Research Events

Breaking Ground on Real Estate’s ‘New Normal’

April 15, 2026

Dallas

Co-sponsored by the Robert and Margaret Folsom Institute for Real Estate at Southern Methodist University and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Real estate, which faced boom and bust with the pandemic, is realigning to a new reality. Residential, the early pandemic darling, navigates through disequilibrium in certain markets across the U.S. Liquidity for commercial construction and investment is uneven across the nation, with funding scarce in some areas. This conference looked at the challenges of shifting macroeconomic realities, including trade and immigration, the AI boom and residential affordability. Industry analysts, economists and market experts shared their insights regarding the latest trends affecting residential and commercial real estate.

Wednesday, April 15
8:00 a.m.	Networking/breakfast
8:30 a.m.	Opening remarks Todd Milbourn, Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business
8:45 a.m.	Session 1: Residential real estate Moderator: Laila Assanie, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Steve Bancroft, Crow Holdings Danny Ellis, Hillwood Communities Selma Hepp, Cotality \| Presentation Jay Parsons, Rental Housing Economics \| Presentation
9:55 a.m.	Session 2: Data centers Moderator: Luis Torres, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Eric Lang, Teacher Retirement System of Texas Kevin McMeans, Crow Holdings Madonna Park, Switch Haynes Strader, Skybox Datacenters
11:05 a.m.	Break
11:15 a.m.	Session 3: Retail and industrial Moderator: Joseph Cahoon, Folsom Institute for Real Estate, Southern Methodist University Jim Dillavou, Paragon Commercial Group Elizabeth Boldin Thomas, Centennial Matt Ostrower, Link Logistics Vince Tibone, Greenstreet
12:30 p.m.	Keynote/lunch: Economic outlook and fireside chat Mark Zandi, Moody's Analytics \| Presentation Moderator: Pia Orrenius, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
1:50 p.m.	Session 4: Investment Moderator: Mark Roberts, Southern Methodist University/Crow Holdings David Hansen, Property Reserve Julie Ingersoll, CBRE Investment Management Daniel Kubiak, Invesco Real Estate Martin Rosenberg, The Townsend Group
3:00 p.m.	Break
3:10 p.m.	Session 5: Financing Moderator: Maria Stamolis, Folsom Institute for Real Estate, Southern Methodist University Brian Bailey, Trimont Bert Crouch, Apollo Michael Fratantoni, Mortgage Bankers Association Justin Hicks, Bank of America
4:20 p.m.	Closing remarks Mark Roberts

For More Information

Please contact Sharon Wallace at sharon.wallace@dal.frb.org.