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6 Essential CRE Asset Management Strategies for 2025

Aug 2024 - Commercial Real Estate Services, Real Estate Companies Silverskills

Effective asset management is crucial not only to ensure that properties are maintained, but also to optimize their profitability.

Monitoring trends and market indicators and understanding their potential impact on asset and portfolio performance therefore becomes pertinent.

Accordingly, CRE firms must navigate market headwinds to actively prepare for the coming year and ensure survival.

Commercial real estate asset management is a multifaceted field. With the following strategies in place, it is possible for firms to overcome challenges and achieve success in CRE asset management.

Centralize Operations and Use Technology to Improve Efficiencies

By centralizing and leveraging technology, firms can boost efficiency and stay competitive. Already, 69% of CRE leaders say that they consider technology as a strategic agenda a high priority, according to Ernst and Young (EY).

Centralizing operations can improve back-office efficiency by consolidating teams in one building, reducing costs, and enhancing collaboration. This not only optimizes resources but also strengthens team cohesion for better decision-making.

Firms can generate additional revenue by converting non-rentable spaces, such as clubhouses, into income-generating assets, showing adaptability in the market.

Additionally, CRE firms should consider leveraging Digital transformation Services. For example, embracing remote work for roles such as accounting can further reduce costs and meet workforce preferences. Using advanced CRE technology solutions can eliminate data silos and streamline operations.

Manage and Mitigate Risk

Risk management is crucial to protect the property and its revenue streams from potential threats. This involves identifying risks, developing mitigation strategies, and having contingency plans in place.

Identifying potential risks involves an analysis of the property, market conditions, and regulatory environment. This includes assessing risks related to natural disasters, economic downturns, tenant defaults, and legal liabilities.

Developing mitigation strategies could include obtaining adequate insurance coverage, diversifying the tenant mix, conducting regular safety audits, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Having contingency plans can help to quickly address unforeseen events. This includes developing emergency response plans, business continuity plans, and maintaining a reserve fund for unexpected expenses.

Fortify the Balance SheetStrengthening your balance sheet is key to portfolio success.

To do this, CRE asset managers should review all operational and capital expenses carefully. This helps balance Net Operating Income (NOI) with net cash. Checking current cash reserves gives financial clarity and helps in planning for future needs.

By forecasting expenses like utilities, taxes, and insurance for the next 1 to 3 years, asset managers can create a flexible financial strategy that can adapt to changes and protect income.

Maintain and Upgrade Properties

One of the pillars of effective commercial real estate asset management is proactive maintenance and timely upgrades. This helps in preserving the value of the property and can reduce long-term operational costs. Proactive maintenance includes regular inspections, preventive measures, and timely repairs.

Regular inspections help discover potential issues before they turn into major challenges. This includes checking for structural integrity, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC systems, and other critical components.

A well-maintained property not only attracts and retains tenants, but also helps to ensure regulatory compliance.

Strategic upgrades can also enhance the property’s value and appeal. This can involve updating the building’s façade, modernizing interior spaces, improving energy efficiency, or incorporating smart building technologies.

Upgrades should be aligned with market trends and tenant demands. For instance, in the current market, green building certifications and sustainability features can be selling points.

Protect Against Fraud

80% of organizations experienced payment fraud attempts in 2023, as per the 2024 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report.

According to JP Morgan Chase, commercial real estate owners and operators are especially at risk for check and rent payment fraud. It is thus crucial to train your teams on how to identify and prevent cyberattacks and fraud, and regularly test their knowledge.

Optimize Debt Structures

One can achieve greater success in commercial real estate asset management by taking advantage of favorable market conditions and optimizing debt structures. Debt modeling is an ongoing process, not just a one-time task. Regular modeling helps asset managers stay proactive and responsive to the ever-changing commercial real estate market.

Using asset management software can streamline and enhance this continuous modeling process. These advanced tools help with modeling, tracking, and managing debt, equity, and entities. By integrating technology, asset managers can work more efficiently and gain the data-driven insights needed to make informed decisions in the fast-paced CRE industry.

Conclusion

Effective commercial real estate asset management requires an approach that encompasses proactive maintenance, strong tenant relationships, market analysis, financial optimization, and risk management. By implementing these strategies, asset managers can enhance the value and profitability of their properties while minimizing risks and ensuring long-term success.

The coming year will bring both uncertainties and exciting opportunities. It will require innovation and courage to rethink the market. This could mean transforming office spaces into resort-like experiences, repurposing historic industrial buildings, or creating walkable urban neighborhoods. Integrating different sectors more closely could reduce the need for commuting and travel, boosting the entire commercial real estate industry.

As the commercial real estate landscape changes, stakeholders must embrace innovation, adapt to market shifts, and continually improve their asset management strategies. With a deep understanding of commercial property accounting, strategic insights, and innovative methods, stakeholders can confidently manage assets and achieve their investment goals.

Silverskills offers CRE asset management solutions, leveraging product, market, and legal thought leadership to create processes that lead to cost reduction and optimization. Contact us now to avail our asset management services.

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