Colliers: Industrial RE Strong in 4Q

U.S. industrial real estate markets experienced steady demand in the fourth quarter despite the fact that rents and construction did not increase as much as expected, according to Colliers International, a Boston-based global real estate services firm.The markets absorbed 50.9 million square feet of industrial space in the quarter, compared with 48.4 msf in the third quarter and 57.5 msf a year earlier, Colliers said. "The warehouse market is poised for steady performance in 2007, although all eyes will be on the supply side, which is beginning to show signs of oversupply," said Ross Moore, the organization's senior vice president and director of market and economic research. "Vacancy levels are unlikely to retreat, and have largely hit bottom for this cycle -- but we don't expect a major increase anytime soon." Colliers can be found online at http://www.colliers.com.