Clay & Company is a Houston-based commercial real estate brokerage, investment, and auction company serving the needs of governmental agencies, financial institutions, insurance companies, and individuals throughout the State of Texas.
Our regularly updated blog covers local and national news, events, and happenings affecting Texas and the commercial real estate industry.
Two of Clay & Company’s executives were recently awarded the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute. Amy Silvey, Vice President, and Kevin Dalrymple, Director of the Sales and Brokerage Division, were awarded the designation during the Institute’s fall business meetings on October 12 in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy and Kevin were among the 348 commercial real estate professionals (9 from Houston) who earned the designation last month.
A CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) is a recognized expert in the commercial and investment real estate industry. The elite designation is earned after successfully completing over 160 hours of case-driven study and submitting a comprehensive portfolio demonstrating the depth of their commercial real estate experience. Finally, they have demonstrated their proficiency in the CCIM skill sets by successfully completing a comprehensive examination. Only then is a designation candidate awarded the coveted CCIM pin, joining the ranks of highly skilled commercial and investment real estate experts.
Authorities say they are up to 70% containment on the Central Texas wildfire that has consumed more than 34,000 acres and over 1,500 homes. But they also are worried that stiff winds with gusts up to 25 miles per hour Tuesday afternoon and later in the week could cause flare-ups. Fires outside Bastrop, about 25 miles from Austin, have been burning for 10 days and have destroyed more homes than any in Texas history. Below are some ideas on how to help victims of this fire and others around the state:
Disaster Relief And Disaster Training (DRADT) specializes in responding to disasters immediately and share the needs of survivors via social media; allowing you to join the relief efforts. Visit www.texasfirerelief.com for information on how to help.
Houston-based Friends for Life brought in its mobile shelter to help treat injured Bastrop animals until their owners can be found. Make a donation to them here.
Pearland High School is collecting items to provide relief to our Texas neighbors displaced by the devastating wildfires. The community is invited to join in this effort to help these families by donating the items listed belYou may bring your contribution to the Sheryl Searcy Ninth Grade Center Choir Room (room 1500), between 7:00 a.m.-3:00p.m. on school days.If you prefer, you may make a monetary contribution to benefit theTexas Wildfire Relief Fund. Please make your check payable to PHS, and notateTexas Wildfire on the memo line. The drive ends on Friday, September 23, 2011.
Buy this shirt and 100% of profits will benefit the AmericanRed Cross with their efforts in Texas.
Friends of Texas Wildlife supports the rehabilitation of native Texas wildlife and the promotion of co-existence of wildlife and humans through education. Go here to find out how to support their efforts through donations or volunteering.
The Houston-area Red Cross has opened 3 shelters around Houston to assist over 130 people. For updates, to volunteer or to help by giving a financial donation, click here.
This new site has been set up to keep the public updated on information on the wildfires.
UPDATED
Tuesday night, El Real Tex-Mex will present “Pray for Rain” a four-course interactive dinner to benefit the wildfire victims. Chef/owner Bryan Caswell and Underbelly’s Chris Shepherd will team up for create a “Texas-style” menu, and Hay Merchant’s Kevin Floyd will contribute margaritas and drink pairings. Windsor Village United Methodist Church pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell will also be present to open the evening with a prayer. The dinner tariff is $85 per person, including beer and margaritas, and the dinner begins at 7 p.m. with cocktails served for half an hour beforehand. Reservations are required, and all proceeds from the dinner will go to Society of Samaritan, a local Magnolia organization that Caswell and Shepherd came into contact with while bringing foodstuffs to Waller and Montgomery counties on Friday.
To help local farmers affected by the Texas wildfires, Urban Harvest has set up a Wildfire Farm Relief Fund (WFRF). The public can make donations to the WFRF fund and to buy their products, which will all help support the farmers’ day-to-day lives. Checks should be written to Urban Harvest and 100 percent of these donations will go directly to the farmers. Checks, cash or credit card donations are tax deductible and can be made at any of the Urban Harvest Farmers Markets, or mail checks c/o Urban Harvest, 2311 Canal, Suite 200, Houston TX 77003.
Houston Chronicle Real Estate Transactions (Sept 5, 2011) INDUSTRIAL: HAF Enterprises has purchased a 13,092-square-foot office warehouse space at 14038 S. Gessner in Missouri City. Tim Clay and Barton Kelly with Clay & Co. represented the seller, First Bank. Champions Real Estate Group represented the buyer.
Real Estate BISNOW The Deal Sheet (Sept 6, 2011) Clay & Co has been selected as the exclusive leasing agent for a 94k SF industrial building on the South Loop at Mykawa Road. The building is comprised of 78k SF of warehouse space and 16k SF of office space. Central Transportation Systems occupied the facility through August of this year.
Tim Clay is a 29-year-veteran of the commercial real estate business and founded Clay & Co. in 1991. He has been involved in over $500 million worth of real estate transactions and over 90 commercial real estate auctions. In addition, Clay is an active real estate investor, serving as general partner for over 15 partnerships purchasing multitenant office buildings; retail and industrial buildings on long-term, triple-net leases; and commercial land tracts.
Tell me about the biggest transaction you have been involved with this year. Our biggest transaction and accomplishment this year has been the creation of the Clay NNN Lease Fund, where I serve as the general partner. The purpose of the fund is to acquire approximately $25 million worth of industrial and retail properties with long-term, triple-net leases in place to strong credit tenants. We currently own four triple-net-leased properties with many of the same partners which led us to establish the fund. We are under contract to purchase the fund’s initial two properties.
What do you predict for the rest of the year in commercial real estate? We see a tremendous increase in activity, especially in the office/warehouse sector and certain retail sectors. That is where we see the biggest growth coming from for the remainder of 2011.
What has been your greatest professional challenge this year? It has been financing for transactions. This has been because of the difficult financial markets.
This video from smartmoney.com explains how to fight your property taxes. Although it concentrates on residential real estate taxes many of the tips can be used when fighting commercial property taxes as well.
If this process is new to you or overwhelming, let Clay & Company know and we can help guide you through the process.
OFFICE: Maranatha Full Gospel Church of Dallas has purchased a 13,098-square-foot office/warehouse at 2714A and 2716 Cypress Point Drive in Missouri City. Barton Kelly with Clay & Co. represented the seller, First Bank.
INDUSTRIAL: Clayco-H20 Ltd., with Timothy K. Clay serving as trustee, has purchased a 20,244-square-foot building at 5350 Bay Oaks Drive in Pasadena. The building, constructed in 2010, sits on 2.6 acres and serves as a sales and service office for Water and Power Technologies, a water-treatment company specializing in commercial and industrial purification systems. Water and Power Tech has a 10-year lease with Clayco-H20. Clay & Co. represented the buyer and will manage the building. Investment Brokerage represented the seller, CCI-B Genoa Red Bluff LLC.
LAND: 93 Schiel Road Ltd., with Timothy K. Clay serving as general partner, has purchased 94 acres on Schiel Road in northwest Houston. Clay & Co. represented the buyer. Westside Properties represented the seller.
Timothy Clay, as general partner for 93 Schiel Road Ltd, purchased 93 acres on Schiel Road in northwest Houston. Clay & Co represented the buyer and Westside Properties represented the seller. We’re told there are no immediate plans for the land.
