Right-Sizing :: Reduce & Re-Use

While most retailers are reducing square footage to save money on the bottom-line, the concept can be applied across markets. Reducing unnecessary space can save money, energy, and open up many more options for retailers, non-profits, churches, and even residential use. Why have vacant space that sits empty when it can be re-used in other ways (generating income? or goodwill?) or reduced all-together. Trendy now, but a solid move.

Retailers Look to Small Stores for Bigger Profits

The change reflects two trends in the retail world: Chains looking for new ways to cut costs in the sour economy, and consumers demanding a less sprawling shopping experience as they spend with greater purpose. [...more...]

Commercial real estate lending has loosened up?

For those looking for financing, maybe now is the time to move into the market. As you can read the report below from Retail Traffic, it is a good news/bad news scenario. For churches looking to obtain financing, there is still great opportunity with private equity and specialty lenders.
Very informative article here...

Liquidity for Retail Assets Increases Even as Fundamentals Lag

Commercial real estate lending has loosened up considerably in the past six months, leading to more acquisition activity and making it easier for borrowers facing maturity to refinance their loans. And most industry experts feel that liquidity will only increase in 2011.

The bad news, however, might be that the capital marketplace has recovered from the credit crunch a bit too quickly, with many transactions spurred on by record low interest rates rather than improving property fundamentals. [...more...]