Vacancy rates generally are tightening in commercial real estate sectors with modest rent growth but Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said commercial real estate is on a more moderate growth path.
‘Office vacancies haven’t declined much because total jobs today are still below that of the pre-recession level in 2007, but rising international trade is boosting demand for warehouse space,’ he said.
‘Consumer spending has been favourable for the retail market, and rising construction is keeping apartment availability fairly even, though at low vacancy levels. That, in turn, is pushing apartment rents to rise twice as fast as broad consumer prices and average wage growth,’ he added.
National vacancy rates over the coming year are forecast to decline 0.2% in the office market, 0.6% in industrial, and 0.6% for retail However, the average multifamily vacancy rate is unlikely to change, with that sector continuing to experience the tightest availability and biggest rent increases.
Vacancy rates in the office sector are expected to decline from a projected 15.7% in the third quarter of this year to 15.5% in the third quarter of 2014.
The markets with the lowest office vacancy rates presently in the third quarter are Washington D.C. with a vacancy rate of 9.7%, New York City at 9.8%, Little Rock in Arkansas at 12.1% and Birmingham in Alabama at 12.4%.
Office rents should increase 2.5% this year and 2.8% in 2014. Net absorption of office space in the US, which includes the leasing of new space coming on the market as well as space in existing properties, is seen at 30.1 million square feet this year and 41.6 million in 2014.
Industrial vacancy rates are likely to fall from 9.3% in the third quarter of this year to 8.7% in the third quarter of 2014.
The areas with the lowest industrial vacancy rates currently are Orange County in California with a vacancy rate of 3.8%, Los Angeles at 4%, Miami at 5.9% and Seattle at 6.4%.
Annual industrial rents are expected to rise 2.4% this year and 2.6% in 2014. Net absorption of industrial space nationally is anticipated at 102 million square feet in 2013 and 105.8 million next year.
Retail vacancy rates are forecast to decline from 10.6% in the third quarter of this year to 10% in the third quarter of 2014.
Presently, markets with the lowest retail vacancy rates include San Francisco at 3.9%, Fairfield County at 4.1%, Long Island at 5% and Orange County in California at 5.5%.
Average retail rents should increase 1.5% in 2013 and 2.3% next year. Net absorption of retail space is projected at 11.8 million square feet in 2013 and 18.2 million next year.
The apartment rental market is likely to see vacancy rates edge up only 0.1% from 3.9% in the third quarter to 4% in the third quarter of 2014, with construction rising to meet increased demand. Generally, vacancy rates below 5% are considered a landlord’s market where demand justifies higher rent.
Areas with the lowest multifamily vacancy rates currently are New Haven in Connecticut at 1.9%, Syracuse in New York state at 2%, New York City and San Diego both at 2.1% and Minneapolis at 2.2%.
Average apartment rents are forecast to rise 4% this year and another 4% in 2014. Multifamily net absorption is projected to total 266,700 units in 2013 and 259,800 next year.
