top of page

When Real Estate Isn’t the Problem—It’s the Operator

  • Writer: Shane Lovelady
    Shane Lovelady
  • May 25, 2025
  • 1 min read

You walk the property—everything looks solid.

Good layout, decent infrastructure, favorable lease terms.


But the rent’s late. Or worse—it’s not coming at all.


In 2025, more and more healthcare real estate performance issues are coming down to one thing: operator risk.


It’s not that the building is in the wrong market.

It’s not that the layout is obsolete.

It’s that the group running the place can’t manage census, staffing, compliance—or all three.


And that’s becoming a major factor in valuations.


We’re seeing this play out most in:

→ Behavioral health

→ Assisted living and memory care

→ Smaller specialty outpatient operators


Investors and appraisers are adjusting. Instead of just underwriting the building, they’re underwriting the business inside it.


What does that mean in practice?


  • Reviewing financials from the operator—not just lease comps

  • Asking about licensing history, census trends, and payer mix

  • Discounting lease income when the operator shows signs of instability

  • Scrutinizing triple net leases where the tenant is showing signs of financial stress



The takeaway?

If your asset is underperforming and everything on the real estate side checks out—it’s time to look at the operator.


📅 Book a call if you’re seeing performance issues and want a valuation or strategy review.

📬 Subscribe to the newsletter to stay sharp on what’s driving value (and risk) in today’s healthcare market.


Because sometimes, the real estate’s not broken—the operations are. And the value moves with whoever holds the keys.

 
 
 

Comments


bottom of page