Conference Coverage

By Lynn Peisner ATLANTA — How are today’s seniors housing operators using data to drive sales and increase occupancy? This was the question posed to a panel of experts speaking at the 12th annual InterFace Seniors Housing Southeast conference, held at the InterContinental Hotel in Atlanta’s Buckhead area on Aug. 27. Data can paint a big picture, depicting the true nature of demand in a market. “We like to think of it as a novel,” said Nick Jasmon, vice president of business development for American Healthcare Management Group. “What’s happening in your buildings is the main story, and the data is the prequel.” Editor’s note: InterFace Conference Group, a division of France Media Inc., produces networking and educational conferences for commercial real estate executives. To sign up for email announcements about specific events, visit www.interfaceconferencegroup.com/subscribe. Data on length of stay, move-in/move-out patterns and acuity changes can help forecast occupancy levels more accurately. For example, Jasmon noted that data can show how move-in ages are changing over time. “We’re seeing that our independent living (IL) residents are getting older,” he said. “Some of our IL residents are in their 80s. When we talk to them about moving to assisted [living], they reply, ‘no, that’s …

By Matt Valley ATLANTA — In an unsettled world, the capital markets have ironically proven to be relatively stable this year. That’s helped pave the way for the rebound in financing across the seniors housing sector, lenders say. But they are quick to add that construction financing remains difficult to secure for most developers. For much of this year, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield has fluctuated between 4.2 and 4.6 percent, a relatively narrow range compared with the high volatility experienced in the three years prior. In 2022, for example, the 10-year yield started the year at approximately 1.5 percent and reached 4.2 percent roughly 11 months later. Because a large percentage of commercial real estate loans are priced off the 10-year yield, the benchmark rate’s recent stability is significant, say lenders. And there is potentially more good news on the horizon.  Editor’s note: InterFace Conference Group, a division of France Media Inc., produces networking and educational conferences for commercial real estate executives. To sign up for email announcements about specific events, visit www.interfaceconferencegroup.com/subscribe. “The Fed has been holding steady for several months in terms of short-term rates. But it looks now — based on what Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said last week in his …

By Hayden Spiess DALLAS — Although tenant demand for active adult communities remains strong, the sector is not immune to escalating construction costs, labor shortages, tariffs and general economic uncertainty, say industry professionals. Teamwork across key disciplines can help make clearing those hurdles much easier. “We’re having a hard time getting things to pencil these days,” levels Erin Berry Harps, director of interior design at Direct Supply Aptura, a senior living design and construction firm. Simultaneously, residents are as price conscious as ever, she points out. “We also have increased consumer demand for affordability,” emphasizes Harps.  Editor’s note: InterFace Conference Group, a division of France Media Inc., produces networking and educational conferences for commercial real estate executives. To sign up for email announcements about specific events, visit www.interfaceconferencegroup.com/subscribe. Harps’ assessment came during the 5th annual InterFace Active Adult conference, which was held Wednesday, May 7, at The Westin Las Colinas in Dallas. Harps moderated a panel titled “Architecture, Design & Construction Trends for Active Adult Projects” at the daylong event, which attracted more than 300 industry professionals. In addition to Harps, the panel discussion included Bill Foster, a partner with Lantz-Boggio Architects; Lisa Warnock, principal and founder of Glow Interior Designs; Jarrett Cooper, vice …