Notes From All Over

According to the American Farm Bureau, should the realization of the House passed bill on border security which omits inclusion of a temporary worker status become law, the loss of labor availability will impact the economy to $9 billion and eliminate 1/3 of the produce farms in the US. Office rents increased about 6% during 2006 compared to a 4% hike in 2004. Vacancy rates are about 14%, the lowest since 2003. New Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said he expects the nation’s interest rates to be raised a bit further in response to inflationary pressures still present in the economy. Of the AFB Top Ten Concerns, 7 impact real estate.