According to a recent industry update from BISNOW, the commercial real estate market in Houston is undergoing significant changes. Developers are facing challenges in financing and finding suitable land for development. Financing has become harder to obtain, with many regional banks no longer providing new loans. The size of industrial projects has also decreased from 30-50 acres to 10-20 acres. This shift has slowed down the development process, with land closings taking longer than before.
Brokers in the industry emphasize the need to adapt to the changing market conditions. They highlight the importance of understanding the current marketplace and adjusting business practices accordingly. Deals are increasingly coming from outside Texas, with a significant portion from international buyers.
In the office sector, there is distress and a transition of ownership through foreclosures or givebacks. This could lead to downward pressure on prices as ownership changes. Despite increasing vacancy rates, rental rates are still rising, primarily due to transactions involving newer office properties. However, experts predict that as interest rates and construction costs impact new construction, rental rates will eventually peak and begin to decline.
Overall, these developments indicate a shifting landscape in Houston's commercial real estate industry, with smaller projects, financing challenges, and the expectation of decreasing office rents in the future.
The original article can be read here: https://www.bisnow.com/houston/news/commercial-real-estate/smaller-deals-longer-time-frames-lots-of-phone-calls-houston-cre-deals-with-upside-down-market-119027?
