2026 RE JUMPSTART: How We Survived, Thrived, and Scaled in the Most Volatile Year in Real Estate

The real estate market in 2025 tested nearly everyone. Interest rates stayed higher for longer than expected, transaction volume slowed, and lending standards shifted multiple times throughout the year. Add in the uncertainty of a presidential election cycle, and many investors chose to wait on the sidelines rather than make decisions. 

These realities framed the conversation during LVPE Fund’s 2026 RE Jumpstart webinar, led by Tejas Gosai, Managing Partner of Lehigh Valley Private Equity Fund, alongside Ade and James. Together, they shared what worked in 2025, what didn’t, and how disciplined operators continued to move forward while much of the market stalled.

For many real estate firms, 2025 meant paused acquisitions, shrinking pipelines, or forced sales. LVPE Fund took a different path. Instead of pulling back, the team stayed active, but selective. As discussed during the webinar, volatility didn’t eliminate opportunity; it separated strong strategy from weak execution.

One of the key points Tejas emphasized was that election-year uncertainty often creates paralysis. Investors wait for clarity around rates, policy, or the economy, but that clarity rarely arrives all at once. Meanwhile, opportunities pass by. LVPE Fund focused on what it could control: buying at the right price, in the right market, with realistic assumptions that didn’t depend on perfect timing.

That focus remained centered on the Lehigh Valley, a market the team has operated in for years. Ade and James explained why this region continues to perform even when national trends soften. Steady job growth, limited housing supply, and consistent demand have made the area more resilient than many larger, headline-driven markets.

Another major theme from the webinar was the growing gap between renting and buying. Rising home prices pushed many families out of homeownership, even before accounting for higher interest rates. As a result, renting became the more practical option for a large segment of the population. For well-run multifamily properties, this translated into lower vacancy, faster leasing, and more stable cash flow.

The fund’s structure also played an important role in navigating 2025. LVPE Fund operates as an evergreen fund, meaning there’s no forced timeline to sell assets. This flexibility allowed the team to hold, sell, or redeploy capital based on market conditions, not external pressure. In addition to value-add multifamily projects, the fund maintained exposure to fix-and-flip investments and first-lien real estate–backed lending, creating multiple income streams and reducing overall risk.

Despite the difficult environment, LVPE Fund remained active throughout the year. The team completed tens of millions of dollars in real estate transactions, expanded its lending activity, and continued to attract investors from across the U.S. and Canada. Many existing investors chose to reinvest or increase their commitments, a reflection of trust built through performance rather than market hype.

Several off-market case studies shared during the webinar highlighted how this approach translated into real results. Properties acquired directly from owners, renovated with practical, tenant-focused upgrades, and sold with strong financing support produced solid profits, even in a cautious market. These outcomes weren’t driven by speculation, but by disciplined underwriting and execution.

Off-market sourcing continues to be one of LVPE Fund’s strongest advantages. By working directly with property owners, the team avoids bidding wars and often secures better pricing and more flexible terms. Years of operating in the same region have turned data and relationships into consistent deal flow, even when public listings slow down.

Renovation discipline was another lesson reinforced in 2025. Tenants compare everything online, and small, thoughtful upgrades can make a real difference. At the same time, over-renovating can quickly hurt returns. The focus remained on durable materials, clean finishes, and improvements that tenants actually value.

Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook is measured but confident. Capital from recent exits is already being redeployed, buyer demand in the Lehigh Valley remains strong, and the lessons from 2025 have sharpened execution across the board. While volatility hasn’t disappeared, the market increasingly rewards operators who proved they could perform under pressure.

The central takeaway from the webinar was simple: real estate doesn’t reward optimism or perfect timing. It rewards preparation, discipline, and execution. By staying local, liquid, and active when others paused, LVPE Fund was able to navigate one of the most volatile years in recent history and build momentum heading into 2026.

To receive a full recap of the 2026 RE Jumpstart webinar featuring Tejas, Ade, and James, send an email to Jerna at j.b@lvpefund.com