key takeaway
Driven by falling interest rates and the recovery in investment activity (+11% in Europe in H1 2025), recruitment for "value added" strategies is picking up strongly. Private banks, family offices and major LPs are redirecting their capital toward these strategies. Developers and asset managers are looking for profiles capable of sourcing and structuring value-added deals (€5-30M). A market cycle favorable to good deals, both in talent and in assets.
Over the past six months, recruitment activity linked to “value added” strategies has regained strong momentum across all real estate asset classes.
Key contextual drivers
- Inflation now close to the ECB target (~2%), with interest rates expected to trend downward (3.25% projected by end of 2025)
- Historically high savings rates partially flowing back into real estate
- Recovery in investment volumes: +11% in Europe in H1 2025 (source: Savills)
Capital flows increasingly oriented toward “value added” strategies
- Private banks, family offices, and independent financial advisors (CGP) are investing in professional funds or value-added club deals :
- Either through highly transparent strategies with short fund durations
- Or through operational assets structured under the 150-0 B ter regime
- Large global LPs are prioritizing core+/value-added strategies within their real estate allocations
The skills currently in demand
Real estate developers are seeking:
- Expertise in sourcing and/or structuring value-added transactions
- Exposure across office, residential, retail, and hospitality sectors
- Deal sizes typically ranging from €5M to €30M
- Strong product vision, with financial and CAPEX understanding
- Ability to engage with both wealth management investors and/or Anglo-Saxon value-added funds
Large international real estate fund and asset managers (third-party capital)
- Historically focused on core/core+ strategies
- Now hiring value-added specialists with country-level or European exposure
Conclusion
The best deals whether in talent or real estate assets are made in this market cycle.