The REIT industry is a major force in real estate, with public REITs holding approximately $2.5 trillion in assets and more than 170 million Americans invested in REITs. Despite difficult headwinds coming out of 2023, REITs have been on the rise in 2024, showing resilience in diverse sectors, including surprisingly positive performance in the office sector. REITs provide key insights into market trends and are an attractive option for investors seeking diversified portfolios.

In this episode, Abby McCarthy, senior vice president of investment affairs at Nareit, joins James O’Brien and Eric Greenberg to discuss the fundamentals of the REIT industry, factors driving REIT growth, and the potential for convergence in public and private real estate valuations.

REITs on the Rise

At this year’s Real Estate Roundtable State of the Industry meeting, policymakers, economists, and industry leaders shared a generally positive outlook, with expectations of increased deal volume, a focus on data centers and infrastructure, and potential regulatory shifts under the new administration. However, concerns remain over inflation, high interest rates, and geopolitical risks, particularly regarding global trade disruptions and access to critical resources.

In this episode, James O’Brien joins Eric Greenberg to discuss key takeaways from the meeting, including emerging investment trends, the impact of economic policy changes, and challenges that could shape the real estate market in 2025.

Inside the Event: Real Estate Roundtable 2025 State of the Industry

As market uncertainties continue into 2025, lenders are seeking ways to adjust to changing conditions and get back to business. While the office sector faces significant challenges with a sharp decline in property values, the multifamily sector is experiencing high demand and a large pool of equity ready to acquire assets.

In this episode, Mike Comparato, head of commercial real estate at Benefit Street Partners, joins John Domby and Dan Evans to discuss the current state of the commercial real estate market and forecast what lenders should expect in the near to mid-term.

Leaning Into 2025: Lenders and the Current CRE Market

In Seyfarth’s 10th annual Real Estate Market Sentiment Survey, commercial real estate executives express optimism for 2025, with 87% expecting a year of opportunity driven by improving market fundamentals and anticipated rate reductions. However, rising costs remain a significant concern, with respondents narrowing in on inflation, interest rates, and property insurance as factors that could drive up the cost of acquiring and operating real estate.

In this episode, Eric Greenberg and James O’Brien break down key findings from the survey, exploring market expectations, top challenges, surprising investment trends, and the expanding role of AI in real estate.

2025 Is a Year of Opportunity in Commercial Real Estate (Market Survey Takeaways)

Rooftop solar leases are gaining traction as a way for commercial property owners to generate passive income while utilizing unused roof space. With falling solar costs, rising electricity prices, and new state programs driving demand—particularly in the industrial sector—these long-term agreements can provide a steady revenue stream with no upfront costs, making them an attractive opportunity for property owners. However, correctly navigating lease structures, development timelines, and maintenance responsibilities is essential to avoiding pitfalls.

In this episode, Josh Newell, senior vice president of Project Delivery at SolarKal, joins Chris Palmese, partner in Seyfarth’s Real Estate department, to break down the key factors property owners need to consider before moving forward with a rooftop solar lease.

Read the full transcript of today's episode here: https://www.seyfarth.com/dir_docs/podcast_transcripts/ThePropertyLine_SolarRooftopLeases.pdf

Bright Deals: Rooftop Solar Leases

As demand for data centers continues to rise, access to reliable power has become one of the biggest challenges facing developers. Skyrocketing costs, lengthy grid connection delays, and increasing competition for energy resources are reshaping site selection and project feasibility across the United States. At the same time, new technologies and alternative energy strategies—such as on-site generation and energy-first site selection—are emerging to help operators navigate these constraints and rethink how data centers secure and manage their power needs.

In this episode, Jeff Zygler, founder and CEO of Active Infrastructure, and Shawn Cutter, co-founder of EnergiAcres, join hosts Denice Tokunaga, partner in Seyfarth’s Real Estate department, and Chris Cottrell, partner in Seyfarth’s Corporate department and leader of the firm’s Energy practice, to discuss the evolving landscape of energy infrastructure for data centers.

Read the full transcript of this episode here: https://www.seyfarth.com/dir_docs/podcast_transcripts/ThePropertyLine_PoweringProgress_OvercomingEnergyChallenges.pdf

Powering Progress: Overcoming Energy Challenges in Data Center Development

With evolving tenant expectations, higher operating costs, and a growing focus on sustainability, commercial property owners and operators are increasingly turning to smart building technologies to improve performance and enhance the tenant experience. From wireless sensors to integrated tenant apps, these tools can drive down expenses, boost NOI, and reduce insurance premiums when implemented thoughtfully.

In this episode, Rob Murchison, CEO of Intelligent Buildings, and Devon Newton, vice president of property management at Stiles, join Arren Goldman, partner in Seyfarth’s Real Estate department, to discuss practical strategies for deploying PropTech including how data, automation, and cybersecurity can help future-proof assets and streamline property operations.

Inside the Rise of Smart Buildings

Debt funds are becoming more and more prevalent in commercial real estate finance, offering speed, flexibility, and creative structuring for complex or transitional deals. With traditional lenders pulling back and market conditions shifting, these funding sources can provide essential capital for acquisitions, redevelopments, and quick-close opportunities. However, they come with tradeoffs that borrowers need to carefully consider.

In this episode, Terry Carroll and Mike Dowley join Dan Evans to unpack when and why borrowers turn to debt funds, the risks and reputational considerations involved, and strategies for success.

Read the full transcript of this episode here: https://www.seyfarth.com/dir_docs/podcast_transcripts/ThePropertyLine_CreativeDealStructuringwithDebtFunds.pdf

Creative Deal Structuring with Debt Funds

The Property Line is a brief and lively discussion of the biggest issues facing the commercial real estate industry. The podcast will deliver insights from Seyfarth’s real estate lawyers and other industry leaders on current market trends and how they impact all facets of commercial real estate.

Creative Deal Structuring with Debt Funds

Seyfarth's The Property Line

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