2026 Spring Preview: Whitney Pulsifer, The Peabody Companies

What trends or market activity are you seeing as we move into the spring season? Demand for affordable and mixed-income housing in Massachusetts remains extremely strong, but operators are navigating a much more challenging cost environment. Rising insurance, utilities, labor, and even seasonal impacts like snow removal are putting real pressure on operating budgets, particularly in regulated communities.

What projects, initiatives, or types of work are currently keeping your team busiest? Our focus is on balancing strong property operations with meaningful resident support. That includes expanding resident services that promote housing stability, while also investing in the preservation and long-term performance of our communities.

What opportunities or challenges do you see shaping the commercial real estate landscape over the next several months? The biggest challenge is managing rising operating costs in an environment of limited revenue growth. At the same time, despite budget cuts, there is a real opportunity to invest in energy efficiency and climate resilience, which will be critical to sustaining affordable housing long term.