bedroom units and access to The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk, an outdoor mall with retail and restaurants. Milwaukee-based Plunkett Raysich Architects designed the project, and Whiting-Turner is the general contractor. Construction is slated for completion in December 2020.
NorthMarq Arranges $7.5M Loan for Refinancing of Seniors Housing Community in Mount Vernon, New York
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. — NorthMarq has arranged a $7.5 million loan for the refinancing of Lohman Village, a 31-unit seniors housing community in Mount Vernon, a northern suburb of New York City. The loan features a fixed interest rate with a seven-year term on a 30-year amortization schedule. Robert Ranieri of NorthMarq arranged the loan through PCSB Bank. The borrower was New York-based seniors housing owner Wartburg.
OPELIKA, ALA. — Colliers International has negotiated the $33 million sale of Paces at the Estates, a 270-unit apartment community in Opelika. The property offers one- and two-bedroom floor plans. Paces at the Estates is located at 4150 Academy Drive, about four miles from downtown Auburn. Communal amenities include a swimming pool, fire pit, courtyard, playground, 24-hour fitness center and bike storage racks. RREAF Holdings LLC, a Dallas-based real estate investment firm, purchased the property from Burt & Willis LLC. Brian Savage of Colliers represented the buyer in the transaction and Stephen Perlis, also of Colliers, represented the seller.
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. — Berkadia has arranged the $12.5 million sale of the Core 174 Portfolio, which includes four apartment complexes in Birmingham totaling 174 units. The portfolio includes Element 26, Fox Hall, Forest Park and 5th Avenue, all of which are located within three miles of downtown Birmingham. Core 174 was constructed between 1963 and 1978 and renovated between 2013 and 2015. David Etchison, Abe Maddox and Caleb Frizzell of Berkadia represented the seller, Birmingham resident Elton Stephens Jr., in the transaction. Birmingham-based Hughes Capital Partners acquired the portfolio at a 4.7 percent cap rate.
LOS ANGELES — Multifamily turnover, the percentage of total rented units not renewed each year, fell to 47.5 percent in 2018, its lowest level in at least two decades, according to CBRE. Five of the six major multifamily REITs recorded lower turnover in the first quarter of 2019 than the prior year. For AvalonBay, Camden, Equity Residential, MAA and UDR, the average annualized first-quarter rate fell by 200 basis points to 42 percent. Essex was the exception with a 100-basis-point rise to 41 percent. The REITs’ historical data also confirm that turnover has been falling for many years, argues CBRE. For example, Equity Residential’s first-quarter annualized rate of 39.2 percent was its lowest level since at least 2005. Benefits of lower turnover rates generally outweigh disadvantages. Turnover hurts a property due to loss of rent while the unit is vacant, possible rent concessions needed to release the unit and expenses to make it ready for a new renter. Turnover costs are at least $1,000 per unit and can easily rise to more than $3,000, according to the National Apartment Association. Yet, owners often achieve more rent growth when units turn. Higher turnover can be advantageous during periods where the market …