Information provided by Margaret Kennedy, retail specialist for Saurage Commerial Real Estate

Written by Jerry Dunn

The credit crisis has had a significant impact on commercial real estate and the availability of financing. Most lenders have reduced maximum loan-to-value thresholds to 65 percent and increased debt service coverage ratio minimums. Life insurance lenders are cherry picking only the highest quality properties, and banks are retaining only their best relationships. In addition, many institutions are deleveraging their balance sheets. As a result, a precipitous reduction in commercial real estate originations has occurred. According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, origination volumes for banks, life companies, and conduits have declined 86 percent, 62 percent, and 90 percent respectively from the market’s peak to trough.  For entire article content click HERE.

Raised in Canada, Margaret moved to Baton Rouge in 1991. She is a graduate of St. Josephýs Academy. Margaret has ten years management experience and client relations and five years of property management experience. Margaret began leasing property in Baton Rouge and then continued with Property Management responsibilities in Dublin, Ireland. Upon her return to the States in 2002 she joined Saurage Realtors. As the property management supervisor at Saurage Realtors Margaret has gained thorough experience and knowledge on leasing, maintenance of single family and multi family, commercial real estate, and Home Owners Associations. Margaret decided to expand her knowledge and further put her experience to work by obtaining her real estate license 2006.

Saurage Company, Inc dba Saurage Commercial Real Estate was founded in Baton Rouge in 1991 with the purpose of providing exceptional real estate services with an emphasis on commercial property and property management.  Saurage Commercial Real Estate offers to its clients a full range of real estate services including brokerage, investment advising, development consulting, REO disposition specialists, asset management, fee based consulting, tenant representation, and buyer representation.  The staff of professionals includes combined experience of 50 years, as well as CCIM Designees and Candidates and recipients of Master of Business Administration.