Post-Covid Commercial Real Estate Expectations

6/7/2021

Post-Covid Commercial Real Estate Expectations | James Kassouf | Property Investment

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POST-COVID COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE EXPECTATIONS

by James Kassouf | May 29, 2021 | Blog, James Kassouf, Property Investment, real estate

The world’s economy has had a big blow due to the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has led to the closure of businesses and significant losses to companies. The real estate industry has no exception to the crisis. Many hotels have remained shut down, and offices closed up. Families have also opted to move out of their rented houses in search of cheaper premises. People are now more cautious than ever on their spending. In search of a solution to save their business, building owners have immersed themselves into huge debts. The coronavirus vaccine has been seen to try to bring back a normal life. However, the commercial real estate fundamentals have changed. This year people will still have to dig deeper into their pockets to save their buildings. Some will have to increase their debts, while others sell the houses at distressed prices. Some countries have lifted the movement restrictions. However, frequent traveling might have to wait for people who just experienced job losses and business closure. Therefore, most hotel rooms will remain empty. As most companies have permanently pushed their employees to https://jameskassouf.info/post-covid-commercial-real-estate-expectations/

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6/7/2021

Post-Covid Commercial Real Estate Expectations | James Kassouf | Property Investment

work from home, fewer office spaces are needed. E-commerce has also emerged to be a new trend. The trend will only lead to more stores being left unused. CBRE Group Inc. projects that real estate properties’ value will hit their rock bottom by mid this year. The suggested situation is due to economic deterioration. Sadly, the recovery to pre-Covid real estate levels could take two years or beyond. However, the logistics and warehouses have had an exception in the challenges faced. Businesses have shifted to e-commerce, thus the risen demand for delivery and warehousing services. Business location is a vital element in the real estate industry. However, the pandemic has shifted people’s decisions on where to live. People have opted to move to less expensive areas as they have turned to work from home. Thus the changes have resulted in a rise in vacancies and falling rents. Therefore, these shifts have led to rental housing in most urban centers falling under great stress. Besides all these adverse effects, real estate could still hold on to some hope of reviving. New Covid reliefs are allowing financing services to work with errant borrowers. The reliefs could give firms more time to stay out of difficulty. Widespread vaccination may also help people get back to their offices, thus also booking hotel rooms.

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