Jason Easterly, managing director and Denver regional leader with Stout, participated in a video interview during Nareit’s REITwise: 2024 Law, Accounting & Finance Conference held March 19-21 in Hollywood, Florida.
Easterly shared insights into the dynamics shaping the listed REIT market. He acknowledged the sector's resilience while highlighting challenges such as the disconnect between asset values and market prices. He also emphasized the need to re-engage retail investors and address underwriting hurdles to restore alignment.
In addition, Easterly touched on the complexities of real estate valuations, citing the scarcity of transaction data as a major obstacle. He stressed the importance of creativity and collaboration with clients to derive accurate and supportable valuations in the absence of robust market activity.
Looking ahead, Easterly pointed out potential future issues, including lingering disconnects in listed REIT values and investor understanding. He emphasized the importance of aligning buyer-seller perspectives and establishing prudent underwriting standards to revive transaction activity and foster a healthier market environment.