Propmodo Podcast

This isn't the first time the real estate industry has gone through a crisis. The subprime mortgage crisis in 2008 devalued real estate across the globe and caused the Great Recession. It also led to a prolonged period of low interest rates that the property industry assumed was the norm.. In this episode, we talk with Paul Jhung about what lessons are to be learned from that period and what it means for the path forward in this new interest rate environment.

The high interest rates have hit borrowers hard, but it hasn't been all roses for lenders either. Some institutions like regional banks have either slowed down their commercial lending, or gotten out of the market all together. In this episode, we talk to Debra Morgan about the temporary and permanent effects the rate hikes will have on the lending environment.

No matter how high the interest rates get, the country is still in desperate need of more affordable housing. Like every other property type affordable housing has struggled to find affordable capital. In this episode we talk to Beth Mullen about what the high interest rates are doing to the affordable housing industry and how it will be able to remain an attractive investment if rates stay high.

The high interest rates are only part of the problem. With lenders thinking more critically about their balance sheets and regional banks worried about staying solvent, lending sources have also dried up. In this episode, we chat with Ron Kaplan about the challenges commercial real estate borrowers are facing and what can be done to overcome them.

High interest rates have hampered the ability of buildings to find lending capital. It has pushed bond yields up as well. These compounding factors have in turn made it harder for real estate deals to be attractive to potential investors. In this episode, we talk to Andrew Lines about what real estate portfolios are doing to find investment capital.

Construction lending was one of the first to get pulled when interest rates go up. That has left many projects stalled or on the chopping block. In this episode, we talk with Scott Damiecki about how the construction industry is adapting to high rates and what the property industry is doing to keep the construction going.

This podcast series talks to experts about how offices are changing to better satisfy the needs of hybrid workers

This podcast series talks to experts about how offices are changing to better satisfy the needs of hybrid workers

This podcast series talks to experts about how offices are changing to better satisfy the needs of hybrid workers

This podcast series talks to experts about how offices are changing to better satisfy the needs of hybrid workers

You might be as surprised as we were to learn that the first “smart building” was an unassuming office tower in Hartford, Connecticut. Today there is nothing more than a few old newspaper clippings to document this unusual distinction. So what went wrong? According to Vincent Dermody, Managing Director of CohnReznick Australia, the problem is that many smart buildings don't actually work any better than their analog counterparts. In this episode, Vincent walks me through The 8 Principles of Intelligent Space that he thinks every building owner needs to adopt in order for their building to become smart.

Just about anything you read about the business world now-a-days will have some mention of the word innovation. Championed by the tech world, innovation is just another way to say “make something better.” As much as we all nod our heads about the importance of innovation, how to actually bring it about is much harder done than said. In this episode, we talk to Maureen Ehrenberg of commercial real estate advisory company Blue Skyre IBE, about how she helps real estate companies identify and implement innovative new ideas to continuously make their buildings and organizations better.

We all know someone that we think is intelligent. They are usually people that are quick-witted, thoughtful, or wise. But when it comes to buildings, intelligence is less a personality trait and more a set of structured processes and reliable systems. In this episode, Sheridan Ware, the Chief Information and Technology Officer at property investment management firm Charter Hall, was able to give us some great examples of how she has adapted her company's real estate processes and systems in order to help them make more intelligent decisions.

Integrity is the foundation on which we make our moral decisions. For buildings, data integrity is the foundation on which they operate. The more technology that a building deploys, the more important it is that information is collected, organized, and analyzed in a way that recognizes that each piece influences the whole. Lisa Stanley's organization, OSCRE, has developed a set of standards for the commercial real estate industry to make sure that the industry's data maintains its integrity. In this episode, we talked to Lisa about standards and integrity and why it is so important that our building systems speak a common language.

In business, insight is often a misunderstood concept. An insight is not data, nor is it an observation. Though it is sometimes confused for those things, insights are gems of knowledge that are hiding in plain sight and can only be revealed with experience and in the proper context. The most innovative companies in real estate have built their businesses on the insights of sharp-eyed people. For this episode, we spoke with Susan Gerock, Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at WashREIT, about some of the ways that she has been able to uncover useful insights within her organization.

Most modern software can be easily integrated with other platforms using things like APIs. If only it were as simple for property companies to integrate with their tenants. Increasingly landlords are being asked to do just that. Miao Song is the Chief Information Officer of GLP, a giant in the logistics world. In this episode, she explains what her company has learned as they integrated with their end users in a very fundamental way.

Inclusivity is the mantra of our times. While many of us might think that means embracing all races and genders, there is much more to think about when designing spaces that need to appeal to a variety of people. For this episode, we spoke to Lisa Harvey, a change management specialist, whose unique approach to inclusivity offers some great takeaways for building owners and managers. More than ever, the business of real estate should be looking for opportunities to adapt to today's inclusive cultural movement.

Buildings are only as good as the neighborhoods that they are a part of. So it stands to reason that one of the most important things building owners can do is try to improve their surroundings. Joanna Frank is the President & CEO of the Center for Active Design which oversees the Fitwell certification. In this episode, she talks to us about ways her non-profit organization helps building owners quantify their building's impact on the health and wellness of its occupants, its neighbors and the world at large.

Two years of office workers staying home has changed the way we think about the workplace. After a global pandemic, bringing people back to work in unfamiliar hybrid offices will not be easy. Flexible arrangements that allow employees to do some tasks in the office and others virtually are clearly going to be a big part of the picture. But it will take more than videoconferencing and chat rooms to create a successful flexible work environment. In this episode, Alana Collins, the Head of Real Estate & Workplace at Zoom, talks to us about ways we can make spaces and work processes more intuitive for the way people naturally like to work.

Hybrid offices are a clear focus point for occupiers and landlords alike. Businesses are facing a new reality of working, and are tailoring their workspaces and productivity solutions to match. But for all the talk, hybrid offices prompt a million questions. Most importantly, what does it take to set one up, and what are the real, end-of-the-day benefits to the employees as well as the organization? In this report, we answer these questions and more. We: -Explore the types of hybrid and "return to the office" strategies major occupiers are using today -Take a deep dive into the tech tools that enable hybrid work -Review the strategic implications of hybrid strategies, from real estate to IT to productivity and beyond -Provide clear takeaways for occupier teams to implement their best hybrid office, as efficiently as possible

Commercial leasing transactions have many parts, but one of the most harrowing for any broker is managing the process of negotiation and contract review. In this report, we discuss the most critical challenges leasing brokers facing during their transactions, and share the tips and strategies of half a dozen top-performing leasing brokers from all over America. We'll explore: -Managing document review and redlining -Guiding the transaction as lawyers become involved -Providing a high level of service to clients and partners regardless of their sophistication level -Balancing transaction work with business development -And more!

Download our latest report to learn how offices are utilizing new technology to help their occupants employ a hybrid work strategy

Commercial real estate brokerage is at the heart of the industry. Collectively, brokers see thousands of sale and lease transactions a year, in markets large and small, for all types of properties. So what is the pulse of the brokerage world? How is the field evolving, what new strategies are the best brokers using, and what data and tech are brokers using? In this year's edition of the DNA of #CRE report, we'll cover: -Broker demographics and industry trends -Factors relating to broker office dynamics -Broker prospecting strategies -Perspectives on data and tech use at leading brokerage firms -And more!

For many companies, COVID-19 was the final straw that pushed leadership to adopt remote working as a substantial, permanent part of workplace strategy. These companies see remote work as a perk, a benefit, a cost-saving method, and a new era of flexible, lean operations. But how exactly are companies handling the transition to remote work? What are enterprise occupiers doing to ensure their companies stay connected, productive, and happy as the office becomes less mandatory? In this report, we'll explore: -The leading strategies for remote work -How leading occupiers are adapting to remote work -The strategies and tactics these firms are using to keep their companies connected -And more!

While many companies are transitioning to a remote-optional or even remote-first approach to work, some of the largest occupiers are maintaining the position that in-person is the best way to run a business. These companies see big benefits to the office's role as a connector, community builder, and center for company culture. But how do these occupiers expect to keep their employees satisfied coming into the office over the long term? In this report, we'll examine: -The prevailing in-person workplace strategies in use today -Why and how leading occupiers are returning to the office -The strategies these occupiers are using to keep their employees happy with an in-person workplace strategy -And more!

Many people look at home ownership as the end game for affordable housing programs, but the reality is much more complicated.

Facility managers, responsible for the occupiers of large buildings, are experiencing a time of transformation for their role. Where once the priority was maintenance, security, and services, these professionals are now tasked with boosting flexibility and increasing the productivity of workers across numerous functional areas. Where exactly is the FM world heading, and what can these professionals do to excel in their roles? In this report, we will cover: -The transformation of the FM world through changing demographics, COVID-19, ESG, and new technologies -The tools facility managers need to know to stay ahead of the game -The training FMs need to succeed -New considerations like privacy and workplace flexibility that managers need to be aware of

A new bread of property investors is aligning investor and societal interests and is reinventing capitalism in the process.

Part of the battle in getting affordable developments permitted is to prove to the people and the powers that be that it will positively affect a neighborhood.

Planning and financing affordable housing is tricky, but those that specialize in the sector have developed skills that help bring all of the stakeholders together for this important mission.

Affordable housing is its own subsector of the property industry. I ask one expert who is working in it what it demands of people interested in it and what it takes to succeed.

Smart building certifications are the newest type of commercial real estate certification, joining sustainability and wellness-focused offerings as the third leg of this growing niche. Their intent is to assess and rate buildings on their level of technological attainment, connectivity, and the efficiency of their systems and processes. These certifications are exciting options for property owners looking to stand out, but as the newest type of building certification, there is less information available about them than other types of certifications. In this report, we will: -Explore the building technology certifications out there today -Discuss the impacts of these certifications -Provide suggestions of certifications for different situations and contexts

In the world of commercial real estate, there are many ways to attract tenants while expressing a commitment to increasing the quality of the occupier experience. One way to demonstrate this commitment is to attain a wellness certification, such as WELL or Fitwel. These certifications, made much more popular last year as owners scrambled to show their occupiers that they were taking COVID-19 safety precautions, reflect attainment in areas like air quality, lighting, and access to healthy food. While there are fewer wellness certifications than sustainability-focused ones, the newness of the field presents many questions to property owners. In this new report, we'll answer: -What distinguishes the leading property wellness certifications? -What certifications match a variety of owner situations and contexts? -What are the impacts and value of wellness certifications? -How can owners go above and beyond to demonstrate a commitment to wellness in a competitive market?

We're all familiar with property certifications. Many of the buildings we live, work, and go to school in have them. Some have launched massive ad campaigns featuring movie and music stars. Different ones cover various types of property attainment, from wellness to technology and beyond. Green certifications, aimed at demonstrating the sustainability attainment of various types of properties, are some of the most familiar with big names like LEED and BREEAM amongst their ranks. But even within this niche of certifications, there is a wide range of difficulties, costs, and benefits that these certifications include. In this report, we'll explore the largest, most influential property sustainability certifications out there today, and provide owners with a sense of which certifications work for them. We'll cover: -The impacts of certifications on value and marketing -The easiest certification to attain -Certifications landlords can consider to truly stand out -Insights into the most recognizable certifications available today

Tenant experience platforms offer a lot of functionality for office owners looking to enhance their overall user experience. But with so many different options out there, deciding where to start can be difficult. In this report we explore the top tenant experience platforms, the services they offer, and how landlords can maximize the impact of their tenant experience technology with or without a purpose-built platform.

Former founders can help investors identify winning teams and make investment firms easier for startups to work with.

Investors are betting on ways that our building will need to adapt to our more flexible lives.

Investors have to juggle the interests of their limited partners, their portfolio companies, and their firm in order to succeed.

Investors are looking to ride the political and cultural push towards more sustainable buildings.

As the working world gets back to the office, there will be many different approaches to workplace strategy. From 100% in-office to mostly remote and beyond, each company will have to find an ideal approach for themselves. One thing that is more clear, though, is that workplace flexibility is more important than ever. Flexible workspaces, with adaptable lease terms and plenty of services included, are becoming increasingly important for landlords to provide. In this report, we discuss what exactly flexible workplaces are, and share insight on the challenges and opportunities that come with managing them. Report: https://www.propmodo.com/why-technology-is-key-to-delivering-occupier-flexibility

There is an entire universe of multifamily property management software out there, helping managers streamline and optimize everything from tenant experience to collecting rent to ensuring that IoT systems are working properly. But how do these systems connect and integrate, particularly with the biggest multifamily property management platforms out there today? In this report we explore the integration strategies of four of the largest property management suites, and list their integrations as well. Report: https://www.propmodo.com/the-universe-of-multifamily-property-software-integrations/

The pandemic has accelerated the demand for flexible workplace. But landlords thinking about adding this dynamic space to an office portfolio must do a cost-benefit analysis. We dive into the challenges and benefits of adding short-term leases to an office portfolio.

The pandemic has accelerated the demand for flexible workplace. But landlords thinking about adding this dynamic space to an office portfolio must do a cost-benefit analysis. We dive into the challenges and benefits of adding short-term leases to an office portfolio.

Commercial real estate brokerage is rapidly evolving, in part because of changing market conditions but also in part because of emerging technologies that are helping brokerage professionals do more business faster. In the future, adopting these technologies will not be optional. The brokers who can master these tools will excel, and those who don't may wind up left behind by their markets. In this report we explore the most important marketing technologies brokers can choose from today. Report: https://www.propmodo.com/the-marketing-technologies-transforming-commercial-brokerage/

COVID-19 caught the real estate world by surprise, but much of the industry rapidly responded with adaptations at their own companies as well as their property portfolios. In this report we explore those responses with a survey of industry leaders, highlighting their perspectives on market impacts, property operations, and future planning. Report: https://www.propmodo.com/the-commercial-real-estate-industrys-reaction-to-the-covid-19-threat

Touchless access is one of the most popular PropTech implementations thanks to COVID-19 but its implementation comes with a host of critical questions. What sort of touchless tech to use? How to implement it? And how to push for this technology, whether you are an occupier or a landlord? Find out in this report. Report: https://www.propmodo.com/touchless-office-access-improves-long-term-value-and-short-term-safety

We're a quarter into 2021, which means that property managers are already starting to think about setting budgets for 2022. Looking back on the ways in which managers set their 2021 budgets can be a critical tool to help plan future spending, and in this report we provide a wealth of data on how commercial managers prioritized their spending in terms of buildings, technology, coronavirus response, and more. Report: https://www.propmodo.com/commercial-building-managers-2021-budget-priority-report

While the core value proposition of a property company has always been the provision of space, new forces like the push toward remote are calling that into question. These days, it seems like many occupiers look for flexibility first and foremost. A critical component of that flex strategy is a fully functional workplace experience platform. In this report we dive into this PropTech niche and explore the impacts and implications of using such a tool at your portfolio. Report: https://www.propmodo.com/the-impact-of-workplace-experience-technology-on-asset-strategy

Is there any type of workplace more maligned than the open office? Low productivity, distractions and stress...or at least that's what some say to expect. In this article we uncover the nuance beyond the open office, discuss the right and wrong scenarios for its use, and present a new vision for a spectrum of workplace design. Which is right for you? Report: https://www.propmodo.com/open-office-2-0-the-new-best-workplace/

Even though we're now in the tail end of the coronavirus outbreak, one thing is clear: the retail sector has seen tough times. Thanks to first E-commerce and then the outbreak itself, malls and shopping centers everywhere are now under incredible pressure. Proactive landlords aren't leaving their tenants to fend for themselves. Instead, they are working to provide resources and support for the betterment of everyone. Report: https://www.propmodo.com/how-tech-can-help-retail-landlords-support-their-tenants/

It's the giant portfolio sales and skyscraper transactions that capture the headlines. But it's the commercial real estate middle market that represents the lion's share of the business. The brokers operating in this investment sales niche, whether multifamily or office, are applying a wide range of strategies, data approaches, and marketing techniques to corner their markets. Report: https://www.propmodo.com/how-technology-and-data-drive-smarter-middle-market-cre-brokerage-strategies/