News

By Keat Foong, Executive EditorIn the past week, press reports seem to be intensifying in regards to the need for a government bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Financial conditions at the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE), it is reported, are continuing to worsen; their stock prices have fallen by a chunk so far this year; investor confidence in the GSEs’ debt securities is falling and consequently, the agencies’ cost of capital is rising. In the midst of all these reports, there is speculation that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cannot continue in their present structures in the long term…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorWashington, D.C.–The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) recently named Jay Brinkmann (picturedleft) as chief economist and senior vice president for research and economics. Brinkmann has been with the MBA since 2001 and has served as the organization’s vice president of research for most of that period.”When the position first became vacant last March, Jay suggested we conduct a national search to find an ideal candidate,” says John A. Courson, MBA’s chief operating officer. “After months of interviewing many well-qualified candidates, it became apparent that the best candidate already worked at MBA and we approached Jay to…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorEncinitas, Calif.–HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler LP) recently arranged a $36.5-million construction loan and $10 million in joint venture equity for the development of Pacific Station, a mixed-use project in Encinitas, Calif.HFF placed the 60-month construction permanent loan with La Jolla Bank and secured the joint venture equity with Fidelity Real Estate Group.  Upon completion in the fourth quarter 2009, Pacific Station will have 38,500 sq. ft. of retail, including Whole Foods and a signature restaurant, 10,000 sq. ft. of office space, 47 residential units and a two-level underground parking garage. Ardizzone Enterprises Enters Apartment Market…

Irvine, Calif.–NWP Services Corp. (NWP) recently acquired ViaStar Energy Inc., an Indianapolis-based provider of utility billing and meter installation and maintenance services to multifamily communities, manufactured housing communities, condominiums and retail properties. This acquisition helps NWP add a strong presence in the Midwest. ViaStar’s management, including customer liaison and technical support, will continue to serve the company’s clients.“With its best-in-class billing system and ability to effectively implement significant new volumes of properties in a very short window of time we knew that NWP was just the right company to service our customers into the future at the high level of…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorSacramento, Calif.–GMH Capital Partners recently arranged the sale of The Verge, a 288-unit, Class A, three-story apartment complex in Sacramento, Calif., for $36,500,000. The Verge (pictured) comprises 18 three-story apartment buildings, and one single-story clubhouse/leasing office. The property features 288 units with 792 beds, totaling 264,366 sq. ft. of net rentable area. The Verge was completed in 2004, designed to house students at the University of California, Sacramento.”The combination of this property’s full amenity package and proximity to University of California, Sacramento’s campus, with a student enrollment of 28,000, made this a valuable asset to…

Ted Patch (pictured), senior vice president and chief production officer, is responsible for originating new loan production from Green Park Financial’s corporate headquarters in Bethesda, Md. In 2005, Patch originated in excess of $200 million in new loan production. He has over 17 years experience in commercial and residential real estate. Patch joined Green Park Financial in 1998 as an underwriter and became part of the production team in 1999. He talks to MHN Online News Editor Anuradha Kher about lending in the manufactured housing space, why this is a good investment for the company and how the mezzanine business…

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorCarrollton, Texas–Velocity, a RealPage solution that provides resident utility billing and invoice processing services, has announced that its convergent billing services will now be available for online review and payment.With this service and CrossFire Living, residents will be able to review and pay their rent, utilities, service fees, amenity fees and vacant unit costs on a single online bill. “The benefit to property managers is that they will get a lift in resident satisfaction and get better collections on utility and small charges,” says Jay Harwood, product manager for Velocity, tells MHN.Velocity’s services include invoice processing,…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorSan Francisco–Capital Properties recently introduced 85 flexible-stay units within its 320-unit Rincon Residential Towers, located at 88 Howard St. in San Francisco. The studios, one- and two-bedroom units offer short- and long-term rental options with a minimum stay of 30 days and four-star services.The property is located one block from the Ferry Building, the Embarcadero and a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) station.“The difference between our units and other extended-stay units is that we have personally chosen the furniture and designed the homes, unlike others that just take an apartment and throw in some rented…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorWashington, D.C.–Existing condominium and co-op sales increased 3.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 610,000 units in July from 590,000 units in June, according to the latest study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). These sales figues are, however, 18.6 percent below the 749,000-unit pace in July a year ago. The median existing condo price was $223,400 in July, which is 2.7 percent below the rate in 2007.“The condo and co-op sales have risen mainly because prices have fallen in some markets and buyers are seeing attractive deals out there, which…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News Editor, Multi-Housing News and Tonie Auer, Southwest Correspondent, Commercial Property News Chula Vista and Orange, Calif.; Atlanta; Chicago and Durham, N.C.–Taking advantage of a good interest rate, Trumbull Property Fund refinanced six Class A multifamily properties throughout the country as part of a $207 million refinancing effort.The Hartford office of Holliday Fenoglio Fowler L.P. secured first mortgage financing totaling $206.99 million for six Class A multifamily communities–a total of 2,157 units–located in Chula Vista and Orange, Calif.; Atlanta; Chicago and Durham, N.C.HFF worked exclusively with UBS Realty Investors in arranging the five-year, fixed-rate loans through…