Economy

Industrial demand is surging across the country and there is strong activity across most real estate sectors, says Akerman's Eric Rapkin, who <b>EXCLUSIVELY</b> chatted with GlobeSt.com about big-picture trends and issues impacting different commercial real estate sectors.

Apartment rents are up another 2.1% this year, and the trend shows no signs of stopping thanks to the housing shortage in Los Angeles.

The current project to extend the Foothill Gold Line is now fully funded with an additional $300 million grant from the California State Transportation Agency's Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

“Creating 'transit villages' around both of our train stations is a high priority for my administration,” says Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka.

The discipline shown by many players in the sector means investors have opportunities.

And while cities in the West and South are still buyers' markets, Chicago and others in the Midwest are struggling.

Los Angeles has surpasses New York as the top market for institutional investment activity.

GDP growth has remained below 3%, but the slow growth isn't stopping the Fed from raising interest rates.