Old Real Estate Maxim Still Rules

 When I was in business school, now decades(!) ago, I had a professor whose current work then was focused on how CEOs decide where to locate company headquarters.  His conclusion, after much research, was that the biggest factor in choosing a location was where the CEO him/herself wanted to live.  

While that isn't a shocking result, it is a little surprising that big organizations, with all kinds of considerations for transportation, labor force, infrastructure, taxes, and a myriad of other factors, would in the end have personal preference of one person as the greatest determinant.  We can see evidence of this still, in the recent behaviors of business executives during the pandemic.

Connecticut has been the beneficiary of a move out of New York City, and thousands of people have moved here in the past six months.  Yet we didn't expect that companies themselves would move, and that's turning out to be the case.  And that isn't just in the office arena--manufacturers and other seemingly less mobile property users are also in the mix.

We are getting showing requests and offers from buyers out of state, who are looking to locate where they plan to live.  There are many reasons for their choices, but it points to a brighter future for Connecticut than was predicted while tax policy and weather was causing a rush to warmer climates and distant vistas.  Now, the proximity to major metropolitan areas, combined with family dynamics, is helping us catch us with the economic progress made by other areas over the past two decades.

There are good reasons for this to continue.  Our location between Boston and NYC is obviously key.  Company owners and investors don't necessarily have to live here, but they will have employees and tenants who do.  Many family business owners also want to be where their children and grandchildren are, whether or not those generations are in the company or not.  The current focus on low density and outdoor space work in our favor, and our natural assets have become more important to real estate decisions.

Looking forward, we can see from the residential market that supply may become a limiting factor.  While none of us expected it, this uncertain age has become one of increased real estate activity, and a good time for sellers to consider putting properties on the market.  Who knew that the old research about company location would be so relevant now?

Racing for Daylight

This is the time of year where you need to make a drop dead decision ASAP, if you plan to close this year.  Although there are only four weeks left as of this writing, it's amazing how much faster something can happen if everyone gets on board to do so early.  Bankers, for instance, often have bonus plans that would give them that extra boost to push a transaction over the finish line.  Realtors certainly do. Owners, of course, have tax consequences that would favor closing in one year over another.

If you think it's too late, it's still worth checking.  People travel less before the holidays, at least for business, so those who are around may be more reachable and available.  It's just true that, when you put a rush on any order, everyone moves it to the top of the list.  So don't despair if you have left a sale for too late--just act quickly!

Any Plans to Buy or Sell in this Tax Year?

It may seem ridiculous for me to be posting on a hazy, hot, and humid August morning that time is running out for real estate sales this year.  However, much of commercial real estate is driven by tax concerns, and taxes play an important role all the time, even when the reasons for activity relate to other concerns.  Therefore, it's wise to consider that it takes a long time to close most properties that need environmental testing or financing, so now would be the time to get moving, if you intend to accomplish anything by the end of 2016.  In the real estate field, we try not to count on much getting done after mid-November.  Since that is about ten weeks away, I'm not being overly cautious to say that Labor Day should be your signal to ramp up your search or your sale.  Even leases can be affected by the calendar year for taxpayers, if you are interested in deducting costs of fit-up or commissions.

So time's awasting--get moving!

It's Never Too Soon to Think about Next Year's Tax Bill

By mid-December, lawyers and accountants, as well as their clients, will be frantically trying to lower 2013 tax bills, by spending down profits, acquiring extra depreciation, or putting new equipment in place by year end.  We're all busy at this time of year, but it's worth starting a month ahead of then, to evaluate your space needs going forward.  If  you have an outstanding offer on space you don't use, have you factored in the benefits of taking an offer this calendar year, before dismissing it?  If you have expansion needs, can the costs of fitting up space be put partially or fully into this tax period?

It's hard to juggle long-term decisions with short-term crises and issues, but there could be a big payoff later, for thinking about April in the chill of November.  You'll thank me later, if this prompts you to act now and save next spring!

A Challenge

We're having a little contest here at Pearce Commercial.  We just had an investment property close in 58 days from listing to transfer of title.  Since so  many commercial transactions are affected by tax considerations, and since many companies and individuals have calendar year tax periods, we know that there will be some among you who are going to want to complete a transaction before the end of 2011.  So, here's the challenge:  Can someone out there beat the 58-day record?  It may be that the clock has already started, because the property to be transferred may already have been listed.

There are 39 days, counting today (because there's plenty of time to act today!), left in 2011.  So use them wisely, and help us beat the current record holder.  Buy today-close in December!