Real Estate Investors Eye Improving Market with Higher Interest Rates, Inflation Boost, says NAI Realvest Chairman

ORLANDO, Fla. - U.S. real estate investors foresee an improved housing market in 2011 that could contribute to the expected economy recovery.

Longtime real estate investment analyst George Livingston, chairman emeritus of NAI Realvest in Maitland, said the newest EcoTrends report from the Institute for Trend Research points out that with the housing decline near its end, real estate investors are likely to jump back into the market in increasing numbers.

“Stock prices are way up, U.S. money supply is rising sharply, the Purchasing Manager’s Index is in an uptrend and residential and commercial mortgage interest rates are still low,” Livingston said.

“All those indicators point to real estate as an increasingly important investment asset, so we will likely see some significant growth in residential and commercial real estate values,” Livingston explained.

“The risk is that interest rates and perhaps inflation are likely to be higher in 2011,” Livingston added. “Real estate is of course a good asset to hold in times of inflation.”

For more information, contact:

George Livingston, Chairman Emeritus, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 glivingston@realvest.com

Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

About NAI Realvest:

NAI Realvest, serving all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit http://www.nairealvest.com/.

Mercantile Capital Corp Reports Record Low Interest Rate on SBA 504 Loans

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Mercantile Capital Corporation, which specializes in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for owners of small businesses who want to acquire their own facilities, reports a record low for the 20-year fixed interest rate on SBA 504 loan projects. This month, the rate fell to 5.14 percent, the lowest since the program’s inception more than 25 years ago.

“This record low interest rate for SBA 504 loans, combined with the fee reductions included in the Stimulus Bill, makes it even more attractive for business owners to purchase or expand their facilities. And this is the second time in three months that we’ve reported this,” said Chris Hurn, CEO and Co-founder of Mercantile Capital Corporation.

SBA 504 loans allow owners of small and mid-sized businesses to purchase, construct, or renovate their commercial property with as little as 10 percent down, long terms (up to 25 years) and fixed interest rates. Equipment and other fixed assets can also be included in these loans, to the benefit of the borrower.

“The SBA 504 loan has long been a powerful tool for business owners to grow and expand their operations. I hope the announcement of this historically low interest rate will cause more of America’s entrepreneurs to perk up and realize that there are once-in-a-generation opportunities for them to create wealth and help get our economy back on track,” said Hurn.

Mercantile Capital Corporation ranks as one of the most active providers of SBA 504 loans nationwide, providing owners of small and mid-sized businesses the option to own commercial property with up to 90 percent loan-to-cost financing.

Visit www.504Experts.com or www.504blog.com for more information.

For more information about this news release contact:
Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Shannon D. Marks, President/COO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142