Momentum is building in 2011 and Caldwell Companies’ brokers are optimistic about growth in the commercial real estate market for the second half of the year.   With reported job growth on the rise, economic signs point to rejuvenation in Houston’s real estate market. 

Ron Roberson, Caldwell Companies’ Executive Vice President compares the current state of the commercial real estate market in Houston to Rip Van Winkle.  He says, “The market in Houston is a little like Rip Van Winkle.  Our market has been relatively asleep for the past couple of years. Businesses have been cautious, to say the least, and absorption of new lease space has been relatively flat. The silver lining for landlords is that fortunately, the market is not terribly oversupplied, so rates have remained relatively flat as well, and the landlords have not resorted to extreme concessions as in past recessionary times.”  

While the leasing market has been stagnant, Ron said many are opting to invest.  Ron continues, “Building sales, on the other hand are at near record highs.  Many users are electing to invest in property rather than lease, and there is not an overabundance of available user product on the market.  The tight market, along with good liquidity from users has kept development of single occupant buildings moving through the last two years at an unbridled pace.”

The steady recovery of the Houston economy and transformation of the job market are setting the stage for a rebound in leasing.  According to Roberson, “As we move into the second half of 2011, we are optimistic that the velocity of lease transactions is increasing. Early indications are that activity is up significantly from the first quarter to second quarter, and I expect that trend to not only continue, but actually spur some speculative development by institutional property owners.  If we can have a few months of sustained job growth, I believe Rip will be wide awake by 2012.”

What Real Estate Trends Do You Foresee for the Second Half of 2011?

- Foreseeable improving credit markets as new lenders expand into the real estate sector.
- A continuing decline in single family home inventory as more demand moved exclusively into master planned communities.
- A rebound in land prices and sales activity
- Continued corporate migration to suburban locations as Anadarko and Exxon have paved the way for executives to select locations closer to the majority of the workforce population versus traditional Downtown and Galleria locations.

From Fred Caldwell, President and CEO of Caldwell Companies

Caldwell Companies is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of Brandi Ring Realtors. 

Caldwell Companies’ new team brings 20+ years of experience and vast knowledge of the Bryan/College Station real estate market.  Brandi and her team will continue to offer unsurpassed residential services and will now be able to provide clients with commercial services as well. 

“It is a great pleasure to have Brandi and her team join Caldwell Companies in College Station. Brandi brings great passion and market knowledge coupled with a focus on community. Brandi will be a catalyst for continued growth as she works with Clint to expand our College Station services and investments,” said Fred Caldwell, Caldwell Companies’ President and Chief Executive Officer.

Brandi Ring-Cooper joins Caldwell Companies with more than nine years of real estate experience in Bryan/College Station.  She has positioned herself as one of the top realtors in the community and offers incomparable real estate expertise.  Brandi is an active member in the Brazos Valley Association of Realtors and the Bryan/College Station Homebuilders Association.  She serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, ABWA, and is a member of Leadership Brazos Alumni Association.  Brandi and her family are also active members of Brazos Fellowship Church.

Joining Caldwell Companies with Brandi are Pam Johnson and Betty Richter.  Pam joins the team with a successful background in the real estate development business and transitioned into full time brokerage in 2010. Pam’s knowledge of the market from a development standpoint allows her to assist clients in many different facets within the real estate industry.

Betty Richter, a lifetime resident of Bryan/College Station, worked in the moving industry for over 21 years with Conlee-Garett Moving and Storage.  Betty brings a great amount of knowledge, professionalism, and organization to our team. 

Caldwell Companies is a fully-integrated real estate services and development firm providing commercial and residential development, office, industrial, retail and land brokerage, and property management. The firm is committed to the practice of doing business with a true sense of purpose - building community. For more information, go to www.caldwellcosbcs.com.

Towne Lake will be the site for one of two Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) Benefit Homes. Thanks to donations from GHBA members and the Towne Lake development, Newmark Homes is constructing their beautiful Woodhaven plan. Thousands of dollars worth of upgrades and amenities will enhance this luxurious home which will be sold at market value. Proceeds from the sale will benefit Texas Children’s Cancer Center, the Alzheimer’s Association, Home Aid Houston, and the 100 Club Survivor’ s Fund.

Everything really is bigger in Texas, including job growth!  Houston added 51,000 jobs from April 2010 to April 2011, putting it at No. 2 in job growth out of the 12 largest metropolitan areas in the nation.  Between Dallas (No. 1) and Houston alone, an equivalent of 368 new jobs has been created every day.  Compared to the national average growth at 1.1%, Houston almost doubles the average at 2%.

You may think the Lone Star State is just creating more farm jobs.  While Texas has plenty of farmland, the study conducted by the U.S Bureau of Statistics was based on non-farm jobs. As of April 2011, non-farm jobs in Houston grew by an annualized rate of more than 4.8 percent, creating more than 2.5 million jobs.

With an abundance of jobs and reasonable housing costs, Houston is a great place to call home.  In fact, the Greater Houston Partnership sees a sustainable pattern of economic growth for the rest of 2011. And, if you’re in for the long haul, GHP predicts that over the next 25 years Houston will account for one-fourth of Texas job growth.

If your business is growing and needs to expand, our experienced team can assist you with your move.  Our team can assist with subleases of you current location as well as assist you in finding a new facility that will better meet your business needs or even find your own facility.   Contact Ron Roberson today for a free market analysis of your situation. 

Houston is an extremely attractive destination. It is a city to be praised for all of the amenities it has to offer and an increasingly positive economic outlook. Not only is everything bigger in Texas (and Houston)...it's better!

Caldwell Companies’ own Keith Grothaus and Andy Havel participated in the 2011 MS 150 bike ride from Houston to Austin.  They rode alongside an estimated 13,000 cyclists to support and raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“It was emotional witnessing all the support along the way,” said Grothaus.  “It is a tough process – the training, the coordination, the fundraising, and the ride but it is worth it!”

Bill Ginder, a broker for Caldwell Companies, recently bought a championed lamb named Dora from an Aldine FFA student. His contribution will help to support the local FFA.

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The Houston Business Journal published its list of 2011 commercial real estate "Heavy Hitters." Caldwell Companies' Ron Roberson and Andy Havel are two brokers that have been recognized this year.  

We had the chance to interview Ron and Andy and take a look into what it takes to be a successful broker in Houston today:

Q: What device do you use most, or what is the most important ingredient in a productive day?
A: “I can't work without a phone... that being said the most important ingredient in a productive day is face to face interaction. Sending an email or text is not a substitute.”
- Andy Havel

Q: What are today’s potential tenants most interested in?
A: “Today’s tenants are interested in overall value.  Rate usually wins when all else is equal, but there are always key features and benefits that make each property unique.”  
-Ron Roberson

Houston Tops U.S Retail Job Growth
Texas GDP Up 3.7% This Year
New Home Sales Rise to Four-Month in April
Construction Costs Steady
House Passes Eminent Domain Bill

Just Listed
Properties:

2.48 ac – Beltway 8 & Mesa
1.1 ac – FM 1960 Bypass
3.5 ac – Beltway 8 & Old Humble Rd.
8.05 ac – Stuebner Airline at Mintwood
4.3 ac – Louetta near Stuebner Airline
11.5 ac – Eldridge near FM 529
11.5 ac – Windfern

Just Sold
Properties:

2 ac – Louetta
17 ac – Towne Lake Pkwy
8 ac – Clara
2.5 ac – Pinemont
12.2 ac – Rhodes Rd. near Kuykendahl
8.8 ac – Spring Stuebner
9.79 ac – SH 249

Just Leased
Properties:

10603 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N. 16,583 SF
10613 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N. 42,364 SF