Is Germany still the safe haven for investors? Which asset classes promise good performance? And what role does ESG play? To answer these questions, we have invited a special guest: Katrin Hupfauer, Head of Real Estate Transactions at MEAG, one of the largest asset managers in the European financial sector. In a conversation with our Deputy CEO Nico Keller and our Managing Director and today’s moderator Andreas Völker, she will discuss how the German real estate market is currently to be assessed.
Three facts about the episode “BNPPRE meets MEAG – (again) good times for real estate investors?”
A good time for real estate transactions
“It’s interesting to buy now,” explains Katrin Hupfauer, Head of Real Estate Transactions at MEAG at the beginning of the podcast. Nico Keller adds: “It’s a great time to invest, especially if you are active in the medium and long term.” But which asset classes are currently being invested in? Many want to increase their investment ratios in the logistics and residential sectors, including MEAG, which also relies on specialist stores. But the office is and remains popular, especially in the right location.
What does the office property of the future have to offer?
“The office will also fall back on its feet,” explains Katrin Hupfauer. But what does an office have to offer in order to be interesting for investors? Without thinking twice, MEAG’s Head of Real Estate Transactions answers: “A good, central location with good public transport connections. Third-party usability must also be guaranteed.” In addition, the mixed use of a property is advantageous. Of course, ESG is also an important criterion when buying. Nico Keller adds in the podcast: “Today, a building does not have to be 100 percent perfect in terms of ESG. But it must have the potential to become ESG-fit.” If the potential is not there, the topic of conversion comes into play.
A look into the crystal ball: How will the investment market develop in 2024?
Everyone agreed on the outlook: For the rest of 2024, they expect restrained buying interest. Although the result will be higher than last year, it will not yet be significant. After that, however, things go uphill: “I could imagine that we will start a new cycle next year,” Nico Keller ends the podcast episode confidently.
In the current episode, you can find out which other countries are of interest to investors, why the sales process has become more difficult and when real estate ends up on MEAG’s sales list.
