The good news is that buyers are coming off the sidelines in a vote of confidence that the industry is rebounding. Whether or not they will achieve the results they desire is another matter. In fact, there seems to be a disconnect between investors’ expectations and market reality.

The economic recession is negatively impacting all aspects of the real estate market. The combination of decreased demand and a frozen credit market is pushing up vacancy rates and depressing rent growth in most commercial markets. In the residential sector, mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures are still increasing. While existing-home sales rose in December of last year, resales are still lower than a year ago. As banks and other lenders await the shake-out from an economic stimulus package, credit is tight, and many potential first-time homebuyers are still on the sidelines, continuing to rent apartments.

1, 2, 3…Now the Government Controls Your IRA?

Are we there yet? That’s the question financial pundits worldwide are asking. On the heels of a three-week March rally during which the stock exchange took a noticeable turn for the better, experts are pondering whether the flailing economy has finally found its bottom.

It's been a busy week for President Barack Obama. On Tuesday he signed into law his $787 billion economic stimulus plan. Earlier today, he unveiled a $75 billion program to stem the tide of home foreclosures. To what extent will these moves benefit the commercial real estate industry? NREI asked a handful of economists and industry experts to weigh in on whether the president's prescription for the economy and the housing market will work.