Spurred by discussion at the Fall 2005 IAMC Professional Forum’s Research Roundtable in Corpus Christi, "The Own-vs.-Lease Decision in Corporate Real Estate," published in September 2006 and sent to all IAMC members, was further supported by a January 2006 survey of all IAMC corporate-active members.

One of its chief findings? For 70 percent of land acquisitions, 52 percent of manufacturing facilities and 41 percent of R&D facilities, no own-vs.-lease financial analysis is conducted. On the flip side, of all property types, distribution facilities are the most likely to be evaluated for own-vs.-lease, at 73 percent. The two charts to the right illustrate these findings within the context of real estate strategy. As they indicate, flexibility is a leading driver. But readers of the report will also see how driving forces in overall corporate strategy mesh or don’t mesh with real estate departmental mandates.

"In practice," writes IAMC Director of Research Joel Parker, "the own-vs.-lease decision often is based on operational considerations and corporate policy, rather than financial analysis."

Using a sequence of 20 charts and tables, the report analyzes the own-vs.-lease question across a matrix of categories, including industry sector, company growth curve, type of space and overall corporate real estate strategic drivers.

Available free of charge to IAMC members, the new report, as well as the four reports below, is available for purchase by non-members for $25 by ordering direct from IAMC.