Jodi Summers = Industrial Real Estate

CALIFORNIA MANUFACTURING EXCEEDS EXPECATIONS

Edited by Jodi Summers

We quite enjoyed the California map we found on the NewGeography.com website. It details individual industries that are driving states to be more (or less) competitive. This graphic, powered by Tableu Software, breaks down the performance of the 20 major sectors in terms of expected and actual job change from 2007-2011. When you check out the California statistics, notice how we excelled beyond expectations in manufacturing with 1,353,192 jobs in 2011.

**

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002635-interactive-graphic-ranking-states-by-competitiveness

EARTHQUAKE PERSONAL SAFETY + BUILDING SAFETY

Edited by Jodi Summers

Earthquake Safety for You + Yours

• Doorways are no stronger than any other part of the structure. During an earthquake, get under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on. This will provide some protection from falling objects that can injure you during an earthquake.
• Become aware of fire evacuation and earthquake plans for all of the buildings you occupy regularly. Be sure your tenants know escape routes.
• Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could topple over.
  • Practice drop, cover and hold on in each safe place. If you do not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.

• Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed.

Earthquake Safety for Your Property + Fixtures

• Make sure your property is securely anchored to its foundation.
• Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs.
• Bolt bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs.
• Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets.
• Large or heavy items should be closest to the floor.
• Learn how to shut off the gas valves on your properties and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.
• Keep and maintain an emergency supplies kit in an easy-to-access location.

Properties at Increased Risk

• Mobile homes and homes not attached to their foundations are at particular risk during an earthquake.

• Buildings with foundations resting on landfill and other unstable soils are at increased risk of damage.

• Contact your local emergency management office, local American Red Cross chapter, state geological survey or department of natural resources for more details.

**

Copyright © 2009 by the American National Red Cross | Stock No. 658515

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Earthquake.pdf

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0193595.html

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6qWTDYKIGOo/TELCh59-2BI/AAAAAAAAAPw/8iXnO3yfsoE/s400/earthquake68.jpg

http://blog.2012pro.com/wp-content/uploads/Safety_Tips_2012_How_to_Survive_an_Earthquake.jpg

http://ysgol-rhyngrwyd-igcse.wikispaces.com/file/view/Haz2_LA_ad.png/80255203/Haz2_LA_ad.png

http://www.sanleandro.org/images/CD/EarthRetro_1.jpg

http://i.ehow.co.uk/images/a06/ha/f5/commercial-building-equipment-inspection-checklist-1.1-800X800.jpg

http://robertgsarmiento.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/earthquakes-4.jpg

http://www.seismic.ca.gov/images/earthquake_1.jpg

WHAT’S IN YOUR SURVIVAL KIT?

Edited by Jodi Summers

It’s not that we’re having more disasters, it’s that the planet has more people. Experts now recommend that disaster survivors be prepared to be self-sufficient for up to 7 days. The U.S. Geological Survey, City of Los Angeles Fire Department, California Office of Emergency Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross have come up with the supplies you should have at home, at work and in your car, so that you can best survive a disaster.

At Work

• Dry food, such as candy bars, dried fruit, jerky & crackers

• Water or orange juice

• Tennis shoes or walking shoes

• First aid kit, flashlight & portable radio with extra batteries, matches

• Small & large plastic bags, toiletries

• Entertainment pack of family photos, notebooks, reading material & games

At Home

• Nonperishable packaged or canned food

• A gallon of water per person per day (replace every 6 months & count pets)

• Manuel can opener, fire extinguisher

• First aid kit & handbook

• Clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes

• Blankets, portable radio, flashlight & spare batteries

• Essential medications & list of family physicians  and the style & serial number of medical devices such as a pacemaker

• Extra eyeglasses, Extra set of house & car keys

• Toilet paper, toiletries

• Pet food, water & leash or carrier

• Cash & small change

• Water purification kit or unscented liquid bleach (eight drops per gallon when water is first stored)

• Any special foods & supplies for babies, the disabled or elderly

• Plastic eating utensils, paper cups, plates & paper towels

• Heavy duty aluminum foil, matches in waterproof container

• Knife, razor blades, Candles & light sticks

• Work gloves, broom, hammer & nails, coils of rope & wire

• Ax, crow bar & shovel, Small tool kit

• Cheesecloth (to strain water), Large & small plastic bags

• Two tarps, 8ft by 10 feet

• Local street map & compass, paper, pens & stamps

• Entertainment pack of family photos, notebooks, reading material & games

In the Car

• Nylon tote or day pack, first aid kit, gloves

• Bottled water, nonperishable food, manual can opener

• Transistor radio, flashlight & extra batteries, blankets

• Sealable plastic bags, matches & lighter, small tool kit

• Walking shoes, extra socks, change of clothes

• Cash (small bills, coins), Local street map

**

Sources: USGS, City of Los Angeles Fire Department, California Office of Emergency Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross

http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/japan

http://mommybeta.squarespace.com/storage/kit_BP02_lowres.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1299935828891

http://www.socalmultiunitrealestateblog.com/?p=1087

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01562/haiti-rescue_1562313c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3325105687_b2bcb1ec3e.jpg

http://www.ulzi.net/new-zealand-earthquake-survivor-pulled-from-rubble-hundreds-still-missing-s

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/2/28/1267391575817/chile-earthquake-survivor-001.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nWpwm6lhWUs/S8gM4c-YbZI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/mj5seZnmcXU/s1600/China+Earthquake+Survivor.jpg

LOS ANGELES, ARE YOU READY FOR THE BIG ONE?

by Jodi Summers

The Himalayas, Japan, New Zealand, Chile – various points on the Pacific Ring of Fire have been active in the last year…but nothing grand has happened on the Pacific coast of North America. Kind of makes you wonder when then next disaster will hit us?

As a refresher, the Ring of Fire is an area where large numbers of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean. In a 40,000 km (25,000 mi) horseshoe shape, it is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and/or plate movements. The Ring of Fire has 452 volcanoes and is home to over 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes. Los Angeles is part of the ring.

At home in Los Angeles, we’ve grown comfortable since the 1994 tragedy of the Northridge Earthquake. But, in the back of our minds, we all know another one can strike as stealthfully as the magnitude 6.3 quake did in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Feb 22, 2011. Collectively, as a city, we pray that nothing as horrible as the magnitude 8.8 earthquake that occurred off the coast of the Maule and Biobío regions of Chile on February 27, 2010; or the devastating 9.0 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear melt down that struck northern Japan on March 11th; will ever happen here.

But, when we have the next disaster in Los Angeles, are you ready?

Statistics show 82% of you just said no.

You can be.

The Red Cross advises that there are two stages involved in disaster preparedness.

This first stage requires three blocks of time for putting keepsakes and documents together. The second stage of disaster prep and maintenance will require one day a month to check on everything.

Time One: Plan

Basic steps: “My No. 1 tip is to make a plan,” declared Keith Robertory, a preparedness expert with the American Red Cross. “If you’ve thought about it, you’ll be that much better prepared to act.” His suggestion – gather your household together to talk about these three questions. Put your answers on paper.

1. What types of emergencies could occur? Consider residential fires, as well as natural and man-made disasters.

2. Where would you go? The Red Cross says that residential fires are the most common disaster. Choose a meeting place outside and practice two evacuation routes from each room. Map the possible routes out of the neighborhood, and think about where you and your pets would stay if you had to leave your home. (Most emergency shelters do not accept pets. Ask your veterinarian for suggestions.) Next consider a “shelter-in-place” plan should a plague or an earthquake confines you to home – what supplies would you need and, depending on the emergency, which rooms would be safest?

3. Who would you contact? What would happen if an emergency occurred while you were at work or school? Agree on a preferred meeting place and identify two people to call if you can’t reach one another: one local contact and one out-of-state contact (long distance lines may be freer in times of crisis.) Everyone in your household should keep these names and phone numbers handy – say, in your cell phone and wallet. Additional steps: Every six months, review and update your plan and conduct an evacuation drill.

Time Two: Survival Kit

Basic steps: A basic survival kit should include enough nonperishable food and water for three days, a battery-operated radio and flashlight, and first aid supplies. Remember to include personal items (e.g., cash, prescription medications, diapers.). Choose a container like a backpack or a box that’s easy to carry. Additionally, you may want to put all of your important contact information for such assets as bank and investment accounts, credit cards, loan lenders, medical insurance, etc…

Additional steps: Every six months, re-evaluate your kit and update items. Be prepared; keep a kit in your car and at your workplace. Prepare a brief list – or even a box – of valuable or sentimental items you would grab if there were time.

Time Three: Review Your Insurance

Basic steps: Read your insurance policies; talk about potential emergencies with your insurance agent to make sure you understand what’s covered. You might need additional insurance. Typical homeowners or renters insurance policies don’t cover every calamity. For example, most policies in California don’t cover landslides, earthquakes, or floods. How much do you want to be insured for? What do you own? Take inventory of the items in your home. This will help you calculate how much coverage you might need for your personal possessions. Additionally, it will serve as a record should you file a claim. Try a room-by-room approach: For each item of value, note its brand, model, approximate date acquired, and estimated purchase and replacement costs. Videotape your contents and put the tape in your safe deposit box. Attach copies of receipts and other documents. This will keep you very, very busy.

May you never need to use your disaster preparedness kit. But, if there is a time when a lot of us are accessing them, you can bet there will be some fine values to be had in Los Angeles real estate.

**

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Chile_earthquake

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pacific_Ring_of_Fire.svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sanandreas.jpg

http://www.adamcarolla.com/ACPBlog/wp-content/gallery/2010-11-26-dr-drew/02-santa-monica-freeway-earthquake-damage.gif

http://www.nap.edu/books/0309090644/xhtml/images/p200087ceg24001.jpg

http://www.socalmultiunitrealestateblog.com/?p=16

http://www.worldofstock.com/stock_photos/PSO1911.php

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85xevkRFYBA/TWNOWgTwJVI/AAAAAAAAJXA/7wTTOGQwXP0/s1600/Christ%2Bchurch%2Bcathedral%2Bafter.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6riy1SOKuQ/TIT4z37amjI/AAAAAAAAFqU/LsM5JxoX0tA/s1600/7.1-magnitude+quake+that+rocked+New+Zealand+earthquake+occurred+on+previously+undetected+fault+line++1.jpg

http://www.geardiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/japan-2011-tsunami-earthquake-2-700×466.jpg

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=92d51a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD

SOCAL INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT- JANUARY 2012 > THINK DOUBLING EXPORTS

by Jodi Summers

Happy New Years! And it may be a good year for industrial real estate in Southern California. Though not yet thriving, the Los Angeles industrial real estate market is coming back. 2010 saw the strongest sales volume since the pre-recession days of 2008. Los Angeles area pricing is stable, though vacancy rates are high and port activity has fallen.

Here is where we are at according to Jones Lang LaSalle’s recent Los Angeles Industrial Outlook: in 3Q 2011 Los Angeles recorded $527 million of investment activity, for a projected annual total in the $1.2 billion range.  The average sales price in Los Angles is more than $85 per square foot, a 9.8% increase from the previous quarter. Cap rates have come down to a more solid 7.3%, and prime properties are in diminished supply. We begin 2012 knowing that for all intensive purpose SoCal Industrial Real Estate is off the bottom.

Los Angeles is seeing strong sales performances. The mid-counties area is the local winner with the highest level of net absorption, while the South Bay had the highest volume of vacant space. Northern L.A. industrial is on the rise. Vacancy in Orange County is down 4.6% to 2008 levels, with activity by the airport and port markets.

The Inland Empire is experience strong growth with net absorption and vacancy levels not seen since 2007. Asking rents in the Inland Empire have registered 6.5% growth since 4Q10.

Overall our broad-based recovery has been stalled because of falling cargo volume, as LAX as well as the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach experienced another decline in trade volumes over the year.

The slowdown in global air cargo has impacted the flow of good through Los Angeles International Airport which is North America’s largest Pacific air gateway. Freight volume at LAX has registered a -4.1% through 3Q11, primarily due to lower shipments from Asia.

At the ports, containers handled in November declined -5.8% on a year-over-year basis to 1,153,990 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Nonetheless, at the Port of Los Angeles, total containers were up by +4.1% on a year-to-year basis. (Take note that the declines at the Port of Long Beach are not only attributed to the deceleration of two-way trade. The Port of Long Beach is no longer operating the Hyundai cargo terminal, which moved to the Port of Los Angeles.)

Investors, take note > as you know the U.S. is pursuing its goal of doubling exports by the end of 2014. Thus, the outbound (export) side must expand > good for industrial production and warehousing throughout the region. Marketing and education from the Port of Los Angeles has seen 14 straight months of growth averaging close to +12%. Watch this market sector strengthen.

We’re here to help you with your commercial and investment property needs. Please contact Jodi Summers and the SoCal Investment Real Estate Group @ Sotheby’s International Realty – jodi@jodisummers.com or 310.392.1211, and let us move forward together.

**

http://www.joneslanglasalle-ca.com/research/los_angeles/Los_Angeles_Q2_2011_%20Industrial_Outlook.pdf

http://www.joneslanglasalle-ca.com/research/3Q2011/LA-Industrial-Highlights-3Q11.pdf

http://www.us.am.joneslanglasalle.com/ResearchLevel1/Los%20Angeles_Q32011_%20Industrial%20Outlook.pdf

http://laedc.org/eedge/index.html

http://www.portoflosangeles.org/maritime/stats.asp

http://www.polb.com/

REASSESS YOUR REAL ESTATE AND SAVE THOUSANDS IN PROPERTY TAXES

by Dan Auld

Bill Gunderson knows what rich people own. What they buy and sell. And what they pay in property taxes. As one of America’s top wealth managers, he’s seen it all.

And without a doubt, he says the easiest way for property owners to make money is to reassess the value of their homes to reduce property taxes.

“People all over America are paying way too much in property taxes,” Gunderson said. “And it is easy to see why: Property values have crashed, in many cases by 50% and more. But many are still paying taxes on the former value of their homes.”

The owner of a commercial building in Southern California, for example, recently received a property tax bill based on an assessed value of $2.6 million, But the property has been listed for half of that for almost a year — and still no takers.

“That person is paying tens of thousands a year too much,” Gunderson says. “In many states more.”

Many do not notice that because their property taxes are paid automatically as part of their mortgage payment. “It is the most expensive and common mistake I see,” Gunderson said. “And the most important and easiest to fix.”

Examples are easy to find. And easy to understand. But Gunderson says the real challenge is filing the application to have your assessment reduced. It is not that hard.

Some companies will charge you a few hundred dollars to perform this service, and that can be the most productive investment you will make all year.

The filing deadline to appeal this year’s assessment varies by state and county.

In Utah, the deadline is 45 days after receipt of your assessment, which is mailed out in July. In California you have from Apil through the deadline of November 30.

But usually that is for taxes due next year. So if you have a bill based on an unrealistic assessment, you still have to pay that. Fair or not.

“That is ridiculous,” Gunderson said. “These property tax bills should go down automatically. But they don’t. So you have to pay attention and present evidence from comparable values or recent appraisals that show you property is over-valued.”

“It’s not that hard to do. You just download a form from your local tax assessor’s office then send it in.”

Even some of the big shot accountants for very wealthy people do not pay enough attention to this, Gunderson said. And it is not just for homes, it is also for commercial properties, rentals, and other tax-paying entities.

Gunderson is a frequent guest on national news and financial shows, including America Live with Megyn Kelly, America’s Nighty Scoreboard with David Asman, Bloomberg News, Barron’s, and dozens of others.

He is also the author of the Best Stocks Now app. “It is good to know all about earnings and stock reports and new products and other things that are important to an investment portfolio,” Gunderson said. “But making sure the county assessor has the correct value for your property is for many people found money, free money. But first you have to read your property tax bill and compare it to what your property is worth. The rest is easy.”

**

http://standupforamerica.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/property-tax-cartoon.jpg

http://www.newsli.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/waste.jpg

http://discoverspringtexas.com/files/2009/01/save-money-on-spring-texas-real-estate-taxes.jpg

http://whiteoaksblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/taxes1.jpg

http://westorlandonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/property_tax.jpg

http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-page-main/ehow/images/a07/k4/v1/property-tax-deducted-federal-taxes-800×800.jpg