Ones To Watch: Innovators In Commercial Real Estate: Bryan Huber, SAB Capital

Innovation Highlight:
In Q3 2026, my team and I helped owner-operators unlock $75 million in capital through sale-leaseback transactions. With today’s higher interest rate lending environment, these clients converted equity trapped in their own real estate into non-dilutive growth capital. Long-term net leases kept them in place at their mission-critical facilities, so they could fund expansion without taking on expensive debt. It’s a strong example of real estate working as a financing tool, not just an operating asset.

Industry Outlook:
The biggest opportunity I see is the growing use of sale-leasebacks as a mainstream corporate finance tool. Many owner-operators hold significant appreciated real estate that sits idle on their balance sheets. A sale-leaseback converts that value into capital, often at up to 100% of market value, without recourse debt, personal guarantees, or equity dilution. As more operators and investors embrace the structure, it will reshape how middle-market companies fund growth.