Commercial real estate developers go into detail on the impact of the financial crisis on their ability to make projects happen.
"The banking crisis 'pretty much stopped the majority of commercial development dead in their tracks, except non-leveraged projects, smaller investments and owner-occupied deals, and institutional projects that were already in progress,' [Developer Rick] DeKam said. 'I think you will see institutional, medical and even multifamily development as the steady-performing real estate over the next few years.'
Michael Cagen, associate broker specializing in multifamily investment at Marcus & Millichap's Grand Rapids office, has seen the same financing challenges of late as other real estate categories.
'Only several months ago, we were able to find financing, but at higher interest rates and at lower loan to values,' Cagen said. 'Today, lenders tell you they need to have the complete banking relationship with you, that the buyer needs to be local and that it needs to be newer property. In essence, this means the number of lenders who are available to finance a given deal has continued to shrink.'"
FULL STORY: Commercial real estate financing goes from bad to worse

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

EPA Terminates $116 Million in Grants for Reducing Emissions from Construction Materials
C-MORE grants were earmarked for industry trade groups and universities.

BART Closes $35 Million Deficit
Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.

The New Parisian Hearse is a Bicycle
Sleek, silent, and sustainable, a green trip to the graveyard has hit the streets of the French capital.
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