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FOR INVESTORS AND OCCUPIERS IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA

A Tale of Two Industrial Buildings

A Tale of Two Industrial Buildings How Commercial Properties Are Treated Differently for Tax Purposes March 5th, 2021 “Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” ― Mary Shelley Change is becoming a constant force in our daily lives. From...

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What’s in Store for Industrial Moving Forward?

What’s in Store for Industrial Moving Forward? Quick Facts on E-Commerce, Grocery Sales, & More February 26th, 2021 Many of the pundits in the commercial real estate market are trying to analyze the whirlwind of a year that was 2020 and read the tea leaves for the...

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The Best Way to Get Into the ‘Industrial Game’

The Best Way to Get Into the ‘Industrial Game’ Investment and Development Strategies February 19th, 2021 Land… They don’t make it any more…. And coupled with ever-increasing demand has led to an appreciation in values.  For instance, let’s compare two fairly similar...

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[Report] Q4 2020: Toronto-West Markets

Q4 2020 Insight, Toronto-West Markets Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  February 12th, 2021 Now that we have begun a new year, it feels like, in many ways, that we have passed not just a temporal marker but, also, a symbolic one. While we work...

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[Report] Q4 2020: Toronto-East Markets

Q4 2020 Insight, Toronto-East Markets Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  February 5th, 2021 Now that we have begun a new year, it feels like, in many ways, that we have passed not just a temporal marker but, also, a symbolic one. While we work...

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[Report] Q4 2020: Toronto-North Markets

Q4 2020 Insight, Toronto-North Markets Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  January 29th, 2021 Now that we have begun a new year, it feels like, in many ways, that we have passed not just a temporal marker but, also, a symbolic one. While we work...

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[Report] Q4 2020: Toronto-Central Markets

Q4 2020 Insight, Toronto-Central Markets Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  January 22nd, 2021 Now that we have begun a new year, it feels like, in many ways, that we have passed not just a temporal marker but, also, a symbolic one. While we work...

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Multi-Storey Industrial Warehouses in Action

Multi-Storey Industrial Warehouses in Action The Future of Industrial Warehousing January 15th, 2020 Let me tell you a story. This isn’t the one with a daring hero or an epic journey against insurmountable odds. Nor is it one with a happy ending. In fact, it has no...

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Wishing You the Best of the Holiday Season

Wishing You the Best of the Holiday Season, Health, and Happiness in the New Year December 18th, 2020 As this year comes to a close, I am moved to reflect on what has been one of the most unique and challenging years for our team and our families... as well as for...

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The Perfect Storm or Rising Sea Levels?

The Perfect Storm or Rising Sea Levels? The Future of Industrial Warehousing December 11th, 2020 Let me tell you a story. This isn’t the one with a daring hero or an epic journey against insurmountable odds. Nor is it one with a happy ending. In fact, it has no ending...

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The Anatomy of a Multi-Storey Industrial Warehouse

The Anatomy of a Multi-Storey Industrial Warehouse The Future of Industrial Warehousing December 4th, 2020 Let me tell you a story. This isn’t the one with a daring hero or an epic journey against insurmountable odds. Nor is it one with a happy ending. In fact, it has...

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The Case For (And Against) Multi-Storey

The Case For (And Against) Multi-Storey The Future of Industrial Warehousing November 27th, 2020 Let me tell you a story. This isn’t the one with a daring hero or an epic journey against insurmountable odds. Nor is it one with a happy ending. In fact, it has no ending...

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A Story About Multi-Storey Industrial Warehousing

A Story About Multi-Storey The Future of Industrial Warehousing November 20th, 2020 Let me tell you a story. This isn’t the one with a daring hero or an epic journey against insurmountable odds. Nor is it one with a happy ending. In fact, it has no ending at all, as...

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[Report] Q3 2020: Toronto-West Markets

Q3 2020 Insight, Toronto-West Markets Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  November 13th, 2020 This has been the second quarter operating under COVID-19 and the resulting economic shutdowns. Obviously, events had a big impact on commercial real...

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[Report] Q3 2020: Toronto-East Markets

How Much Is Your Building Really Worth? Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  Q3 2020 Insight, Toronto-East Markets November 6th, 2020 This has been the second quarter operating under COVID-19 and the resulting economic shutdowns. Obviously, events...

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[Report] Q3 2020: Toronto-North Markets

Q3 2020 Insight, Toronto-North Markets Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  October 30th, 2020 This has been the second quarter operating under COVID-19 and the resulting economic shutdowns. Obviously, events had a big impact on commercial real...

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[Report] Q3 2020: Toronto-Central Markets

Q3 2020 Insight, Toronto-Central Markets Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  October 23rd, 2020 This has been the second quarter operating under COVID-19 and the resulting economic shutdowns. Obviously, events had a big impact on commercial real...

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The Bottleneck in Industrial Supply

The Bottleneck in Industrial Supply Examining the GTA’s Industrial Pipeline & Supply Challenges October 9th, 2020 Historically, developers and investors in the GTA have only been able to complete and bring online about 5 Million SF of new construction every year....

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Industrial & E-Commerce: A Love Story

Industrial & E-Commerce: A Love Story The Impact of E-Commerce on the GTHA Industrial Real Estate Market September 25th, 2020 The recent pandemic and economic shutdowns forced all of us to re-establish our priorities and to re-think our businesses, our...

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The Sky Is the Limit in a Tight Market

The Sky Is the Limit In a Tight Market Adding Value and Marketability to Existing Industrial Properties Through Roof Lifting September 11th, 2020 It’s become apparent over the past few years just how in-demand industrial properties have become. Specifically, investors...

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[Report] Q2 2020: Toronto-East Markets

How Much Is Your Building Really Worth? Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  Q2 2020 Insight, Toronto-East Markets September 4th, 2020 This has been the first full quarter operating under COVID-19 and the resulting economic shutdowns. Obviously,...

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[Report] Q2 2020: Toronto-West Markets

How Much Is Your Building Really Worth? Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  Q2 2020 Insight, Toronto-West Markets August 28th, 2020 This year started off extremely strong with vacancy rates hitting historically low levels and net rental rates...

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[Report] Q2 2020: Toronto-North Markets

How Much Is Your Building Really Worth? Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  Q2 2020 Insight, Toronto-North Markets August 21st, 2020 This has been the first full quarter operating under COVID-19 and the resulting economic shutdowns. Obviously,...

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[Report] Q2 2020: Toronto-Central Markets

How Much Is Your Building Really Worth? Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  Q2 2020 Insight, Toronto-Central Markets August 14th, 2020 This has been the full first quarter operating under COVID-19 and the resulting economic shutdowns. Obviously,...

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[2/2] 5 Strategies for Successful Lease Renewals

5 Strategies for Successful Lease Renewals Securing Your Occupancy in a Tight (and Uncertain) Market August 7th, 2020 It has never been more important to reduce as much risk in your business as possible. When it comes to your operational footprint, this means...

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The Evolution of Industrial Space in a Digital World

Adapting Warehouse & Distribution Facility Design to Meet New Demands The Evolution of Industrial Space in a Digital World July 24th, 2020 As e-commerce has continued to grow in popularity over the past decade, supply chains have had to adapt to accommodate not...

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[2/2] The Anatomy of a Sale-Leaseback

The Anatomy of a Sale-Leaseback How to Pull Liquidity Out of Your Real Estate July 17th, 2020 Owning your real estate has often been encouraged as a way to build equity and grow your own portfolio of assets. Especially if you and your business have been around for any...

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[1/2] Leveraging Sale-Leasebacks to Generate Extra Capital

Leveraging Sale-Leasebacks to Generate Extra Capital How to Pull Liquidity Out of Your Real Estate July 10th, 2020 Owning your real estate has often been encouraged as a way to build equity and grow your own portfolio of assets. Especially if you and your business...

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[3/3] What Happens When a Vendor Fails to Cover Costs?

Environmental Insurance Applications in Commercial Real Estate Insuring Against Potential Failed Payment Scenarios June 26th, 2020 As the Greater Toronto Area evolves into a mature metropolis, it will continue to experience the growing pains that come from rapid...

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[2/3] How to Safely Redevelop Contaminated Land

Environmental Insurance Applications in Commercial Real Estate Redeveloping Land Historically Used by a Gas Station Facility June 19th, 2020 As the Greater Toronto Area evolves into a mature metropolis, it will continue to experience the growing pains that come from...

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How to Optimize HVAC Systems for a Healthy Workplace

Preventing Future Outbreaks as We Reopen the Economy June 5th, 2020 As we inch our way towards the re-opening of the economy, many companies are examining their entire business plan, their financials, and their workforce to both keep their operations afloat and their...

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How Much Is Your Building Really Worth?

Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  Q1 2020 Insight, Toronto-West Markets May 29th, 2020 This year started off extremely strong with vacancy rates hitting historically low levels and net rental rates increasing in excess of 20% year over year....

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How Much Is Your Building Really Worth?

Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  Q1 2020 Insight, Toronto-East Markets May 22nd, 2020 The GTA-East Industrial Markets are the smallest in the GTA with about 42,000,000 SF; just 5% of overall Industrial Inventory in the entire region. This year...

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[Report] Q1 2020: Toronto-North Markets

How Much Is Your Building Really Worth? Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  Q1 2020 Insight, Toronto-North Markets May 15th, 2020 This year started off extremely strong with vacancy rates hitting historically low levels and net rental rates...

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How Much Is Your Building Really Worth?

Establishing True Valuations Across Differing Markets  Q1 2020 Insight, Toronto-Central Markets May 8th, 2020 This year started off extremely strong with vacancy rates hitting historically low levels and net rental rates increasing in excess of 20% year over year....

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COVID-19 Update for May 1st, 2020

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) Program Dear Clients and Colleagues, The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives like nothing ever before…. Its implications on the healthcare system, financial markets, and economy are far-reaching… including...

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COVID-19 Update for April 24, 2020

Recovery Readiness - Best Practices for Reopening Workplaces Dear Clients and Colleagues, The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives like nothing ever before…. Its implications on the healthcare system, financial markets, and economy are far-reaching… including...

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COVID-19 Update for April 17, 2020

Implications for Real Estate Investors and Occupiers Exploring Lease Provisions - Part 2 Dear Clients and Colleagues, The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives like nothing ever before…. Its implications on the healthcare system, financial markets, and economy are...

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COVID-19 Update for April 10, 2020

Implications for Real Estate Investors and Occupiers Exploring Lease Provisions - Part 1 Dear Clients and Colleagues, The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives like nothing ever before…. Its implications on the healthcare system, financial markets, and economy are...

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COVID-19 Update for April 3, 2020

Implications for Real Estate Investors and Occupiers Dear Clients and Colleagues, The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives like nothing ever before…. Its implications on the healthcare system, financial markets, and economy are far-reaching… including commercial...

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COVID-19 Update for March 27, 2020

Implications for Real Estate Investors and Occupiers Dear Clients and Colleagues, The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives like nothing ever before…. Its implications on the healthcare system, financial markets, and economy are far-reaching… and that includes...

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We Are Here And Available to Help You

Dear Clients and Colleagues, COVID-19 has introduced considerable uncertainty and challenges into our lives. We feel it is imperative to stay healthy and support one another. Our aspirations and hopes to achieve will await us once this, too, shall pass. Investors,...

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Electrical Systems in Industrial Buildings

. Electrical Systems in Industrial Buildings Powering Your Business’ Operations March 13th, 2020   Agree or disagree? “Rental rates are not the most important factor that Tenants should consider in their decision-making process.” Sure, on principle, one should always...

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Industrial Racking and Automation Systems

Industrial Racking and Automation Systems

Optimizing and Maximizing Your Industrial Facilities Users of Industrial space are aware of the arduous process of identifying, securing, and occupying properties to house their operations. Space is hard to find… and it’s becoming expensive. And when you do find it,...

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Optimizing Your Property’s Tax Bill

Optimizing Your Property’s Tax Bill

Property Taxes and Industrial Buildings in the GTA   Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 1789 “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world, nothing can be said to be certain,...

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Durham Retail Portfolio For Sale

Durham Retail Portfolio For Sale

Here's What You Need to Know: Three Retail Plazas located in the East end of the GTA. A total of 275,000 square feet of building area and 13.5 acres of land. All assets have income in place at below-market rents. Major upside on future redevelopment of the properties....

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2019 Year At A Glance: Top 10 Lease & Sales Transactions

2019 Year At A Glance: Top 10 Lease & Sales Transactions

Just as we deep-dived into the Top New Developments and Land Sales last week - with our higher-level narrative surrounding the lack of available product forcing high-quality Users and/or Developers to build on spec or pre-lease new development - there needs to be...

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Understanding HVAC Systems in Industrial Buildings…

Understanding HVAC Systems in Industrial Buildings…

How to Maximize and Preserve the Value of Your Investment - Part 4 Maintenance, Repairs and Capital Replacement Plans for Industrial Buildings - Heating and Air Conditioning Systems If you are an investor that owns and manages an industrial building or a portfolio of...

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This Crucial Building Component Can Come Back to Haunt You

This Crucial Building Component Can Come Back to Haunt You

How to Maximize and Preserve the Value of Your Investment - Part 3 Maintenance, Repairs, and Capital Replacement Plans for Industrial Buildings - Industrial Roofing If you are an investor that owns and manages an industrial building or a portfolio of industrial...

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How Investors Should Structure Their Leases

How Investors Should Structure Their Leases

How to Maximize and Preserve the Value of Your Investment - Part 2 Last week we introduced our series on Maximizing and Preserving the Value of Your Investment, where we specifically talked about producing a “Maintenance, Repairs, and Capital Replacement Plan” to...

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How to Maximize and Preserve the Value of Your Investment

How to Maximize and Preserve the Value of Your Investment

Maintenance, Repairs, and Capital Replacement Plans for Industrial Buildings If you are an investor that owns and manages an industrial building or a portfolio of industrial buildings, then you will know that how you deal with the regular ongoing building maintenance,...

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Redevelopment Site – Opportunity to Purchase

Redevelopment Site – Opportunity to Purchase

2090 Jane Street, Toronto Redevelopment Site or Commercial / Educational User Opportunity SUBJECT PROPERTY 2090 Jane Street, Toronto A North York property located less than a kilometer from the Highway 400-401 interchange presents users/investors with diverse...

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Industrial Building Development Process – Part 5

Industrial Building Development Process – Part 5

Creating Opportunity Where There Seemingly Is None... Developing an industrial property in the City of Toronto is a complex and ever-changing process with many requirements; including reports, studies, filings, and procedures.  Over the past few weeks, we have gone...

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Our Insight Q1 2019

Our Insight Q1 2019

STATE OF THE GTA INDUSTRIAL MARKET,  Q1 2019 GTA Q1 2019 KEY STATS   Vacancy Rates Average Asking  Net Rental Rates Absorption Under Construction CAP Rates 1.5% $7.63 PSF 0.59 M SF 11 M SF 4.5% - 4.7% GTA VACANCY RATE PLUMMETS TO 1.5%   The GTA Industrial...

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Our Insight Q2 2019

Our Insight Q2 2019

STATE OF THE GTA INDUSTRIAL MARKET,  Q2 2019 GTA Q2 2019 KEY STATS   Vacancy Rates Average Asking  Net Rental Rates Absorption Under Construction CAP Rates 1.4% $8.23 PSF 0.90 M SF 12.8 M SF 4.5% - 4.75% GTA VACANCY RATE AT HISTORICALLY LOW LEVELS   The GTA...

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Our Insight Q4 2018

Our Insight Q4 2018

STATE OF THE GTA INDUSTRIAL MARKET,  Q4 2018 GTA Q4 2018 KEY STATS     Vacancy Rates Average Asking  Net Rental Rates Absorption Under Construction CAP Rates 1.5% $7.40 PSF 2.95 M SF 9.6 M SF 4.5% - 4.7% GTA VACANCY RATE PLUMMETS TO 1.5% The GTA Industrial...

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Our Insight Q2 2018

Our Insight Q2 2018

STATE OF THE GTA INDUSTRIAL MARKET,  Q2 2018 GTA Q2  2018 KEY STATS Vacancy Rates Average Asking  Net Rental Rates Absorption Under Construction CAP Rates 2.1% $7.20 PSF 9.4 M SF 5.2 M SF 4.5% - 5.0% IT IS VERY HARD TO FIND THE "RIGHT SPACE" IN THE GREATER TORONTO...

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Industrial Building Development Process – Part 3

Industrial Building Development Process – Part 3

Creating Opportunity Where There Seemingly Is None... While we often speak about maximizing profits and understanding the analytical side of commercial real estate, there is also a flip-side as it relates to quality of life and doing long-term good. This is evident...

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Industrial Building Development Process – Part 4

Industrial Building Development Process – Part 4

Creating Opportunity Where There Seemingly Is None... Developing an industrial property in the City of Toronto is a complex and ever-changing process with many requirements; including reports, studies, filings, and procedures.  Over the past few weeks, we have gone...

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Industrial Building Development Process – Part 2

Industrial Building Development Process – Part 2

Creating Opportunity Where There Seemingly Is None... Sometimes, on the surface, it just doesn’t make sense to invest. Perhaps you will need to overpay. Perhaps you will need to wait longer than you would like. Or perhaps you will need to take on too much risk to get...

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Industrial Building Development Process

Industrial Building Development Process

Creating Opportunity Where There Seemingly Is None... Long gone are the days of finding easy opportunity. Back when you could simply search MLS, make a few phone calls, or drive around and see signage posted on well-situated plots of land going for relatively cheap…...

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[3/3] The Story of Toronto’s Industrial Real Estate Market

[3/3] The Story of Toronto’s Industrial Real Estate Market

Part 3 - What’s Next For the GTA Industrial Market in 2019 and Beyond? As we have previously stated, we anticipate the supply of available industrial product to continue to be constrained while demand continues to increase,leading to further increases in rental rates…...

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Industrial Condo Conversion, What Does it Take?

Industrial Condo Conversion, What Does it Take?

An alternative approach to finding returns in a low-yield market… An increasing number of value-add investors are on the hunt for multi-tenant industrial buildings suitable for conversion to condominium units. How exactly does one do that? Well, before I explain, I...

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How to Successfully Convert Industrial Condos

How to Successfully Convert Industrial Condos

Capitalizing on alternative approaches in a low-yield market… Last week we discussed the merits of converting multi-tenant industrial buildings to condominiums, while also examining a couple of case studies and recent industrial condo conversion activity. We...

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Determining Your Property’s Value… Is it Art or Science?

Determining Your Property’s Value… Is it Art or Science?

Don’t Sell or Lease Your Real Estate Until You Read This… Part 3 It’s no surprise that Buyers and Sellers want to know what an industrial building is worth. It’s also no secret as to how Real Estate Professionals come up with the ‘number,’ at least when performing one...

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Use this Report to Maximize Your Property’s Sale Price

Use this Report to Maximize Your Property’s Sale Price

Determining The Highest and Best Use Through a Development Options Report Quite often I am asked to assist with determining the value of an industrial building. The answer is not always that simple, especially within the City of Toronto due to its rapid growth and...

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