Trends Changing Retail Part 2: Predictive Technology and Dynamic Pricing
Last week, we looked at two recent trends changing retail: webrooming and experiential retail. This week, we look at two more, predictive technology and dynamic pricing, and consider their impact on commercial real estate investors. 1. Predictive Technology: Predictive technology uses tools like computers, robots, algorithms, and more to predict the shopping behaviors and buying habits of consumers. Like predictive models used in economics and finance, predictive technology is used in retail to make decisions about customer service, inventory, pricing, and location. Cameras, kiosks, and mobile apps are expected to take over the role of customer service representatives. Using these tools, retailers can analyze their customers’ shopping patterns and make suggestions
Four trends changing retail and what it means for commercial real estate: Part 1
Last week we looked at some recent retail transactions in Boulder that suggest quite a change to Boulder’s landscape. In this post, we explore some trends changing retail and what this means for commercial real estate investors, particularly in Boulder. There is no question that online shopping continues to grow. In 2010, there were 34 billion visits to U.S. stores. By 2013, there were 17.6 billion (according to Elite Wealth Management). But other trends suggest that retail is not dying, but just shifting its role. It is critical for commercial real estate investors to understand the factors – including product, industry and location
How retail is changing and what it means for Boulder investors
Retail is changing. And several recent restaurant closures would suggest that dining is as well. Here’s a look at some recent transactions around Boulder and their backstories. Many of these changes are part of a broader trend away from big retail and chain restaurants. This post is the first in a multi-part series about the changing landscape. Boulder’s Old Chicago, the first restaurant in what later became a chain, closed in December 2016 after 41 years on Pearl Street. The owner of the building has plans to raze the one-story restaurant and build a three-story building that will contain retail, restaurant, and office space.
What is a 1031 Exchange and will it work for you?
Q. What is a 1031 Exchange? A. A 1031 Exchange is a relatively simple addition to the process of selling an investment property that allows an investor to completely defer state and federal capital gains taxes on a property he or she sells by buying another property of equal or greater value. The replacement property must be held for investment, however. The properties need not be identical since under the tax laws all real estate is considered to be of like-kind. In other words, a single-family rental can be sold and the proceeds exchanged into some other type of rental property, vacant
Boulder Multi-Family Investing
Trying to break into the Boulder multi-family market? Here is some information on why now might be a good time. Boulder has a housing problem. According to data compiled by Re/Max of Boulder and reported in the Boulder Daily Camera, the median price of a single family home in Boulder jumped to $905,000 last year, a 15 percent increase over the previous year. At the same time, the vacancy rate for rentals stands at a low 4.4 percent, according to a 2016 community profile released by the city of Boulder. Additionally, many who live here are not able to work here. About 55 percent of workers
Boulder Multi-Family Investing
Trying to break into the Boulder multi-family market? Here is some information on why now might be a good time. Boulder has a housing problem. According to data compiled by Re/Max of Boulder and reported in the Boulder Daily Camera, the median price of a single family home in Boulder jumped to $905,000 last year, a 15 percent increase over the previous year. At the same time, the vacancy rate for rentals stands at a low 4.4 percent, according to a 2016 community profile released by the city of Boulder. Additionally, many who live here are not able to work here. About 55 percent of workers
What are Triple Nets, anyway?
Triple nets refer to three monthly expenses tenants must account for beyond base rent. Tenants often overlook this added (and often significant) expense when planning their gross monthly rent. It is common to only look at the base rent and overlook this often very large expense. In some cases, triple nets can cost as much as your base rent. Triple nets, commonly referred to as NNN or Operating Expenses on leases, are the expenses tenants pay on top of base rent: taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance. Triple nets are calculated per square foot. In the Boulder area, they can be around $3/square foot for an industrial space and $10-12/square
10 Reasons Why You Should Move to Boulder
Thinking of making a move to Boulder? Aside from the famed Flatirons, which thousands of tourists seek to experience year in and year out, the municipality of Boulder is about more than just a pretty place. This “city nestled between the mountains and reality" is also a foodie’s paradise, chock-full of excellent restaurants, bars, and breweries, and farmer’s markets where the gastronomical choices are endless, whatever your food lifestyle is. Regarded as the country’s “happiest city”, fitness is also such a huge deal to Boulderites that the bike to person ratio is practically 1:1, and most of the time, bike paths
Where Have All The Industrial Spaces Gone?
Where have all the industrial spaces gone? Not long ago, much of East Boulder was filled with industrial spaces that cost between $8-12/SF gross. Now businesses are finding it hard to renew their leases at ever higher rates. If they consider moving, they are faced with a low-vacancy market and landlords that are not willing to renegotiate much on rent or concessions. Landlords want to get the “Highest and Best Use”- which is thrown around in the market, but effectively means landlords are holding out for the tenant that is willing to pay the most for the real estate. Tech companies, breweries, distilleries, coworking spaces and