Closing the chapter on a cycle of boom, bust, and scandals

Real Estate Issues, Summer 2002 by Riggs, Kenneth Jr

INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE

FOCUS ON INVESTMENT CONDITIONS

The final chapter of the 1990s tech bubble is being written in the financial markets. Companies like Enron, Waste Management, Adelphia, Tyco, WorldCom, and Arthur Andersen have scandalized the investment community, and have fired a deep mistrust among investors about the financial markets. At least the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and various other agencies appear intent on dousing the fire and cleaning house. Real Estate Research Corporation (RERC) recognizes the difficulty for the companies and individuals being prosecuted, but such a stance is necessary for restoring trust in the markets as well as the justice system, and allows investors and businesses to do what they do best -getting on with making money.

In spite of the fact that gross domestic product (GDP) fell to 1.1 percent second quarter from 5 percent first quarter 2002 and consumer confidence dropped to 97.1 from 106.3, there are some key indicators that the economy is moving in a positive direction, however slowly. Latest data show that technology spending rose by 1.2 percent, industrial production increased by 0.2 percent, and the Federal Reserve has thus far decided to leave short-term interest rates at 40-- year lows. In addition, labor markets seem to be improving, personal income increased to $57.0 million ( 0.6 percent), and disposable personal income (DPI) increased to $55 billion ( 0.7 percent) in June. Personal consumption expenditures increased $35.6 billion ( 0.5 percent). This is in the face of declining stock prices, the prosecution of scoundrels on Wall Street, federal government deficits, and the U.S. being in a wartime mode.

Economists have a surprisingly rosy view of the outlook for the economy in the months ahead, but this is all pinned on the consumer. While the consumer has kept the U.S. economy moving, the risk is that the consumer can also halt the economy in its tracks. When the tech companies tanked and triggered a recession and individuals saw 401k and other long-term savings evaporate with the hype, consumers surprisingly shrugged it off and focused on yearly earnings. However, RERC worries that the consumer may pull back as they see their jobs and their paychecks at risk.

RERC believes that the consumer will see the economy through these difficult times, as long as the deceitful business practices that some companies and individuals have been exercising is quickly and decisively dealt with. Otherwise, this cancer that is undermining the confidence in the stock market will unfortunately transfer itself to the consumer and put us back into a recession. Given household buying power, the pent-up demand for housing, positive demographics, and a historically low interest rate, RERC has confidence that the consumer has staying power.

Even so, it will be some time before we see a recovery in the physical (space) markets. As we continue to compile and analyze second quarter survey results provided by the institutional and regional respondents for the Summer 2002 RERC Real Estate Report, it appears that space markets may still be in decline. Vacancy continues to increase in most property sectors and in most of the 31 metro areas we cover due to increasing unemployment. In many areas, absorption is already negative while new space continues to come online. Clearly, demand has dropped, and until businesses expand their appetite for space, we can expect further contraction and deteroriation in demand for industrial and office space.

On a national basis, the space markets for commercial real estate are weak, and most likely will remain so for the next several quarters. Most properties are past their peak where sustainable prices are above long-term fundamental values. Capital availability, both for debt and equity, remains at all-time highs and most money sources have been chomping at the bit to chase down deals that can withstand scrutiny from investment boards. Deal junkies have grappled with the conundrum on timing the market for each property type. This has resulted in a bid-ask spread that dried up investment activity late last year. The juggernaut has passed and deal flow is beginning as buyers and sellers are gaining better clarity on the direction of the market, albeit at substantially reduced expectations for property earnings.

Investment prospects for commercial real estate are nowhere near the levels seen during the tech craze that drove demand to unsustainable levels. However, RERC's quarterly investment survey results demonstrated overall improvement in the second quarter 2002 over the prior quarter for investment prospects. CBD office, retail power center, and hotel reflected the strongest gains. Relative to other property types, these categories had been hovering around the bottom. RERC is starting to unearth a fundamental element that investors are taking to heart-the greatest attribute that real estate possesses today is extremely favorable risk-adjusted returns. RERC predicts that the transaction market will lead the space market recovery. We will see deals increasing significantly by first quarter 2003.