Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) — Jed Kolko, chief economist at Trulia.com, talks about the website for homebuyers, sellers and agents, demand for distressed properties in the U.S., and the outlook for recovery in housing prices.
Kolko speaks with Tom Keene on Bloomberg Television’s "Surveillance Midday." Jonathan Miller, chief executive officer of Miller Samuel Inc., also speaks. (Source: Bloomberg)

Duration : 0:5:59

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http://www.reit.com Kimco Realty Corp.’s (NYSE: KIM) decision to go public in 1991 kicked off what is now considered the Modern REIT Era. Twenty years later, Kimco President and CEO David Henry says the company’s initial public offering (IPO) changed the face of commercial real estate investment.

In a video interview with REIT.com at REITWorld 2011: NAREIT’s Annual Convention For All Things REIT in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole hotel, Henry reflected on the development of the REIT industry in the last two decades. Today, equity REITs have become a widely accepted way to invest in commercial real estate, according to Henry, whereas that might not have been the case prior to Kimco’s IPO.

“Before Kimco became public in 1991, REITs were primarily mortgage REITs with somewhat of a jaded history,” Henry said. “It was really the beginning of a 20-year trend of the growth and the acceptance of equity REITs.”

The attending benefits of the REIT approach to commercial real estate investment have been significant, Henry said. They include liquidity, transparency and a consistent dividend. Henry also noted that REITs’ restrained use of leverage offers investors stability.

“We like to emphasize the balance sheets of REITs are quite strong,” he said. “We’re talking about leverage levels less than 50 percent, so it’s a safe, strong, reliable means to invest in real estate.”

Henry said the man who took Kimco public, chairman Milton Cooper, instilled a culture of “being a good partner” within the company.

“He treats everyone with dignity and respect, and he’s genuinely interested in people,” Henry said. “Treat others the same way you would have them treat you.”

Looking ahead to the next 20 years, Henry said he expects the company’s growth to come from international markets. Kimco already has a presence in Mexico, Canada and South America. He also said the company will continue its investment management program on behalf of major institutional investors, such as pension funds.

Lastly, Henry said Kimco will continue to make “opportunistic” investments.

“Kimco has a 50-year history of being opportunistic,” he said. “We will continue to make opportunistic investment bets with retailers.”

By Matt Bechard

Duration : 0:3:36

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Doug Reynolds, a Sacramento Area Realtor, discusses the topic with a local appraiser. Ryan Lundquist, Ludquist Appraisal Company, explains the complexities of how distressed properties (bank owned forclosures and short sales) affect the overall prices in the Sacramento Area real estate market. Give Ryan a call or email if you have any questions about the value of your home (http://sacramentoappraisalblog.com/)

Duration : 0:3:28

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Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) — Nicholas Colas, chief market strategist at ConvergEx Group, talks about his recommendation of real estate investment trusts, or REITs.
Colas also discusses the outlook for the U.S. housing market. He speaks with Adam Johnson on Bloomberg Television’s “Street Smart.” (Source: Bloomberg)

Duration : 0:4:5

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Nov. 1 (Bloomberg) — Kevin Finkel, executive vice president at Resource Real Estate, talks about the U.S. housing market and investment in multifamily and distressed properties.
He speaks with Deirdre Bolton on Bloomberg Television’s “Money Moves.” (Source: Bloomberg)

Duration : 0:6:21

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