California Real Estate

The White House is not for sale but the Obama administration is planning a sale. Actually, the government is organizing a huge clear-out - thousands of vacant or underused federal buildings. The transactions will occur gradually over the coming years.

Huge Sale

Obviously, arranging such a substantial deal requires plenty of professional help. The administration must determine which office towers and courthouses should be put on the market. If the government does not see a need for a specific property, it could make the real estate listings.

Review Panel

At least 1.2 million federal buildings will have to endure the review process. The reviewers will be an independent commission of public and private sector real estate experts. Although the announcement was not made until March 2, the panel was referred to in President Obama's 2012 fiscal budget request. The panel is modeled on the military's Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

Groups have raised concerns, however, about the review process and availability of information to interested buyers. People note prior cited federal properties in California and Missouri that were declared surplus in 2002 but not sold by 2009. Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.) who is writing a bill to trim the federal real estate portfolio is in favor of the sale.

"Clearly this is an area where the federal government gets better results for less money by reducing the amount of property we own and by better managing the property we keep," said Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.).

Common Sense

According to Jeffrey Zients, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, the decision to sell is a common sense approach.

"The government doesn't need all of these properties," explained Jeffrey Zients, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget.

It could make sense for government to sell off a few buildings. The federal government's annual building operation and maintenance budget is more than $20 billion. A 2009 government audit showed that 14,000 of these properties are vacant and another 55,000 are not used to their potential.

Planned Savings

The Obama administration hopes to save $3 billion with the sale. Commercial real estate experts, however, do not expect the government to meet that goal. Industry sources expect several properties will not be in prime locations. Even well-located sites might not sell for top price. Last summer, a federal building in Bethesda, Maryland, sold for $1.5 million less than the asking price and the opening bid was only $100.

Maintaining Value

Real estate veterans suggest that maybe the government should be looking in another direction. Probably the administration could take a long term approach. Industry sources say that the government must focus on maintaining the value of their assets.

It can prove challenging to sell federal buildings. Part of the challenge is the diverse real estate needs of federal agencies. For example, military branches might need only part-time access (for months at a time) to buildings.

White House has plan to increase sales of vacant, underused federal buildings

Do You Agree With The Proposed Sale Of Federal Buildings?

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This week in real estate news, two stories on the same day (one Canadian, one American) focused on 'sky-high' debt and real estate prices as well as 'high in the sky' connections.

Sky-High Debt

Since 1999, TD Economics has been gathering Canadian data and creating special financial reports. Their latest edition gauges the financial vulnerability of households in regions across Canada. TD organized this report as a response to growing worries about high debt levels and the overall financial state of Canadian households. The index of financial vulnerability measures six key metrics of household financial position.

TD Economics assigned a weight to each metric based on its perceived importance. The metrics include debt-to-income ratio (combined total of mortgages, lines of credit, and additional loans as a percentage of personal disposable income), debt service (percentage of income), and the proportion of households with a debt service ratio of 40% or more. The index is not a predictor. Yet it tries to determine which region would be most vulnerable financially if faced with an economic shock.

The report considers circumstances such as a rise in unemployment or interest rates as well as a housing downturn. The report noted increasing vulnerability across Canada but no sign of a household debt crisis in the future. British Columbia showed as the most vulnerable province in case of economic shock. Actually, this result is not shocking to residents of that province.

British Columbia has been the most vulnerable every year since TD Economics started these reports. Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan are ranked as second, third, and fourth most vulnerable followed by Quebec and the four Atlantic Provinces. Manitoba is the least vulnerable province.

Sky-High Housing Prices

Why is British Columbia the most vulnerable for economic shock?

Sky-high prices are part of the answer to B.C.'s vulnerability. As well, the province's household debt-to-income ratio is 160.5% - way above the Canadian average of 127%. In addition, British Columbia is the only province to have a negative savings rate. Every available dollar is directed toward mortgage, additional debt, or living costs.

B.C. most vulnerable to economic downturn TD report Debt-to-income ratio high

Sky-high real estate makes B.C. most vulnerable to shocks: TD

Sky-High Real Estate Prices

In yet another February 9 news story, there was talk about 'sky-high' real estate prices with a 'high in the sky' connection.

Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot touted as a hero for landing his plane safely on the Hudson River, and his wife, Lorraine, are accusing a bank official and a real estate broker of overinflating a purchase price. In 2002, the couple bought a building in Paradise, Northern California, for $935,000. Sullenberger and his wife claim that the price was far above market value.

The suit requests that the original loan be nullified and the couple reimbursed for alleged overpayments. The real estate broker, Cherie Huillade, claims that the appraisal was an accurate representation. If mediation fails, a trial is set for September.

Hudson pilot Sully sues over real estate deal

Do You Have Any 'Sky-High' Real Estate Stories?

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