Commercial Brokers & Property Managers NAICS 531210

Jun 16, 2026 - Industrial Occupiers Seek Modern Facilities with Plenty of Power Access

• Facilities Dive reports that, according to Colliers, industrial real estate demand is increasingly shaped by access to reliable power, existing infrastructure, and modern facilities that can support automation and other energy-intensive operations. Industry experts say occupiers are favoring Class A properties with operational flexibility, while developers and data center operators are placing greater value on sites with substantial electrical capacity and utility commitments. Colliers reported that nearly 70% of US markets recorded positive industrial absorption in the first quarter, signaling a broad-based recovery in occupier activity. At the same time, rent growth remains modest as the sector continues to normalize following a period of rapid expansion and overbuilding after the pandemic.
• Fitch Ratings’ US CMBS delinquency rate rose by three basis points to 3.31% in May 2026 from 3.28% in April. May's rise in office and regional mall delinquencies outstripped total resolution activity. Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) are fixed-income investment products backed by mortgages on commercial properties rather than residential real estate. The delinquency rate is the percentage of commercial real estate loans that were 30 or more days past due or in foreclosure. A rising delinquency rate indicates that an increasing number of commercial property owners cannot pay their mortgages. Current and prior-month delinquency rates for May and April were: Office: 8.44% (from 8.56% in April); Retail: 4.01% (from 3.75%); Hotel: 3.4% (from 3.49%); Multifamily: 1.26% (from 1.21%); Industrial: 0.76% (from 0.78%); Mixed Use: 4.44% (from 4.69%); Self-storage: 0.06% (from 0.06%); and Other: 1.99% (from 1.6%).

• According to JLL data and reporting by Bisnow, Greater Boston's life sciences market is showing early signs of recovery after a three-year downturn, though the region's 51M SF lab market still had a 33.3% vacancy rate in the first quarter, marking the third consecutive year above 30%. Industry leaders said demand is improving, particularly from startups and firms in AI, robotics, aerospace, defense, and medtech, but leasing activity remains insufficient to absorb large blocks of vacant lab space. JLL reported that asking lab rents in Boston have fallen more than 20% since mid-2022, including a 9.7% year-over-year decline, while distressed property sales and basis resets are creating opportunities for new owners to offer more competitive rents. Despite ongoing challenges, JLL found leasing demand across the top four US lab markets increased 44% from Q1 2025, suggesting the sector has begun to recover.
• The US office market is undergoing a sharp downturn, with some buildings selling at discounts exceeding 90% as owners and lenders accept losses after years of holding out for a post-pandemic recovery, according to The Wall Street Journal. High vacancy rates, remote work trends, and elevated interest rates have driven values down about 35% on average, according to Green Street. Distressed sales are rising, with $808 million recorded in the first two months of the year, up 24.5% compared to the same period in 2025, according to MSCI. The trend is pressuring commercial real estate brokers, who face fewer traditional leasing deals, lower commissions, and a shift toward handling distressed sales and redevelopment transactions. While top-tier buildings in prime locations remain resilient, many lower-quality properties are being sold at steep discounts, signaling a broader market reset and increased investor activity in distressed assets.