Peak chaser, world explorer, skyline creator. Living life one slope, trip, and development at a time

The latest inflation data underscores a mixed economic landscape, where challenges are heightened by policy uncertainty. The U.S. Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of underlying inflation, the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, rose by 2.8% year-over-year in October and 0.3% month-over-month. While part of this increase reflects the influence of higher stock prices, inflation remains stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% target, raising questions about the central bank’s next moves. Complicating the outlook further is Donald Trump’s economic agenda as he prepares for his return to the political stage. Experts warn that his proposed policies—ranging from tariffs on Canada and Mexico to promises of lower fuel costs—could reignite inflation and reverse post-pandemic economic recovery efforts. For developers, investors, and industry leaders, these dynamics signal potential risks and opportunities to prepare for. Inflation’s Impact on Real Estate While inflation remains a c...

The commercial real estate market is undergoing a seismic shift as office buildings, once prized assets, face record-high vacancy rates and plummeting values. Developers are responding with an innovative solution: office-to-residential conversions , transforming underutilized spaces into much-needed housing. A Perfect Storm: Office Vacancies and Housing Shortages In Q3 2024, national office vacancy rates hit a record 19.2%, reflecting a shift in work habits and declining demand for office space. At the same time, the U.S. faces a critical housing shortage, with 3.8 million new units needed to meet demand. These dual challenges are driving a surge in office conversions: • 2024 saw 73 completed projects , up from 63 in 2023. • 309 additional conversions are underway , expected to deliver 38,000 residential units, according to CBRE. This creative repurposing of office buildings offers a win-win: addressing housing shortages while breathing new life into struggling urban cores. High-Pro...