Start to Finish... Ground Up Single Tenant NNN Lease Development

Start to Finish... Ground Up Single Tenant NNN Lease Development

Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes

So I felt like this would be a good subject to journal, both for the input from the pros and as a loose guide for others venturing into this field of investment.

Although I have been involved in the purchase of existing NNN lease investments I have yet to get involved from the ground up, much less as the actual point man.

I will go ahead and ask for forgiveness ahead of time for any typos, misspellings, or grammatical disasters. I am not a writer, a poet, or a prude.

Chapter One " What was I thinking" January 2014

I started the process by assessing/evaluating which credit tenant I wanted to focus on, and settled with the Dollar type national credit tenants.

I then looked at markets within 90 miles of Tallahassee, and studied the footprint of the three major Dollar tenants looking for gaps in the foot print and assessing why there were gaps. Simultaneously, I studied the age of existing Dollars in an attempt to add to the gap study the need for potential relocation of old Dollar types to new free standing buildings. Eventually I had a list of target stores and gaps. This is when the real work began.

With my maps and list I began to eliminate potential relocation options for various reasons but mainly do to remaining term on the leases. My focus started to narrow to areas that were missing one of the four large players in the Dollar game. once I narrowed my target markets to "gap zones" I started searching those zones for the most attractive parcels of land which in my mind is a parcel with good ingress and egress, preferably a corner lot with a market high traffic count. whether they were actively for sale or not. I also remained mindful that I may need to assemble multiple parcels, always considering the fact that I may need to tear down existing structures.

Over the first three months I continually narrowed my list of target parcels continually assessing the potential for the relocation of an existing Dollar, or filling the gap between existing Dollars with a competitor.

I contacted owners, existing listing agents, past listing agents (in an effort to cut through the time and BS of identifying and contacting the owner). Now, when asked what I was interested in with each parcel, I always said sandwich shop, package store, or carwash; something that threw off the scent of a fresh idea.

Coming into early March and I have identified four sites that will work as a relocation or a new competitor, and have three under contract. With my contract I typically don't negotiate the price aggressively up front, I prefer to appease the sellers desire to met their individual pot of gold, and hold them to a lengthy due diligence period (120-180 days). I will revisit the price, if necessary, after the potential tenants have done their market feasibility study to assess their potential gross sales. From this study the tenants will determine the price per sqft the market will justify. I do have an idea of both market rents and how they associate with the land acquisition prior to this stage but I leave room for future negotiations. For the purposes of this writing I am going to focus on the site that has the most components to the redevelopment. Assemblage, and Demolitions of a old gas station "The Site"

Chapter Two "Presentation to Tenants"

Now that i have the parcels under contract, I start bouncing the opportunity of relocation to any aged tenants in the area, and present the options for new locations to competitors of current market tenants. My recommendation is to find the tenant rep for each target tenant and present a site sketch of the proposed layout to the prospective tenant. I personally go all out with this step, because I am just fluent enough with CAD to be dangerous. I provide traffic counts, site foot prints including parking, holding ponds, ingress egress and maybe two elevations ( building views from different angles). The tenant market evaluation has been a month long process, but BOOOOM finally produced interest from two tenants, one is a relocation the other is a new competitor. The new competitor actually fits The Site better than the relocation because it only requires 10,000 sqft.

The Projected Numbers:

Land

285,000

Development $65 Ft2

$650,000

Total

$935,000

Rental Rate NNN

10.00

Square Footage

10,000

Gross Revenue

$100,000.00

Value

7.5% Cap

$1,333,000

7.00%Cap

$1,428,571

6.5% Cap

$1,538,461

Cost of Sale:

R/E Commission

($85,714)

Closing Cost

($28,571)

Lease Commission

($50,000)

Net Proceeds

$1,264,286

Less Cost to Build

($935,000)

Net Profit

$329,286

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Joel OwensBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
12y

NNN saying it is roof and structure is the brokers/agents in that area being LAZY.

I see so many problems with marketed listings and misinformation all the time.

Dollar General is doing well with sales growth of 3% per quarter and so is Dollar Tree. Family Dollar has taken a bath recently declining 3 to 4% per quarter. They were losing sales due to poor site selection, not having quality merchandise, and running the right sales on loss leaders to get traffic in the stores.

About 2 to 3 years ago Dollar Stores made sense for purchasing. Most of my clients I tell to stay away from them now. They are just highly overvalued in my opinion. You used to get them at an 8 to 9 cap with rental increases in primary term. Now the dollar stores think they are the cat's meow of the NNN space. They are doing brand new double net 10 year lease with low crap caps in the 6's and no rent bumps in primary term. You have to put 25% down or more to get a loan on them. The buildings unless forced architectural building controls by the county or city are brick front and sheet metal sides and back.

The only plus side is they are cheap in purchase price. Most are in sub-standard locations so 2nd generation tenant once dark you will not get the same rents.

If you are going to do that take your money and go 10 to 15% down and just get an existing CVS or Walgreens in a much better location and the building is all concrete, brick. You can also go for an Auto Zone, NAPA, etc. which give rent bumps mostly in primary term and caps in 6's to 7's.

Be really careful on the lease you agree to as a developer. I see many crap leases where the developer has a hard time selling off later. Yes to a certain extent they dictate lease terms but you also have to push back to have a salable lease to the next buyer so you can move on to your next project.

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y
    Originally posted by @Larry Flanagan:
    "kick out" clause?

    If this, then that clause...lol If this "x" happens we can terminate the lease. For instance, if this tenant leaves or the center falls to "x" occupancy, or governmental changes.... tenant can terminate with "x" notice.

  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    12y

    It's all about the sell ability of the lease.

    For instance Dollar Stores used to have rental increases in primary term and a higher cap.

    So a NN with landlord being responsible for roof and structure is not appealing to buyers in years 5 of the lease on etc. You might as the developer throw in a free roof warranty as part of the sale to make the buyer feel more comfortable in the deal. Also in double net you have to watch out for things like parking lot, utility lines, etc. in the lease the landlord is responsible for. Expenses can bring that purchase mid 6 cap down further over time. If the location is strong as you say then the building could be repurposed faster if it goes dark later.

    As the years go down in primary term lenders do not count the option periods so the property is harder to sell unless it's a 1031 buyer with a sizeable down payment who wants to maintain a low ltv loan status or an all cash buyer. What's available out there depends on the debt market. When interest rates rise you have to buy the land cheaper so that selling cap is higher and buyers with finance can still cash flow going in.

  • Real Estate Attorney · Dallas, TX · Member since 2011 · 124 posts · 29 votes
    12y

    When I review leases for clients, I look for the kickout clauses and any other right to terminate -- my clients want to make sure the rental stream is maintained. Also, there are some clauses that put monetary obligations on Landlord - costs to upgrade to meet new ADA, responsible for haz mat, etc. and some clients worry about clauses that require Landlord to use insurance money to rebuild the property after a casualty (banks like the ability to use that money to pay off loan, so it may make it a little harder to get funding).

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y

    @Joel Owens Thanks for the insight. The average rent in the area for comparable properties is from $8.75 - $9.85 per ft2 the tenant wanted $9.50 with a .50 bump at the fifth year, but I held firm at $10.00 with no bump. Our exit plan is two fold. Ideally we will have a mail box money buyer in place to take us out prior to first months rent. Or, it will roll into one of my partners personal portfolio of net lease properties, and I will cash out. Our operating agreement is drafted with these provisions.

    @Andy B. Since I am still in the LOI-prelease phase I will make sure I pay close attention to the language of the lease. I have already started the push back on the NNN responsibilities.

    Thanks!!

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 56 votes
    12y
    Originally posted by @Jay H.:
    @Joel Owens Thanks for the insight. The average rent in the area for comparable properties is from $8.75 - $9.85 per ft2 the tenant wanted $9.50 with a .50 bump at the fifth year, but I held firm at $10.00 with no bump. Our exit plan is two fold. Ideally we will have a mail box money buyer in place to take us out prior to first months rent. Or, it will roll into one of my partners personal portfolio of net lease properties, and I will cash out. Our operating agreement is drafted with these provisions.

    @Andy B. Since I am still in the LOI-prelease phase I will make sure I pay close attention to the language of the lease. I have already started the push back on the NNN responsibilities.

    Thanks!!

    Wow, great thread! I would caution you about the NN lease. If its not too late, try to go with a NNN for ease of selling. Yes, you'll get lookers for the NN property, but most investors looking at single standing NNN properties are going to be critical about it. Although the location sounds superb, the lease should be just as good with no Landlord responsibilities.

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y

    @Tony Nguyen Its so funny/frustrating the whole NN vs. NNN discussions, I found myself in discussions yesterday with the tenant rep and another "professional" and both of them kept referring to NNN as NN vs.NN as NNN.....NNNNNNNNN, F%4^&^% i said to them both "from this point forward i am only referring to the lease as ABSOLUTE or NOT ABSOLUTE, I have neither the time, desire or patience to keep going in circles about the definition of NET NET NET"

    I am being advised that most if not all credit tenant "variety store like" locations are not absolute net; unlike most CVS or Walgreens which are. Later that day after meeting with my contractor and finding out that the roof will have a 25 year warranty, and considering the building is four sided block, I feel these two items alone counter balance the loss of the third N. Basically- if the lease is 10 years with two- five year options Then the warranty theoretically out lives the lease....Correct?

  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    12y

    That is not true about all being NN.

    YES in recent years DOLLAR stores have all gone in most cases to NN for a new lease.

    They are generally 6.5 cap to 7 cap and rent is flat for 10 years with rent increases in the option periods. Personally I think they have become horrible investments as the lease terms are awful.

    You can find an Applebees with a starting cap of 7.5% for around 2 mill to 2.5 mill with annual bumps in primary term of 1.75 to 2.25 a year. The parcel size is larger also. People love these dollar stores. I think there was a play 2 to 3 years ago when they were 8 to 9 caps or better. All triple net have rent increases in primary term except pharmacy ( I have seen pharmacy have rent increase but then cap rate starts at 5 instead of 5.5 to 5.75 ask so blended cap rate is the same over the primary term ). The only benefit I see to them is they are cheap in price.

    I like auto stores better for the same price with rental increases per year in primary. Since the lease cap rate is flat for 10 years make sure you get a good cap to sell at versus your cap and spread with all your costs in. The roof warranty should be fine as long as the lease doesn't have other things written in (parking lot, utility lines, etc.) that landlord pays for.

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y

    @Joel Owens Thanks for the info! Question: when you are looking at the quality of the investment, and say the Dollar type stores are horrible investments and the Applebee's (DineEquity) are good investments are you layering in the corporate risk? From my understanding the dollar type stores are corporately owned buy quality companies with "clean" balance sheets (with the slight exception of Family) , While Applebee's, owned by DineEquity is franchisees driven and not corporately guaranteed. This would make me feel the risk associated with Applebee's vs. Dollar Tree is greater for the Applebee's real estate?

    Oh, I like the Auto Stores as well. I just tied up a parcel that meets my market factors and am hoping to secure one of the three players (Zone Reilly Advanced) I may do a similar write up on it as well.

  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    12y

    Hi Jay,

    Not true about the Applebees with no corporate guarantee. While franchising is part of their concept along with other restaurant brands it doesn't mean they have only franchised locations.

    4 levels of security:

    Corporate guarantee: BEST

    Subsidiary : For example corp Applebees but only 100 stores over 2 states and not all of them. BETTER

    Large franchisee: GOOD

    Small to new franchisee with one or more locations: FAIR

    In general the more the risk the greater the annual rental increases and starting cap rate.

    You look at location and sales versus the Applebees national average ( around 2 million annually) to determine how that store is performing. If the seller doesn't want to share sales figures that is a big red flag.

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y

    @Joel Owens Thanks for the clarification!

  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    12y

    How has your deal been progressing??

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y

    Today I am finalizing my redlines in the lease with our counsel. Yesterday I sent the draft of the lease off to two of the Life Lenders that I deal with so they could give me a "pre opinion" regarding items that may be of issue with their underwriting/insurance departments.

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y

    Discussion item for the Developers and Contractors on the forum. What do you prefer and why?

    Cost Plus or Flat Fee?

    If its Cost Plus 10% do your typically see the addition of a flat fee weekly, for administrative items of the contractor i.e. cell phone, vehicle, fuel?

    @Karen Margrave

  • Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2009 · 566 posts · 274 votes
    12y

    @Jay H.

    As a commercial hotel contractor I would never agree on a cost plus 10% agreement. With that being said we currently only do redevelopment work and new construction is definitely different. However I would never trust that the contractor is actually doing a cost plus 10% deal...there are so many ways to hide profits and inflate costs in construction. I just don't see it being very clean on a smaller deal. Maybe a 100MM development project that has Ernst & Young auditing the contractor however on a smaller deal it's just not as cut and dry. And why worry about how much the contractor is making? You want the contractor to make money. I would go with a fixed fee all the way. Make sure you get multiple solid bids from experienced contractors and go with the one with the most value (not necessarily the lowest cost). Check out recent similar projects that they have completed and talk with the client about the process and their experience.

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y

    Thanks for the insight @Chris Winterhalter . I am still reviewing my options for contractors compensation structure.

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y

    Chapter 4 "getting the parcels closed"

    Wow, what a crazy month! So, today I close on all of the parcels. Let me tell you it has been a hectic month. I have finalized my lease with the Tenant, and continued with my due diligence on all three parcels. Remember one parcel was a vacant lot, one was a used car dealership and the third was a closed BP station. My focus with regard to environmental issues was naturally the closed gas station even though I had a clean tank letter from DEP dating back to when the tanks were removed...mistake! Well, when my phase one came in an all three parcels the vacant lot showed that back in the 50's there was salvage yard operating on the site and there nowhere could anyone find where a phase two had been preformed, so lucky me i get to be the proud new owner of a phase two invoice. Luckily, I thought ahead and got pricing for both phase two field work and geo-tech field work separate, then called back and was able to lower the cost of the Geo work by requesting the drilling rig do all the boring (environmental and geo) on the same trip, thus lowering my bill substantially. But what was even better than that, the Geo work came back and noted substantial nonuniform fill on the site made up of rubble, glass and metal anywhere from 1'-2' deep. This gave me the ammunition to go back to the seller of that parcel and negotiate the price down substantially. Normally one would have the Geo work done after closing and be stuck with results. 

    Well, the environmental phase two came in clean for all three sites as did the title. 

    As for the out-parcel tenant I am still in negotiations with several credit tenants in the fast food and cellular industries. Two of the fast food chains want to purchase a pad ready site, but i am a bit reluctant because I feel I am leaving too much on the table vs. the value of a long term lease. 

    Next......permitting and plans go out for bid.

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    12y

    Sorry for the gap in updates, but I have been swamped with the project. I found myself relaxing this weekend and catching up on the Pod Casts, and realized I was neglecting this thread.

    Chapter 5 - Permitting- County Commission Approval- General Contractor Issues/Cures Dealing with Bids.

  • Investor · Frederick, MD · Member since 2012 · 160 posts · 31 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Joel Owens:

    That is not true about all being NN.

    YES in recent years DOLLAR stores have all gone in most cases to NN for a new lease.

    They are generally 6.5 cap to 7 cap and rent is flat for 10 years with rent increases in the option periods. Personally I think they have become horrible investments as the lease terms are awful.

    You can find an Applebees with a starting cap of 7.5% for around 2 mill to 2.5 mill with annual bumps in primary term of 1.75 to 2.25 a year. The parcel size is larger also. People love these dollar stores. I think there was a play 2 to 3 years ago when they were 8 to 9 caps or better. All triple net have rent increases in primary term except pharmacy ( I have seen pharmacy have rent increase but then cap rate starts at 5 instead of 5.5 to 5.75 ask so blended cap rate is the same over the primary term ). The only benefit I see to them is they are cheap in price.

    I like auto stores better for the same price with rental increases per year in primary. Since the lease cap rate is flat for 10 years make sure you get a good cap to sell at versus your cap and spread with all your costs in. The roof warranty should be fine as long as the lease doesn't have other things written in (parking lot, utility lines, etc.) that landlord pays for.

    Not to hijack this post but- Any thoughts on Advance Auto or Carquest?

    I have heard a certain Dollar Store is brutal in negotiations and  most of it's buildings are 3 sided metal making it a lesser value in releasing.  Just what I heard.

  • Developer · Garland, TX · Member since 2008 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

    Any updates for us, Jay?

  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    11y

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CARQUEST

    Advance owns CARQUEST.

    As I said before dollar stores tend to be in sub-standard locations and have a brick façade with 3 sides metal. Years ago when they were at an 8 cap and had increases in rent in the primary term they were a cheap investment with a high pop for return.

    Now they are in love with themselves.

    I would rather personally own a retail strip center NNN built better in a better location with break even occupancy on multiple tenants. There will usually always be buyers for the dollar stores as they are a low entry point.

    The auto stores I can still find 2% annual rent increases in the primary term and a good starting cap rate close to 7. So the blended cap rate over time with increases is pretty good.

    The auto stores generally have the same space requirements of the pharmacies. With dollar stores you have to watch out for ones right on the corner that have gone into a building where a pharmacy use to be. Upon reviewing the lease the seller is claiming a high cap with say 5 years left on the primary term.  Examination discovers the CVS pharmacy moved to a better location years ago. They were still obligated to the remaining primary term on the lease so they sub-leased the space to the Dollar Store until the primary term runs out. The Dollar Store can't pay the same per sq ft rate the CVS does for example. So CVS subsidizes the rent and collects the difference from the dollar store. The dollar store is happy as they get a corner location they couldn't otherwise afford for rent rate. So you will see these types with high caps but understand once primary term ends the dollar store will re-trade what they pay when the pharmacy stops making up the difference. So you basically have an income stream for XX years and then it drops way down. I would buy one of these on what the income will be when the subsidy goes away. Seller will not like it of course but I do not have to buy if they do no accept my proposition nor do my clients.

    It's important if you want to develop properties that you have someone with experience look at it FIRST to know what the end buyer will want. I was contacted the other day and someone built a bank. They believed they had NNN but upon reviewing the lease it was discovered they had a NN and not only that banks usually give 2% rent increases in the primary term. This one had flat rent in primary term and in the 2 options had no rent increases!!

    So basically this developer left a ton of money on the table because now they are going to have to sell at a higher cap to offset the sweetheart lease to the tenant. There were a bunch of other things I found but the sad part is they put 100% trust on their attorney back then with the lease and didn't get other opinions from what I can see.

    They can still sell hopefully and learn from this for their next project to negotiate the lease with the tenant with the end buyer in mind when they eventually want to sell.      

  • Investor · Frederick, MD · Member since 2012 · 160 posts · 31 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Joel Owens:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CARQUEST

    Advance owns CARQUEST.

    As I said before dollar stores tend to be in sub-standard locations and have a brick façade with 3 sides metal. Years ago when they were at an 8 cap and had increases in rent in the primary term they were a cheap investment with a high pop for return.

    Now they are in love with themselves.

    I would rather personally own a retail strip center NNN built better in a better location with break even occupancy on multiple tenants. There will usually always be buyers for the dollar stores as they are a low entry point.

    The auto stores I can still find 2% annual rent increases in the primary term and a good starting cap rate close to 7. So the blended cap rate over time with increases is pretty good.

    The auto stores generally have the same space requirements of the pharmacies. With dollar stores you have to watch out for ones right on the corner that have gone into a building where a pharmacy use to be. Upon reviewing the lease the seller is claiming a high cap with say 5 years left on the primary term.  Examination discovers the CVS pharmacy moved to a better location years ago. They were still obligated to the remaining primary term on the lease so they sub-leased the space to the Dollar Store until the primary term runs out. The Dollar Store can't pay the same per sq ft rate the CVS does for example. So CVS subsidizes the rent and collects the difference from the dollar store. The dollar store is happy as they get a corner location they couldn't otherwise afford for rent rate. So you will see these types with high caps but understand once primary term ends the dollar store will re-trade what they pay when the pharmacy stops making up the difference. So you basically have an income stream for XX years and then it drops way down. I would buy one of these on what the income will be when the subsidy goes away. Seller will not like it of course but I do not have to buy if they do no accept my proposition nor do my clients.

    It's important if you want to develop properties that you have someone with experience look at it FIRST to know what the end buyer will want. I was contacted the other day and someone built a bank. They believed they had NNN but upon reviewing the lease it was discovered they had a NN and not only that banks usually give 2% rent increases in the primary term. This one had flat rent in primary term and in the 2 options had no rent increases!!

    So basically this developer left a ton of money on the table because now they are going to have to sell at a higher cap to offset the sweetheart lease to the tenant. There were a bunch of other things I found but the sad part is they put 100% trust on their attorney back then with the lease and didn't get other opinions from what I can see.

    They can still sell hopefully and learn from this for their next project to negotiate the lease with the tenant with the end buyer in mind when they eventually want to sell.      

     Yes I know advance owns Carquest, that is why I asked :).  

    What would you consider the general percentage of expenses for a new NN versus a NNN when you assess properties;)

  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    11y

    A brand new building if it's NN you try and get the seller to offers warranties and credit back to the buyer. You can request the seller purchase a warranty on an older building that has fallen out of coverage.

    Also the seller could be made to put a new roof on but if the seller is doing it likely on the cheap. So it goes back to the buyer wanting control of the repairs to make sure they are completed properly.

    NN you can usually get a 75 basis point premium on buying over NNN. If the tenant is national or a franchisee with a credit also makes a cap basis differential as well as the location.

    Each property is a case by case analysis although there are general commonalities. Auto Zone is one of the strongest auto stores.   

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    11y

    I am well on my way with the development.... I am sorry for the gap in updates, but WOW this process is not for the weak at heart. I have very detailed notes on the entire process up to this point. What I have to figure out is, how to tastefully detail out my experiences without offending any of the participants that make up the lessons learned. Not that they are readers of this, or maybe they are??

  • Rental Property Investor · San Marino, CA · Member since 2011 · 398 posts · 144 votes
    11y

    @Jay H.

    First most, thanks for posting this.  I'm interested in a similar development in CA and have searched the internet for this type of information, your journal as well as the conversation between everyone has got to be the most enlightening and straight-forward education I have found so far.  Also, hat's off to you for creating value out of thin-air!

    Had a few questions that maybe others on the forum would benefit from being asked too; thanks again:

    - Regarding initial contact with the tenant reps, how did it go? And how did you obtain contact info for each tenant rep?  Many are simply posted on the website but did you ever consider using tenant brokers?


    -  Can you clarify your development terminology, horizontal vs. vertical?  Is horizontal referring to site work, demo, grading, etc and vertical referring to actual buildings cost of the structure?  Does the $65 psf include soft costs (entitlements, architecturual and site costs)? 

    - How did you obtain traffic counts? did it yourself or hire someone?

    - How long did it take tenants to do their feasibility analysis? (you mentioned about 1 month?)

    - Regarding your construction loan, how much do you need down?  20% equity?

    - During the LOI did you have any room to negotiate or was it pretty much "their way or the highway?"

  • Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2013 · 108 posts · 55 votes
    11y

    @Jason Marks 

    - Regarding initial contact with the tenant reps, how did it go? And how did you obtain contact info for each tenant rep? Many are simply posted on the website but did you ever consider using tenant brokers?

    I sourced my reps through my Linked-in network. 


    - Can you clarify your development terminology, horizontal vs. vertical? Is horizontal referring to site work, demo, grading, etc and vertical referring to actual buildings cost of the structure? Does the $65 psf include soft costs (entitlements, architecturual and site costs)? 

    A- Horizontal = All Site Work. Vertical= Everything from the foundation up.... My 65 per sqft represents vertical only. I was able to actually value engeneer that number down to $57 per sqft. Site work will vary based on the obvious differences in sites. I use a rule of thumb of $125,000 per acre. 

    - How did you obtain traffic counts? did it yourself or hire someone? 

    A- Co-Star, but you can Google city data and find the same info.

    - How long did it take tenants to do their feasibility analysis? (you mentioned about 1 month?)

    A- I was lucky, the tenant was already looking at the market area, so it went quicker than normal. On my other, more recent projects the feasibility study took 60-90 days. 

    - Regarding your construction loan, how much do you need down? 20% equity? 

    A- My bank will give us 85% loan to cost. 

    - During the LOI did you have any room to negotiate or was it pretty much "their way or the highway?"

    A- I negotiated many points of the lease and terms. Note!!!!!!! Have a Life Lender or CMBS Lender run the lease through their review departments as a last look. They will find details that would become hurdles for future financing, that local construction lenders will overlook.

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