How Will President Obama Impact Commercial Real Estate? Part 1

With change expected to begin in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2009, the commercial real estate industry is bracing itself for the incoming Obama administration and the 111^th Congress.  CoStar Advisor recently polled commercial real estate professionals on the top issues of the first 100 days.  The resulting list includes such policy issues as saying “no” to capital-gains increases and other investment taxes; moving forcefully to stabilize the Treasury and capital markets; suspending market rules regulating perceived asset value; making the biggest investment in the public infrastructure since the 1950s; and reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The overall attitude within the industry, according to a poll by National Real Estate Investor, is negative because of Obama’s plan to hike taxes on dividend income, capital gains and high-earning individuals.  The poll notes that 54 percent of responders are registered Republicans.

So, should our industry be wary of the new team?

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Commercial-real-estate-stocks-rally/story.aspx?guid=%7BF3669FE9-C7E9-4D5C-9A85-AE7FECF0E5DF%7D