Midwest Market Reports

2022 Outlook Looks Strong for Industrial, Retail in St. Louis

by Kristin Harlow January 20, 2022

This past year, many commercial real estate sectors and geographies that had been affected by the initial impact of pandemic-induced shutdowns demonstrated improvement. Across Missouri, we saw very robust levels of sales activity, as well as new construction and development — with more than $2.4 billion in overall commercial real estate sales volume through the end of third-quarter 2021. Although statewide growth was reported across all property types and sectors, industrial was especially strong, while retail emerged with slightly less consistency, but was positive nonetheless. The forecast for 2022 is bright, especially as retailers announce expansion plans and developers break ground on new projects. St. Louis is central to growth As an important secondary U.S. market, St. Louis and the surrounding areas are experiencing high levels of demand and activity. In the first three quarters of 2021, the St. Louis market reported $1.7 billion of overall commercial real estate sales volume, representing more than 70 percent of statewide activity. These statistics illustrate the sentiment of today’s active buyers who agree that St. Louis is a stable and attractive market for investment. Within the metro area, St. Charles County stands out as one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, reporting …

January 20, 2022

Industrial Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Missouri

Available Land, Developer Talent Boost Kansas City’s Industrial Scene

by Kristin Harlow January 13, 2022

2021 was a historic year for Kansas City industrial real estate. The local market size eclipsed 300 million square feet of space, representing the 16th-largest industrial market in the U.S. Class A building inventory is nearly 44 million square feet, ranking 15th in the nation. Of the industrial building inventory, 14.4 percent is Class A, ranking ninth-highest in the country, suggesting the inventory that we have is quality compared with other U.S. markets. Capital markets are firm influencers with soft voices. Nationally, the amount invested is a record high. Rental rate growth is at an all-time high and investors are confident that this growth will sustain. While you may not read about where capital is being deployed, the institutional development and investment activity provide the output to see where institutions have comfort. Cap rates in the Kansas City area broke records and saw compression in the last year of 50 to 150 basis points depending on the asset class. This is a result of investors seeking return and believing in the long-term strength of tier II industrial markets and yield premium afforded in these markets compared with gateway cities. Well-positioned assets traded with cap rates in the low to …

January 13, 2022

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Missouri Retail

Kansas City Retail Market Continues to Evolve During COVID-19

by Kristin Harlow January 6, 2022

To the surprise of many in the Kansas City retail sector, the end of 2021 looked much different than most anticipated when 2021 began. As uncertainty buzzed through the retail world, the flurry of 2021’s real estate activity was a welcome surprise. Retailers who embraced technology and adapted to the changing circumstances of today’s world were able to reap the benefits 2021 offered. As consumers took advantage of post-lockdown freedoms, brick-and-mortar retailers experienced a surge in sales volume. Throughout 2021, many national retailers and local Kansas City owners reported volumes exceeding 2019 pre-COVID levels. It’s comforting to report that retail leasing and sales continue to be strong, and overall Kansas City remains consistent in attracting retail business during these uncertain times. One of the most recognizable transformations in retail is the way in which technology seamlessly connects e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores. Consumers can now use technology to satisfy their desire for the contactless fulfillment of their order, browse local inventory at grocery and retail stores for immediate pickup and grocery shop without entering the store. This list will continue to grow as acceptance of the technology accelerates. Another noticeable retail alteration is the addition of drive-thrus as well as …

January 6, 2022

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Ohio

APTC: Ohio School Districts Push for Excessive Property Taxes

by Kristin Harlow December 23, 2021

A recent order from the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals highlights a troubling aspect of real property tax valuation in the Buckeye State, where school districts wield extraordinary authority to influence assessments. In this instance, courts allowed a district to demand a taxpayer’s confidential business data, which it can now use to support its own case for an assessment increase. Ohio is one of the few states that permit school districts to participate in the tax valuation process, allowing a district to file its own complaint to increase the value of a parcel of real estate, and permitting a school district to argue against a property owner that seeks to lower the taxable valuation of a parcel of real estate. Generally, school districts looking to increase tax revenue will review recent property sales for opportunities to seek assessment increases. Likely candidates for an increase complaint include real estate that changed hands at a purchase price or transfer value that exceeds the county assessor’s valuation. That is not always the case, however. In the case that gave rise to this article, there was no recent sale of the subject property, which is a multi-story apartment building. The apartment building owner had …

December 23, 2021

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Multifamily Nebraska

Omaha’s Healthy Multifamily Market Drives Increase in Agency Lending

by Kristin Harlow November 24, 2021

Despite some disruption from COVID-19, Omaha’s multifamily market is resilient. It remains a healthy, stable market boasting sound fundamentals and continues to experience increasing demand for apartments. Multifamily, in general, has outperformed many other real estate sectors during the pandemic. Omaha’s multifamily occupancy remains strong and rent growth over the past 12 months has shown a positive overall trend. In construction, the market takes a measured approach with roughly 1,500 units per year on average. According to Reis, there are 384 units scheduled to be delivered throughout the remainder of 2021, while absorption is forecast to be more than 400 units, resulting in a 0.1 percent uptick in occupancy. Solid market fundamentals Both Omaha and nearby Lincoln, Nebraska, are seeing strong investment sales activity although limited assets are available. The market is predominantly controlled by local players, many of which build for their portfolios and operate the properties. However, some smaller players and out-of-town investors have found the timing was right to exit out of the market and sell. Out-of-state groups are aggressively entering these markets and paying significant premiums for available assets. Driving investment sales activity are low interest rates and better returns than these groups can find in …

November 24, 2021

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Nebraska Office

Lincoln Office Market Assesses Amount of ‘Shadow Space’

by Kristin Harlow November 18, 2021

Historically, Lincoln, Nebraska, has been a resilient Midwestern city. Home to state and county governments and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, it has weathered past economic ups and downs and provided steady growth close to 2 percent each year. As COVID-19 restrictions ease, people are gradually returning to shop and find entertainment downtown, and new construction continues to rise above Lincoln’s skyline. Interestingly, the last time this many cranes were visible downtown was during the last economic downturn. It has been remarked that during that time, Lincoln “built its way out of the recession.” Now, many building projects are helping to maintain the resiliency of our economy during these challenging times. Prominent projects, proposed or initiated prior to the pandemic, continue to move forward. Examples include a proposed 15-story, 300,000-square-foot mixed-use building by Chicago-based Argent Group housing 200 residential units. Omaha-based White Lotus Development plans a $54 million redevelopment of the Pershing Auditorium block, a vacant city-owned venue. White Lotus would bring 100 affordable housing units with a wellness center, childcare center, retail, community green space and potentially a new city library. Other notable projects include a $21 million renovation of a 100-year-old, seven-story Atrium Building by new local owners. Pushing …

November 18, 2021

Industrial Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Ohio

Columbus Industrial Market Is Going Strong for Eighth Straight Quarter

by Kristin Harlow November 11, 2021

Columbus has been the shining star of the industrial real estate market over the last five years, and for the eighth straight quarter, it has more than 5 million square feet under construction. This year is on track for more than 10 million square feet, with half of that already absorbed in the first part of the year. A question I always get is, “Why Columbus?” The answer (and the sell) is quite simple — location and population. Columbus is a 10-hour drive within 46 percent of the country’s population and manufacturing base. Incentives play a large role in the process as well, which enables developers to be competitive and drives tenants to the markets. Labor is always a factor in site selection, but now more than ever it tops the list as one of the most vital components of the decision-making process of choosing a site. With the Columbus region ranking No. 1 in the Midwest for population, jobs and GDP growth, it’s natural for developers to be highly attracted to the area. Columbus has three major industrial submarkets: West Jefferson, Rickenbacker and Etna Township. The West Jefferson submarket is home to Amazon, Target, Restoration Hardware and JoAnn Fabric. …

November 11, 2021

Illinois Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Office

Chicago Office Market: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

by Kristin Harlow November 4, 2021

A common question Chicago office brokers are hearing from clients these days is, “When is the best time to start negotiating with my landlord?” In fact, it is also a question brokers are asking themselves, contemplating when they should advise their clients to get into the market. The truth is: 1) it’s very hard to say, and 2) it depends on the situation. Let’s explore what we do know. This is a historically tenant-favorable office market. Vacancy rates have increased from 13.8 percent to start 2021 up to 17.7 percent currently. Concessions are far over-weighted with construction allowances and free rent packages 20 to 30 percent higher than they were pre-pandemic, and landlords are being more flexible on term lengths allowing tenants three- or five-year leases despite offering full buildouts. On the other side of the coin, gross rental rates (base rent plus real estate taxes and building operating expenses) have not declined. In fact, in the last quarter they increased from $42.34 to $42.57 per square foot. The trends and market conditions surrounding concession packages and rental rates haven’t really changed in the last 12 months or so. The above touches on what the market is doing, but what …

November 4, 2021

Illinois Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Multifamily

Condo Deconversions Will Continue in Chicagoland Area

by Kristin Harlow October 28, 2021

If we consider that 2017 was the year that deconversion sales in Chicago began in earnest, we are now four years into the cycle. I’m frequently asked my opinion of how much longer this cycle will last, and what it will look like going forward. To me, that comes down mainly to supply and demand, with an eye on change in the relevant state and city statutes governing these sales. The supply of condominiums in Chicago is still plentiful, especially condominiums that were converted from apartment buildings. While there was a bit of a condo-buying frenzy in the early part of 2021 as the world opened back up, that frenzy has dissipated. Condominiums that would typically take a couple of months to sell sold in days, and often at asking price. With that said, there was little meaningful price appreciation. The factors that hinder appreciation of these condominiums did not change: high amounts of rental units in the association; lack of amenities; and aging buildings that are either behind on maintenance or expensive to keep up. Those factors are unlikely to ever change. The current demand for multifamily properties is quite strong. Most investors sat on the sidelines in 2020, …

October 28, 2021

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Multifamily

How to Woo New Tenants and Keep Them Amid Booming Multifamily Market

by Kristin Harlow October 21, 2021

By Ryan Kirby, Village Green In the understatement of all understatements, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed a few things in the housing market. Supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and the astronomical rise in the price of lumber have all exacerbated the steady decline in new home construction. For more than a year, home prices have been on the rise, making purchasing a home a challenge — or even an impossibility — for many. As a result, the rental market is booming, but that’s not entirely due to COVID. In fact, the rise in rentals began taking shape long before COVID made its impact on the world. Then, new challenges and norms created by the pandemic accelerated these existing trends. Ultimately, more Americans are choosing to rent due to generational, financial and practical factors, not just situational factors related to COVID. That said, the pandemic has fundamentally changed what renters are looking for in a rental unit, and these preferences are likely to continue long after the coronavirus is a distant memory. For property managers, this means playing into the trends of what today’s renters are looking for. Keeping these renter preferences in mind won’t just make your properties more attractive …

October 21, 2021

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