Peachtree Group's Market Update w/ Greg Friedman & Mark Zandi
Mark Zandi, Chief Econmist at Moody's Analytics joined Greg Friedman, Managing Principal and CEO of Peachtree Group for a 4th Quarter Market Update.
The commercial real estate industry has entered a transformative period defined by Chaos, Complexity, Complications and Creativity. The interplay of macro-economic pressures, financial challenges and anticipated policy changes from the new administration has created a volatile environment that demands adaptability and strategic thinking from stakeholders.
Headwinds in CRE
The chaos in CRE stems from structural shifts and economic headwinds reshaping the industry. Elevated interest rates have fundamentally altered investment returns, making debt more expensive and refinancing significantly harder. An ongoing "wall of debt maturities," totaling $3.6 trillion over the next 36 months, will force owners to manage or restructure obligations under far less favorable conditions than when loans were originated.
We are at historic levels of debt maturing as we are at the tail end of a wave of CRE loans maturing, many of which originated before 2022, particularly in 2014 and 2015, reflecting the prevalent 10-year loan terms of that period. To put this into context, the average interest rate on CRE loans originated in 2024 was roughly 6.2% versus the 4.3% rate on maturing mortgages—a nearly200-basis-point increase, according to S&P Global.
Meanwhile, the new administration's plans to cut costs and tighten immigration policies introduce uncertainty, complicating operational and labor-related decisions. While the immigration policy discussions may create short-term volatility, its impact on long-term CRE investments is expected to be minimal. These discussions serve as an "eye candy" distraction without substantial consequences for capital deployment or the asset class's attractiveness.
These factors foster a chaotic and volatile environment, disrupting traditional approaches to ownership, transactions and refinancing.
Creativity Key to CRE Challenges
CRE investments are inherently complex, and the current chaotic market magnifies these challenges. Rising debt obligations now exceed asset performance, particularly as rent growth and NOI struggle to keep pace with increasing costs. Market stress varies across sectors, with some assets thriving while others falter under outdated financing terms and reduced liquidity.
The complications stemming from broken capital stacks and operational challenges are expected to peak this year. Higher interest rates and more conservative lending criteria make debt restructuring increasingly tricky. Insurance and heightened compliance costs exacerbate inefficiencies, further straining asset performance.
In this challenging environment, creativity is no longer optional but essential. Owners and investors must adopt innovative strategies to structure deals, recapitalize assets and maintain competitiveness.
Strategies like CPACE financing, which enhances building efficiency while addressing funding gaps, and EB-5 investments, which access foreign capital through immigrant investor programs, offer viable solutions. Preferred equity and mezzanine debt can fill capital stack gaps, while private credit provides customized financing arrangements tailored to asset-specific needs. Creative structuring, such as Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), maximizes tax advantages and enhances cash flow predictability.
Tax Deferred Investing
Tax considerations should also play a vital role in determining your investment strategies. Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) offer appealing solutions for 1031 exchange investors seeking tax deferral and portfolio diversification through high-quality assets.
Opportunity Zones remain one of the most significant tax benefits across the country while furthering the cause of urban redevelopment. These tax-advantaged instrument allows investors to reduce their tax burdens and extract more value from their CRE investments.
The Road Ahead
This year will be a watershed moment for commercial real-estate stakeholders. The erratic nature of the market means that financial tools must be intimately understood, and alternative approaches embraced. Success will come down to adaptability, innovation and a deep understanding of market dynamics. Although the headwinds will be persistent, this environment provides unique opportunities for those who are prepared to embrace the four Cs and help define a creative way forward.
The Peachtree Group team will share their insights into how the market is shaping up and how they plan to adapt their strategies to navigate Chaos, Complexity, Complications and Creativity. Each aims to overcome the headwinds and seize the opportunities presented in this transformative period for the commercial real estate industry.
The Peachtree Group team shares their insights into how the market is shaping up and how they plan to adapt their strategies to navigate Chaos, Complexity, Complications and Creativity. Each aims to overcome the headwinds and seize the opportunities presented in this transformative period for the commercial real estate industry. Read Peachtree's House Views Here.
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As we move into 2025, Peachtree Group remains optimistic about the U.S. economy. While risks persist—from policy shifts to stretched markets—the underlying fundamentals are strong. This sentiment was echoed by our recent guest speaker, Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics, who shared his insights on the economy’s resilience and the challenges ahead, particularly for commercial real estate.
Economic Highlights and Key Insights
Mark emphasized the exceptional performance of the U.S. economy, with GDP growth expected to range between 2.5% and 3%, driven by increased labor participation and productivity gains. The labor market remains strong, with unemployment hovering around 4%, and households—especially those in the top income tiers—benefit from strong asset values and low debt-service ratios. However, he noted the pressures on lower-income households, who are feeling the strain of inflation and high-interest debt. This contrast contributes to a gap between strong economic data and public sentiment.
Risks and Projections for 2025
He outlined several key risks that may shape the economic landscape in 2025:
- Tariffs and Immigration Policies: Anticipated increases in tariffs and stricter immigration rules could amplify inflation and disrupt labor markets, especially in industries like construction and agriculture.
- Asset Market Volatility: Stretched valuations and policy-driven fiscal deficits could heighten market instability.
- Interest Rate Outlook: The federal funds rate is projected to decline to 4% by early 2025, with a further reduction to 3% by 2026. Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury yield, a key benchmark for CRE valuations, is expected to remain flat, between 4% and 4.5%.
Commercial Real Estate and Private Credit
Mark highlighted the explosive growth over the past decade on private credit, now standing at eight times its 2010 size. While recognizing the risks of this rapid expansion, he noted that stabilizing economic fundamentals is a significant mitigating factor.
He also addressed the current state of CRE valuations, acknowledging a significant correction since 2022. Asset prices are down 10–20% from their peaks, depending on asset type, but he expressed cautious optimism for future returns as valuations in many segments approach fair value. Challenges remain, however, as muted transaction volumes and uncertainty around intrinsic values make price discovery difficult in a higher interest rate environment. However, he concluded by emphasizing that CRE, having undergone a meaningful correction, is uniquely positioned for potentially stronger returns.
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Schwab Network: 'New Game' with High-Interest Rates
Greg Friedman discussed on the Schwab network how the high rate environment is reshaping valuations and refinancing, with 90% of office vacancies concentrated in just 30% of buildings.
Schwab Network – Greg Friedman joins Nicole Petallides at the NYSE site with a deep-dive into the high rate environment facing investors right now. When looking at the 10-year Treasury rate which is "more than double pre-2022 average," Greg believes its reshaping valuations and refinancing dynamics. In the real estate realm, he sees uneven performance saying "90% of office vacancies are in just 30% of office buildings."
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CNBC: La Reserva Federal reduce los tipos de interés: ¿un punto de inflexión para los inversores inmobiliarios comerciales o simplemente una farsa?
El director ejecutivo de Peachtree, Greg Friedman, habló en Fast Money de CNBC sobre el efecto de los recientes recortes de tipos de la Reserva Federal en el mercado inmobiliario comercial.
La reducción de 50 puntos básicos de la Reserva Federal a la tasa de los fondos federales en septiembre ha provocado nuevas conversaciones sobre su impacto en las inversiones inmobiliarias comerciales (CRE). Si bien en algunos sectores hay optimismo con respecto a la vuelta a un entorno de tipos más bajos, el mercado de bonos señala una historia diferente, ya que los tipos de interés a largo plazo se mantienen altos y los riesgos de inflación persisten. Este es un buen recordatorio de que los tipos a corto plazo, establecidos por la Reserva Federal, y los tipos a largo plazo, como los del Tesoro a 10 años, suelen moverse de forma independiente.
El entorno actual de tasas más altas reconfigura los fundamentos del valor de la CRE. La tasa actual del Tesoro a 10 años, de alrededor del 4% (el doble de la media anterior a 2022) exige que los valores de la CRE se recalibren. Los informes sobre una caída del 20% en los valores de los CRE desde los niveles máximos de 2022 requieren contexto; esas valoraciones se basaron en un entorno de tipos de interés muy diferente. El escenario actual implica una trayectoria de crecimiento más lenta, lo que exige que los inversores se adapten a un «nuevo juego» de tipos más altos durante más tiempo.
En todos los activos de CRE, los diferentes sectores responden a las tasas más altas de distintas maneras. Los hoteles, por ejemplo, se benefician de una sólida demanda a medida que aumentan los viajes, mientras que los activos multifamiliares siguen mostrando resiliencia a pesar de las presiones de refinanciación. Sin embargo, los activos de oficina se enfrentan a un estrés significativo debido a los desafíos seculares y a los impulsados por los tipos de interés.
A pesar de que la Reserva Federal reduce los tipos, la refinanciación de deuda que antes tenía tasas bajas presenta desafíos continuos para los activos de CRE, especialmente aquellos con fechas de vencimiento próximas. Los tipos más altos elevan el costo de la deuda y reducen los flujos de caja, al tiempo que repercuten en las valoraciones generales de los activos, lo que ejerce una presión adicional.
A pesar de los obstáculos, el entorno actual ofrece oportunidades únicas para los inversores estratégicos y ágiles. Si bien los tipos más altos pueden hacer bajar el valor de los activos, para quienes estén preparados para navegar por el mercado actual con un apalancamiento moderado y una estrategia con visión de futuro, los desafíos actuales pueden convertirse en vientos de favor en el futuro. Dado que las recientes medidas de la Reserva Federal apuntan a una era en la que «subirán durante más tiempo», los inversores en bienes raíces comerciales que se adapten con rapidez podrían encontrar oportunidades sin precedentes, por lo que este es un momento inmejorable para tomar medidas decisivas en el sector inmobiliario comercial.
Vea al CEO y director gerente de Peachtree Group, Greg Friedman, hablar sobre este tema en Fast Money de CNBC.