Commercial Property Sales Outlook

Commercial Property Sales Outlook for U.S. Cut by ULI The Urban Land Institute cut its forecast for U.S. commercial real estate sales by 12 percent to $748 billion through 2014 because projections for economic growth are “down considerably” from six months ago. Deals for properties such as office buildings, shopping centers and warehouses probably will be $223 billion this year, $250 billion next year and $275 billion in 2014, according to a ULI survey released today of 39 economists and analysts from real estate investment, advisory and research firms. In a March report, sales were forecast at $250 billion this year, $290 billion next and $312 billion in 2014. REIT Returns One projection boosted from the last survey was for the performance of real estate investment trusts. Annual returns for equity REITs are forecast to be 15 percent this year and 10 percent both next year and in 2014. That’s up from the previous forecast of 10 percent this year, 9 percent next and 8.5 percent in 2014, the institute said. http://www.businessweek.com