The Next Great Wealth Transfer Hits Commercial Real Estate

Chase Mayhugh, CEO of Mayhugh Commercial Advisors, warns that succession planning is the most neglected risk in the sector. Unlike liquid stocks or bonds, commercial real estate requires active oversight—leasing, financing, and capital improvements—that can overwhelm heirs who are unprepared for the operational reality of ownership. Without a clear strategy, families risk eroding the value of portfolios through tax inefficiency and fragmented decision-making.

To address this, Mayhugh’s firm has pivoted from traditional brokerage toward a multi-generational advisory model. The strategy focuses on coordinating legal, tax, and operational teams to ensure assets are preserved rather than liquidated. As Baby Boomer owners in markets like Southwest Florida approach retirement, the conversation is shifting from simple transaction volume to long-term wealth continuity. The goal is to treat real estate with the same strategic rigor that families apply to traditional wealth management, ensuring the next generation is equipped to run the properties they inherit.