COMPARING HOTEL REVPAR BY REGION
In 2005, revenue per available room rose an average of 12.4% in the U.S. as tracked by PKF Consulting. The South Central region recorded RevPAR growth of 20%, the highest among five regions.
TOP 10 OFFICE MARKETS FOR INVESTMENT
Grubb & Ellis used several economic, demographic and real estate metrics to determine the top office markets for investment over the next five years. Phoenix ranks No. 1.
| Ranking | |
|---|---|
| Phoenix | 1 |
| Washington, D.C. | 2 |
| Riverside, Calif. | 3 |
| Las Vegas | 4 |
| Los Angeles County | 5 |
| Oakland, Calif. | 6 |
| Orange County, Calif. | 7 |
| Orlando | 8 |
| Portland, Ore. | 9 |
| San Diego | 10 |
| Source: Grubb & Ellis | |
REIT INVESTORS PAY MORE FOR LESS RETURN
REIT valuation multiples have increased across the board over the last five years, with multifamily continuing its steady upward climb. As awareness of REITs continues, more money is flowing into the sector and investors are willing to pay more for each dollar of earnings.
GAS PRICES SIPHON OFF RETAIL SPENDING
Rising prices at the pump are taking a bigger bite out of retail spending. In April, gas hit an average of $2.79 per gallon, and consumption accounted for 12.6% of retail sales, well above the long-term average of about 10%. At the same time, retail sales keep growing as well.