Posted By: Sentry Administrator on 5/13/2012
Fresh back from the SIOR World Conference at South Beach in Miami. Well, I haven't been to South Beach in 10 years and I am happy to report that South Beach is still every bit South Beach! BUT, that's not what I wanted to tell you!
Overall word from people attending the conference is generally upbeat! Most markets continue to improve AND maybe even the unthinkable...space shortages beginning to appear in select markets! Say it ain't so! Lease rates firming and even increasing, although sale prices on vacant properties (for the most part), while stabilized, not showing significant increases.
Interesting enough, this pretty much sums up the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts region (although Western MA still showing significant weakness in the leasing market). Q2 2012 showing some positive signs but only after a very choppy Q1.
Keep smiling!
Mark
Posted By: Sentry Administrator on 5/6/2012
Per Costar's own announcement, they have completed the acquisition of LoopNet. So, is that a good thing? My guess is the only way it helps us in the brokerage community is if they actually CONSOLIDATE the two services into one. With more and more companies trying to take over the world with the "better mousetrap" (i.e. better databases) the fact is this industry could use LESS databases but, instead, BETTER DATABASE!
See attached CoStar article: CoStar acquires LoopNet
Keep smiling!
Mark