This included some landmark deals including Rockefeller Center’s $3.5B loan and Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau $1.2B refinancingAlternative lenders filling traditional banking gaps with short-term solutions which has already begun a cycle of consolidation that will likely continue and accelerate in 2025The Office Sector Divide:CBD property values are down 50.7% from 2021 peaksClass A office properties seem to be in their own vacuum of prosperity with trophy properties commanding premium rents ($100+ PSF nationally, up to $247 in top markets) with strong occupancyHybrid work continues impacting older building valuations which have not faired as well, but this may begin to rebalance as more companies are instituting mandates to return to physical officesChallenges & Opportunities:$1 trillion in loans maturing by 2026Interest rates up from 3.5% (2021) to 6.74% (2024)Experts such as AEW’s Michael Acton and Blackstone’s Nadeem Meghji see the best entry point in the last 15–20 years and we agreeMarket Outlook:Current market conditions present unique opportunities, with inflation-adjusted prices at historic lows and yields at decade highs.

That's a massive barrier to entry when you're just getting started.

My sons are of homebuying age but the barriers to entry are so much higher than they ever were before.

I hope my entry into real estate will continue this trend.

Establish an emergency fund and target stable long-term rentals or short-term rentals in markets you understand.House hacking or private lending can offer alternative entry points depending on your risk tolerance and hands-on involvement.

I do not know much about San Antonio market so will cover pros/cons of San DiegoCons- price of entry.  

Going direct saves you and the seller money, giving you a lower cost to entry which helps all your numbers, but you have to put in the extra work to find that deal.

High demand and still relatively low entry costs. 

Hi Kendric, Ohio, and other midwest cities are good choices for low-price entry.

Returns is a function of risk, effort and barrier to entry.