Southeast Market Reports

A Migration Destination: Charlotte’s Office Market Continues to Evolve

by John Nelson June 27, 2022

By Chase Monroe, Carolinas Market Director and Charlotte Brokerage Lead, and Chris Schaaf, Executive Managing Director of Tenant Representation, JLL Nearly two years after the onset of the pandemic, Charlotte’s office market is showing strong signs of recovery as economic momentum builds. Last year, the Queen City set the stage for growth with 4.9 million square feet of office space delivered from pre-pandemic projects, boasting over 1 million square feet more than any other metro for deliveries that occurred in 2021. Market-wide preleasing also exceeded 60 percent and nearly 2.1 million square feet of office space was under construction. Entering 2022, the market continued to forge ahead as large occupiers started their return to the office, and leasing activity began to surge throughout the region. And long-anticipated projects, such as Legacy Union, 110 East and The Station broke ground. According to Urban Land Institute’s 2021 annual report, Charlotte ranked No. 6 among the hottest real estate markets in the United States, with developers and investors betting big on Sun Belt cities. Deemed an 18-hour magnet city by the Emerging Trends in Real Estate survey, people and businesses alike are flocking to Charlotte, the so-called “migration destination.” Thanks to strong economic …

June 27, 2022

Florida Market Reports Office Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Tenants Continue Moving to South Florida in Search of Class A Office Space

by John Nelson June 20, 2022

There is no denying in-migration is a driving factor in South Florida. Over 650,000 people moved to Miami at the height of the pandemic — nearly 89,000 came from out of state and a quarter of those came from New York. Year-over-year job growth is up 6 percent and is back at peak levels seen prior to the pandemic, while over 27 percent of employment is in office-using sectors for the first time ever. CBRE’s Spring 2022 Occupier Sentiment Survey revealed that most companies are back to developing long-term plans to expand or contract their office space now that employees are returning — at least some of the time — after two years of mostly remote work. For the second quarter in a row, net absorption in Miami totaled over 200,000 square feet, with the majority occurring in Miami’s central business district (CBD). Driven by expansions, Class A product accounted for approximately 85 percent of total absorption in the first quarter. The growth of Miami is starting to solidify as new-to-market tenants that looked to relocate to Miami during the pandemic are starting to move into their office spaces. Since 2020, over 1.3 million square feet of office leasing activity …

June 20, 2022

Strong rent growth has spurred investor appetite for Florida’s multifamily market and has boosted out-of-state and international multifamily investment and development. —Jeffrey Margolis, Partner, Berger Singerman LLP

Features Florida Market Reports Multifamily Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Florida Apartment Market’s Strong Real Estate Fundamentals Attract National, International Investors

by Jaime Lackey June 13, 2022

There is an overall sentiment that the Southeast multifamily real estate market, and specifically Florida, is doing better than any other region in the United States. Despite record inflation, rising interest rates, increased construction costs and supply chain issues, investors, developers and lenders are becoming increasingly bullish when it comes to the Florida multifamily market. A rising population count resulting in a swift pace of rent growth and tight apartment vacancy have led to increased out-of-state and international interest and capital being invested in the state. With competitive yields and better returns compared with alternative investments, investors view Florida multifamily projects as a sound opportunity. Florida has been less stringent when it came to COVID-19 policies and lockdowns compared with restrictions adopted in the Northeast and on the West Coast. Limited and lenient state-wide restrictions in Florida during the health crisis allowed the state’s economy to recover more quickly than most major U.S. markets. In addition to an established migration of retirees, Florida has attracted a younger population, with workers looking for warmer climates and relaxed COVID-19 policies. Similarly, massive migration from other regions is being fueled by the ease of doing business, a favorable regulatory environment, business-friendly tax rates, …

June 13, 2022

Florida Industrial Market Reports Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Miami’s Industrial Market is in a Position of Strength Heading into Summer 2022

by John Nelson June 13, 2022

Amid a record-breaking year for Miami-Dade County in 2021, industrial market fundamentals grew even stronger in the first quarter of 2022. Last year, the national industrial market saw unprecedented activity resulting from unlimited investment capital from Wall Street, private equity firms and REITs deploying significant capital into buying existing income-producing property and development sites. In the first quarter of 2022, market fundamentals continued to heat up in Miami-Dade County and are expected to continue to attract investors and developers that are looking to capitalize on a growing population and soaring demand for warehousing space. The ongoing global supply chain challenges are forcing existing tenants’ requirements to include additional warehouse space for storage. Simultaneously, new-to-market tenants are continuing to flock to the area, despite a shrinking supply of available space. Together, this confluence of activity triggered a record low vacancy rate of 2.7 percent in Miami-Dade County in the first quarter, a 150-basis-point decrease year-over-year. Rental rates also reached a record high of $11.80 per square foot triple-net, which is an increase of 8.3 percent year-over-year. We expect continued growth in port markets, as well as increased leasing activity from third-party logistics and e-commerce tenants. In 2021, Amazon leased multiple locations …

June 13, 2022

Florida Market Reports Retail Southeast Southeast Market Reports

The Sky is Not Falling for Miami’s Retail Market as Healthcare, Dining Activity Soars

by John Nelson June 6, 2022

When the world shut down in March 2020, “Chicken Littles” everywhere proclaimed the end of one of the primary asset classes in commercial real estate: retail. Retail tenants largely abandoned expansion plans and entered survival mode by shifting focus to seeking rent abatements and lease restructurings. Landlords in weak financial positions fought to meet significant debt obligations, while those in stronger positions took the opportunity to evict struggling tenants and refresh inventory, hoping that more creditworthy tenants would come calling. Fast forward two years and any lingering uncertainty about the survival of retail has waned, and, today, we seem to be in one of the stronger landlord markets in recent memory. What drove this radical shift from fear and hesitation to boundless market optimism? Increased competition among tenants with strong financial backing. Two factors have changed the landscape: private equity-sponsored healthcare companies and capital-rich restaurant groups. Medtail in Miami Healthcare businesses appeared to thrive during the pandemic as most were able to remain operational through state and local “shut down” orders. Many of these businesses used the pandemic as an opportunity to pounce on large spaces vacated by big box retailers and service-oriented businesses, like nail salons, barbershops and dry …

June 6, 2022

Florida Market Reports Multifamily Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Tenant, Investor Demand Propels South Florida’s Multifamily Market to New Peak

by John Nelson May 31, 2022

Miami’s multifamily market slowed down dramatically at the start of COVID-19 and now has quickly rebounded to record levels. Collections and occupancies are excellent, new supply is quickly absorbed, population/household growth is on fire, the job market has largely rebounded, wages are up, home prices are at record levels — meaning more people are renting — and limited land is keeping construction in balance. Going forward, the market is ideally positioned for continued long-term growth thanks to positive market fundamentals and continued strong sales activity. Demand for rentals was strong pre-pandemic and will grow even greater in the post COVID-19 era as South Florida continues to increase its resident count. Between 2020 and 2021, South Florida added 42,842 residents, including 14,318 new residents in Miami-Dade County. With the influx of residents, South Florida is expected to have over 37,000 new households created each year over the next five years. That represents over 14,800 new renters per year, assuming 60 percent of households enter homeownership and 40 percent rent, which is in line with historical ratios. Record year for sales 2021 was a record-setting year for the South Florida multifamily market. The region experienced 603 multifamily sales totaling $11.4 billion, which …

May 31, 2022

Georgia Market Reports Multifamily Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Atlanta Multifamily Sales Market Downshifts from ‘White Hot’ to ‘Hot’

by John Nelson May 23, 2022

Like much of the rest of the country, the Atlanta multifamily market has been white-hot with strong occupancies and rent growth that is contributing to outsized returns for owners, investors and developers. Recent increases in financing costs does not mean the music is stopping, but the tempo is slowing a bit. Atlanta’s multifamily fundamentals are still outstanding. Occupancies are holding strong and rents are continuing to rise. According to Northmarq’s fourth-quarter 2021 research, occupancy improved by 90 basis points while asking rents spiked by 15.9 percent at year-end. The compelling story fueling investor interest — growing demand and limited supply of housing options — remains firmly in place. In addition, there is plenty of investor appetite and capital available for multifamily assets for both debt and equity financing. The big change that has occurred over the past several weeks is the increasing cost of debt that will likely take some of the edge off what has been an ultra-aggressive investment sales market. The 10-year Treasury was 1.73 percent on March 1, 2022. At the end of April, it was 2.91 percent, a 118-basis-point increase in less than two months. Additionally, lender spreads have widened over this same period — 30 …

May 23, 2022

Georgia Market Reports Retail Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Atlanta Retail Market Stays Hot With Unique, Experiential Offerings Around Town

by John Nelson May 16, 2022

Atlanta continues its streak as a high-growth market for retail. Low vacancy rates have turned up the competition for quality spaces among tenants and rents have continued to climb. Competition and a landlord’s market have sparked new trends as developers further refine their approach to finding retailers that drive traffic and retailers search for fertile and readily available locations, including submarkets outside the intown submarkets. Northeastern and West Coast brands have followed the trend of people moving to the Southeast, landing locations in suburban and exurban submarkets often filled with high-income, educated populations. As cities like Newnan, Cumming, Roswell, Woodstock, Peachtree City and Alpharetta see population density continue to grow, retail and restaurants are following. Suburbs and exurbs are also attracting urban dwellers from Atlanta seeking a quieter, yet similarly amenitized lifestyle they may have experienced closer to attractions like the Atlanta BeltLine. During the pandemic, people also got used to staying close to home and are now reluctant to drive far to take care of day-to-day needs and enjoy amenities, giving a boost to Ga. Highway 400 corridor developments like Avalon and Halcyon, as well as Ashley Park in Newnan. Unique offerings Hot trends emerging in Atlanta are “eatertainment,” …

May 16, 2022

Georgia Market Reports Office Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Atlanta Lands Big Office Deals, but Overall Tenant Demand Remains Uncertain

by John Nelson May 9, 2022

In many ways, metro Atlanta is a tale of two office markets. Google, Microsoft, Papa John’s, Visa and FanDuel are just some of the heavy hitters that have signed major deals over the last year and a half, fueling leasing activity that is getting closer to pre-pandemic norms. Much of that action has been centered in the Central Business District (CBD), which registered a 68 percent year-over-year increase in leasing volume compared to first-quarter 2021. According to research from CoStar Group, leasing volume for the entire market totaled 3.2 million square feet in the first quarter, which is on par with the 10-year quarterly average. Midtown, where more than 2 million square feet of new product is under construction and the majority of corporate heavyweights have planted their flag, led all submarkets in leasing activity, with Cushman & Wakefield reporting nearly 314,000 square feet of new leases signed in the first quarter. Midtown’s overall walkability, abundance of high-rise residential units, new office buildings and access to talent from local universities and mass transit have enabled it to become a talent magnet for major employers and one of the nation’s premier submarkets. However, the vast majority of office tenants in metro …

May 9, 2022

Alabama Market Reports Office Southeast Southeast Market Reports

Birmingham Landlords Prepare as Workforce Transitions Back to the Office

by John Nelson May 2, 2022

While the Birmingham market never fluctuates too heavily in either direction, it typically remains relatively stable compared to national trends. Such has been the case with the effects of COVID-19. Birmingham is well-positioned for a return to the office, thanks in large part to our economy’s heavy makeup of local and regional businesses. Most smaller businesses have been in the office for some time, while large national enterprises still wrestle with what normal operations will look like moving forward. General market information Birmingham saw some positive absorption in 2021, with the occupancy rate holding steady at 81 percent, around the historical average. Birmingham comprises approximately 20 million square feet of office space with five main submarkets. Midtown, comprising mostly mid-size, Class A office buildings, remains the strongest submarket with an occupancy rate over 92 percent and rental rates in the mid to high $20s per square foot ($24.12 per square foot average). The Central Business District has seen companies leave for suburban submarkets like Midtown and Highway 280/Interstate 459, however the occupancy rate of 78 percent has remained relatively stable over the past couple of years, with rents in the low to mid $20s per square foot ($21.07 per square …

May 2, 2022

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