Existing and historic buildings are a hot commodity in a market that's moving back to the city. But are you ready for the risks?

There are many reasons to feel positive about the state of commercial real estate finance. CRE loan originations for the second quarter of 2012 were up 25 percent over the same period in 2011, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. And a growing number of lenders are looking beyond gateway cities and Class A assets when making loans, says Constantine Korologos, managing...

Approach tenants early. In a market with vacancies in the high double digits, start lease renewal negotiations 12 to 24 months in advance.

Don’t bring in competing tenants just to earn an extra buck. In a tough market, it’s tempting to take any lease, but ignoring noncompete lease clauses can cost you a tenant, get you in a lawsuit...

1. The Threat:
External forces that could tip the economy into recession. A critical geopolitical event elsewhere, deteriorating debt conditions in Europe, an increasing debt-to-GDP ratio in the United States, or further downgrading of our nation’s credit rating could all push the U.S. and global economy into a recession.

Your Best Defense...