294. Opportunities Outweigh Obstacles? Look to NYC Multifamily: Behind the Scenes with Seth Glasser | Marcus & Millichap
Dec 9, 2024
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Seth Glasser, Senior Managing Director at Marcus & Millichap, shares his expertise as a top multifamily agent in New York. He discusses the challenges of NYC's evolving legislation and the shifting market dynamics. Interesting insights emerge on the role of government in housing and the complexities of 1031 exchanges. Seth also highlights the growing demand for affordable housing and the impact of economic changes on buyer motivations. Tune in for a deep dive into the opportunities awaiting investors in the NYC multifamily sector!
Seth Glasser discusses the drastic decline in valuations of rent-stabilized buildings in NYC, significantly impacted by regulatory changes and rising interest rates.
Despite the challenges of strict regulations and a tricky lending landscape, unique buying opportunities exist for investors willing to navigate NYC's multifamily market.
Deep dives
Seth Glasser's Multifamily Expertise
Seth Glasser is a prominent multifamily agent with 15 years of experience in New York City’s competitive real estate market, focusing primarily on rent-regulated assets. He leads a team that sells around 90 buildings a year, emphasizing the complexities unique to New York multifamily properties, such as the impact of rent regulations. Glasser shares how his clientele often seeks his expertise for navigating transactions like 1031 exchanges into alternative asset classes, particularly single-tenant net lease deals. His insights underscore the necessity for a deep understanding of the market's nuances, particularly given the regulatory challenges faced by brokers and clients alike.
Challenges in the New York Multifamily Market
The New York multifamily sector faces significant challenges, including stringent rent regulations that have led to steep declines in property valuations. Glasser highlights that a rent-stabilized building’s value has dropped from as high as 15 times the rent roll to as low as five times, showcasing the drastic impact of regulatory changes enacted in 2019. This depreciation has left many owners reluctant to sell, as they grapple with negative equity and the uncertainty of the market's future. Additionally, rising interest rates have exacerbated the situation, making it even more critical for brokers to guide their clients through this complex landscape.
The Current Debt Landscape for Investors
Investors in New York's rent-regulated buildings are encountering a challenging lending environment characterized by high scrutiny from banks and limited loan-to-value ratios. Glasser notes that lenders are demanding higher debt coverage ratios and additional documentation, making it increasingly difficult to secure financing for these assets. Most debt quotes currently hover around 60% to 65% LTV, which requires substantial cash from buyers, complicating transactions even further. As a result, the market for new debt has shifted toward experienced borrowers, emphasizing the importance of strong operational backgrounds in securing funds.
Navigating Opportunities Amidst Challenges
Despite the challenges presented by regulations and market dynamics, Glasser views the current landscape as a unique buying opportunity for astute investors willing to navigate the intricacies of New York’s multifamily market. He highlights how sellers are now offering properties at prices resembling those from more favorable market conditions, enabling new buyers to enter at lower cost points. However, Glasser emphasizes that prospective investors must be patient and have a clear strategy, as the market is still characterized by uncertainty and downward pressures. For those with long-term capital, he believes the potential for significant returns exists, particularly if legislative conditions improve over time.
In this special guest episode of The TreppWire Podcast, we
are joined by Seth Glasser, Senior Managing Director at New York Multifamily at Marcus & Millichap. As one of the top-producing multifamily agents in their office, Seth shares insights into his journey in commercial real estate (CRE),
the major challenges facing the NYC multifamily market due to evolving legislation, and where the opportunities lie. We also dive into key topics including 1031 Exchanges, triple net leases (NNN), current cap rates, and the importance of knowing the data in your market. Tune in now.
Episode Notes:
- Background and Start in CRE (1:44)
- Government Role in NY Housing (4:23)
- Biggest Challenges in Multifamily Sector (6:45)
- Buyers' Appetite for New Debt (11:43)
- Navigating the Market and Continuing to Grow (19:00)
- Affordable Housing World in NY (24:07)
- Office-to-residential Conversions (28:41)
- 1031 Exchanges, NNN Leases & Cap Rates (30:49)
- Multifamily Opportunities in NYC (36:48)
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