What It’s Like To Open A New Hotel In The Midst Of The Pandemic

NPR, Oct. 15, 2020–Alina SelyukhWhy would anyone open a new hotel in the middle of a pandemic? NPR talks with the owners of small hotel chains who did just that.https://www.npr.org/2020/10/15/924058531/what-its-like-to-open-a-new-hotel-in-the-midst-of-the-pandemic

The Two California Ballot Measures That Worry Commercial Lenders

National Mortgage News, Oct. 14, 2020–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)One could change how commercial property is taxed, the other could change rent control policies. Both might affect financing.https://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/?

Abandoned City Offices Are Still a Safer Property Bet

Wall Street Journal, Oct. 14, 2020–Carol Ryan (subscription)For clues about how remote working may hit demand for offices, investors can look at the uneven impact of e-commerce on retail landlordshttps://www.wsj.com/articles/abandoned-city-offices-are-still-a-safer-property-bet-11602666730?

U.S. Life Insurers May Face Spike in Mortgage Loan Losses: Fitch

ThinkAdvisor, Oct. 12, 2020–Les ShaverFitch Ratings expects life insurers to see 50% more losses on mortgage loans than what they saw during the Great Recession.https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2020/10/12/u-s-life-insurers-may-face-spike-in-mortgage-loan-losses-fitch/

A Longstanding Tax Break for Real Estate Investors Could be Coming to an End

MarketWatch, Oct. 12, 2020–Bill BischoffThe IRS recently issued new regulations affecting Section 1031 like-kind exchanges.and the Nov. 3 election could determine its future as well.https://www.marketwatch.com/story/a-longstanding-tax-break-for-real-estate-investors-could-be-coming-to-an-end-11602282199

Advocates Plead for Housing Aid as Eviction Cliff Looms

The Hill, Oct. 11, 2020–Sylvan LaneA potentially dire housing crisis could erupt if the Trump administration and Congress fail to reach a deal on further coronavirus relief that includes eviction …

COVID-19’s Economic Outcome: A More Active Government Role?

Commercial Property Executive, Oct. 13, 2020–Paul FiorillaYardi Matrix’s Paul Fiorilla discusses how the pandemic is shifting views about government intervention and what that means for commercial real estate.https://www.cpexecutive.com/post/covids-economic-outcome-a-more-active-government-role/