On March 20 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, Connect CRE will stage the first of six scheduled in-person events in Southern California this year. Connect Orange County 2025 will bring together experts from commercial real estate finance, ownership and services to share their insights. Among the industry leaders we’ve engaged for the annual View from the Top discussion is Eric Paulsen, president of brokerage services at Kidder Mathews. Here, he offers some observations and predictions about the year ahead.

Q: Where do you see transaction activity 12 months from now?

A: Higher in volume due in part to pent up demand and relative stability in interest rates. Some distress, some aging out.

Q: What’s the biggest tailwind and the biggest headwind for Orange County CRE?

A: Tailwind – pent-up demand, need to transact; headwind – legislation and the political environment.

Q: We may not see any more rate cuts from the Federal Reserve until the fourth quarter. Has the market adjusted to this?

A: We just need stability or a rough understanding of the near term.  If we know the swim lanes, we will transact.

Q: If you could only give clients one piece of advice right now, what would that be?

A: Engage. Our politicians have never signed the front of a check. Send an email, make a phone call and be a part of the solution. Don’t assume someone else is doing it for you.

March 20, 2025: Register to attend the 9^th annual Connect Orange County coming up on Thursday, March 20^th, and join the region’s most active investors, owners, developers, dealmakers, managers, brokers, lenders, and more at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. Learn more, get involved, and register at: www.ConnectOC2025.com