If there’s one common theme that resonates across the real estate market, from property owners and investors to developers and asset managers, it’s uncertainty.
Constant changes in the market, such as interest rates, inflation and rising operational costs, to name just a few, have the potential to negatively affect real estate businesses. With no crystal ball to illuminate a sure path, all levels of ownership are seeing changes to their investments and bottom lines.
This uncertainty applies to not only the owners but also their tenants. Changing work environments in the wake of the pandemic, an increase in automation and the rise of AI are just a few factors contributing to income shortfalls that result in late rent and lease payments.
Thankfully, uncertainty in the real estate market doesn’t have to spell misfortune.
Identifying the Best Approach for the Business
The way in which companies are adapting to stay in good financial standing looks different for each business owner, but one thing is clear: Financial decisions made now have the potential to impact a business’s long-term financial state.
A few initial steps business owners need to take in order to manage risk while navigating the ever-changing state of the real estate industry include:
- Ensuring they have a comprehensive understanding of their current financial position with respect to real estate holdings, loan maturities and current interest rates.
- Communicating thoroughly, regularly and clearly with a banker who has experience working with real estate owners/investors and understands the full spectrum of market factors and solutions that can boost their business’s success.
- Evaluating the financial position and health of any tenants they may have, and assessing their revenue streams.
- Transparency with their banker regarding their short- and long-term goals, and remaining open to new products and services their bank offers that may help them achieve those goals.
While many real estate companies focus on maintaining a strong cash position, owners and investors alike are concerned with rising costs.
To avoid cash flow impact in the short term, real estate companies may pass rising costs along to customers by raising rents. Despite high competition to acquire tenants, potential renters often have to accept those rent increases, as many real estate companies will be in the same position, weathering market-wide expense fluctuations.
Build a Customized Strategic Plan
For any business, financial strategies should consider efficiency and risk alongside growth. For investors, owners and asset managers alike, securing the best loan possible for acquisition, construction or refinancing is more important than ever.
For some real estate businesses, taking advantage of tax credit programs or nontraditional loans can prove essential in successfully positioning a company for future growth — even in the midst of market instability. Owners should consider exploring specialized financing options, such as historic tax credits, bridge loans or the federal New Markets Tax Credit program.
To take an even more well-prepared approach to positioning for the future, owners can include the following measures as they continue to strengthen their financial position:
- Consider all the ways commercial real estate may change moving forward. Explore the opportunities and challenges that the different scenarios present.
- Assess current cash management. Determine how priorities will shift on the business’s list of future capital expenditures and tenant improvement costs.
- Identify existing efficiency levers based on the underlying performance of properties. The goal is a balance between increased rental income and increased expenses.
- Develop a plan for any short-term liquidity management issues. Consider creative funding options to explore with the bank to maintain liquidity in the short and long term. Most banks today require deposits in order to provide financing.
- Diligently research technology and outsourcing solutions that drive top- and bottom-line growth. Owners should evaluate the advantages in their business process for automating operations, payments and processing.
As we continue to traverse an increasingly unpredictable path in the real estate sector, it is more essential than ever that business owners have a nimble financial strategy that aligns with their business goals, and to have good communication with their banker.
Jason Royer is vice president, relationship manager at Enterprise Bank & Trust, Member FDIC. He develops and manages new and existing client relationships in the commercial real estate sector in Arizona.
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