Recovery continues, but speed and pace of recovery will remain highly segmented through 2012

 

Nine consecutive quarters of net absorption, seven consecutive quarters of vacancy declines and rent growth posted in six of the past seven quarters all spell a pretty good streak. However, not all markets are experiencing similar levels of tightening.

 

We expect a continuation of slow, methodical growth in 2012 with the November elections being a possible inflection point in the continued recovery. Driving momentum in 2012 will continue to be the tech- and energy-heavy markets, along with some of the Sunbelt markets, which have seen their fortunes change of late. Noticeably absent are, large-scale markets like NYC, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles, all of which are reliant on macroeconomic, employment and confidence levels to jump upward from their current levels.