• The Saga of Genesis HealthCare Continues

    Genesis HealthCare was once one of the largest and most successful skilled nursing companies. But it grew too quickly, made some bad investments over the years (did we mention the billion-dollar merger with The MultiCare Companies?), and it always played the leverage game, whether with leases or debt, and usually both. Last summer, it filed for... Read More »
  • Blue Moon/StepStone Finalize Large Recapitalization

    Blue Moon Capital Partners completed a large recapitalization of five seniors housing communities that it developed over the years and were the last remaining assets within its fund, Blue Moon Senior Housing I. CBRE National Senior Housing acted as transaction advisor in the recap and arranged acquisition financing for the deal. StepStone Real... Read More »
  • Evans Closes Another High-Priced SNF Sale in NV

    Just a month after selling a skilled nursing facility in Nevada for the highest per-bed value ever seen in the state, Evans Senior Investments returned to sell another facility in the Las Vegas MSA for the second-highest per-bed price. That is some momentum. Little was disclosed on the deal, but the 1970s-built facility has approximately 150... Read More »
  • Seniors Housing Communities Secure Refinances

    Berkadia recently refinanced Allegro Parkland, an independent living, assisted living and memory care community in Parkland, Florida. A joint venture between Harrison Street Asset Management and Allegro Senior Living was the borrower. The community opened in March 2020 (perhaps not the best timing) and features 61 independent living, 88 assisted... Read More »
  • PACS Group Expands in Four States

    After Senior Living Investment Brokerage announced the sale of three assets in Soldotna and Kenai, Alaska, and Caldwell, Idaho, PACS Group announced its addition of three seniors housing communities in the same locations. The Utah-based provider purchased the real estate and operations of the Alaska properties, and closed on a lease option for... Read More »
Seniors Housing Expense Ratios Rise

Seniors Housing Expense Ratios Rise

With seniors housing (which includes independent living and assisted living) prices rising and cap rates shrinking in 2017, we would accordingly expect a decrease in the average expense ratio. That was not the case, as we recorded a 30-basis point increase from 72.1% in 2016 to 72.4% in 2017, according to the 23rd Edition of The Senior Care Acquisition Report. We are now approaching the average expense ratio seen during the Great Recession, when it averaged 73%. The industry has certainly improved significantly operationally since the Great Recession, but what has changed has been the increased acuity at both assisted living and independent living communities. Increased care costs, and... Read More »
40-Year Old SNFs: Obsolete or an Opportunity?

40-Year Old SNFs: Obsolete or an Opportunity?

The aging of the skilled nursing industry is becoming a growing concern for investors in that space. Facilities built 40 years ago and over comprise a significant portion of the skilled nursing beds in the country, and many believe they are outdated and would require too much capex to modernize and attract the Medicare and private pay populations. Nevertheless, plenty of buyers still see opportunity. But what do they see that others don’t? That is the question we tried to answer in our webinar entitled, “The 40-Year Old SNF: Part II,” a sequel to our 2016 discussion. Our Editor, Steve Monroe, was the moderator, joined by Alan Plush of HealthTrust, Chad Buchanan of Tryko Partners and Andrew... Read More »
Seniors Housing Expense Ratios Rise

Seniors Housing Cap Rate Spread Narrows

One would expect that in bull markets, the seniors housing (independent and assisted living) cap rate would fall, while the 10-year treasury rate would rise, making the spread between the two smaller, and vice versa for bear markets. But we have been in an historically low interest rate period throughout most of 2017, while at the same time in the midst of a continued bull market for seniors housing, highlighted by record-high prices and record-low cap rates. Per the 23rd Edition of The Senior Care Acquisition Report. The spread between the cap rate and 10-year Treasury Rate fell from 640 basis points in 2016 to 520 basis points in 2017, tied for the lowest seen in the last decade. That... Read More »
To Build, or To Buy

To Build, or To Buy

One thing on the minds of many is that in these heady times in senior care M&A and development, investors are faced with a dilemma: whether to build, or buy (or both). Ben Swett here filling in for Steve Monroe, who is currently wandering around the Argentum conference in San Diego. One thing on the minds of many there is that in these heady times in senior care M&A and development, investors are faced with a dilemma: whether to build, or buy (or both). Buying existing properties comes with its obvious benefits, like cash flow and local brand recognition. But, what a senior wants in a community has changed over the years, meaning that those properties built 10, 20 or 50 years ago... Read More »
Go Big Or Go Small In Seniors Housing?

Go Big Or Go Small In Seniors Housing?

Did size matter when it came to pricing a seniors housing (independent living and assisted living) community? Yes, it did, as the difference in average cap rates from the smallest communities (under 50 units) and the larger communities (90 units and above) grew to its widest gulf ever recorded (back to 2003) at 180 basis points, tying 2015’s difference, according to the 23rd Edition of The Senior Care Acquisition Report. Generally speaking, the smaller the community, the fewer economies of scale and the harder it is to generate significant cash flow, especially since the loss of one or two residents can have a more significant impact on the bottom line. Larger communities, including most... Read More »
Weighting the Seniors Housing Cap Rate By Units

Weighting the Seniors Housing Cap Rate By Units

The average seniors housing (independent living and assisted living, combined) cap rate resumed its downward trend that began after the Great Recession and strayed only one year (in 2016), hitting a new record low too, at 7.5%, according to the 23rd Edition of The Senior Care Acquisition Report. However, when weighted by units, the average seniors housing cap rate dropped even more significantly year over year, from 7.1% in 2015 (the previous record-low) to 6.6% in 2017, which was a full 90 basis points lower than the unweighted average for the year. What has changed year over year to merit such a drop? As always it comes down to the quality of properties sold during the year, with 2017... Read More »