Comments on: The Commercial Real Estate Fallout: Profiting From the Death of the Shopping Mall

By: Blake

Blake — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:34:52 +0000

Thank you, Mr. Fessler, for this excellent report on the status of the commercial real estate industry. I always appreciate a report that is well researched and intelligently presented.

I would like offer a small amount of additional information: There are cities within America that are doing better than others in retail sales. Given that your report is somewhat focused on the direct relationship between consumer spending and the vitality of the commercial real estate industry it is good to know that some cities are still enjoying a relatively healthy amount of consumer spending. Commercial REITs that do business in these population areas should still perform well in the market. Of course, one could always go looking for the REITs that do business in the worst hit areas and then go ahead and short those. Either way, profits can be made. Personally, I like the idea of doing both at the same time, but only because I have the advantage of knowing a thing or two about commercial real estate.

Thank you again, Mr. Fessler. I learned some important things here today!

Blake

By: CHUCK ADKINS

CHUCK ADKINS — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:49:22 +0000

I’M 78 YEARS OLD, AND CAN REMEMBER THE LATER PARTS OF THE 1929 DEPRESSION. WE WERE NOT WEALTHY IN TODAYS TERMS, BUT MY FOLKS MANAGED TO RAISE 5 OF US THROUGH HARD TIMES. BEING THE OLDEST,I TRIED TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR MY SIBLINGS. BUT WE CAN ONLY LEAD OUR RESPECTIVE LIVES AS IT DEVELOPS.
EACH OF US NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS WHICH IMPACT OUR OWN WELFARE, HOPING IT HAS NO ADVERSE EFFECT ON OTHERS IN THE PROCESS. WE ARE NEVER SURE OF THAT RESULT, BUT HOPEFUL, NONE THE LESS.I CAN SEE YOU HAVE A SIMILAR INSIGHT, THANK YOU.

By: Ray Evol

Ray Evol — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:20:56 +0000

A very good article. Surely there are more creative ways to play it short than SRS. Any ideas ?

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:44:37 +0000

We see the same thing in Portland, Oregon. I believe the glut of office space will be equally as bad yet there are still some new buildings being constructed.

By: Bryan Ellis

Bryan Ellis — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:49:52 +0000

Better get ready for what’s coming. You can make money helping others through their shortfalls, or watch others do it!

By: tom heitzmann

tom heitzmann — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:29:15 +0000

Let’s not feel too sorry for the mall owner who in many cases used government dupes to abuse imminent domain to obtain land. The solution is easy. Take the land back and build affordable housing try to regain community and the American spirit.

Tom

By: Apurva

Apurva — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:28 +0000

Dear David,
Your views have been laid out in an extremely logical manner and it teaches one a method of thinking for the investment business. Please let me know your views on the Tourism industry ( Motels/Hotels/Resorts) in the US. Will that be protected by a weakening US currency.

By: norman paetzold

norman paetzold — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:24:36 +0000

It bears mentioning that SRS has performed very poorly over the months considering the much publicized gloom and doom coverage of commercial real estate – problem is the lYR tracking index composed of relative high quality real estate firms which don’t mirror the market at large. SRS will no doubt do better in the future.

norman

By: D Street

D Street — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:37:12 +0000

I generally respect the commentary that comes from Investment U. And maybe this article from Mr Fessler is correct – he makes some plausible points. But I think all you guys need to start reading each other’s commentary. This one certainly flies in the face of other very recent posts from the same group. Obviously not every one is going to be in agreement on forecasts but it tends to cast doubt on the group as a whole.