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NH's office market is seeing more space becoming available, while the industrial market has little to no inventory

By Kristie Russell

As many business owners are excited to distance themselves from 2020, the “wait and see” trend seems to be ending and commercial real estate decisions are being made. The office market saw more space become available, but some tenants are just relocating to smaller footprints. The industrial market is on the other end of the spectrum. With users taking more space, the vacancy rate continues to drop and investors are eyeing the industrial market.

The pandemic brought uncertainties and stalled the office category, but the vacancy rate only increased year-over-year by 0.7%, ending the first quarter at 9.6%. Even though more space hit the market, rents in the office category climbed by $0.56 PSF, finishing the quarter at $19.15 MG.

Although the office vacancy rate climbed over the quarter, we did still see some leasing activity. In the Manchester submarket, MassMututal renewed its 13,100 SF at 43 Constitution Drive in Bedford and Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc. downsized into 6,400 SF at 150 Dow Street in Manchester. In Portsmouth, Northeast Credit Union leased 6,800 SF of office space at 100 International Drive and Kennebunk Savings Bank leased roughly 5,000 SF for back-office space at 3 Pleasant Street.

The industrial market continues to be the hottest sector, with investors eyeing NH and quality availabilities being leased as soon as they become available. With a low vacancy rate of 4.3% at the end of the first quarter, the rate only decreased by 1.0% year-over-year. This low rate pushed rents up by $0.62 PSF, ending the quarter at $7.44 NNN.

The biggest trend so far in 2021 is out-of-state investors purchasing industrial properties, particularly in the Nashua submarket. The NY-based investment group, GreenOak Real Estate, bought the fully leased building at 36 Executive Drive in Hudson for $26.8 million ($124.53 PSF). Also, 267 Lowell Road in Hudson, home to Mercury Systems, sold for $25.67 million ($210.90 PSF) by Chestnut Realty, a MA-based investment group.

With investors quickly buying industrial properties, owner-occupiers are struggling to find buildings to expand into. This is one of the primary reasons that over 366,000 SF of new inventory was added over the past year and another 465,000 SF is under construction.

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Kristie Russell | Colliers | Manchester, NH

Kristie Russell

Research Manager | New Hampshire & Maine

Manchester, NH

+1 603 623 0100
Email

As the Research Manager, I serve as the point person for gathering and reporting on market knowledge for the New Hampshire and Maine offices. 

I collaborate with our brokers to deliver in-depth analyses of current market conditions and trends for their clients. Using various in-house and online resources, I maintain our proprietary database, which includes detailed property statistics, sale and lease comparables, market contacts, and tenant activity within New Hampshire and Maine. 

With this data, I develop best-in-class research reports, market analyses, and market insight to ensure our clients capitalize on this research as they contemplate business decisions that significantly affect their bottom line.

Prior to becoming the Research Manager, I was a Marketing Specialist at Colliers for five years. In this position I used Adobe software, including InDesign and Photoshop, to implement marketing strategies in support of our brokers. 

My responsibilities included creating property marketing collateral - such as flyers, brochures, ads, and proposals - as well as maintaining listing databases and our exclusive listing inventory. In addition to the property marketing, I assisted in coordinating special events, handling public relations and advertising, creating brand awareness, and developing our SEO and social media campaigns. 

Additionally, I am a licensed real estate salesperson in New Hampshire.

Prior to beginning my career in commercial real estate, I worked for Gallery Marketing Communications, LLC as a graphic design artist. During my time there, I used Adobe software to design brochures, flyers, business cards, and postcards, among other marketing materials. I also worked for Gatehouse Media, Inc as a freelance sports journalist, covering high school games in Massachusetts.

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