Here’s What Industry Leaders Predict For Real Estate In 2021

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a very active year for the real estate sector. From the temporary Covid-19 pause that halted deals and sales altogether, to the slow recovery and collapse of the apartment-saturated rental market in Manhattan, to hot markets in the metropolitan area's suburbs, there have been many ups and downs.

From the Manhattan apartment and rent recovery to what will happen to inventory, we've compiled some projections for what the market holds for 2021.

When the apartments recover

Eric Bennaim, CEO and founder of brokerage Modern Spaces in Queens, New York, says he expects to start seeing a rebound in the apartment market in the second quarter of 2021.

"Many developers have reduced rates during COVID, so buyers will now see an opportunity to buy 'value,'" says Benaim. "The Fed said it plans to hold current interest rates until 2023, which will also help."

Rent refund?

Andrew Barucas, CEO of New York City brokerage MNS, believes the New York City market will regain 50% of what it lost by the summer of 2021, although all experts say it depends on how many employees are back in the office and how many companies are hiring. New employees to work on site.

"It depends on 50% of the people returning to the office," says Barocas. "If 75% comes back, then the market will recover 75%. If it is 25%, the market will recover 25%. We have 20,000 vacant apartments now. It's just a question of supply and demand. There is a direct relationship with the rental market and people returning to offices and with trends. " Currently, I feel like 50% of people will be back in the summer of 2021. This is what makes New York, New York.

Jared Antin, a sales manager for Igran Brokerage in New York City, believes it will take at least 18-24 months for things to improve.

"Although the volume of new leases signed this fall is comparable to the number signed this time last year, the non-renewal rate is skyrocketing, causing a massive increase in inventory and pressure on owners," says Antin. "The vacancy rate in New York City has risen to more than 5% for the first time in at least 14 years, and owners are cutting prices and increasing franchises to fill vacancies. It will take 18-24 months, and at least two cycles of new hires coming to New York City to accommodate this stock. During this time, we will see the new minimum rental stock in preparation. When the stock absorbs, then we will see an increase in prices to be can build a new stock. "

Modern Spaces' Benaim agrees that the New York City rental market still has a long way to go to recover.

"Available stock is at a record level and new units hitting the market now will take time to be absorbed," says Bnaaim. `` I hope that as more and more people start to return to work, the available stock will be absorbed, and I think that if all goes well, the rental market should get closer to pre-coronavirus numbers in September, when the schools open, there is more confidence. The consumer and his certainty ”.

Scott Meyer, PTM Partners investment director, investment and real estate development, believes the rental market can be supported by people who have downplayed homeownership challenges.

"We have a couple in Watermark (in Washington, DC) who sold their single-family home to rent a two-bedroom room after realizing they didn't want to deal with the hassle of house maintenance and renovation," Meyer says.

More flexibility

Flexibility in rental terms is here to stay, and Will Lucas, founder and CEO of Mint House, which offers high-quality short-term rentals to business travelers, predicted that 5-10% of multi-family buildings in urban areas they would sign agreements with a company or a short-term lease. Corporate housing to combat the challenging rental environment.

"The rental terms will become more flexible as people travel and relocate temporarily due to work-from-home trends driven by the coronavirus epidemic," Lucas says. "We have already seen an increase in the number of guests signing up to stay with us for two to nine months to avoid signing a full year lease."

Increase inventory

Michael Normand, president of Los Angeles-based brokerage Normand & Co., believes the shares should rise.

"At the moment, stocks are very low due to economic and political uncertainty, in addition to health concerns," says Normand. "Also, you have high prices, so sellers are taking advantage of delaying the sale of their properties ... the price increase will stabilize. I think demand will continue to be strong because Los Angeles is a desirable place to live, but supply will increase, so price increases will slow down. Low interest rates are already included in the equation. "

Second home syndrome

After the crowded markets of the vacation communities, Mark Dorrath, CEO and co-founder of Grace Bay Resorts, looks forward to more vacation home purchases.

"People spend their vacations differently now than ever, and many are focusing more on privacy and hygiene while enjoying the benefits of exclusivity and luxury," says Dorliat. "Vacation homes provide the confidence that travelers will always return to a clean and safe place. Additionally, vacation homes in a managed community provide ... real rental income potential that can offset ownership expenses." .

Along with the emergence of the vacation home, Hunter Frick, senior vice president of marketing for Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing, predicts the rise of "shared-base housing" or an apartment near a city office.

"Since CEOs relocating to areas outside of Manhattan make it easier for nine months of working from home, their mindset has changed indefinitely," says Frick. "They will never give up on unmatched energy in Manhattan, but it is a place where they spend three days a week before returning to their upstate homes in the Hamptons and Connecticut. Many will be looking for new homes near the office, helping Troubled Midtown Residential Market ". .

“This lifestyle is in line with the feedback we receive from our group of existing buyers,” Frick said. "Most people expect the future of work to be more flexible and flexible as work and life combine."

Although it is not yet clear what the controversial resurgence of the tax on hands will do in that market.