A building converted to a different use in order to meet current demand. Examples incluse a factory converted to retail use or an office building converted to a school.
The primary and usually the largest tenant in a shopping center. Larger shopping centers may have more than one anchor tenant. Rent for anchor tenants is often significantly lower than rent for other tenants in a shopping center because they draw consumers to the center.
The amount asked by landlords for available space, expressed in dollars per square foot per year in most parts of the country (and per month in areas of California and other selected markets). (Synonym: face rate)
The total amount of space that is currently being marketed for lease. It includes space that is vacant or also space that is currently occupied but will be vacant in the future. Available space can include both direct and sublet space. If sublet space is excluded from the calculation, the term “direct available space” is recommended.
A lease agreement whereby the tenant pays an aggregate of the base year or first year’s rent plus an amount to reflect the landlord’s increased operating cost over the base year. In the first year of a base year lease, the base year rate is designed to compensate the landlord for the structure and its operation including maintenance, taxes and property insurance. In subsequent years, the landlord may charge an additional amount to cover rising operating costs. Base year leases expose the landlord to a degree of operating cost inflation, but also benefit the landlord if expenses decrease.
Values equal to one-hundredth of one percentage point. For example, 100 basis points = 1 percentage point.
Highly specialized laboratory or research and development space. The space is uniquely configured and is typically developed to the needs of the biotech tenant. It may require significant retrofit should the tenant vacate the space. The space is often characterized by robust mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as by sophisticated ventilation systems to accommodate the highly specialized and complex activities that occur inside and that involve the handling of chemicals, drugs and biological matter.
A blend and extend lease is a type of renewal that allows tenants to blend their existing lease into a new and longer lease. If a tenant is paying rent that is above current market rents, this arrangement will lower the current rental rate. The tenant benefits by an immediate reduction in the rental rate, and the landlord benefits by securing a tenant for a longer term. Conversely, if rents are rising quickly and lease expiration is approaching a tenant may renew early and extend to lock in lower rates.
A building is designed and tailored for a specific tenant, often because the tenant is unable to find suitable space in the speculative market. Sometimes (but not always), a build-to-suit project includes specific design features not commonly found in the speculative market, thus compelling the tenant to have a special facility built. The build-to-suit project is usually contracted with a developer who owns and operates the completed facility occupied by the tenant. Generally, a build-to-suit project becomes a single-tenant building upon completion.
Improvements (as opposed to repairs) to a fixed asset that will increase the value or useful life of that asset. A capital expenditure is typically amortized or depreciated over the useful life of the asset, as opposed to a repair, which is expensed in the year incurred.
Unlevered initial return from the acquisition of a real estate asset calculated by dividing net operating income (NOI) by the property sales price. For example, a property’s capitalization rate (cap rate) is 10 percent if it is purchased for $10 million and produces $1 million in NOI during one year. The cap rate is typically calculated using the NOI generated in the first year of ownership so investors can normalize and compare potential returns among competing investment properties.
Distance from the floor to the inside overhead upper surface of the room. This measure will be higher than any hanging objects, beams, joists or trusses, unless there is a suspended ceiling.
A classification used to describe an office building with rents in the top 30 to 40 percent of the marketplace. Class A buildings are well-located in major employment centers and typically have good transit, vehicular and pedestrian access. Additionally, they are located adjacent to or in proximity to a high number of retail establishments and business-oriented or fast casual restaurants. Building services are characterized by above-average upkeep and management.
A classification used to describe an office building with rents that are based between those of Class A and Class C buildings. Class B buildings are in good to fair locations in major employment centers and have good to fair transit, vehicular and pedestrian access. They are located adjacent to or in proximity to a moderate number of retail establishments and business- oriented or fast casual restaurants. Building services are characterized by average upkeep and management.
A classification used to describe an office building with rents in the bottom 10 to 20 percent of the marketplace. Class C buildings are in less-desirable locations relative to the needs of major tenant sectors in the marketplace. They can be older, neglected buildings in good locations or moderate-level buildings in poor locations, so transit, vehicular and pedestrian access may vary. Typically, fewer amenities and restaurants are found in or near these buildings, and they are usually of moderate to low quality. Building services are characterized by below-average upkeep and management.
A functionally or economically obsolete building is one that does not offer a viable alternative for space and does not “compete” with others of similar type for occupancy by businesses seeking a location for operations. These buildings will usually have externally visible physical or structural features as well as internal ones that render it undesirable to be leased and therefore not competitive with any other properties in the market. The property may even be tagged as “Condemned” by the local authorities.
Distance from the floor to the lowest-hanging ceiling member or hanging objects, beams, joists or truss work descending down into a substantial portion of the industrial work area. This is the most important measure of the interior height of an industrial building because it defines the minimum height of usable space within the structure.
The distance between posts or vertical supporting beams in a building.
CMBS are a type of bond that is commonly issued in U.S. securities markets and is backed by the cash flow from a pool of mortgages on commercial properties. The CMBS are often arranged into groups or “tranches” according to geography, property type or underlying credit rating.
The fee paid to a real estate broker for his or her services rendered in a real estate transaction.
The generally accessible areas found on each floor of an office building such as washrooms, janitorial closets, electrical rooms, telephone rooms, mechanical rooms, elevator lobbies and public corridors that are available for use by all tenants on that floor. It does not include major vertical penetrations such as elevator shafts, stairways, equipment runs, etc., (identified as a percentage of rentable area).
A subset of total inventory that enables one to isolate and compare buildings on the basis of similar characteristics rather than simply by location. For example, a broker preparing to show available space to a tenant may identify five properties to be toured on the basis of location, square footage available, class, asking rent, parking ratio, etc. An investment sales or finance broker may generate a competitive set of buildings according to access to transit, year built, percentage leased, etc., to help estimate the value of an asset to be bought, sold or refinanced.
The total number of buildings that broke ground (commenced construction) over a given period. The starts are typically measured in number of buildings and square feet.
Multiple suites or spaces on either the same floor or the adjoining floor(s) in the same building.
An investment in a high-quality real estate asset that is located in a highly accessible and highly desirable submarket. The asset commands among that submarket’s highest rents and requires virtually zero near-term capital expenditures. The asset is at least 80 percent leased, carries long-term leases with creditworthy tenants, and is among the most sought-after assets in the market, suggesting there is significant market liquidity.
An investment in a high-quality real estate asset that is located in a highly accessible and highly desirable submarket. The asset commands among that submarket’s highest rents and requires virtually zero near-term capital expenditures. The asset is at least 80 percent leased, carries long-term leases with creditworthy tenants, and is among the most sought-after assets in the market, suggesting there is significant market liquidity.
A clause in a retail tenant’s lease that provides remedies to a tenant in the event that another tenant, typically an anchor or major tenant, ceases its operations at the property.
Workspace offered for lease for short- to long-term periods in a communal setting. Space for office, artistic or manufacturing use can be leased by the day, month, year or even hour. The physical space leased can range from a traditional dedicated private office with a door to an unassigned seat on a bench along a communal table. Coworking spaces go beyond just providing a physical work environment. They are typically operated by entities that offer business-related lectures, social events and a sense of community for their entrepreneurial tenants, thus helping them grow their businesses.
Previously industrial space with high ceilings and exposed air ducts. The space is often made of brick and timber and has been converted to office or studio space that often caters to technology, advertising, media and entertainment tenants (TAME).
A tenant with a business that has been in existence for numerous years, that has strong financial statements, or that has a large market presence that could be rated as investment grade by a rating agency. Financial and business stability implies that the tenant is highly likely to honor its lease commitment; the tenant is, therefore, viewed as a low-risk renter. Buildings with credit tenants as anchors are considered less risky investments for lenders.
A building that has completed construction (i.e. obtained its certificate of occupancy). With a COO, the property will be considered delivered whether or not tenants have occupied the space. (Synonyms: completion; new supply).
Space that is offered for lease directly by the building owner or landlord. If space is offered for lease by a building tenant, it is not direct space but rather is sublet space.
The total amount of physically vacant space divided by the total amount of existing inventory, expressed as a percentage. Space that is under construction (and, therefore, is vacant) is not included in vacancy calculations.
A type of warehouse facility designed to accommodate efficient movement of goods.
Expressed in dollars per square foot either per year or per month depending on market standards, it is a measurement of the value of the lease when all the concessions plus escalations are included. Effective rent calculations may vary according to local market practices; for example, in some markets, broker commissions are included.
A block of space offered for lease by a landlord to which another tenant has some right to lease or occupy at some future date.
Also referred to as an “EPA rating” or an “Energy Star rating,” the rating is a standardized national benchmark that helps architects and building owners assess energy use relative to similar buildings in the program. An Energy Star-qualified building means the building meets EPA criteria for energy efficiency and displays the Energy Star building label.
A clause in a contract (lease) which increases rent over the term of the lease, usually on an annual basis. The most frequently used types of escalations are Fixed Percent (3%), Monetary ($1.00/sf), and Index (CPI 3%). Most leases with a term longer than one year will have an escalation. Additionally, escalations could be semi-annual, or mid-term.
As its name suggests, an industrial building designed to be used in a variety of ways. It is usually located in an industrial park setting. Specialized flex buildings can include service centers, showrooms, offices, warehouses and more.
FAR is the relationship between the total square footage of a building and the total square footage of the parcel on which the building is located. It is typically calculated by dividing the total square footage of the building by the land area in square feet. For example, if a 20,000-square-foot building is built on a 10,000-square-foot lot, the FAR is 2.0.
The gross square footage of each floor in a multistory building. Individual floor plate sizes may vary according to the design of a building.
To entice tenants in a soft market, landlords may offer free rent, usually a certain number of months at the beginning of the lease when the tenant does not have to pay rent. A number of variations are possible such as giving the tenant free rent in the middle of the lease or prorating the free rent into the tenant’s monthly payments.
An industrial property type that enables goods to be efficiently moved or transported from a warehouse directly to a consumer.
A lease agreement whereby the tenant pays a single rent amount and the landlord provides for all expenses. Because the landlord is exposed to potentially increasing operating and administrative costs, the lease agreement typically includes rent escalators or built-in increases at fixed points during the lease term. The landlord can increase profit by decreasing costs. Although uncommon in conventional office leasing, gross leases for may appeal to firms transitioning from co-working environments, which commonly offer similar, turnkey access to a landlord-operated space under a membership agreement.
A lease agreement whereby the landlord pays all or most of the operating expenses and taxes.
The total amount of space occupied over a given period of time, without subtracting the amount of space vacated.
The total interior floor area of a building, usually measured from the innermost edge of the outside walls.
A lease agreement (contract) whereby the landowner (lessor) agrees to lease a parcel of land for a set period of time to a third party (lessee). Depending on the agreement, the lessor can stipulate what the lessee can or cannot do with the property or build on the property. The lease term is typically 20 years or more, but many extend to 99 years. Upon expiration of the lease agreement, the lessor typically gains control and ownership of whatever is constructed on the land, unless the lease is renewed or an exception is created in the lease.
A structure used primarily for manufacturing, research and development, production, maintenance, and storage or distribution of goods or both. It can include some office space. Industrial buildings are divided into three primary classifications: manufacturing, warehouse or distribution, and flex.
Infill is the development of one or more buildings on underutilized land situated between existing buildings. Infill development is typically done in dense environments where land is scarce. The slightly broader term “land-recycling” is sometimes used.
A retail store placed adjacent to neighboring retailers so that the fronts of the stores are in a straight line and behind what is considered the lease line. Tenants operating in the common area are not considered in-line vendors.
For income properties, it is the interest or discount rate needed to discount the sum of future net cash flows, including amortization and payments of loans and depreciation of the real property, to an amount equal to the initial equity of the property. For development projects, it is the interest or discount rate needed to convert (or discount or reduce) the sum of the development expenditures and incomes to equal zero.
Space under contract between a landlord and a tenant or between a tenant and a subtenant.
A leasehold is an ownership structure in which a temporary right to use land has been granted by the landowner to another party. (See ground lease.) Although the tenants do not own the land, they are able to improve the land and operate it as stipulated in the ground lease for the term of the lease.
Triple Net Lease or NNN Lease: A lease agreement whereby the tenant pays a base rent net of (or in addition to) actual operating expenses. Operating expenses typically fall under three types: Common Area Maintenance (or CAM), which can include janitorial services and/or utilities; taxes; and property insurance – hence the “triple net” label referring to the three net expenses. The landlord is responsible for the roof, structure and sometimes parking. A NNN lease minimizes the landlord’s exposure to rising operating costs and provides a predictable income stream of base rent.
Base Year Lease or Modified Gross Lease: A lease agreement whereby the tenant pays an aggregate of the base year or first year’s rent plus an amount to reflect the landlord’s increased operating cost over the base year. In the first year of a base year lease, the base year rate is designed to compensate the landlord for the structure and its operation including maintenance, taxes and property insurance. In subsequent years, the landlord may charge an additional amount to cover rising operating costs. Base year leases expose the landlord to a degree of operating cost inflation, but also benefit the landlord if expenses decrease.
Full Service Lease or Gross Lease: A lease agreement whereby the tenant pays a single rent amount and the landlord provides for all expenses. Because the landlord is exposed to potentially increasing operating and administrative costs, the lease agreement typically includes rent escalators or built-in increases at fixed points during the lease term. The landlord can increase profit by decreasing costs. Although uncommon in conventional office leasing, gross leases for may appeal to firms transitioning from coworking environments, which commonly offer similar, turnkey access to a landlord-operated space under a membership agreement.
Leasing activity is a term that refers to the number of leases signed or square footage committed to over a specified period without regard to occupancy. Typically, leases are executed many months before a tenant occupies the space. This arrangement means that a lease can be executed in a given quarter, but the space commitment will not show up in the absorption figures until the space is occupied at some point in the future. Leasing activity includes direct leases, subleases and expansions of existing leases. Leasing activity also includes any preleasing activity in buildings that are under construction, are planned or are under renovation.
LEED is a third-party certificate program under the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance sustainable buildings. Certificate levels are as follows: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. The levels are based on points obtained in six areas: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, material and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.
A letter of intent is an agreement(s) between two or more parties before an actual agreement, such as a lease, is finalized. It is similar to a term sheet or memorandum of understanding (MOU). While LOIs may not be binding, provisions of them can be, e.g., non-disclosure and exclusivity. The intent is to protect both parties in the transaction until the transaction is executed.
A type of retail property in an urban-like or Main Street setting with pedestrian circulation in the core and with vehicular circulation along the perimeter. Tenants are typically upscale, national-chain specialty stores, restaurants and theaters.
The load factor is calculated by dividing the rentable building area (RBA) by the usable area. This factor can then be applied to the usable area to convert it to RBA for comparison. In markets were space is leased on the basis of the usable area, if the load factor is 15 percent, then the usable area can be multiplied by 1.15, resulting in the RBA.
A facility used for the conversion, fabrication or assembly of raw or partly wrought materials into products or goods.
A structure with most of its interior built out to accommodate healthcare providers such as doctors and dentists or healthcare technicians who perform exams with specialized equipment. Typically, the buildings have more robust mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems as well as reinforced floors to accommodate numerous exam rooms and heavy medical equipment.
Multitenant is a building that is not owner occupied and space that is leased to two or more tenants. Single tenant is a building for which there is a single lease obligation.
This type of retail property is most commonly found in the United States. Anchored by supermarkets and drug stores, the centers are typically one-level, rectangular structures with surface parking in the front and merchandise loading areas in the back. They provide for the sale of convenience goods (food, drugs, etc.) and personal services (laundry, dry cleaning, etc.) for the day-to-day living needs of the immediate neighborhood.
The net change in occupied space over a specified period of time. This change is measured in square feet at the building, submarket and market levels. This figure reflects the amount of space occupied as well as the amount of space vacated. Net absorption can be either positive or negative and must reflect increases and decreases in inventory levels.
The income generated after deducting operating expenses but before deducting taxes and financing expenses.
Includes rent, real estate and personal property taxes, plus insurance, depreciation and amortization expenses.
Short for “office condominium,” this term refers to the ownership structure of an office property in which individual units housed in one structure are sold to independent owners. Typically, there are covenants that govern the activities that can be carried out in and improvements that can be made to each unit. Such covenants also stipulate the distribution of costs related to the maintenance and operations of common elements in the building such as the roof and the elevators.
The merging of online and brick-and-mortar retail operations so customers can purchase and return items via more than one “channel.” For example, they can buy online and return in store (BORIS), buy online and pick up in store (BOPIS), buy online and pick up at a locker, etc.
Ground-up development of a real estate project is considered an opportunistic investment. It is an investment in a parcel or site that typically involves some or all of the following: rezoning for use or density or both; net new or ground-up construction; conversion of a building from one use to another; complete gut or significant rehab of a building, requiring that it be entirely vacant to complete; introduction of uses not previously seen on this parcel or in this area; etc.
Among the largest types of retail properties, they typically feature three or more big box retailers such as Home Depot, Target and Walmart. Various smaller retailers are usually clustered together in a community shopping center configuration. Power centers are typically made up of multiple large buildings that are one-level, rectangular structures with surface parking in the front and merchandise loading areas in the back. Often, more money is spent on features and architecture at these locations than at big box shopping centers.
Space that is physically occupied by a tenant, subtenant or owner. Occupied space is calculated by subtracting total vacant space from total competitive inventory. If subtenant space is excluded from the calculation, then the term “direct occupied space” is recommended.
A building that has received zoning approval but has not yet started construction.
A REIT is a company that owns or finances income-producing assets, such as apartments, shopping centers, offices and warehouses. It may also invest in air or water rights, unharvested crops, permanent structures and structural components that are part of a structure but don’t themselves produce income. Shares of REITs can be traded like stocks and can allow owners of the shares to participate in the real estate market.
A sale in which a lender, either institutional or private, sells a property that the lender has taken back through foreclosure.
Sometimes called “second-generation space,” it refers to existing space that was previously occupied by a tenant.
The right of a tenant to extend the lease term for a specified period of time at a predefined rental rate. In many instances, the rate is defined as a percentage of market rent, and in other instances, the rate is a specified dollar amount. An auto-renewal option is a type of renewal option whereby the lease term is extended automatically on the expiration date without any notification requirement. Often, there is a date by which this option must be executed; otherwise, the option expires.
The total square footage of a building that can be occupied by or assigned to a tenant for the purpose of determining a tenant’s total rental obligation. Generally, RBA includes common areas in the building including hallways, lobbies, bathrooms and phone/data closets.
A measure of the value created by a real estate investment. It is the difference between the net gains from investing in the property less the net cost from investing in the property divided by the purchase price of the property. Usually, it is reported as a percentage.
An owner-occupied property that is sold to a third-party investor. The previous owner becomes the tenant that pays rent to the new owner. This tactic allows property owners to convert their ownership (equity) into cash while still occupying the property. The seller’s (now the tenant’s) lease term must be for two or more years.
A type of flex facility characterized by a substantial showroom area, usually fronting a freeway or major road.
A portion of leased space that is not being used by the tenant. This area can include unused space that a tenant leased and is holding for expected future growth. It can also include unused space that was previously occupied but is no longer used as a result of downsizing the company’s workforce. Shadow space is difficult to measure because it is not officially marketed or tracked in industry databases.
Space within a property that is currently not built out.
A building developed and constructed without any preleasing in place. Construction commences without a prelease when the developer believes there is so much demand for that type of building in that market or submarket that a lease commitment is bound to come through.
A stabilized cap rate is the ratio between the net operating income produced by a property upon achieving target occupancy, and its purchase value.
A floor-by-floor and suite-by-suite graphical representation of each floor and suite within a building. The plan shows the suite number, the square footage of each suite and the tenant occupying each. On many stacking plans, lease expiration dates are also provided to give a quick view of the occupancy exposure within a building.
A strip shopping center is an attached row of stores or service outlets that are managed as a coherent retail entity with onsite parking usually located in front of the stores. Open canopies may connect the storefronts, but a strip center does not have enclosed walkways linking the stores. A strip center may be configured in a straight line or may have an “L” or “U” shape.
Space offered for lease indirectly by a tenant rather than directly by a landlord.
Submarkets are geographic divisions of markets. These smaller divisions or boundaries are generally recognized and accepted by the real estate industry and the business community in a market and region. Submarkets are geographic boundaries that delineate core areas that are competitive with one another, and together they constitute a generally accepted secondary set of competitive areas. In the real estate industry, submarkets are building-type specific and are nonoverlapping contiguous geographic designations with a cumulative sum that matches the boundaries of a market. They contain properties sufficient to provide meaningful information for aggregate statistics.
A telecom property defined as a building with 75% or more of its rentable square footage designated for telecom use. Telecom uses include, but is not limited to carrier (telecom) hotel, colocation providers, server, web hosting facilities, point of presence (POP), network access Point (NAP), data/cyber center, switch centers, Internet service providers (ISP), server farms, etc. Note: Just because a telecom tenant is located in a facility, does not make it a telecom facility. (Ex. Large companies such as AT&T, Sprint, and Qwest).
The amount of money which a landlord agrees to give the tenant to fix up the tenant’s space, usually expressed as a dollar amount per square foot. The amount is subject to negotiation between the landlord and tenant. Most markets have a “standard” range of tenant improvement allowance that is most commonly included in leases.
The total number of buildings and total square footage (net rentable area) in the competitive inventory. Buildings under construction are not part of total inventory. Total inventory increases when a new building is delivered and decreases when an existing building is demolished or changes use. Total inventory includes properties under renovation if the building remains inhabitable during the renovation but excludes properties converting to a different use. Total inventory is typically measured at the submarket and market levels. A description of the characteristics and numeric thresholds that make up the total inventory should be provided. The total inventory figure may vary from one data provider to another as a result of tailored definitions of what constitutes the competitive inventory.
Real estate projects that are built around transit to maximize access to shared transportation modes. Typically, the TOD project is dense and walkable, and it includes a mix of uses such as residential, office, retail, hotel and entertainment.
A lease agreement whereby the tenant pays a base rent net of (or in addition to) actual operating expenses. Operating expenses typically fall under three types: Common Area Maintenance (or CAM), which can include janitorial services and/or utilities; taxes; and property insurance – hence the “triple net” label referring to the three net expenses. The landlord is responsible for the roof, structure and sometimes parking. A NNN lease minimizes the landlord’s exposure to rising operating costs and provides a predictable income stream of base rent.
A landmark property that is located in a highly desirable submarket, is designed by a recognized architect, and features high-end finishes and modern or efficient systems. This building commands among the highest rents in the market and is more than 80 percent occupied by the market’s premier tenants. It is highly sought after by institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies as well as by foreign investors. These properties are more desirable than Class A buildings.
The tightest turn a truck can make, depending on several variables such as truck configuration, trailer size and location of adjacent objects that obstruct the inner turning radius.
A building is under construction when construction permits have been obtained and site excavation has begun. If a site is being redeveloped, demolition of existing structures does not necessarily indicate that construction has begun. Sites are sometimes cleared years in advance of a groundbreaking.
A building is typically under renovation when construction permits have been obtained and demolition has begun. A building is under renovation if it remains inhabitable by tenants during the construction. If an existing building is gutted extensively (i.e., elevators and bathrooms do not function and it can, therefore, not be occupied by a tenant), then the building should be removed from inventory and redelivered when the occupancy permit is issued.
This relative term is best compared to rentable area. Usable area is the amount of space that can actually be used by tenants within the space they lease. For example, columns inside a tenant space are counted in the measure of rentable area, but the space occupied by the column cannot be used by the tenant. A tenant’s usable area does not include common areas in the building.
A measurement expressed as a percentage of the total amount of vacant space divided by the total amount of inventory. This measurement is typically applied to a building, a submarket or a market.
An investment in a real estate asset with existing cash flow (and value) that can be increased by raising occupancy, rents or both. Owners typically carry out one or more of the following to add value to a building: improve or replace building systems, provide new finishes, introduce new amenities, improve access or circulation to the building, add square footage, etc.
Walk score is a number between 0 and 100 that measures the number of amenities such as retail, businesses, parks, theaters and schools that can be accessed by foot inside a 1-mile radius from a particular address. The higher the number, the greater access to amenities.
A facility primarily used for the storage or distribution or both of materials, goods and merchandise.
Legislative regulations specifying allowable uses of land and controlling the construction of improvements with cities or counties. Common designations are “C” for commercial (retail and office), “M” or “I” for industrial and “R” for residential (R1 single family, R2 low density multi- family, R3 & R4 higher density multi-family). Zoning regulations are unique to specific areas and designations may differ.
*Source: NAIOP, Transwestern