WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial real estate market
activity is expected to decline moderately with fewer business
opportunities for commercial practitioners in the months ahead, according
to a forward-looking index for the commercial real estate sectors published
by the National Association of Realtors.
The Commercial Leading Indicator for Brokerage Activity(1) slipped 0.4
percent to an index of 120.1 in the fourth quarter from a reading of 120.6
in the third quarter, but remains 0.1 above the fourth quarter of 2006 when
it stood at 119.9.
This is the second straight quarterly dip after reaching a record of
120.7 in the second quarter of 2007. The index showed nine consecutive
quarterly gains prior to these declines; NAR's track of the index dates
back to 1990.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the latest index suggests
reduced business opportunities for commercial real estate practitioners in
the months ahead. "The decline in the index implies that commercial
activity, as measured by net absorption and the completion of new
commercial buildings, is likely to contract moderately over the next six to
nine months, which is consistent with an expectation for slower overall
economic expansion in upcoming quarters," Yun said.
Rising unemployment insurance claims and falling durable goods
shipments were the key factors in lowering the CLI, but a weaker rate of
return on investment as measured by the NAREIT Price Index was also a
factor. The only positive contributors to the index were growth in
wholesale and retail trade, and rising personal income.
"The latest data imply that investment in private nonresidential
structures, which rose a solid 13.2 percent in 2007 according to a
preliminary GDP estimate, could show only minimal growth or even decline in
2008," Yun said. "Realtor members who specialize in office and industrial
properties indicate in a separate survey(2) that they anticipate a
measurably lower level of business activity in the upcoming quarters."
The Commercial Leading Indicator implies weakening activity for
commercial leasing and building sales activity. "Commercial practitioners
can anticipate a weaker, though positive, net absorption in the office and
industrial sectors later in the year with fewer new commercial buildings
reaching the market," Yun added.
The commercial leading indicator is a tool to assess market behavior in
the major commercial real estate sectors. The index incorporates 13
variables that reflect future commercial real estate activity, weighted
appropriately to produce a single indicator of future market performance,
and is designed to provide early signals of turning points between
expansions and slowdowns in commercial real estate.
The 13 series in the index are industrial production, the NAREIT
(National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust) price index, NCREIF
(National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries) total return,
personal income minus transfer payments, jobs in financial activities, jobs
in professional business service, jobs in temporary help, jobs in retail
trade, jobs in wholesale trade, initial claims for unemployment insurance,
manufacturers' durable goods shipment, wholesale merchant sales, and retail
sales and food service.
Nearly 140,000 NAR members offer commercial services, and 73,000 of
those are currently members of the Realtors(R) Commercial Alliance, NAR's
commercial division.
The National Association of Realtors(R), "The Voice for Real Estate,"
is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million
members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real
estate industries.
(1) NAR reviewed a wide variety of indicators, examined the
relationships of indicators that demonstrated a historical impact on
commercial real estate, and modeled a forward-looking index based on
historic trends. Although individual indicators sometimes move in opposite
directions, together they offer a better indication of future market
activity.
Quarterly data for 13 selected series were reviewed back through the
first quarter of 1990. The modeling demonstrated a change in commercial
brokerage activity that could be seen two quarters later as measured by net
absorption in the industrial and office sectors, and the completion of new
commercial buildings as measured by the value of building construction
put-in-place of office, warehouse, retail and lodging structures. An index
of 100 is defined as the level of commercial real estate market activity
during the first quarter of 1990, the first period to be analyzed.
(2) The SIOR Commercial Real Estate Index is a diffusion index based on
a survey of approximately 600 members of the Society of Industrial and
Office Realtors(R) conducted by NAR Research. For more information, contact
Richard Hollander, SIOR, at 202/449-8200.
The next commercial real estate market report and forecast is scheduled
for release on March 12, and the next commercial leading indicator index
will be released May 21.
Information about NAR is available at http://www.realtor.org. This and other
news releases are posted in the News Media section. Statistical data,
tables and surveys also may be found by clicking on Research.
SOURCE National Association of Realtors
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Related links:
http://www.realtor.org
CONTACT:
Walter Molony of the National Association of
Realtors, +1-202-383-1177, wmolony@realtors.org
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