The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Brookfield boss Bruce Flatt is predicting "a much different story" for the beleaguered commercial real estate sector over the next two years, suggesting falling interest rates and an uptick in transactions should create "major tailwinds" for property owners. The Globe's James Bradshaw writes that Mr. Flatt signalled what he sees as a turning point for gloomy real estate trends, particularly in the United States. He acknowledged the stress that has weighed on commercial real estate owners as a rapid rise in interest rates drove up the cost of borrowing, pushed down building values and slowed the volume of property deals to a trickle. That was last year's story, Mr. Flatt told analysts Thursday as the parent company for Brookfield's varied asset management business reported fourth-quarter earnings. "The new story will become soon that there are major tailwinds behind real estate, fundamentals are good and interest rates are coming down by 200 basis points," Mr. Flatt said. Assuming that prediction for rates is correct, he expects that real assets such as infrastructure and "real estate in particular" are going to see cash flows and profits improve significantly.