What are the top lessons learned over a four-decade real estate investing career? What are his thoughts on the current real estate investing market compared to other difficult markets that he has been through in the past? Is there such a thing as work-life balance? We are chatting with Stephen Bittel, Chairman and founder of Terranova Corporation, he manages their sizeable portfolio of properties in several asset classes such as retail, multi-family and office.

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What is like investing today compared to the past?

This is the hardest investment market we have ever participated in. There's staggering uncertainty about the future, with half of the pundits predicting a recession and others foreseeing a soft landing. People simply don't know what's coming, and this uncertainty freezes both debt and equity capital.

Part of the challenge today is that most of the people making investment decisions have only experienced an era of continually declining interest rates and cap rates, where you didn't have to be particularly skilled to make money. However, the current situation is different. While there was a brief interruption in the last quarter of 2008 and 2009, the past 15 years, and even longer for those under 50, have been relatively stable. Positive leverage, which used to be a hallmark of real estate investing, is now extremely difficult to achieve. In the past, we could finance properties at lower rates than their initial yield, resulting in immediate profitability. However, achieving such positive leverage today is nearly impossible. Despite this, we continue to invest in properties with tighter yields if we see opportunities to increase income.

What are some of the toughest lessons learned, and what advice would you give without someone having to experience it themselves?

Managing cash flow is crucial both corporately and at the property level. We've always prioritized managing our balance sheet, promptly paying down debt after liquidity events. The key lessons are:

1. Invest in projects with potential for revenue growth, especially in areas experiencing positive population growth.
2. Establish strong capital partnerships, as demonstrating the ability to close deals is vital. Seller financing can be advantageous for both parties.
3. Consider being a nonrecourse borrower to protect against personal liability in challenging times.
4. Honor loan covenants, and prioritize maintaining a clean balance sheet.

Regarding nonrecourse loans, although they may incur slightly higher costs, the benefits of a clean balance sheet outweigh the expense. While our model may not be replicable for everyone, I would advise paying the premium for nonrecourse loans if given the choice.

Commercial real estate is a fantastic industry with long-term wealth-building potential. While it's not without challenges, such as the current uncertainty in the market, it offers numerous advantages, including tax benefits and opportunities for cash-out financing. It's essential to treat real estate investment as a full-time commitment and to prioritize understanding the details of every transaction. Ultimately, success in this industry requires dedication, hard work, and a deep understanding of market dynamics.

Stephen Bittel

[email protected]

www.terranovacorp.com

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