The tax reform package is widely seen as a boost to the already thriving apartment sector. At the very least, experts say the changes could delay an existing renter’s decision to transition to homeownership, although many stopped short of saying that it would have dire effects on the for-sale market.
Cover Story
Our monthly cover story in Real Estate NJ is a must-read, as we bring you an insider’s look at the decisions, personalities and economic conditions that are shaping the market.
A rebound for investment activity
When it came to commercial real estate, many investors had likely felt that property values had peaked in 2016, that the bull run was ending and the economy was due for a pullback. Those are among the reasons that Jeff Otteau feels overall investment sales in New Jersey fell last year to $6.5 billion, from $8.3 billion in 2016, while activity also slowed in New York City. Yet that trend could be in store for a reversal as a result of the newly amended tax code, which has preserved and added to the benefits given to real estate investors.
With a deep bench, SJP is seizing new opportunities as a third-party developer and partner
With an in-house, full-service construction team — an asset that is increasingly rare among developers — SJP Properties is being both aggressive and creative in keeping its pipeline full in New Jersey. That means everything from third-party development work to joint ventures and acquisitions that could pave the way for new projects.
The Amazon effect: The e-commerce giant has infiltrated every major asset class in New Jersey
Amazon has long been known for having a profound impact on the bricks-and-mortar retail business. But as it turns out, that’s only one piece of the story of how the e-commerce powerhouse is transforming commercial real estate. New Jersey is poised to feel that impact as much as any other state in the country.
All hands on deck: How Newark’s bid for Amazon HQ2 rallied landlords, city officials
While there are still months to go before Amazon reveals it selection for its HQ2 project, making the pitch has rallied developers and public-sector leaders in Newark in a way that the city hasn’t seen in recent memory. That show of unity was only amplified on Oct. 16, when Gov. Chris Christie announced that the state would officially support the city’s bid, even as several other cities in New Jersey jockeyed for the project.
Game-changer: Amazon has been a driving force in surging N.J. distribution market
There’s no ignoring Amazon’s impact on the state’s industrial sector since early 2013, when the company committed to building its first New Jersey fulfillment center in Robbinsville. Not only has Amazon absorbed at least roughly 9 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space since that time. It quickly emboldened other pure e-commerce players that were hesitant to establish a footprint in New Jersey, amid concerns over having to collect sales tax from customers if they had a physical location here.
