Tag Archives: Boston Commercial Properties

Industrial Sector Is The Leading Commercial Real Estate Asset Category

21 Apr

During this era of social distancing and confinement, anyone who has been purchasing groceries online has experienced the challenges with delivery of these products. These challenges can be attributed to constraints relating to warehousing, logistics, and supply chain issues which have been revealed as the novel COVID-19 ravages the planet.

Previously, the growth of e-commerce has been somewhat restrained, as some consumers object to online shopping and in particular, a reluctance to shop for groceries online. However, the government imposed stay at home measures have created a surge in e-commerce. Consider that on March 13th and 15th the U.S. grocery industry had a 100% increase in daily online sales compared to the baseline period of March 1 – 11.* This is expected to be sticky as consumers more widely adopt these practices, trust, and enjoy shopping online. A “Brick meets Click/Shopper Kit” survey found that 46% of respondents will continue to purchase goods online post pandemic.* This will increase the demand for cold storage space. CBRE Research has found that an additional 75M to 100M of freezer/cooler space will be needed to meet the demand for direct to consumer food delivery. The global pandemic is now accelerating this trend. 

The fact that restaurants have been forced to shut down does not change this trend. Food is shipped in and out of warehouses whether it’s delivered to restaurants, grocery stores, or direct to consumer. While restaurant revenues decrease, grocery sales rise and distributors adjust their supply chains.

The increasing demand is not for only online ordering of groceries but across the flow of the entire spectrum of e-commerce delivery of consumer goods. Industrial properties are now and will continue to be the beneficiary of this phenomenon as e-commerce continues to expand and implementation of last mile logistics continues to grow. The expectation is that along with the growth of e-commerce, inventory held on hand will also continue to expand. This will significantly impact the demand for warehouse space across the country. Consider the following data points:

  • Each incremental $1B of e-commerce sales growth requires approximately 1.25M SF of warehouse space
  • If e-commerce grows at an annual 20% rate over the next 5 years (vs. the projected 14%), then there will be a need for up to an additional 400M sf above the 500M sf what was projected given the actual 15% annual growth rate.
  • A 5% increase in business inventories would require an additional 700M to 1B SF of occupied space.*

Current supply chains have adopted a just in time model and are designed for perfection with the objection of warehousing a minimum amount of inventory. Now, we see weakness in this model when sourcing of products is stressed to capacity (e.g. toilet paper). Moving forward the amount of inventory held will increase and thus increase the demand for warehouse space.

Another area of weakness in supply chain is sourcing of products. We now see an over reliance on products from overseas including medical equipment and instruments, pharmaceuticals, electronic components and auto parts. There will therefore be a trend for on-shoring of manufacturing to mitigate supply chain challenges.

Last, new construction of new industrial product has been muted and 50% of properties due to deliver in 2020 are either build to suit projects or pre-leased. So a sudden delivery of new industrial product is a non-issue. Further, in the Boston area, we have witnessed a drastic reduction of industrial supply as many properties close to downtown have been repositioned to higher and better uses such as multi-family, office or retail development. There is speculation that multi-story last mile logistics facilities which have emerged in New York City and Seattle will continue to be developed in metro areas.

All of these factors will contribute to increasing demand for industrial space which will keep vacancy rates low, support lease rates and property values. Indeed, Costar has reported that even in a worse case scenario, vacancy rates will remain in the single digits. See charts below for a general overview of absorption and vacancy rates.

An experienced commercial real estate broker can assist with navigating this complicated landscape and be a valuable resource and help guide through the market.

Warren Brown, Boston Commercial Properties, Inc.

*Source: CBRE research

 

All information provided is from sources deemed to be reliable, however no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof.

How Commercial Real Estate Professionals Add Value To The Property Search Process

30 Apr

Professional commercial real estate brokers add value to the process of finding solutions to solve commercial real estate requirements. While some consumers believe they can effectively direct their own search due to the rise of online databases such as Loopnet, Reis and Truss, these consumer-facing databases don’t always provide current and comprehensive market data. These online services also cannot provide other significant, personal, and specific services that a real estate professional can provide. A professional commercial real estate broker has access to current market as well as to any off-market availabilities, which is especially crucial in a very tight real estate market such as we are currently experiencing. No online database can fully replicate or replace the market knowledge and experience of a professional broker.

Aside from having access to current available properties, a broker has first hand knowledge of current industry trends, fair market pricing, leasing concessions and other valuable market information which can enable the consumer to obtain the most favorable financial terms. Since professional brokers are involved in the market day to day, they will have a better overall understanding of current market conditions. The commercial broker also can leverage their relationships with other commercial brokers and landlords to achieve the most favorable bargain on behalf of the client. Further, a professional broker understands the complexities and nuances involved in a commercial real estate transaction and that experience is extremely valuable. In addition, brokers work with the client’s attorney in an effort to avoid potential pitfalls in a commercial lease.

It is customary that the brokerage commission is paid by the landlord in the commercial real estate industry.  Landlords include this cost as a line item when they proforma a real estate project, and is a relatively insignificant cost in relation to the overall project. Landlords highly value commercial real estate brokers as they make introductions to prospective tenants which are the linchpin for the success of their investment. So Landlords gladly compensate brokers because of the value they bring to the table, even though Landlords understand that the tenant or buyer broker must advocate on behalf of their client’s best interests.

Finally, a professional full service broker can also provide assistance with other aspects involved with leasing or purchasing commercial property such as referring general contractors or providing guidance pricing on build out costs, relocation coordination and obtaining vendors to help with furniture, fixture and equipment installation, etc. Commercial real estate professionals provide a valuable service to the consumer and should be an integral part of the process when searching for property.

Please contact me to review your specific space requirements and help with finding the best solution to your specific commercial real estate requirements.

Warren Brown, President, Boston Commercial Properties, Inc.




All information provided is from sources deemed to be reliable, however no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof.

2019 Forecast: Dark Clouds Forming

09 Jan

original photo by fiona graeme cook, boston commercial properties, dark clouds1/8/19

The risks to the downside for the commercial real estate market are currently outweighing the upside as negative indicators have increased. The first obvious concern is the return of high volatility with selling pressure in the equity markets. For 2018, the Dow was at -5.97%, S&P -6.24% and NASDAQ -4.38%. The S&P closed the year near bear market territory from recent highs. Now stock market sell offs are not necessarily an indicator of future economic slowdown, but the shock may lead to one in the near future as other economic factors mount. Current volatility may be similar to that of 2016, and we are just not used to the current roller coaster ride as the market in 2017 was so benign. We may be experiencing asset repricing as markets may have gotten ahead of accurate valuations. If assets do reprice to depressed levels, the impact on the psychology of investors will weigh on the overall economy.

Further, as Neil Irwin mentioned in his Boston Globe column on 12/25/18: “The sense of doom & gloom and pessimism has gotten ahead of the facts on the ground….[the economy may be] returning to old new normal of moderate economic growth that was completely normal from 2010 to 2017. ” However, there seems to be a “crisis in confidence.” On that latter note, there is a palpable sense of declining confidence in the political realm. Investment bank RBC Capital markets surveyed big investors in December about what kept them up at night,and Trump topped the list. Interest rates and trade war ranked second & third (Reference: 1/2/19 Boston Globe). Indeed, the irrational tweeting by the President along with misguided statements made by Treasury Secretary Mnuchin rocked equity markets at year end and left investors with a sense of a vacuum of leadership in the Executive branch which is not a good thing for financial markets. Equity markets do not like uncertainty and the uncertain political climate along with economic conditions will continue to weigh investors minds.

Other concerns include an inverted yield curve which has frequently in the past preceded recessions, future rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, Fed unwinding of its bond purchase program which tightens money supply, corporate earnings (e.g. Apple), slowing Chinese economy, trade war concerns, continuing U.S. government shutdown, weak ISM Manufacturing Index report, slowing service sector, unstable Brexit process, slowing European economies and record high corporate debt as companies feasted on historically low interest rates to finance expansion. Corporations may now look to correct their balance sheets, seek to trim expenses and cut back on hiring. On the trade war front, mark your calendar for March 1st which is the deadline for the U.S. and China to resolve trade differences.

In spite of concern of political leadership and the aforementioned indicators, other economic fundamentals appear to be very strong. Mainly employment is very a strong – a major factor of the economy. The December unemployment report indicated 312,000 jobs created which is a very strong number and far exceeded expectations but wages increased a strong 3.2%. While inflation is still under control, with rising wages, expect the Federal reserve to continue tightening short term interest rates which will have a negative effect on the mood on Wall Street and create a drag on the economy.

Let’s take a look at the current state of the residential market which is a main driver of the domestic economy. Locally, the Warren Group just reported pretty strong conditions. November showed both sale prices and sales volume at all time highs for the month of November. The median sale price for a single family home in Massachusetts is $385,000. But sale price increases are rising at a slower rate than earlier in 2018. With continued low levels of inventory, prices are reaching a point where many buyers cannot afford to buy. The condo market is experiencing increase in supply. In Boston, luxury home sales actually fell 4.7% in Q3 to an average of sale price of $3.6m (Source: The Warren Group). Anecdotally, my colleagues in the residential real estate industry report that homes are sitting on the market longer with fewer offers received.

In New York City, a correction has been underway for a while as in some cases, sellers have taken a haircut of 30%. The median price for a Manhattan apartment fell below $1m. This is the first time below this level since 2015 (Source: The Warren Group).

The residential market will likely begin to feel softer as more homes are put on the market. This will lessen the rise in sale prices and stabilize the market. The reality is the residential real estate market has been extremely tight for an extended period of time, is not sustainable and is cyclical. Expect supply to increase and softening in the residential real estate market with gradual decrease in median sale prices. As the residential market softens, expect the economy to slow given the huge impact the residential market has on the overall U.S. economy.

As with the economy and residential real estate market, the commercial real estate sector is cyclical, an eventual downturn is inevitable and expect commercial real estate to begin to soften this year. As interest rates rise, capitalization rates will rise thus lowering overall valuations. As companies seek to clean up their balance sheets, expect belt tightening, restraint on expansions and reduction of head counts. This will curtail demand for new space overall. Vacancy rates will begin to rise and the recent trend of lease rate increases will flatten out. The greater Boston economy has proven to be resilient with diverse industries including defense, biotech, enterprise, cyber security, fintech, education and healthcare. This resiliency will soften the blow of any downturn locally but weakening conditions will develop nevertheless.

Contact me to further discuss any questions and to review your specific space requirements to find the best solution to your needs and to provide a steady hand during turbulent times.

Warren Brown, President, Boston Commercial Properties, Inc.




All information provided is from sources deemed to be reliable, however no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof.