Despite the recent headlines of rocky Wallstreet markets, debates around the definition of a recession, and the unknowns of returning to the office, the commercial flooring market continues to show strength. In addition, to support the positive outlook, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that commercial mortgage lending increased by 19% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to last year. This was despite a 57% drop in commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) lending volume. Other investor groups stepped in to boost the lending and focus on commercial real estate investment. This kind of momentum will take a few years to build out, so what will the future of commercial flooring look like supported by such positive forward-looking indicators?
The Starnet staff has the great fortune to interact with most of the stakeholders in our industry each year and themes have surfaced that provide insight to the future of our vibrant industry. The Starnet staff members pooled insights collected from ongoing interactions with product and installation members, vendors, manufacturers, floor care members, architects, designers, and real estate professionals.