Global leaders discuss the impact of COVID-19 in the Real Estate market

March 11, 2020Real Estate
In these uncertain times when the industry members need to exchange ideas more than ever, the GRI club has sent a clear message to the market reinforcing its role as the leading global platform to connect real estate leaders.

With over 25 eMeetings already scheduled and confirmed participants from 30 countries (see list of eMeeting
here), yesterday the Club held a discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 on the real estate market. Among the participants members: Federico Bianchi, MD & Head of Asset Mngt Europe, Starwood Capital, Brian Betel, Managing Partner, ASG Iberia Advisors, Christoph Schumacher, Global Head Real Estate, Credit Suisse,  Jill Ziaozhou Ju, CIO, The Collective, Mohamad Abouchalbak, CEO, SFO Group, Adriano Mantesso, MD & Country Head Latin America, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Rui Miguel Alegre, Chairman, INOGI Asset Management and many others.

The global sentiment, was on the whole positive as many took a cautiously optimistic view that we would see signs of recovery within 12 months. In the immediate term, the investment climate for transactions and acquisitions was still reasonably fair. Most economies are not yet’ bad’; we are just experiencing some functional problems. Indeed, many trusted that central banks and the government would make this ‘blip’ to the economy as painless as possible.

Fears of an economic downturn was the main fear amongst the members. Afterall, we are already operating in an ‘end cycle’ environment and COVID-19 might just be the triggering event for a recession, possibly worse. And yet, even in such a scenario, most remained optimistic. COVID-19 might actually trigger a ‘correction recession’, which many felt had been long overdue for over-inflated asset classes and would spark opportunities for buyers. Such optimism was fuelled by strong liquidity and cash flow still as well as real estate being the number safe haven for money. And yet, caution prevented most from mapping out a rosy road; how the government and lenders will react to uncertainty will become critical - liquidity could dry up and impact both debt and equity real estate.  

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Join the next eMeeting on COVID-19 and impacts in the real estate industry

Due to the overwhelming demand about the topic, the GRI has scheduled other 2 eMeetings to discuss how markets will be impacted by current facts. 
Members can apply for the eMeetings
here.
 

Full report on this eMeeting here.

 

Check the video of the eMeeting