New York Real Estate Securities Exchange
The object of this booklet is to collate and publish statistics
regarding real estate bonds and mortgages and earnings on the
properties against which such sécurities have been issued. The
data we have been able to collect may be incomplete and per-
haps contain some errors. However, it in nowise attempts to
judge the merits of any security but merely states the facts
in so far as industrious research has been able to reveal them.
In certain respects transfers of properties have hampered the
procuring of reliable information. Where a property has
changed hands after a mortgage is given, the maker of the
bond and the new owner of the property may have conflicting
ends to serve in either giving or withholding data.
Appraised values are given where same are available and
wherever the name of the appraiser has been furnished it has
been set forth.
Earnings: The ability of a given building to earn sufficient
income to meet the interest and carrying charges and set up a
reserve fund, or amortize the outstanding indebtedness to offset
the depreciation of the building, is reflective of the calibre of
the security. These facts we have sought to procure in each
case. In some instances both the property owner and the un-
derwriting house refused the data.
Certain issues are noted as “Legal for the Investment of Trust
Funds in the State of New York.” Whether a security is, or
is not, a legal investment for trust funds, depends on four fac-
tors which can positively be stated yes or no, and one factor
which is not a fixed one, but rather one of opinion, namely,
value. That is, the loan cannot be more than 662-3s of the
value of the property mortgaged. Underwriters and obligors
of bonds attempt to establish this factor by basing value on
appraisals. Appraisals are worthy or not, dependent upon the
acumen, judgment, reliability and experience of the appraiser.
Attorneys, however, in each of these cases, have rendered a
legal opinion, based on the law, the known facts, and the
appraisal, that in their opinion these issues are legal for the
investment of trust funds. These opinions of validity are on
deposit with the Trustee in each case where any inquirer rely-