2020 Year End

So Where Are We Now?

Reported Signs Of Distress Related To Covid-19 In The United States

CY2020 closed with uncertainties over the future of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its effect on the commercial and healthcare real estate industry. While the development of vaccines offer a promising future, the development, approval and distribution of the vaccines continue to raise concerns among the general population and all real estate sectors.

The first 100 days of the Biden Administration and the reliance on executive orders and votes in Congress must be watched closely to determine how these decisions and actions will impact the industry going forward. Small businesses have struggled to maintain operations while complying with varying state and municipally mandated COVID protocols, creating a domino effect with vacant spaces as many of these businesses, (especially retail related) have closed permanently. Many are unable to meet their financial obligations to landlords and workers, increasing vacancies and unemployment.

Fundamentals remain stable in the medical office building sector. Although many clinical operations were either reduced or shuttered during the height of the Pandemic, rental collections from the largest medical office building owners were consistent in the high ninety percent range, albeit with some rent deferment and relief. Tenant retention in the most mature portfolios of institutional investors/owners has been reported in the high eighty percent range.