Market Reports

Texas Retailers Embrace Age of Reinvention

by Taylor Williams January 14, 2020

Innovative new retail experiences are appearing across the United States, and Texas is no exception. We started with food halls and experiential outings like escape rooms and now see even more creativity, from axe-throwing bars and esports arenas to Instagram-worthy art installations like Candytopia and experience-driven restaurants and bars like Pinewood Social. Throughout the country, there is a preferential trend toward experiential retail — businesses that provide consumers with unique, unforgettable encounters — and it’s simply a response to changing consumer tastes. Typically, a shopper visits a particular store for one of three reasons: convenience, value or experience. Today, we enjoy greater shopping convenience than ever before. In many areas of the country, we can get nearly everything we need from internet retailers, often with same-day or two-day shipping. According to PwC’s Global Consumer Insights Survey 2018, 41 percent of consumers are willing to pay extra in order to get same-day delivery, while 23 percent are willing to pay for delivery within three hours. Meanwhile, companies that provide exceptional value are showing growth compared to their peers. For example, the parent company of T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s showed steady positive increases in annual sales growth from 6 percent in 2015 …

January 14, 2020

Market Reports Multifamily North Carolina Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Population Gains, Transforming CBDs Drive Triangle’s Multifamily Market Forward

by Alex Tostado January 13, 2020

Today, the Triangle market is booming. The once sleepy Raleigh and Durham central business districts have been transformed with development pipelines exceeding $2.5 billion. Since 2009, Kane Realty’s North Hills, which has become our standard bearer for suburban mixed-use planning, has delivered an additional 1,100 multifamily units, 120,000 square feet of retail, 501 hotel keys and 1.1 million square feet of office space that is achieving top rental rates for the market. And there are more uses coming. There are 10 exciting mixed-use projects under construction as the Triangle continues to take amenities to the next level and increase its competitiveness. Multiple demand drivers The Triangle still feels like it’s in earlier innings with durable growth potential as evidenced by: • Explosive In-migration: 52 percent population growth since 2001, or 3.7 times the national average. • Balanced, Recession Resistant Factors: The market is a top 10 life sciences clusters and includes the largest research park in the United States with Research Triangle Park (RTP). Raleigh-Durham also has well-regarded university and hospital systems and state capital. • Highly Educated Workforce: There are more than 80,000 students enrolled at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University and North Carolina State …

January 13, 2020

Arizona Industrial Market Reports Western Western Market Reports

Phoenix’s Strategic Growth Positions Industrial for Success in 2020

by Taylor Williams January 11, 2020

Phoenix’s industrial inventory is undergoing a period of growth due to the delivery of 2.2 million square feet of new product in the third quarter of 2019 and more than 4.7 million year to date (as of late November). In fact, the market has seen the highest amount of total industrial development year to date since 2007. While these deliveries have increased the industrial vacancy rate slightly, the overall vacancy rate for the area remains low at less than 7 percent. Absorption has been strong and is expected to remain so for the near future. Rental rates also continue to rise, though they are still at a considerable discount to many other West Coast markets. A high amount of development activity is still occurring, particularly in the southern portion of Phoenix. Much of this development is speculative rather than build-to-suit, which indicates developers are confident in the demand for industrial space in this market. Major factors for our growth have been significant job creation and in-migration of both residents and businesses, which have led to growth in industrial and construction jobs in the region. In fact, Greater Phoenix remains one of the top five metros for job creation in the …

January 11, 2020

Arizona Market Reports Office Western Western Market Reports

Office Demand Remains Strong in Phoenix, Though Concerns Persist

by Taylor Williams January 10, 2020

Phoenix experienced 1.8 million square feet of absorption and an overall office vacancy rate dipping to 17 percent by the end of 2019. Now that the New Year is here, the city is poised to continue its positive progression as healthcare, science, technology and the professional office service sector continue to show steady employment growth. Arizona ranked third in the U.S. with 2.6 percent job creation, as of the third quarter of 2019. That’s 74,000 new jobs for the year, including 6,900 jobs in the science and technology sector and 14,000 new jobs in the recession-resistant healthcare sector. Companies are focused on finding cost-effective, business-friendly office environments and submarkets with access to top talent, and Phoenix checks all those boxes. Much of the state’s top talent is Millennials and Generation Z who are increasingly willing to move to lower cost of living cities that boast a high quality of life. Arizona ranked No. 1 in inbound state migration in 2018, with 273,714 inbound arrivals. We expect to see similar positive net migration numbers in 2019. The Census Bureau estimates that Phoenix will be the fourth most populous city in the U.S., with a population of 2.2 million, by the end …

January 10, 2020

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Missouri Multifamily

Dynamic St. Louis Multifamily Real Estate Market Is on a Roll

by Kristin Harlow January 9, 2020

The greater St. Louis metropolitan statistical area (MSA) includes the city of St. Louis, St. Louis County, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Warren and St. Charles County, as well as various counties in Illinois collectively known as the Metro East. The MSA ranks as the 21st largest in the country with a population of approximately 2.8 million residents and features many Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies. St. Louis has a very diverse economy with the largest categories of employment base in transportation, utilities, education, healthcare, defense and professional/business services. The per capita income for approximately 1.5 million workers in the MSA is approximately $60,000 per year. With an unemployment rate of 3.6 percent, the MSA has had almost 11 quarters of sub-4 percent unemployment. In 2019 alone, payrolls across the MSA expanded 1.7 percent with a net gain of 23,100 jobs created. Of these, 1,500 jobs alone were created with the 2019 completion of Amazon’s first Missouri fulfillment center in St. Peters, which is a western suburb of St. Louis. Other major job creators include the 295-acre redevelopment project called Fenton Logistics Park in Fenton, which is at the forefront of transforming the logistics and manufacturing industries with 2.5 million square …

January 9, 2020

Connecticut Market Reports New York Northeast Northeast Market Reports

Investors Like Fairfield, Westchester Counties

by Taylor Williams January 8, 2020

With a unemployment rate of 3.9 percent, strong demographics, transportation that provides direct access to New York City and a highly skilled workforce, Westchester County is seeing steady investor interest across all major property types. We have seen significant interest from institutional investors, including pension fund advisors, insurance companies and REITs. This same buyer class has continued to underwrite increased rent growth in the more urban markets of Westchester County — Yonkers, New Rochelle, White Plains — ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 percent depending on occupancy and development pipeline within the local submarkets. This investor group is targeting yields of 5.5 to 6.5 percent in return on cost metrics and purchasing existing assets for cap rates ranging from 4.4 to 5.3 percent, depending on the age, location and upside of the transaction. That spread has historically been between 150 and 200 basis points. Given the need to put capital to work, the spread is now closer to 100 basis points, reflecting more aggressive pricing for the market. This trend is evident in the Westchester market with new construction projects in the transportation-oriented towns. In addition, interest rates have helped keep investors motivated to buy. Low yields have helped to keep …

January 8, 2020

District of Columbia Market Reports Office Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Investment Demand Leveling off for D.C. Office Sector as Leasing Stays Lackluster

by Alex Tostado January 6, 2020

The office market in metropolitan Washington, D.C., is currently differentiated between a vigorous investment sales market and anemic leasing fundamentals. According to data from CoStar Group and Cushman & Wakefield, office investment sales have averaged $8.4 billion annually from 2014 to 2018 versus $5.5 billion annually from 2008 to 2013. Investment sales in the District have been dominated by Class A and trophy assets with little leasing risk, while demand is buoyed by foreign capital sources. In Northern Virginia, sales have trended toward core-plus and value-add investments led by domestic buyers seeking additional yield. Investors are more comfortable with leasing risk in Northern Virginia due to its robust job growth, a trend likely to continue given the jurisdiction’s comparative advantages in cloud computing, cybersecurity and internet infrastructure. Amazon’s selection of Crystal City for HQ2 and Amazon Web Services’ large block leasing in the Dulles Toll Road corridor are emblematic of these larger regional trends. However, there are signs that investment demand may have peaked for the current cycle. This year’s sales volume is the weakest in several years despite an influx of closings in September to beat Washington, D.C.’s increase to the transfer and recordation taxes from 2.9 percent to …

January 6, 2020

Arizona Market Reports Western Western Market Reports

City of Avondale Targets Growth in Multiple Sectors

by Taylor Williams January 4, 2020

The West Valley has a strong, talented workforce in the healthcare, finance, insurance and marketing industries, which has led to job growth increasing by 40 percent in the region, according to Westmarc. It’s no surprise that the West Valley City of Avondale, Ariz., located 15 minutes west of Downtown Phoenix, is experiencing pphenomenal growth. Much of this expansion is facilitated by Avondale’s location off two major freeways, including Interstate 10 and the Loop 101. The completion of the Fairway Drive interchange off I-10 in 2020 will only solidify the city’s growing reputation as a Southwest Valley hotspot. Avondale’s city council has also made economic development a top priority. The city’s economic development toolbox is filled with opportunities for developers who are looking to go West. Avondale boasts three Opportunity Zones, infill incentives, a Greater Maricopa Foreign Trade Zone and tax credits, among other economic development incentives. The city is working hard to make itself attractive to developers looking for a region with burgeoning growth and stable leadership. One such investor is the famous Chicago hot dog chain Portillo’s, which recently opened an 8,000-square-foot restaurant in Avondale. Other high-quality restaurants have been cropping up in the busy Gateway area around 99th …

January 4, 2020

Industrial Market Reports Texas Texas Market Reports

Pricing for Industrial Assets in Dallas Increases 20 Percent in 12 Months

by Taylor Williams December 31, 2019

Pricing for industrial distribution and warehouse properties has climbed in many U.S. markets over the past 12 months as investors have continued to focus on markets tied to large population centers and their connections to logistics and e-commerce spaces. According to an Avison Young Industrial Investment Review, prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) market rose the most out of the major industrial markets reviewed, increasing 20 percent to $85 per square foot. Prices for DFW industrial assets rose more than those in New York/Northern New Jersey (15.9 percent to $167), Miami (14.8 percent to $140), Los Angeles (11.6 percent to $168), and California’s Inland Empire (7.5 percent to $123). The review analyzed data from Real Capital Analytics (RCA) from the fourth quarter of 2018 to the third quarter of 2019. Strong population growth in North Texas has generated demand for a wide range of industrial assets, including e-commerce, and has propelled DFW into the spotlight for global investors. The market benefits from solid infrastructure, with four major intermodal terminals and the massive DFW International Airport helping position it as one of the nation’s largest inland ports. The DFW industrial market is also supported by strong job growth, construction activity, absorption …

December 31, 2019

District of Columbia Market Reports Multifamily Southeast Southeast Market Reports

D.C. a Hotspot for Multifamily Investors, Lenders as Absorption Ticks Up

by Alex Tostado December 30, 2019

Driven by increasing high-paying jobs, billions of dollars in public and private investment and healthy population growth, the Washington, D.C., metro area boasts a dynamic multifamily market with rebounding rent growth and stabilizing occupancy rates. Washington, D.C., gained 20,500 jobs in June and another 13,000 jobs in July, according to the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services. Additionally, D.C.’s population topped 700,000 for the first time since 1975. The Washington metropolitan area’s total population has climbed to more than 6 million, and more households mean more demand for apartments. These strong fundamentals have led to increased rent growth in the apartment sector. D.C.’s average net asking rate is $1,990 — up 1.7 percent, making it the sixth-fastest rent growth in the United States, according to Reis. The net asking rate increased for 10 consecutive quarters. Between now and year-end 2020, asking rents are expected to climb 2.5 percent and 3.6 percent by year-end 2021, Reis notes. The District’s apartment occupancy rate is currently 94 percent. In nearby suburban Maryland, rents rose 1.2 percent, and in Northern Virginia, 1.4 percent. Demand, supply in balance Although there was concern over an influx of new construction, multifamily product has been well-absorbed. The …

December 30, 2019

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