PulsePoints

Cambridge Chairman Jeffrey A. Davis will participate in a panel discussion on healthcare finance during the annual HCap (Healthcare Capital) Conference scheduled December 7-9 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D. C.

In the session five panelists are slated to discuss Healthcare Finance 202: A CEO Primer. Joining Mr. Davis on the Dec. 8 panel will be Tim Ashe, Frazzi Associates; David Allen, NXT Capital; Greg Pachus, Silicon Valley Bank; and Mark O’Brien, Gemino Healthcare Finance.

HCap is a national venue for healthcare providers and capital to meet, do business and learn about policy and entrepreneurial trends. Conference participants gain insights from policy insiders and visionaries on big picture trends affecting the entire healthcare system.

“The conference provides an opportunity for conference participants to meet leading players and strengthen access to capital. Participants network with CEOs and CFOs from other healthcare provider segments.” Mr. Davis said.

Keynote speaker for the HCap Conference will be Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chairman of the House Budget Committee. Rep. Ryan will discuss the controversial “premium support plan” he believes will transform Medicare into a more economically sustainable model.

On view throughout the city of Chicago are a number of public safety ad campaigns to remind us that many factors work together to create a safe environment.  One in particular that stood out for us was an ad featuring a young boy and his mother at a pool. The ad shows the mother discussing the importance of taking multiple safety precautions. 

When Jake almost drowned last month, I didn’t think about all the steps we’d taken to protect him.

 Just the one that saved him.

 It could have been the fence.  Or the pool safety cover.  But that day, what saved him was the door alarm I installed on the back door to the pool.

You can never know which safety step will save a life – until it does.  Adding multiple safety steps can mean the difference between a close call and a call to 911. 

Simple steps save lives.

This point stresses that no one can anticipate exactly what element will be required at a given time, so it is best to acknowledge the dependency on all factors and to include them all in any strategy. 

We also use this mindset in a business setting.  We understand the importance of this mentality and how it leads to sales and occupancy increases within senior housing by utilizing a “360-marketing” approach.  Similar to the scenario with pool safety, a 360- marketing plan must encompass all factors that affect the business and operations. 

In terms of senior housing, enticing potential new tenants can include a variety of factors; it’s not solely the accomplished new marketing director or the ad campaign that persuades the new tenant to choose a facility.  The entire marketing plan, executed consistently, can get that move-in. Ensuring that every aspect is taken into account has proven to be the deal-maker for boosting occupancy.

Everybody likes a silver lining, and the current economy, creates one for owners and operators of senior housing properties, who have a unique opportunity to make more money by lowering the interest rate on their facilities.

Interest rates work in an inverse correlation to the rest of the economy.  When the economy is vibrant and strong, interest rates rise to fight inflation, and when the economy is challenged, interest rates decrease to stimulate growth.  Current interest rates are at levels not seen since the 40’s and 50’s. 

Using traditional/conventional financing, however, is often frustrating, challenging and can lead to a dead end. We don’t want to waste your time or end up with an unsatisfactory outcome, so Cambridge offers a better solution.  The firm’s preferred debt program for owners and operators is HUD Lean 232.  This program currently offers interest rates at 4% or under, and many other favorable terms and conditions.   Additionally, Cambridge can also refinance your existing HUD loan at the same favorable terms and conditions, using an expedited underwriting and approval process. We’ve closed loans on hundreds of facilities and there is no reason why one of them can’t be yours.

Autumn in the Midwest means many things: wearing jackets instead of shorts, watching the leaves change color, getting ready for some football, and enjoying a harvest festival or two.  There’s a good one coming up tomorrow in Green Bay, Wisconsin – Cottage Living at Marla Vista invites everyone to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon at their Home Harvest Festival from 11 am to 4 pm.

Cottage Living at Marla Vista is an assisted living alternative for mature adults who find that their safety, comfort or well-being is compromised by living alone. The Home Harvest Festival is just one way for Cottage Living and its dedicated staff of care-givers to express their continued commitment to the residents, their families, and the community. And this will be quite a Festival: You can’t miss Big Jake, the world’s largest living horse—he weighs 2600 pounds, is in the Guinness Book of World Records, and you have to see him to believe him!  There will also be live music from The Bees Knees, a pie-eating contest, and all sorts of games and activities for the kids.  Sounds like it’s going to be a great Saturday afternoon in Green Bay!

As you can probably tell from our website, our ePULSE! Newsletter, and our presence on Twitter, Facebook, and other sites, Cambridge loves the Internet.  Communicating electronically is fast, easy, and reaches a large audience.

But sometimes, there is nothing like receiving information in person—from a live panel of experts, for example. Cambridge’s Chairman, Jeffrey Davis, will be participating in such a panel on Friday, so if you are in the senior housing/healthcare industry and you happen to be in the Minneapolis area, you may want to check out the Minnesota Real Estate Journal’s Senior Housing Summit 2010.  Jeff will be a member of the Capital Market Strategies and Financing Solutions for Senior Housing Projects panel, discussing the 2011 outlook for lenders, buyers, sellers, developers and investors, as well as other topics, including how to get your HUD deal done.

So if you enjoy listening to a live exchange of information and ideas from industry leaders and you do find yourself in Minneapolis on Friday morning, put the laptop away, grab some coffee and head over to the Senior Housing Summit!

Surf’s up? Well, not quite; what is up is the 61^st Annual AHCA/NCAL Convention and Expo in Long Beach, California beginning Sunday, October 10.  Cambridge is a long-time supporter of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, and we’ll have two representatives at the convention available to meet with you.  We probably won’t have a chance to visit the beach since we expect to be fully engaged in relevant discussions about your senior housing and healthcare financing needs.

The Convention will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center from Sunday, October 10 through Wednesday, October 13.  Cambridge’s main presence will be on Monday and Tuesday, and it’s not too late to set up a face-to-face meeting with us.  Get in touch so we don’t miss our chance to meet with you, even if it means we have to skip the surfing this time.

Searching for answers to your finance questions? You’ve come to the right place. We want to answer those questions: any question about finance, senior housing, mortgage lending, or whatever else you can think of. We’re offering free, no-strings-attached 30-minute consultations to our blog readers.

There’s just one catch: first, you have to go on a scavenger hunt.

Here are the rules:

1)      Read the questions posted below.

2)      Answer the questions by reading our summer blog posts (June 1-August 6)

3)      Submit your answers to ew@cambridgecap.com

4)      If you get at least 4 out of 5 answers right, we’ll contact you to set up your 30-minute consultation.

The Questions:

1)      Name three tips for financing in a tight market.

2)      How long should it take to process a conventional HUD loan?

3)      What is the projected rate of inflation, according to Dr. Charles Evans?

4)      Name one of the three steps to start your financing search.

5)      How many people attended our summer party?

Submit your answers to ew@cambridgecap.com by September 21, and we’ll set up your meeting!