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Investor Glossary
2 min read

Absorption

Absorption is a metric that describes the amount of space that has been leased in a market or submarket over a specified period

In this article:
  1. What is Absorption?
  2. Net Absorption
  3. Absorption and New Construction
  4. Related Questions
  5. Get Financing
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What is Absorption?

In self storage property investing, absorption is a metric that describes the amount of space that has been leased in a market or submarket over a specified period — typically a quarter or one-year period. In the broader scope of commercial real estate investing, absorption is often scrutinized as a key indicator for a market’s health and performance.

Net Absorption

It is more common when analyzing commercial real estate markets that the net absorption is what gets scrutinized. Net absorption, a more detailed and relevant calculation, refers to the total amount of square feet that has been leased, minus the amount of space in square feet that has been vacated — over a specific amount of time. Positive net absorption shows when more space has been leased than vacated in a market, and negative net absorption shows the opposite.

Absorption and New Construction

Net absorption also provides a more realistic take on a market’s performance by cutting out possible false metrics. One would figure that newly constructed units could throw off a market analysis by introducing an influx of yet-to-be-rented units, but really, absorption isn’t negatively impacted by significant construction activity. This is because net absorption calculations are solely based on space transitioning from leased to unleased, or vice versa. In fact, construction activity can often lead to an increase in positive net absorption since newly delivered commercial properties are commonly leased fairly quickly.

Related Questions

What is absorption in commercial real estate?

Absorption in commercial real estate is the amount of space that is leased or sold in a given period of time. It is a measure of demand for commercial real estate and is typically measured in square feet. Absorption is an important metric for investors and lenders, as it can indicate the health of the market and the potential for future growth. According to Lee & Associates' first-quarter report on North American commercial real estate, net retail absorption hit 23.4 million square feet in the first quarter.

https://www.lee-associates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022.Q1-North-America-Market-Report.pdf

How does absorption affect the value of a commercial property?

Absorption is the rate at which space is leased in a commercial real estate market. It is an important factor in determining the value of a commercial property. When absorption is high, it indicates that demand for space is strong, which can lead to higher rents and higher property values. Conversely, when absorption is low, it indicates that demand for space is weak, which can lead to lower rents and lower property values.

The Avison Young report indicates that touring activity has increased in the first quarter, which may indicate leasing volume could pick up soon. However, even should that happen, companies’ reductions in office footprints mean that the market’s net absorption will take some time to get back into solidly positive territory.

Class A, amenitized office assets will likely not register significant negative impacts. In fact, the outlook is rather positive for D.C.’s trophy assets, according to a report from JLL. The brokerage noted that office tenants are on an ongoing flight to quality, leaving dated office space for newly constructed space. Even if those tenants occupy less space overall, higher-end properties will still benefit, as there’s no shortage of companies seeking modern space.

At the other end of the spectrum, owners of Class B and C properties, particularly outside the urban center, could face challenges. Savvy value-add investors, however, can reap significant gains by investing in capital improvements to modernize space and add amenities.

What are the benefits of absorption in commercial real estate?

Absorption in commercial real estate refers to the rate at which space is leased or sold in a given market. It is an important metric for investors to consider when evaluating potential investments, as it can provide insight into the health of the local market and the potential for future returns. Generally, higher absorption rates indicate a strong market, while lower absorption rates indicate a weak market.

The benefits of absorption in commercial real estate include:

  • It can provide insight into the health of the local market.
  • It can help investors identify potential investments with higher returns.
  • It can help investors identify potential investments with lower risks.
  • It can help investors identify potential investments with higher liquidity.

For more information, please see Investopedia's article on absorption.

What are the risks associated with absorption in commercial real estate?

Absorption in commercial real estate is the rate at which space is leased or sold in a given market. It is an important factor to consider when investing in commercial real estate, as it can affect the value of the property and the amount of time it takes to fill a vacant space. The main risks associated with absorption in commercial real estate are tenant default, longer lease terms, and slower leasing velocity.

Tenant default is a risk that can occur when a tenant fails to make their rental payments or otherwise breaches the terms of their lease. This can lead to a loss of income for the property owner and can take a long time to resolve. Longer lease terms can also be a risk, as it can take longer to fill a vacant space if the lease terms are longer than the market average.

Finally, slower leasing velocity is a risk associated with absorption in commercial real estate. Leasing velocity is the rate at which space is leased or sold in a given market, and it can be slower in commercial real estate than in multifamily or single-family residential real estate. This can lead to a longer time to fill a vacant space, which can be a risk for property owners.

What factors influence absorption in commercial real estate?

Absorption in commercial real estate is the rate at which space is leased or sold in a given market. Factors that influence absorption include the local economy, population growth, job growth, and the availability of financing. Additionally, the quality of the property, the amenities offered, and the location of the property can all influence absorption. For example, a property located in a desirable area with good amenities may be more likely to be absorbed quickly than a property located in an area with fewer amenities.

For more information, please see Investopedia's article on absorption.

How can investors use absorption to their advantage in commercial real estate?

Investors can use absorption to their advantage in commercial real estate by understanding the market trends and using them to inform their investment decisions. Absorption is the rate at which space is leased or sold in a given market. By understanding the absorption rate, investors can identify markets that are in high demand and make investments that will yield higher returns. Additionally, investors can use absorption to identify markets that are oversupplied and avoid investing in those markets.

For more information on absorption and other commercial real estate investment strategies, check out 5 Proven Tips for Your Next Value Add Investment and The Top 10 Tax Benefits of Investing in Commercial Real Estate.

In this article:
  1. What is Absorption?
  2. Net Absorption
  3. Absorption and New Construction
  4. Related Questions
  5. Get Financing

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