REITs Urged to Use Caution in Picking Opportunity Zone Locations

Stuart Eisenberg, partner and national leader, real estate and construction at BDO, participated in a video interview at Nareit’s REITwise: 2019 Law, Accounting & Finance Conference in San Antonio.

Eisenberg commented on the new lease accounting standards that are impacting REITs, both as lessor and lessee. He also touched on how trade tensions and tariffs are impacting REITs.

Turning to opportunity zone legislation, Eisenberg noted that activity is likely to accelerate once IRS regulations have been finalized.

“REITs have to be careful in picking the right locations and making it part of their normal business plan—don’t just access money for the sake of accessing money and not do a good deal because there’s cash available,” Eisenberg said.