Peaks & Portfolios

From a new presidential administration to surging demand for data centers, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year. In this episode, we sit down with James Bohnaker, Senior Economist at Cushman & Wakefield, for an economic outlook with insightful forecasting for the year ahead. James unpacks key factors—including potential tax changes, the economic ripple effects of deregulation, and shifts in immigration—offering expert insigh...

Explore the evolving dynamics of debt and financing in real estate investment with insights from Brad Andrus, Founding Partner of Bridge Investment Group, and Lauro Garcia, Senior Vice President / Managing Director for Stern Brothers. Andrus shares lessons from navigating multiple recessions, emphasizing how downturns can reset markets and create prime buying opportunities for agile investors; particularly through alternative finan...

With double-digit vacancies that are the worst on record in many markets, commercial real estate investors are faced with the challenge of navigating negative absorption in the office sector. While the Mountain West region has acted as a buffer, avoiding some of the harsher realities facing first-tier markets, we remain in the thick of what real estate mogul Brandon Fugal dubs a "character-building cycle." In this episode...

Can innovative urban development turn the tide on housing scarcity? Through an engaging discussion on public-private partnerships and debunking myths of unattractive low-income housing, we explore tax credits and other effective tools for structuring successful affordable housing investments. In this week's episode, we're delving into one of the most pressing issues of our time and discussing innovative funding methods fo...

Since 2016, the CRE insurance market has faced turbulence due to natural disasters and rising capital costs. This week's episode with Ted Brown, President and Partner at Lockton Companies, breaks down the impact of skyrocketing insurance rates on deals. Ted explains how underwriters initially priced for low catastrophe risk, but consecutive severe weather events led to increased rates. However, there is a silver lining! Tune i...

 Get the scoop on Utah’s booming real estate market with Peaks and Portfolios. Join Kip Paul, Michael King, and JT Redd from Cushman & Wakefield as they share insights on growth and investment opportunities along the Wasatch Front. Learn why Utah ranks as the best overall state in the U.S. and how its growth creates a compelling environment for commercial real estate. Explore Salt Lake City's downtown growth, hotel undersu...

 What if your next real estate decision could be guided by AI? Tune in as we explore game-changing innovations in Prop Tech. Discover how advancements make property management seamless, from virtual tours to app-based laundry systems and vehicle vending machines. We delve into AI's future in real estate, automating tasks and predicting equipment failures. This episode offers insights on how technology revolutionizes real estat...

 The urban landscape is evolving, responding to societal changes, economic pressures, and the global pandemic. Insights from leaders like Julie Whelan of CBRE are invaluable. CBRE's new report reveals the intricacies of urban transformation and growth, offering a future roadmap for U.S. cities. In this episode, we interview Whelan for a deep dive into these findings. Learn about essential elements for a thriving city, and gain...

 In this episode, newly appointed PEG Companies Co-CEO Garett Bjorkman explores modern financial landscapes shaping new investment opportunities. We discuss how private credit firms address banks' liquidity gaps in transitional real estate assets. Garett shares insights from his journey from Shanghai to Utah. Topics include conservative lending in multifamily real estate, potential in select service and extended-stay hotels, a...

 With a "personal vendetta against Chicken Little," WaFd Bank CEO Brent Beardall debunks misconceptions about today’s CRE landscape. This episode highlights the resilience of banking relationships during economic stress, high inflation, and last year's bank upheavals. Beardall’s candid commentary, including his plane crash survival, offers insights on leadership and connectivity. Learn about economic indicators, the ...

 Amid a U.S. housing shortage and a shift toward rental living, build-for-rent (BFR) is the fastest-growing sector in commercial real estate. This week, David Bourne, Director of Investments at PEG Companies, explores how BFR is redefining the residential landscape. He discusses economic underpinnings, performance metrics, and financing shifts in the BFR segment. Learn about leading BFR brands like Christopher Todd Communities and ...

 This episode explores a groundbreaking algorithm that could convert a third of office buildings into residential housing. Gensler Principal Steven Paynter discusses assessing convertibility based on location, age, and architecture. We delve into the economics of space optimization post-pandemic and challenges in different markets like Salt Lake City. Learn about the economic implications, cost efficiency, affordable housing incent...

 Passionate about multifamily real estate, Mandy McAllister, CEO of GoBundance Women, left medical sales for financial independence and to help others do the same. This episode highlights her joint-venture partnerships strategy, crucial to her success. McAllister shares how aligned visions with partners and her reputation secured her first multifamily property during the pandemic. She also discusses the evolving market, economic pr...

 Learn to leverage debt strategically with Devin Jolley, debt markets expert and President of Davidson Companies. Jolley shares his experience navigating financial upheavals from the Great Financial Crisis to COVID-19. Discover how past crises reshaped risk management, shifting from deal-making to caution. Understand the recovery of financial institutions post-pandemic, the resurgence of community banks, and regulatory shifts. Get ...

 Join CBRE Global Chief Economist Richard Barkham on Peaks & Portfolios: Presented by PEG Companies, as he explores 2023's unexpected economic strength and its implications for 2024. Discover how government interventions and stimulus measures fueled surprising GDP growth, mitigated a banking crisis, and supported construction activity. Barkham also analyzes U.S. migration and demographic trends, offering predictions for th...

 Join us with James Bohnaker, Senior Economist at Cushman & Wakefield, as we dissect the anticipated Federal Reserve announcements for 2024. Explore the expected rate drop and its market impact amidst high interest rates and inflation. Discover hidden investment opportunities in the CRE sector, learn which sectors will thrive or struggle, and hear Bohnaker's bold prediction for the Fed's first rate cut. Navigate the t...