Over the past 12 months, investor behavior has clearly evolved. Capital remains active, but it is more selective, more cautious and increasingly focused on long-term value creation. Stretch underwriting and growth-at-all-costs strategies have largely faded, replaced by a renewed emphasis on asset quality, tenant strength and predictable cash flow.

A FLIGHT TO QUALITY

Across all major asset classes, investors are prioritizing well-located properties with stable, creditworthy tenants. Assets offering durable income and defensible fundamentals are commanding the greatest interest, while speculative plays have fallen out of favor.

SECTOR TRENDS ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Industrial and retail assets continue to attract the strongest demand, driven by necessity-based users and resilient fundamentals. Medical office and Class A office properties are seeing selective interest, particularly those that are well-leased and institutional in quality. Meanwhile, multifamily and land or development sites have cooled as investors reassess near-term demand, rising construction costs and more conservative exit assumptions.

In Lee County, many land projects remain fully entitled and shovel-ready. However, developers have meaningfully pulled back over the past year, choosing caution over risk amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

UNDERWRITING DISCIPLINE RETURNS

The post-COVID environment saw transactions underwritten on aggressive assumptions, often minimizing vacancy, tenant risk, capital expenditures and leasing costs while projecting outsized rent growth. That cycle has come to an end.

Today’s investors are once again underwriting realistic vacancy and rollover risk, tenant credit quality, capital expenditures, and leasing costs and incentives. This renewed focus on fundamentals represents a healthy and necessary correction for the market.

OUTLOOK FOR 2026

While global economic uncertainty is expected to persist in 2026, opportunities remain for disciplined investors who prioritize quality, price risk appropriately and maintain conservative assumptions. Southwest Florida’s long-term fundamentals remain intact, but the market has matured.

“Back to Reality” is not a retreat. It is a reset.

Chase Mayhugh, SIOR, CCIM, is the president and CEO of Mayhugh Commercial Advisors, a Fort Myers-based full-service commercial real estate firm offering sales, leasing and property management. Known for its commitment to excellence and personalized client solutions, the firm is deeply ingrained in the local market dynamics.

DESIGN-BUILD DOMINANCE

Owners are increasingly turning to design-build delivery for speed, cost control and single-source accountability. The model’s ability to compress schedules while maintaining design integrity is fueling adoption across industrial, commercial and civic projects statewide.

AUTOMATION & EFFICIENCY

Automation is no longer a future concept — it’s a current driver of construction efficiency. From prefabrication and robotics to digital modeling and automated storage systems like ASAR, technology is enabling contractors to deliver smarter, safer and faster, while addressing ongoing labor constraints.

RESILIENT & SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Florida’s environmental realities continue to push resilient, energy-efficient construction to the forefront. Developers are prioritizing tilt-up concrete structures, storm-ready systems and ESGaligned designs that lower insurance costs and protect long-term asset value.

MIXED-USE & ADAPTIVE REUSE GROWTH

Communities are favoring projects that serve multiple purposes and generate diversified revenue. Adaptive reuse of underperforming retail and industrial sites is extending the lifespan of existing infrastructure and revitalizing neighborhoods.

LIFESTYLE-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT

Just as marinas have evolved into lifestyle destinations, real estate of all types — from industrial to multifamily — is being reimagined around experience. Hospitality-inspired amenities, wellness spaces and social environments are becoming core to attracting tenants and talent.

INNOVATION DRIVEN BY LABOR SHORTAGES

Persistent labor shortages are accelerating innovation. Builders are turning to self-perform construction, automation and modular delivery to reduce manpower requirements, while maintaining quality and control.

SUPPLY CHAIN LOCALIZATION

The lessons of recent years have reinforced the value of proximity. Contractors are prioritizing local materials, regional vendors and domestic manufacturing partnerships to reduce risk and strengthen Florida’s construction ecosystem.

INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION & INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION

Population migration and e-commerce growth continue to drive industrial demand — from logistics centers to cold storage. Parallel investments in transportation, utilities and ports are supporting this momentum and reshaping regional economies.

PERMITTING & POLICY ALIGNMENT

Developers who engage early with local municipalities on permitting, stormwater and environmental coordination are realizing measurable advantages. Collaboration and transparency are becoming just as critical as engineering and design expertise.

CAPITAL DISCIPLINE & DIVERSIFICATION

Higher interest rates and material costs are prompting a return to fundamentals: strategic, well-capitalized development that balances innovation with practicality and sustainability with scalability.

Florida’s construction landscape has always reflected its people — adaptive, ambitious and forward-looking. As we head into 2026, the firms that embrace technology, prioritize resilience and build with purpose will define the next chapter of growth across the Sunshine State.

Robert Brown is the Founder and CEO of GCM Contracting Solutions, a Fort Myers– based design-build firm specializing in innovative concrete construction, industrial development and automated storage technology through its ASAR division.

For much of the past six years, land sales and construction have been fueled by the urgent need for more housing. National headlines underscored shortages of apartments, affordable housing and workforce housing. But that narrative has now flipped: the region has not only met demand but surpassed it, resulting in an oversupply of multifamily units.

RISING VACANCY RATES

While official vacancy data can be difficult to track, on-the-ground conversations with leasing managers reveal a stark reality: many apartment communities are experiencing double-digit vacancies. Most complexes are reporting rates of 20% or higher, while newer projects (6–12 months old) are struggling with even weaker preleasing and higher vacancies.

FIERCE COMPETITION AMONG COMMUNITIES

The glut of new, amenity-rich developments has sparked intense competition, not only for new tenants but also for existing ones. “Apartment hopping” has become common as renters chase better deals. Some operators are directly targeting competitors’ tenants with aggressive offers, such as two to three months of free rent.

To retain residents, many communities are now offering renewal incentives, including one-month free rent, as standard practice.

FALLING RENTS AND RELAXED STANDARDS

Rental rates have declined 20–25% year-over-year and are expected to fall further as new units enter the market. Many operators have also eased income requirements: the traditional “3x gross income” standard has dropped to as low as 2.5x, widening the pool of qualifying tenants.

Combined with concessions, the effective rent is significantly lower. For example, a one-bedroom unit listed at $1,700 with two months of free rent effectively costs about $1,417 per month for an annual lease.

BROADER MARKET PRESSURES

The multifamily sector also faces competition from easing home prices, which are pulling some renters into ownership. Others, especially young families, are relocating to more affordable regions, shrinking the renter pool further.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

“The market is flooded with new complexes. We all offer the latest amenities and new units, but there simply aren’t enough tenants to go around,” said one local leasing manager.

While the shift is challenging for apartment owners, developers and investors, renters stand to benefit. Lower rents, greater availability and more relaxed requirements are making Southwest Florida more affordable, potentially boosting discretionary spending and stimulating the local economy.

In the long term, sustained rent reductions may also create opportunities for more affordable workforce housing solutions.

BOTTOM LINE

Multifamily in Southwest Florida is no longer a darling asset class; it’s oversupplied, highly competitive and firmly a tenant’s market. Owners and investors are facing declining rental income, rising concessions and longer lease-up timelines. Communities are undercutting each other in a race to attract and retain tenants, eroding property performance and investor returns.

At the same time, renters now hold the upper hand. Lower effective rents, flexible qualification standards and abundant choice create opportunities for households that were previously priced out of the market. For businesses tied to the region’s economy, this shift could help stabilize the workforce and improve affordability across sectors.

In short, while this market correction presents serious challenges for developers and owners, it also sets the stage for new opportunities in workforce housing, repositioning strategies and long-term affordability solutions.

Chase Mayhugh, SIOR, CCIM, is the president and CEO of Mayhugh Commercial Advisors. Chase is a native of Southwest Florida who launched his real estate career in 2003 and has since become a distinguished figure in the industry. Chase’s exceptional performance has been consistently recognized, earning him the CoStar Power Broker and CREXi Platinum Broker Awards for multiple consecutive years. In 2023, Chase was recognized by the National Association of Realtors for his outstanding achievement in commercial real estate. Over the past decade, Chase has served as a trusted advisor to multibillion-dollar Fortune 500 Companies, providing expert guidance in negotiations, long-term leases, acquisitions and dispositions. Contact Chase at 239-278-4945 or chase@mayhughcommercial.com.

1. BEYOND MAINTENANCE— IT’S ABOUT MARGIN

With interest rates holding steady at elevated levels and construction costs re­maining high, investors are laser-focused on asset performance. This is where strategic property management becomes a true value lever. Savvy managers are aligning opera­tional decisions with ownership goals—from negotiating more efficient service contracts to improving tenant retention strategies through proactive engagement. Every dollar saved or generated flows directly to the bottom line.

2. TENANT EXPERIENCE IS THE NEW CURB APPEAL

In retail, medical and mixed-use cen­ters, the tenant experience has become a differentiator. Gone are the days of simple rent collection and annual inspections. To­day’s managers are coordinating seasonal events, facilitating cross-tenant marketing campaigns and implementing tools like tenant portals and SMS communication for real-time issue resolution. The goal? Build strong relationships that encourage lease renewals and higher occupancy rates, while creating a sense of community that adds intangible value to the property.

3. ESG AND OPERATIONAL TRANSPARENCY

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations continue to influence investor decisions. Property managers are on the front lines of implementing these strategies—whether it’s introducing LED retrofits, improving waste stream manage­ment or enhancing safety and accessibility features. In today’s market, these aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re marketable features. Tenants are increasingly look­ing to lease in properties that reflect their values, and institutional buyers are placing premiums on ESG-aligned assets.

4. THE RISE OF TECH-ENABLED OVERSIGHT

From drone inspections to AI-assisted budgeting, technology is transforming the role of property managers. Cloud-based work order systems, automated rent col­lections and real-time maintenance track­ing are helping teams respond faster and smarter. For landlords and asset managers, this translates into clearer reporting, fewer surprises and greater confidence in how their investment is being handled.

5. FLEXIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS WIN THE DAY

As leasing trends evolve—especially in post-pandemic markets—property managers must be agile. Retailers are ex­perimenting with shorter lease terms or pop-up models. Industrial users want faster move-ins. Office landlords are reconfigur­ing common areas and amenity spaces to compete with hybrid work models. Manag­ers who understand how to adapt quickly and keep their teams in sync are proving to be a key differentiator in competitive markets.

In short, the best commercial property managers today are not just caretakers— they’re strategic partners. They bring the insight, innovation and execution neces­sary to protect and grow an asset’s value in a rapidly changing world. As investors continue to evaluate where to place their capital, the management team behind the property may just be the strongest selling point.

Mary Gentile, CRX, CSM, is president of LQ Commercial Property Management, overseeing multi-state retail, office, medical and industrial portfolios. She is active with BOMA, CREW, ICSC and IREM, serves on the Lee County Horizon Council and is a NOAA Weather Ambassador. Contact Mary at 239-464-3277 or mgentile@lqcre.com

2024 was an interesting year for us, as most election years are. This go around felt like the stakes were at the highest, but admittedly, that seems to happen every time as well. To reflect on the year overall, it was almost entirely a countdown to see which way the election went. This affected commercial real estate in many ways, namely impacting, if not halting, our investment sales.

More than waiting for the election, 2024 was a high interest rate/low cap rate environment. Neither are conducive to investment sale purchase activity, but the combination was nearly lethal. Not many can justify purchasing a 6.5% cap when the banks were lending at 7%. Furthermore, money in a simple savings account or money market was getting nearly 5% interest with virtually no risk – so even the cash buyers stayed dormant.

So far in 2025, we have seen investment sale activity increase from its flatline the year before. Buyers are still critical of deal points, but they are absolutely leaving the sidelines. Perhaps that is from more attractive yields and outlooks, or just fatigue from sitting out for so long. Sellers once stubborn to achieve prices and cap rates from years ago are more frequently becoming realistic, hence the completion of some deals. Banks are increasingly competitive, both for owner-users and investors.

Industrial real estate, the reigning darling of most markets, continues to do well in SWFL. Following the year when two sales alone represented over half of the overall sales for the year (in purchase price), our local landscape is forever changed and new and large players continue to enter our market, both from an ownership and a tenancy basis. Leasing activity continues to be strong and vacancy rates low. With so much more square footage coming online in the next 24 months, mainly in south Lee County, we are keeping an eye on those absorption rates, but for now, deals are humming along. As for lease renewals, we are in the final year of bringing rates up to market for those that signed leases around 2020-2022 before rents exploded.

For the office market, we are seeing the shift back into the office. Companies continue to be flexible with employees who prefer the hybrid schedule or to work remotely, but more are in-office. As leases roll over, many businesses contemplate new space layouts, downsizing square footage or even consolidating multiple locations to one central hub. However, the office market in SWFL is one of the healthiest in the entire state, and with nothing considerable in the pipeline for development, we expect that trend to continue.

And for the T word – tariffs. Most are concerned about what impact those will have, and when they will materialize. We expect some bumps in the road for the short term, with an overall positive impact in the long run.

Justin Ankney, CCIM, is senior advisor at Mayhugh Commercial Advisors and a standout professional celebrated for his ethical approach and exceptional results. His passion lies in all asset classes of commercial real estate, with a specialization in industrial and office properties. His responsibilities encompass leasing, sales, owner representation and advisory services. Contact Justin at 239-933-5594 or justin@ mayhughcommercial.com

As the commercial real estate in­dustry progresses through 2025, property managers must navigate a landscape defined by cautious opti­mism and proactive risk management. While signs of market stabilization continue, economic headwinds – such as inflationary pressures, fluctuating in­terest rates and evolving tenant expecta­tions – underscore the need for strategic adaptability.

Recent market trends indicate steady demand across industrial, medical and mixed-use spaces, while retail and of­fice sectors continue to recalibrate. To maintain competitiveness, property managers must embrace data-driven de­cision-making, leveraging analytics to anticipate market shifts and optimize asset performance.

Tenant retention remains a top prior­ity, with success hinging on enhanced amenities, sustainability initiatives and open communication. Incorporating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Gov­ernance) principles into operations not only aligns with regulatory trends but also enhances tenant loyalty and asset value. Buildings that prioritize energy efficiency and wellness-centric design will remain in high demand.

Simultaneously, financial prepared­ness is crucial. Proactive budget manage­ment, deferred maintenance strategies and energy-efficient upgrades can miti­gate risk and reduce long-term costs. As economic conditions fluctuate, maintain­ing liquidity and operational resilience will be essential for long-term success.

Ultimately, 2025 presents an op­portunity to balance optimism with pre­paredness. By staying informed, fostering strong tenant relationships and embracing innovation, property managers can turn challenges into opportunities – ensuring sustainable growth in an evolving market.

Mary Gentile, CRX, CSM, is President of LQ Commercial Property Management, overseeing multi-state retail, office, medical and industrial portfolios. She is active with BOMA, CREW, ICSC and IREM, serves on the Lee County Horizon Council, and is a NOAA Weather Ambassador. Contact Mary at 239-464-3277 or mgentile@lqcre.com.

Relationships must be based on trust, honesty and integrity. A cli­ent must be able to rely on you and trust that you have their best interest in mind.

The core of any strong cli­ent relationship is trust. Clients want to work with companies and agents they feel understand their needs, deliver on promises and act in their best interests. Trust builds over time, through consistent com­munication, transparency and a commitment to quality. When clients trust companies and their agents, they are more likely to stay loyal, forgive occasional mistakes and recommend you to others. A single positive client relationship often leads to repeat business and referrals, expanding your network.

In a crowded marketplace, agents that focus on building and nurturing strong client relationships are the ones that succeed. The pow­er of these relationships extends far beyond individual transactions; they foster trust, loyalty and long-term partnerships. By investing in meaningful connections, agents not only secure their current position but also pave the way for future growth and success.

The most successful profes­sionals in this industry recognize that their role extends far beyond finding the perfect property or ne­gotiating the most favorable terms. They are strategic advisors, market interpreters and problem solvers who must intimately understand their clients’ unique challenges and opportunities. A truly exceptional commercial real estate professional does not just listen – they anticipate, interpret and proactively address client needs before they become explicit requests.

I started this business at a young age and was fortunate to see this in action from the start of my career. Building your foundation starts with building relationships. As the years go by, you will realize that a big part of thriving today is from nurturing those connections. I constantly ask myself “How can I continue to create relationships like these?” The best advice I can give myself or anyone looking to grow their business, is to focus on building REAL relationships and always be honest, be patient and stay the course. Nourish and you will flourish!

Michael Price, ALC, a graduate of the Lutgert College of Business at FGCU and lifelong resident of South­west Florida, is principal and managing director of LQ Commercial Real Estate Services and head of LQ’s Land Broker­age that focuses on large- and small-scale development for residential, mixed-use, industrial and retail commercial, among others. Visit lqcre.com.

Unlike previous technological advancements that promised to revolutionize our work environment – like blockchain or the metaverse – AI is proving to be something truly transformative. While many have speculated about the potential of these technologies, AI stands apart, reminiscent of the groundbreaking impact of the calculator or the internet. Just as the internet was initially met with skepticism by some, AI is now emerging as a game-changer across multiple sectors, including real estate.

The event highlighted various ways AI can enhance our efficiency and effectiveness. Topics ranged from utilizing AI to underwriting assets and market properties to drafting contract provisions and creating compelling content. The possibilities are vast. For instance, AI can help generate tailored scripts and letters, enabling brokers to communicate more effectively with clients. There’s no shortage of ways we can leverage AI to improve our services and deliver greater value.

However, the key to harnessing AI effectively lies in understanding how to interact with it. Crafting the right inputs and asking the right questions is crucial, requiring a thoughtful approach from users. The sequence in which we pose our inquiries and how we direct the technology to analyze data can make all the difference. This is an area where our office is continuously refining our methods, striving to maximize AI’s potential.

It’s no surprise that AI prompt engineering has emerged as a hot new career path. As businesses recognize the value of effectively leveraging AI, the demand for skilled professionals who can navigate this technology is on the rise. Those in the CRE industry – and indeed, any sector – must prioritize learning and adapting to these advancements. As emphasized during the SIOR event, failing to embrace AI could mean being left behind by competitors who are quick to adapt.

In conclusion, AI is not just another buzzword; it represents a significant shift in how we operate within the commercial real estate landscape. The discussions at the SIOR event underscored a collective urgency to explore and integrate AI into our daily practices. For anyone in the CRE industry, understanding and utilizing AI is no longer optional; it’s essential for staying competitive in a fast-paced market. Embracing this technology could very well define the future of our industry, and those who hesitate may find themselves… as they would say at SIOR… “left in the dust!”

Did AI help me organize my thoughts and write this article? Absolutely!

Chase Mayhugh, SIOR, CCIM, is the president and CEO of Mayhugh Commercial Advisors in Fort Myers. A native of Southwest Florida, Mayhugh launched his real estate career in 2003 and has since become a distinguished figure in the industry. Visit MayhughCommercial.com or call 239-278- 4945 for more information and insights.

Tax deferred exchanges have existed since the 1920s in various forms. Congressional records show that rationales for early tax deferral mechanisms were continuity of investment and administrative convenience. Fast forward to today, and the current tax code and regulations include rules specifically outlining who can benefit from an exchange and under what conditions. Section 1031 of the tax code is somewhat unique in that the reinvestment incentive it provides is enjoyed by investors of all types – from individuals and trusts to businesses (small and large), and from family partnerships to large corporations. Note, however, that real estate developers that build and sell improved real estate, and “flippers” who buy and rehabilitate properties quickly with the sole intention of resale, generally cannot take advantage of a 1031 exchange. Their real estate is considered inventory and is specifically excluded from tax deferral treatment under the code.

Exchange industry data indicates that most exchanges involve properties worth under $1 million. These types of properties are typically owned by individual investors and small businesses. Utilizing a 1031 exchange allows these taxpayers to reinvest the entirety of their sale proceeds from investment real estate in new property to expand their businesses or diversify investment holdings. Likekind exchanges are thus integral to the efficient operation and ongoing vitality of thousands of American businesses in a wide range of industries, which in turn strengthens the U.S. economy and creates jobs. These industries, which include real estate, construction, farming, ranching, transportation, manufacturing, and equipment and vehicle rental and leasing, provide essential products and services to consumers and are a vital part of our economy.

In response to legislative proposals to repeal Section 1031, in 2015 Ernst & Young, LLP completed a study on 1031 exchanges, which was updated in May 2022. The study concluded that elimination of Section 1031 would slow economic growth, reduce GDP and hurt many U.S. small businesses. More details are available at 1031BuildsAmerica.org/ wp-content/uploads/Summary-EYStudy- on-Economic-Contribution-of- 1031-to-US-economy_5-4-22.pdf.

The study’s key findings confirm that the 1031 exchange industry creates close to 1 million jobs and nearly $50 billion in labor income. In 2021, exchanges generated $97.4 billion in value added to the United States GDP. As discussed above, by deferring taxation on capital gains, investors can utilize more of the proceeds from their investment property sale to purchase higher value property. They can also make improvements to property to increase its efficiency and value through their 1031 exchange. Through these channels, exchange activity also boosts general real estate activity and contributes to federal, state and local tax revenue (even while capital gains taxes are deferred for the investor).

While 1031 exchanges have been shown to boost the economy, they are also beneficial on the taxpayer level. Of course, the inherent goal of a 1031 exchange is to defer all capital gains tax from the sale of investment property. This can be achieved if the replacement property purchased in the exchange is like-kind to the property sold and is the same or greater in value (along with some related rules that must be followed, which you can read about here: First- Exchange.com/just-basics-tax-deferredexchanges- under-irc-1031. However, an exchange is also a way for a taxpayer to benefit economically by changing the nature of their investment in response to a changing market, without the burden of taxes. Examples of taxpayers who could benefit from a 1031 exchange include (but are not limited to):
• Investors looking to change the type of property they own (perhaps from commercial office space to industrial or multi-family), or from an active management property to passively managed property. Investors that wish to consolidate multiple investments or those that want to manage their risk by diversifying their portfolios.
• Taxpayers with an inefficient business real estate asset with a high debt ratio and significant capital gains.

If you believe a 1031 exchange may be right for your goals in the current real estate landscape, it is always imperative to discuss the intended transaction, tax implications, risks and other issues with your independent tax and legal advisor. While First American Exchange Company does not provide tax or legal advice, we have helped thousands of taxpayers successfully complete even the most difficult transactions and make it our business to keep taxpayers informed of relevant exchange deadlines or potential pitfalls that could jeopardize a transaction. We encourage you to reach out to your First American Exchange Company representative, as well as your tax and legal advisors, early in the process of preparing to sell your investment property to ensure a smooth 1031 exchange transaction.

Trish Mack is business development manager for First American Exchange Company. A veteran of the commercial real estate industry with over 30 years of diversified real estate and business development experience, Trish’s knowledge and background have given her unique insight into the benefits of Section 1031 and an understanding of the unique needs of investors, brokers and other transactional players. For more information, please contact 727-494-5186 or email tmack@firstam.com.

As election day approaches, we’re all grappling with uncertainty about the future. Presidential elections typi­cally spark a “wait and see” attitude among investors. However, the political affiliation of our nation’s next leader has minimal impact on the commercial property market.

Instead, variables like interest rates, employment, consumer spending and net migration hold much more influence over Southwest Florida’s commercial property landscape. Rather than focusing on the election, smart investors will consider six other critical questions:

IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HEADED FOR A “DOOM LOOP?”

Rising property values and inflation are sparking fears of a downward economic spiral. However, Southwest Florida is well-equipped to avoid such an event, thanks to strong job growth, a surge in new busi­nesses and rapid residential growth, which are keeping vacancy numbers low, supply limited and demand robust. As a result, our region will likely experience a soft landing in an economic downturn.

WHAT IMPACT WILL INTEREST RATES HAVE ON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE?

Elevated interest rates have slowed the volume of commercial transactions recent­ly, as increased borrowing costs dampen investment and development demand. Strong rent growth locally will soften the impact of higher borrowing costs for most properties. We anticipate interest rates stabilizing and a rebound in commercial sales volume over the next year and a half.

WILL WE SEE AN AVALANCHE OF DISTRESSED ASSETS?

Maturing loans on properties financed with low interest rates are producing a surge of distressed assets nationwide. Lo­cally, however, strong rental rates are help­ing to keep properties profitable and values above debt. Low vacancy rates, solid job growth and positive net migration will help Southwest Florida resist this national trend.

WHAT ARE THE HOTTEST CORRIDORS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA?

Several local commercial zones are on the cusp of significant expansion. Keep a close watch on these areas: the Punta Gorda Airport corridor, Burnt Store Road and Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, the Fort Myers River District, Skyplex at RSW, Alico Road and eastern Collier County. Although different factors are driving their growth, all are poised for a period of rapid expansion.

HAS THE MULTIFAMILY CONSTRUCTION WAVE REACHED ITS PEAK?

A dramatic decrease in construction starts hints that the multifamily boom may be peaking. With an abundance of multifamily homes coming to market soon, rent prices will begin to stabilize, making this sector less attractive for developers. However, the multifamily construction wave still won’t fully address the need for housing. Although we expect a temporary lull in construction, our ongoing popula­tion boom should quickly revive demand.

WHAT ARE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S LARGEST COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC SECTOR PROJECTS?

While tourists are likely excited about multiple large-scale hotels and resorts, the majority of our major construction projects target the needs of our growing population. These include $3.3 billion in new schools, over $750 million in health care initiatives and a $1.4 billion RSW airport expansion. Infrastructure projects include the replace­ment of the Cape Coral Bridge and up to $110 billion in Hurricane Ian rebuilding projects.

Obviously, the results of November’s election matter to each of us individually, but there are more significant factors for commercial property buyers and sellers to consider. Instead of concentrating on the uncertainty, investors should focus on the opportunity presented by Southwest Florida’s growth.

Gary Tasman is CEO and principal broker for Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida. His expertise encompasses all aspects of the real estate ownership, management and development process, including buying, selling, leasing, financing, asset valuation and property management. Visit cpswfl.com or call 239- 489-3600 for more information.