Sunday, September 13, 2009

Is Canada's Commercial Real Estate Market Set for a Comeback?

As reported in Mortgage Brokers News and following dismal reports of Canada's commercial real estate market seeing a 50 per cent decline in transactions in the first half of 2009, there are signs that it may be coming back to life.

According to commercial mortgage specialists, this is a good time for purchasers with strong backing. They are seeing an increase in volume year over year. Lenders are still being "very cautious and conservative", with many of them going below appraised values for commercial buildings, the situation has improved from earlier this year. For buyers in strong positions, there are deals on industrial buildings and it appears that there is a "cautious" market coming back for hotels and plazas.

A recent story in Dow Jones also pointed to Canada's commercial market recovering. Pierre Boiron, a real estate agent, developer and co-author of "Commercial Real Estate Investing in Canada" told the news service that slowing demand, inventory peaks and price declines are pointing to the bottom of an "adjustment phase" in the commercial market that will lead into an acquisition phase. "It means that the mess is being cleaned up," Boiron told Dow Jones, also noting that the turnaround will be gradual and dependent on employment numbers.

Warmly,
Mary Wozny

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