It’s hard to believe, but Medicare’s open enrollment season began last week. And this year, as a result of the federal health reform law, seniors will have to brace for several changes. Seniors who rely on privately administered Medicare Advantage plans for their benefits will face the biggest adjustments. That’s too bad, as Medicare Advantage [...]
There has been an increase in the coverage about the Obama Administration’s desire to stimulate the housing market during the last few weeks. Housing stimulus and the reform of the housing finance agencies have taken a back seat during the summer months with the debt limit drama, but there seems to be renewed interest. Many [...]
Homeownership in the United States has been the cornerstone of personal finance for the better part of 50 years. As the Baby Boomer generation faces choices about downsizing their living quarters with the prospect of either full or partial retirement on the horizon, the decision to re-invest the proceeds of a McMansion to purchase a smaller [...]
Ok. We’ve been loathe to cover the debt ceiling drama but it appears that one of the key programs on the chopping block for the ‘Gang of Six’ proposal is the CLASS Act. The Gang of 6 plan calls for the repeal of the CLASS act as part of the ObamaCare plan, which is part [...]
Summertime is shorts weather, but we’re not talking about the “Bermuda” type. In the spirit of summer reading, I just finished “The Big Short” by Michael Lewis, author of the books “Liar’s Poker” and “The Blind Side.” For those who have not read “The Big Short”, it examines different business people taking short positions against the subprime [...]
What’s the over / under on longevity? A new financial derivative, also known as the death derivative, is garnering interest at many levels for its benefits for pension funds but also raising concerns about regulation and capital requirements. Pension funds are seeking to quantify and hedge their risk if their members live longer than anticipated. [...]
By Robert Blancato A new government report found that the President’s healthcare law has saved seniors $38 million in drug costs this year. Those are welcome savings to elderly patients across the country still struggling with the recession. These drug savings come from the health law’s provision phasing out the “donut hole” in Medicare’s Part [...]
A federal court in Washington, DC just handed down the fifth ruling in the ongoing battle over the constitutionality of ObamaCare. Tipping the previous 2-2 decisions in favor of the president’s plan, Kessler’s ruling is being viewed by many Obama supporters as a decisive victory. Her reasoning is worth a closer look, because it nicely [...]
Are Private Equity Firms the Next Big Investor in Senior Housing?
Most will agree that 2011 was the year of the REITs, with healthcare real estate investment trusts going on a $20 billion spending spree, writes the National Real Estate Investor, but in 2012, private equity firms could be the “next big investors in seniors housing.” “Private equity will be active this coming year in seniors [...]
Healthcare M&A Spending Swells 11% in 2011 to $227 Billion
Last year saw $227.4 billion worth of healthcare merger, acquisition, and takeover activity, representing an 11% increase from the $205.6 billion spend in 2010, according to Irving Levin Associates, Inc. In terms of financing dollars, 2011 was the fourth-largest year of the past decade, although the actual number of deals announced in the year decreased [...]
Challenges and Prospects in Repurposing Old Buildings for Assisted Living
When various types of buildings end up vacant and in disuse, sometimes the next logical step is to repurpose them for senior housing, especially as the nation’s senior demographic grows at a rapid pace. Old hospitals, hotels, and schools are probably the three most common types of buildings that can be converted into an assisted [...]
Financing Senior Care Renovation: Less Risky Alternative to New Construction?
New construction starts remain significantly below peak 2007 levels, according to data from the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry, and with financing largely unavailable for ground-up construction, is renovation or rehabilitation of senior care facilities a less-risky alternative for lenders? With nursing homes across the nation an average of nearly four [...]
Recent Senior Housing Finance Activity: Love, Ziegler, KeyBank
Love Funding Secures a $4.6 Million Loan Refinance for Illinois ALF Love Funding announced on Jan. 3 that it closed a $4.6 million refinancing through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 232/223(f) loan program for an assisted living and memory care center located in Milan, Illinois. Avonlea Cottage of Quad Cities is a 46-unit [...]
HARP 2.0: Obama Administration’s Revised Policy to Further Aging In Place
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again …that seems to be the game plan for the Obama Administration’s Home Affordable Refinance Program. After version 1.0 failed to produce substantial results to assist homeowners who are underwater, it appears that looser guidelines are the next salvo in the fight to re-invigorate the ailing housing [...]