The 2023 CRE Outlook: CEOs Weigh In

The commercial real estate industry is bracing for a year of dramatic and unpredictable change. Economic uncertainty, global events and policy shifts could influence every sector. During a CPE Voices webinar moderated by CPE Editorial Director Suzann Silverman on Nov. 17, five CEOs from leading investment, finance and advisory firms made the case for cautious optimism as well as for making adjustments in the face of retrenchment.

Cooling trend

Nearly all the executives welcomed recent signs of slowing inflation, though it remains at a 40-year high, even in the face of repeated interest rate hikes. Of note was how this affects the dealmaking landscape. Marcus & Millichap President & CEO Hessam Nadji welcomed the cooling trend as a “step in the right direction.” Still, Nadji voiced his concern about the possible lag effects, particularly regarding the recent interest rate hikes. “How much damage have they done that is not visible yet?” he asked.

Other participants saw the public markets’ quick adjustment to inflation and rising interest rates as another positive development. As John Gates, CEO of Americas markets at JLL, observed, “Everyone has realized that the increase in rates isn’t temporary. … Assets will reprice in this higher-yield environment.”

Nadji agreed, cautioning against rosy speculation. “I don’t see a scenario in the near term where rates are being lowered again and there is another round of stimulus. … We need to come to terms with the fact that normalized rates are here to stay.”

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WATCH THE WEBINAR: Outlook 2023: Insights From CRE Thought Leaders

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Nonetheless, the combination of unknowns is having a pronounced effect on dealmaking and leasing. Camille Renshaw, co-founder & CEO of B+E doesn’t see the current interest rates as the peak. “None of us have crystal balls, and our clients don’t, in terms of timing,” she said.

Jonathan Martin, CEO of AEW Capital Management’s North America division, also attested to this trend, noting, “All of our clients are waiting for those adjustments to take place.”

Kicking the can

Given the opaque economic outlook, the office sector has taken something of a beating. Chuck Schreiber, chairman, & co-founder & president of KBS, reported that tenants are tending to postpone more consequential leasing decisions, despite those clients’ efforts to encourage employees to return to the office.

“(Some) have put off making decisions about their space for almost three years; consistently, they want employees back in the office,” he said. Consequently, KBS is emphasizing the essentials. “What we’re focused on is that cash yield and delivering that yield to our investors,” Schreiber added.

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READ ALSO: What Rising Interest Rates Mean for Net Lease Investors

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Nearly all the executives are adopting a wait-and-see approach. Renshaw is encouraging B+E’s net-lease investor clients to pause. “In the coming months, we need to sit with client after client and advise them on what is best. … If you have a situation where you have rent escalations, you should be slow to move.”

With harder times on the horizon, an additional priority is to further strengthen client relationships. Nadji detailed Marcus & Millichap’s approach to investor service. “We invest so much in research and content as a way of helping clients navigate. … (It’s) all about client outreach and contact.” At the same time, he emphasized the importance of a defensive stance that requires “looking at expenses and non-essential investments and prioritizing.” Martin concurred. “It’s about being proactive,” he said. “Look at capital structures, look at reserves and tackle issues early.”