INSIGHTS

Exploring Tomorrow’s Real Estate

Understanding the changing dynamics of commercial real estate is essential for growth. This section shares vital data, market trends, and tools you need to make informed decisions.


TRUMP HOUSING EMERGENCY

A top cabinet official says President Trump is considering a housing emergency declaration this fall — a move that could give the White House limited authority to bypass Congress in addressing affordability.

What the declaration would actually do remains unclear. Officials have floated ideas like standardizing zoning codes and cutting closing costs, while Trump continues to push the Fed to lower interest rates.

With the 2026 midterms approaching, is this a genuine housing policy push — or political positioning?

LUMBER PRICES DOWN, YAHOO!

Lumber futures dropped 24% since early August, hitting $526.50 per thousand board feet, the lowest in a year.

Oversupply and slowing housing starts are pushing producers like Interfor to scale back output, while tariff tensions with Canada add even more uncertainty.

Will weaker lumber prices be an early warning sign for the U.S. housing market heading into Q4?

DEVELOPERS PLANS TO BUILD WAREHOUSE BLOCKED BY TOWN

Following a lengthy hearing on Sept. 4, the Hillsborough Township Planning Board unanimously rejected the project, which called for two warehouses totaling more than 537,000 square feet.

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL CLASS A BUILDING BUILT

Lincoln Equities Group (LEG) has officially unveiled Lincoln Logistics Belleville. Located at 681 Main Street in Belleville, the 15.25-acre site features two Class A industrial warehouse buildings.

“With its proximity to New York City, direct highway access, and strong regional labor pool, this development is well-positioned to serve tenants looking to expand or strengthen their presence in the Northeast,” said Lance Bergstein, CEO of LEG

Both facilities feature 36-foot ceiling heights, ESFR sprinklers, robust parking and ample power to support a range of tenant requirements. Building 1, totaling 91,746 square feet with 2,287 square feet of spec office space, includes 59’x54’ column spacing, 17 dock doors, two drive-in doors and dedicated trailer parking. Building 2 spans 112,661 square feet with 2,445 square feet of spec office space and offers 54’x51’ column spacing, 26 dock doors and two drive-in doors.

NEW WAREHOUSE AT RUTGERS INDUSTRIAL PARK

The new warehouse, 54,000 SQ Feet will include 35-foot clear heights with 44-foot and 49-foot column spacing with plans for occupancy in early 2026.

Additional features include eight loading docks, 31 parking spaces and approximately 2,000 square feet of office space.

The latest addition follows recent expansion at Rutgers Industrial Center, which added a 78,000-square-foot building at 30 Duke Road and a 30,000-square-foot building at 101 Circle Drive North.

WAREHOUSE MARKET IMPROVES

Real estate information provider Cushman & Wakefield said Oct. 1 that New Jersey’s industrial sector improved in the third quarter while the state’s beleaguered office market gave indications it was stabilizing.

Leasing activity surged in New Jersey’s industrial market at the start of the second half of 2025, with new leasing volume climbing 59.1% quarter over quarter to 8.9 million square feet.

This spike in activity was led by 28 new leases signed in the third quarter of more than 100,000 square feet, totaling 5.7 million square feet, a 24.8% increase from the prior year’s quarter.

“New Jersey’s industrial market is showing real momentum again, with large occupiers returning to the table and confidence building across the Turnpike corridor,” said Felix Soto, research manager at Cushman & Wakefield. “The shift back to positive absorption reflects a healthier balance between supply and demand.”

OUTDOOR STORAGE PROPERTYGARNISHES NICE PRICE

A private buyer has paid $3.3 million for a nearly 1.3-acre industrial outdoor storage property in Kenilworth, brokers with NAI James E. Hanson announced Monday.

In a news release, the listing team said the parcel at 400-450 Swenson Drive is home to three buildings with a combined 17,040 square feet of industrial and flex space. The facilities are newly renovated, the brokers said, touting their proximity to the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 78 and their easy access to Newark Liberty International Airport, Port Newark-Elizabeth and New York City via the Holland Tunnel.

NAI Hanson’s Russell J. Verducci, Eric Demmers and Colin Goldstein represented Fairfield Products Corp. in the sale of the 1.28-acre property.

“We’re continuing to see strong demand from both investors and users for well-located IOS properties in the northern New Jersey market like 400-450 Swenson Drive,” Verducci said. “Our team is pleased to have secured strong value for this asset on behalf of our client, and we wish the buyer all the best with the property.”