Market Reports

McAllen Multifamily Market Shows Positive Rent Growth Amid COVID-19

by Taylor Williams July 10, 2020

By Brad Frisby, Associate, NAI Rio Grande Valley The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSA’s multifamily market has posted positive rent growth for the first half of 2020, despite the outbreak of COVID-19 causing nationwide job losses and impacting landlords’ ability to push rents during much of that time. The combined effect of a stimulus package for renters and pandemic legislation that bans evicting residents who cannot pay due to COVID-19-related job losses has largely kept occupancy rates steady throughout the first half of the year. Occupancy rates for Class B and C product rose to the mid-90s, but absorption at Class A properties has taken a small dip. As construction — and economic activity in general — resumes at a greater pace in the second half of the year, we expect new deliveries to come on line and bring the marketwide occupancy rate down slightly. As of May, the McAllen area had added about 500 new apartments to its supply, with an additional 700 or so set to be delivered by year’s end. The North McAllen, Edinburg and Weslaco submarkets will receive the bulk of new deliveries this year. Over half of the new units delivered will be through the Texas …

July 10, 2020

Healthcare Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports

COVID-19 Interruptions Are Largely Short Term for Medical Office Sales

by Kristin Harlow July 9, 2020

By Mike Wilson, Principal, Avison Young As the commercial real estate industry shifts toward a new normal, there are several changes occurring in the medical office sector. This asset class has long been considered a safe haven, even in recessionary times, given its ties to the healthcare system and overall population growth. The onset of COVID-19 and the subsequent stay-at-home orders in many states have created challenges that also touch the medical office sector, although not nearly as deeply as other asset classes. One shift occurring is a varying level of activity among medical office tenants, depending upon whether their services are deemed essential or nonessential. Tenants in essential buildings, particularly those tied to large healthcare systems, are still seeing patient throughput activity as healthcare needs remain. Some elective surgery centers and outpatient testing facilities, however, have seen a temporary pause as medical professionals retrenched due to the state closures. Landlords in turn have had to manage rent relief requests from tenants. These changes are considered short-term and are not expected to have long-term effects on tenant activity or property investment levels. The medical office sector continues to draw the attention of a wide range of investors, due to its …

July 9, 2020

Market Reports Multifamily Texas Texas Market Reports

Texas Multifamily Owners, Investors Turn To Alternative Capital Sources

by Taylor Williams July 7, 2020

By Sam Greenblatt, CEO, Electra Capital Today, a growing number of risk-averse financial institutions are pulling back from the multifamily rental market, leaving owners and investors struggling to complete their transactions. Fortunately, however, private firms are stepping into the gap with alternative sources of debt and equity capital. As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the national economy this spring, banks tightened their standards on all types of loans, according to a recent Federal Reserve survey of senior loan officers. Nearly half the surveyed lenders reported that they had tightened standards on multifamily loans in the first quarter. That pullback can have a potentially crippling impact on multifamily transactions. Let’s say an investor seeking to purchase a $50 million multifamily asset has raised $12.5 million (25 percent) in equity with a bank loan due to provide $37.5 million (75 percent). But before the deal could close, the bank implements a tighter 60 percent loan-to-value (LTV) ratio limiting its senior financing to $30 million. Now, the investor or transaction sponsor needs to come up with an additional $7.5 million on short notice or the deal will fall apart. This is where alternative private capital firms can provide flexible, short-term financing solutions, including bridge …

July 7, 2020

Market Reports North Carolina Retail Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Pain Felt in Charlotte Retail Sector, But Phased Reopenings Give Market Hope

by John Nelson July 6, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak had a tremendous impact on retail across the country, and Charlotte was no exception. As stores were forced to close, business owners had to devise creative ways to operate during the pandemic. Rent deferral, Paycheck Protection Program funds, layoffs and furloughs were some of the ways owners addressed cash flow. Many restaurants faced questions regarding takeout, delivery service, menu adjustments, table spacing and employee safety. Enhanced cleaning procedures, payment procedures, marketing adjustments and general overall operations were other issues facing many restaurants and retailers. Restaurants with drive-thrus and takeout, as well as ones capable of adding “COVID-19-friendly” delivery options, were able to remain open, albeit with decreased sales volume. Despite all efforts, the trickle-down effect will likely cause several restaurants and retailers to permanently close and not survive this downturn at all. As Phase I and II of North Carolina’s economic reopening went into effect and additional stores began to reopen in some capacity, retailers began to adapt to new ways to operate with safety protocols in place. As a result, more discounts and flash sales were offered, and curbside pick-up became a prevalent way to shop. The next six months should reveal how the COVID-19 pandemic …

July 6, 2020

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports

Post-Pandemic Lease Provisions: They’re Changing, But Will They Work?

by Kristin Harlow July 2, 2020

By Tim McCaffrey, Counsel, Eversheds Sutherland (US) The coronavirus pandemic has impacted individual and corporate behavior on a global scale. Businesses across every sector are attempting to mitigate the economic impact of this crisis. Previously standard leasing terms are changing, both in light of the current environment and in anticipation of a second wave of infection. But even as parties negotiate carefully drafted provisions and carve-outs, it remains unclear when courts will be available to interpret these changes and how they will ultimately respond. The most commonly discussed change to standard contract terms is the force majeure provision, which typically allows one or both parties to delay or excuse performance of contractual obligations when prevented by unforeseeable circumstances. Where pandemic-specific language is not already part of a force majeure clause, many parties are seeking to add it to the contract. In typical leases, this defense to performance is only available to landlords for obligations such as the timely delivery of the property or completion of certain landlord work. And in those instances where it does apply to benefit tenants, it typically expressly excludes payment obligations. But in today’s climate, tenants have begun requesting the ability to invoke a force majeure …

July 2, 2020

California Industrial Market Reports Western Western Market Reports

Greater LA’s Industrial Real Estate Enters a New World

by Jeff Shaw July 1, 2020

By Kurt Strasmann, Executive Managing Director, CBRE Industrial properties have been in high demand in recent years both nationally and, particularly, in Southern California and the Greater Los Angeles area. Our region is a strategic hub for goods coming from all over the world, especially Asia, and boasts the necessary infrastructure to store and deliver product regionally and throughout the nation. Greater LA is also a major consumer hub. About 50 percent of product coming through the LA and Long Beach ports remains in the region. Our first-quarter numbers emphasize LA’s strong industrial fundamentals prior to COVID-19 taking effect. These numbers have put the market in a strong position to weather the recession, which we expect to be short. The 1.7 percent overall vacancy rate in the first quarter represented the limited supply and high demand for industrial space within the region. The diverse tenant base has created further market resiliency with occupiers in logistics, food and beverage, entertainment, manufacturing and a broad array of other industries. Going forward during these extraordinary times, we do anticipate an increase in vacancies and decreasing tenant leasing activity through at least the fourth quarter. Until we return to a more normalized state, we need …

July 1, 2020

Data Centers Industrial Market Reports Texas Texas Market Reports

Texas Data Centers & Covid-19: How The Pandemic Has Impacted Absorption

by Taylor Williams June 30, 2020

By Edward Henigin, Chief Technical Officer, Data Foundry The COVID-19 pandemic has been a highly disruptive force in the global market, changing the way businesses, communities and economies operate today — and perhaps into the future. While uncertainty has defined this challenging time, trends have been developing in the wake of the virus’ worldwide impact. One of the most prominent trends has been the shift to remote and digital means of working, communicating and learning. Across nearly every device category, in-home data usage has seen an increase in the first three months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. This year, the two-week period between March 1 and March 17 alone exhibited a 34 percent increase in smartphone data usage compared to the previous year’s usage during the same period. As a result of social distancing and quarantine protocols, many businesses have reduced onsite work or even shut down their locations in favor of work-from-home options that incorporate video conferencing platforms or other virtual applications. Today’s increased online dependence creates a focus on digital infrastructure, and data centers are only growing in importance (and in demand) as they become more widely recognized as crucial components of a resilient …

June 30, 2020

Industrial Market Reports North Carolina Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Charlotte Industrial Sector Shows ‘Signs of Life’ as Market Adapts to COVID-19

by John Nelson June 29, 2020

Like many Southeastern markets, the Charlotte industrial market largely hit the pause button from mid-March until June due to COVID-19. While the impacts of the health crisis remain fluid, the market is showing some signs of life, and trends that have long been at play are not likely to be reversed. For the past 90 days, the market has seen a significant drop in leasing and sales activity. The market was a bit sluggish in 2019, but experienced good activity in the first quarter prior to area shutdowns. Asking rents rose 5 percent year-over-year to $4.81 per square foot as new space is being added to the market at a higher price point. That rental rate is a record high for the Charlotte warehouse and distribution market. Most of the recent growth has occurred in the Cabarrus County, Stateline and Airport/West submarkets. Developers continue to fill demand for modern e-commerce, third-party logistics and general distribution space. Additional deliveries will keep upward pressure on vacancy in the near-term, but overall conditions should remain healthy thanks to strong economic tailwinds and Charlotte’s proximity to key East Coast transportation corridors and population centers. Absorption declined significantly over the past 12 months, from 5.3 …

June 29, 2020

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Office

Office Best Practices: How to Prepare for a Post-COVID-19 Reality

by Kristin Harlow June 25, 2020

By Andy Gutman, President, Farbman Group It’s no hyperbole to acknowledge that we are living in unprecedented times and facing unique and historic challenges. The novel coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives and livelihoods of Americans across a wide range of industries, and commercial real estate is no exception. As brands and businesses struggle to adjust to the slowdown, with many shutting their doors and others making significant operational adjustments, owners and operators face their own dilemmas. How can real estate professionals help their tenants while protecting their own interests? What can they do differently today to start preparing for a post-shutdown new normal once the nation and the economy begin reopening in the months ahead? What follows is a review of practical tips and best practices that real estate professionals should be deploying to ensure they are doing everything they can to help themselves and their tenants navigate the unfamiliar terrain of a pandemic-altered landscape. Talk the talk Communication with tenants is always important. In the current circumstances, however, clear and consistent communication is not just a priority, but an urgent necessity. Make sure your team is connecting on COVID-related changes to tenants, sharing updates …

June 25, 2020

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Industrial Market Reports New Mexico Western Western Market Reports

New Mexico is Primed for Industrial Development

by Jeff Shaw June 24, 2020

By Riley McKee, Advisor, NAI Maestas & Ward If summarized in one word, New Mexico’s industrial real estate market can best be described as undersupplied. Steady increases in demand, combined with a dearth of new construction, have resulted in record-low vacancy rates in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe – the state’s primary metropolitan areas. A string of noteworthy projects are underway in Albuquerque. Food products supplier Ben E. Keith Foods is building a 260,000-square-foot regional headquarters and distribution center to service markets throughout the region. FedEx Freight recently opened a 95,000-square-foot distribution center strategically positioned on a 50-acre site to expedite planned expansions. Brunacini Development, the city’s largest industrial landlord, just completed a 140,000-square-foot multi-tenant distribution center anchored by Bunzl, a London-based food packaging distributor. Finally, and perhaps most notably, nuclear energy firm Kairos Power acquired an 110,000-square-foot research and development facility after a nationwide site selection process. It plans to expand the facility, which sits on 35 acres, as part of an incentive package with the state. Las Cruces is seeing strong development activity as well, specifically in Santa Teresa, an international Port of Entry that sits 21 miles south of the city. W. Silver Recycling, which processes …

June 24, 2020

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