The commercial real estate financing landscape is undergoing significant changes, with office properties showing renewed strength and technology bringing new efficiencies to the industry. Abraham Bergman, president of Eastern Union Funding, offers insights from more than two decades in mortgage brokerage, with experience across 42 states and a broad range of transactions. From Modest Beginnings ...
Mortgage industry expert warns of fundamental shift in homebuying journey that could reshape realtor-lender dynamics A dramatic shift in homebuyer behavior could upend traditional real estate relationships, according to Bruce Gehrke, Director of Lending Intelligence at J.D. Power. “Up to 50% of younger borrowers are now talking to lenders before they talk to real estate ...
The mortgage technology landscape is experiencing a significant shift as high interest rates and market constraints drive innovation in documentation and lending processes. Traditional barriers that once required expensive attorney involvement for every transaction are giving way to technology-driven solutions that maintain legal compliance while reducing costs and complexity. This change is particularly evident in ...
Facing mounting regulatory requirements and rising interest rates, New York City building boards are developing innovative funding strategies beyond traditional assessments and loans, according to Julie Schechter, Partner at Fox Rothschild. The Financial Squeeze “A lot of buildings were forced to get creative on alternative ways of raising money,” Schechter says, noting that traditional funding ...
Robert Marucci, Owner of Better Living Realty LLC, has witnessed a dramatic shift in how Connecticut cities approach vacant commercial buildings. “Ever since COVID, it’s changed the game, and people don’t really need office space like they used to. Now these buildings are vacant, and landlords are having a tough time renting them,” Marucci observes. ...
Anthony Viviani, CTO and AI Officer at iKenekt, argues that even as artificial intelligence transforms real estate investing, the human experience must remain at the forefront of technology development. “Take a process that’s traditionally been complicated and maybe even intimidating for some people, and make it clear, intuitive, empowering,” Viviani says, describing his company’s approach ...
The current commercial real estate market is experiencing a necessary correction rather than a systemic crisis, according to private lending expert Philip Bennett, who argues that fundamental differences from 2008 suggest a more stable long-term outlook. Market Fundamentals Tell a Different Story “Unlike 2008, we’re not seeing the same level of speculation or toxic debt ...
The commercial real estate lending industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by the integration of artificial intelligence into traditionally manual processes, according to iKenekt CTO Anthony Viviani. “We saw a systemic issue across the entire industry. Borrowers were dealing with a system that felt clunky and antiquated, kind of slow, anything but user friendly,” ...
The home ownership industry faces a fundamental disconnect. While consumers experience buying, financing, insuring, and maintaining a home as one continuous journey, the industry remains fragmented across mortgage, real estate, insurance, title, and construction sectors. Each operates in isolation, forcing homeowners to navigate multiple providers, platforms, and processes for what should be a seamless experience. ...
The hard money lending sector has changed significantly over the past two decades, moving from a niche financing option viewed with skepticism to an established component of the real estate investment ecosystem. This shift reflects broader changes in capital markets, investor sophistication, and the growing recognition that alternative lending serves critical gaps in traditional financing. ...
After two years of volatility, a more stable interest rate environment is helping drive increased transaction activity in retail real estate, according to a senior capital markets expert. “From year to date, we’ve seen a steady decline in interest rate and since we’ll call it January, February, March timeframe, interest rates have been at the ...
The rush to automate commercial real estate lending decisions could lead to significant market inefficiencies, according to Philip Bennett, President of Bennett Capital Partners Mortgage Brokers, who warns that over-reliance on technology risks missing crucial deal nuances that only human expertise can evaluate. The Automation Paradox “In commercial real estate lending, there’s no substitute for ...
The hospitality sector is experiencing a cautious recovery in 2025, with transaction volumes rebounding from pandemic lows while market fundamentals remain challenged by elevated interest rates and operational pressures. Industry professionals are reporting increased deal activity driven by selective distress situations and patient capital finally finding deployment opportunities. Suraj Dalal, Partner at Kabani Hotel Group, ...
The commercial real estate lending industry has long been characterized by outdated processes and fragmented user experiences. Now, a technology company with deep industry roots is positioning artificial intelligence as the solution to these persistent challenges. iKenekt, led by Anthony Viviani, CTO and AI Officer, Partner, has launched an AI-powered ecosystem designed to improve how ...
The narrative around foreign investment in US real estate has been dominated by headlines about declining interest and regulatory barriers. However, companies operating in this space are experiencing a different reality, one where global economic uncertainty is actually driving increased demand for American real estate assets. Waltz, a lending platform specializing in foreign national mortgages, ...
