Size matters
We all know that skilled nursing prices have hit an all-time high, averaging $85,900 per bed in 2015, according to the 21st Edition of The Senior Care Acquisition Report. So what was it about the facilities sold in 2015 that helped drive this price up? For one, the average facility was larger than it has ever been. At 130 beds, the average facility sold in 2015 was four beds larger than the previous record-high, shared in 2012 and 2014 at 126 beds per facility. Why does size matter when it comes to price? Unless it is highly specialized, either with rehab care or skilled Alzheimer’s care, most buyers do not like to invest in nursing facilities that are smaller than 60 beds, and some won’t... Read More »
Senior living communities age too
It should surprise no one that as a seniors housing (assisted living and independent living) community creeps farther away from the day it opened its doors, its value typically falls in turn (this assumes several things, like local competition/demand and the general seniors housing market keeping steady and no significant renovations or additions being made to the building). But did this hold true in 2015? Largely, yes. According to the 21st Senior Care Acquisition Report, Seniors housing communities built in the last five years sold on average for the highest price, at $320,500 per unit. Then came those properties built between six and 10 years ago, which sold on average for $225,100 per... Read More »Age before beauty
There was a complete flip-flop in the percentage of skilled nursing facilities sold by age, with the oldest category (greater than 40 years old) increasing to 52% of the properties sold in 2015, compared with just 22% in 2014 (according to the 21st Senior Care Acquisition Report, released last month). Several of these properties, however, sold for more than $100,000 per bed, indicating their location or profitability overcame the issue of their old age. But, if we saw a massive increase in the number of sales of 40-year old SNFs (or older), then what drove the market to its all-time record high average price of $85,900 per bed? It was an increase in the number of facilities sold that were... Read More »The Growing Memory Care Market
Memory care is a growing need, and it has been the focus of a lot of new development. But it can be risky as well. Last week I talked about the first quarter occupancy and new construction stats, but today let’s focus on memory care. This has been an area of heightened investment interest because there are fewer memory care units in the market then AL and IL and, unfortunately, the need for memory care will only increase, and may increase at a faster pace than traditional assisted living. Some providers are even seeing an increase in the “young” population with memory care or other dementia-related issues, and I am talking about under 70 years old and not just retired NFL players. It is a... Read More »
