Among its findings are that both sales and leasing velocityrose, closing out 2009 with a strong finish, totaling 7.1 millionsquare feet, despite the fact that large blocks of space have madetheir entrance onto the market, leaving the availability rate at astatic 11.7%.

"Sales and leasing velocity both increased dramatically, meaningthat companies out there are looking to take advantage of themarket and make deals before it is too late," says William Waxman,senior vice president at CB Richard Ellis. "Leasing activityincreased by almost 18%, and sales were 33% higher than in the twoprevious quarters combined," he continues.

Availability does remain high, but the fact that it has notincreased, even as large blocks enter the market, serves as anindicator that the market is stabilizing, Waxman tells GlobeSt.com."Buyers are taking advantage of competitive asking prices, andleasing deals are happening now that landlords have dipped theirrates to a level more palatable to prospective tenants. Takingrents, however, are still lower than asking rates, so while dealsare getting done, there is still room for the pace to accelerate aslandlords' hopes inch closer to the rates tenants are willing topay."