Sandra Buchko

/My focus

My practice is focused on guiding clients through every stage of real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, financing, sale of distressed assets, and like-kind exchanges. I bring deep insight in complex single-asset and portfolio deals in all asset classes, with particular emphasis on office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, and multifamily housing. I help clients achieve their objectives and successfully navigate today’s evolving real estate landscape.

Drawing on my background as a regional leasing director, I have represented some of the largest national and international shopping center and office developers, landlords, and tenants in leasing transactions related to properties in the United States, Canada, China, and Romania.

/Representative experience

• Represented a client in a $325 million sale of automobile and real estate assets.
• Represented clients on a multistate hotel portfolio and in retail, office, and multifamily acquisitions and dispositions, ranging from $1 million to $100 million in an individual asset valuation.
• Represented clients in financing transactions in loan amounts of $2 million to $48 million.
• Drafted and negotiated retail leases for the Mills Corporation, Westfield, restaurants, banks, and various other landlord and tenant clients.
• Represented national shopping center, assisted living, office owners, and other clients in the acquisition and disposition of real estate assets.
• Represented a client in the purchase of a $44.5 million office and multifamily project in Towson, Maryland, and the related $35.5 million loan transaction.
• Represented a client in the purchase of a $10 million hotel in Bloomington, Indiana, and the related $7.5 million loan transaction.
• Represented a client, as the borrower, in a construction loan transaction totaling $18.75 million for a hotel in Sonoma County, California.
• Represented a client in the purchase of a boutique hotel in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
• Advised national and single-asset hospitality clients about leasing and operational matters.
• Represented automotive dealerships in financing transactions for business and real estate assets.
• Represented the FDIC in numerous settlement negotiations related to contract compliance issues.
• Represented clients in multifamily financing and other real estate matters.
• Represented clients in tax assessment appeals.
• Represented national restaurant chains and other clients in land use matters.

/Looking ahead

I think that the upcoming changes to TOPA will have a significant impact on landlords owning multifamily properties in the D.C. market in terms of ability and ease of future acquisitions and dispositions. Anticipated interest rate cuts are also expected to benefit developers and investors significantly, allowing them to access capital for projects.

/Insights

• “Commercial Leasing Issues: Understanding Net Versus Gross Leases”
• “Understanding Operating Expense Gross-Ups In Commercial Leases”
• American Lawyer Media, Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy Newsletter, “It’s a Tenant’s Market:  How to Negotiate and Navigate the Leasing Process”
• GlobeSt.com, “Understanding Percentage Retail Rent”