Rewiring Real Estate: Tech, Trends, and Takeaways with BGL’s Brandon Dobell and Jason Myler

 

On this episode of The Matthews Podcast, host Matt Wallace speaks with Brandon Dobell and Jason Myler, Managing Directors at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), about how technology and capital markets are transforming real estate.

 

With 40+ years’ experience, Brandon and Jason reveal emerging opportunities and how real estate navigates distress, shifting demand, and AI.

 

Technology’s Long-Overdue Moment in Real Estate

Commercial real estate remains one of the most underinvested sectors in technology, despite decades of software adoption in other industries. Dobell and Myler believe that is changing, and fast.

 

PropTech adoption grows through energy management, tenant platforms, and analytics, driven by rising costs, market pressures, and changing tenant needs. Operators use technology to reduce costs and future-proof properties against evolving work patterns, regulations, and demographic changes.

 

The Office Market’s Uneven Recovery

The office sector continues to face structural challenges. Dobell and Myler describe a bifurcated recovery: Class A properties, often newer, amenity-rich, and designed with flexibility in mind, are maintaining strong occupancy, while Class B buildings in urban cores are experiencing steep valuation declines and, in many cases, are candidates for conversion to residential or mixed-use.

 

They liken the current transition to the long, uneven repositioning of struggling malls in the early 2000s, noting that reimagining these assets will be a multi-year process. However, they see opportunities for technology and creative redevelopment strategies to accelerate the pace of change and unlock long-term value.

 

Single-Family Rentals on the Rise

The single-family rental sector is growing steadily, driven by housing affordability challenges, shifting lifestyles, and changing demographic trends. Millennials are postponing homeownership for flexible, service-oriented rentals, while many Baby Boomers downsize into urban multifamily or condominium living.

 

For investors, technology is essential, enabling precise acquisition underwriting, streamlined renovation management, optimized pricing, and efficient ongoing maintenance. Dobell highlights “renovate-to-rent” as key to easing the housing shortage, with AI improving cost forecasts, timelines, and returns.

 

Potentials and Practicalities of AI

AI is already being applied in multifamily and SFR operations to streamline workflows, manage energy usage, and improve tenant communication. While the technology’s capabilities are significant, Dobell and Myler caution that adoption will be gradual as property owners identify the most reliable and cost-effective applications.

 

Rather than driving widespread job losses, they expect AI to function as a productivity tool that automates repetitive tasks and enables property professionals to focus on tenant engagement, leasing, and strategic asset management.

 

Capital Market Consolidation 

From 2019 to 2022, PropTech experienced record capital inflows, raising $50 billion and $105 billion in M&A activity. The sector has since entered a digestion phase as companies integrate prior acquisitions and adjust to a more cautious investment climate.

 

Over the next 18 to 24 months, Dobell and Myler anticipate an active consolidation cycle. Private equity-backed firms nearing the end of investment cycles will seek exits, while strategics re-enter and owners pursue technology-service integration. This environment offers high-performing platforms room to scale and provides underperforming businesses with a path to growth through mergers, acquisitions, or strategic partnerships.

 

Key Takeaways for CRE Professionals

• Technology adoption is accelerating, driven by operational necessity rather than novelty.

 

• Market distress creates openings for adaptive reuse, particularly in office and retail.

 

• SFR and multifamily technology are supported by strong, long-term demographic tailwinds.

 

• AI’s near-term impact will center on productivity, cost savings, and operational insight.

 

• M&A activity is likely to increase as consolidation reshapes the PropTech landscape.

From distressed office towers to starter home shortages, the real estate challenges ahead are significant, but so are the opportunities. Brandon and Jason believe that technology, capital, and strategic repositioning will be the defining forces of the next real estate cycle.

 

Listen to the full episode on your preferred podcast platform, and subscribe to The Matthews Podcast for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of real estate.