Alex Kent, Managing Director of Symphonic Investments, has been actively involved with organizing key events for NAIOP since 2007 like The Summer Recruiting Party at The Olympic Club, The Holiday Party at Top of The Mark, and the Real Estate Insider series.  "Our firm has really enjoyed and benefited from NAIOP's world-class expert panel discussions and networking opportunities, and we're thrilled to be able to support the local chapter to continue it's important work in the commercial real estate industry", says Mr. Kent.

 Learn more about NAIOP's upcoming events.

When you look at the Forbes 400 and notice that a majority of its members made their billions at least partially from commercial real estate investments, you should be reminded that these families built their empires over decades, and in most cases, over generations. 

Commercial real estate investments provide investors with the benefits of: 1) on-going income, 2) mortgage interest and depreciation write-offs, 3) and appreciation through market inflation or through higher density, use entitlement lobbying.

You should consider investing in real estate markets that will enjoy strong long-term job creation and population growth.  For example, The San Francisco Bay Area is expected to grow by 1,700,000 over the next 25 years by 2035.  This is partially due to fact that 44% of all Venture Capital investments made in the United States were made in The Bay Area.  These VC investments directly create jobs, which drive the entire Bay Area economy - especially demand for both residential and commercial real estate.

If you are 45 years old today, 25 years is about the correct time-line you should consider your real estate investments for.  When you are 70, you'll likely be fully retired and enjoying the very low cost basis of your investment with the low property taxes and fully depreciated asset that's sheltered your lease income and other forms of income over the years.

Smart, conservative, and very wealthy family groups wouldn't be caught without a strong 15-20% allocation of their assets into commercial real estate.  Even the most conservative pension funds are finally realizing that they cannot survive the volatility of the modern stock & bond markets, without diversification into real estate.

For a more thorough discussion of your investment strategy, and how real estate can benefit your long-term returns, please contact Alex Kent, Managing Director, Symphonic Investments. alex.kent@symphonic-inv.com 650-793-0541.

Panel Discussion Moderated by Alex Kent, February 11th, 2009 

Alex Kent '03 created and moderated a panel discussion for the alumni clubs of  Chicago-Booth, Columbia, Duke-Fuqua, Harvard GSB, Kellogg, Stanford GSB, Wharton at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.

Panel:

Alex Kent '03 - Founder and Managing Director, Symphonic Investments

Ron Sann '94 - Founder and Principal, Ratel Investments

Erik Doyle - President, Cornish & Carey

Scott Peterson '87 - SVP Acquisitions, Digital Realty Trust

Written by Mark Heschmeyer, September 17, 2008

"The most immediate impact on commercial real estate markets will likely be further stagnation of both investment and leasing deal flow. Both investors and corporate real estate executives will turn to a "wait and see" strategy. Lehman, Merrill Lynch, AIG etc, will likely start to sell their commercial real estate assets to raise capital, which should increase investment supply and put downward pressure on selling prices."
-Alex Kent, Managing Director of Symphonic Investments

Written by Mark Heschmeyer, July 23, 2008

"The impact of inflation on commercial re will depend on how much landlords increase their rent in response to inflation.

In the near term, full service leases will be devalued as energy cost are absorbed by the landlord.

With most new leases being NNN, inflation may value up building near public transportation and devalue those further out.

Inflation will probably cause the fed to increase interest rates, which will improve the appeal of bonds, and increase the cost of real estate investments.  The total number of investors will be lessened creating more concentration in the ownership of properties."

-Alex Kent, Managing Director of Symphonic Investments

View Full Article

Panel Discussion Created and Moderated by Alex Kent, May 15, 2008

The Carlyle Group / CRG West started working with Alex Kent in January 2006 under contract to identify and assess off-market datacenter real estate investments in several national markets, resulting in the successful acquisition of a $XX M property.