From Boom to Balance: Real Estate Normalizes in 2025
The past five years have been marked by unprecedented extremes in the U.S. economy and real estate markets. The pandemic era (2020–2022) brought massive stimulus, pent-up consumer demand, record job openings, ultra-low bankruptcies, and historically cheap financing. Real estate rode those waves—hotels boomed, labor shortages persisted, and CRE values surged on easy money. But by […]
Distorted Comps in Real Estate: When Low Sales Skew Values
In real estate, “comps” (short for comparables) are one of the most widely used tools to determine a property’s value. A comp is essentially a recent sale of a similar asset in a similar market, used as a benchmark. Real estate brokers, investors, lenders, and appraisers rely heavily on comps because they provide a quick […]
Why Extended Stay is Surging as Traditional Development Slows
The U.S. hotel industry stands at a crossroads. On one hand, operators like Choice Hotels are posting strong financial performance, with Q2 EBITDA beating expectations. On the other hand, their 2025 outlook remains muted, projecting revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth between -3% and 0%. For hotel investors and hotel brokers, that guidance is a […]
Hotels at the Crossroads: Navigating the 2025 Inflection Point
After a robust post-pandemic rebound, the hotel industry has hit an inflection point in 2025. Growth in key metrics is slowing or reversing, macroeconomic clouds are gathering, and investors and hotel brokers are recalibrating strategies—marking a pivotal moment between continued recovery and a potential downturn. Introduction: The Market Turns The U.S. hotel sector has entered […]
Margins Thin, Lenders Picky – How Hotel Owners Can Navigate Late 2025
“It’s the third time this year your lender has ‘updated’ their DSCR requirement – and the new number turns your refinance from green light to yellow.” That scenario feels all too familiar for many hotel owners heading into the back half of 2025. Demand is steady enough, but profits are being squeezed, and lenders are […]
3 Keys to a Successful Hotel Conversion in Today’s Market
As new hotel construction slows to its lowest pace since 2016, hotel conversion projects have emerged as one of the most practical, cost-effective paths to growth for owners and investors. Major brands like Hilton and Wyndham are actively courting conversions—especially in secondary and tertiary markets—making this a pivotal moment to act. Whether you’re repositioning an […]
Last-Minute Bookings & Price Wars: How Traveler Behavior Is Reshaping Hotels in 2025
As we move deeper into 2025, a dramatic shift in traveler behavior is transforming the hospitality landscape. Predictable booking patterns and brand loyalty are giving way to a new normal of spontaneity, price sensitivity, and a strong demand for flexibility. These trends are prompting hoteliers to rethink their approach to pricing, marketing, operations, and guest […]
Wall Street’s Caution, Main Street’s Opportunity: 7 Powerful Moves for Hoteliers in 2025
As Wall Street’s caution becomes Main Street’s opportunity, hoteliers need to think strategically. With revenue growth faltering and costs staying stubbornly high, now is the time to act. Protecting every basis point of Gross Operating Profit (GOP) today could pay off twofold when RevPAR levels out in the coming months. Let’s break down what the […]