Investor Sentiment Improves but Challenges Persist in 2010, According to PricewaterhouseCoopers' Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey(TM)

NEW YORK, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial real estate investors reveal a sense of hopefulness and improved sentiment with regard to the industry as the U.S. economy shows some encouraging signs of improvement, according to the first quarter 2010 findings of PricewaterhouseCoopers' Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey™, released today.  The report notes that investors find it easier to envision a commercial real estate market recovery today than at any point during the past 24 months.  At the same time, however, investors acknowledge that challenges and concerns still exist.  

Overall Cap Rates Stabilizing

According to the survey, overall capitalization (cap) rates, a key measure of expectations of property income and value, have started to stabilize and even slightly decline in certain markets and for quality assets.  This trend may help to stabilize values since weak fundamentals are still a drag on value appreciation.  Over the next six months, survey participants forecast overall cap rates to hold steady in 19 of the survey's 30 markets.  Last quarter, just two markets had such a forecast from survey participants.

"Following the onset of the recession and the credit crisis, underlying fundamentals were deteriorating and overall cap rates were expanding simultaneously and quickly, causing values to plummet," said Susan Smith, director, real estate advisory practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and editor-in-chief of the survey.  "The worst seems to be over, according to survey participants, as investors suggest that the bottom is near, if not here, particularly for better-positioned markets and assets."

In the survey's national and regional apartment markets, the low end of the range for overall cap rates decreased 75 basis points this quarter to 5 percent, pushing the averages down 18 and 50 basis points, respectively, due mainly to the numerous bidders showing up to buy quality assets in good markets. At the same time, average marketing times are down in these two survey markets, further signaling restored confidence among many investors.

Better Comfort Level to Spur Sales Activity

Surveyed investors comment that owners and lenders are finally coming to grips with what assets are truly worth.  As a result, the report finds that while 2010 is expected to be a slow year for sales activity by historical comparison, there could be marked improvement from 2009, as banks appear more willing to lend although underwriting remains very conservative and more equity is needed to secure debt.

"There is a tremendous amount of capital seeking real estate opportunities, and now is still a great time to buy.  Many investors in our survey still anticipate incurable deleveraging issues on the part of both lenders and owners to provide opportunities to acquire quality assets at below-peak pricing, and there's strong competition among buyers for such deals, as investors indicate increasing activity with both the number of bids and good offers," added Smith.

According to the report, looming debt maturities remain a top-of-mind issue among surveyed investors, who believe the out-of-balance loans coming due over the near term will present major hurdles for owners and lenders. "The industry keeps looking to lending institutions and special servicers of commercial mortgage-backed securities to provide forced sales, but some investors surveyed cite that more distressed selling will likely come from borrowers, who are more comfortable with where the market is now and will accept a loss in order to move on," Smith commented.

Key Findings and Survey Highlights

While occupancy and rental rates have deteriorated significantly during the past 24 months, surveyed investors anticipate vacancy rates to continue to increase in the coming year but not as steeply as the prior year.  In addition, they foresee rental rates continuing to decline in most markets, but to lesser degrees, as property visits and tenant interest show slight improvements across the country.  

Consequently, many survey investors continue to use low, and in certain markets negative, market rent change rate assumptions in the initial years of cash flow analyses.  While the majority of the 30 surveyed markets report negative average initial-year market rent change rates this quarter, the expected declines are milder in comparison to the prior quarter.    

As weak tenant demand lingers, investors surveyed indicate an increasing need to offer prospective tenants free rent during lease negotiations. Overall, just over 91 percent of surveyed investors reported the use of free rent.  Last year, this survey figure was 84 percent. Office markets where survey investors report the highest levels of free rent over an average seven-year term include Phoenix (up to 24 months), Atlanta and Chicago (up to 18 months), and Dallas (up to 15 months).  Lower levels are noted for San Diego (up to 6 months) and Los Angeles and Denver (up to 7 months).

Surveyed investors project that the apartment sector will continue to lead the recovery as value losses have been almost fully recognized, and some multifamily assets are actually showing slight value increases.  The warehouse sector remains weak, according to survey participants, due to an overall lack of demand for goods, while the office and retail sectors continue to struggle as both economy and employment challenges persist.

Information about subscribing to PricewaterhouseCoopers' Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey™ can be found at http://www.pwc.com/us/korpaczsurvey.  Members of the media can obtain an electronic copy of the full report by contacting Scott Cianciulli (212) 986-6667 or [email protected].

About the PricewaterhouseCoopers' Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey™

PricewaterhouseCoopers' Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey™, now in its 23rd year of publication, is one of the industry's longest continuously produced quarterly surveys. The current report provides overviews of 30 separate markets, including ten national markets -- regional mall, power center, strip shopping center, CBD office, suburban office, flex/R&D, warehouse, apartment, net lease, and medical office buildings. Newly added to the report is a review of both Mid-Atlantic region and Pacific region apartment markets.

The report also includes a review of 18 major U.S. office markets including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Northern Virginia, Pacific Northwest, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Southeast Florida, Suburban Maryland, and Washington, DC.  

The first quarter 2010 report also features up-to-date commentaries concerning Technology News and Trends, Economic News, the Senior Housing Industry, and the National Lodging Market, as well as information relating to valuation issues in the industry, such as concessions, leasing commissions, management fees, and replacement reserves.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers' Asset Management Practice

PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PwC) asset management practice is a leading global provider of audit and assurance, business advisory and tax services to all areas of the industry, including real estate funds/advisors, REITs, homebuilders as well as hospitality and leisure. PwC is one of the leading providers of integrated professional services, with an integrated approach to problem-solving.  Its international network of real estate professionals offer in-depth experience in a wide range of financial accounting and reporting issues; global tax solutions; investment fund structuring; capital market transactions; securitization issues; technological applications; systems and operations; due diligence and transaction support; and valuation management.  

About PricewaterhouseCoopers

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