The Second Quarter 2008 SIOR Commercial Real Estate Index, compiled by the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) in association with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), indicated that commercial real estate markets have not yet begun their rebound to market equilibrium. The national Index, which measures 10 variables pertinent to the performance of U.S. industrial and office markets, dropped for a sixth straight quarter to an overall total of 76.4 points. This point drop placed it 23.6 points below the 100 point criteria that represents a balanced office and industrial marketplace and 43 points below its record high in spring 2006.

The SIOR Commercial Real Estate Index is a diffusion index (see Methodology) where a score of 100 indicates markets in balance. A score of 76.4 reflects conditions that are significantly less favorable for landlords and sellers, but excellent for tenants and purchasers.

SIOR commercial real estate professionals provided their views on second quarter 2008 market conditions in their respective markets in a July survey.

An unprecedented number of SIOR members - 83 percent - report that their local markets are feeling the impact of the decline in the national economy. This number is 59 percent higher than just one year ago. Leasing activity is down according to 75 percent of respondents. Concessions benefiting tenants are riding above normal and have increased 29 percent from the same quarter one year ago. Twenty-three percent of respondents indicated that there was virtually no new construction going on in their marketplace and according to 67 percent of respondents construction in general is down. Concerns about where the economy is heading are clearly impacting commercial real estate business - and will continue to do so as 50 percent of respondents predict a 1-15 percent decline in activity for 3rd quarter 2008.

Office Market

The Office Market has been particularly hard hit, scoring only 67.8 points - down almost 48 points from the same period last year and 32 points below equilibrium - the lowest Index value since SIOR began the Index in fall 2005.

Industrial Market

The Industrial Market Index, at 68.5 points, is barely stronger than the office market, and is more than 53 points off its 1st quarter 2006 high.

Regional Breakdown

The Northeast, with 76.4 points, comes in second best after the South. Prices for investment property are well below replacement cost in this region, making it unprofitable to build. In addition, sublease space in the Northeast is a bigger issue than it is in the South or West.

Underperforming all regions, the Mid-West tallied a score of 73.1 - the lowest Index value for 2nd quarter 2008. Respondents from the region indicated that sublease space continues to be a negative influence in their region, tenants are in a good bargaining position to obtain moderate to deep concessions, and they are definitely witnessing a buyers' market. Respondents from the region are the most pessimistic about the next three months and most blame the overall national economy for market woes.

Respondents from the South, with an Index score of 84.6, were the most optimistic about the next three months. The only region to escape a decline in rental rates, the South felt that the vacancy situation, although worse, was not significantly so; sublease space was not a big issue; and respondents reported that investment markets were in balance.

The West, weighing in with an Index score of 68.4 points, experienced the greatest decline in positive attitudes regarding the state of the office and industrial markets citing the housing downturn as a factor. Respondents from that region are reporting higher vacancy rates, deeper concessions for tenants, meager development activity, and a high rate of pessimism for their three month outlook.