You have a developer client that has backing capital and wants to develop either office or industrial property in a metro area. You choose either office or industrial and choose two metro areas (entirely up to you). Download a broker market report (from CBRE, Colliers, Cushman & Wakefield, JLL or Newmark) for the respective property type for your two markets.

Briefly compare the economics of the two metro markets. Create three charts comparing the two markets. One chart shows growth of supply year over year. Go back as far as possible (but many reports only go back five or so years - this is fine). The second chart should compare annual rent vs vacancy for the overall market. The third chart shows annual absorption. The charts should be provocative and indicate a clear leader.

Compare total absorption and total rent growth (%) over five or so years and create a short 1-2 page memo showing the three charts with a recommendation as to what market they should choose and why. Within the winning market choose a favored submarket based on absorption and rents.