Some key dollar-figure findings released in the first phase: Office and industrial leases total $185 billion a year and brokerage commissions equal more than $10 billion annually. Perhaps more interesting is the sheer mass of office and industrial space--across the U.S., an estimated 7.4 billion sf generates annual lease revenues of $115 billion, and an estimated 22.9 billion sf of industrial space brings in yearly lease revenues of $69.9 billion. The "present value" of brokerage industry profits for office and industrial profits is more than $5 billion, according to study findings.

"Most brokers have a good understanding of what their firm does, what the square footage in their market is," says Steven H. Podolsky, SIOR, principal of Chicago-based Podolsky Northstar Realty Partners and president of the SIOR educational foundation. "But I think some of these figures will make even the most experienced brokers in the largest markets stand back and say, 'Whoa.'"

Other key findings: there are an estimated 11.9 billion sf of multifamily housing across the US, 1.1 billion sf of hotel space, and 5.5 billion sf of retail space. Those totals are based on figures provided by national industry associations. Suburbs contain 70% of the nation's office space, with 5.1 billion sf--generating 54.2% or $62.3 billion, of office lease revenues. Central business district office space totals 2.3 billion sf, generating 45.8% of office lease revenues, or $52.7 billion.