Summer Surge: Seizing the Seasonal Edge in Commercial Leasing
Summer isn't slow in commercial real estate. It's a sprint.
The volume of tenant tours often jumps from June through August, with lease signings peaking in late July. Mid-year planning cycles, longer daylight hours for site visits, and the race to lock in leases before fall drive serious momentum.
In markets driven by the healthcare and educational industries, the urgency ramps up. Medical practices rush to establish new clinics before patient volume spikes in the fall. Educational institutions do the same, aiming to finalize leases before the academic calendar kicks in. Many prioritize proximity to transit and campus hubs, fueling demand in submarkets with limited vacancy.
Foot traffic surges in tourist-heavy metros, powering demand for urban storefronts. Suburban lifestyle centers use summer to test holiday concepts, while markets like Palm Beach County—with record-low retail vacancy—create tight windows for pop-ups and permanent tenants alike. Outdoor dining and entertainment spaces become magnets for consumer spending, driving landlords to activate underused square footage.
Warehouses fill early as logistics firms and e-commerce brands prep for Q4 shipping. Reuters reports steady industrial strength nationwide, and savvy tenants know summer is the moment to secure space before inventory season hits. Shovel-ready sites and newer facilities with automation infrastructure are especially sought after.
Landlords are ready.
Renovations and fit outs timed for Q2 completion hit the market just as demand spikes. In the office sector, Class A properties—often with sub-10% vacancy—move fast. Blink and they’re gone. Many are now offering shorter-term incentives or turnkey spaces to accelerate lease-up.
Why It Matters Now
Summer isn’t a lull—it’s a lever. Move now, and you can:
- Lock in better rates before Q4 pressure rises
- Boost visibility with peak seasonal traffic
- Get ahead of the competition on prime space
- Capture momentum tied to economic mid-year pivots
In commercial leasing, summer is the season to act—not wait.
A Trusted Guide in Commercial Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Commercial® provides Commercial Real Estate Services from Property Sales and Leases, to Property Management. Learn how our expansive network of Independently Owned and Operated Affiliates and Real Estate Professionals use their in-depth knowledge of the local market and industry trends to help businesses and investors navigate the complexities of the commercial real estate landscape.
