Thursday, August 26, 2010

HFF secures $2.4M refinancing for 39-unit multi-housing property in Portland, OR


IRVINE, CA – The Orange County office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced today that it has secured a $2.4 million refinancing for Elaine Station, (top left photo) a 39-unit, three-story multi-housing community in Portland, Oregon.

Working exclusively on behalf of Rael Development Corporation, HFF associate director Charles Halladay (middle right photo)  placed the 10-year, 5.17% fixed-rate loan with M&T (FNMA). The loan was used to payoff existing debt.

Elaine Station is located at 123 NE 172 Avenue in Portland’s East Gresham submarket, east of downtown via Interstate 84. Rael Development purchased the property vacant and has since fully stabilized it as apartment rentals. Elaine Station was built in 2008.

“HFF was pleased to assist Rael Development Corporation in securing a fixed-rate loan allowing them to optimize their business plan and take advantage of today’s attractive low interest rate environment,” said Halladay.

Rael Development Corporation (RDC) acquires and develops a diverse mix of properties located in California, Oregon, Washington, Texas and Oklahoma. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California and maintains offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon. RDC was founded in 1977.

Contacts:

Charles W. Halladay, HFF Associate Director, (949) 253-8800, challaday@hfflp.com
Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500, krmurphy@hfflp.com

Michael Garbers Joins Cushman & Wakefield's Capital Markets Group as Head of Senior Housing Practice in Orlando


ORLANDO, FL, Aug. 26, 2010 – Cushman & Wakefield announced today that Michael Garbers (lower left  photo)  has joined the firm’s Capital Markets Group as Senior Director and head of its Senior Housing Practice. He will be based in the firm’s Orlando, Fla., office.

Mr. Garbers brings more than 17 years of experience as a real estate finance professional, specializing in both healthcare and retail properties.

 He was previously Principal of MJG Advisors, LLC in Orlando, a senior housing market consulting firm.

Prior, he was a Senior Vice President in the Investment Banking Group of Herbert J. Sims & Co. in Orlando and Southport, Conn. While there, Mr. Garbers originated joint venture partnerships with experienced senior housing operators throughout the U.S., and was responsible for deal structuring and negotiations, underwriting, site analysis and asset management.

“Mike brings the necessary expertise to lead the Senior Housing Practice within our Capital Markets Group, which includes Investment Sales, Investment Banking, and debt and equity finance through Cushman & Wakefield Sonnenblick Goldman, said Frank Liantonio (top right photo) Executive Vice President of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield. "His presence will allow us to provide clients with the resources and required solutions in this sector."


Contact:  Brook Hines, Tel: 407-541-4401
brook.hines@cushwake.com,   http://www.cushwake.com/

Southern Commercial Completes 18,000-SF Sale in Orlando

ORLANDO, FL.(Aug.  26, 2010) Vice President, Sher Tolan (top right photo)  of Southern Commercial Real Estate Advisors completed an 18,000 square foot sale at 3620 Princeton Oaks Street.

Tolan represented the Buyer, SGPM Enterprises, LLC. The Seller, Wachovia Bank, National Association was represented by Keller Williams – Tampa Central.

Media Contact: Celeste MacKenzie, 321-281-8503, cmackenzie@southerncommercialre.com

Arbor Closes $2,707,500 Fannie Mae DUS® Small Loan for Willoughby Apartments in Los Angeles, CA


Uniondale, NY (Aug. 26, 2010) - Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC (“Arbor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, announced the recent funding of a $2,707,500 loan under the Fannie Mae DUS® Small Loan product line for the 32-unit complex known as Willoughby Apartments (top left photo) in Los Angeles, CA.

The 10-year loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule and carries a note rate of 5.95 percent.

The loan was originated by Stephen York (lower right photo), Director, in Arbor’s full-service New York, NY, lending office.


 “The borrowers purchased this property in 2008 and substantially improved operations after implementing a major capital improvements plan,” York said. “We were pleased to deliver attractive financing terms. We look forward to future opportunities together.”

Contact:  Christopher Ostrowski, costrowski@arbor.com

Marcus & Millichap Names Paul Vetter to Vice President Investments in Atlanta


ATLANTA, GA– The board of directors of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Paul Vetter (top right photo)  to the position of vice president investments.

The achievement of vice president investment status is one of the highest levels of recognition the firm awards its sales agents. It represents excellence in client relationships, investment real estate expertise and sales volume, according to John J. Kerin, (bottom left photo)  president and chief executive officer.

Most recently, Vetter held the position of associate vice president investments.

Vetter began his career with Marcus & Millichap in 2004, specializing in multifamily investment sales.

Contact: Stacey Corso, Public Relations Manager, (925) 953-1716

Jeffrey Ball Joins Grubb & Ellis as Senior Vice President, Industrial Group


SAN JOSE, CA (Aug. 25, 2010) – Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a leading real estate services and investment firm, today announced that 25-year commercial real estate veteran Jeffrey S. Ball  (top right photo)  has joined the company as senior vice president, Industrial Group.

“Jeff brings considerable market knowledge as well as a number of client relationships built over two decades,” said Dick Scott, (lower photo) managing director of Grubb & Ellis’ Silicon Valley office.

 “He is an excellent addition to our office and his extensive experience in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties will add strength to our entire team.”

Ball joins Grubb & Ellis from Ball & Company Inc., a Carmel-based private commercial real estate company he founded in 2008, offering investment, office, R&D and industrial services.

Previously, he spent 10 years with Cushman & Wakefield.
Contact: Julia McCartney, Phone: 714.975.2230, Email: julia.mccartney@grubb-ellis.com

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Southern Commercial Completes 15,414 SF Lease Renewal

ORLANDO, FL.(Aug. 25, 2010) Principals Tom McFadden, SIOR and William “Bo” Bradford, CCIM, SIOR of Southern Commercial Real Estate Advisors completed a 15,414 square foot lease renewal at 4214 Metric Drive, Winter Park, Florida.

McFadden and Bradford represented the Landlord, DA Metric LLC. The Tenant is the United States Postal Service.

Media Contact: Celeste MacKenzie, 321-281-8503 cmackenzie@southerncommercialre.com

Chatham Lodging Trust Completes Acquisition of Two Hotels in Pennsylvania

PALM BEACH, FL /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE:CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on upscale extended-stay hotels and premium-branded select-service hotels,  has completed the acquisition of two hotels as part of a previously announced four-hotel package.

 The hotels are the 86-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott® (top left photo)  in Washington, Pa. and the 105-room Courtyard by Marriott® (middle right photo) in Altoona, Pa.

 The hotels will continue to be managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises.

The company now has closed on three of the hotels in a previously announced four-hotel portfolio. The fourth hotel, a Residence Inn by Marriott® in White Plains, N.Y., remains subject to completion of due diligence and other closing conditions as previously reported.

Chatham Lodging Trust is a self-advised real estate investment trust that was organized to invest in upscale extended-stay hotels and premium-branded select-service hotels.

The company currently owns 10 hotels with an aggregate of 1,248 rooms/suites and has three additional hotels under contract to purchase. Additional information about Chatham may be found at www.chathamlodgingtrust.com.

Contact:
Jerry Daly, Carol McCune, Daly Gray Public Relations(Media), (703) 435-6293, 
jerry@dalygray.com
 Peter Willis, Chief Investment Officer (Acquisitions),  (561) 227-1387,
pwillis@cl-trust.com

NAI Realvest negotiates renewal lease agreement for 3,395 SF at Hanging Moss CommerCenter in Orlando


MAITLAND, FL. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a renewal agreement for the lease of 3,395 square feet of office-warehouse space at Hanging Moss CommerCenter  (top left photo)in Orlando.

Michael Heidrich, (bottom right   photo)  a principal at NAI Realvest, negotiated the agreement on behalf of the landlord COP-Hanging Moss, LLC of Maitland and the Jacksonville-based tenant, Fastenal, Inc., a worldwide distributor of fastenings and associated products, tools and equipment.

Fastenal renewed the lease of suites 140-150 at 6148 Hanging Moss Rd.

For more information contact:
Michael Heidrich, Principal, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan or Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

CORE Construction Florida Awarded Contract to Build 80,000-SF Pine Berry Adult Living Facility in Clearwater, FL


SARASOTA, FL --- CORE Construction Services of Florida, LLC was recently awarded a contract to build the Pine Berry adult congregate living facility located on S. Highland Avenue in Clearwater.

John Wiseman, (top right photo) president of CORE Construction Services of Florida, LLC said construction of the 80,000 square foot facility recently started.

The contract was awarded by Pine Berry LLC, developer of the facility which will cost approximately $8.6 million to build.

Wiseman said Pine Berry will accommodate 92 apartment residences with a group dining room and activity rooms when it opens next spring.

CORE Construction Group has been in business since 1937 and ranks as one of the nation’s largest commercial contracting companies.

CORE Construction Group is also active in Illinois, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. CORE Construction Services of Florida has offices in Sarasota.
For more information, contact
John P. Wiseman, President CORE Construction Services of Florida LLC, 6320 Tower Lane, Sarasota, FL 34240 941-552-0240.
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

DESTIN, FL, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Uptown Corners has been acquired by local real estate investor, Ryan D. Jumonville (bottom left  photo) , for $1.725 million.

Uptown Corners (top left photo)  is an outdoor shopping mall located in Fort Walton Beach.

This is the third commercial property purchase by Jumonville in the area this year. He previously purchased the outdoor shopping mall City Market and the Beach Community Bank Building (middle right photo)  in Destin.

Uptown Corners is currently home to Lenny's Sub Shop, Citi Financial, Dennis & Company, Queens Nails, Sprint, and Club Sun Tanning Salon.

This deal also includes an option to purchase the building next to Uptown Corners that is the current home to GulfSouth Private Bank.



"Uptown Corners is completely leased, and there is also a waiting list of tenants who are interested in this prime location," according to John Paul Somers of Destiny Realty.

"Mr. Jumonville continues to buy prime commercial property in the Northwest Florida area because he believes in the long term value of this region," said Brandon Knox, Destin Real Estate Group of NWF. Jumonville has allocated more than $20 million to invest in area.

Contact: 
 Brandon Knox of Destin Real Estate Group of NWF, +1-850-855-6030; or
John Paul Somers, Broker, EcoBroker, Green, GRI of Destiny Realty, +1-850-259-9732; or
 Brad Barousse, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Forty-Four Investments, 1-800-726-4232

Old Florida National Bank and Mercantile Capital Corp. Announce Merger Agreement

ORLANDO, FL. --- Old Florida National Bank and Mercantile Capital Corporation have entered into a merger agreement.

Old Florida National Bank (Old Florida), (middle right photo) headquartered in downtown Orlando, expects the merger to be finalized in the late fourth quarter or early first quarter of 2011.

Randy Burden, chairman of Old Florida, and Geof Longstaff, (top right photo)  chairman of Mercantile, jointly announced the merger.

(Randy Burden and son John, top left photo)

Old Florida National Bank, formed in 1982, currently operates eight full-service retail banking facilities throughout Central Florida and Inverness, Fla. and boasts over $375 million in assets

Mercantile, the seven-year-old Altamonte Springs firm that specializes in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for owners of small to mid-sized businesses who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, has provided commercial loans in 30 states and Puerto Rico for more than $513 million in total project costs since it opened as Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC in late 2002.

“The merger substantially extends Old Florida’s capacity to engage in commercial lending,”  Randy Burden said.

“Mercantile ranks as one of the largest and best known providers of SBA-504 lending in the nation,” Burden said.

 “They have succeeded in developing a well-known and well-respected brand with a solid reputation in the small business community,” Burden added.

Longstaff, who has served as president of three banks in the area over the past three decades, said the merger brings substantial resources to bear on Mercantile’s effort to serve small business owners nationwide.

John Burden, president of Old Florida, said “the merger creates a strong, cohesive banking organization squarely focused on serving consumers, professionals and the small business sector.”

“Old Florida National Bank is a hometown bank well known for personal service to our customers and a smart, reliable approach to banking,” John Burden said.

“We are very pleased to offer Mercantile’s services to our customers and to further our service to Central Florida’s small business community,” he said.

Christopher G. Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said “the merger enables Mercantile to expand its services and to help more small business owners nationally.”

“Our merger substantially expands the capital resources we can bring to the small business sector of the U.S. economy,” said Hurn.

Mercantile Capital Corporation will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Old Florida National Bank. The combined entities are estimated to have nearly $400 million in total assets upon completion of their merger, making Old Florida one of the largest Orlando-based community banks.

For more information, contact John Burden, President Old Florida National Bank, 407-388-6136

Arbor Closes $13.6M Fannie Mae DUS® Loan for Fairways Apartments in Fitchburg, WI


Uniondale, NY (Aug. 24, 2010) - Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC (“Arbor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, announced the recent funding of a $13,600,000 loan under the Fannie Mae DUS® product line for the 369-unit complex known as Fairways Apartments (top left photo)  in Fitchburg, WI.

The 10-year loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule and carries a note rate of 5.96 percent.

The loan was originated by Patrick McNulty, (lower right photo)  Director, in Arbor’s full-service Chicago, IL, lending office.

 “The borrower recently renovated the property and repositioned the asset,” McNulty said. “Following the property’s lease-up back to a stabilized level, Arbor was able to refinance the borrower’s existing debt at an attractive rate while offering pre-pay flexibility.”

Contact:  Christopher Ostrowski, costrowski@arbor.com

Marcus & Millichap Sells $53M Grocery-Anchored Community Center in Reading, PA



READING, PA– Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has brokered the sale of Exeter Commons (top left photo) , a grocery-anchored community center located at 4301 Perkiomen Ave. in Reading.

The sales price of $53 million represents approximately $149 per square foot, or a cap rate of 7.75 percent. The asset includes 356,000 rentable square feet.

Brad Nathanson, (lower right photo) a vice president of investments and senior director of the firm’s National Retail Group in Philadelphia, represented the seller, Exeter JV Associates LP. Nathanson also represented the buyer, Cedar-Exeter Commons LLC.

“Exeter Commons is one of the only premier destination shopping centers that has been developed in the past 24 months in the Philadelphia MSA,” says Nathanson.

Anchored by Giant, Lowe’s and Target, the shopping center represents the best-in-class with a stellar lineup of national tenants.

“At a time when the market has been in transition and supply constrained, demand has been on the rise for quality Class A product, among both investors and lenders,” he adds.

“We received multiple offers on this asset after taking it to market because its rent roll consists of nearly 70 percent credit tenants.

" In addition, it is anchored by the dominant credit grocer within the submarket, Giant. Consequently, this asset traded at an aggressive cap rate, given the lack of quality assets that have come to market in the past 12 to 18 months."

Press Contact: Stacey Corso, Communications Department, (925) 953-1716

CBRE Orlando: Sold Over $40M in three weeks (July 31 – Aug. 18, 2010)


ORLANDO, FL--CB Richard Ellis is pleased to announce the sale of two more multi-housing communities in Orlando over the last two weeks – their 10th and 11th apartment closings locally in 2010.

 The two most recent sales, Esplanade and Heathbrook, occurred in separate transactions to different buyers and sold for more than $40 million.












Shelton Granade (top right photo)  and Luke Wickham (top left photo)  of CBRE’s Central Florida Multi-Housing Group exclusively represented the sellers on both assignments.


Buyer interest in multi-housing assets in Central Florida has increased significantly over the last few months. CBRE currently has several other properties under contract, and is generating more than 40 offers on some widely marketed offerings.

 For further information, please contact the Central Florida Multi-Housing Group of CB Richard Ellis.

 Contacts:

Shelton Granade, Senior Vice President, Central Florida Multi-Housing Group,
 T 407 839 3103,  F 407 404 5001, mailto:shelton.granade@cbre.com
Luke Wickham, Director of Operations, Central Florida Multi-Housing Group,
T 407.839.3130, luke.wickham@cbre.com

Hunter Realty Announces Opening of Miami Office

Stephen Taylor Joins Firm as Vice President to Head Up New Office

ATLANTA, August 25, 2010—Hunter Realty, a leading national hotel investment advisory services firm, today announced the opening of a new office in Miami, Florida that will focus primarily on the Florida and Caribbean markets. Stephen Taylor (top right photo)  joins the company as vice president and will lead hotel brokerage services in Miami.

“As our hotel investment advisory services continue to grow, we seek the best talent to expand and complement our extensive expertise obtained over the past 30-plus years," said Teague Hunter, (top left photo) President of Hunter Realty.


" With the opening of this office, our seventh nationwide, and with the addition of top talent like Steve, we are well positioned to assist buyers and sellers as the hotel real estate market recovers.

“We believe Florida and especially Miami, Orlando and Tampa will be hotbeds of activity over the next 24 to 36 months as the economy recovers and the debt issues facing hundreds of hotel owners finally get resolved.

“We were especially attracted by Steve’s more than 30 years of specialized hotel/real estate experience as a broker, operator, developer and consultant. He brings unparalleled experience and expertise in Florida hotel real estate and adds significant depth to our national network with his strong, local, first-hand knowledge of multiple markets.”

Previously, Taylor served as managing director of the Miami office of a national hotel brokerage and consulting services firm.
Additional information, including current listings, is available at the company’s website http://www.hunterhotels.net/ or contacting the company’s Atlanta office at 770-916-0300.

Contact:  Patrick Daly, media, (703) 435-6293, patrick@dalygray.com

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Wells Fargo Tops U.S. Commercial/Multifamily Servicers in MBA Mid-Year Rankings Report


Washington, DC (Aug.  24, 2010) - The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its mid-year ranking of commercial and multifamily mortgage servicers as of the end of June 30, 2010.

Topping the list of firms is Wells Fargo with $462.8 billion in U.S. master and primary servicing, followed by PNC Real Estate/Midland Loan Services with $307.9 billion, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage with $202.6 billion, Bank of America Merrill Lynch with $133.4 billion and KeyBank Real Estate Capital with $124.7 billion.

A primary servicer is generally responsible for collecting loan payments from borrowers, performing property inspections and other property-related activities.


 A master servicer is typically responsible for collecting cash and data from primary servicers and then providing that cash and data, through trustees, to investors.

Unless otherwise noted, MBA tabulations that combine different roles do not double-count loans for which a single servicer performs multiple roles.

Wells Fargo, PNC/Midland, Berkadia, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and KeyBank are the largest master and primary servicers of commercial/multifamily loans in U.S. CMBS, CDO and other ABS; GEMSA Loan Services, PNC/Midland, Prudential Asset Resources, Northwestern Mutual, and Northmarq Capital are the largest servicers for life companies; PNC/Midland, Wells Fargo/Wachovia Bank, Deutsche Bank, Berkadia and Prudential are the largest Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac servicers.

PNC/Midland ranks as the top master and primary servicer of commercial bank and savings institution loans; GEMSA the top credit company, pension funds, REITs, and investment funds servicer; PNC/Midland the top FHA and Ginnie Mae servicer; Wells Fargo the top for mortgages in warehouse facilities; and Berkadia the top for other investor type loans.

Contact: Carolyn Kemp, (202) 557-2727, ckemp@mortgagebankers.org

Omni Hotels Prevails at Auction for Amelia Island Plantation in North Florida

TAMPA, FL, Aug. 24, 2010 – An auction was held Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida to decide the future owner of Amelia Island Plantation.

After a spirited standing-room-only auction conducted by Judge Paul Glenn, (middle right photo) TRT Holdings/Omni Hotels emerged as the successful bidder for the storied north Florida beach resort.

TRT, Omni’s parent company, submitted an acceptable and binding bid of $$67.1 million.

Amelia Island Plantation, located just 29 miles north of Jacksonville International Airport, is a 1,350-acre property that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway on the west.

The 249-room resort features 54 holes of championship golf, a tennis center, spa, and 50,000 square feet of meeting space.

The two other bidders for the resort included Starwood Capital and Noble Investment Group. In July, Noble had emerged as the stalking horse bidder with an offer of $47.4 million. The transaction is expected to be approved at the confirmation hearing scheduled for August 26 and a closing is anticipated shortly thereafter.

Amelia Island Company retained The Plasencia Group to maximize the value of the company’s assets for all stakeholders by conducting an auction pursuant to section 363 of Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

 In all, the firm responded to over 90 bona fide inquiries and conducted nearly 30 formal property inspections by pre-qualified investors.

TRT Holdings is the holding company of Omni Hotels and Gold's Gym. The firm’s founder is Robert Rowling (bottom right photo).

 In 1989 Texaco acquired Rowling’s company, Tana Oil and Gas, for $476 million, thereby providing money that was used to form TRT Holdings. TRT Holdings later purchased Omni Hotels for $500 million and Gold's Gym for $180 million.

Contact: Orlando Plasencia, The Plasencia Group, Inc., 4107 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607, 813.932.1234 Office, 813.932.4321 Fax, oplasencia@TPGhotels.com

NAI Realvest Negotiates Long Term Lease For Motorcycle Shop on OBT in Orlando


MAITLAND – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a five-year lease agreement for a 5,000 square foot motorcycle shop at 2001 N. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando.

Michael Heidrich (top right photo), a principal at NAI Realvest negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Alexander D. MacKinnon, III of Tampa and the new local tenant, A Bike Shop, Inc., which will be occupying units A and B at the retail facility to handle motorcycle sales, service and repair.

For more information, contact:
Michael Heidrich, Principal, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com;
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com;
Beth Payan or Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

Chairman of NAI Realvest George Livingston says Congress did Something Right: U.S. Tax Reform Generating More Foreign Investment in Real Estate


ORLANDO, FL. --- Congressional reform of the Foreign Investment in Real Estate Property Tax Act (FRIPTA) is having a positive effect on the nation’s economy, according to longtime real estate analyst George Livingston, (top right photo) chairman of NAI Realvest in Maitland.

“Reform of FRIPTA has been a high priority and it is beginning to pay off,” Livingston said.

“Results of the tax reform bill are already impacting the market. REAL Capital Analytics reports that the U.S. is back on the top of the list of target markets for foreign investors, largely as a result of the reform and the related upturn in the markets,” Livingston added.

Foreign investment is a major key to recovery of the U.S. commercial real estate investment market,” Livingston said.

“Significant deals by foreign investors are taking place right now, including three Orlando transactions and five in Florida,” Livingston said.

“Canada is clearly leading the way, and the deals tend to be large in size and cut across all property types, even including hotels,” he said.

Florida Real Estate Journal recently reported that a survey of members of the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE) shows renewed commitment to U.S. real estate as their preferred acquisition target.

“The response---by more than half of the members of AFIRE---is the strongest reading since 2003,” Livingston said. Among investors, the U.K. ranks as the second most preferred with 30 percent of the vote and China ranks third with 10 percent.

AFIRE members own assets worth $842 billion worldwide and $304 billion in the U.S., Livingston said.

Two thirds of its members expect to increase their investments this year, typically for trophy properties in major markets such as New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.

“The U.S. is still considered the most stable and secure real estate investment market in the world,” Livingston added.

For more information,  contact:
George Livingston, Chairman NAI Realvest 407-875-9989; glivingston@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com