(BRK.A), (BRK.B)
Berkadia, Berkshire Hathaway’s joint venture with Leucadia National Corporation, has announced that its Student Housing Group has completed the sale of two properties totaling more than $146 million.
Berkadia’s student housing team, led by Managing Director Kevin Larimer and Director Greg Gonzalez, teamed with Senior Managing Director Kenny Dudunakis, Director David Sorensen and Director Ben Johnson of Berkadia’s Seattle office on the sale of AVA University District at University of Washington – Seattle on behalf of the seller, Arlington, Virginia based Avalon Bay Communities Inc. The student housing team, working with Managing Director Shane Shafer of Berkadia’s Irvine office, also closed Fullerton University Village at California State University in Fullerton, California on behalf of the seller, a local TIC group.
“Student housing seems to be the product type of choice right now for investors,” said Larimer. “Investors have identified the strong fundamentals of student housing with fewer deliveries, average occupancy above 97 percent, annual rent growth more than three percent and a fixed resident base from which to draw. Whether they are looking for yield or a defensive position, investors are finding a comfortable home for their capital in student housing.”
Located at 4535 12th Ave., AVA University District features studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments within walking distance of University of Washington and less than five miles from downtown Seattle. Units feature high-speed internet, a washer/dryer and air conditioning. The property also has a barbeque and picnic area, two rooftops with green spaces and on-site social events.
Fullerton University Village is located at 2000-2030 Oxford Ave., within walking distance of California State University, Fullerton. The property offers studio, two- and three-bedroom fully-furnished apartments with refrigerators, flat screen televisions and all utilities included in the cost of rent. Residents can also enjoy a fitness center, swimming pool, student lounge and monthly organized events.
About Berkadia
Founded in 2009 as a 50/50 joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation, Berkadia is a third-party commercial mortgage servicer, as well as an approved lender for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD/FHA.
The company is among the top Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae multifamily lenders.
Berkadia owes its origins to GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation, which was acquired in 2009 by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Five Mile Capital Partners LLC, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. Christened Capmark Financial, the company had $10 billion of originations in 2008 and a servicing portfolio of more than $360 billion before running into bankruptcy in October 2009.
In a deal approved by the bankruptcy court, Capmark sold its mortgage loan and servicing to the newly formed Berkadia in a deal worth $515 million.
The deal brought Berkshire into the heart of the commercial loan serving business, and the company has one of the largest commercial real estate servicing portfolios.
© 2017 David Mazor
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.