Natalie (center-right), with her husband, Nick, and their dear friends, Jay Dick (CBRE/AIR CRE Member), and his wife, Lisa, at Intuit Dome.
As we wrap up the First Quarter of 2025, I’m incredibly proud of the progress AIR CRE has made across multiple fronts. From the launch of a transformative new platform to meaningful member events and continued development of our core tools, it’s been a powerful start to the year—one that reflects the strength, adaptability, and forward momentum of our community.
Moody’s Pro Platform: Now Live
A major milestone this quarter was the launch of the AIR CRE Research & Listings platform powered by Moody’s, which went live on April 7. This collaboration marks a strategic leap forward for our members, expanding access to critical data and delivering new tools that support deal-making at the highest level. It’s already clear this will be a game changer for brokers across Southern California and I encourage all of you to log in, explore the features, and take part in the training opportunities offered.
Contracts: Advancing Our Tools with National Reach
We’re nearing completion of the all-new AIR CRE Contracts application—a platform that represents years of planning and a significant investment in member value. With development is in its final stages, we’re preparing for external testing and rollout in early 2026. Meanwhile, the current Contracts system continues to expand its national reach, now supporting over 60 templates in 48 states. Our ongoing mission is simple: to reduce costs while delivering best-in-class resources that make you more effective in every transaction.
AIR CRE >Next: Fostering Connections
One of the most inspiring aspects of this quarter has been seeing the energy and engagement coming out of the AIR CRE >Next program. These emerging professionals—many of whom entered the industry just after the pandemic—are finding new ways to connect, learn, and grow. Through in-person events and strategic networking opportunities, we’re helping them build relationships not only with each other but with senior brokers and owners. That kind of access is rare, and it speaks to the very foundation of AIR CRE—an organization built to connect brokers with brokers. With AIR CRE>Next’s fourth class—the Class of 2025—now well underway, we’re taking things a step further by connecting its members with the broader commercial real estate ecosystem.
Q1 2025: Events Recap
This quarter, AIR CRE hosted several standout events that brought timely education and valuable connections to our membership. We kicked off the year with a Research Insights event, exploring the latest quarterly and annual market data across Southern California, featuring insights from our Director of Research, Monique Ebel. Members gained clarity on shifts in industrial listings, rent trends, and construction activity—key intelligence in today’s evolving market.
We also addressed some of the most pressing topics facing property owners and brokers in California. A well-attended Town Hall, focused on AB 98 compliance, offering strategic guidance for navigating the legislation’s clean energy requirements, led by Marika Erdely of Green Econome. That conversation was followed by an in-depth session on commercial insurance, where experts from Liberty Insurance broke down risk factors driving premium increases and shared strategies for mitigating costs.
AIR CRE also hosted a Contracts Strategy Seminar covering California’s new legal requirements surrounding Buyer-Broker representation agreements. This session ensured our Contracts users are not only informed of the requirements but also have the practical knowledge needed when using the new Buyer-Broker Agreements.
Rounding out the quarter, we held a virtual event exploring growth trends in the Central Valley—an area quickly becoming a focal point for CRE investment and development. Each of these events reflected our commitment to delivering real-time knowledge and positioning our members to succeed.
Market Overview: SoCal & National Perspective
In Southern California, we’re seeing signs of stabilization in some parts of the market. Class A office and industrial assets are starting to see renewed activity, while Class B properties continue to face more pronounced challenges. The industrial sector, in particular, has seen a slowdown in velocity, with debt availability emerging as a concern across asset types.
At the national level, high interest rates, increased vacancy in industrial, and shifting trade policies—especially new tariffs—are influencing investor behavior and tenant decisions. Locally, we’re keeping a close eye on California’s insurance crisis, the long-term impact of wildfire recovery, and the City of Los Angeles’ projected $1 billion budget shortfall, which is likely to lead to municipal layoffs.
A Note of Gratitude: Thank You AIR CRE
As a nine-year Board member, I’ve had the privilege of seeing AIR CRE evolve up close—but stepping into the role of President has given me a whole new appreciation for the breadth and depth of this organization.
“It’s humbling to be part of such a broad and powerful network. Whether you’re a broker, owner, attorney, or analyst—take advantage of the tools and relationships AIR CRE offers. They’re unlike anything else in commercial real estate.”
Thank you to our members, strategic partners, and volunteer leaders for your continued engagement and commitment. The momentum we’ve created in Q1 sets a strong foundation for what’s ahead—and I look forward to everything we’ll accomplish together in the months to come.
Warm regards,
Natalie Bazarevitsch
President/Executive Chair, AIR CRE