IMN’s Real Estate Opportunity and Private Fund Investing Forum brings together leading investors, lenders and service providers from the CRE industry. The event features panels on fund structuring, macroeconomic drivers, disposition trends, regulatory considerations and tax considerations and much more.

Real estate investment strategies abound, but some investors are targeting multifamily assets for value-add opportunities. According to panelists at the IMN Multifamily Investment Conference, these assets can add diversity to a portfolio while decreasing tax burdens; but even with these advantages comes certain risks when investing in value-add multifamily.

Investors and lenders alike must remain mindful of shifting supply and demand dynamics, especially in markets with rising rents and few vacant units. Therefore, it’s crucial that investors purchase properties with strong fundamentals in an optimal location so that they have a steady source of tenants while being more flexible with financing options.

At this year’s conference, real estate investors demonstrated a growing trend to take advantage of technological advancements within their industry by harnessing artificial intelligence (AI). Sessions focused on using AI for property management optimization, automate decision making and enhance tenant experiences; speakers discussed AI technologies like generative AI, chatbot leverage, machine-learning algorithms, 3-D generators to automate real estate decision making as well as predictive analysis.

At the conference, another area of debate centered on how best to prepare one’s portfolio for an impending downturn. Experts stressed the need to diversify one’s investment strategies and find ways to generate income even during times of turmoil. Furthermore, experts stressed the value of developing relationships with tenants in order to create positive experiences together.

Many speakers at the conference expressed cautious optimism for the market’s future. Although interest rates may rise over time, they could eventually go back down again and reduce affordability gaps between renting and owning. If the economy weakens further, it may cause another recession to be shorter and milder than before.

Numerous panels discussed anticipated CRE distress, but few speakers provided predictions regarding its amount or timing. Still, several warned that any downturn would likely have an impact on the sector, even if less severe than before.

The annual event brings together top CRE asset managers, developers and investors from across the globe to inspire, educate and network. Boasting keynotes by some of the industry’s most influential leaders, the conference provides attendees with new investment strategies while building trusted networks.