Question of the Month: "What are the greatest challenges for commercial real estate in the next year?"

"Many of the challenges for commercial real estate over the next year continue to be those tied to the tepid growth in the economy. Weak economic growth continues to affect rents, vacancy rates, development activity, lending, deal flow and pricing. Ongoing challenges impacting commercial real estate that won't go away anytime soon include internet shopping vs. brick and mortar as well as the restructuring of the work force - i.e. more employees allowed to work remotely and the fact that open workspace concept is reducing square footage needed per worker. The recent success in the stock market could also divert capital out of commercial real estate. Bud LaRosa, chief business performance officer, Tocci Building Companies, Woburn, Mass.