CREF Conference Highlights - October 2010

Melvin Mark Capital Group attended the 13^th Annual Western States Commercial Real Estate Finance Conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada September 29^th through October 1^st.  After attending panel discussions and keynote presentations, we would like to share our key take-aways with you.

• There is no double dip in the economy, but rather we are seeing a gradual recovery.  Jobs are still lagging but will follow.
• Transactional sales activity is picking up across the country, enjoying near record positive leverage.
• Portland market fundamentals compare favorably across all sectors.
• The new CMBS is having success, but more change is ahead with the risk retention mandate.
• Lenders expressed collective optimism, "the worst is behind us."
• Discounted Pay Off's (DPOs) were the hot topic: recapitalization beginning with current lender.
• Peak to trough, values were off 40 percent on average but have already begun recovering.
• Lenders view mortgage lending favorably; must meet or exceed allocations and increase in 2011.
• Distressed asset level is peaking at $200 billion.

To paraphrase a wise man, "you can't always get what you want, but increasingly you can get what you need."  Call us and let us know what you need!