Tribute Media

Thornton Oliver Keller Commercial Real Estate, Idaho's largest full-service commercial real estate firm, has announced the opening of an Idaho Falls office.

With the commercial market hovering at pre-recession vacancies and lease rates on the rise, 2016 should see another strong year of investment activity.

While online shopping continues to grow, it still makes up less than 10 percent of overall sales. However, technology is becoming an increasingly useful tool for retailers. Sixty percent of consumers report doing research online before making a purchase.

Heartland RV recently announced that it is coming to Nampa and bringing hundreds of jobs with it. Heartland expects to be operational in the first quarter of 2016 and will employ 120 people at that time.

Opportunities are likely to pick up in the coming years as CMBS loans signed during the boom reach maturity. Many owners will see an improved market and opt to sell instead of refinancing.

As the market continues to tighten and new product is delivered, lease rates will steadily climb.

With no large developments slated for completion in the second half of 2015, vacancy will tighten and absorption will remain positive. Retail centers with high traffic counts and good visibility will see lease rates rise.

"Vacancy rates will likely decline through the end of 2015 as the market continues to rebound. Absorption will remain strong and comparable to the past four years. Lease rates, particularly in Class A buildings, will increase due to strong demand.

Below is an excerpt from Cam Johnson's Ada County Real Estate Market Report for January. Cam Johnson is a residential agent for Windermere.

Talk of interest rate hikes has been prevalent in recent years and is now likely according to many economists. The Fed signaled on July 29, 2015, that it remains on course to raise interest rates this September.