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At the start of each year, we conduct an industry-wide survey on year-over-year recruitment, hiring and retention changes and trends. Employers, including executives, HR professionals and top-line managers, from across the commercial real estate industry share their company experience and perspectives on the previous year and on the year to come. We then compile the responses to provide a comprehensive report along with insights on the real estate job market as a resource to you and your business.

2010 Real Estate Hiring Trends Survey Results


In a survey conducted in late December 2009 by the SelectLeaders Real Estate Job Site Network, commercial real estate employers indicated where they believe their firms’ hiring needs and total compensation packages are headed.


Nearly half of the respondents foresee moderate to solid recovery in 2010, while the same number believes compensation will remain flat. For job seekers, the good news is that over 1/3 of employers plan to hire in 2010.

  • 66% of respondents stated that their firms reduced the total number of employees in 2009
  • 13% reported additional hires despite the recession, and 21% answered with "no change"
  • For 2010, 57% believe workforce numbers will remain unchanged, and only 9% predict further layoffs.
  • 34% of those surveyed foresee some hiring in 2010
  • 48% of respondents see compensation staying flat in 2010, while 15% expect more reductions in pay
  • 37% of employers forecast some increase in compensation for real estate professionals
  • 47% of those surveyed anticipate moderate to solid recovery, while 19% answered "status quo"
  • 19% predicted a further contraction of the commercial real estate industry, while 15% forecast a slight contraction of the industry
In 2009, compared to the previous year, do you perceive that the total number of employees:
Compared to this year, in 2010 do you expect your hiring needs to:
Compared to this year, in 2010 do you expect your professional employees’ total cash compensation (base salary and bonus) to:
What is your outlook for the commercial real estate industry in 2010?

With a rich mix of employers surveyed – firms’ principals, top-line managers and HR executives – the survey delivered some very interesting comments and perspectives. We share with you the results and what your colleagues are saying about the commercial real estate job market and its prospects, in their own words:

Illustrating the cautiously optimistic outlook for the coming year, 57% of respondents expect their staffing needs to remain the same in 2010.

  • "Nothing splashy is going to happen – no great job creation, no great leasing activity, no clearing of excess RE, no significant CMBS workouts."
  • "If money were more readily available, we could buy more properties, hire more people and help the overall economy."

When it comes to compensation, the answers reflect the uncertainty and caution. Almost half (48%) of respondents anticipate compensation staying flat.

  • "Too many unknowns" and "business has adjusted to ‘making do with less’" (will keep real estate professionals’ pay down).
  • "There seems to be increase in activity but it is a lot harder to close deals."

There is some optimism among the 37% of those who expect pay going up in 2010, but not easily, as "pay-for-performance" becomes the new standard.

  • "Most brokers or salespeople are being shifted to 100% commission basis with little or no salary, or (just a) ‘draw’. Even executive pay is not guaranteed as increasingly "compensation is being tied to "successful final outcomes".
  • "We see another challenging year ahead in terms of overall employee compensation and benefits, as we have had to make some hard decision over the last two years, and are unable to make many changes this coming year in 2010."
  • (One employer worries about losing top talent to other, healthier industries,) "We are concerned about our employees being marketable in other industries which are not experiencing the same factors as commercial real estate."

The most optimism is in the general outlook for the industry, Close to half of respondents believe 2010 will bring some recovery, although mostly the moderate kind (44%). Most of the comments point to some improvement in the 3rd or 4th quarters of 2010.

  • "Better deals and slow deal flow in 2010."
  • "Recovery will not begin until the end of the last quarter."
  • "The balance will be achieved with a meeting of the minds and slightly lower valuations but also lower return expectations of investors."
  • "Expect to see green building to be the strongest, but also a slow growing trend in senior housing."

The 34% of respondents who predict further decline in commercial real estate overall were the most vocal and provided the grittier comments:

  • "Banks are underwater. Any small shock will force their hands."
  • "Tight lending market through 2011 while notes will be coming due."
  • "The Real Estate industry, both commercial and residential, has a long way to go. We have not worked through the noxious credit issues."
  • "Enormous amount of loans maturing from CMBS issues in 2010-2012 will hold down market values of CRE generally until 2012."
  • "I see 2010 being as bad or worse as 2009 from a transaction, lending and credit perspective; in essence, I see the industry getting worse (and maybe hitting bottom) in 2010."
  • "We have not seen the bottom and 2010 is going to see more bankruptcies, consolidations and downsizing. I believe significant market correction will start to occur in 2010 and the capital markets will begin to show signs of recovery by the 4th Q – but we are in for a bumpy ride until 2012."

Methodology: The survey was emailed to Employers registered on the SelectLeaders Job Site Network in the last week of December, 2009. The survey was conducted using a web-based survey program. 150 unique responses were collected.

About the SelectLeaders Job Barometer

The SelectLeaders Job Barometer, published since 2006, is the foremost survey of employment opportunities, trends, and hiring practices in the commercial real estate industry.

About the SelectLeaders Real Estate Job Network

SelectLeaders powers the Career Centers for 9 premier real estate industry Associations (whose members control or direct 90% of commercial real estate). Jobs are from all sectors and all levels with 29% paying over $100,000. SelectLeaders Job Network offers unequalled access to the Real Estate community. To learn more visit selectleaders.com or visit our Job Network Career Centers: BOMA, CCIM, CREFC, GlobeST.com, NAIOP, NAREIM, NAREIT, NMHC, PREA, Project REAP, ULI, NRHC


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