Commercial Investment Real Estate Winter 2020 | Page 20

CCIM Q&A
By Larry Guthrie
A GAME-CHANGING
YEAR AHEAD
2020 CCIM Institute President Eddie D. Blanton, CCIM
Eddie D. Blanton, CCIM, is principal
and senior adviser with Tradd Commercial in
Charlotte, N.C., and the 2020 CCIM Institute
President. A native of Charlotte, he began his
career more than 23 years ago as a leasing agent
and property manager before moving into retail
and investment brokerage.
We spoke with Blanton about the in-
dustry and his goals for the institute in the
coming year.
CIRE: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIG-
GEST CHALLENGES FOR COMMERCIAL
REAL ESTATE IN 2020?
BLANTON: Today’s challenges remain the
same as they were in 2019. It’s the unfore-
seen outside influences that could possi-
bly affect commercial real estate in 2020.
There is so much uncertainty out there with
the election year, trade tariffs, and other
global issues. We will not know the magni-
tude of their individual or collective effects
on CRE until something actually happens.
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COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE
As a result, I believe that we are going to
remain in a wait-and-see mindset.
CIRE: WHAT MARKET SECTORS DO
YOU SEE EXCELLING AND WHICH WILL
STRUGGLE THIS YEAR?
BLANTON: Multifamily and industrial ware-
house markets will continue to lead the way
in 2020. These are such strong sectors within
our industry today, and I see that continuing
into 2020. Although it pains me to say this, I
believe that retail will continue to slow down
and remain the dark cloud in 2020. It pains
me because I personally specialize in retail.
This sector will continue to see a changing
of the guard as longtime traditional stores
close and the new retail concepts continue to
emerge. Look for office to continue to have
issues, as well. Overall, investment trans-
actions will be slowing down as about 90
percent of all buyers are chasing value-add
deals — deals which probably represent only
10 percent of what’s available today.
CIRE: DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE PRES-
IDENTIAL ELECTIONS SIGNIFICANTLY
IMPACTING THE INDUSTRY?
BLANTON: Yes. Historically, we have seen
our industry remain somewhat flat during
the election years. But given the current
polarizing state of politics and the behaviors
resulting from this polarization, I believe
you’ll see people getting overwhelmed trying
to figure out what’s actually the truth and
what’s not. And that kind of environment is
rife for creating uncertainty and trust issues
with the general public. When the “warm
and fuzzy” feelings about the U.S economy
disappear, it will impact all of us.
CIRE: HOW WILL CCIM INSTITUTE
PREPARE ITS MEMBERS FOR THESE
UPCOMING CHALLENGES?
BLANTON: CCIM Institute’s history is one of
always looking forward, identifying the po-
tential issues, and providing its members with
WINTER 2020