In First Draft Live – Episode 23: What Your Investment Committee Wishes You Knew, the conversation cuts through the overwhelming macroeconomic noise shaping today’s commercial real estate environment. From geopolitical instability and shifting global leadership narratives to interest-rate volatility, questions around Federal Reserve independence, and trade tariffs, the backdrop for CRE decision-making has rarely felt more complex. These forces make it increasingly difficult for investors to identify quality opportunities amid constant uncertainty and rapidly changing signals.
Despite these challenges, Abbe Franchot Borok, Managing Director and Head of U.S. Debt at BGO, strikes an optimistic tone for the year ahead. She acknowledges that traditional supply-and-demand dynamics are evolving as consumer behavior and property usage shift, requiring new data inputs and more nuanced analysis. While some Canadian and European investors remain cautious about the U.S. political environment, Borok emphasizes that the U.S. remains the world’s most liquid and active real estate market. She believes sustained investment will continue, particularly for those willing to focus on income generation, disciplined underwriting, and strong on-the-ground execution to uncover compelling deals.