Regions

By Anuradha Kher, Online News Editor Fort Collins, Colo.; Lafayette, La.; Richmond, Va.–KeyBank Real Estate Capital recently closed three loans totaling approximately $34 million for Campus Apartments. All three loans are variable rate advances from a Fannie Mae Credit Facility that closed in January. Approximately $17 million will be used to refinance Campus Crossings at Ram’s Pointe, a 192-unit (660-bed) building built in 1997 in Fort Collins, Colo. Another $13.8 million will be used to refinance Campus Crossings (pictured) at Lafayette, a 144-unit (528-bed) building built in 1999 in Lafayette, La. Both of these loans have three-year terms. Campus Apartments is…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News Editor                                Los Angeles–The Community Redevelopment Agency recently approved plans for an affordable housing development for formerly homeless persons, providing comprehensive support services in a campus setting in Hollywood.Pending City Council approval, the $27 million, 70-unit project will be built on CRA/LA land at 1726 N. Gower St.“The agency is leading the way in delivering on the Mayor’s commitment to build permanent supportive housing for the homeless,” says Cecilia V. Estolano, CRA’s CEO.Jointly developed by A Community of Friends (ACOF) and PATH Ventures, The Villas at Gower will be…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorWashington, D.C.–Existing-home sales rose from the first quarter in 13 states, largely from buyers responding to discounted home prices, according to the latest quarterly survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Nearly one-quarter of metropolitan areas showed rising home prices in the second quarter from a year ago, with greatly mixed conditions continuing around the country.In the condo sector, metro area condominium and co-operative prices, covering changes in 54 metro areas, showed the national median existing-condo price was $220,000 in the second quarter, down 3.0 percent from $226,900 in the second quarter of 2007….

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorMt. Vernon, N.Y.–Meridian Capital Group has arranged $53,200,000 in financing for the purchase of Westchester Plaza (pictured) in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. The sprawling 850,000-sq.-ft. complex features four residential buildings with a total of 698 units. The complex also includes a 75,000-sq.-ft. shopping center. Meridian secured a fixed rate of 5.50 percent with the first three years of interest-only payments.HFF Secures Total of $40M in Financing for Two Multifamily PropertiesLos Angeles–HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler L.P.) has recently secured a $10 million refinancing for The Gaylord Apartments, a 193-unit multifamily property in Los Angeles and a $30…

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorBourne, Mass.–Onset Computer Corp., a portable data logging and monitoring solutions company, has released a new version of HOBOlink, its web-based energy and environmental monitoring software platform.HOBOlink, which reports data such as temperature, relative humidity and CO2 levels, provides users with 24/7 accessibility to the information. “Multifamily owners want to get a handle on energy usage in their properties, and they want convenient access to the information. By enabling the data to be presented on the web, we are accomplishing that goal,” Evan Lubofsky, director of marketing for Onset Computer Corp., tells MHN, explaining how the…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorWashington, D.C.–The Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) recently enhanced its risk management strategy, appointing a chief risk officer and reconstituting its issuer review board to ensure its securities continue to remain safe and stable.”Enhancing our risk management process is an enterprise-wide endeavor,” says Joseph J. Murin, president of Ginnie Mae. “This is a very turbulent time for the mortgage industry. While our business model significantly limits risk, the current environment and our rapid growth has presented a different set of challenges than we have ever faced before. We have to take a long, hard…

John Stone (pictured) is a principal with Colliers and has been with the company since 1989. He specializes in selling and buying cash flow driven investment properties and mortgages with a focus on multifamily related investments and performing and non-performing debt.  Stone also helps placement of direct foreign capital in the U.S.He updates MHN Online News Editor Anuradha Kher about the kinds of properties developers are investing in in these tough times, growth in foreign capital entering the U.S. and why he thinks the housing legislation will not help the multifamily industry.MHN: Apartment sales volumes are down and there is…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorNorfolk, Va.–For Rent Media Solutions has expanded its After 55 Housing and Resource Guide division to the South Florida market. The housing publication, which caters to the lifestyles of Baby Boomers and beyond, launched July 25.Baby Boomers have a significant amount of buying power. In 2007 alone, eMarketer reported that Baby Boomers spent $3.8 billion on goods and services, more than any other demographic. This number is projected to increase to $4.6 trillion by 2015.                                                                                             “We have found that Boomers and beyond aren’t just interested in looking for their next place to live,” says Robyn…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorNew London, Groton, Conn.–Landings Real Estate Group has recently bought two multifamily communities in New London and Groton, Conn. for a total of $21.6 million. The real estate group purchased the 171-unit former Squire One Apartment Community, located at 11-O Anthony Rd. in New London, for $11.3 million and the 156-unit former Willow Pond Apartment Community, located at 55 South Rd. in Groton, for $10.3 million.The extensive renovation planned for the newly named Faire Harbour Landings in New London will be focused on enhancing the nautical and seaside theme strongly associated with the coastal environment…

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorTallahassee, Fla.–Florida Governor Charlie Crist has approved an early lease termination bill, which will allow an owner and resident the option of agreeing to a flat amount fee prior to the lease being signed. Though the legislature passed a similar bill in 2007, Governor Crist had vetoed it. The Florida Apartment Association (FAA) reintroduced the bill this year, with some changes. The ruling, House Bill 1489, was signed into law on June 10.“It may take a while until people start using the new option, but the ability to start incorporating the language into the lease was…