The issues that are centered around elections typically revolve around social issues, job growth, and global politics. Government policies that are put in place can also have a significant impact on real estate. Many people believe that the real estate cycle has matured and with the election around the corner, the impact could be heightened. But will current real estate fundamentals strengthen further, or weaken after a new administration takes office in January? The economy and the stock market are the leading issues that affect the fundamentals of the property market. And party affiliation doesn't offer any easy clues as to which candidate might strengthen, or weaken it. Statistically, the POTUS' party affiliation does not have a significant impact on U.S. equity markets. That being said, presidential races and volatility often go hand in hand. Elections are times of uncertainty that sometimes lead to volatility in many markets. For instance, the FTSE NAREIT All REIT index has dropped steadily during the past three months. A number of factors, some of which may be related to uncertainty around the presidential election and broader market volatility, have likely contributed to this weakening performance. Interest rates are another concern. The upcoming election may [...]
