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Alex Hoenig Valuations Walker & Dunlop
Content PartnerFeaturesIndustrialMidwestMultifamilyNortheastOfficeSoutheastTexasWalker & DunlopWestern

Multifamily, Industrial, Office Transaction Activity Trends Upward Amid Shifting Valuation Landscape

by Sarah Daniels

The spike in interest rates nearly three years ago brought investment sales to a virtual standstill, as deep disagreements over valuation between buyers and sellers dominated the market. While recent Federal Reserve cuts to the federal funds rate raised hope for a resurgence in transactions, ongoing volatility in the bond market, concerns about reemerging inflation and uncertainty over fiscal and monetary policy continued to weigh on a full-blown rebound in investment activity. The uncertain environment makes it difficult for investors to easily evaluate commercial property values, underscoring the importance of access to comprehensive, real-time data on transactions, market fundamentals and emerging trends, says Alex Hoenig, MAI, Midwest regional managing director at Apprise, Walker & Dunlop’s independent valuation firm. “Our understanding of current values for commercial real estate relies on transactions actually taking place, and sales velocity has started to inch back up,” reports Hoenig. “But there’s no question that there has been a lot of volatility in the market, which requires a local expert with access to a strong network and a constant pulse on market comparables.” Walker & Dunlop launched Apprise in 2020 to accelerate technology-driven solutions in the commercial real estate sector. Apprise serves owners and investors nationwide, …

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MFSE2024-Capital-Markets
Conference CoverageFeaturesMultifamily

InterFace Panel: Multifamily Markets Can Work With New Interest Rate Ranges

by Taylor Williams

By Taylor Williams ATLANTA — There is nothing wrong with the new interest rate environment that currently governs capital markets activity in commercial real estate, and borrowers just need to adjust their expectations, put them into historical context and get back to making deals. This is the view of at least a couple veteran lenders who spoke at the InterFace Multifamily Southeast conference on Dec. 4 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. The event is now in its 15th year and continues to attract hundreds of multifamily developers, investors and lenders from across the region. 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. Following two cuts totaling 75 basis points earlier this year, the target range for the federal funds rate, or the overnight interest rate at which banks lend to each other, currently sits at 4.5 to 4.75 percent. This year’s cuts marked the first monetary easing by the Federal Reserve in more than four years, and while at least a couple more slashes to the overnight rate are anticipated in the coming months, …

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FeaturesHeartland Feature ArchiveMultifamily

Engage Multifamily Residents Year-Round with Seasonal Amenities

by Kristin Harlow

By Becky McLaughlin, WithMe Inc. As the seasons change, so do your residents’ needs and desires. Providing amenities and planning events that align with these shifting demands can be a game-changer for property managers. In fact, resident events have been shown to boost satisfaction, improve online reviews and impact lease renewal decisions, making them an essential tool for long-term property success. According to WithMe Inc.’s 2025 amenity outlook survey, which gathered insights from senior multifamily professionals at the country’s top property management companies, including Bozzuto, Greystar and Willow Bridge, there is a rise in resident demand for multipurpose spaces where they can relax, connect with neighbors and work. Finding ways to transform these common spaces to align with the changing seasons not only enhances resident satisfaction but also fosters a vibrant community atmosphere where people feel empowered to live, work and play year-round. Warming up the cooler months As temperatures drop, residents tend to spend more time indoors, increasing foot traffic in the lobby and shared spaces. This presents the perfect opportunity to transform these areas into cozy spots where they can comfortably work, connect and unwind. Imagine plush seating, soft lighting and a hot coffee and cocoa amenity that …

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Conference CoverageFeaturesNortheastNortheast Feature ArchivePennsylvaniaSeniors Housing

Stars Are Aligned for Healthy Seniors Housing Investment Climate in 2025, Says InterFace Panel

by John Nelson

The investment market for seniors housing is in a favorable position heading into the new year thanks to a confluence of factors, says Scott Corbin, director at Boston-based AEW Capital Management. The firm has roughly $3 billion in assets under management within this niche property type. “We’ve seen a full rebound in recovery. We’re not necessarily back to pre-pandemic [profit] margins, but we are getting close. We are seeing outsized NOI growth and outsized rent growth when you compare it to other asset classes. We have the demographic tailwinds. In addition, you have muted supply [growth],” explained Corbin, a panelist at the InterFace Seniors Housing Northeast conference, which took place Dec. 4-5 in Philadelphia. 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. Joining Corbin on stage at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia were moderator Kory Buzin, director, Blueprint Healthcare Real Estate Advisors; and panelists Curtis King, executive vice president, HJ Sims; Dennis Murphy, chief investment officer, Priority Life Care; Rick Swartz, senior managing director, JLL; and Shani Walter, managing director, Omega Healthcare Investors.  The daylong conference, …

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Conference CoverageFeaturesGeorgiaMultifamilyMultifamily & Affordable Housing Feature ArchiveSoutheastSoutheast Feature Archive

InterFace: Multifamily Investors Are Bullish on 2025 Sales Market, Though Many Hurdles Will Carry Over into New Year

by John Nelson

Speakers on the investment sales panel at the annual InterFace Multifamily Southeast conference were overall bullish on the sector’s investment prospects in the new year. The event, now in its 15th year, was held on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. To kick off the panel, moderator Paul Berry, president and COO of Mesa Capital Partners, discussed what a recovery could look like in terms of investment sales volume. 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. Berry said that in the six years leading up to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, annual U.S. multifamily investment sales volume hovered between $155 billion to $195 billion per year. He noted that due to robust inventory growth during that time, a “normal” yearly sales total would average out to $180 billion to $190 billion. “2021 saw ‘double normal’ — it was $350.7 billion,” said Berry. “The first three quarters of 2022 were at that same level before it slowed down by the end of the year, but it still eclipsed $300 billion.” He …

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DiRienz Opportunities for borrowers Talonvest pull quote
AcquisitionsContent PartnerDevelopmentFeaturesLoansMidwestNortheastSoutheastTexasWestern

Part 2: Elective Refinances, New Business Plans: What’s Driving Activity Today?

by Sarah Daniels

By David DiRienzo, director — business development, at Talonvest Capital, Inc. This is part two of a two-part series discussing the key drivers behind transaction volume and the steps owners can take to ensure they are well positioned going forward. As highlighted in part one, despite substantial changes in the market over the past few years, the capital markets continue to offer quality financing solutions for real estate owners. Part two of this article series delves into two key drivers of current financing activity: elective refinancing to optimize the capital stack and the initiation of new business plans. Given the plethora of value-add projects in the pipeline and the interest in undertaking new business plans as equity capital returns to the market, these financing strategies are taking on greater importance than in past years. Interestingly, elective refinancing and starting a new business plan are two scenarios where the borrower’s actions are optional because an impending maturity is not a consideration. For this reason, it is important that borrowers understand the nuances behind these strategies as well as the approach that a capital expert might take. Elective Refinancing to Maximize Investment Performance While loan maturities trigger many refinancings, owners run into a …

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Bohler General Contractor Approach Streamline Daniel Hines
BohlerContent PartnerDevelopmentFeaturesIndustrialMidwestNortheastSoutheastTexasWestern

Collaborative Construction: How Contractors, Engineering Teams Together Drive Project Success

by Sarah Daniels

Some commercial real estate developers work primarily with architects and engineers to establish a project’s scope and expected cost, leaving the selection of a general contractor or project manager until they are nearly ready to break ground. And by following this traditional approach, they may be leaving money on the table. A better practice is to engage contractors during project planning, industry experts advise. That’s because experienced contractors can provide practical insight into pricing and availability of materials and labor, informing critical planning decisions. Those same builders can be a sounding board for site civil engineers mapping out site preparation, utility installation, access and sequencing for the various tradespeople working on a project. “Involving a general contractor early is particularly beneficial for large-scale or phased construction projects,” says Daniel Hines, a principal in Bohler’s Charlotte office. “It enables us to approach the design more strategically, reduce costs and deliver more accurate timelines.” “The overall goal of getting a general contractor and an engineer working together is to maintain your schedule and your budget,” agrees Jeff Mitchell, director in the Charlotte, North Carolina office of Duffey Southeast Construction Inc. “Engineers are the experts at designing projects, but ultimately it is the …

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FeaturesLeasing ActivityOffice

Savills: US Office Market Sees Post-Pandemic Record Levels of Leasing Activity

by John Nelson

LONDON — The U.S. office market is in need of time and sustained levels of leasing activity to overcome the robust amount of space given back since the COVID-19 pandemic, concludes Savills’ third-quarter “State of the U.S. Office Market” report. If the third quarter is any indication, the U.S. office market is beginning its long road to recovery. According to Savills, the market recorded 57.7 million square feet of leasing activity this past quarter, which is a nearly 19 percent increase from 48.6 million square feet in second-quarter 2024 and a 25.4 percent increase from 46 million square feet in third-quarter 2023. The third-quarter 2024 total represents the largest quarterly leasing volume since the pandemic, according to Savills. The firm also projects that this year is on track to have the most office leasing activity since 2019, surpassing the previous post-pandemic high of 205.8 million square feet recorded in 2022. Additionally, the amount of available sublease space is on the decline. Sublease space on the market totaled 164.7 million square feet at the end of the third quarter, a 6.6 percent decrease from 176.4 million square feet in third-quarter 2023. Savills reports that sublease availability has declined for four consecutive quarters. …

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Affordable HousingFeaturesMultifamilyMultifamily & Affordable Housing Feature Archive

Which Amenities Pay Off in Today’s Multifamily Market?

by John Nelson

Amenities are the personality of a multifamily property. They proclaim a community’s individuality and lure tenants with promises of a fun, relaxing or convenient lifestyle. What counts as a multifamily amenity today? If most renters and homeowners are accustomed to robust Wi-Fi or controlling their heating and air conditioning through their phones, is a smart thermostat or bulk internet something to advertise as an “extra,” or are these features a given nowadays, like a fridge or a microwave? “Want versus need is a spectrum when it comes to multifamily amenities,” says Meg Spriggs, managing director of development, Americas, with New York City-based Lendlease. “The amenities renters need do not necessarily have the same wow factor as those they may want. In fact, you can’t even see some of them, such as fast and reliable internet service. Fitness centers, package systems, dog runs and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are other check-the-box items that, in some cases, are non-negotiables,” says Spriggs. Wi-Fi and EV outlets may be essentials, but they’re not always clinchers for prospective renters on the fence about where to live. This is when the wow factor takes over. Recording studios, on-site beekeeping, private speakeasies, meditation pods, maker spaces, …

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FeaturesRestaurantRetail

Security, Success, Stability: Crafting, Executing Restaurant Leases That Work

by Taylor Williams

By Brian G. Cafferty, partner at GoldMark Partners LLP A popular restaurant can be a significant draw to a shopping center. However, according to a study published by Ohio State University, approximately 60 percent of restaurants fail in their first year, and 80 percent fail before the end of their fifth year. These statistics underscore the importance of landlords being protected in the likely event of a restaurant tenant’s failure. A well-crafted restaurant lease should address the following key items to minimize a landlord’s liability: Secure More Than Just Rent To protect the landlord’s investment and minimize potential losses, the landlord should secure a security deposit of at least two months rent. Additionally, the tenant should grant the landlord a security interest in all of the tenant’s accounts receivables, equipment (including machinery, furniture and trade fixtures) and inventory under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).  Keeping the Kitchen (and Lease) Running Clean   The lease should require the tenant to contract with a third party for essential maintenance tasks, including grease removal, pest control and regular vent and hood cleaning. The frequency of the hood cleaning will depend on the type of restaurant, but quarterly cleaning is a good rule of …

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