Poll: CRE Professionals Expect More Momentum in 2019

Ernie Katai

Interest rate hikes, GSE lending confidence and adapting new technologies are all on the forefront this year as commercial real estate professionals reflected on 2018’s deal flow and anticipates new year opportunities, according to Berkadia’s 2019 Outlook Powerhouse Poll.

Interest Rates

As the commercial real estate industry navigated four interest rate hikes last year, investors still accepted less returns and ended the year on a high note as 82% said that deal volume either met or exceeded their expectations for the year. Berkadia’s professionals are now keeping a close eye on interest rates in 2019 and investors may not react as favorably to as many rate hikes.

“This year, we may see the commercial real estate industry hit the reset button after a dynamic past 12 months. The market absorbed the heavy interest rate increases of 2018, but interest rate uncertainty in the year ahead could impact the current level of investor interest,” said Ernie Katai, Executive Vice President and Head of Production at Berkadia. “That being said, available capital remains strong and we may see more larger-scale transactions than in years past.”