🔑 Key Takeaways
- Institutional adoption, led by firms like Blackstone, has influenced the commercial real estate market, driving up valuations and creating new opportunities for investors in the housing and industrial sectors.
- Onshoring is gaining momentum due to disrupted supply chains and increased reliance on China, while the acceleration of remote work is reshaping the office sector and driving investment in niche markets.
- Private equity-style investors are pursuing mom and pop businesses in self-storage and car wash industries, leveraging subscription revenue opportunities and steady customer retention to maximize profits and attract institutional buyers.
- As interest rates rise, commercial real estate valuations are expected to decline by 10 to 15%. This presents an opportunity for buyers to enter the market, but future interest rates and cap rates will also influence valuations.
- The commercial real estate market is experiencing a downturn in office space prices, but experts believe that the market has not yet reached its lowest point. The future of office usage and remote work remains uncertain, leading to differing opinions on investment strategies.
- Understanding the varying durations and debt structures is crucial for owners in the commercial real estate market, while low inventory in residential real estate emphasizes the importance of timing and life events for selling.
- The low inventory of houses and rising costs may lead to longer holding periods for sellers, but life events and market conditions can prompt action. Short-term rentals and delays in new construction also impact the market.
- Investing in private credit in the real estate market can provide higher returns compared to traditional bond allocations, offering investors short-term income and a flight to safety amid rising interest rates.
- EquityMultiple provides an accessible and transparent avenue for individuals to invest in commercial real estate projects, breaking down traditional barriers and offering various risk levels and investment options.
- The company believes that a combination of equity and debt, along with a focus on value add properties, can benefit investors in managing risk and achieving success in the middle market.
- Commercial real estate deals typically involve lower leverage compared to residential real estate, but there are opportunities to increase risk and returns. The company offers investment options tied to the current market state, emphasizing real estate expertise and a cautious expansion approach.
📝 Podcast Summary
The transforming landscape of the commercial real estate market and the role of institutional adoption in driving up valuations and creating investment opportunities.
The commercial real estate market has undergone significant changes, with real estate transitioning from an alternative asset to becoming one of the primary asset categories. Institutional adoption, particularly in private equity, has played a major role in this shift. The influx of institutional capital, driven by firms like Blackstone, has significantly impacted valuations and driven up the value perspective in the market. Several factors, including prolonged low interest rates and the affordability crisis in housing, have contributed to the rise in valuations over the past decade. Looking ahead, the housing sector and industrial real estate, particularly in the logistics space, present promising opportunities for investors.
The Growing Momentum Behind Onshoring and the Surprising Shift in the Office Sector
There is a growing momentum behind onshoring, driven by the breakdown of supply chains during the pandemic and the realization of reliance on China. Both political and grassroots movements are pushing for onshoring, which could be a significant driving force over the next decade. The conversation also highlights the surprising shift in the office sector due to the acceleration of remote work, catching the industry by surprise. Commercial real estate encompasses more than just office space, including multifamily, industrial, retail, hospitality, and specialty segments. Niche markets, such as self-storage and car washes, are becoming more attractive for investment due to the high valuation of traditionally popular sectors like multifamily. The commercial real estate market is approximately half the size of the residential market.
Changing Perspectives on Mom and Pop Businesses in the Self-Storage and Car Wash Industries
Mom and pop businesses in the self-storage and car wash industries are being acquired by private equity-style investors who see them as subscription revenue opportunities. These investors recognize that once customers are in, they tend to stay, creating a stable income stream. By gradually increasing rents and improving expense management, professional owners can maximize profits and expand their portfolios. This new way of thinking about these industries, particularly car washes, has led to the emergence of monthly memberships and higher multiples when selling to institutional buyers. Investing in larger commercial real estate deals, like self-storage, offers economies of scale and diversified risk, making it a favorable option. The market cycle is currently opportune for acquiring businesses from mom and pop owners and later selling to institutions at a premium.
The Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Commercial Real Estate Valuations
As interest rates rise, it puts pressure on cap rates to increase and multiples to decrease in commercial real estate. This means that the yield on the property must be higher than the cost of putting leverage on it. Currently, all valuations in commercial real estate are being affected, but it is difficult to determine the extent of the impact because of the lack of market activity. However, it is estimated that there will be a 10 to 15% decline in valuations. The rise in interest rates is magnified by leverage, but the relationship between cap rates and interest rates is not perfect. As valuations continue to decrease, there will be an opportunity for buyers to make a move and transaction volumes to increase. Furthermore, profit margins in the real estate market are being squeezed, and the forecast for future interest rates and cap rates also plays a role in determining valuations.
Uncertainty and Divergent Views on Office Space Prices and Investment Opportunities in Commercial Real Estate Market
Office space prices are indeed coming down, but they have not reached their bottom yet. There is a general feeling within the industry that the market still has some way to go before reaching a point where asset prices make sense for investment opportunities. The future of office usage and remote work remains uncertain, with debates between those who believe the traditional office is over and those who think that a recession may bring back the need for physical workplaces. When it comes to commercial real estate, there are different schools of thought regarding investment strategies, but the market tends to drive value over time, creating opportunities in disfavored sectors, as seen in the post-pandemic bounce back of retail. In terms of inventory, the commercial real estate market differs from the residential market, with transaction momentum being driven by the duration of debt.
Differences between commercial and residential real estate mortgages
The mortgage market in commercial real estate differs significantly from residential real estate. Commercial mortgages typically have shorter durations, usually ranging from two to ten years, with a greater emphasis on floating rate debt rather than fixed rate. This can lead to the need for owners to sell if they are unable to secure a new loan with favorable terms, even if they believe in the long-term prospects of their property. On the other hand, residential real estate is experiencing low inventory due to homeowners holding onto their properties with low-interest rate mortgages. The inclination to sell is minimal unless there is a significant life event or necessity. This highlights the importance of understanding the different ownership and investment horizons in different real estate sectors.
The Unpredictable Nature of the Housing Market: Factors and Challenges
The low inventory and residential housing situation will likely have long-term effects. Although the rising cost of replacing houses and the expensive debt may cause people to hold out longer before selling, life factors such as marriages, deaths, and graduations ultimately lead to changes in circumstances. As the market gains momentum and more inventory becomes available, prices may be depressed, prompting sellers to act before their prices decrease further. Short-term rentals also impact the market, especially outside of core urban areas where using platforms like Airbnb may be challenging. Home builders, who forecast future market conditions, face challenges due to delays in delivering new homes. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the housing market and the diverse factors influencing it.
Expanding Opportunities in Private Credit: Real Estate Market
There is a massive opportunity in private credit, particularly in the real estate market. With interest rates rising and regional banks pulling back from lending due to regulatory pressures, non-bank lenders like the ones in the conversation can step in and provide bridge loans. This opens up more opportunities for investors looking for short-term income and a flight to safety with shorter durations. In terms of yields, the target range is around 12%, but it can vary depending on the specific real estate project. Overall, investing in private credit, similar to allocating in stocks and bonds, can offer investors the potential for higher returns compared to traditional bond allocations.
EquityMultiple: Democratizing Commercial Real Estate Investments Through Online Platforms
EquityMultiple, founded in 2015 and led by Charles Clinton, offers a unique opportunity for investors to participate in commercial real estate projects. The company was born out of a need for increased access to these types of investments, as traditionally they were limited to country clubs and personal connections. However, with the passing of the Jobs Act in 2013, EquityMultiple was able to leverage changes in law to bring transparency and efficiency to the market by operating online. Their offerings are divided into three buckets: "Keep," "Earn," and "Grow," catering to different risk levels and investment goals. In contrast to other crowdfunding platforms, EquityMultiple employs a private equity-style model, conducting thorough due diligence and accepting only a small percentage of investments reviewed.
Emphasizing Diversification and Value Add Properties for Investor Success
The company focuses on diversification of offerings and values the importance of portfolio construction. They believe that a combination of equity and debt is beneficial for most investors, rather than solely relying on equity investments. The company also heavily leans towards value add properties, although they do invest in some properties with less value add. They have developed expertise in evaluating the cost of renovations, timeframes, and achievable market rents through their experience with over 185 transactions. In terms of investor communication, the company emphasizes the importance of diversification and building a portfolio to manage risk. They operate in the middle market, between $10 million and $50 million, where there is less institutional capital competition.
Leverage and Investment Opportunities in Commercial Real Estate
Leverage in commercial real estate deals is variable, but generally lower compared to residential real estate. The typical mortgage amount falls between 60% and 70%. However, there are cases where more leverage is used opportunistically to increase risk and potentially increase returns. In terms of future offerings, the company is launching a debt fund tied to the market's current state, allowing investors to invest in individual loans. They are also considering launching an equity fund and exploring alternative investments outside of real estate. They emphasize their expertise in real estate and cautious approach to expansion. Interested individuals can learn more about the company and get personalized assistance through their human-backed online platform.