Real Estate Investing is All the Rage Again. Should You Cash In?

Forbes / September 13, 2010

By: Francesca Levy

I wrote last weekabout the housing markets that were the best bets for residential real estate investors, suggesting that home buyers could use the advice as a clue to which markets would turn around soonest.

The top picks were Raleigh, N.C., McAllen, Texas and Austin, thanks to their strong  

pre-recession population growth, slowing home-price drops and a mix of jobs that’s weighted toward growth industries like government and education (the entire top ten list is past the jump).

Our list, compiled by Cary, N.C. real estate research firm Local Market Monitor, wasn’t looking at the markets that were currently the healthiest, but rather which had the greatest chance for price appreciation.

You can, of course, invest in real estate without buying a home. Commercial real estate investment has also picked up dramatically. Real estate funds and companies brought in $9.18 billion for all types of property acquisitions in August — more than double what they raised in July, according to real estate investment adviser CoStar.

Of course, $63.26 billion raised this year is pocket change compared to the
industry’s pre-2007 heyday, when REITs took in $200 billion annually, but there is money to be made in careful commercial investing.

Investors looking for a way into the market should seek an adviser with low fees, who can acquire nimbly and quickly, and has a multi-year track record in the industry, says CoStar consultant Norm Miller, but they should closely watch commercial market conditions.
“It’s not a bad time to buy, but I’m not going to tell you we’re at the bottom on prices,” he says.

If, however, you’re looking at the investing trees (individual housing markets) rather than the investing forest (pension funds, mutual funds, REITs, hedge funds and other companies that put money into all types of real estate classes, but mainly commercial), here are the top markets for conservative investors (see the article for more detail on why):

1.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Raleigh-Cary, N.C.

Q2 2010 Home Price Change: -3%

Three- year home price forecast: 0%

Population Growth, 2000-2005: 18%

2.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas

Q2 2010 Home Price Change: 1%

Three- year home price forecast: 7%

Population Growth, 2000-2005: 16%

3.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Austin-Round Rock, Texas

Q2 2010 Home Price Change: ...


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Newest Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen Opens in Pharr, Texas

Pharr, Texas - Pappas Restaurants announced the opening of the company's newest Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Pharr, Texas.  This will be the 35th Pappadeaux location and the first Pappas restaurant in the Rio Grande Valley. The "fresh meets festive" approach combines the freshest seafood available with fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Pappadeaux plans to deliver the spirit of New Orleans to Pharr, TX with bold flavors, traditional Louisiana-style favorites and specialty drinks with receipes straight from Bourbon Street.

 

The City of Pharr and Pharr Chamber of Commerce welcomed Pappadeaux with an official ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, September 10th at the restaurant. Mayor Leopoldo "Polo" Palacios, Jr. welcomed the newest restaurant. "We are very happy to have one of the best Texas restaurant families now residing in Pharr", said Mayor Palacios. "We are looking forward to many wonderful meals and good times with the Pappas family".

 

 Pappas Restaurants' owner, Harris Pappas said, "We are so excited about opening a Pappadeaux in Pharr TX.  We look foward to becoming a part of the Pharr community by serving our newest Guests with the freshest seafood around."

 

Pappadeaux offers over 80 delicious menu items like "Louisiana" seafood gumbo, Pappas' famous Greek Salad, Shrimp & Crawfish Fondeaux, Live Main Lobster and Blackened Catfish Opelousas, Pappadeaux's success is built on fresh seafood, great, energetic service and vibrant atmosphere. 

 

Keeping true to the Pappas tradition of freshness, everything at Pappadeaux is made in house daily - all sauces, marinades and salad dressings are made from scratch.  Although if you are looking for something frozen you can try their signature frozen drinks like the SwampThing or the Twisted Hurricane.

 

Pappadeaux in Pharr features a full service dining room, bar and comfortable lounge seating outdoors, adding an additional area for Guests to enjoy a drink or socialize before their meal.  Pappadeaux aims for a feel of comfort and fun with lush landscaping, antique brick and beautiful mahogany wood paneling.

 

Pappadeaux is run by family owned and operated Pappas Restaurants based in Houston, TX 

Pharr Chamber of Commerce  308 W. Park Pharr, TX 78577 (956)787-1481 www.pharrchamber.com

NAI RGV Reintroduces Itself to the Market

Texas Border Business

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez

Photo By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez - Mike Blum, NAI-Rio Grande Valley managing Partner

BIG STORY

They find that the valley sold $1.5 billion in the food, beverage and hospitality industry

In 2004 Mike Blum approached Charles Mueller owner of Synergies LLC, a multi-faceted Rio Grande Valley based company, with the idea of creating a real estate division. Mueller agreed and Synergis Realty Group was created.

“Almost at the same time of that creation the then NAI Global affiliate which was known as NAI RIOCO decided to give up its NAI flag,” Blum stated. Blum, who had been with NAI RIOCO since 1997, knew the unique opportunity and the numerous benefits that come with acquiring the NAI flag. Immediately, Mueller and Mike approached the NAI Global Corporation about becoming the NAI affiliate in the Rio Grande Valley.

So in 2005 the deal was made and we became NAI Rio Grande Valley with over $100 million worth of listings that came over to our table,” Blum stated. With this affiliation, NAI Rio Grande Valley became the NAI Global Rio Grande Valley affiliate. NAI Global is the largest managed, network of commercial real estate professionals with over 5,000 professionals, 325 offices in 55 countries. This makes it possible for NAI Rio Grande Valley to help its clients around the corner and around the world. “We are no longer affiliated with NAI RIOCO, in fact, NAI RIOCO does not exist.”

Blum is the managing partner for the company. He is well known as someone who loves to study and understand the markets. He believes this is important because knowledge is power and markets are in a constant state of evolution. “We are ...

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Personal income up in McAllen while U.S. sees decline

The Monitor
September 02, 2010 
By: Ana Ley

McALLEN — Personal income in the McAllen area grew slightly last year, while most metro areas in the United States experienced a decline.

Although the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area — which comprises all of Hidalgo County — saw 2.8 percent growth in personal income, per capita personal income remained stagnant, according to statistics released by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Per capita personal income is the personal income of the residents of an area divided by the population of that area. It allows apple-to-apple comparisons between areas even if they have very different populations.

Personal income — the income received by all people from all sources — declined last year in 223 of the nation’s metro areas, increased in 134 of them and remained unchanged in 9.

Pedro Salazar, president of the Edinburg Economic Development Corp., attributed the growth to an increase in educational attainment in the Rio Grande Valley.

“People are getting ...

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Maquiladora industry picks up after recession

The Monitor
August 31, 2010
By: Ana Ley

McALLEN — The maquiladora industry in Reynosa is recovering from a steady decline it experienced during the economic recession, according to Mexican statistics.

Export-related employment there grew by about 1,000 jobs in May, up from 76,000 jobs the month before, according to the most recent data available from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, known by its Spanish acronym INEGI.

Reynosa maquilas had as few as 69,000 jobs in May 2009.

Five U.S. companies opened shop in Reynosa this year and boosted employment there, said Keith Patridge, president and CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corp.

“Then we have the existing companies that are ...

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The Power of Demographics!

Demographic information is a vital component to not only describe a market area but to analyze a market area. In order to mitigate risk, retailers have invested time and money in going beyond the basic market snap shot to build in-house geographical information systems (G.I.S.). Today, retailers are blending the understanding of the general market with their own customer understanding and market expectations. G.I.S technology goes beyond the basic 3 ring trade area which illustrates basic information such as: population base, competitors and traffic counts. Data is indeed a commodity; however, it is what you do with the data that is critical to understanding both a market and a customer perspective. A well planned G.I.S. is focused on the customer and provides insights into: Who is the ideal customer? How many exist? What is their share of wallet? Where do they live, work?

Collection of the right types of data is instrumental to ensuring a G.I.S. remains vibrant and plays an integral part of the strategic planning process. There was always the traditional source of data collection – the government census. However, many governments have stretched the collection and analysis of data across a 10-year time span which, in the case of emerging or fast growing markets, makes it difficult to capture the true market potential or opportunity. As a result, many companies have reverted back to the collection of raw data through field work in order to bridge the census gap. In addition, reaching out to universities or financial institutions (investor relations departments) represent non- traditional avenues but provide a more recent market picture.

As organizations expand beyond the borders of the U.S., access to quality and timely information is critical. Retailers with a U.S.-based G.I.S. system need to adopt the metrics used in the U.S. to other markets and recognize that data availability and technology tools are not consistent in their collection around the world. A G.I.S. system today should be nimble to adopted new markets, new types of data from around the global marketplace.

A key component to the future success of retailers in the international landscape is to utilize the power of demographics in order to build a foundation of knowledge not just about markets but customers. Understanding a retailer’s market capacity and store capacity in any given market is vital to the execution and expectation of what a country/city/market holds. Demographics are about knowledge and power to make informed decisions.
By - George Anderson

NAI Rio Grande Valley's team of commercial real estate professionals has the resources to assist in this process. Visit us online http://www.nairgv.com/ or call to learn more about NAI RGV and our team.


George Anderson is based in Toronto, Ontario, George Anderson is Vice President of Market Analytics for NAI Global, and works closely with retailers and financial institutions using geodemographic analyses to identify and evaluate markets for expansion around the globe.

Get to Know a NAI Rio Grande Valley Professional

Eric John Ziehe, CCIM
Sales Associate

Eric, a CCIM, specializes in the sales and leasing of industrial properties, with additional experience in the sale of land, office and multi-family properties.

Get to Know Eric
View Eric's Featured Property
 
 

Roger Stolley

Sales Associate

 

Roger has spent nearly 30 years in the management of regional shopping centers for Simon Properties and the Rouse Company. This experience and expertise has given Roger unparalleled knowledge about the commercial real estate industry.

 

Get to Know Roger Stolley

View Roger's Featured Property

 

NAI Rio Grande Valley is a focused commercial real estate brokerage, consulting, development and syndication firm serving the Rio Grande Valley and based in McAllen, Texas. Our mission is to transform real estate opportunities into profits for owners, users and investors.

NAI Rio Grande Valley advises it's customers and clients on how to maximize the value of their assets and utilize real estate to their long term advantage through comprehensive and strategic planning, execution and management.

NAI Rio Grande Valley professionals arrange the sale or lease of land, office, industrial and commercial real estate. We have a proven track record and have considerable expertise in envisioning how to convert raw land into revenues.

Click here to learn more about NAI Rio Grande Valley

New Development in 495 Commerce Center is in its Final Stages

28,300 SF multiple, government office building is in its final stage of completion in the 495 Commerce Center Business Park. The one-story building sits on a 3.55 acre site on the south-west corner of 495 Commerce Center and faces Hackberry. The site will be home to the IRS, USDA, Department of Labor, APHIS (Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service) and the Fish and Wildlife Service. NAI Rio Grande Valley represented the property Seller and West Second Street Associates is the developer/owner of the soon to be completed facility.

New NAI Member Announcement

Santana Textiles to hold Edinburg groundbreaking event next month

Rio Grande Guardian
By Joey Gomez

EDINBURG, Aug. 18 - The City of Edinburg will commemorate the official start of construction of their long awaited Santana Textiles facility next month.

City officials plan to hold a long awaited groundbreaking, and reception for Santana's new facility on Sept. 8. The groundbreaking will take place onsite of the new facility at the city's North Industrial Park in North Edinburg.

The reception, which will also include a fashion show meant to display Santana products, will take place at the city's auditorium located next to City Hall.

"We're starting to really see this come to fruition," said Pedro Salazar, executive director of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. "You know the impact, you know the potential, so it's exciting. There are a lot of exciting things going to happen in Edinburg, so that's encouraging."

Brazil-based Santana is considered to be one of the top-10 denim manufacturers in the world in terms of production volume, according to the EEDC.

Santana is slated to construct their 775,000 square foot denim manufacturing plant at the City's industrial complex over the next 18 months, according to Salazar. The upcoming plant will create 800 jobs.

Santana's complex will be completed in four phases within the next five years. The company is slated to invest $170 million in Edinburg, with a capital investment of at least $80 million, according to the EDC.

Edinburg's plant will be Santana's sixth, and most technologically advanced facility to date, according to the EDC. The company currently has

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