Net-Lease Investment Activity Close to Pre-Pandemic Levels
June 2, 2021 | CBRE
Investment in U.S. net-lease properties was close to pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2021, driven by robust institutional acquisition activity, increased interest in office assets as return-to-the-workplace plans gained momentum and, despite COVID-19 related international travel restrictions, resilient foreign investment, according to the latest research from CBRE.
Net-lease properties are characterized by a lease structure in which the tenant agrees to pay a portion or all of the taxes, insurance fees and maintenance costs in addition to rent. While net-lease investment activity (comprising office, industrial and retail properties) decreased by 2.6% year-over-year in Q1 2021 to $14.3 billion, volume was up by 10% from pre-pandemic Q1 2019. The decline for total U.S. commercial real estate volume in Q1 2021 was deeper at 18.3% year-over-year.
“Much like the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) trend we experienced over a decade ago, net-lease properties continue to attract interest during this downturn as investors seek long-term dependable cash flows. Interest in the office sector is on the rise, with strong demand for mission-critical assets as COVID-19 guidance changes and employees begin to return to the workplace,” said Will Pike, vice chairman of Net Lease Properties for Capital Markets at CBRE.
