October 28th, 2010 | Category Articles

The Collateral Damage of Job Loss

By Miguel de Arcos. Originally at svnfloridablog.com

I often speak about the importance of job creation and job retention as the main catalyst for economic recovery here in the US. Jobs not only create flow of money, but having a job gives a person a sense of purpose and self-esteem which can help [...]

October 27th, 2010 | Category Articles

Tax Landscape Changing in 2011

By Mark Alexander, CCIM
Originally at svnfloridablog.com.

If the Bush tax cuts are allowed to expire this year (and current indications are they should), the Capital Gains tax rate will go from the current 15% to 20% next year. Who is happy about paying a third more taxes next year on the sale of their investment real estate?
Answer: Nobody.
But what can you do about it?
Answer: Make a plan based on your situation.
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September 21st, 2010 | Category Articles, News

What is the best property type in today's market?

By Miguel de Arcos. Originally at svnfloridablog.com

Investors often ask me, “What product type should I invest in right now?” My answer is somewhat ambiguous– While many agents have their own opinions and large organizations have specific wants, personally I wouldn’t say there is any one particular property type I like over the [...]

August 4th, 2010 | Category Articles, News

Creative Solutions in a Frozen Market

Originally by Miguel de Arcos

I am asked almost daily the same question, “How’s business?” Whether it’s a peer, client, friend or someone I just met, once they know I am in commercial real estate I instantly become their barometer for the economy. Some genuinely want to know, but most are looking for a glimmer of hope that they can take home to help sleep more soundly.

My standard answer is “Our activity has picked up immensely in the past 4 months. In fact, I have not been this busy since the 06/07 boom years.” I then start my next sentence with “unfortunately” and you can almost hear their bubble of hope bursting. “Unfortunately, I cannot say we’re so busy for positive economic reasons, but because banks are starting to work through their balance sheets, agree to short sales, take back non-performing assets and selling their REOs.” 80% of our workload is from the sale of distressed assets like short sales and bank owned properties(foreclosures.) The other 20% is leasing.
—continue reading

July 26th, 2010 | Category Articles, News

The Socio-Tech Leap – THEY WON’T UNDERSTAND YOU!

Originally by: Miguel de Arcos

Hot off the wire, Facebook announces that they have hit 500 million users(that’s more than the entire population of the United States!). Forget the fact that we now have another college aged billionaire, this is concrete proof that social media is the new communication method. I still know MANY business people who are social media hold outs. They “don’t like it”, “don’t trust it”, “don’t have time for it.” To each his own, but with the monumental leaps that technology is taking every 2 years, a business person will be left in the dark trying to figure out how to get ahead and how to get people to hear them.
—continue reading