Medical Office Insights From Revista’s Medical Real Estate Investment Conference

March 11, 2024

Medical Real Estate Industry Insights

It is the best of times; it is the worst of times.  Sound familiar?  When it comes to medical office real estate, the fundamentals are strong.  Rental rates and occupancy rates are increasing.  There is low inventory on the market where in most major markets, supply and new supply is not keeping up with absorption.  There is dry powder on the sidelines with pent up demand from buyers who waited out last year wondering where interest rates would go.   And yet, the headlines would paint the image of a market that has cooled, with tighter lending standards and a challenging CRE backdrop in general. 

Our team just attended Revista’s Medical Real Estate Investment Conference in Pasadena, California and here’s our fresh take.

Medical Real Estate

SkyView Advisors Medical Real Estate Takes

High quality properties that are primed for the current market are in demand and will get attention.  What does high quality mean?  Newer, full occupancy, strong lease rates and/or upcoming renewals, and minimal deferred maintenance.  The market recognizes that replacement costs are high and seems to be heeding the advice of Warren Buffet that “It’s far better to buy a wonderful asset at a fair price than a fair asset at a wonderful price.” 

However, if your property is not primed for this market, focus on strengthening the property to get it ready for next leg up in this cycle.  Yes, that means, taking care of lease renewals, deferred maintenance, setting up a sale leaseback, and getting your accounting together.  When in doubt, higher rental rates will add more value to the building.  Adding that the pipeline of new development is very thin in all markets, so the current market is ripe for the next wave of development which can go live in the coming years in markets favorable to new supply.

Medical Real Estate Building

Cap Rates in Medical Real Estate

While cap rates have moved up since historic lows in 2020-2021, those with a longer-term view think it is a great time to buy.  That’s in-line with the observation that private owners are by far the dominant buying and selling cohort with providers still somewhat active and growing. REITS are not selling.  More specifically, transaction volume has declined in the over $20MM class of properties. Trading in the $5MM-$10MM value ranges is much more robust. Portfolio deals are generally not coming to market at this time.

Medical Real Estate Outlook

At SkyView Advisors, we are cautiously optimistic.  We continue to grow through elite execution rooted in our highly successful 252 step process which leads to higher likelihood of maximizing value and closing deals.  While the market has been slower over the past year, the bid/ask spread has narrowed, and high quality, well-priced properties going to market are getting attention and multiple bids.  We are looking for steady improvement into 2025 on the back of strong fundamentals and given the expectation of interest rate cuts later this year.  

To speak with one of our experts today, please reach us at SkyView Advisorswe look forward to meeting with you!