The vacancy rate for colocation data centers across the United States is nearing 0%, according to the latest research from JLL.

And don’t expect much relief in the future. JLL reported that the construction pipeline of 8 gigawatts is 73% preleased. This means that any significant uptick of vacancy rates remains years away. JLL predicts that even if preleasing activity slows significantly in the near-term, data center vacancy rates would likely remain below 5% through 2027.

And the more likely scenario? JLL predicts that vacancy rates will remain in the 2% range through 2027 in this key sector.

This means that companies hoping to expand their data center operations might be limited to preleasing in new developments, a move that could be followed by a year or more of waiting for construction to be completed before these end users can take occupancy.

Because of this lack of supply, some data center development has been moving into secondary and tertiary markets. JLL, though, says that these emerging markets are only capturing a fraction of colocation demand. Demand for colocation space remains concentrated in core markets such as Northern Virginia and Dallas.

During the first half of 2025, 50% of the absorption recorded in data centers came in those two above markets. Rounding out the top five markets for absorption in the first half were Chicago, which saw 368 megawatts of absorption; Austin/San Antonio, which recorded 291 megawatts of absorption; and Atlanta, with 150 megawatts.

How strong is demand for data center space? JLL reported that the data center sector’s market cap growth was 161% from 2019 through the first half of 2025. That’s second only to the industrial sector, which saw market cap growth of 163% during the same time. Coming in third place was the strip center sector with a market cap growth of 110%, followed by self-storage at 80% and healthcare at 35%.

Priority Capital Advisory arranged a $26.6 million bridge refinance for 2 Westlake, a 467,609-square-foot Class-A office tower at 580 Westlake Park Blvd. in the heart of Houston’s Energy Corridor. The financing was secured on behalf of the ownership, Younan Company, a global private equity firm.

Set on 5.4 acres within the 2.8 million-square-foot Westlake Park office complex, 2 Westlake rises 17 stories and represents one of West Houston’s premier suburban office assets. Younan Company acquired the property in December 2022 for $21.55 million when it was entirely vacant. Since acquisition, Younan has completed significant renovations, including a comprehensive lobby remodel. The asset is currently 56% leased with active interest and strong leasing momentum.

Strategically positioned along Interstate 10, 2 Westlake offers 22,500-sf floorplates and a robust amenity package including a full-service deli, coffee bar, conference center, tenant lounge, and fitness facility.

JLL Capital Markets arranged $32.175 million in acquisition financing for a newly constructed 183,340-square-foot Class A rail-served industrial facility in Taylor, Texas.

JLL worked on behalf of the borrower, a managed account of Manulife Investment Management, in securing the three-year, fixed-rate loan through BMO.

The facility is strategically positioned within Austin’s only master-planned, rail-served logistics and industrial park, providing direct access to I-79, TX-130 and I-35. The property benefits from its proximity to Samsung’s upcoming $17 billion semiconductor campus, scheduled to begin operations in 2026.

Delivered in 2025, the mission-critical intermodal facility is 100% leased to Tesla for 10 years. The property features four dock-high doors, eight grade-level doors, full HVAC buildout, five cranes and a rail entry door strategically linked to the RCR railway. 

JLL Capital Market’s Debt Advisory team representing the borrower was led by Senior Managing Director Melissa Rose, Director Jack Britton, Associate Nicole Barba and Analyst Preston Bacon.

From home tours on TikTok to agent tips on Instagram, today’s social platforms are saturated with savvy residential real estate brokers showcasing their brand and value in all kinds of creative ways – all while the same platforms seem to be largely underutilized among my fellow CRE agents.

As a commercial real estate broker who has been using social media to grow my business for more than a decade, I can tell you that it can be a game changer. Just a few posts a week have helped me win several clients, and I’m not alone in seeing the benefits of social. When respondents of the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2024 Technology Survey were asked about the tech tool that gives them the highest quality leads, more respondents cited social media than any other tool, including a CRM and digital ads.

If you rarely (or never) post on social media, I know jumping in can seem overwhelming. You may be wondering what platform to use, how many times you should post, even how to know if it’s working. And you might wonder how to balance posting with a really busy schedule. I’m here to tell you it can be done, and it doesn’t have to be difficult.

The following tips, gleaned from my own experience, will help social media work for you – not the other way around.

Kevin Rocio, @properties Commercial

Lead with Value-Driven, Educational Content

Remember the goal is to inform, not just impress. When posting, think about topics your potential clients would want to know about, like market trend breakdowns, cap rate explainers, lease structure tips, or cost segregation benefits, then share that expertise in an easily digestible format.

Keep your posts simple and focused on the points that add value to your audience. To help your followers quickly understand complex topics, I suggest using simple visuals like image carousels or short-form videos. Easy to use (and free!) tools like Canva can help you create professional looking graphics, and all you need is your phone and good lighting to share your expertise in a video.

Promote Listings with Strategy, Not Spam

Optimize your property marketing by focusing on what investors care about: maximizing revenue, finding operating efficiencies, and solving common problems.  Rather than simply posting a “Just Listed” image, think about the questions an investor might ask, and build posts around those questions. 

I suggest using short captions paired with visuals (video outperforms static photos), and leading with metrics like net operating income, cap rate, and lease terms. Relate the listing to your audience by highlighting important details of the deal: Is there assumable debt? Repositioning potential? Zoning flexibility?

Engage with Purpose, Not Just Presence

Too many CRE brokers treat social media like a billboard, posting something, then walking away. But there’s a reason it’s called “social” media – to get the best results and outcomes, it’s vital to interact.

On social media, the best visibility comes from activity – not just content. For this reason, it’s important to engage: comment on others’ posts, stay connected with DMs, and/or repost breaking industry news with your thoughts. Doing so will help you build relationships with your key audiences, including potential clients, lenders, architects, property managers, and fellow brokers.

I schedule social media like I would anything else I need to do in a day. Set aside maybe an hour a day to focus on reading others’ posts, commenting and sending messages. You can also schedule posts ahead of time, which can make it easier to fit them in at your convenience.

Highlight Your Successes the Right Way

You may be apprehensive about sharing testimonials, feeling like you’re bragging.  But when done the right way, sharing your wins is an excellent way to build your credibility. You can post about Just Closed and Just Leased properties or share positive client reviews. To build goodwill and encourage even more sharing, tag your team, referral partners, and clients (with permission).

Be Consistent and Platform-Smart

A consistent, well-timed posting strategy beats random bursts of content. Aim for 2 to 4 posts per week on Instagram and Facebook, and at least three per week on LinkedIn. To make sure that others can find your posts, use targeted hashtags, like #CRE(your city), #MultifamilyDeals, and #1031Exchange.

Double down on what works by monitoring your analytics and repurposing your top-performing posts. For example, after a video I created for a unique property became one of my most popular posts, I reposted it six months later as a social media tutorial for other CRE agents. The second post ended up being more popular than the first, with only minimal effort on my part.

Final Thought: It’s About Connection, Not Just Content

In the social media age, people want to trust you before they ever transact with you, so turn views into value by sharing insights, engaging with your network, and showing up consistently.

Bottom line: if you’re a CRE broker who’s been on the fence about diving into social media—it’s time. Your next client might already be scrolling.

Kevin Rocio leads the ROC Advisory Group at @properties Commercial, a division of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate in Chicago. He was recently named Social Media Influencer of the Year by the Illinois Real Estate Journal. Follow him on Instagram and LinkedIn.

The Renegade is a Class-A, 4-story, 120,000-square-foot multifamily development with 104 units at 260 W. Mulberry St. in the core urban district of Denton, Texas. Construction began in February 2025 with project delivery anticipated for Q2 2026. 

The Renegade will feature a resident clubhouse, premium fitness facility, dedicated quiet study areas, pet recreation area, and landscaped courtyard spaces, all within walking distance of Denton’s Historic Downtown Square. The development benefits from superior connectivity, positioned within a one-mile radius of The University of North Texas, Texas Women’s University, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, and Rayzor Ranch, with direct access to Interstate 35 East and West corridors. 

The strategic location will provide residents with immediate access to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and retail destinations while offering the advantages of downtown living. The development’s proximity to major employment centers and academic institutions, combined with its comprehensive amenities, will position The Renegade as the premier residential option for discerning renters in Denton.

The Renegade marks the official launch of HL Communities, the multifamily development and construction arm of HLC. HL Communities operates as a fully integrated platform, leveraging proprietary development and construction capabilities to deliver exceptional residential communities while maintaining the core values and strategic vision of HLC.  

Tapping into HLC’s three decades of development experience across the Texas Triangle, HL Communities leverages a proven construction methodology that focuses on operational efficiency and cost optimization, creating significant value at every stage of the development process.  

HL Communities operates three distinct product lines: Infill Boutique communities like The Renegade for urban centers, Suburban Garden-Style developments adjacent to major job generators, and Suburban Wrap projects offering high-density living around structured parking and amenity-rich courtyards. 

Archon Corporation of Grapevine is serving as the project architect and design consultant. HL Communities, alongside Colo Development Partners, is providing comprehensive construction management and development services, with Harmony Bank as the construction lender. Leasing and management services will be handled by Westwood Residential.

Hines announced the start of leasing for Meadowlark at Wildflower Ranch, a collection of 129 single-family rental homes within the 1,100-acre Wildflower Ranch master-planned community in Justin, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth. 

Meadowlark at Wildflower Ranch offers three-bedroom homes ranging from 1,600 to 2,066 square feet, with rents starting at approximately $2,595. Built by William Ryan Homes, every residence features modern brick exteriors, large private grass yards, private driveways, two-car garages equipped with EV-ready outlets, and interiors appointed with stainless steel appliances, gas ranges, washer and dryer, glass-framed showers, and ceramic tile in bathrooms and utility rooms. Homes are finished with top-tier smart home technology, including keyless entry, smart thermostats, video doorbells, and water leak sensors—all easily managed by residents through a Rently-integrated app.

Residents will enjoy all the lifestyle benefits within the Wildflower Ranch master-planned community, owned by Starwood Land, including a resort-style lazy river, more than four miles of scenic outdoor trails, a custom playground, a dedicated dog park, a vibrant community pavilion and event lawn, and a full calendar of community events. The community’s location near Highway 114 in Justin ensures easy access across the DFW metroplex, while offering a welcoming small-town environment.

The first 30 homes are set for delivery in late August 2025, and completion of all 129 homes is expected by the second quarter of 2026.