Commercial Real Estate and the Housing Crisis: Inflation, Future of Interest Rates and Financial Literacy

July 24, 2024

There is not much I enjoy more than sitting down with some of the most innovative thinkers on an issue. I recently had the opportunity to do so on a topic I have been thinking about for some time: the commercial real estate market post-COVID and the US housing crisis. Over this three-part series, we will introduce the problem and challenges around commercial real estate in the mid-2020s, the future of where (and how) employees work, and take a deep dive into the nation’s housing crisis and propose some solutions. In this special three-part series, I am joined by industry experts John Petrovski, Mike Flanagan, Bart Peterson, Walter Calhoun, Andrew Gay, and Gilbert Paiz to delve into the current state of commercial real estate. In episode 2, we deeply dive into the impact of low interest rates post-2008 crash, advocating for higher fed funds rates to maintain economic stability. We also touch on inflation and how it is impacting the market.

Commercial real estate investment has long been lucrative, attracting investors with significant returns and diversification potential. Low interest rates previously created favorable borrowing conditions and boosted market values, but recent rate hikes have led to market corrections and investor uncertainty. Investors should consider entering the commercial real estate market during these corrections, as they present unique opportunities to acquire income-producing properties like office buildings, strip centers, and mini storage units. They highlight alternative investment vehicles like ETFs and mutual funds as lower-barrier entry points. They also emphasize financial literacy, highlighting the importance of long-term investing and cautious selection of financial advice. The episode concludes with thoughts on how the housing market affects different demographics and the need for innovative solutions.

Highlights and Issues