Today’s Chart of the Week highlights changes in the delinquency rate by property type in the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) market over the past year. Despite increasing market volatility since the beginning of 2023, delinquency rates remain at the low end of their historical range across all property types.
The overall delinquency rate remained unchanged in April at 3.09% and is down 42 basis points (bps) from one year earlier. Retail, lodging and industrial properties have also experienced year-over-year declines in their delinquency rates. However, office (the most-watched sector within CMBS) has experienced an increase of 106 bps year-over-year.
The office sector continues to be tested amid anemic rent growth and rising vacancies. The office market is facing a secular shift in remote work, which has resulted in lower physical presence at office buildings. Many firms are reevaluating their usage of office space, with some looking to downsize. Sublease space is at or near record-highs in many markets as demand has waned.
Office leases tend to be long term, but as they expire over time, building owners may face a tougher time retaining tenants. The future of office space may change given the persistence of hybrid work. Many questions remain about how this sector will perform over the coming years.
Recent market volatility and turmoil in the banking sector have also raised some concerns among commercial real estate investors. Although the overall delinquency rate remains relatively benign, watchlisted and specially serviced loans are on the rise. Unlike the loss rates we experienced for loans issued prior to the financial crisis, loans underwritten in recent years have generally been much more conservative.
The weighted average loss rate for 2005 to 2008 transactions was 9.7%, which was driven by high leverage and aggressive underwriting. Since then, structural protections have been put in place for CMBS, including higher required subordination levels per rating class. Cumulative losses for post-2009 vintages are historically low so far, averaging 1.8% for 2010 to 2012 vintages.1
Each major property type is facing some common and unique challenges due to growing macroeconomic headwinds. Property valuations are beginning to fall, rent growth is declining and an uptick in vacancies, along with rising expenses, will contribute to a decline in net cash flow to the properties. Oversupply in certain markets will put pressure on valuations. Older, outdated properties may struggle to perform, while newer properties in sought-after markets should outperform.
Key Takeaway
On the positive front, overall delinquency levels remain below long-term averages despite elevated levels of watchlist loans. Unlike the great financial crisis of 2007-08, recent loan underwriting remains disciplined and may help limit defaults and losses. The majority of CMBS securitizations were able to weather the storm, as special servicers worked with the borrowers to restructure their debt. Most of the risks within CMBS transactions are borne by investors who own the equity or lower-rated tranches within the deal.
Challenging times may be ahead, as CMBS loans reach their maturity dates and could struggle to refinance amid higher funding costs and tighter lending standards. Higher interest rates have caused debt-service coverage ratios and loan-to-value ratios to decline, hindering refinance success. I expect commercial real estate property prices to decline across most property types for the remainder of the year. I continue to maintain an up-in-quality bias as clouds are looming on the horizon.
Source:
1Citi Research – CMBS Weekly: Office Loans at Banks and Insurers; 5/12/2023
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