Commercial Real Estate Investors "Cautiously Optimistic" As the Future Unfolds, According to New Outlook Report

CHICAGO, Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial real estate investments are expected to produce generally solid returns in 2014, according to the authors of Expectations & Market Realities in Real Estate 2014—The Future Unfolds, an annual forecast report released by Real Estate Research Corporation (RERC), Deloitte, and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

The three organizations have drawn on their respective capabilities to examine the economy, capital markets, and commercial real estate property markets; thoroughly assess and analyze existing research; and offer an objective outlook for commercial real estate for 2014 and beyond. Findings indicate that although uncertainties remain, the economy is expected to continue to grow slowly and improve modestly in 2014. Capital is flush, and commercial real estate investment has expanded to the secondary and tertiary markets. In addition, the report carefully analyzes and offers a research-based assessment of the office, industrial, apartment, retail, and hotel property sectors. The report also provides an outlook for the three mostly likely economic and investment scenarios for 2014 and beyond.

"We have seen steady if slow progress since the commercial real estate market collapsed in second quarter 2008, and as the future unfolds, we expect that the positive returns for commercial real estate will continue," stated Kenneth Riggs, Jr., president and CEO of RERC. "The value increase from the trough is now about 30 percent, just slightly less than the value lost during the past 6 years. Although returns are likely to be positive in 2014, we forecast them to be a little lower than in 2013, but still a very reasonable approximate average of 8.75 percent."

"The stabilization that we have seen in the commercial real estate markets during the past year has added greatly to the 'cautiously optimistic' outlook we have for the year ahead," said Matthew Kimmel, principal and U.S. real estate sector leader for Deloitte Transactions and Business Analytics LLP.  "Overall, we see the potential for moderate and continued growth in the volume of commercial property transactions and in property prices."

The commercial real estate recovery is expected to continue throughout 2014, based on slightly stronger economic growth, noted Lawrence Yun, Ph.D., NAR chief economist. "We anticipate the economy to grow at an annual rate of approximately 2.6 percent, with about 2.2 million jobs to be added in 2014. More jobs mean increased demand for office, retail, apartment, and other commercial real estate sectors," noted Dr. Yun.

Expectations & Market Realities in Real Estate 2014—The Future Unfolds can be obtained electronically at www.rerc.com, www.realtor.org/prodser.nsf/Research and www.deloitte.com.

Real Estate Research Corporation (RERC): RERC, a Situs company, provides real estate research, risk analysis, and publications; valuation management and fiduciary services; and appraisal and litigation services for the commercial real estate industry. Expectations & Market Realities in Real Estate is now in its 11th year of publication. Visit www.rerc.com for more information.

Deloitte:  Deloitte's Real Estate group draws on the insights and experience of Deloitte's four primary businesses — consulting, audit, tax and financial advisory.  The group provides local, national and global real estate services to clients that include: REITs and property companies, real estate funds and investors, homebuilders, developers and land owners, engineering and construction companies and service providers.  For more information about Deloitte's Real Estate group, please visit http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_US/us/Industries/Real-Estate/index.htm.   

National Association of REALTORS® (NAR):  The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

This publication contains general information only and is based on the experiences and research of the authors. The authors are not, by means of this publication, rendering business, financial, investment, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. The authors, their employers, employers' affiliates and related entities shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this publication.

MEDIA Contacts:

Complimentary copies of the report are available to the media upon request.

RERC: Barb Bush, [email protected] or 319-352-1500

Deloitte: Melissa Curtis, [email protected] or 617-437-2156

NAR: Walter Molony, [email protected] or 202-383-1177

SOURCE Deloitte