Jeff Giller and Margaret McKnight | StepStone Real Estate
Feb 3, 2025
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Jeff Giller, Partner and Global Head of StepStone Real Estate, and Margaret McKnight, Partner and Head of Portfolio Solutions, share insights on guiding institutional investors in the complex real estate market. They discuss strategies to navigate current challenges such as high interest rates, declining valuations, and recapitalization opportunities. Their conversation dives into the contrast between public and private investments, emphasizing tailored strategies for diverse client needs. They also highlight the importance of team dynamics, technology in decision-making, and the evolving landscape of real estate investments.
Despite challenges like high interest rates, underlying real estate assets demonstrate operational strength, creating recapitalization opportunities for investors.
StepStone Real Estate employs a hybrid investment strategy, integrating advisory services with active management to enhance liquidity and capital allocation.
Investors must adapt their strategies to current market conditions, balancing opportunities in private markets against risks presented by economic slowdowns.
Deep dives
Operational Strength Amid Valuation Declines
Despite recent declines in asset valuations primarily driven by high interest rates and rising cap rates, the underlying assets in the market continue to operate strongly. This operational strength allows investors to capitalize on recapitalization opportunities by providing capital to general partners (GPs) to help pay down debt. By stepping in during these times, investors can assist GPs in stabilizing their portfolios, which is critical when financing becomes constrained. This kind of support highlights the resilience of certain market sectors despite external pressures, positioning them for future recovery.
Growth of Stepstone Group
Stepstone Group has established itself as a significant player in private markets, with a particular focus on real estate investment strategies, managing about $180 billion in capital globally. The firm has embraced a hybrid approach, leveraging its advisory capabilities alongside active investment practices, which includes secondaries and recapitalization. Their successful acquisition of Cortland significantly expanded their advisory business, increasing assets under advisement rapidly. This model allows Stepstone to provide solution-oriented services to both general partners and limited partners, focusing on liquidity and strategic capital allocation.
Investment Strategies and Market Dynamics
Current market conditions are ripe for identifying opportunities, especially in the context of distress in the value-add and opportunistic investment space. As interest rates have surged, the resulting financial strain on many asset owners has created opportunities for savvy investors to step in and assist. The anticipated strong vintages in 2024 and 2025 are expected to lead to profitable investments similar to those seen post-global financial crisis. Investors are advised to maintain awareness of market conditions and tailor their strategies according to changing dynamics, especially concerning economic slowdowns.
Comparative Analysis of Real Estate Investments
When considering investments in real estate, the choice between public real estate investment trusts (REITs) and private market opportunities hinges on various strategic factors. Private real estate tends to provide greater diversification and is less correlated with public markets, offering potentially more stable returns despite its illiquidity. Investors should assess their own goals, risk tolerance, and access to private market investments while considering the trade-offs involved. The current concentration of capital in larger, established firms challenges smaller managers, but there remains room for specialized operators willing to innovate and adapt.
Emerging Trends and Advice for New Investors
The conversation around responsible investing remains critical in today's market, especially relating to climate change and its implications for real estate investments. New generations entering the industry should focus on aligning their personal passions with their career decisions, seeking mentorship to guide their professional growth. Acknowledge that the real estate sector is varied, offering paths from management to analytics, and finding a niche can lead to long-term fulfillment. Future investors should be prepared for a competitive landscape and adapt by continuously building their skills and networks.
Jeff Giller, Partner and Head of StepStone Real Estate, and Margaret McKnight, Partner and Head of Portfolio Solutions, talk about guiding real estate strategies for institutional investors, providing capital to fund managers and their broad view of where, how and when to invest in the real estate market.
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