Opinion & Commentary

What Happens Next to All This Bad Debt?

By Fred Cordova — October 07, 2009 — 6 Comments

Fred Cordova

Fred Cordova is a Senior Vice President with Colliers International. He writes about capital markets and real estate on his blog, The New Nexus.

The recession may be technically over according to Bernanke and Obama, but if you listen to Buffet or any credible economist, this jobless economic “recovery” is likely to be slow and ugly.

We expect the government to allow unemployment to remain high to keep interest rates low so that banks can get healthy quickly by borrowing from the Fed at .25% and charging us 19%+ on our credit cards. Very soon, the OCC (Treasury guys) will start making the banks take the losses they need to take to clear the bad debts so that they can start lending again.

For real estate, this means that Multi-family is now entering the transaction / recapitalization phase, which will bring in new money at much lower prices, but it's still early and will continue for years. This will enable buyers to lower rents and condo prices. Retail and Hotels are getting slammed now. You can stay almost anywhere for $150 a night, including the Ritz. Industrial will soon to follow then office. — Continued Inside...

Why Should Downtown Care About 550 South Hope?

By Fred Cordova — August 18, 2009 — 2 Comments

Eric Richardson

Fred Cordova is a Senior Vice President with Colliers International. He writes about capital markets and real estate on his blog, The New Nexus.

Last week, Maguire Properties announced that it was giving seven buildings back to its lenders, among them a Downtown tower at 550 S. Hope. Should we see this move as an isolated event, or does it have significant implications for Downtown?

Why anyone invested in Downtown care that a public REIT just coughed up an asset that was purchased at the top of the market with way too much debt? — Continued Inside...

Is Downtown in the Middle of a Summer of Love?

By Ed Fuentes — July 22, 2009 — 3 Comments

Ed Fuentes

In the year that marks Woodstock's 40th anniversary, Downtown may be having its own summer of love.

This week we recalled how two years ago Ralphs returned to the Downtown home where the chain was founded in 1873. It was also two years ago that friends and family first gathered to memorialize Arts District pioneer Joel Bloom, who passed away from cancer.

The tribal gatherings continued, and this Saturday the neighborhood held its inaugural Bloomfest. "Hey, that's sort of groovy that this stuff happens in Downtown now," said a bass player after his 70s psychedelic music band played a set. — Continued Inside...

Rx for the Economy, Extracting Equity from Debt

By Fred Cordova — July 22, 2009 — 3 Comments

Fred Cordova is a Senior Vice President with Colliers International. He writes about capital markets and real estate on his blog, The New Nexus.

The stock market, which is up over 7% this week, seems to be signaling strong signs of economic recovery based on second quarter earnings numbers but don’t be fooled.

It's time to tackle the real evil: too much debt. — Continued Inside...

Capital Markets Say to Play the Waiting Game

By Fred Cordova — July 01, 2009 — 34 Comments

Eric Richardson

Fred Cordova is a Senior Vice President with Colliers International. He writes about capital markets and real estate on his blog, The New Nexus.

My advice to anyone looking to invest in downtown is.....LEASE and WAIT. Your patience will be rewarded. There will be some great buying opportunities in the next 12-24 months. — Continued Inside...

Forget Talk of Cost, Planned Lakers Parade Strikes Out on Route

By Eric Richardson — June 14, 2009 — 44 Comments

Eric Richardson

The Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA title on Sunday evening, closing out the Orlando Magic in five games. Once the celebrations and stupidity calms down, attention will turn to the victory parade, scheduled for 11am on Wednesday.

While much attention was paid to the cost of the parade, which the team and city will now split, little talk has been given to the route chosen, which starts at Staples Center and ends at the Coliseum.

Are strip malls and car dealerships really the visuals Los Angeles wants to feature in its celebration? — Continued Inside...