A stubborn office market vacancy rate still hovers around 17.0 percent nationally in second quarter 2013, only marginally below its 17.6 percent peak in 2010. (See Reis sidebar, “The Numbers,” for a 2Q13 report.) This reflects the cautious attitude tenants

As the immigration debate raged in Washington, D.C., earlier this year, inbound international investors were quietly establishing themselves as big players in the Federal City’s commercial real estate market. Cross border investment in the District of Columbia jumped 83.3 percent

If you are like many commercial real estate brokers these days, 85 percent of your transactions are lease deals and only 15 percent are sales. Purchase transactions are often a frustrating secondary source of income, as closings are harder to

As one of the world’s most prestigious commercial real estate education and networking organizations, CCIM Institute continues to raise the profile of its members. From stories in local and regional media outlets to a commercial that aired on Fox Business

This sixth article in a series on real estate gifting issues covers retained life estates. The first five articles cover options when donating real estate, outright donations and bequests, bargain sales, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts. Commercial real

Talking TaxesWhen Evan Liddiard dabbled in property management as a teenager, he never imagined that one day he’d monitor federal tax policy for the world’s largest real estate organization. But as the National Association of Realtors’ senior policy representative for

In “Cross Border Migration,” CCIMs describe the changing inbound investment landscape. But how can U.S. based advisers foster business relationships with international investors? CCIMs offer these five tips. 1. Remember They’re not from here. “Be extremely patient,” says Ernest L.

The sharp rise in e tailing and its game changing impact has created a new normal in the retail real estate sector. Major national retailers are evolving their strategies in an effort to “survive and thrive” in this new market

Singapore’s Big Deal The Hong Kong based Park Hotel Group sold the Park Hotel Clarke Quay in Singapore to Ascendas Hospitality Trust for $238 million, or around $700,000 per room, according to Jones Lang LaSalle. The sale tops the list

From shoes to cars to houses, industries are embracing product videos. They give consumers a chance to view before they buy. For businesses, videos provide an opportunity to control the marketing message, are easily shared, and provide details beyond pictures

Since the market crash five years ago, CCIMs and other commercial real estate professionals have been asked far too often, “What is it worth?” With a paucity of sales from which to extract investment benchmarks, many of us were limited

In today’s slowly improving economy, retail success depends upon regularly updating the customer experience and a constant focus on managing occupancy costs. One way to accomplish both of these goals is to combine store remodeling campaigns with commercial lease restructuring

The market for industrial real estate is changing rapidly due in part to consumers’ use of emerging technologies. The cost, speed, and mobility of retrieving information and new infrastructure to quicken the pace of transporting and delivering goods to consumers

South Nashville’s Big Deal In June, Nashville cut the ribbon on Tennessee’s most expensive municipal project the $600 million Music City Center. With the new 1.2 msf convention center, Nashville hopes to corner the market on trade shows and events,

As an experienced marathon runner, David P. Ellermann, CCIM, managing broker owner of Ellermann Commercial Brokerage in Chicago, knows the importance of pacing yourself to reach the finish line. Yet his path to the designation, which he earned in just

Retail Joseph Belinske IV, CCIM, of the Reichle Klein Group in Toledo, Ohio, represented DFG South Haven LLC in the $2.3 million purchase of a 40,040 sf retail strip center in South Haven, Mich., from Equity Alliance of South Haven

The Biggest Deal Paul B. Natalizio, CCIM, of Cornerstone Realty Capital in Stoneham, Mass., arranged the $29 million financing of a 100 unit multifamily property in Boston for the Mount Vernon Co. Multifamily Big Deal Robert G. Lowe, CCIM, of

In the recent case of Joseph Mohamed Sr., et. ux. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2012 52, the U.S. Tax Court determined that a taxpayer and his spouse, after making almost $20 million worth of charitable real estate gifts to qualified

The Great Recession jolted real estate markets, which are still feeling the aftershocks. While the industrial real estate market is seeing strong signs of recovery, to understand today’s investing environment, we must look at the changes since 2008. Post Crash

Invest in Detroit Now Despite the dire bankruptcy headlines, the time to buy in downtown Detroit is now, if Dan Gilbert hasn’t already bought it. Since 2007, the founder of Quicken Loans moved his corporate headquarters and 7,000 employees from