Malls · Retail leases · Shopping Center · Uncategorized

Excluded area contributions

When a tenant pays a prorata share of taxes or CAM, there are often defined excluded areas. Most typically, those defined excluded areas are either directly assessed, self-maintaining or insured, or are paying at a rate significantly less than full prorata. By defining those areas as “excluded areas,” the landlord reduces it absorption of CAM… Continue reading Excluded area contributions

Malls · Shopping Center · Uncategorized

Dealing with new realities in “retail” rents

Back in 1996, I was serving as an expert witness in a mediation related to HVAC billing methodologies in regional malls. The tenant brought in their own expert witness to address water rates. Over the course of two days, the two of us had plenty of time to talk. At that time, in most municipalities,… Continue reading Dealing with new realities in “retail” rents

commercial real estate · Malls · Retail leases · Shopping Center · Uncategorized

Why look at a municipality’s tax maps or GIS data?

Often in retail, tenants will be required to pay their share of taxes using the square footage of the tax parcel of which they are apart. In other cases, they will be required to pay based upon the leasable area of the shopping center excluding separately assessed premises. Sometimes, just looking at the tax map… Continue reading Why look at a municipality’s tax maps or GIS data?

commercial real estate · Malls · Retail leases · Shopping Center · Uncategorized

building vs. Building

No. It’s not a fight in the ring between two skyscrapers. It’s one of those capitalized/non-capitalized issues that can have a material impact on the cash flow of a property. Though many tenants may beg to differ, the majority of landlords do actually consider the financial health of their tenants. I cannot tell you the… Continue reading building vs. Building

Malls · Retail leases · Shopping Center · Uncategorized

“Absolute” minimum denominators – Yeah! Right!

Last week, we covered minimum occupancies as a percentage of GLA for denominator purposes. But, sometimes we see another type of minimum – absolute minimum denominators. That is where you might see language to the effect of “The tenant will pay its share of common area maintenance expenses based upon the leased area of the… Continue reading “Absolute” minimum denominators – Yeah! Right!

commercial real estate · Malls · Office Properties · Retail leases · Shopping Center · Uncategorized

CAM, tax and insurance reconciliations during due diligence

More often than not, when acquiring a property or portfolio, prospective purchasers are focused on future cash flows. When it comes to CAM, taxes and insurance, it is future reconciliations that will have the most impact on the buyer’s cash flow. However, when acquiring a property, it is critical to get as many years of… Continue reading CAM, tax and insurance reconciliations during due diligence