Recent Articles

• Economic Forecasts for Germany Remain Strong Despite Global Uncertainty

  May 22, 2017

  Brexit and the recent U.S. and French elections came up in many conversations at ULI Germany’s recent Urban Leader Summit in Frankfurt. Although panelists said they are concerned about the geopolitical changes afoot, the domestic German economy remains strong.

• Office REITs Face Oversupply in Key Markets, Shift to Secondary Markets Elsewhere

  May 15, 2017

  As job growth in the professional services sector has increased substantially over the past several years, office real estate investment trusts (REITs) have benefited from strong leasing fundamentals. However, more office construction and oversupply concentrated in major metro areas such as New York City, Houston, and Washington, D.C., continue to concern those in the market. Plus, interest rate survey data from Trepp.

• Panelists Weigh Policies That Could Boost U.S. Growth Near End of Economic Cycle

  May 12, 2017

  The current U.S. economic expansion is already one of the longest since World War II, but because most investors have been relatively conservative in their investment choices, few reasons exist for concern about a sharp downturn in the near term, panelists said at the 2017 ULI Spring Meeting. They also agreed that certain policy changes like corporate repatriation of profits or tax cuts would increase the possibility of further growth.

• Apartment REITs with New York Exposure Competing with New Supply

  May 1, 2017

  Real estate investment trusts that specialize in the multifamily sector, particularly those with an exposure to the high-end sector in New York City, continue to struggle in the face of new construction. Plus, interest rate survey data from Trepp.

• Nontraded REITs Raise Lowest Volume of Capital in 14 Years

  April 24, 2017

  The departure of AR Global Investments from the nontraded real estate investment trust world, coupled with uncertainty surrounding substantial pending regulations, has put a sizable damper on the ability of the nontraded REIT sector to raise capital. According to Summit Investment Research, $4.8 billion of equity was raised by sponsors of 35 entities last year, the lowest volume in 14 years. Plus, interest rate survey data from Trepp.

• Improving U.S. Economics, Modest Rent Growth Forecast through 2019

  April 17, 2017

  The latest survey of U.S. real estate economists showed a marked increase in expected economic measures, most likely due to federal proposals to reform the tax code, reduce regulatory burdens, and invest in infrastructure. Compared with the same survey from six months ago, real estate economists have higher expectations about gross domestic product (GDP) growth, employment growth, and housing starts.