The Ultimate Guide to Office-to-Residential Conversion and Appraisals Introduction Across the United States, cities are dealing with two major real estate challenges. On one hand, millions of square feet of office space are sitting empty. On the other, the supply of affordable housing is far too low. Many office towers that once buzzed with daily […]
Investment Property Appraisals in New England Understanding Highest and Best Use Investors looking at property opportunities in New England often come to the table with big ambitions. A vacant lot, an aging three-family, or a commercial parcel can be seen through many different lenses: Could it become condos? A multifamily rental? A retail site? An
Real estate appraisals are a crucial tool for CPAs, providing the accurate, data-driven property valuations needed for a wide range of financial tasks. CPAs rely on these appraisals for precise asset valuation in financial statements, proactive risk management, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Most importantly, appraisals are essential for tax purposes, as the IRS requires legally
Despite a decade of strong growth from 2011 to 2021, the Boston real estate market is showing signs of a significant slowdown. While the national market boomed due to low interest rates, Boston’s price growth has lagged far behind. The primary cause is a major shift in migration patterns driven by the work-from-home movement: more
Written in mid-2020, this article explains that the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, leading to historically low mortgage rates. This is expected to fuel a strong rebound in the housing market after a brief spring slump in sales volume. Despite the lockdown, home prices remained stable or even increased. The
For lending professionals, achieving a quick closing hinges on four key strategies: 1. Maintaining open communication and building rapport with all parties (agents, escrow, lawyers) from the very beginning. 2. Setting clear expectations for the borrower by providing them with a process outline and documentation checklist before they make an offer. 3. Using project management
Refinance (REFI) volume is down a sharp 39% year-over-year, primarily because rising interest rates (expected to exceed 5%) are eliminating the financial incentive for homeowners to refinance. The market is also saturated, as most homeowners already have loans with rates below 4%. Borrowers who need cash are now using second mortgages and HELOCs instead of
To maximize your commercial real estate investment’s value, focus on boosting income, lowering expenses, and reducing risk. The blog outlines 7 key strategies: 1. Lowering operating costs (the #1 priority, often using NNN leases); 2. Improving property condition to attract tenants and justify higher rents; 3. Creating auxiliary income streams like paid parking or advertising;
For an accurate real estate valuation, an appraiser must balance the Income Approach (valuing a property based on the income it generates) with a thorough assessment of its physical condition. Relying too heavily on income alone is a mistake, as poor condition in older or less-maintained buildings leads to higher long-term costs, reduced tenant appeal,
