National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun presented a modest and hopeful outlook for the commercial real estate market during the Economic Issues and Commercial Business Trends Forum at the Realtor Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.

"The commercial market has displayed modest growth lately," says Yun. "Commercial real estate is the basis for much of the growth in the American economy, however challenges continue to exist. Despite this, there are hopeful signs that the market might be slowly recovering due to recent job creation and an increase in consumer spending, among other indicators."

Yun provided an economic overview during which he identified a number of areas that showed signs of improvement. Consumer spending has increased slightly, while personal incomes have risen. People also are now able to save money, proving that the savings rate had rebounded. Jobs are also accelerating, and the stock market has shown a strong recovery.

"Consumer confidence has yet to return to normal, and America still needs to create more jobs," Yun says. "However, there are signs that show a positive overall financial improvement within the country."

One major challenge that continues to plague the commercial market is lack of available credit, the association contends. While there are notable improvements in capital for large commercial transactions, valued at $2.5 million or higher, there remain significant challenges for small business, it says. NAR's annual Commercial Real Estate 2012 Lending Survey says a majority of Realtors typically are involved in transactions worth less than $2 million, and those are usually all cash. Both factors make it difficult to obtain commercial lending, the association says. Yun points out that this is holding back the recovery potential in the commercial market, as well as hindering overall economic recovery.

"Since the economic crisis, smaller lenders have been shut out, while larger lenders do a majority of the business," Yun asserts. "Realtors have reported that they typically obtain commercial mortgages from smaller banks. They find it frustrating that the larger banks are gaining market share at the expense of smaller-sized lenders, which is hampering lending to small businesses."

All major commercial real estate sectors are seeing improvement, but multifamily housing continues to be the healthiest, with falling vacancy rates and rising rents. Families who were foreclosed upon and young people who can't obtain a mortgage are choosing to rent, and Yun predicts this trend will continue. Based on the demand and lack of new construction on apartment buildings nationally, Yun estimates rents will increase by about 4 percent next year.

In the office and industrial sectors, vacancy rates are improving and prices are beginning to level off. Transaction volume in the industrial sector also is beginning to pick up. Retail is showing signs of a slight recovery, which Yun predicts will be a consistent trend. Yun says that overall, the commercial market is experiencing a slow healing process.

Jeffrey DeBoer, president and CEO of The Real Estate Roundtable, also spoke at the trade expo. He reiterates the need for more credit in the market, calling it a short-term problem that needs to be addressed immediately to bring the market back to life. Other issues DeBoer says are critical to the market are the need for more equity and creation of more jobs. Looking long term, DeBoer also says the U.S. needs to take a closer look at tax reform and to preserve the mortgage-interest deduction.

"We have to be vigilant, and talking to Congress—as Realtors are doing today—is imperative," says DeBoer. "It's important that lawmakers understand what is going on in the commercial market and the challenges that persist. A healthy commercial market is vital to the economy and well-being of this country."

Based in Washington, D.C., the National Association of Realtors represents 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.