Contrary to the belief of @Michael Ablan it's a very low margin business to run and that's how a lot of them survive.

It's also important to run sensitivity analysis on deals to make sure they can survive lower occupancy and stagnant or negative rent growth. 

It's not really productive and there seems to be more "economists" on BP than in a small country.So, instead of speculating if a recession is coming soon, let me share with all of you HOW I actually THRIVED in the last recession and more importantly, how YOU CAN PREPARE for the next one.I would like to call on experienced real estate investors who survived 2008-2009 and share how they survived or even thrived and what they think others should do to prepare for the next recession (if and when it hits).How I Survived AND Thrived During the Last RecessionWhen the recession hits - mortgage lending both for investors and end-buyers virtually stopped.

@Casey Sbrana make sure your numbers can survive a 20-25% plunge.

But the good ones that have sustainable business models - those companies that survive the test of time, have capital and operating reserves - and even have a "war chest" for mergers and acquisitions.

The investors that survived the housing crises had built in equity.  

Well I don't know the statistics most investors, especially those that survival are not investing for appreciation.

4-5%...I don't even know how you survive at such a low rate.

@George Kratee Provided you have a valid lease it survives the sale. 

You should be looking at how long the sponsor has been in business, how many deals they've done, what the outcome of those prior deals has been, have they survived market cycles, do they have a brand to protect, and do their investors say good things about them.