The real estate industry's latest trends and performance report is warning investors to steer clear of new suburban- style office and retail construction due to overbuilding, worsening traffic and shifting demographics that portend a resurgence of more urban lifestyle preferences in the decades to come. According to "Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2001," investors should be focusing on more mixed use and transit accessible development opportunities in both downtowns and inner ring suburbs throughout the U.S. "As congestion worsens, many suburbanites are awakening to the consequences of growth without logical regional planning," explain the report authors.

Emerging Trends also predicts an increasing move to more flex time and work-at-home strategies for employers, the emergence of suburban "subcities" that create more walkable town centers through compact residential and commercial redevelopment, and the decline of regional malls and power centers. "Lesser malls, in particular, will take it on the chin," say the authors, noting that future growth in e-commerce will likely be driven by established brand name stores rather than new startups but will nevertheless dramatically impact the face and feel of retailing.

For copies of "Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2001" visit www.lendleaserei.com