Realtors® Declare Confidence in Commercial Market

WASHINGTON — Realtors® who specialize in commercial real estate expressed confidence and optimism in the commercial market during a forum at the REALTOR® Party Convention & Trade Expo. Despite a sluggish economy, commercial practitioners are not only reporting improvements in the market, but they expect improvements to continue in the years to come.
National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun joined economists and research experts from leading real estate firms during a panel discussion about the major forces shaping commercial real estate markets. The panelists all voiced confidence that commercial markets are well on the road to recovery.
“Commercial real estate closely follows the economy, usually with an 18 to 24 month lag time,” said Yun. “Realtors® from across the country are reporting increases in sales transaction volumes and income, which tells us that things are turning around. We have not reached pre-recession levels, but the recovery is happening; we are almost getting back to normal.”
While the first quarter of 2014 saw no growth in Gross Domestic Product, Yun predicts it’s a temporary setback. “This was delayed economic activity. What didn’t show up in the first quarter will show up in the second quarter,” said Yun. However, with the economy improving, consumers should expect to see interest rates rise. “The economic monetary stimulus we are benefiting from now cannot continue forever, so expect to see a long-term, steady rise in interest rates in the coming years.”
Kevin J. Thorpe, chief economist for Cassidy Turley, expressed a similar positive view of the market. “We are becoming increasingly optimistic,” he said. “April was one of the strongest months for job growth that we’ve seen since the recession, and sales volume is up 11 percent from last year. The data is telling us that this year should be better than last year.”
The future of commercial real estate in the suburbs was a discussion topic for the panelists. John Sikaitis, managing director for Local Markets and Office Research for JLL, discussed the changing dynamics for office space in the U.S.
“Companies are moving away from the traditional office park,” he said. “In the next five to seven years, the large office buildings off the highway will be obsolete. If a property does not have the urban amenities preferred by young Millennials, including access to transit, shopping, restaurants, etc., then it is not going to survive without substantially reducing its rent.”
In line with a growing demand for urban amenities, companies are beginning to focus on the quality of space over size. “Since the great recession, large and small offices alike have changed the way they use real estate,” said Sikaitis. “Businesses are averaging less space per worker and beginning to focus on how their office space can contribute to the health and well-being of their employees.”
Features such as air sanitation, circadian rhythm lighting and layouts that promote movement and fitness are becoming commonplace in many office spaces, he said. “Cost is no longer the deciding factor for these tenants; employee retention and creating a healthy work life balance are at the core of these decisions,” said Sikaitis.
By: Jane Dollinger (National Association of REALTORS®)
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