NWA Commercial Market ‘Remarkably Healthy’ Despite Vacancy Increases

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Downtown Bentonville, Arkansas (Shutterstock)

Vacancy rates rose across the board in the commercial real estate market in the first half of 2025, according to the latest Arvest Bank Skyline Report. 

The report, which analyzes Benton and Washington counties, showed that the region had a net negative absorption of 648,360 SF in the first half of the year, resulting in an overall vacancy rate of 7.2% compared to 5.8% in the second half of 2024.

The Skyline Report, which was released Tuesday, is sponsored by Arvest Bank with research conducted by the Center of Business and Economic Research at the University of Arkansas’ Walton College of Business.

The drawback in vacancy wasn’t unexpected. Before the drop in the second half of 2024, the market had vacancy rates over 6% since the second half of 2022.

The vacancy rates for each of the three major segments of the commercial market — office, retail and warehouse — also rose compared to the first half of 2024. Office had a vacancy rate of 6.8%, up from 6.3% in the second half of 2024 but down from 7.5% in the first half of 2024.

Retail’s vacancy rate was 6.6%, up from 4.9% in the second half of 2024 and from 6.2% in the first half of 2024.

Warehouse had the largest jump, from 7.6% to 10.4%, but that rate fluctuates with the segment’s size. Even moderate net negative absorption can cause wild vacancy swings. 

“While the overall vacancy rate increased in this report, the commercial real estate market in northwest Arkansas continues to be remarkably healthy,” CBER Director Mervin Jebaraj. “One comment we have heard from conversations with real estate professionals is that while low vacancy rates are generally considered positive, in a growing and dynamic market like ours, very low vacancy rates can also create challenges with limited availability. One aspect of this report that also points to a healthy market is strong building permits that were well dispersed geographically and by sector.”

The report said that northwest Arkansas had $290.2 million in building permits issued in the first half of 2025 with $276 million going to projects not related to the new home office for Walmart Inc. in Bentonville. Non-Walmart construction permits totaled $190.3 million in the second half of 2024.

The expansive Walmart headquarters project has dominated the building permit statistics in recent years but is beginning to subside as the construction nears completion. Just $14.2 million in permits in the first half of 2025 went to Walmart.

Since the first half of 2023, the report said that 1.7% of the $1.18 billion in commercial construction permits were for Walmart. From the first half of 2021 through the first half of 2023, 53.2% of the area’s $1.77 billion in permits went to Walmart.

California Housing Market Rebounds Driven by Lower Mortgage Rates

California Housing Market Rebounds Driven by Lower Mortgage Rates

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After a somewhat sluggish summer, the California housing market showed signs of life in August, with existing single-family home sales experiencing a noticeable uptick. This rebound, primarily driven by more favorable mortgage rates, has brought a welcome wave of activity back to the Golden State’s property scene.

In August, California home sales rose 0.9% compared to July, reaching a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 264,240 units. While this figure still sits slightly below last year’s numbers, the positive month-over-month growth, coupled with an increase in pending sales, offers a glimmer of hope for a stronger finish to the year.

California Housing Market Rebounds in August as Lower Rates Lift Demand

For anyone following the California real estate trends, this news will likely come as a breath of fresh air. As a real estate enthusiast and observer, I’ve seen firsthand how sensitive this market is to even slight shifts in interest rates. When rates climb, potential buyers often hit the pause button, waiting for more affordable borrowing conditions.

Conversely, when rates ease, even by a little, we tend to see a ripple effect of renewed interest and activity. August’s report from the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) confirms this pattern, suggesting that buyers are starting to re-enter the market, enticed by the prospect of lower monthly payments.

The Lower Interest Rate Effect: A Game Changer

The primary catalyst for this August rebound appears to be the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaging 6.59% in August, which, while slightly higher than August of the previous year (6.50%), saw a significant drop from earlier summer months, reaching a 10-month low. This cooling of mortgage rates proved to be a critical factor in re-energizing buyer demand. C.A.R. President Heather Ozur noted, “Many prospective homebuyers have been holding out in hopes of lower mortgage rates, and the declining trend in rates observed in the last few weeks could be the nudge that draw them back to the market.” This sentiment resonates deeply with my experience; I’ve spoken with numerous clients who were patiently waiting for that perfect moment to make their move, and it seems August provided that opportunity for many.

Pending sales in August saw a remarkable 8.3% increase from July, a strong indicator of future closed sales. This surge in buyer commitments, reaching its highest point in nine months on a year-over-year basis, paints a picture of a market that’s beginning to regain momentum. The fact that rates have continued to ease in recent weeks, even amidst signs of economic softening, further bolsters the argument that the housing market might see sustained improvement.

Price Stabilization: A Welcome Sight

Beyond the sales activity, August also brought some positive news on the price front. The statewide median home price finally rebounded in August to $899,140, marking an increase of 1.7% from July. Crucially, this also represents a year-over-year gain of 1.2% compared to August 2024, ending a three-month streak of annual price declines. This stabilization, or even slight appreciation, is significant because it signals a market finding its balance.

As C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine explained, “Soft sales demand led to a steady decline in California’s median home price for three consecutive months through early summer. However, with a slight uptick in the median price in August and a stabilization in the number of reduced-price listings last month, the market appears to have found a short-term balance between supply and demand.” This balance is crucial. Buyers become more confident when they see prices holding steady or increasing slightly, as it reduces the fear of buying at a peak. For sellers, it means their property’s value is holding firm, which is encouraging.

Regional Variations: A Tale of Two Californias

While the statewide numbers paint a generally positive picture, it’s important to acknowledge the diverse performance across California’s regions. Not all areas experienced the same level of sales growth.

Region August 2025 Sales (YTY % Change) August 2025 Median Price (YTY % Change)
Far North +2.9% -3.1%
Central Coast +1.6% +6.3%
San Francisco Bay Area -4.1% +2.8%
Southern California -3.7% +1.2%
Central Valley -3.5% -1.0%

As you can see, the Far North and Central Coast regions were the only major areas that saw year-over-year sales increases. The San Francisco Bay Area, while experiencing a sales decline, still managed a healthy price increase of 2.8%. Southern California and the Central Valley saw modest dips in sales but still registered slight price gains. This demonstrates that while lower rates provided a general lift, local market dynamics, inventory levels, and economic conditions in each region play a significant role in their individual performance.

At the county level, the variations are even more pronounced. For instance, Mariposa County led the charge with an astounding 81.8% sales growth year-over-year, followed by Lassen (46.7%) and Kings (36.1%). On the flip side, Yuba County saw a significant drop of 35.3%. Similarly, price changes varied widely, with Santa Barbara County seeing a remarkable 32.6% price increase, while Del Norte County experienced a significant decline of 21.7%. These numbers highlight the importance of looking beyond the statewide averages and understanding the nuances of individual local markets.

Inventory and Days on Market: Shifting Dynamics

The Unsold Inventory Index (UII), which indicates how many months it would take to sell current active listings, ticked up slightly to 3.9 months in August, from 3.7 in July and 3.2 in August 2024. This suggests that while demand has improved, supply conditions remain relatively favorable for buyers. However, it’s worth noting that the pace of inventory growth has slowed, with total active listings up 23.5% year-over-year, the slowest pace since March. This deceleration in inventory growth could be an early sign that the supply side is starting to cool as the market moves into its seasonal slowdown.

The time it takes to sell a home also reflects the changing market dynamics. In August, the median time to sell a California single-family home was 31 days, an increase from 22 days in August 2024. This longer selling period, especially when compared to the previous year, indicates that while buyer demand is up, it’s not necessarily a frenzied market. Buyers have a bit more time to consider their options, and we’re seeing a sales-to-list price ratio of 98.3% in August, down from 100% a year ago. This means that on average, homes are selling slightly below their asking price, which is a departure from the bidding wars that characterized the market in recent years. This is good news for buyers who can now negotiate more effectively and potentially secure a home without the intense competition.

What Does This Mean for Buyers and Sellers?

For potential buyers, August’s data suggests a market that is becoming more accessible. The slight dip in mortgage rates, combined with the stabilization of home prices and a slightly longer selling period, means that there’s less pressure and more opportunity to find a suitable property. Buyers who were on the sidelines observing can now potentially re-enter the market with more confidence, armed with the knowledge that they might not face the same level of intense bidding. Affordability remains a key concern, of course, but the easing of rates offers a much-needed reprieve.

For sellers, August’s rebound is encouraging, demonstrating that demand is still present. However, it also highlights the need for realistic pricing strategies. With homes taking slightly longer to sell and selling closer to the asking price, rather than above it, it’s crucial for sellers to price their homes competitively. The data suggests that the ultra-hot seller’s market might be moderating, requiring a more nuanced approach to marketing and negotiation.

Looking Ahead: Cautious Optimism

The August report from C.A.R. provides a much-needed injection of optimism into the California housing market. The rebound in sales, spurred by lower mortgage rates and a stabilization in prices, suggests that the market is navigating its challenges effectively. While year-over-year sales are still slightly down, the positive month-over-month trends and the surge in pending sales indicate a potential for continued improvement.

My own take on this is one of cautious optimism. The market is stabilizing, offering a more balanced environment for both buyers and sellers. The key going forward will be how mortgage rates behave. If they remain at these more manageable levels or continue to ease, we could see sustained positive momentum. However, any significant uptick in rates could quickly dampen this newfound enthusiasm. It’s a delicate dance, and all eyes will be on the Federal Reserve and economic indicators in the coming months.

For now, the California housing market is showing resilience, and August’s performance is a testament to the enduring appeal of homeownership, even in a challenging economic climate.

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Adaptive reuse reshapes Rochester real estate market

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Key takeaways:

• Developers repurpose vacant offices and industrial buildings into housing

• Incentives like historic and brownfield tax credits reduce project costs

• 43 North’s Marblery and Canandaigua’s Labelon site showcase new reuse projects

• transforms former Xerox tower into student housing and offices

 

– the process of creatively repurposing buildings for another use or function – is on the rise both nationally and locally. Why is that?

Joel Barrett

“Number one, I think, is that the quality of construction from prior eras is really valuable,” said Joel Barrett, managing director of Rochester-based boutique real estate firm and its sister company Bace Build. “And number two is what’s happened to the state of office.”

Post-COVID, there has been an influx of  vacant office space nationwide due to the changing nature of where and how people work. Simultaneously, there’s a nationwide shortage of residential housing units, with an estimated 4.3 million needed by 2035, per the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association.

Building new is not always the answer, especially when vacant – albeit older and not originally built for residential – buildings abound.

“Generally, with a new residential construction building, unless you’re doing some type of affordable housing, it’s very difficult to recoup costs,” Barrett said. “So post-COVID you’re seeing a lot less – especially in this marketplace – of new construction residential apartments.”

That’s where adaptive reuse of office or industrial buildings can be beneficial for those in construction and development, as well as the community at large.

“We’ll  buy things that no one else would because they’re falling apart,” Barrett said. “We get quite a bit of value on the buy side because essentially we’re buying shells and we’re renovating the inside at a price that would be very similar to what new construction would be.”

Additionally, some costs can often be offset by incentives not available for new construction projects, like and brownfield credits, which are part of the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program, which provides tax credits for redeveloping contaminated property.

“It takes a village of incentives, loan programs, lots of capital tax credits, pilots, etc., to get these projects done,” said Barrett, who explains that once they are, though, they are unique spaces that can blend the best of both worlds – the character of the time in which they were built with the modernity of today.

Kitchen area at The Marblery, 222 South Avenue, Rochester. (Photo provided by 43 North Realty)

An example is 222 South Ave. in Rochester – a former 7,500 square foot, three-story, brick building that was once home to Hebard Marble Works and the V.H. Lang Trophy Company. After purchasing, Barrett and his team were able to get the building, which was constructed in 1858, placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“It was a small historic project – under 2.5 million – so there’s enhanced state credit at that level,” Barrett said. “We applied for what’s called a SMUCR – Small Mixed-Use and Commercial Renovation – loan from the City of Rochester, and we used an electrification grant for the conversion of the building to all-electric heating and high-efficiency heating and cooling.”

The building, called the Marblery, now has four apartments, as well as office space.

“On this project, even though it was 7,500 square feet and it took us a long time to do all this,  we were able to right the ship,” Barrett said.

Barrett and his team are currently working on  what will be their biggest adaptive reuse project to date – a project that will transform a former 84,000 square foot Labelon Corp. warehouse located on a brownfield site at 10 Chapin Street in Canandaigua, into a 51-unit residential apartment building.

“It was a building that sat vacant and was attempted to be developed by three different parties before us,” Barrett said. “There were complexities in every single scenario and every single aspect of the project, but we’re just about to start construction.”

Barrett says that when it comes to adaptive reuse projects, it takes a strong team to get them from compliance to completion.

“Sometimes the developer gets all the credit, but I am supported by about a hundred different people on any project, between environmental attorneys, real estate attorneys, architects, interior designers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, structural engineers, historic consultants, and many others,” he said. “I think one of the benefits of doing adaptive reuse here is that we have design professionals and legal professionals who are probably some of the best in the country.”

Evan Gallina, partner at Rochester-based Corporation, also believes adaptive reuse projects are on the rise due to increased costs of building something new.

Evan Gallina

“It’s market-driven,” Gallina said. “Construction costs have increased significantly enough that building new is often prohibitive. Reuse is cheaper than building from the ground up, and that’s where people find value.”

Additionally, reuse projects from office and industrial to residential are meeting community demand for more housing, said Gallina, who points to Innovation Square as an exemplar from Gallina Development’s portfolio.

Innovation Square, located at 100-140 South Clinton Ave. in Rochester, includes a thirty-story office tower of approximately 580,000 square feet, formerly occupied in its entirety by the Xerox Corporation, and separate freestanding buildings consisting of a 17,000 SF two-story office building and a 700-seat auditorium.

The property is now a creative living and learning space for hundreds of college students and offers office spaces of various sizes. Phillips Lytle LLP moved its Rochester office and nearly seventy employees from First Federal Plaza into their new 19,769 square-foot space at Innovation Square in June.

“We took two towers that were virtually empty and now they’re mostly full,” Gallina said. “We’re proud of what we’ve done.”

Caurie Putnam is a Rochester-area freelance writer.

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Compass-Anywhere Real Estate merger set to reshape market

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The merger of Compass and Anywhere Real Estate would create a company valued at about $10 billion, with a network of roughly 340,000 real estate professionals across 120 countries and territories. Photo courtesy Getty Images.

In a move set to reshape the housing market, two real estate giants are joining forces to form the largest residential brokerage of its kind. 

Compass announced Monday that it will acquire rival Anywhere Real Estate in an all-stock deal, combining its technology-focused brokerage with Anywhere’s globally recognized brands, including Coldwell Banker, Sotheby’s International Realty and Century 21.

The merger would create a company valued at about $10 billion, with a network of roughly 340,000 real estate professionals across 120 countries and territories. Together, the firms closed an estimated 1.2 million transactions last year, according to Compass.

Compass CEO and founder Robert Reffkin, who will lead the combined company, called the agreement a “monumental step” toward empowering real estate professionals.

“By bringing together two of the best companies in our industry, while preserving the unique independence of Anywhere’s leading brands, we now have the resources to build a place where real estate professionals can thrive for decades to come,” Reffkin said.

Anywhere President and CEO Ryan Schneider said the merger will combine Compass’ technology platform with Anywhere’s reach to “deliver even more value to home buyers and sellers across every phase of the home buying and home selling experience.”

The value of the all-stock acquisition of Anywhere is reported to be around $1.6 billion, according to Real Estate News. 

Once the merger closes, Compass shareholders will own about 78% of the company, and Anywhere shareholders about 22%, Compass said. The boards of both companies have unanimously approved the merger, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory approval, according to Monday’s announcement.

The Peninsula market 

 Founded in 2012 as a venture-backed real estate technology startup in New York City, Compass opened its first Bay Area office nearly a decade ago and quickly shook up the local market through a string of rapid acquisitions. In 2019, the company cemented its dominance as the region’s largest residential brokerage after acquiring Peninsula powerhouse Alain Pinel Realtors, nearly doubling its headcount overnight.

Between May 2024 and May 2025, Compass’s Bay Area offices had a total sales volume of almost $28 billion, and the company was named the No. 1 brokerage in the Bay Area for sales volume, according to Compass.

With its latest deal, Compass stands to add thousands more Bay Area real estate professionals from Anywhere’s subsidiaries. Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty employs about 400 agents across 21 Bay Area offices, including five in Santa Clara County and one in San Mateo County. Coldwell Banker has an even larger footprint, with more than 1,600 agents in Santa Clara County and nearly the same number in San Mateo County. Century 21 adds another 1,586 agents in Santa Clara County alone.

A bigger tech strategy

By expanding its agent network, Compass also could broaden its use of “pocket listings” — homes marketed privately before appearing on public sites. The practice is at the center of a lawsuit  Compass filed against Zillow in June, alleging the platform blocks properties if they were first advertised elsewhere for more than a day. In the lawsuit, Compass contends the so-called “Zillow Ban,” also used by Redfin and eXp Realty, stifles competition and limits seller choice, according to the  Associated Press.

Pocket listings is a strategy that appeals to sellers because they avoid the digital trail on multiple listing services, which shows how long a home has been on the market and any price cuts — signals that agents say can weaken a seller’s negotiating position. 

To address this, Compass reportedly lets sellers share listings only within its network or post them exclusively on its own website, where such details are hidden and the homes remain invisible on major third-party portals.

Compass said the merger will extend its technology to more real estate professionals, helping them serve clients more effectively and grow their businesses. The company added it will continue investing in tools that enhance the services agents provide to buyers and sellers.

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Bo Hines Says Tether’s Stablecoins to Align With GENIUS Act Rules

Peter Brandt Advises Gen Z on Bitcoin, Real Estate, SPY Investments

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Peter Brandt, a renowned veteran trader with over five decades of experience, recently shared on his X account investment guidance aimed at Generation Z.

He highlighted Bitcoin, advising investors to allocate 10% of their portfolio to Bitcoin, 20% to real estate, and 70% to SPY stocks.

Brandt’s Guide to Hedging Inflation with Bitcoin

Brandt’s guidance highlights how Bitcoin acts as a hedge amid market volatility, inflation, and portfolio debates. As a strategic hedge, Brandt has consistently identified Bitcoin as the only digital asset worthy of inclusion in a long-term portfolio. He highlights its potential for preserving wealth, particularly as fiat currencies experience devaluation.

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“Bitcoin is the asset that matters,” Brandt said.

He recommends a 10% allocation to Bitcoin to hedge against inflation and capture asymmetric upside potential, rather than chasing short-term speculative gains. In addition to Bitcoin, Brandt emphasizes real estate as a tangible, inflation-resistant asset. A 20% allocation to real estate adds stability and consistent returns while complementing digital assets. The remaining 70% invested in the S&P 500 via SPY offers diversified exposure to U.S. equities, allowing investors to benefit from the long-term growth of major companies.

Together, these allocations create a portfolio that balances risk and opportunity, aiming for sustainable wealth accumulation.

On social media, he emphasized developing marketable skills, pursuing meaningful work, and prioritizing family and personal purpose.

Peter Brandt’s Core Philosophy on Bitcoin

Peter Brandt, CEO of Factor Trading Co., Inc. and author of Trading Commodity Futures with Classical Chart Patterns and Diary of a Professional Commodity Trader, is acclaimed for his expertise in technical analysis and trend trading. Through his platform on X and various media appearances, he shares a steadfast philosophy on Bitcoin. His comments offer both deep conviction and sober analysis.

Bitcoin performance over the past year / Source:Beincrypto

Brandt also views Bitcoin as more than just a financial asset. In an interview with Investing.com on December 9, 2024, he framed Bitcoin as a technological tool that empowers individuals by protecting their assets from state and central bank control. This view reveals his belief that Bitcoin is a crucial innovation for economic freedom and individual rights, not just a way to make money.

This conviction is accompanied by a deep skepticism toward altcoins. In a post on X on May 1, 2023, he argued that “Bitcoin will bury all pretenders.” He believes that Bitcoin’s network effects and trustworthiness will ensure its long-term survival, while most altcoins will prove to be nothing more than temporary fads.

Finally, Brandt has also cautioned younger investors against unrealistic expectations. In an interview with Binance News on April 27, 2024, he noted that as Bitcoin matures, it’s unlikely to repeat the explosive, triple-digit returns of its early days. This advice reinforces his core message: view Bitcoin as a key part of a disciplined, long-term strategy for wealth preservation, not a speculative tool for quick gains.



How real estate investors are propping up the U.S. housing market

How real estate investors are propping up U.S. home sales

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Of the approximately 86 million single-family homes and townhouses across the U.S., 17 million, or nearly 20%, are “non-owner occupied” — in other words, investor-owned.

Contrary to popular perceptions of institutional mega-investors hoarding U.S. real estate, 87% of investor-owned, single-family housing is owned by small-time entrepreneurs with 1 to 5 properties in their portfolio.

In fact, more than 90% are owned by investor-buyers with fewer than 11 properties, and large investors have been net sellers for six consecutive quarters, according to second quarter figures analyzed by BatchData, a real estate analytics platform geared toward investors, and CJ Patrick Company, a real estate consulting firm.

The shrinking volume of home sale transactions pushed the share of investor home purchases to 33% in the second quarter, a 15% increase from the first quarter but a 12% decline year over year, per BatchData.

The growing investor share reflects the stabilizing impact that segment of buyers has on the home sales market overall, the company says.

“Without this investor participation, many markets would face severe illiquidity and potentially destabilizing price volatility,” the BatchData report reads. Such price volatility, though challenging for sellers to navigate, could induce more owner-occupied transactions, however.

First-time homebuyer participation plummeted during the historically high-activity spring homebuying season, with BatchData assessing first-time homebuyer participation at 24% in the second quarter, an 8% decline from 2023.

By July, the typical U.S. household was earning roughly 46% less than recommended to afford a median-priced home ($439,950) when employing a common measure of affordability, according to the National Association of Realtors.

“With traditional buyers sidelined by financing constraints that doubled monthly payments compared to recent norms, investors provide critical liquidity in an otherwise constrained market,” the BatchData report reads.

Investors buy residential real estate for a variety of purposes, including to hold as rental properties or to renovate and flip for a profit. The number of homes flipped by investors has declined for two consecutive years, however, amid high single-family rental demand.

The 297,885 single-family homes and condominiums flipped in 2024 reflected a 7.7% decline from 2023 and 32.4% decline from the 441,000 homes flipped in 2022.

Home flipper profit margins slid to 17-year lows in the second quarter of 2025, eroded by high prices for pre-flip housing stock and rising repair costs. Concurrently, growing interest in “fixer-uppers” among owner-occupied buyers adds competition for fix-and-flip investors.

Despite softening market conditions for buyers, home prices remain prohibitively expensive for typical consumers, sidelining prospective homebuyers. Renter households rose 2.6% amid an overall decline in the homeowner population during the second quarter.

Investors have risen to meet that demand, too, says BatchData, stabilizing rental supply by adding new units through flips or renovate-and-hold strategies. With an average of just three properties each, individual investors own 41% of all U.S. single-family rental units.

States with the highest percentage of investor-owned homes in the second quarter were Maine (31.1%), Montana (31%), Alaska (27.2%) and Hawaii (26%). States with the lowest shares were Minnesota (9.3%), Colorado (10.1%) and Connecticut (10.6%).

Skyline Report says commercial vacancy rate on the rise in Northwest Arkansas

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Despite the overall vacancy rate increase, CBER Director Mervin Jebaraj called the area’s commercial real estate market “remarkably healthy.”

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The latest Skyline Report shows Northwest Arkansas’s commercial vacancy rate has climbed to its highest point since 2021, but researchers say the market remains healthy thanks to steady growth in new construction.

In collaboration with Arvest Bank, the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at Sam M. Walton College of Business conducts a biannual analysis of the latest commercial, single-family residential, and multifamily residential property markets in Benton and Washington counties. 

The report released on Tuesday examines just commercial real estate property for the first half of 2025. 

Compared to 5.8% in the second half of 2024, the overall vacancy rate for leasable commercial space reportedly rose to 7.2% in the second half of 2025. 

Researchers say this increase is largely due to nearly 400,000 square feet of warehouse space opening up as tenants moved into newer buildings, about 100,000 square feet of office space going from owner-occupied to for-lease, and several national retailers closing their stores and leaving behind retail space.

Of the three largest submarkets, the warehouse market led the charge in rate increases. Each submarket saw the following increases in vacancy rates:

  • Office: 6.8%
  • Medical office: 1.5%
  • Office retail: 7.1%
  • Office/warehouse: 5.1%
  • Retail: 6.6%
  • Retail/warehouse: 4.5%
  • Warehouse: 10.4%

Despite the increase, CBER Director Mervin Jebaraj called the area’s commercial real estate market “remarkably healthy.” 

“One comment we have heard from conversations with real estate professionals, is that while low vacancy rates are generally considered positive, in a growing and dynamic market like ours, very low vacancy rates can also create challenges with limited availability,” Jebaraj said. “One aspect of this report that also points to a healthy market is strong building permits that were well dispersed geographically and by sector.”

The report says the value of commercial building permits was $290.2 million and saw a 48.3% increase from last year. 

“While this Skyline Report shows an increase in vacancy rates, the increase in commercial building permits demonstrates that our region continues to expand and remains balanced,” Gene Gates, executive vice president and loan manager at Arvest Bank of Fayetteville, said. 

Walmart’s new home office reportedly contributed to this increase, with $14.2 million in permits executed for the project in Bentonville. Without the permits for the home office, the area recorded a $276 million value of commercial building permits and still saw a 41% increase. 

The Skyline Reports on residential and multifamily real estate is expected to be released by the end of October. 

Zillow tried to stop off-market housing inventory—Compass is fighting back

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Compass adds Anywhere Real Estate brands Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Sotheby’s to its portfolio—it’s arming itself for a showdown with Zillow.

Kathimerini: Bulgarians have become a driving force in the real estate market ᐉ News from Fakti.bg – World

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Bulgarians have become a driving force in the real estate market along the northern Greek coast, where resort towns such as Ofrinio, Nea Peramos and Iraklitsa are experiencing a real construction and price boom, writes the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini“ in an extensive article, BTA reported.

In the Kavala region, Bulgarians have turned from tourists into owners, local media report, citing information from brokerage firms. Our compatriots are looking for all kinds of properties – from caravan sites to three-story villas, and new construction is being bought up even “on the green”, inform construction companies in the region.

Today, there are almost no vacant plots for construction along the coastline of Ofrinio. The beach is dotted with construction machinery and new complexes, advertised as a “dream summer getaway”. According to local agents and developers, half of their clients are Bulgarians, and by the end of last year, 3,228 Bulgarian citizens had officially declared ownership in Greece.


With the increase in interest, prices are rising sharply, notes “Kathimerini”. From 900 euros per square meter in recent years, prices have reached 2,500 euros, and luxury villas for over 1 million euros are being bought even before they are built, architect Ritsa Karayanidou told the publication. While at first some of the purchases were made with “black money”, today families who use savings or loans, often with the intention of renting out the properties, predominate.

Although business and tourism are profitable, locals express concerns – their villages are crowded for five months of the year, The infrastructure is under strain, and Greek buyers are facing prohibitive prices. Negative sentiments are also emerging, related to the historical memory of the Bulgarian presence in the region, writes “Kathimerini“. The younger generation, however, is more pragmatic – for them, the Bulgarians extend the season and bring in income, the newspaper points out.

Doosan Weave the Central Suwon

Attention is focusing on the real estate market in the Seoul metropolitan area, where traffic is exp..

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Doosan Weave the Central Suwon
Doosan Weave the Central Suwon

Attention is focusing on the real estate market in the Seoul metropolitan area, where traffic is expected to be good. This is because the possibility of improving housing quality and rising housing prices is expected depending on whether transportation infrastructure is improved.

According to statistics from the Korea Real Estate Agency on the 23rd, the apartment sales price index in Jangan-gu, Suwon, which passes between Gwanggyo Central Station and Homaesil on the Shinbundang Line, was 100.63, up 2.6% year-on-year. The figure exceeds the average growth rate of Gyeonggi Province (0.7%) and Suwon City (2.3%) during the same period.

The apartment sales price index in Seo-gu, Incheon, which is considered a beneficiary of the subway line 5 extension project, which is undergoing a preliminary feasibility study, also rose 0.5% from the same period last year, in contrast to the overall decline in other areas of Incheon.

Individual apartments in favorable transportation areas are also on the rise. According to the actual transaction price of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the 84㎡ type dedicated to “Hwaseo Station Prugio Brissiel” in Jangan-gu, Suwon, rose about 66% from 78.39 million won in August 2023 to 1.3 billion won last month.

Subscribers are flocking to the new complex due to favorable traffic conditions. Gyosan Prugio the First, which was supplied to Cheonhyeon-dong, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do in May, recorded a competition rate of 263.28:1, which is the first public sale in Gyosan-gu, and the plan to extend Seoul Subway Line 3 to Hanam City Hall Station was reflected in the subscription results.

“Dongtan Fore Park Nature & Prugio” and “Dongtan Dream Forest Nature & Desiang”, where the Dongtan Urban Railroad (Tram) line is scheduled nearby, also recorded high competition rates of 75 to 1 and 41.9 to 1, respectively, in May.

An industry official said, “This is proof that consumers are paying attention to areas where access to Seoul is expected to improve,” adding, “If the transportation network is expanded, the effect of increasing convenience facilities around it is also a factor that raises consumers’ expectations.”

New apartment complexes scheduled to be sold near areas where good traffic is expected are also attracting attention.

Doosan We’ve the Central Suwon, which will be sold by Doosan Engineering & Construction in October in Hwak-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (Suwon 111-3 Housing Redevelopment Project), is considered an advantage to be able to use the new planned station (to be opened in December 2029) on foot. The complex will be built with a total of 556 households, with up to 29 floors and six buildings on the ground, of which 275 will be for general sale. .

POSCO E&C’s “The Sharp Sinpung Station,” which will be sold in Singil-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul in October, can use Sinpung Station on the Sinansan Line, which is scheduled to open next year. The complex consists of three basement floors, up to 35 floors above the ground, 16 buildings, and 2,030 households. Of these, 312 households are general sales volume.

Seoknam Station Central Park Grand Ver in Seo-gu, Incheon, where Bokwang Construction will receive subscriptions from the 29th of this month, is considered a beneficiary complex of the Cheongna extension line on Line 7, which is scheduled to open in 2029. The complex consists of three basement floors, up to 26 floors above the ground, three buildings, 198 apartments, and 32 officetels.