The Worst Of The Pandemic Is Behind The Property Industry, But Uncertainty Still Lingers

The new Urban Land Institute and PwC’s Emerging Trends In Real Estate Europe report reveals that, while the worst of the pandemic’s impact on the property industry may be over, there is still uncertainty about the best strategies of operating in the future. 

According to the report of over 800 real estate professionals across Europe, 52% of respondents said business confidence will likely continue to increase over the next year, compared to just 23% who said the same last year. 

Many respondents also noted that the speed of the government and central bank stimulus helped stave off a prolonged recession. However, other issues have begun to emerge, with cybersecurity, inflation, and interest rate movement among the top concerns from professionals. 

One sweeping view among most respondents was that top quality offices should be able to maintain their rent and value, but secondary assets may not see the same stability.   

“I think the biggest barriers to change for us as an industry is that real estate has done everything the same way for so long,” one respondent said. “You could look at the lease structures in some countries; you could look at the lack of diversity in the industry. I think there’s a movement to change lots of these things, but real estate has always been slower than other industries.”