U.S. Rate Cycle 2025: How Falling (or Rising) Rates Reshape Residential & Commercial Real Estate Strategies
1) Why U.S. Rate Cycles Matter for Real Estate U.S. real estate splits into two distinct rate-sensitive systems: Residential → mortgage-driven Commercial → cap-rate and refinancing-driven Because the two mechanisms diverge, investors must treat them as separate asset classes , not a single “real estate market.” 2) Residential Market — Affordability First If Rates Fall (Cut Cycle) Monthly mortgage payments decline Pent-up demand returns Builders’ order books expand SFR (single-family rentals) remain competitive Likely outperformers: Homebuilders, SFR REITs, mortgage originators, building-material suppliers. If Rates Stay High or Rise Transactions freeze First-time buyers drop out Prices stagnate Defensive positioning: Multifamily, rental-focused REITs, home-improvement retailers. 3) Commercial Real Estate — Cap Rates & Credit Stress Commercial valuations depend primarily on: Cap-rate spread vs. Treasury yields Refinanci...