Some multifamily investors, particularly private high net worth individuals, have been strategically leaving the West Coast for Sunbelt growth markets, but New Standard Equities Founder & CEO Edward Ring says it’s too early to write off the region. In an interview with GlobeSt.com, he explains that the capital trend out of the area is a mistake because the housing shortage provides great opportunity in both the short and long term.

“In California, greater Portland and greater Seattle, there is a tremendous shortage of housing and the available housing stock largely doesn’t meet the demand, and won’t for the foreseeable future,” said Ring. He explains that the demand comes from a highly educated workforce, many of whom work in leading tech and biotech industries and these fundamentals offset the political climate and other challenges of investing in the region.

“Investors may not love the political environment here, particularly in the Bay Area and Los Angeles metros, which admittedly adds some uncertainty to the region, but ultimately the fundamentals in the West favor multifamily investment. Over the long haul, we’ve all done quite well in navigating the complexities in this area,” he adds.

Despite headlines and the narrative that people are leaving California and the West Coast as a whole, Ring points out the current outflow isn’t a cause for concern. “If California, the world’s fifth or sixth largest economy did suffer seriously meaningful out-migration, I would assume that would have a devastating effect on the rest of the US, including the markets that are seeing investor enthusiasm for the first time.  It would take a long time for this economy to be replaced.”

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