Are Equity Valuations Connected to Fundamentals?

RealShare Apartments Economic Panel

LOS ANGELES—Steady gains in the US economy have resulted in net positives for the multifamily sector and prices in core markets are at an all-time high. So said Michael Desiato, VP and group publisher of ALM‘s Real Estate Group, in his opening remarks on day two of RealShare Apartments.

“The consensus is that demographics will continue to keep demand for apartments strong,” he said. But will apartments continue to ride the wave of these trends for the foreseeable future, or will the momentum abate as the uncertainties—including wage growth, overbuilding and global factors—come into sharper focus?

Expert panelists in Thursday opening session took on those questions and discussed the macro issues impacting deal flow and the outlook for the sector across the nation. Panelist Jeff Adler, VP of Yardi Matrix, said that demographics are “ridiculously good” at the moment and have never been this good. But if there is one thing that is a cause for caution, it is that the valuations are based on a unique set of circumstances.