North Bay Business Journal

The balance of power in the office market in southern and central Marin County continues to move in favor of landlords.

Looking forward into 2013, we are tracking an increase in demand over historical levels.

What started as a fairly benign Sonoma County multifamily income property market recovery turned into a full-blown juggernaut, as 2012 closed with a surge in sales and rental prices.

Going forward, expect more apartment investment as buyers are drawn to returns with solid growth potential.

The North Bay’s low vacancy rate — not as much as the economy — is the biggest challenge to North Bay retail property. Increasingly rare available quality retail space and soaring rents for it are discouraging retailers.

After being largely vacant from commercial property sales at the height of the economic recession, investors in North Bay multifamily complexes are moving back into the market.

While the market for office space in Solano County continues to be soft, deals for industrial and retail space — including a large sale of Benicia warehouses — are whittling away at high vacancy rates.

SAN RAFAEL — After vacating some headquarters space in Marin over the past several years, software maker Autodesk Inc. (NYSE: ADSK) is regaining some of its local presence.

“In conjunction with our plans for expansion in San Francisco, Autodesk continues to build on our 30-year history in Marin by expanding our headquarters in San Rafael,” said a spokesman.

SAN RAFAEL, FAIRFIELD — In two separate deals, commercial real estate brokerages BT Commercial, which has three North Bay offices, and Colliers International, which has one in Solano County, are becoming part of two of the largest commercial property services companies.