OC Among Top Industrial Markets in the Nation

America Realty Advisors has honed in on Orange County as one of its top target markets for industrial investment because the Southern California hub has historically outperformed national averages. The firm is particularly focused on last-mile, distribution centers—following the ecommerce trend—and stabilized properties with long-term leases. We sat down with Austin Maddux, EVP and deputy portfolio manager at American Realty Advisors, to talk about the firm’s Orange County strategy and how they are curbing competition in the hot market.

Globest.com: Why were you attracted to this market?

Austin Maddux: Orange County industrial has historically outperformed national averages and is considered by many to be among the top five industrial markets in the nation.  When you break this down further and look at buildings that meet the current market standard of 32’+ clear heights with ESFR, you discover that these buildings represent less than 4% of the greater Orange County industrial inventory. Specifically, the Anaheim submarket exhibits an even stronger vacancy profile at approximately 1.8%. This manifests itself in a vacancy rate that drops from 2.5% at the market level to 0% when adjusted for the aforementioned submarket, clear height, and ESFR attributes.