The housing markets are looking quite positive, despite the negative overall economic confidence. Commercial properties, especially industrial and warehouse space, are on the rise because of increased imports and exports. Also, with the increasing demand for renting, rent prices are crawling upwards as vacancies are going downhill. You can see the forecasted statistics from www.propertywire.com:

Vacancy rates in the office sector are expected to fall from an estimated 16.1% in the third quarter to 15.6% in the third quarter of 2013. The markets with the lowest office vacancy rates presently are Washington, D.C., with a vacancy rate of 9.4%, New York City at 10% and New Orleans at 12.8%.

Office rent is projected to increase 2% this year and 2.6% in 2013. Net absorption of office space in the US, which includes the leasing of new space coming on the market as well as space in existing properties, should be 24.1 million square feet in 2012 and 47.8 million next year.

Industrial vacancy rates are forecast to decline from 10.7% in the third quarter of this year to 10.5% in the third quarter of 2013. The areas with the lowest industrial vacancy rates currently are Orange County, California, with a vacancy rate of 4.6%, Los Angeles at 4.8% and Miami at 6.8%.

Annual industrial rent is likely to rise 1.7% in 2012 and 2.4% next year. Net absorption of industrial space nationally is seen at 59.8 million square feet this year and 67.2 million in 2013.

Retail vacancy rates are projected to decline from 10.9% in the third quarter to 10.7% in the third quarter of 2013. Presently, markets with the lowest retail vacancy rates include San Francisco at 3.8%, Fairfield County, Connecticut at 3.9% and Long Island, New York and Orange County, California both at 5.3%.

Average retail rent is forecast to rise 0.8% this year and 1.3% in 2013. Net absorption of retail space should be 10.3 million square feet this year and 20.1 million in 2013.

The apartment rental market, multifamily housing, i9s expected to see vacancy rates drop from 4.3% in the third quarter to 4.2% in the third quarter of 2013. Vacancy rates below 5% are generally considered a landlord’s market with demand justifying higher rents.

Areas with the lowest multifamily vacancy rates currently are Portland, Oregon at 2%, New York City and Minneapolis both at 2.2%, and New Haven, Connecticut and San Jose in California both at 2.4%.

Average apartment rent is likely to increase 4.1% in 2012 and another 4.4% next year.  Multifamily net absorption should be 219,300 units this year and 236,600 in 2013.