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Viking Enterprise LLC is part of eXp Commercial, an agent-led, cloud-based commercial real estate brokerage with agents across the globe.

Your Trusted Katy / Fulshear & Houston Commercial Real Estate Brokerage

Viking Enterprise LLC is part of eXp Commercial, an agent-led, cloud-based commercial real estate brokerage with agents across the globe.

Looking to invest, buy, sell or lease? We can help.

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Looking to invest, buy, sell or lease? We can help.

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eXp Commercial - Viking Enterprise Team's real estate network provides unparalleled commercial real estate services to Tenants and Landlords around the Katy- Houston area. Our knowledge, experience, and reputation sets us apart from many firms.

A commercial property owner might have various plans that would necessitate the services of a commercial real estate broker. Some of the common scenarios include:

1. Selling the Property: If the owner decides it’s time to sell the property, a commercial real estate broker can help determine the market value, market the property effectively, and negotiate with potential buyers to get the best possible price.

2. Leasing Space: For property owners looking to lease out part or all of their commercial space, a broker can help find suitable tenants, negotiate lease terms, and ensure the lease agreements meet all legal requirements and serve the owner’s best interests.

3. Acquiring More Properties: Owners looking to expand their portfolio would benefit from a broker's knowledge of the market, access to listings, and negotiation skills to secure additional properties at favorable terms.

4. Property Management: While not all brokers offer this service, some commercial real estate brokers or their affiliates offer property management services. This can be particularly appealing for owners who prefer a hands-off approach or are managing properties from a distance.

5. Market Analysis: Owners considering future developments, renovations, or rebranding of their property might engage a broker for a comprehensive market analysis. This helps in understanding current market trends, the demand for different types of spaces, and potential returns on investment for various strategies.

6. Refinancing: In situations where a property owner is looking to refinance their property, a commercial real estate broker can provide valuable insights into the property’s current market value, assist in gathering necessary documentation, and even help in finding the best financing options.

7. Partnership or Investment Opportunities: Owners interested in exploring partnerships, joint ventures, or seeking investors for expansion or development projects might use a broker to find and vet potential partners or investors.

8. Consulting on Zoning and Use Changes: When contemplating a change in the use of the property or dealing with zoning issues, a broker with experience in local regulations and the specific property type can provide guidance and strategic planning assistance.

9. Exit Strategy Planning: For owners looking to plan an exit strategy from their investment, whether it’s through a strategic sale or a gradual winding down of operations, brokers can provide market insights, timing advice, and valuation services to optimize the exit process.

In any of these scenarios, the expertise and services provided by a commercial real estate broker can save the property owner time and money, while also providing access to a wider network of potential buyers, tenants, and industry professionals. Give us a call today!

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🏬📉 Closures Still Lead, But Retail Is Rebalancing in 2026 — A CRE Opportunity Story 💡🧱

🛍️📊 Retail Is Stabilizing in 2026 — What Slower Store Closures Mean for CRE Investors 🏢📈

Commercial Real Estate

January 28, 2026•3 min read

🛍️📊 Retail Is Stabilizing in 2026 — What Slower Store Closures Mean for CRE Investors 🏢📈

🏬📉 Closures Still Lead, But Retail Is Rebalancing in 2026 — A CRE Opportunity Story 💡🧱

Retail Real Estate in 2026: Stabilization, Not a Rebound—And Why That Matters

After several years of disruption, U.S. retail real estate is entering a new phase in 2026—measured stabilization rather than a full-cycle recovery. While store closures are still expected to outpace openings, the pace of contraction is slowing, and selective expansion is underway in resilient retail categories.

For commercial real estate investors, landlords, and business owners, this shift signals opportunity—particularly in well-located centers and second-generation retail space.

📊 The Numbers: Incremental Improvement, Not a Boom

Industry forecasts project approximately 5,500 new store openings and 7,900 closures nationwide in 2026. While closures remain higher, this represents an improvement from 2025, with fewer bankruptcies and less forced liquidation activity.

Retail churn at this level is not abnormal given the size of the U.S. retail footprint. What is notable is the slowing rate of closures, which suggests balance sheets and operating models have adjusted to today’s economic realities.

💰 Macro Conditions Supporting Retail Stability

Several macroeconomic forces are working in retail’s favor:

·Lower and stabilizing interest rates, improving refinancing and expansion feasibility

·Resilient consumer spending, particularly among higher-income households

·Moderating inflation, easing margin pressure

·Strong equity markets, supporting retailer access to capital

·Muted tariff impact, relative to earlier expectations

Together, these factors have reduced the pace of retail bankruptcies and created a more predictable operating environment—something investors and lenders value highly.

🏷️ Who’s Expanding—and Who Isn’t

Retail growth in 2026 is highly segmented:

Leading Expansion Categories

·Off-price and discount retail

·Beauty and personal care

·Value-oriented and necessity-based retailers

Contracting or Rationalizing

·Department stores

·Specialty apparel

·Certain big-box formats

·Select casual dining, QSR, and pharmacy operators

For CRE owners, this reinforces the importance of tenant mix, use flexibility, and location quality over brand name alone.

🔄 Closures Create Opportunity for Strong Assets

Store closures are not uniformly negative. Many vacated locations are:

·Well-located

·Built out with existing infrastructure

·Available at favorable lease terms

With very limited new retail construction nationwide, demand for high-quality second-generation retail space remains elevated—especially in supply-constrained suburban markets.

This dynamic is particularly attractive for investors seeking:

·Value-add leasing strategies

·Re-tenanting opportunities

·Redevelopment or adaptive reuse plays

🧭 What This Means for Texas, Houston, Katy & Fulshear

In Texas—and especially fast-growing submarkets like Katy, Fulshear, and West Houston—retail stabilization looks even stronger. Population growth, household formation, and suburban spending patterns continue to support neighborhood retail.

Key takeaways for local investors:

·Grocery-anchored and service-based retail remains highly defensible

·Second-generation retail near rooftops is in demand

·Flexible layouts outperform single-use spaces

·Financing is available—but underwriting is disciplined

🏁 Bottom Line

2026 is shaping up as a year of retail rebalancing, not retreat. Physical retail is no longer in widespread contraction—it’s adjusting to a more sustainable footprint.

For commercial real estate investors and landlords, the opportunity lies in selectivity, asset quality, and local market knowledge.

If you’re evaluating retail acquisitions, leasing strategies, or financing options in the Houston area, now is the time to act with clarity—not fear.

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Bill Rapp, CRE Broker

I am a Houston commercial broker, with residential experience, as well as a lending background. I have been in the real estate industry for 14 years and counting, and I have worked in many roles within the industry and each has given me a unique perspective of the industry as a whole. My dedication to clients is rooted in this industry knowledge, but also includes my desire to go the extra mile in networking to source off market opportunities for my clients. Me and my team at eXp Commercial have a cutting-edge technology package that gets the widest exposure for each transaction. eXp Commercial offers a nationwide network through which we can deliver the best exposure and professional advice to achieve our clients’ goals while also minimizing their risk. Clients appreciate my methodical method of discovery in our initial consultation. Through which we can get to know each other and their specific’s business’s needs and objectives on a granular level. Our processes help navigate each transaction and its potential pitfalls through to a successful outcome for our clients. It is my stated goal to provide our clients with extensive market analysis and expertise that fosters innovative solutions and rewarding commercial real estate opportunities.

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eXp Commercial - Viking Enterprise team real estate network provides unparalleled commercial real estate services to Tenants and Landlords around the greater Katy & Houston MSA area. Our knowledge, experience, and reputation sets us apart from many firms.