New technology, changing needs, and more selective demographics are causing upheavals in the real estate market. Umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (UPREIT) investors should be aware of the various strategies REITs are using as a response to these new developments. This way, investors can assess which UPREITs are best positioned for success as the landscape changes.
In this article, Realized 1031 shares how UPREITs are adapting to changing real estate market trends, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and a focus on sustainability, among other strategies.
While UPREIT sponsors and property management professionals have always embraced technology for matters like tenant screening or marketing, AI has taken operations to new heights. The capabilities of AI, from automation to big data analysis, have resulted in enhanced investment identification, risk analysis, and mitigation, as well as automation of tasks like listing descriptions and marketing content.
Data-driven management is another UPREIT trend. Analytics platforms that track occupancy trends, operational costs, and lease expirations are helping UPREIT managers make more informed decisions about capital expenditures, property dispositions, and lease negotiations. The insightful numbers allow for nimble adaptation to shifts in demand or macroeconomic conditions.
One of the hardest-hit sectors in the past five years has been office buildings. The rising occupancy rates have led REITs to rethink their strategies, now preferring to invest in co-working spaces and flexible work environments as hybrid work arrangements become mainstream.
Meanwhile, the growing demand for e-commerce has led to increased allocations for warehousing and industrial facilities. These properties benefit from e-commerce tailwinds and supply-chain diversification efforts. As a result, these sectors have high potential for steady cash flow and long-term demand.
UPREITs today are often focused on investor interest and needs because many are savvy and capable of researching the structures and agreements that work best for them. As such, REITs now tend to focus on easier liquidity options, optimizing the exchange ratio mechanics to balance unit-holder preferences with public investor demand.
Additionally, some UPREITs are restructuring their equity by issuing new OP units to acquire distressed or mispriced real estate. This practice aligns with recapitalization efforts, enabling the UPREIT to reduce leverage or even return capital to OP unit holders.
As part of their greater investor alignment strategy, UPREITs also leverage timely market intelligence to sell assets in saturated or underperforming markets. The freed capital enables the REIT to enter more stable or in-demand segments, such as healthcare and warehousing.
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards also influence tenant and investor decisions. Comprehensive sustainability becomes a priority as social and environmental justice pressure becomes more apparent. As such, UPREITs have been shifting various aspects of property acquisition and management to follow ESG goals.
As part of ESG initiatives and the broader strategy to retain tenants and lower vacancy rates, many REITs have adopted approaches that cultivate tenant relationships and community connections. For example, today’s tenants demand flexibility. As such, many UPREITs are now offering shorter lease terms, shared amenities, and adaptive layouts to meet modern tenant needs.
In retail, urban office, and multi-family assets, UPREITs are programming community events, branded experiences, and lifestyle-driven amenities to foster foot traffic and retention. Some UPREITs also collaborate with tenants to identify needs, such as adding EV charging stations or wellness features. These strategies turn properties into destinations for convenience and well-being, not just spaces.
The dynamic nature of the real estate market has been amplified thanks to advanced technologies, the changing needs of Gen Z and millennial demographics, and pressure for sustainable and responsible practices. An investor should research how UPREITs are adapting to these new developments to determine if the trust entity is able to keep up with the times. Understanding these shifts can help investors identify opportunities, anticipate risks, and align their portfolios with the most forward-thinking and resilient real estate strategies.
Sources:
https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/financial-services/library/real-estate-esg.html