As we mentioned in a previous article, trying to time markets is largely a fool’s errand. But with many assets repricing as we speak, we’re beginning to see more and more potential opportunities that we believe offer an attractive entry point for those interested in private commercial real estate.
There are four main investment strategies focused on commercial real estate investing. These strategies range from investing in generally less risky “core” assets—properties that provide a steady stream of income—to generally riskier ‘value-add’ and ‘opportunistic’ development projects focused on growth and capital appreciation.
CrowdStreet Advisors typically selects properties that are primarily at the growth end of the spectrum, offering advisors an option for potentially further diversifying their clients’ existing real estate portfolios with something different from the typical Core and Core-Plus holdings generally found in most of the larger, well-known REITs.
Types of opportunistic real estate deals
Opportunistic real estate projects generally fit into one of the following categories[1]:
Redevelopment: A real estate developer (also known as a “sponsor”) typically buys a property with an existing building with the intent to repurpose it. We’ve seen that two types of redevelopment projects are common: urban infill and adaptive reuse. Urban infill develops vacant areas in a city with existing infrastructure—like an undeveloped waterfront—while adaptive reuse takes an existing structure and turns it into something else. For example, a sponsor could renovate an old mill into a mixed-use property with shops and restaurants on the ground level and residential lofts above.
New Development: A sponsor typically buys undeveloped land and puts up a new building from scratch—from the ground up. For instance, a developer could buy an empty lot outside a city and build an industrial cold storage facility. These projects may be build-to-suit, when a project is custom-built specifically for a tenant who agrees to lease the property right away, or these projects may involve a speculative development, which works on an “if you build it, they will come” mentality. Ground-up projects may be less expensive to complete than redevelopment projects and may provide more flexibility in use and design, potentially making obtaining permits and developing the structure more predictable. However, a ground-up project generally won’t bring in cash during construction, so sponsors need to plan carefully to get the project fully operational and leased if they have promised cash flow to investors during the investment term. Sometimes sponsors complete the project in phases, potentially allowing for an exit or cash flow before completing the entire project.
Distressed Project: Generally a sponsor acquires a struggling asset, typically at a steep discount. So-called distressed properties generally fail to perform at their full potential for a variety of reasons. The new owners usually need to identify and quickly put into action the changes with the most potential to help the asset reach its maximum market value. This project likely involves making substantial renovations to potentially better attract the end-user, like purchasing an old, struggling hotel and completing a top-to-bottom renovation to bring it up to typical higher-end hotel ” standards. A distressed project may also be financially distressed, meaning the property cannot cover its debt service payments for a prolonged period and can’t show the lender a viable path to get back on track.
Stages of an opportunistic real estate investment
Opportunistic projects generally follow the same real estate process—from purchasing the asset to the asset’s eventual sale. Each stage has its risks and considerations, and investors should pay close attention to the specifics outlined in the business plan of a potential investment.
Pre-Development: Before any construction starts, the sponsor needs to get various project approvals. The process can include environmental testing, securing zoning, obtaining building approvals, and government permits. We’ve observed that pre-development is often the riskiest stage of a project.
Development: With the necessary approvals in hand, the sponsor can start working with architects, engineers, and contractors. Pre-leasing may begin during this stage to give the project more time to hit the break-even point and potentially reach a state of consistent cash flow (stabilization).
Lease-Up and Stabilization: Once the building is ready for use, generally the sponsor will begin leasing to tenants. Upon full occupancy of the property, the sponsor will usually either refinance the project with new debt or sell the asset for a profit.
Exit: Sponsors usually estimate a three- to seven-year holding period between the start of an opportunistic project and the asset’s sale, but investment hold periods of as short as one year can occur.
Understanding the risks of opportunistic real estate
Investors in opportunistic projects need to understand the trade-off they’re making with regards to risk/reward. Opportunistic real estate investors typically expect a higher potential return while also understanding that there is a high variability of outcomes from project to project.
Returns are generally dependent on the sponsor/developer’s ability to execute their business plan. Regardless of the type of opportunistic project, a few key characteristics may increase the risk of these investments substantially (which is why the potential returns can be so high), including construction risk, lease-up risk, legal risk, timing, and a lack of cash flow.
Let’s assume that a developer has all the government approvals to construct a building from the ground up or to overhaul an existing structure completely. Depending on factors like building type, location, and size, the project’s construction phase may take years. If market conditions decline before the project is finished, the completed project’s value could be less than the cost to build it.
Generating cash when prospective tenants aren’t actively leasing can present an even more significant challenge than the construction timeline. Most opportunistic projects have debt payments to satisfy. If a project can’t generate cash flow, then financial distress could jeopardize the entire investment.
However, a good business plan and the right timing may help mitigate these risks.Think of an office building in a Silicon Valley neighborhood that’s usually in very high demand. In a severe downturn, tenants might opt not to renew their leases, and the empty office building could go up for sale at a steep discount. If a sponsor can buy the asset for a low enough price, properly manage it, and hold it for long enough, there’s a probability that the sponsor can sell it for a profit when economic conditions change.
The same may hold true for new development projects. Say a vacant lot costs $500,000, and construction of an apartment building costs $1 million. While there’s always the risk that things could go awry during the construction process, if all goes to plan, the finished apartment building could potentially increase in value and generate a profit after covering the purchase of the land and construction costs.
Balancing risk and reward
Investors interested in building a diversified real estate portfolio may want to consider an additional dimension of diversification—real estate investment strategy. Many investors seek to invest in a wide range of property types, locations, and sponsors but are not adequately diversified across strategies—with the bulk of their allocation historically going towards Core and Core-Plus strategies. For those with ‘dry powder’ and an eye towards taking advantage of market volatility and asset repricing, they may want to consider exploring opportunistic real estate investing.
To learn more, visit CrowdStreetAdvisors.com.
This article was written by an employee(s) of CrowdStreet and the contents of this publication are for informational purposes only. Neither this publication nor the financial professionals who authored it are rendering financial, legal, tax or other professional advice or opinions on specific facts or matters, nor does the distribution of this publication to any person constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security or investment product issued by CrowdStreet or otherwise. The views and statements expressed are based upon the opinions of CrowdStreet. All information is from sources believed to be reliable. This article is not intended to be relied upon as advice to investors or potential investors and does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any investor. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance or success. All investors should consider such factors in consultation with a professional advisor of their choosing when deciding if an investment is appropriate. CrowdStreet assumes no liability in connection with the use of this publication.
CrowdStreet, Inc. (“CrowdStreet”) offers investment opportunities and financial services on its website. Advisory services are offered through CrowdStreet Advisors, LLC (“CrowdStreet Advisors”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CrowdStreet and a federally registered investment adviser. CrowdStreet Advisors provides investment advisory services exclusively to privately managed accounts and private funds and does not otherwise provide investment advisory services to the CrowdStreet Marketplace or its users. CrowdStreet and its affiliates do not endorse any of the opportunities that appear on this website. Investment opportunities available through CrowdStreet are speculative and involve substantial risk. You should not invest unless you can sustain the risk of loss of capital, including the risk of total loss of capital. All investors should consider their individual factors in consultation with a professional advisor of their choosing when deciding if an investment is appropriate. Private placements are illiquid investments, in that they cannot be easily sold or exchanged for cash, and are intended for investors who do not need a liquid investment.
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[1] Information provided by CrowdStreet as of February 2021, “What is Opportunistic Investing?”
