The commercial real estate market is sending mixed signals, but Mark Vitner, chief economist at Piedmont Crescent Capital, cuts through the noise with a stark reality check: real estate values remain significantly overpriced and the correction isn't over.
In our latest Peachtree Point of View podcast episode,Vitner shares crucial insights every real estate investor needs to hear. While we've avoided the deep recession many predicted, the market hasn't fully adjusted to the new interest rate environment. That creates both risks and opportunities for savvy investors.
The 10-year Treasury, currently trading around 4.5%, isn't high. It's actually at the low end of where rates should be over the next decade. Vitner argues that fair value is closer to 4.7%, with the potential to hit 5% or higher. This shift marks the end of the artificially low-rate era that inflated asset values. Properties must now reprice accordingly.
The disconnect is already evident in the field. At Peachtree Group, CEO Greg Friedman is seeing a 10 to 15% gap between what sellers believe their properties are worth and their true intrinsic value, a lingering effect of years of abundant liquidity that many still expect to return.
But this is where opportunity arises. Vitner recommends targeting investments with high barriers to entry and strong investor control, especially in markets where policy makers have started encouraging development. The sweet spot, according to Vitner, is mixed-use projects in mid-sized cities undergoing a renaissance, where the smartphone generation wants to be closer to the action.
Key Investment Takeaways:
• Interest rates are structurally higher: The 10-year treasury will likely trade between 4.5-5.5% in non-recessionary periods, fundamentally resetting real estate valuations
• Geographic opportunities exist: Markets like Charleston, South Carolina, and emerging Alabama markets offer growth with natural barriers to entry, while formerly hot markets like Nashville have cooled
• Mixed-use is the future: Lifestyle-oriented developments that combine residential, retail, and entertainment are capturing demand as people seek walkable, amenity-rich environments
• Debt maturity wall creates pressure: Massive amounts of commercial real estate debt will refinance at much higher rates, forcing realistic pricing discussions
• Consumer spending is shifting: Expect retail consolidation at the lower end as consumer spending normalizes from 71% to a more sustainable 67-68% of GDP
The full conversation reveals why this market correction isn't your typical cycle and how prepared investors can capitalize on the repricing ahead. Don't miss Vitner's complete analysis of regional market dynamics, demographic shifts, and tactical investment strategies.
Listen to the complete episode of Peachtree Point of View on your favorite podcast platform for the full strategic breakdown every commercial real estate investor needs to navigate today's market realities.
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ATLANTA (May 5, 2025) - Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) is proud to announce that Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO, has been recognized among the 2025 Rainmakers in CRE Debt, Equity & Finance by GlobeSt.,and named to Commercial Observer’s prestigious Power Finance list. These industry-leading accolades highlight Friedman's exceptional leadership, strategic innovation and enduring impact on the commercial real estate finance landscape.
Inclusion on the GlobeSt. Rainmakers list acknowledges Friedman's ability to navigate one of the most challenging commercial real estate finance periods. Amid elevated interest rates, tightening capital markets and declining valuations, Friedman has led Peachtree's vertically integrated management platforms with clarity and conviction. His approach has helped stakeholders unlock value, access liquidity and capitalize on market dislocation.
Commercial Observer’s Power Finance list further affirms Friedman’s influence and adaptability. As lenders retracted and transaction volume slowed, Peachtree continued to deliver creative capital solutions from originating loans to establishing strategic partnerships and playing across the capital stack. Under Friedman’s leadership, Peachtree has remained a dependable partner known for its certainty of execution, critical expertise and a solutions-driven mindset.
“These recognitions are a testament to Greg’s vision and our entire team’s commitment to being a steady force in an unpredictable market,” said Jatin Desai, managing principal and CFO of Peachtree. “Our strategy has always centered on disciplined investing, innovation and building strong relationships. Greg has set the tone.”
Peachtree’s success is powered by a high-performing, deeply experienced team that brings together the full spectrum of credit, equity, development and asset management expertise. This collective strength allows the firm to respond decisively to market shifts, underwrite with conviction and deliver solutions others can’t.
Peachtree has executed over $12 billion in commercial real estate transactions since inception. Its integrated platform aligns real estate, credit and capital markets expertise, positioning the firm to identify opportunities, deploy capital efficiently and manage risk across cycles.
"It was a highly competitive year for lenders on our list, and we gave props to those who kept the market ticking over with their multiple irons in the fire and several different ways to finance borrowers irrespective of market conditions. Whether they were offering a suite of products, playing up and down capital stacks, buying loan pools or securities, or launching new partnerships, our top lenders are those that offered continuity, reliability, certainty of execution, critical expertise and a wee bit of scrappiness.” — Commercial Observer
Schwab Network - "Commercial real estate continues to remain in chaos," says Greg Friedman. He believes fundamentals surrounding the industry remain solid but capital markets continue to raise outlook uncertainty. Greg uses the 10-year treasury as a benchmark for commercial real estate and talks about the other ways sentiment has shifted in the industry.