Easterly Government Properties Focuses on Disciplined Growth in a Shifting Capital Environment
Allison Marino, EVP and CFO of Easterly Government Properties, told investors at Nareit’s REITwise conference that the REIT’s defensive profile stems from leasing roughly 90% of its space to the U.S. federal government. The portfolio enjoys a weighted‑average lease term of about ten years and occupancy rates that consistently hover between 90% and 100%. Growth remains disciplined, focusing on acquisitions that deliver roughly a 100‑basis‑point spread over cost of capital and selective development projects. Marino also framed shareholder activism as a governance discipline rather than a threat.
KBS’s Marc DeLuca Sees Capital Market Reset Underway for Commercial Real Estate
Marc DeLuca, CEO of KBS, says today’s commercial‑real‑estate market is experiencing a capital‑markets reset rather than a fundamental shift in property use. He highlighted that REITs have outperformed major indices by concentrating on high‑quality, sustainable assets, and that falling interest...
How REITs Can Stay Ahead of Activists and Tell a Stronger M&A Story
Jonathan Keehner, partner at Joele Frank, warned that REIT M&A success now hinges on clear, early communication rather than just deal structure. He highlighted that weak rollout invites activist investors and competing bidders, especially as large‑cap buyers, sovereign wealth funds,...
Safehold Discusses Tax Complexity in REIT Joint Ventures and Opportunity Zones
Safehold’s senior tax executive Adam Cohen told Nareit’s REITwise conference that operating partnership (OP) unit transactions have shifted from pure tax‑deferral tools to acquisition‑driven structures, creating new negotiation friction. Sellers increasingly seek to defer taxes, but mismatched depreciation schedules or...
D&O Market Stabilizes as Litigation Severity Surges
The D&O insurance market for REITs is stabilizing after a prolonged soft cycle. While securities class‑action filings dropped 9% in 2025, total disclosure losses surged to a record $694 billion, a 62% year‑over‑year increase driven by higher market caps and defense...
Host Hotels Leverages AI and Climate Data to Build a More Resilient Portfolio
Host Hotels & Resorts is deploying AI‑driven sensors and climate analytics to boost sustainability and resilience across its hotel portfolio. Real‑time monitoring of HVAC, central plants and hot‑water systems has already cut 2,300 metric tons of CO₂ and saved over...
Connexions Consulting CEO Says Culture Is Infrastructure for REITs
Charmaine Brown, president and CEO of Connexions Consulting, told Nareit’s REITwise conference that culture functions as the foundational infrastructure for real‑estate investment trusts. She urged REIT leaders to align people strategy with business strategy, treating turnover, disengagement and under‑performance as...
Odgers’ Conrad Woody on Future-Proofing Leadership in the Age of AI
Conrad Woody, managing partner at Odgers, told the Nareit REITwise conference that AI adoption, leadership development, and change management are essential for future‑proofing organizations. He warned firms must build adaptable talent pipelines and manage human‑capital risk in an AI‑driven landscape....
Untethered’s Andrea Holyfield on Why Employee Misalignment Drives Turnover
Andrea Holyfield, CEO of Untethered, warned that employee turnover often stems from internal misalignment rather than external factors. She highlighted gaps between promised success metrics, growth opportunities, and daily reality as silent drivers of disengagement. Holyfield urged companies to broaden...
Sullivan & Worcester Partner Sees TRS Structure as Simpler, More Flexible Alternative for REITs
Sarah Wellings, partner at Sullivan & Worcester, told Nareit’s REITwise conference that taxable REIT subsidiaries (TRSs) provide a simpler, more flexible alternative to using independent contractors for non‑customary services, cutting compliance risk. She explained that routing asset sales through a...
Millrose Properties CFO Sees Cross-Department Alignment Driving REIT Success
Garrett Rosenblum, CFO of Millrose Properties (NYSE: MRP), told Nareit’s REITwise conference that the finance function now acts as the central connector across accounting, tax, legal, investor relations and operations. He warned that siloed decisions can trigger unexpected financial, legal...
Digital Property Rights Emerging as Integral Part of Broader Asset Ownership
Rapid advances in VR, AR and AI are turning physical real‑estate into digital advertising platforms, prompting owners to claim digital property rights. BXP Inc. included such rights in its $132 million Boston office sale, recording the transfer on the blockchain‑based Digital...
Nasdaq Director on Benefits of Reframing Volunteerism as Professional Development Opportunity
Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center director Kamy Twiggs‑Taylor urged companies to treat volunteerism as a formal leadership‑development tool rather than a mere feel‑good activity. She argued that structured community projects act as a hands‑on lab where employees sharpen coaching, problem‑diagnosis, and strategic...
REIT Leadership Expectations Shifting Amid More Complex Environment: Ferguson Partners
Ferguson Partners’ Courtney Calinog and Mike Cordingley told the REIT Report podcast that REIT CEOs must now supplement technical expertise with people‑centered capabilities. Self‑awareness, clear communication and trust‑building are seen as essential in a capital‑constrained, volatile market. CEOs are expected to...
Regency Centers’ Michael Herman Sees Rapid Pace of Change in Corporate Governance
Michael Herman, senior vice president and general counsel of Regency Centers, warned that corporate governance is undergoing a rapid, overlapping transformation. He highlighted a surge in SEC scrutiny, shifting shareholder dynamics, and the rise of AI‑driven proxy‑statement analysis. At the...
Deloitte’s Kristin Bauer on What’s Next for GAAP and the Role of Industry Feedback
At Nareit’s REITwise 2026 conference, Deloitte partner Kristin Bauer said the Financial Accounting Standards Board is moving from sweeping reforms to fine‑tuning a now‑mature GAAP framework. She expects only edge‑level adjustments rather than the disruptive changes seen in revenue‑recognition or lease...
Deloitte Principal Sees New IRS Flexibility Opening Strategic Opportunities for REITs
Deloitte tax principal Mark Van Deusen told Nareit’s REITwise conference that the IRS’s long‑standing refusal to issue rulings for rentals under 30 days creates uncertainty for REITs. He said new IRS guidance permitting revocation of real‑property trade‑or‑business elections made between...
Safehold Working to Fill Affordable Housing Financing Gap in Texas & Beyond
Safehold, Inc. (NYSE: SAFE) is using its modern 99‑year ground‑lease model to close the financing gap for affordable housing, starting with a 348‑unit development in Austin slated for 2028. The deal marks Safehold’s first Texas affordable project and its 20th...
Green Street Says REIT Investors Navigating Higher Rates, AI Disruption, Rising Deal Activity
Michael Knott, head of U.S. REIT research at Green Street, said the REIT market is now shaped by three forces: higher interest rates, AI‑driven employment uncertainty, and a top‑heavy industry structure. He warned that the long‑standing low‑rate tailwind has faded,...
Piedmont Realty’s Sherry Rexroad Says AI Success Dependent on Disciplined Governance
Sherry Rexroad, CFO of Piedmont Realty Trust, highlighted that AI’s value in the REIT stems from disciplined governance rather than technology alone. She cited measurable gains in high‑volume areas such as accounts payable, tenant operations, and scenario analysis, achieved through...
J.P. Morgan AISS’ Pulkit Sharma on How REITs Play Complementary Role in Diversified Portfolios
Pulkit Sharma, head of J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Alternatives Investment Strategy and Solutions, highlighted how public REITs and private real‑estate assets can be combined to boost portfolio performance. He cited a data‑driven framework, co‑authored with GIC Singapore, that recommends 20‑40%...
Paul Hastings’ Partner on Increased Importance of Cross-Border Tax for REITs
Chris Mangin Jr., a tax partner at Paul Hastings, told Nareit’s REITwise 2026 conference that cross‑border tax considerations are becoming pivotal for REITs seeking overseas capital to fund infrastructure, AI and data‑center projects. Public‑market constraints are pushing REITs toward private equity,...
Self-Storage Adaptive Reuse Offers Cost, Zoning, Synergistic Benefits
Self‑storage operators are increasingly converting existing buildings rather than building new facilities, a trend driven by lower costs and zoning flexibility. A StorageCafe report shows 3.8 million square feet—about 7.2% of upcoming storage development—are adaptive‑reuse projects, with Irving, Texas leading the...
PwC’s Julanne Discusses Everyday REIT Tax Challenges
PwC tax principal Julanne Allen highlighted that most REIT tax headaches arise from day‑to‑day operations rather than headline‑making transactions. She warned that internal teams often make well‑meaning decisions that fall outside REIT compliance without proper oversight. Allen urged proactive planning...
Easterly Ranger’s Peter Zabierek Says Complex CRE Backdrop Creates Opportunity for Selective Investors
Peter Zabierek, senior portfolio manager at Easterly Ranger, told the REIT Report podcast that the commercial real‑estate (CRE) landscape has become too complex for broad sector bets. Investors now need to be selective, focusing on where genuine demand is emerging...
KPMG’s James Gardner Highlights AI’s Document Intelligence Benefits for REITs
KPMG’s AI specialist James Gardner told Nareit’s REITwise conference that AI is already boosting REIT finance operations. He cited faster forecasting, more robust valuation scenarios, and accelerated reporting through document intelligence that extracts data from leases. Gardner stressed that leading...
SEC Shifts Tone, Signals Openness to Streamlining Disclosures
Mike McTiernan of Hogan Lovells highlighted a marked shift in the SEC’s tone at REITwise 2026, noting a more open, collaborative stance toward industry participants. The agency’s increased presence at conferences is helping regulators understand how disclosures are prepared and...
FTSE Nareit U.S. Real Estate Indexes in Review & What’s Next: Webinar Recap
The FTSE Nareit All‑Equity REITs Index posted a 3.8% total‑return through March 31, a solid start that narrowed its gap with broader equities. Speakers noted that the Middle‑East conflict raises energy prices and inflation pressures, but the direct impact on REIT...
Bank of America’s Sandra Quince on Rethinking Workforce Metrics for Long-Term Value
Sandra Quince, senior vice president at Bank of America, addressed Nareit’s REITwise 2026 conference, urging REITs to replace traditional activity‑based workforce metrics with outcome‑driven indicators. She highlighted leadership bench strength, internal mobility, high‑performer retention, and productivity per employee as direct...
Roberts & Holland's Ezra Dyckman on REIT JV Compliance Complexities
At Nareit’s REITwise 2026 conference, Roberts & Holland partner Ezra Dyckman warned REITs about hidden tax pitfalls in operating‑partnership transactions. He explained that “disguised sale” rules can turn OP‑paid costs into taxable cash, creating unexpected tax bills and debt‑capacity issues. Dyckman...
KPMG’s Sarah Kindzerske on Navigating Joint Venture Complexity in REIT Transactions
At Nareit’s REITwise 2026 conference, KPMG’s Sarah Kindzerske highlighted a shift in REIT dealmaking from large public‑to‑public mergers toward increasingly complex joint ventures and one‑off strategic transactions. These structures involve multiple partners, layered financing, and intricate contractual terms, raising challenges...
NYSE’s Ron Bohlert on Early 2026 REIT Market Trends, Texas Expansion
Ron Bohlert, NYSE real‑estate director, warned that early 2026 REIT momentum is fading after a late‑2025 AI‑driven rally. Investors are re‑evaluating growth amid heavy capital spending, pressuring tech stocks while boosting defensive REITs. Geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices have...
Digital Realty’s Aaron Binkley Outlines Heightened Focus on Data Center Energy Efficiency
Digital Realty’s sustainability chief Aaron Binkley highlighted the company’s intensified focus on energy‑efficient data centers as AI‑driven workloads surge. The firm is expanding its clean‑energy portfolio while adopting liquid‑cooling technology to curb water use. Binkley emphasized that transparent ESG reporting...
Baird’s Michael Bellisario Says Lodging REIT Outlook Cautiously Optimistic
Michael Bellisario of Baird says the lodging REIT outlook for 2026 is positive but muted after a difficult 2025. He expects the FIFA World Cup to lift REVPAR by at least 75 basis points, providing a modest revenue tailwind. Wealthy...
CenterSquare’s Todd Briddell Highlights Alpha Opportunity, Innovation in REIT Market
CenterSquare Investment Management CEO Todd Briddell told the REIT Report podcast that the firm’s three‑decade REIT strategy thrives on embracing market volatility as a source of alpha. He highlighted how disciplined underwriting, defensive positioning and a willingness to “not get over...
Host Hotels & Resorts CFO Sees Multiple Tailwinds Supporting Sustained Growth in 2026
Host Hotels & Resorts CFO Sourav Ghosh said the REIT’s 2025 outperformance was driven by strong transient leisure demand at its upscale and luxury assets, with guests spending more on F&B, golf and spa. The company expects continued tailwinds in...
Green Street’s Michael Knott Says REITs Faring Well in 2026 Amid Market Cross Currents
Michael Knott, head of U.S. REIT research at Green Street, said REITs are faring well in 2026 thanks to an AI‑driven market selloff, lower interest rates, and strong debt‑capital access. He described the sector’s performance as a modest comeback despite...
Retail REITs Benefiting From Strong Market Fundamentals, Tight Supply
Retail REITs are thriving as strong market fundamentals and limited new development tighten supply. Occupancy reached 95.7% in Q4 2025, while rent growth held at 2.1% year‑over‑year. Funds from operations rose 14% YoY, and A‑rated malls posted NOI 10% above pre‑COVID...
REIT Investor & Author Jussi Askola on Sector’s Advantages Versus Private Real Estate
Jussi Askola, president of Leonberg and author of *The REIT Advantage*, argued on the REIT Report podcast that real‑estate investment trusts generally outperform private real‑estate holdings. He cited higher returns, superior liquidity, broader diversification, economies of scale and access to...
First Street’s Jeremy Porter Urges Holistic Approach to Assessing Climate Risk Impact
Jeremy Porter, chief economist at First Street, highlighted the shift toward a holistic view of climate risk on the REIT Report podcast. He explained that physical climate threats now ripple through assets, suppliers, commodities, customers, and transportation networks, demanding integrated...
Armada Hoffler Hits Reset to Focus on Retail, Office Portfolio
Armada Hoffler announced a strategic reset, rebranding as AH Realty Trust and narrowing its portfolio to retail and office assets. The REIT will divest most of its multifamily holdings, exit its construction and financing platforms, and use the proceeds to...
Citi Global Real Estate Team Sees Higher Returns, More Positive Supply Outlook in 2026
Citi’s global real‑estate research team projects higher REIT returns in 2026 than in 2025, with the United States, Europe, Latin America, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines leading the upside. U.S. REITs are expected to deliver 10‑15% total returns, while Europe...
CBRE’s Henry Chin Expects Increased Capital Deployed in U.S. Real Estate
Henry Chin, CBRE’s global head of research, told the REIT Report podcast that U.S. commercial‑real‑estate investors will deploy significantly more capital in 2026, with investment volume projected to rise about 16% as fundamentals recover and interest rates trend lower. He...