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

In today’s dynamic commercial real estate environment, loan servicers are playing an increasingly strategic role in balancing complex deal structures and evolving borrower expectations, with a growing focus on innovation. From multifaceted private equity transactions to portfolio-level SASB deals, servicing professionals are leveraging both expertise and creativity to meet the demands of a more sophisticated market. At the same time, advancements in AI, automation, and managing cybersecurity are creating new opportunities to enhance efficiency, transparency, data and information safety, and the overall borrower experience.

In this episode, Jan Sternin, senior vice president and managing director at Berkadia, joins Katie Schwarting, chair of Seyfarth’s Servicing & Special Servicing practice, to discuss current market trends, the transformative role of technology in servicing, and more.

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

Rethinking Servicing: Balancing Innovation and Experience

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

Cold storage facilities play a critical role in preserving perishable goods like food and pharmaceuticals, but they come with unique legal and operational challenges. From the widespread use of ammonia-based refrigeration systems to complex lien issues, lenders and investors need to understand the risks and complications at hand in this specialized market.

In this episode, Mike Delaney joins Jay Wardlaw to discuss key considerations for cold storage investments including evolving REIT ownership structures, collateral protection strategies, and the impact of aging infrastructure on facility valuation.

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

Freezer Burn: Legal Landmines in Cold Storage Real Estate

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is reshaping the tax landscape for real estate and, if you’re a sponsor, developer, or investor, it’s changing how you may approach deals. The biggest headlines: 100% bonus depreciation is back and permanent, unlocking year-one deductions and making cost segregation essential again; interest deductibility is easier, reducing the need for elections that previously limited depreciation; and the Opportunity Zone program is now permanent, with a map refresh in 2027 and new perks for rural areas. 

In this episode, Matt Peurach joins James O’Brien and Eric Greenberg to discuss how OBBBA is transforming the way real estate capital stacks are built and what sponsors should do in terms of re-underwriting current and pipeline projects, revisiting shelved deals, and preparing for the upcoming OZ redesign.

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


The Big Beautiful Bill Unlocked: Turning Tax Law into Enhanced Real Estate Deal Flow

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.

Rethinking Servicing: Balancing Innovation and Experience

Seyfarth's The Property Line