IRVINE, CA-Maximus Advisors reports that just three metros have cut payrolls over the past six months, although the firm's acceleration index has lost steam over the past two months, crossing into negative territory for the first time since June and measuring the lowest level since December 2012. GlobeSt.com caught up with Peter Muoio, Ph.D., senior principal at Auction.com, whose real estate research is powered by Maximus, to discuss what how employment has impacted commercial real estate in 2013 and what lies ahead in 2014.

GlobeSt.com: As we enter the final month of 2013, what needs to happen to get 2014 started off on the right foot from a CRE standpoint?

Muoio: The single most important thing is to see a continued decline in the uncertainty level for consumers and businesses. I think a hallmark for 2013 has been that we've finally seen the level of uncertainty come down from the elevated level that it's been at since about 2008, and in our view that has been a key ingredient in what has been quarter after quarter after quarter of accelerated economic growth. From the indexes we watch, we saw a big bop up in uncertainty during the government shutdown and the debt ceiling crisis, but it came back down as that was resolved. Continued resolve in uncertainty to unleash the private sector is needed as we head into 2014.