Chicago commercial property values return to 2005 levels
A new index shows a 37 percent rise over the past two years, but prices are still well below pre-crash levels.
Local delinquencies falling on real estate loans owned by investors
The rate ticked up in November because of one loan, but the broader downward trend over the past several months is another positive for the market.
Chicago-area construction contracts rise in 2012
Signed deals for local commercial and residential projects are up 15 percent over the first 10 months of last year, with residential and institution building showing the biggest increases.
Commercial loan delinquency hits three-year low
Banks are selling off bad debt on local income-producing property, pushing down the Chicago-area rate to 6.0 percent in the third quarter.
Why suburban apartment rents are high and still climbing
The suburban rental market continues to rise even as the main driver of demand for apartments — the job market — remains sluggish.
Record downtown apartment rents reflect shortage
But increases for Class A buildings are likely to subside next year, when nearly 2,700 new units are completed, with another 2,000 on tap for 2014.
Chicago improves in eyes of real estate investors
The local market's rating rose for the third straight year in a ULI/PricewaterhouseCoopers report, but cities such as San Francisco and New York still hold more appeal.
Industrial vacancy rate hits four-year low
And, "Based on the number of deals and active prospects in the market right now, we're going to see a strong fourth quarter,” one observer says.
Retail vacancy near pre-crash level
“As landlords and owners, I'd say that we're starting to feel the recovery,” one exec says. But that isn't translating to significant rent increases.
Local REITs returned nearly 17% in first three quarters
(Crain's) — Such real estate companies are popular with many investors because they tend to pay high dividends, a big plus in the current market, where expected returns on many investments…
Office landlords living on suburban edge suffer most
(Crain's) — Landlords in far-flung suburbs have struggled to attract tenants amid a broader shift in the market, drawing more companies to the city and inner suburbs.
Downtown office vacancy stalls in third quarter
(Crain's) — After falling for a year and a half, the rate remained the same as the previous quarter, as the big Google lease at the Mart won't show up in the numbers until next year.
Real estate employment falls in Chicago area
(Crain's) — Employment in the local commercial property sector has fallen nearly 26 percent from its 2006 peak and isn't forecast to rise until 2014, according to Moody's.
Taxes dip at Willis Tower, other high-rises
(Crain's) — The property tax tab edged down this year to $24.3 million at the 110-story skyscraper. The top 10 in Cook County were eight office properties and two malls.
'Bumper year' for downtown hotels compared with 2011
(Crain's) — A strong summer tourist season and pickup in business travel have boosted demand.
Local CMBS delinquency hits six-month low
(Crain's) — The drop in the rate is a sign that more overdue borrowers are getting extensions on loans.
Suburban apartment occupancy highest since 2007
(Crain's) — Landlords continue to benefit from instability in the for-sale housing market even as the job market remains weak.
Downtown apartment rents hit another all-time high
(Crain's) — Also, recent leasing strength is a good sign for a market bracing for a flood of new units in the next couple years, an observer says.
Commercial loan delinquency falls to 2-year low here
(Crain's) — The percentage of delinquent debt held by banks decreased to 6.2 percent in the second quarter as they continued to sell off bad notes.
Downtown office rents spike 28 percent since 2006
(Crain's) — The picture is much different in the suburbs, where rents have risen only 1.5 percent in that six-year period.
