Private Equity Real Estate Investors Remain Wary of Opportunity Zones
March 27, 2019 | Elaine Misonzhnik | National Real Estate Investor
Private equity real estate investors remain reluctant to jump into Opportunity Zone plays, according to the latest research from London-based firm Preqin, which attributed the attitude to uncertainty surrounding program regulations and the inherent risk of investing in low-income and distressed neighborhoods.
Based on a survey conducted in January 2019, 51 percent of these types of investors are considering investing in Opportunity Zones over the next year. But an overwhelming majority of respondents—92 percent—were not involved in Opportunity Zone deals at the time of the survey.
Of the respondents who do plan to invest in Opportunity Zones over the next 12 months, 66 percent are planning to target only one fund pursuing that strategy, with another 27 percent looking to invest in two to three funds. Only 7 percent of respondents foresee targeting four or more funds for Opportunity Zones.