Due Diligence

What Every LIHTC Lender Should Know About the AIA Contract

If you are a lender or equity investor closing a LIHTC construction or rehabilitation transaction, the AIA contract is almost certainly sitting in your closing package. You may have a lawyer review it for legal risk. You may have a financial underwriter check the contract sum against the sources and uses. But unless you have [...]

What Is ASTM E3429? A Plain-Language Guide for Real Estate Lenders and Investors For Property Resilience Assessments

If you've been hearing the term "Property Resilience Assessments" in due diligence conversations lately, you're not imagining it. ASTM International published a new standard in October 2024 — ASTM E3429, the Standard Guide for Property Resilience Assessments — and it's beginning to show up in lender discussions, investor underwriting conversations, and industry conferences across the [...]

5 ALTA Survey Red Flags That Can Derail a Real Estate Closing

ALTA survey due diligence is one of the most technical — and most underappreciated — parts of a commercial real estate transaction. The ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey is prepared by a licensed surveyor and reviewed by a title attorney, but neither discipline brings the construction and site development perspective needed to catch the issues most [...]

Hidden Threats: Navigating Problem Drywall in Multifamily Buildings

In the world of construction, the walls that surround us provide shelter and security. However, a potential health issue has emerged—problem drywall, often associated with the term "Chinese" drywall. In this blog post, we'll explore the complexities surrounding problem drywall in multifamily buildings, understanding its origins, and navigating the challenges it presents to property owners, [...]

Unveiling Risks: The Dangers of Cadet Wall Heaters in Apartments

Cadet wall heaters (Sometimes branded as Encore) have been used in multifamily buildings from the 1970s until the early 2000s when they were recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The heaters were sold and distributed primarily in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington but have been discovered nationwide, particularly in mild heating climates. [...]

Dealing With Aluminum Branch Wiring in Apartment Buildings

In the realm of electrical systems, the wiring that weaves through the walls of our homes plays a critical role in ensuring safety and functionality. However, there's a hidden danger that has lingered in older structures, potentially posing significant risks—aluminum branch wiring. In this post, we'll shed light on the dangers associated with aluminum branch [...]

Unmasking Danger: Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electrical Panels

Electrical safety is paramount in any home or business, and the choice of electrical panels plays a critical role in maintaining a secure environment. One notorious name that often raises concerns is the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok electrical panels. In this post, we'll shed light on the potential dangers associated with these panels and why homeowners [...]

Navigating Real Estate: A Guide to Multifamily Risk Management

Real estate transactions, especially in the multifamily housing sector, come with inherent risks. Successful investors understand the importance of thorough due diligence, and at Natura Architectural Consulting, we specialize in guiding our clients through the complex landscape of construction risk management. In this post, we'll explore key strategies to identify and mitigate construction risks, ensuring [...]

How The New Tax Bill is Expected to Effect Commercial Real Estate

At NAC, we’re architectural consultants, not tax experts, but much of what we do involves due diligence for commercial real estate investments. There’s been a lot of talk amongst our customers and colleagues about the new tax bill that took effect in 2018 and how that might affect their commercial real estate holdings. So we [...]

A Simple Guide to Choosing the “Right” Commercial Contractor.

If you’ve found this article, chances are you’re looking for a commercial contractor for your next project. If you’ve hired a commercial contractor before, you know the hiring process is crucial to ensuring budgets, timelines, and design implementation; and can be daunting.  If you’ve never hired a commercial contractor before, just breathe. This blog offers [...]

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