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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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📈 Houston CRE & Oil Prices: What Investors Must Watch in 2026 🏢🔥

🛢️ How Oil Prices Shape Houston’s CRE Market | Investor Outlook for 2026 🔍

Commercial Real Estate

December 12, 2025•3 min read

🛢️ How Oil Prices Shape Houston’s CRE Market | Investor Outlook for 2026 🔍

📈 Houston CRE & Oil Prices: What Investors Must Watch in 2026 🏢🔥

How Oil Prices Shape Houston’s CRE Market: What Investors Should Expect in 2026

Houston’s commercial real estate market has always been tied—directly and indirectly—to the global energy economy. Even with ongoing diversification into healthcare, tech, manufacturing, and logistics, oil price volatility still influences CRE demand, absorption, development trends, capital flows, and investor sentiment. For developers, investors, and business owners operating in the Houston metropolitan area, understanding the energy cycle isn’t optional—it’s strategic.

1. Why Oil Prices Still Matter in Houston

Oil remains one of Houston’s foundational economic engines. When oil trades above long-term averages (typically $70–$80+ per barrel), energy companies expand capital budgets, hire aggressively, and lease more space. Conversely, when prices fall, companies cut back spending, pause expansions, and consolidate office footprints.

Key CRE impacts:
• Office demand in West Houston, the Energy Corridor, and Uptown rises when drilling activity and exploration budgets increase.
• Industrial demand strengthens as midstream and downstream operators expand warehousing, logistics, and fabrication space.
• Retail and multifamily performance improves with job growth and higher household incomes tied to the energy sector.

2. High Oil Prices = Increased CRE Activity

When prices sustain above $80 per barrel:
• Office absorption improves, especially Class A towers near energy hubs.
• Industrial leasing accelerates, driven by equipment storage, manufacturing, and service companies.
• Medical and retail expansion gains momentum as consumer spending rises.
• Land prices increase around Katy, Fulshear, Brookshire, and West Houston as developers prepare for the next cycle.

Houston’s most energy-centric submarkets—Energy Corridor, Westchase, the Galleria, and North Houston industrial—typically lead the recovery.

3. Low Oil Prices = Slower CRE Growth

When oil dips below $60 for extended periods:
• Office vacancy rises, particularly in older Class B/C buildings.
• Industrial tenants reduce footprints or delay expansion timelines.
• Retail spending slows, affecting suburban shopping centers.
• Investment sales volume falls as buyers anticipate lower net operating income growth.

However, low oil prices do not impact Houston as severely as in past decades, due to the rise of medical, logistics, tech, and manufacturing employment. The city is more diversified than ever.

4. Why Industrial Remains the Most Stable Sector

Even when oil declines, industrial holds up better than other sectors due to:
• Houston’s position as a global petrochemical hub
• Port Houston demand
• Manufacturing and logistics growth
• Corporate reshoring and supply chain diversification

This makes industrial and flex properties ideal hedges during oil downturns.

5. How CRE Investors Should Adjust to Oil Cycles

Smart investors monitor Brent and WTI price trends to position capital strategically:

When prices rise:
• Acquire value-add office and industrial in the Energy Corridor
• Consider land near I-10, FM 1463, and Grand Parkway
• Expect higher rent growth and lower concessions

When prices fall:
• Look for discounted office assets
• Buy industrial properties with long-term credit tenants
• Focus on medical office and retail in high-income suburbs like Katy and Fulshear

6. Outlook for 2026

Most analysts project oil prices to remain inside a stable band in 2026, supported by:
• Global supply constraints
• Strong demand from Asia
• Continued U.S. export growth
• OPEC+ production strategy

This positions Houston for steady CRE performance, with industrial, medical, and mixed-use leading the way—and office recovery continuing in energy-oriented submarkets.

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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.