Net Lease, The Perfect Starter Asset Class

Seasoned investors have historically had a healthy appetite for net lease investment, and it’s no surprise. Net lease is a low management asset class and a good addition to any portfolio—but it is also a perfect starter investment class. This week Camille Renshaw, CEO and co-founder of proptech firm B+E, spoke on the Campfire Sessions: Lessons from Women of Influence panel at CCIM’s Global Conference in San Diego, and highlighted the benefits of single-tenant net lease assets for new real estate investors.

Renshaw’s firm is targeting new entrants into commercial real estate investment. The demographic, she said on the panel, is an ideal fit for net lease opportunities, which are the perfect starter asset class. The low management nature of single-tenant net lease makes it an especially good fit for investors new to commercial real estate. As a result, she is opening up the world of commercial real estate investment to a new pool of investors—particularly those that have been overlooked by the industry.

B+E’s tech-centric strategy is really the key to accessing a broader pool of investors and exposing opportunities. It is the first net lease firm to leverage technology to match investors with opportunities. Through the platform, investors at any level can complete an entire transaction online. This provides both ease and efficiency that benefits seasoned and budding investors. The platform includes user-friendly dashboards, real-time predictive pricing and an AI-driven exchange along with an industry-leading data set.

B+E’s strategy is resonating. The firm has offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Tampa and recently opened a new office in Denver, which has an active net lease market and opens B+E up to the west. The Colorado market has a total market value of roughly $1.4 trillion across property types, industrial, retail, office, and medical property. Denver alone is seeing year-over-year property sales growth of 210%.

Renshaw spoke on the panel with Real Estate Forum’s Women of Influence award winners, including Barbara Crane, Renee Savage, Sue Earnest and Cynthia Shelton. In addition to discussing her interest in and commitment to the net lease market and its benefits for investors, Renshaw also talked about diversity in the industry, and attracting talent to the commercial real estate market.