SVN | Research Economic Update 1.28.2022

1. GDP

Real GDP, which measures inflation-adjusted economic growth, increased at an annualized rate of 6.9% in Q4 2021, according to the advanced estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis on January 27th. Q4’s reading is 4.6% above the Q3 2021 estimate.
According to the bureau, the increase in growth during Q4 is largely contributed to increases in private investment, exports, and consumption. Government spending decreased during the quarter, while imports, which have a negative effect on GDP numbers, increased.
Retail and wholesale trade industries led private inventory investment, with motor vehicle retailers leading the pack. Both goods exports and service exports increased over the quarter. Within goods exports, consumer goods, industrial supplies, and materials, as well as food and beverage, led the increase. Service exports were led by increases in foreign travel expenditures.
Healthcare, recreation, and transportation services led an increase in consumption, a notable trend given the relative growth of goods-consumption over service-consumption throughout much of the pandemic.
Non-residential fixed investment also increased in Q4, led by an increase in intellectual property products.

2. FED HOLDS INTEREST RATES

Federal Reserve officials held the Federal Funds rate unchanged during their most recent policy meeting on January 26th. Still, they indicated a willingness to conduct their first rate hike in March, citing a tight labor market and persistent inflationary pressures.
In arguably his most hawkish signals to date since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that officials no longer felt that monetary support was needed to sustain the rapidly recovering economy. Powell noted that “the committee is of a mind to raise the federal funds rate,” assuming that conditions hold during the FOMC’s March meeting.
While Powell stopped short of suggesting how many rate hikes could come in 2022, he noted that the pandemic recovery and expansion have been very different from past recoveries— most notably the high inflation levels and stronger growth rate. He stated that markets should expect upcoming policy decisions to reflect this reality.

3. STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY

The stock market has recently experienced increased volatility as markets pay close attention to the timing and scope of the Federal Reserve’s anticipated rate increase. On January 24th, the S&P500 fell as much as 4% during trading before bouncing back into positive territory. Markets experienced similar swings throughout the week as investors digested statements from Fed policymakers indicating a more hawkish stance on monetary policy.
Tech stocks have suffered some of the steepest losses through the week, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 underperforming all major indices on January 26th.
According to a tally by Bloomberg, more than $5 trillion has been wiped out from stock values this year. While markets have generally anticipated a monetary tightening cycle beginning this year, most projections were in the range of two-to-four rate hikes by year’s end. However, since Chair Powell’s statement earlier in the week signaled his belief that the Central Bank should no longer need to support the economic recovery with accommodative rates, market forecasts have risen to an average of five rate hikes in 2022.

4. MORTGAGE RATES

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that the average rate on a 30-year mortgage jumped for the fourth consecutive week to 3.64% during the week ending January 14th. This is the highest rate on the 30-year mortgage since March 2020.
In recent weeks borrowing costs have climbed as bond markets react to the likelihood of monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve in the coming months.
On the one hand, the rise in costs has come with a refinancing drop-off. However, as prospective homeowners look to lock in lower rates in anticipation of higher rates on the horizon, lenders have noticed an increase in home-purchase loan applications. According to MBA, home-purchase applications rose 7.9% during the week ending January 14th. Refinancing applications dropped by
3.1%— its lowest mark in over two years.

5. EVOLVING DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE APARTMENT MARKET

A recent study by MetLife Investment Management analyzed the evolving demographics that are likely to shape the future of apartment demand in the US. In their report, researchers indicated an anticipated 11 million new households will be formed in the US between now and 2030.
Separate from the cyclical factors observed during the pandemic, the analysis predicts several longerterm structural factors that have and may continue to exert upward pressure on residential prices and rents in the coming years. An immediate standout is the low rate of new construction experienced over the past decade. According to the report, the US housing stock ticked up just 0.3% each year from 2010 to 2020 compared to a 1.4% average annual increase between 1980 and 2010.
Demographically, aging Baby Boomers and family-forming Millennials stand out as the cohorts likely to fuel apartment rents over the coming decade. Baby Boomers are increasingly less likely to live their senior years in retirement communities than previous generations, which is already impacting available housing supply but may also contribute to rent inflation as homeowning responsibilities become burdensome for aging households. Aging Millennials who also face increased financial constraints in
student debt and low savings are also likely to contribute to rent pressures, particularly in single-family rentals.
Further, remote workers will also increase rent costs as they migrate away from the urban centers and sort into communities that more fit their living preferences.

6. OFFICE DEMAND

The VTS national Office Demand Index (VODI) finished the year at 58 in December, representing a decline of 33% since August and the fifth straight month of deterioration. The metric represents current Office demand as a percentage of a 2018-2019 benchmark to help quantify the effects of COVID-19 on the sector.
VTS notes that declines were due to some leveling off after pent-up demand led to a surge in the index in 2021, culminating in a reading of 87 in August 2021. The decline in the year’s closing months could also be related to pandemic-driven economic and health concerns. The December drop in demand was less than expected before the pandemic. Demand fell 2-to-3 times more in December 2018 and 2019 than it did in 2021.
Each metro that VTS produces data for has seen office demand decline from its 2021 peaks. In 2021, peak-to-current declines ranged from 30.8% in Seattle to 50.5% in Washington DC. This translates into the December metro-level VODIs showing demand as low as 33 in Boston and as high as 72 in Seattle.

7. INDEPENDENT LANDLORD RENTAL PERFORMANCE

Research by Chandan Economics suggests that the on-time collection rate for independently operated residential properties was 80.7% in January, up slightly from December’s rate of 80.1%. The improvement puts the on-time collection rate about one percentage point below the 81.7% seen in March 2020 – the last full month before the start of the pandemic. On-time collection rates have improved for three consecutive months.
On-time collection rates in the Sun Belt region have underperformed the rest of the market of late. The first estimate for January 2022 shows on-time collection rates average 79.3% in the Sun Belt compared to 80.6% outside of it. Due to rapid migration and strong economic fundamentals, local property markets are generally strong in the Sun Belt. Still, rising rents could also be pressuring existing tenants to adjust to a new equilibrium.
On-time collection rates in single-family rentals averaged higher than other property types in recent months but dipped by 93 basis points (bps) month-over-month to 79.4% in January’s first estimate. Notably, other property types’ on-time collection rates are trending up. On-time collection rates have improved for five straight months in small multifamily properties and three months in a row for 2-4 unit properties. In January’s first estimate, both property types had on-time collection rates averaging just
under 81%.

8. UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS

For the first time in four weeks, initial jobless claims fell from the week prior, an early signal of the Omicron variant’s fading effect on labor markets.
During the week ending on January 22nd, seasonally adjusted initial claims were 260k, 30k less than the previous week. However, the 4-week moving average for initial claims rose by 15k, settling at 247k.
Continuing unemployment claims, which measures all non-first-time applications, rose by 51k to 1.64 million during the week ending January 15th, the latest week of data availability.
While the federal government and most states have sunset extended unemployment benefits that were available during the pandemic, New Jersey and New Mexico still have supplemental benefits available.
Notably, in December, first-time unemployment claims fell to their lowest level in over 50 years, indicative of a tight labor market where employers who typically make job cuts following the holiday rush are retaining workers amid a persistent labor shortage.

9. NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION

According to the Census Bureau’s latest report, building permits for privately-owned housing units rose by 9.1% month-over-month in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1.87 million. This is 6.5% above the December 2020 rate.
Notably, real estate tax changes enacted in Philadelphia, PA, for residential projects permitted after December 31st had the effect of pushing up averages in the Northeast region. Permits issued in the region rose by 112% from November to December.
From November, housing starts rose 1.4% to a SAAR of 1.7 million in December. This is 2.5% above the December 2020 rate of 1.66 million housing starts.
Completions fell 8.7% from November to December to an estimated SAAR of 1.3 million. This is 3.9% below the December 2020 rate of 1.38 million completions.
Overall, roughly 1.33 million housing units were completed in 2021, 4.0% above the 2020 figure of 1.29 million.

10. INCREASED SOFR ACTIVITY

According to recent reporting by Bloomberg and documented activity at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, futures activity surrounding the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), the industry’s replacement for the historically used LIBOR rate has increased in recent weeks as speculation increases over the Federal Reserve’s policy plans.
According to the CME Group, SOFR open rates have climbed to a record 2.27 million contracts, roughly 20% of total Eurodollar volume. Daily, SOFR versus Eurodollar activity has risen from 10% in October to above 30% at the beginning of January.
SOFR, like LIBOR, is meant to serve as a benchmark interest rate for dollar-denominated loans. The transition to SOFR is expected to increase long-term liquidity but also result in substantial short-term trading volatility in derivatives markets

Have questions about Orange County commercial real estate? Looking for Orange County commercial properties for sale and lease? Contact SVN Vanguard today.

SUMMARY OF SOURCES

• (1) https://www.bea.gov/news/2022/gross-domestic-product-fourth-quarter-and-year-2021-
advance-estimate#:~:text=Gross%20domestic%20product%20(GDP)%2C,services%20used%20
up%20in%20production
• (2) https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/26/business/fed-rate-decision-stocks-inflation
• (4) https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-mortgage-interest-rates-climb-4th-straightweek-2022-01-19/
• (5) https://investments.metlife.com/insights/real-estate/the-future-of-housing-our-outlook-forsingle-and-multi-family-investments/
• (6) https://www.vts.com/vts-office-demand-index-january-2022
• (7) https://www.chandan.com/independentlandlordrentalreport
• (8) https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf
• (9) https://www.census.gov/construction/nrc/pdf/newresconst.pdf
• (10) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-18/sofr-action-is-heating-up-as-tradersfocus-on-fed-s-rate-path
• https://www.investopedia.com/secured-overnight-financing-rate-sofr-4683954

• (10) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-11/world-bank-cuts-2022-global-growthforecast-on-virus-flare-ups?srnd=economics-vp

1. CPI INFLATION

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 7.0% year-over-year in December, its highest increase in almost four decades. CPI climbed by 0.5% month-over-month in December on a seasonally adjusted basis, 30 basis points lower than November’s 0.8% increase.

Shelter and used vehicles contributed the largest 12-month gain to the index in December, rising by 4.1% and 37.3%, respectively. Energy costs have risen by 29.3% since December 2020, while food costs have also continued to climb steeply, registering a 6.3% year-over-year increase.

The “Core-CPI” figure, which excludes food and energy price increases, rose by 5.5% year-over-year and 0.6% from November.

In separate statements given during their respective confirmation hearings in recent days, Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Vice-Chair nominee Lael Brainard signaled a heightened concern about inflation and more pointed guidance toward combating it. Fighting inflation is the Fed’s “most important task,” according to a statement by Brainard during a press conference on January 13th. “We are taking actions that I have confidence will be bringing inflation down while continuing to allow the labor market to return to full strength over time.”

2. HOUSING INVENTORY

Active listings fell nationwide by 26.8% in 2021, while unsold homes, which includes pending listings, fell by 16.1% annually, according to Realtor.com’s monthly Housing Trends Report.

In the final quarter of 2021, the rate of declining inventory was faster than the corresponding period in 2020. There were 177k fewer homes on sale on average in December 2021 compared to December 2020.
On average, homes spent just 54 days on the market in December, down from an average of 65 days on the market in December 2020 and 80 days on the market in December 2019.

Memphis saw the highest year-over-year increase in newly listed homes in December, climbing 22.0%. Pittsburgh listings climbed 10.9% since December 2020, while Philadelphia was close behind at 10.8%.

3. RETAIL SALES

US retail sales slowed by 1.9% in December, according to Commerce Department figures released on January 14th. While a slowdown was projected as the economy entered its winter lull, the decline was much steeper than expected. It was the worst performance by retail sales in 10 months. The Commerce Department revised its November numbers to reflect an additional 20 basis increase point over the original estimate.

While December is typically a strong month for retailers as the holiday shopping season enters its peak, forecasters foresaw a decline in 2021 as pandemic-era spending trends shifted much of the holiday spending to earlier months. Still, retail declines surpassed where many experts had predicted, with 10 of the 13 categories surveyed in the report registering sales declines. Surprising to some, non-store retailers saw the steepest month-over-month decline, falling by 8.7%.

The economic impact of the Omicron variant is largely not factored into the December numbers, causing forecasters to soften their outlook for January. While Omicron’s impact on economic activity is expected to tepid compared to previous COVID waves, there are already signals that it may be dampening growth. The New York Fed’s Weekly Economic Index fell to 6.11% on January 8th, its lowest level since March 20th, 2021, but 7.7% higher than January 9th, 2021.

4. OFFICE ENTRY DATA

An analysis by Kastle Systems utilizing its office-entry systems showed office attendance remains down by an average of 60% from February 2020 through mid-December. San Francisco measured the largest fall, with office attendance down by -72%, while Austin fared the best, at just -42%.

Because the metric measures office attendance and not occupancy, it doesn’t necessarily spell out a similar decline in office demand. However, it may provide an added layer for analyzing how companies are utilizing the spaces that are leasing.

According to the analysis, Houston maintained the office market furthest away from full-health in the third quarter, with 33.4% of their Class-A office space available. San Francisco has 22.9% of its Class-A office space available, up from 7.3% in 2019. Manhattan Class-A available stands at 18.3%.

5. BALTIMORE INDUSTRIAL MARKET

According to CBRE analysis published by The Commercial Observer, the vacancy rate in Baltimore’s industrial cluster — mostly located along the North I-95 corridor — declined to 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021, its lowest rate in history. More than 11 million square feet of leasing activity was reported in the Baltimore, Cecil, and Hartford counties during the fourth quarter, with net absorption of 7 million square feet.

In addition to strong economic fundamentals fueling industrial leasing activity, specifically online retail, the city of Baltimore has historically maintained robust industrial activity due to its abundant workforce and proximity to nearby large metros via I-95.

The city’s port has also recently undergone an expansion, increasing the amount of available space within a strategically beneficial location for companies that rely on last-minute delivery networks.

6. SERVICE SECTOR ACTIVITY

The Institute of Supply Management reports that the service sector activity index, where readings above 50 indicate expansionary conditions, registered 62.0 in December 2021. The December reading was 7.1 percentage points below November’s measure, which had been an all-time high for the index. The index surveys purchasing and supply executives across the country and attempts to balance factors such as overall business activity, new orders, deliveries, and employment growth.

All subcomponents of the index saw growth slow on a month-over-month basis through December but remained strong as the economy shifted into its typical seasonal slowdown period. Business activity decreased by 7 percentage points from November, while new orders and deliveries fell to 61.5 and 63.9 respectively. Employment growth remained the lowest of the index’s inputs, sitting at just 54.9—only marginally in the territory of expansion.

The report also notes that the series’ price index registered in the third-highest reading ever and was 20 basis points higher than November’s reading. Inventories fell while the firm’s sentiment about inventory remained negative.

7. DECEMBER JOBS REPORT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an increase of 199,000 jobs in December, coming in well below Dow Jones’ forecast of 400,000 for the month.

The unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in the month while the labor force participation rate held steady, evidence that the decrease in the jobless rate was a result of job gains and not labor force dropouts. The number of workers on temporary layoff was little changed at 812k but was 2.3% below December 2020’s level. The number of workers permanently laid off stands 408k above pre-pandemic levels, while the temporary layoffs are largely back at their February 2020 levels.

Growth has consistently undershot economists’ forecasts over the past several months, indicative of the labor shortages obscuring firms’ ability to hire. Economists’ projections were an average of 223k jobs higher than their actual totals in September, November, and December. In October, forecasters undershot the estimate by 198,000, likely an effect of overestimating the delta variant’s continued drag on hiring in the fall.

8. CONSTRUCTION SPENDING

Monthly construction spending grew slightly in November 2021 from the month prior, according to the Census Bureau’s January 3rd, 2022 update. Total spending was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of $1.63 trillion, slightly above October’s $1.62 trillion.

November’s annualized estimate stands 9.3% above November 2020’s figure of $1.49T.
Private construction spending rose 60 basis points month-over-month, with residential construction rising by 90 basis points and non-residential construction rising by 10 basis points. Public construction spending was 20 basis points higher than in October. Within public construction, educational construction spending rose by 30 basis points month-over-month, while highway construction was 80 basis points higher than October.

9. POWELL CONFIRMATION HEARING

On January 11th, 2022, current Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who was nominated for a second term by President Biden in the fall, sat for his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate. In a notable tone change from statements made earlier in 2021, Powell indicated a more pointed concern about persistently high inflation and the need to move away from pandemic-era accommodative measures.

More specifically, he addressed concerns that by raising interest rates, the Central Bank would sacrifice one end of its dual mandate, maximum employment, to achieve the other — price stability. Powell stated that persistently high inflation, if not combatted, could be a threat to employment expansion in itself as both employer and consumer uncertainty rises as inflation expectations become unanchored.

Beyond Powell’s statements, there is evidence of a bit of a sea-change at the Central Bank as its rate setting committee rotates its pool of voting members, which will now lean more hawkish. Incoming voting members include Kansas City Bank President Esther George, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard, and the new Boston Fed President once confirmed. The incoming voting members are known to have more hawkish positions than the members who they are replacing, which could result in a faster-tightening cycle than under a more dovish member structure.

10. WORLD BANK CUTS GLOBAL GROWTH FORECAST

In its semi-annual Global Economic Prospects report released on January 11th, 2022, the World Bank cut its forecast for global GDP growth in 2022 to 4.1%, 20 basis points below its June 2021 forecast.

The projected endemic nature of COVID-19, tightening monetary and fiscal policies, and persistent supply chain disruptions were the primary factors that led to the forecast’s decline. Further, downside risks such as de-anchored inflation expectations and increased leverage pose additional uncertainty for the global economy, according to views given by World Bank Group President, David Malpass.

There is also a divergence underway between the performance of advanced economies throughout the recovery and the performance of developing economies. According to the report, by 2023, global GDP is expected to still be below its pre-pandemic growth rate, but the gap is expected to be smaller in advanced economies. Limited resources and infrastructure have resulted in developing nations lagging more wealthy ones in vaccination rates. Poorer countries have also mounted higher debt rates in an effort to accommodate their economies during the pandemic.

Have questions about Orange County commercial real estate? Looking for Orange County commercial properties for sale and lease? Contact SVN Vanguard today.

SUMMARY OF SOURCES

• (1) https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
• (1) https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/brainard-pledges-fed-combat-inflation
• (2) https://www.realtor.com/research/december-2021-data/
• (3) https://www.census.gov/retail/marts/www/marts_current.pdf
• (3) https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/policy/weekly-economic-index#/interactive
• (4) https://wolfstreet.com/2022/01/03/the-office-glut-in-houston-san-franciscomanhattan-los-angeles-chicago-washington-dc-seattle-q4-2021/?utm_campaign=cmbsresearch&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-82Nzo44KzoA73i6_bUx0SbDQzmW5mfSf5nxhe1C2aqhqOxsfy_9pVKf4oymw9MwB8vQob31
• (5) https://commercialobserver.com/2022/01/baltimore-industrial-vacancy-rate-drops-to-historiclow/
• (6) https://www.ismworld.org/supply-management-news-and-reports/reports/ism-report-onbusiness/services/december/
• (7) https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
• (8) https://www.census.gov/construction/c30/pdf/release.pdf
• (9) https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/01/04/2022/nomination-hearing
• (9) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-28/fed-s-incoming-voters-skew-hawkishbiden-picks-may-tilt-balance

• (10) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-11/world-bank-cuts-2022-global-growthforecast-on-virus-flare-ups?srnd=economics-vp

Santa Ana becomes the first city of Orange County to pass Rent Control.

Written By: Jade Jasso | November 5th, 2021

While many cities throughout the state of California have adopted rent control policies, this has not been the case for Orange County. That is until this past October 19th, when the Santa Ana City Council (4-3) successfully passed a rent control motion into law. Santa Ana will now have a 3% cap on annual rent increases for apartment structures and mobile home parks. Moreover, Dennis Lynch from The Real Deal further states that this law gives tenants added protection as there now must be just-cause for eviction. For a better understanding of what now outlines a just-cause eviction, you can visit the City of Santa Ana’s updated explanation. This rent cap and just-cause eviction law only applies to apartments built before 1995 and mobile home parks before 1990 according to the Voice of OC, and will go into effect November 19th 2021.

So what’s included in the rent control mandate?

Rent increases capped at 80% of local inflation rate (CPI) or 3%, whichever is less.

A limited and strict petition process for owners to get a higher rent increase.

Just cause eviction requirements starting on the 31st day of tenancy.

Prohibiting evictions of households with students during the school year.

Requiring the district attorney to prosecute an individual in order to evict for criminal activity.

Mandating higher relocation assistance payments to households beyond what’s in state law.

Undetermined and unlimited fees on landlords to fund the program development, implementation, and enforcement. Most cities with this type of program charge landlords over $100/unit.

In response to what many are calling California’s strictest rent control initiative, the California Apartment Association is working to collect enough signatures to put the rent control question on the ballot.

Victor Cao, Senior Vice President of the CAA says “These laws must be put on hold so the public can fully understand the ordinances adopted by the council, and the people of Santa Ana should decide if this is the housing policy they want for the city.”

The passing of this measure comes as a surprise to some, but not to all. As La Times reports, local organizations in Santa Ana have a decades long history of rallying for rent control. Only recently have proponents of these measures gotten rent control successfully on the ballot.

Now the question is, how will this decade-long push for rent control aid or hinder future renters and landlords in the long term?

Rebecca Diamond, an associate professor of Stanford Graduate School of Business has much to say on the topic of discussion. Her article on Economic Evidence of Rent Control found that rent control helps create affordable housing in a short term span. There are also existing reports From UCLA’s school of Public Affairs that state rent controlled housing creates tenants who are recorded to rent for longer periods of time. It was examined in the city of Los Angeles and Long beach that rent controlled housing had more tenants rent for long term versus tenants in non-rent controlled housing.

Rent Stabilization Ordinances aren’t new.

Though some local governments are just now entering the rent control conversation, many areas already have long standing rent stabilizations in place. The City of San Francisco established their Rental Stabilization Ordinance in 1979. Similarly, other cities down the California coast in LA County established their RSO’s that same year or prior. The cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica were among the first in the Southern California region to approve such ordinances.

Our state and local governments are actively passing rental policies that will considerably change housing. This in turn will impacts how commercial real estate investors seek out real estate. It is becoming increasingly clear that for better or worse, California is moving in a direction that is open to rent control. Surrounding cities in Orange County may now look towards Santa Ana to see where the positive and negative externalities lie for renters, landlords, and investors.

It is important that your voice be heard in these debates. We encourage all investors and community members to join us in the discussions surrounding rent control and how it impacts our communities. Contact the Santa Ana Mayor and City Council here.

We are ready to assist investors with Santa Ana multifamily properties. For questions about how rent control may impact you or your investments, contact your Orange County commercial real estate advisors at SVN Vanguard.

1. GDP

Economic growth slowed in the third quarter, settling at an annualized growth rate of 2.0% after an increase of 6.7% in the second quarter. Thursday’s advanced estimates come in below most economists’ forecasts. The latest Wall Street Journal Economic Forecasting Survey projected an expansion of 3.12% in the third quarter.

The emergence of the delta variant placed downward pressure on consumer spending throughout the summer months, as some reopening efforts slowed, and consumers marginally held back spending.

Supply chain bottlenecks and a persistent labor shortage facing several industries have also contributed to the gap between expected and actual growth, as businesses across the economy signal that they are unable to meet sales demand amid the constraints.

In the third quarter, government spending took a dip as stimulus spending and grants to state and local governments declined.

Private inventory declined but was largely a reflection of increased wholesale and retail trade, led by motor vehicles and parts dealers. Imports increased during the quarter relative to exports, causing a negative impact on GDP growth.

2. WSJ ECONOMIC FORECASTING SURVEY

According to the newest projections out from the Wall Street Journal Economic Forecasting Survey, economists expect Q4 GDP growth to rise to 4.81%, more than double the third quarter advanced estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Thursday, October 28th. Projections were made prior to Thursday’s advanced estimates, so it will be noteworthy where the panel lands during the next slate of projections given the Q3 shortfall.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) projections ticked up to an average forecast of 5.25% for December 2021, up from the July estimate of 4.11%. Inflation projections are far ahead of where economists forecasted earlier in the year, with the average December 2021 projection rising from 2.14% in January. Respondents expect inflation to decline throughout 2022, falling to 3.43% in June 2022 and to 2.64% in December 2022.

With the Federal Reserve signaling in recent meetings their appetite to raise interest rates if economic growth holds up, economists see a maintaining of the current 0.125% policy rate through the end of this year before an increase to 0.146% in June 2022. The Average forecast for December 2022 was raised to 0.34%, up from an average of 0.28% during the July survey.

3. APARTMENT SECTOR UPDATE

According to Real Capital Analytics, Apartment cap rates are averaging 4.7% through Q3 2021 — down 8 bps quarter-over-quarter and down by 39 bps from this time last year.

Of the three subsectors that RCA tracks, Garden Apartments observed the most cap rate compression over the past year, declining by 36 basis points (bps) to settle at an average cap rate of 4.8%. Mid/Highrise Apartments follow next, posting annual cap rate declines of 20 bps. Meanwhile, Student Housing cap rates rose by 23 bps year-over-year through Q3 2021.

Apartment transaction volumes have surged over the past two quarters. Real Capital Analytics tracked $78.7B of Apartment sector sales in Q3 2021 alone— the largest quarterly observation on record. The Q3 total is up by 31% quarter-over-quarter and 192% year-over-year.

Asset price growth is also enjoying a bull-run. According to RCA, apartment unit valuations through Q3 2021 are up 5.1% from the previous quarter and 15.2% from one year ago.

4. OFFICE SECTOR UPDATE

According to Real Capital Analytics, Office sector cap rates are continuing to sink to new all-time lows, reaching 6.3% in Q3 2021—down 8 bps quarter-over-quarter and 22 bps year-over-year.

Suburban Office assets notched the most annual cap rate compression over the year ending Q3 2021, totaling 29 bps. Medical Office properties follow next, with cap rates falling 23 bps year-over-year. Single Tenant assets and Central Business District located properties hold up the rear, posting cap rate declines of 9 bps and 6 bps, respectively.

Office sector transaction volumes are recovering through Q3 2021. Real Capital Analytics tracked $34.8B of Office sector sales in Q3 2021, a 24% improvement from Q2 and 137% from the same time last year.

Asset price growth is proving encouragingly robust through Q3 2021. According to RCA, Office sector valuations measured on a per square foot basis are up 7.1% quarter-over-quarter and 13.2% year-over-year.

5. RETAIL SECTOR UPDATE

According to Real Capital Analytics, Retail sector cap rates have continued to edge down, albeit more slowly than the other major CRE sectors. Through Q3 2021, Retail sector cap rates stand at 6.4%—down a singular basis point from Q2 and down by 11 bps year-over-year.

Drug Store and Single Tenant Retail assets have posted the largest annual cap rate declines through Q3 2021, falling by 33 bps and 36 bps, respectively. On the other side of the spectrum are Urban Store Fronts and Mall assets, which have posted cap rate increases of 17 bps and 28 bps, respectively.

Retail sector transaction volumes reached the highest quarterly total since the end of 2019. Real Capital Analytics tracked $17.4B of Retail sector sales in Q3 2021, a 14% improvement from Q2 and 127% from the same time last year. Moreover, compared to the total set through the first three quarters of 2019, the 2021 total is down by just 7.5%.

Asset prices, on average, are reaching new all-time highs in the Retail sector. According to RCA, Retail sector valuations measured on a per square foot basis are up 6.4% quarter-over-quarter and 13.2% year-over-year.

6. INDUSTRIAL SECTOR UPDATE

According to Real Capital Analytics, Industrial sector cap rates held effectively flat in Q3 2021, declining by just one basis point to remain at 5.6%. Measured year-over-year, Industrial sector cap rates are down by 29 bps through Q3 2021.

Single Tenant and Warehouse Industrial assets have posted the largest annual cap rate declines through Q3 2021, falling by 16 bps and 41 bps, respectively. On the other side of the spectrum is Flex Industrial space, which posted an annual cap rate increase of 9 bps.

Industrial sector transaction volumes rose for the second consecutive quarter, according to Real Capital Analytics, rising to $39.5B in Q3. The quarterly total is up 21% quarter-over-quarter and 130% year-over-year. Compared to the total set through the first three quarters of 2019 and 2020, the 2021 total up by 18% and 48%, respectively.

Unsurprisingly, Industrial sector asset prices are rising with momentum to new all-time highs. According to RCA, Industrial sector valuations measured on a per square foot basis are up 6.5% quarter-over-quarter and 17.1% year-over-year.

7. MORTGAGE RATES

Mortgage rates climbed to their highest mark since April 1st as the 30-year average reached 3.14% during the week ending on October 28th,2021. according to the latest data from Freddie Mac. After climbing in the Spring, rates had fallen to a range of 2.8-3.0% throughout the Summer before climbing above 3.0% and staying there since the beginning of October.

Rates have increased alongside a recent uptick in the 10-year Treasury yield, which reached a seven-month high during the week of Monday, October 18th. Both increases come amid the backdrop of the Federal Reserve signaling that they will scale back bond purchases and potentially raise short-term interest rates in the near term.

Home sales have continued to chug along during the climb, with prices reaching new all-time highs, however, an increase in home listings may help to relieve some of the inflationary pressures.

8. OFFICE TENANTS IN THE DRIVER SEAT

A new report out by Trepp helps detail the newfound leverage of Office market tenants, with roughly $36 billion in loans that are securitized against Office assets expected to mature between now and 2024. According to the report, $5.4 billion of these loans have at least 25% of their tenant leases expiring in the next 12 months, highlighting the urgency for properties managers to fill the imminent vacancies.

An August survey of CRE sentiment by Trepp found that 90% of respondents expect effective rents and occupancy to be below pre-pandemic levels over the next six months. 44% expect occupancy to be “well-below” pre-pandemic levels during this time.

New issuance has been re-concentrated in urban areas, indicative by urban markets’ surpassing their 2019 totals on a year-to-date basis. Suburban areas, on the other hand, have been hampered by the effects of the pandemic, as large companies have increased investment in areas where COVID shutdowns have discounted local real estate, while smaller tenant demand has decreased marginally due to work-from-home flexibility.

Within the next year, roughly $1.9 billion in urban office property loans will see at least 25% of their leases expire, with $874 million in suburban office loans also at exposure, $192 million in medical office loans, and $36 million in flex/R&D loans

9. INFLATION

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded an average price increase of 0.4% in October from the previous month and 5.4% year-over-year, according to the latest release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Food items and shelter contributed more than half of the seasonally adjusted increase in the index during the month, each climbing by 0.9% and 0.4%, respectively. Notably, food consumed at home rose 1.2% over the month compared to just a half a percentage point increase in the price of food consumed at establishments.

Energy costs continue to drive up broader inflation, up 1.3% on the month driven largely by the increase in fuel oil pricing. Energy price increases have fallen from their March peak of 5.0% month-over-month but remain up by 24.8% on the year.

The All Items Less Food and Energy component of the CPI rose by 0.2% in October and 4% year-over-year, led by a rise in new vehicle pricing and shelter costs. Used vehicles and transportation services, which have seen steady price increases throughout much of 2021, have now seen prices fall for a consecutive two and three months, respectively.

10. RETAIL SALES

U.S. food and retail sales rose 0.7% in September to a seasonally adjusted $625.4 billion, an increase of 13.9% from September 2020. Total sales for Q3 2021 are up 14.9% from Q3 2020.

Sales at gasoline stations led the largest year-over-year uptick, with transactions climbing by 38.2% from September 2020. Increased economic activity combined with rising gasoline prices has necessitated more trips to the pump for many consumers.

The uptick signals that consumers are shrugging off the hesitancy brought on by the delta variant surge and have continued to increase their activity. However, the expected indication of a decrease in personal consumption expenditures in the upcoming October 29th update could signal a reduction in retail sales ahead

Have questions about Orange County commercial real estate? Looking for Orange County commercial properties for sale and lease? Contact SVN Vanguard today.

Summary of Sources

• https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product (1)
• https://www.wsj.com/articles/economic-forecasting-survey-archive-11617814998 (2)
• https://app.rcanalytics.com/#/trends/downloads (3)
• https://app.rcanalytics.com/#/trends/downloads (4)
• https://app.rcanalytics.com/#/trends/downloads (5)
• https://app.rcanalytics.com/#/trends/downloads (6)
• http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/ (7)
• https://www.trepp.com/hubfs/Office%20Tenant%20Report%20October%202021.pdf (8)
• https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm (9)
• https://www.census.gov/retail/marts/www/marts_current.pdf (10)

1. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY PRICES
• According to the Real Capital Analytics commercial property price index (CPPI), asset prices accelerated through August, growing an average of 1.5% from a month earlier. Moreover, the national all-property type CPPI is up a robust 13.5% year-over-year, marking the fastest annual growth since January 2006.
• Apartment assets continue to lead the way, notching the highest annual growth rate of the four major commercial property types. The apartment CPPI grew 1.6% month-over-month and 14.7% year-over-year through August.
• Retail assets posted the best month-over-month growth rate of the core-four property types, gaining 1.9% between July and August. Measured year-over-year retail prices are up by 12.1%.
• Industrial assets continue to plot a robust and consistent growth path, growing 1.3% and 13.6% month-overmonth and year-over-year, respectively.
• Overall, office price growth is the laggard of the pack. Month-over-month prices grew by 1.3%, and the yearover-year tally sits at 11.2%. Trends are divergent between different office subtypes. Central business district located office assets have yet to establish any positive momentum, continuing to post both month-overmonth (-0.05%) and year-over-year (-3.7%) declines. Meanwhile, suburban office price growth has remained resurgent, growing 1.6% from a month earlier and 14.8% from last year.

2. INDUSTRIAL FORECAST: NAIOP
• NAIOP’s Q3 2021 Industrial demand forecast maintains an overall positive bill of health for the asset class, pointing to a long-term trend of e-commerce adoption that has “no end in sight.”
• For the second half of 2021, NAIOP forecasts that total net absorption for the sector will total 162.6 million square feet, bringing the tally for the annual forecast to 329.5 million square feet. If the forecast holds up, it will represent a sizable 47.4% growth rate from 2020’s mark.
• NAIOP expects that 2022 will be another banner year for the sector, with its current net absorption forecast sitting at 334.6 million square feet.
• The sector’s outperformance is led by coastal port cities, with NAIOP’s report noting that pricing on a per square foot basis is up, vacancy rates are low, and new leases are being signed at a high rate. Despite new and planned deliveries rising to higher marks than in years past, demand continues to outpace supply, sustaining a positive outlook for net absorption trends.

3. INDUSTRIAL: YARDI MATRIX
• Trepp recently released the results of its inaugural CRE Market Survey, noting that commercial real estate professionals are both hopeful as well as concerned over structural shifts.
• 90% of the survey respondents expect that office vacancy and effective rents will continue to lag pre-pandemic levels over the next six months. Similarly, 80% of respondents believe that retail occupancy will trail pre-pandemic levels for the next six months.
• On the more optimistic side of the spectrum, 62% and 74% of respondents anticipate that multifamily occupancy and rents would be above pre-pandemic levels in six months, respectively.
• Asked about the effects of regulatory policy in the next 3-4 months (57.9%), new tax policy by April 2022 (63.9%), and interest rate policy (51.7%), a majority of respondents believe the impacts will be broadly negative to CRE.

4. SCOTUS EVICTION MORATORIUM DECISION
• On August 26th the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the CDC’s national eviction moratorium, ending protections that had been in place for most renters for much of the pandemic.
• The moratorium was authorized by Congress in the CARES Act of March 2020 but has since expired and resumed by the CDC to prevent a spike in homelessness during the public health crisis. It was then extended by Congress in late-2020, expired again, and temporarily renewed again by the CDC, culminating in legal challenges to the order. The SCOTUS decision comes roughly three weeks after the most recent extension, which paused evictions in regions of the United States with “high” and “substantial” coronavirus spread through October 3rd.
• While the protections have been credited with preventing a wave of evictions during the pandemic, with many renters strained by COVID’s economic impact, the moratorium has also been criticized for leaving landlords left saddled with the financial consequences of unpaid rents. Despite nearly $47 billion in rental assistance approved by Congress over the past year, less than 10% of the funds have reached landlords.

5. WHITE HOUSE ECONOMIC FORECAST
• In recent days the White House has updated its projections for both inflation and economic growth over the next couple of years, forecasting that during 2021, both will reach their highest levels since the early 1980’s.
• According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) real-GDP is expected to reach 7.1% in 2021, an increase from the 5.2% growth-rate that Administration officials projected earlier this year. To some degree, the upward revision follows the implementation of the $1.9 American Rescue Plan, which sent consumer spending higher, while firms ramp up hiring and investment to meet demand.

Have questions about Orange County commercial real estate? Looking for Orange County commercial properties for sale and lease? Contact SVN Vanguard today.

Summary of Sources:
• https://app.rcanalytics.com/#/trends/cppi (1)
• https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/08/26/more-americans-now-say-they-prefer-a-community-with-big-houses-even-if-local-amenities-are-farther-away/ (2)
• https://www.trepp.com/trepptalk/cre-sentiment-survey-executive-summary-hopeful-signs-structural-concerns (3)
• https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/21a23_ap6c.pdf (4)
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/msr_fy22.pdf (5)
• https://www.federalreserve.gov/data/sloos/sloos-202107-chart-data.htm (6)
• https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomccalendars.htm (7)
• https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/powell20210827a.htm (7)
• https://www.epi.org/blog/cutting-unemployment-insurance-benefits-did-not-boost-job-growth-july-state-jobs-data-show-a-widespread-recovery/ (8)
• https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf (9)
• https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/passenger-throughput (10)

February 2nd, 2021 | Orange County, CA

With 2020’s uncertainty behind us, industry leading economists predict major economic and commercial real estate growth in 2021 and the years to come.

According to data from SVN Research & Chandan Economics, Real personal consumption expenditures grew at a seasonally adjusted 2.5% in 2020 Q4 and residential investments continue to grow at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 63.0% in Q3 and remained high at 33.5% at the close of in Q4.

1. NEW COVID-19 RELIEF BILL

The White House has announced its $1.9T “American Rescue Plan”. The bill is aimed at addressing COVID-19 fallout by providing additional economic relief to households, small businesses, and State & Local Governments. This package is up for debate but it’s very likely that Americans will still receive stimulus, albeit slightly more conservative.

2. COVID-19 VACCINE

In addition to $1.9T Relief Bill, Biden signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act. The order is aimed at producing components for vaccine and speed up distribution. As of now, the bill is calling for investment in treating the virus, establishing occupational safety standards, and extending relief to nursing homes and higher education.

3. PENT-UP DEMAND

During 2020’s Q2, we saw countless deals fell out of escrow. This indicates that there is high demand for commercial property. According to Real Capital Analytics’ All-Property Commercial Property Price Index (CPPI), prices grew by 1.6% in December. This is up from the previous month and continues to grow at 7.3% year-over-year.

The combination of these 3 factors is set to bring consumers back to shopping centers and fuel tourism. Once people feel safe, they will start spending again. As the economy strengthens, companies will adapt to the changing landscape and create new strategies to navigate it.

If this growth continues, many economists are projecting a major real estate revival for all asset classes.

What this means for each product type:

MULTIFAMILY
Transaction activity is steadily returning to a normal pace in the Apartment sector. In Q4 2020, RCA tracked $56.7B worth of Apartment transaction volume, rising by 0.1% from the quarterly volume set in Q4 2019. Despite varying rent collections and uncertain demand dependability, prices rose 8.3% when compared to December 2019. With talks of extended landlord and rent relief programs, confidence in Multifamily should continue to steadily rise.

OFFICE
Prices rose in December by 0.8% from November. Compared to December 2019, Office sector prices rose 1.5%— the lowest annual increase since 2010. As the appeal of remote work dwindles, companies are reopening. We are likely to see a return to office, albeit downsized in some cases. Also included in the Biden administration’s proposal is a provision aimed at funding “1000,000 public health workers” through a national public health jobs program. This program could stimulate a need for office properties.

INDUSTRIAL
The industrial market remains strong through December, with prices rising by 0.6% month-over-month and up 8.8% from 2019 to 2020. This product type is seeing the highest annual growth rate.

RETAIL
Not surprisingly, retail is underperforming. From December to November, prices dropped by 0.1%. Since December 2019, prices in the Retail sector are down by 4.3%. As more of the population is vaccinated, loosening restrictions will help prices return to normal.

As with any important financial decision, it is crucial to have expert advisors on your side. Whether you are looking for Orange County commercial real estate for lease or you’d like to list an Orange County commercial property for sale, our team is experienced, knowledgeable, and ready to help you. Contact us today.

Are you interested in purchasing commercial real estate but need guidance on where to start? The first step should always be setting a clear investment goal. Whether your goal be buying the property solely as an investment, an investment as an owner-user, or an investment as part of a 1031 exchange, the team at SVN Vanguard can help you help find the ideal property.

Once you’ve narrowed down your goal and before jumping into your investment, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of doing your due diligence. We are here to help, which is why we’ve narrowed down our TOP 5 tips for purchasing the right investment property.

1. Location

The old saying, “Location, location, location.” plays a huge factor in this scenario. Location is of utmost importance when buying an investment property. Before signing a contract, always make sure to consider the neighborhood, visibility, traffic drivers and overall ease of access. Will forecasted demographic trends be attractive to tenants?

2. Growth Projections

Are you familiar with the projected growth trends in the area you’re considering buying in? This is just another reason to to get counsel from an SVN Vanguard commercial real estate advisor who is experienced and knowledgeable about the trade area. A buyer should choose an area where demographics are stable or growing. Give thought to which new businesses are moving into the area. Are there any changes coming in terms of transportation or road systems? Since these items affect property values for better or worse, it’s crucial for a buyer to become familiar with them.

3. Property Inspection

Physical inspections are a must when purchasing commercial property, or any property for that matter. Inspections of the roof, mechanical systems, plumbing and structural integrity of the building play a big role when buying property. Performing a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is crucial. The assessment will tell you if previous uses of the property are threats to the environment, help find the true property value and signal potential liabilities to come.

4. Tenants

In many cases, investors look for properties that are fully leased. If you are looking to purchase a fully leased property, consider the reputation of tenants already leasing at the site. The general public’s perception of a business can sometimes say a lot about the business owner. Also, it’s never a bad idea to look into a tenants’ cash flows and the growth projections for their specific industries. One thing to also consider is whether the property and surrounding community would benefit from new tenants that could help the area thrive and bring more traffic.

5. Flexibility

When purchasing an investment property, a buyer needs flexibility. In the event that a tenant can’t make rent, the surrounding area changes, or something else doesn’t go to plan (i.e. financial shutdown, pandemic, general disaster), you need options. In these situations, it’s crucial to have an SVN Vanguard commercial real estate advisor help you navigate your path ahead.

Commercial real estate is a great investment that can diversify your investment portfolio and bring you additional cash flow. Follow these tips to make sure you get the most out of your investment and contact us for any commercial real estate needs. We provide industry-specific service across a variety of asset classes.

Considering buying investment property in Southern California? We are experts in San Diego and Orange County commercial real estate. We can help.

Are you a lessee? SVN Vanguard can also help you find San Diego and Orange County commercial real estate for lease. Contact us for more information.

By Michelle Musoke | September 29, 2020

SVN International Corporation (SVNIC), a full-service commercial real estate franchisor of the SVN® brand, is pleased to announce and welcome a new Executive Vice President of Growth, Leslie Bateman.

SVN’s current Chief Growth Officer, George Slusser, plans to retire by the end of 2020; Slusser will pass the baton to Bateman, who will oversee SVN’s growth and expansion plans.

Bateman will be responsible for the execution of all external growth strategies at SVN and will be responsible for designing and driving the company’s second wave growth initiative.

“We are thrilled to have Leslie on board,” said SVNIC President and CEO, Kevin Maggiacomo. “Her background in tech platforms and services as product businesses lends exceptionally well to SVN’s mission to disrupt and optimize the CRE brokerage industry.”

“I am incredibly excited to join the team at SVNIC, especially at such a pivotal time for the industry. The potential to amplify growth is extraordinary,” said Bateman.

Bateman joins SVN from Uber, where she was a founding member of the Uber for Business team, Uber’s first global B2B Sales team and Enterprise offering, as well as the pioneer behind the Uber for Business Real Estate offering, which focused on the application of Uber technology with the real estate industry to enable property owners and managers to attract and retain tenants through transportation innovations. Prior to her time at Uber, Bateman spent 12 years in New York in strategy and sales across Technology, Pharma, and Financial Services industries.

A proponent of advancement through disruption, Bateman is particularly passionate about bringing forward progression to the rapidly evolving commercial real estate industry through technology and innovation. She is a strong supporter of fostering women’s involvement in leadership and within the real estate industry. Bateman lives outside of Boston, MA with her husband and two daughters.

About SVN International Corp. The SVN organization is a globally recognized commercial real estate entity united by a shared vision of creating value with clients, colleagues, and our communities. The SVN brand is comprised of over 1,600 advisors and staff in more than 200 offices across the globe in six countries. Our brand pillars represent the transparency, innovation, and inclusivity that enables all our advisors to collaborate with the entire real estate industry on behalf of our clients. SVN’s unique Shared Value Network® is just one of the many ways that SVN advisors create amazing value with our clients, colleagues, and communities. For more information, visit www.svn.com.

All SVN offices are independently owned and operated. To learn more about becoming an SVN commercial real estate business owner, visit http://www.svn.com/franchising-opportunities/

Originally posted on SVN.com

SVN is a National Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firm founded in Irvine, California in 1987. A globally recognized commercial real estate brand, SVN is united by a shared vision of creating value with clients, colleagues and our communities. Currently, the SVN organization if comprised of more than 1,500 commercial real estate Advisors and staff serving 500+ markets. In addition to traditional investment sales brokerage, SVN | Vanguard is active in the sales and leasing of Retail, Office, Industrial and Multifamily products.

SVN | Vanguard currently has two offices in Santa Ana and San Diego and serves both Orange and San Diego Counties. Our expertise in the Southern California market, as well as our access to national resources, sets us apart from competitors and offers value to our clients.

However, the pandemic has changed investment trends in Los Angeles, with more capital exiting the state.
By Kelsi Maree Borland | September 25, 2020 at 04:00 AM

Orange County apartments have actually held up through the pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, CBRE brokers have been tracking apartment rent collections, and they have found that rent collections have consistently trended above 90%.

“When COVID-19 hit we did experience market anxiety that sidelined a lot of people. At that point, we started tracking rent collections– we’re now in the fifth month of doing so—and realized rent payments remained at 90-plus percent month over month over month,” Dan Blackwell, EVP in CBRE’s Newport Beach office, tells GlobeSt.com. “At these high levels, we have seen bank lending confidence come back, followed by investor interest.”

While rent collections have outperformed initial expectations, apartment investment activity has been disrupted. Capital is moving out of the state at a faster rate than before the pandemic. “We have always had a good portion of capital flowing out of state, but COVID-19 has accelerated that trend somewhat,” says Blackwell. “Something to note is that many more of our clients want to stay in multifamily whereas in the past, quite a few investors have opted to trade out of multifamily and get into out-of-state retail.”

In addition, owners are trading out of existing California assets into properties outside of the state. “COVID has fast-forwarded some investors’ exit strategy. We’ve seen an uptick in quality assets under long-term ownership come to market,” says Blackwell. “Certain investors are staying put in California. They understand future headwinds and are looking for assets they could improve on in submarkets that have good fundamentals. It might be an owner of a property in Los Angeles looking for something to exchange into in a less restrictive market in Orange County, for example.”

However, there are fewer buyers for these opportunities. “While the buyer pool has probably dropped in half, the pricing isn’t that far off because of good rent collection and favorable interest rates. We have closed 17 transactions this year so far, which illustrates the continuing activity in the multifamily space,” says Blackwell.

That doesn’t mean that there is no demand for multifamily in Orange County. In fact, some recent legislation has helped to fuel investment. “Many of those looking to invest in multifamily properties are seeking new ways to value add. That’s why accessory dwelling unit properties have become increasingly attractive to many of our clients,” says Blackwell. “This designation, which was introduced in California earlier this year, provides more flexibility in how you can alter a property. For example, convert garages, common areas and rec-rooms into dwellings.”

Looking ahead, investors are focused on real estate-related ballot measures that could continue to impact investment viability in the market. “What is on people’s minds now are less the presidential elections but the local propositions and ballots,” says Blackwell. “As we get closer to November, these topics are moving to the forefront of investors’ minds. A good portion of them are taking a wait-and-see approach while others are fine to act now, taking a longer-term view.”

Originally posted on GlobeSt.com

By Michelle Musoke | September 10, 2020

SVN International Corporation (SVNIC), a full-service commercial real estate franchisor of the SVN® brand, was ranked number one on the list of the Fastest-Growing Multifamily Property Management Companies in 2020 by Multi-Housing News (MHN).

The MHN rankings reflect SVNIC’s strategic growth from 2017 through 2019. During this time, SVNIC increased its management portfolio from just under 6,000 units in 2017 to over 18,600 units, marking a remarkable annual portfolio growth rate of 81.6%.

“We are deeply committed to the exponential growth of our customized asset and property management businesses and to delivering a total support system to both our private and institutional clients.” said Kevin Maggiacomo, President & CEO of SVN.

Read the full article HERE.

About SVN:

The SVN organization is a globally recognized commercial real estate entity united by a shared vision of creating value with clients, colleagues, and our communities. The SVN brand is comprised of over 1,600 advisors and staff in more than 200 offices across the globe in six countries. Our brand pillars represent the transparency, innovation, and inclusivity that enables all our advisors to collaborate with the entire real estate industry on behalf of our clients. SVN’s unique Shared Value Network® is just one of the many ways that SVN advisors create amazing value with our clients, colleagues, and communities. For more information, visit www.svn.com.

All SVN offices are independently owned and operated. To learn more about becoming an SVN commercial real estate business owner, visit http://www.svn.com/franchising-opportunities/.

via SVN International Corp.