Category: Finance

Over the years, it is no secret that real estate appraisers have faced many challenges within their profession. In this article, I will discuss some of my own professional challenges over the past 37 years. Some of these challenges include completing the educational requirements, submitting appraisal reports on time, finding qualified help, appraising complex property types, and collecting fees from clients.

I was talking to a mid-size company developer client recently, and asked what I thought was a routine question: What was his next project? Instead of the usual description, he said there was none. He was retiring. The variables in development were too many and too unclear. The risks were simply too high.

What that is, exactly, I’m not sure. I don’t make predictions and I don’t do forecasts. I leave that to the economists and the fortune tellers.

Boston, MA The Real Estate Finance Association has selected Breaktime and FamilyAid Boston has their charitable partners for a three-year partnership! Breaktime and FamilyAid will be the designated charities of REFA’s signature events, including the Charitable Golf & Tennis Tournament, Gala, Programs, and community service activities.

Charlestown, MA MassHousing has closed on $31 million in affordable housing financing to CSI Support & Development Services for the refinancing, renovation and extension of affordability of City Square Elderly Housing.

With year-end comes the pleasure of tax preparation, but every year the rules are certain to change. Will you have enough losses to cover your tax liability, or heaven forbid, will you be writing a large check? Commercial property owners have a number of extremely lucrative tools at their disposal - would any of the seven following strategies work for you?

Boston, MA Cornerstone Realty Capital arranged $15.8 million for the refinance of a 47-unit apartment property located in the Fenway neighborhood of the city.  The property consists of a single, four-story apartment building and contains a mix of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units.

Boston, MA According to law firm Sherin and Lodgen LLP, its renewable energy practice group represented lender Cambridge Savings Bank in a $32 million loan facility to affiliates of Kearsarge Energy for construction and permanent financing of six solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems

Boston, MA Fantini & Gorga has completed the placement of a $5.5 million permanent loan for a mixed-use Newbury St. property.  Derek Coulombe, senior managing director at Fantini & Gorga structured and placed the financing with a regional bank

Framingham, MA New York-based Eagle Rock Properties has secured $323 million in financing for a 1,314-unit portfolio of five multifamily properties located in MA and NH.  The properties are situated in Framingham, Swampscott and Brighton, Mass. and in Nashua, NH.

For most real estate professionals, including lenders and appraisers, 2022 was a transitional year. For the most part, gone is the “blue skies forever” thought processes. Instead, endless optimism is being replaced with a good deal more balance and perspective.

On December 8, 2022 the 2023 Connecticut Chapter slate of officers and directors were installed by chapter past president Linda Sepso, SRA at Casa Mia at the Hawthorne. Chapter Officers and Board of Directors are as follows: