The outlook for the commercial real estate industry remains strong despite growing concerns over sluggish job creation and higher taxes, according to a new survey of commercial real estate professionals who attended a leadership conference hosted by NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.
The poll was conducted during NAIOP’s 2015 Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat and surveyed over 100 commercial real estate insiders.
Nearly half of respondents indicated that sluggish job growth was a major concern and nine out of 10 indicated that higher capital gains taxes would have some impact on investment and growth, with many saying the impacts could be “severe.”
President Obama’s FY 2016 budget proposal includes a proposal to raise the top tax rate to 28% on capital gains and qualifying dividends for couples with income over $500,000.
Despite concerns over sluggish job creation and higher taxes, 52% projected strong growth in 2015, while 43% saw the industry as remaining stable.
“Our members are optimistic, but sluggish job creation and the looming threat of higher taxes are their main worries right now. Given our industry’s contribution to a durable economic recovery and generating good-paying jobs, we hope Congress and the president will hear this and weigh the serious consequences of a tax hike at this time,” said Thomas J. Bisacquino, president and CEO of NAIOP.
When asked the question “what keeps you up at night?” 27% of respondents indicated that gridlock in Washington was a major concern. “We need strong and consistent policies from Washington that encourage investments in development projects so more Americans can share in our economic recovery,” said Bisacquino.
Related Stories
K-12 Schools | Apr 1, 2022
Charleston County’s award-winning career and technical education high school
BD+C Executive Editor Rob Cassidy talks with the team behind the award-winning Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies, a Career|Technical Education high school in Charleston County, S.C.
Modular Building | Mar 31, 2022
Rick Murdock’s dream multifamily housing factory
Modular housing leader Rick Murdock had a vision: Why not use robotic systems to automate the production of affordable modular housing? Now that vision is a reality.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 29, 2022
Here’s why the U.S. needs more ‘TOD’ housing
Transit-oriented developments help address the housing affordability issue that many cities and suburbs are facing.
Contractors | Mar 28, 2022
Amid supply chain woes, building teams employ extreme procurement measures
Project teams are looking to eliminate much of the guesswork around product availability and price inflation by employing early bulk-purchasing measures for entire building projects.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Mar 28, 2022
Is your firm a reconstruction sector giant?
Is your firm active in the U.S. building reconstruction, renovation, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse markets? We invite you to participate in BD+C's inaugural Reconstruction Market Research Report.
Legislation | Mar 28, 2022
LEED Platinum office tower faces millions in fines due to New York’s Local Law 97
One Bryant Park, also known as the Bank of America Tower, in Manhattan faces an estimated $2.4 million in annual fines when New York City’s York’s Local Law 97 goes into effect.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 25, 2022
Health group converts bank building to drive-thru clinic
Edward-Elmhurst Health and JTS Architects had to get creative when turning an American Chartered Bank into a drive-thru clinic for outpatient testing and vaccinations.
Higher Education | Mar 24, 2022
Higher education sector sees 19 percent reduction in facilities investments
Colleges and universities face a growing backlog of capital needs and funding shortfalls, according to Gordian’s 2022 State of Facilities in Higher Education report.
Architects | Mar 16, 2022
James Hoban: Designer and builder of the White House
Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, chats with BD+C Executive Editor Robert Cassidy about James Hoban, the Irish draftsman and builder who convinced George Washington to let him design and build the White House.
Architects | Mar 16, 2022
Diébédo Francis Kéré named 2022 Pritzker Architecture Prize recipient
Diébédo Francis Kéré, architect, educator and social activist, has been selected as the 2022 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, announced Tom Pritzker, Chairman of The Hyatt Foundation, which sponsors the award that is regarded internationally as architecture’s highest honor.