Some Benefits of Mezzanine Financing

 

Mezzanine Financing
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A water sports enthusiast, Jim “James” Knell works professionally in the Santa Barbara real estate industry as as an investor and property manager. A graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara, Jim Knell currently manages SIMA Corporation as its founder and chairman.

At SIMA Corporation, Mr. Knell’s responsibilities range from asset and portfolio management to underwriting and structuring mezzanine financing. Mezzanine financing is an alternative form of financing often employed by small or mid-sized companies to fund growth. Specialty lenders typically provide mezzanine financing, which involves both debt and equity funding.

Essentially, lenders issue debt to a borrower and also purchase an issuance of the company’s stock, which raises additional funds for the borrower. Lenders that engage in mezzanine financing are often most interested in this equity stake they acquire.

Although mezzanine financing carries high interest rates, it does offer an array of benefits. In addition to a long-term outlook, mezzanine financing has no collateral requirements and provides flexibility in loan terms that include amortization and rates. Moreover, business owners are able to keep full control of business operations as long as their company is profitable and meets debt payments. Finally, mezzanine financing is recorded as equity on balance sheets, allowing for additional financing options.

The SIMA Acquisition Philosophy

SIMA Management Corporation
Image: sima.net

James “Jim” Knell is an experienced Santa Barbara, CA, real estate professional who has served as chairman of SIMA Corporation and all SIMA companies since 1984. Under the guidance of Jim Knell, the SIMA family of businesses acquires and manages properties not only in Santa Barbara, but throughout the United States.

When it comes to property acquisitions, the SIMA philosophy is to complete all transactions in the most effective and timely manner possible. Functioning as a one-stop real estate firm, SIMA employs agents who are skilled at developing a variety of acquisition strategies. That said, the SIMA team prefers to only pursue acquisitions that fit the company’s synergistic strategy. All acquisition tactics begin with identification and a thorough vetting process, followed by discussions about value optimization, which may be achieved through development, refinancing, or a variety of property management processes.

Following a successful acquisition, the organization draws on a depth of resources and a knowledgeable workforce to fulfill long-term growth and up-front profitability objectives.

Santa Ynez Inn Offers Luxury Stay for Wine Country Visitors

 

Santa Ynez Inn
Image: santaynezinn.com

James P. Knell leads SIMA Corporation in Santa Barbara, CA. In his role as chairman, Jim Knell draws on more than three decades of experience to handle all financial aspects of the company. Since forming SIMA in 1984, Jim Knell has also led the acquisition of numerous commercial and residential properties across the state. Properties within the company’s portfolio include the Santa Ynez Inn within the heart of Santa Barbara wine country.

The AAA Four Diamond-rated inn delivers sophisticated grace and warm hospitality to guests seeking a luxurious wine country getaway. It combines historical aesthetics and modern conveniences, with a manor-like appearance featuring balconies, wide windows, and a beautiful outdoor fountain. Throughout their stay, guests can enjoy full gourmet breakfasts, late tea and cookies, and evening wine hours. They also have access to numerous nearby wineries, museums, and outdoor attractions.

At 20,616 square feet, the Santa Ynez Inn possesses 20 guest rooms with plush queen- or king-sized beds. Guests may select from four room options: classic, deluxe, premier, and classic with disability access. All rooms include luxury European linens, L’Occitane bath amenities, working fireplaces, and balconies or patios overlooking the inn’s gardens.

Basic Windsurfing Safety

 

Windsurfing
Image: howtowindsurf101.com

Chairman of the SIMA Corporation and the rest of the SIMA umbrella of companies, James P. Knell of Santa Barbara, California, has been working in the real estate industry for more than four decades. An avid water sports fan, James P. Knell of Santa Barbara, CA, enjoys such activities as wind surfing.

Wind surfing can be an exciting and enjoyable activity, but it can also be extremely dangerous when basic safety procedures are ignored. Generally, staying safe begins with planning a windsurfing trip. Before going out to the water, windsurfers should check local reports for weather and tidal forecasts. This ensures they are not caught in rough waters or dangerous areas. However, even when reports are clear, windsurfers should not go out by themselves. When going alone is unavoidable, windsurfers can improve their safety by telling someone else where they plan on sailing and when they expect to return.

Once at the water, individuals must check all of their windsurfing gear for potential problems. Boards should be checked for any damage that may increase their risk of breaking, while the mast-foot must be checked for cracks and other damage. Further, windsurfers must inspect their outhaul and downhaul ropes for wear, check the sailcloth for rips and tears, and make sure there is no damage that may break the mast. Beyond checking the windsurfing kit, windsurfers need to wear clothing that fits the weather conditions and make sure they have plenty of water for hot and humid days.

Common Photography Types Every Photographer Should Know

 

Landscape
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Real estate executive James P. Knell oversees the investment in and acquisition of commercial and residential real estate properties as the chairman of the SIMA umbrella of companies in Santa Barbara, CA. In his free time, James P. Knell of Santa Barbara enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including photography. Although most photographers focus on one or two types of photography, you should still know how to handle most common styles. Below are just some of the photography types you should know:

– Landscape: This type of photography is popular among nature lovers, but learning to capture landscapes properly can teach you about composition and balance. As the name implies, landscape photography captures large expanses of nature, and you can easily find breathtaking examples of natural beauty nearly anywhere in the world.

– Portrait: One of the oldest photography genres, portrait photography is an extremely in-demand type of photography, and as a result, much of the photography market is comprised of portrait photographers. This style of photography requires you to convey mood and personality just by focusing on an individual’s face.

– Macro: Most macro photography subjects include textiles, insects, and flowers. Essentially, anything with an up-close pattern is a good focus. With this type of photography, you zoom in on a small subject to capture the details and features that make it unique. Most macro photography creates the sense that the subject is larger than life size.

The Rising Ubiquity of Mexican Cuisine in the American Food Scene

Mexican Cuisine
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A native of Santa Barbara, CA, James P. Knell entered the real estate industry in the 1970s, initially acquiring numerous residential properties in Santa Barbara area, the Pacific Northwest, and the southeastern United States. In 1984, he founded SIMA Corporation to manage and redevelop these acquired properties. An avid traveler who considers Mexico among his favorite destinations, James P. Knell has developed a taste for Mexican cuisine.

Although described by Anthony Bourdain as undervalued, Mexican food has become a ubiquitous presence in the American food scene. In fact, it is currently one of the most famous cuisines in the United States. But just how famous is it, really?

The Washington Post reports that there are at least 40,000 Mexican restaurants in the country – almost the same number as that of Chinese restaurants. Moreover, a 2015 survey by the National Restaurant Association found that out of 1,000 respondents, at least half of them eat Mexican food at least once a month.

The National Restaurant Association also found that in the Western United States, where a large majority of the population has Mexican heritage, 62 percent of the respondents claim that they eat Mexican food at least once a month. On the other hand, Americans in the northeast where the Mexican heritage isn’t so pronounced, a respectable 36 percent still claim to eat Mexican food regularly.

Moreover, there are signs that the Mexican food habit has become more ingrained in the eating habits of Americans. The same National Restaurant Association survey found that among respondents ages 44 years old and below, a greater percentage prepared Mexican food at home compared to those who ate out in restaurants.

Historical Highlights of Competitive Surfing

Competitive Surfing
Image: surfertoday.com

A graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Jim Knell transitioned from being an educator into an asset and portfolio manager. He made a business out of distressed properties by repositioning them as commercial and retail property holdings. As a resident of the coastal city of Santa Barbara, Jim Knell unwinds through surfing.

Although surfing dates back centuries, it was not until recently that it became a competitive sport. In 1964, at Manly Beach, Australia, the International Surfing Association (ISA) held the first World Surfing Championship. Over 65,000 people watched Midget Farrelly win that first championship. That year was pivotal for the sport, with the succession of major events making their mark in the history of surfing.

After Manly Beach, the ISA decided to establish the event by pushing for an annual World Surfing Championship series. The succeeding championships saw the rise of surfing legends, such as Felipe Pomar and Nat Young. In 1978, the ISA decided to conduct the event every other year, with the addition of the junior division.

Today, competitive surfing has evolved to include stand up paddling and bodyboarding, which opened the surfing lifestyle to landlocked enthusiasts.

Different Genres of Photography

Genres of Photography
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Back in the 1970’s, former teacher Jim Knell invested in several residential properties in Santa Barbara, California. Thirty years later he is chairman of SIMA Corporation, his own real estate company. Aside from managing the operation of commercial projects in Santa Barbara, Jim Knell also enjoys photography as a hobby.

Photographers are inspired by anything that can be of interest visually, which is why there are so many different genres of photography. One of the most popular genres is candid photography, which captures raw moments of people or other living things as they unfold. To avoid making a subject uncomfortable and to allow them to act naturally, photographers usually use a long-focus lens when taking candid shots. Fashion photography is the opposite of candid photography. In this genre, photographers work with other professionals such as models and stylists to create specific looks or images which are, in spite of appearances, completely unnatural.

Food photographers are usually commissioned by food producers or restaurants to help them sell their products. In food photography, natural light is favored over artificial to avoid capturing unwanted elements and to bring the food to life. In yet another genre, landscape photography portrays scenes from the environment. Since photographers must deal with the uncontrollable elements found in nature, they must be prepared to adjust to constantly changing light and atmospheric conditions to get the best possible shot.

The Origins and Development of the Windsurfing Board

Windsurfing Board
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An alumni of University of California – Santa Barbara, James P. Knell has been serving as the chairman of SIMA Corporation, based in Santa Barbara, CA. In his free time, James P. Knell enjoys engaging in watersports, such as windsurfing.

Since surging in popularity in the late 1970s, windsurfing has become a mainstream sport in many parts of the world. In fact, during its peak, a windsurfer can be found in one out of every three households in Europe. In 1984, it was contested in the Olympics as a demonstration sport before being recognized as an official sport in 1992 with separate categories for men and women.

The origins of the sport are directly connected with the development of the windsurfing board. While some might contend that windsurfing started in 1948 with Newman Darby’s contraption that used a kite-shaped sail, more people agree that the true birth of windsurfing occurred during the late 1950s when an early prototype of the modern sailboard was released by Californians Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer. Nicknamed “the windsurfer,” the equipment measured 3.5 meters long and weighed 27 kilograms. After having it patented in 1968, Schweitzer proceeded to have it mass-produced, thus leading to the sport’s boom later on.

The equipment underwent many developments through the years. Currently, there are many variants that are accepted in competitions, and official boards may range between 2.5 to 4 meters in length. Meanwhile, the weight of the boards has generally become lighter and currently weigh between 7 to 18 kilograms.

Discovering Paradise in French Polynesia’s Bora Bora

Bora Bora
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After receiving a bachelor’s degree in English, Kinesiology, and Sociology from the University of California – Santa Barbara, James P. Knell first started out his career as a teacher. It wasn’t until in the late 1970s that he decided to enter the real estate industry as an independent investor. He currently serves as the chairman of Santa Barbara-based company SIMA Corporation. In his free time, James P. Knell enjoys traveling the world and considers French Polynesia as one of his favorite destinations.

French Polynesia consists of over 100 islands spread across five archipelagos, presenting a wide variety of choices for tourists who like to keep their options open. French Polynesia is more than Tahiti, the default initial destination, and many tourists might find themselves hopping from one far-flung island to the next in search of a new adventure.

An island which has been gaining popularity in the past few years is Bora Bora, home to the world-famous overwater bungalows. Although equally renowned for its aquamarine lagoons that evoke paradise, Bora Bora is also home to an impressive marine biodiversity. Once tourists venture out of the island’s lagoons with sandy bottoms, they’ll find themselves visiting fringing reefs that offer a unique diving experience. If lucky, divers may not only have close encounters with manta rays, they might even be able to catch a sight of the majestic lemon shark.