Episode 277: Safehold CEO Says Strong Rent Coverage, New Credit Ratings Position REIT for Growth

With 100% of its ground lease rents paid in 2020 and newly-received investment grade credit ratings, Safehold Inc. (NYSE: SAFE) Chairman and CEO Jay Sugarman says the REIT is “really well positioned to keep growing.”Speaking on the REIT Report, Sugarman noted that despite the challenges of 2020, “last year actually proved how strong the business is.” Meanwhile, new ratings from Moody’s Investors Services and Fitch Ratings “will be a pretty major competitive advantage,” he added.Sugarman noted that when it comes to selecting particular property types, “our mission is to go where the best markets and land is.” Multifamily has been a “great story so far,” and represents about 25% of the portfolio, he said. “I imagine we’ll be in all property types in the top 30 markets in the next year or so.”