CRE Year-End Review: 2025 Operational Lessons & Staffing Insights to Carry Into 2026
- bberrodin
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
As 2025 comes to a close, Commercial Real Estate (CRE) leaders are taking stock of a year defined by cautious optimism, operational pressure, and a workforce that continues to evolve. Office, industrial, retail, and mixed-use portfolios each faced unique headwinds, but a few universal themes emerged: margins tightened, tenant expectations increased, technology adoption accelerated, and staffing models were forced to adapt.
Looking ahead to 2026, the organizations that perform best will apply the lessons learned this year to build more resilient, flexible operations. Here’s a look at the most important operational and staffing insights from 2025 that CRE teams should carry forward.
CRE Lessons from 2025
1. Operational Efficiency Became a Competitive Advantage
In 2025, efficiency became a strong differentiator. CRE operators scrutinized every line item, from maintenance contracts to energy usage, while also looking for ways to streamline workflows.
Key takeaway: Properties that invested in process improvements, automation, and preventative maintenance outperformed those relying on reactive models. Standardized procedures across portfolios helped reduce downtime, limit emergency repairs, and improve tenant satisfaction.
2026 mindset: Efficiency should be embedded into daily operations, not treated as a temporary response to market pressure.
2. Staffing Models Shifted From “Lean” to “Right-Sized”
After years of understaffing and burnout, many CRE organizations realized in 2025 that running too lean created operational risk. Missed inspections, delayed work orders, and tenant frustration highlighted the cost of insufficient on-site and back-office support.
Key takeaway: Flexibility mattered more than headcount alone. Teams that blended full-time staff with temporary, project-based, and seasonal resources were better equipped to manage fluctuations in demand.
2026 mindset: Build staffing strategies that scale up or down without sacrificing service quality or compliance.
3. Specialized Skills Were Harder to Find — and More Critical
From building engineers and skilled trades to accounting, compliance, and property technology support, niche skill sets were in short supply throughout 2025. CRE teams increasingly felt the impact of retirements, competition for talent, and evolving technical requirements.
Key takeaway: Generalists can’t do it all anymore. Properties needed access to specialists, whether for short-term projects, system implementations, or regulatory deadlines.
2026 mindset: Plan for specialized needs and secure trusted partners before gaps become emergencies.
4. Technology Adoption Outpaced Internal Support
CRE continued to embrace technology in 2025, from building management systems and energy optimization tools to accounting platforms and tenant experience solutions. However, many organizations underestimated the staffing and training required to support these investments.
Key takeaway: Technology alone doesn’t improve operations. Success depended on having people who could implement, manage, and troubleshoot systems while keeping daily operations running.
2026 mindset: Align technology roadmaps with workforce planning to ensure systems deliver ROI instead of added complexity.
5. Tenant Expectations Continued to Rise
Across asset classes, tenants expected faster response times, better communication, and more proactive property management in 2025. Industrial and retail tenants prioritized uptime and safety, while office tenants focused on experience, amenities, and operational consistency.
Key takeaway: Staffing gaps were felt most acutely by tenants. Properties with adequate coverage and trained teams were better positioned to retain tenants and protect revenue.
2026 mindset: View staffing as a tenant retention strategy, not just an internal operational decision.
6. Year-End Surges and Compliance Deadlines Tested Teams
Budget season, reconciliations, inspections, capital projects, and deferred maintenance all converged at year-end in 2025. Many CRE teams struggled to meet deadlines without overextending their core staff.
Key takeaway: Short-term workload spikes are predictable and manageable with the right support.
2026 mindset: Plan for year-end and peak periods early, using supplemental resources to protect both timelines and team morale.
Preparing for 2026: What Successful CRE Teams Will Do Differently
As CRE leaders plan for 2026, the most successful organizations will take a proactive approach to workforce and operational planning by identifying staffing gaps before they disrupt daily operations, balancing permanent teams with flexible, on-demand talent, and investing in training that supports cross-functional coverage. They will also ensure technology initiatives are aligned with workforce capabilities so systems enhance productivity rather than create strain. Above all, these leaders will treat operational resilience as a long-term strategy, carrying forward one clear lesson from 2025: strong buildings require strong people behind them.
How BGSF Supports CRE Teams Into 2026
Navigating these challenges doesn’t have to fall solely on internal teams. BGSF supports Commercial Real Estate organizations with flexible workforce solutions that keep operations running smoothly and teams agile. As you move from 2025 into 2026, the right talent strategy can protect performance and position your portfolio for long-term success. Let’s talk about how BGSF can support your CRE operations in the year ahead.