Nick Cacciabando and Patrick Byrne Sell Oklahoma Portfolio

Patrick Byrne and Nick Cacciabando have sold two seniors housing campuses in Tulsa and Bristow, OK, for a local family. The Tulsa campus comprised of a 116 unit senior independent living facility, a 90 unit assisted living and residential care facility and a 117 bed skilled nursing facility. The Bristow campus comprised of a 106 bed skilled nursing facility and a 16 unit assisted living facility. The Seller was a local family that had been in the business for 50 years. They were the original owners/developers of these communities. These were their only LTC/Seniors Housing assets. The Buyer is a regional owner/operator with an existing presence in Oklahoma. For additional information on this transaction or how Nick or Pat can assist you with the sale of your family owned/operated seniors housing community, please call 314/961-0070 or contact Nick at nbando@slibinc.com or Pat at byrne@slibinc.com

Operating Margins of Senior Living Communities compared with Apartment Buildings

In analyzing thousands of communities each year, we find a very wide range in operating margins.  Newer, larger communities have higher operating margins than older, smaller facilities.  Communities with high occupancy rates, have higher operating margins than facilities with lower occupancy rates. 

However, stabilized assisted living communities typically have operating margins (EBITDA margin) between 25-40%, and independent living communities between 30-40%+.   Stabilized apartment buildings that are similar in age and size have operating margins between 40-55%.  This is due to the fact that apartment buildings do not have all of the extra services, medical, food, activities and staffing that independent and assisted living communities have.  Additionally, apartment buildings typically have less common areas; kitchens, dining rooms, etc, allowing for more rentable square feet, than senior living facilities. 

Because of the higher operating margins and lower variable expenses, investors perceive apartment buildings to be lower risk than senior living facilities resulting in lower cap rates (higher prices).  Apartment buildings can have cap rates 150-250 basis points lower than a similar age and size senior living facility.   However, as senior living facilities continue to become more main stream with investors, the perceived risk decrease resulting in a smaller spread in cap rates.

For more information on what your Seniors Housing Community may be worth, please contact Jason Punzel at punzel@slibinc.com or 630-858-2501.

Selling in a strong market

As debt and equity has become easier to access, the market for senior housing facilities has strengthened with cap rates, gross income multiples and per-bed numbers improving over the past 12 months.

There have been new investors entering the industry to take advantage of higher cap rates found in most other real estate sectors.  They have partnered with strong regional or local operators in order to acquire both cash-flowing and turnaround facilities.

What does this mean for an owner/operator?
The time has not been better to sell your senior housing facility.  While the uncertainty of "Obamacare", Medicaid reimbursement changes and concern over the future of Medicare undoubtedly weighs on all current operators, there continues to be aggressive buyers that are willing to purchase facilities at top dollar. 

What are the risks in holding?
An increase in interest rates, a retreating of debt and equity from the healthcare industry, major regulatory changes and cuts in reimbursement are all risks that could negatively affect your facility's value.

If you are considering selling your facility, take advantage of the current strong market.  Senior Living Investment Brokerage, Inc. provides non-binding marketing proposals.  We would be privileged to work with you in the sale of your facility.

Contact me via email at alley@slibinc.com or phone at (630) 858-2501.

Matthew Alley
Managing Director