Yahoo – Catalysts - The commercial real estate market (CRE) has struggled amid a prolonged high-interest-rate environment, but hotels have continued to outperform as demand surpasses supply. Peachtree Group CEO Greg Friedman joined Catalysts to discuss the market outlook.
Friedman explained that the pandemic "muted" new supply growth, and as demand has picked up with limited new construction, he believes the hotel industry is benefiting from supply being constrained. He points out supply in the hotel sector is growing at a 40% reduction, while demand remains resilient.
Friedman notes that "from an investment perspective," hotel assets trade at higher cap rates. With rates expected to remain elevated, Friedman states, "there's less negative leverage," making the sector increasingly attractive.
Regarding office spaces, Friedman sees potential for recovery. "I think we're heading towards a bottoming across the office sector," he said, pointing to rising vacant spaces being repurposed and transformed for new uses. "I think we're heading towards it being more investable," he added.
To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Catalysts here.
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This year marks a watershed moment for commercial real estate stakeholders. The erratic nature of the market demands a deep understanding of financial tools and the willingness to embrace alternative approaches. Success hinges on adaptability, innovation and a thorough grasp of market dynamics. While the headwinds are expected to persist, this environment offers unique opportunities for those who are prepared.
Peachtree Group CEO Greg Friedman wrote about those challenges in this blog post: 2025 CRE Market Forecast: Adapting to Disruption.
Below, the Peachtree Group team shares their insights into how the market is evolving and their strategies for overcoming challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities in this transformative period for the commercial real estate industry.
“2025 could mark the end of the 'kicking the can' era in commercial real estate, as outside pressures - banks, brands and partnerships - force transactions that can no longer be delayed. We've already seen the shift begin in late 2024, with assets that stalled during prior marketing cycles resurfacing under note sales and distress-driven deals. As equity takes a backseat and control shifts to outside parties, prepared investors will find unique opportunities in this evolving landscape.”
Michael Bernath, SVP Acquisitions & Dispositions
"With debt maturities as the primary catalyst for capital events, the elevated interest rate environment and shifting property fundamentals are driving investors toward alternative strategies such as rescue capital, preferred equity and special situations. Borrower indecision and bank disagreements are fueling loan sales, while partnerships face stress from owner fatigue and capital calls, creating opportunities for M&A and large-scale equity trades. Against a backdrop of geopolitical risk, inflation and rising fixed costs, innovative and strategic approaches are essential for achieving growth."
Michael Ritz, EVP, Investments
“Banks, buoyed by strong reserves, are expected to sell commercial real estate loans as they manage risk exposure, address tighter regulatory requirements and free up capital. This trend will likely increase note transactions, offering investors access to discounted or even distressed assets. The market is also witnessing a significant rise in hybrid credit structures, blending debt and equity characteristics to provide flexible capital to borrowers while delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns to investors. The shifting environment in which traditional financing avenues are evolving presents opportunities for those equipped to navigate this chaotic market."
Jeremy Stoler, EVP, Debt Capital Markets
“In anticipation that public equities markets will generate lower annual returns over the next decade than in the decade prior, investors will increasingly seek alpha through alternative investments. Foreign capital partners in certain geographies and markets will continue to turn to U.S. commercial real estate to hedge against currency and geopolitical risks. Meanwhile, sponsor and LP fatigue will create a fertile environment for secondaries, special situations and structured finance deals, where fundamentally strong assets with challenged capital structures may be acquired or recapped at attractive valuations.”
Daniel Savage, VP Investments & Strategy, Equity Capital Markets
“The EB-5 program offers commercial real estate developers a distinctive advantage by providing lower-cost capital that enhances investment returns while creating jobs and driving economic growth. By including EB-5 financing into their capital stack, developers can better navigate stricter lending conditions and rising construction costs. This approach not only maximizes value but also positions the property for long-term success.”
Adam Greene, EVP, EB-5 Program
“Lenders holding post-COVID distressed loans, recognizing they won't recover cash flow, are preparing to liquidate in 2025, creating opportunities for strategic buyers. However, a 'higher-for-longer' interest rate environment continues to stall the transaction market, as sellers resist trading at elevated cap rates, prolonging the bid-ask gap."
Jared Schlosser, EVP, Hotel Lending & Head of CPACE
“The commercial real estate development landscape continues to evolve, and the fundamentals of the hospitality industry enable it to standout as a strong and flexible sector ready to take advantage of new opportunities. With generally higher cap rates, supply growth well under the long-run average and strong investor appetite in areas supported by the federally backed Opportunity Zone program, the hotel industry is well-positioned to lead new projects, especially in infill locations. This growth shows how development will move forward, even as other real estate sectors face tougher challenges and economic struggles.”
Will Woodworth, VP, Investments
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.
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.
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 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.
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 periodf or the commercial real estate industry. Read Peachtree's House Views Here.
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ATLANTA (Jan. 6, 2025) – Peachtree Group ("Peachtree") announced today that Josh Rubinger has joined as senior vice president of national accounts for its broker-dealer affiliate, Peachtree PC Investors("PPCI"). Rubinger’s role will focus on business development, overseeing relationships with broker-dealers and registered investment advisors (“RIAs”)and supporting the distribution of the firm’s investment offerings.
With more than two decades of experience in financial services and a proven track record of developing strong client relationships, Rubinger's leadership will further strengthen Peachtree's commitment to delivering tailored investment solutions through PPCI.
“This strategic hire underscores our focus on grow thand strengthening Peachtree’s position as a trusted partner within the investment community,” said Brian Cho, president of PPCI. “Josh's extensive experience and strong network of relationships with broker-dealers and RIAs position him as a key asset to our team. His expertise will be instrumental in shaping our selling group and broadening our market reach.”
Prior to joining PPCI, Rubinger served as senior vice president and head of national accounts for Ashford Securities, a broker-dealer wholly owned by Ashford Inc., an alternative asset management company specializing in the real estate and hospitality sectors.
Before Ashford, he served as senior vice president of national accounts for Lightstone Capital Markets, the capital markets division of The Lightstone Group. Rubinger also served as vice president and East Coast national accounts manager at Thompson National Properties LLC. Before entering the alternative investment space, he held roles with Oppenheimer Funds andColumbia Funds.
Rubinger holds a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities licenses.
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is a vertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.
