U.S. commercial real estate prices fell 0.9 percent in December from the prior month, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Moody’s Investors Service and Real Estate Analytics LLC. It was the first decline in three months. Low demand for office space, retail centers and apartment complexes has contributed to the downward pressure on prices as investors struggle to service the debt associated with those property types. However, all four commercial property types – office, retail, industrial and multifamily – saw prices increase in the fourth quarter and retail properties led the way with an 8.4 percent gain. “A robust, broad-based recovery in commercial real estate prices has remained elusive, although some major markets, particularly capital-attracting gateway cities, continue to show signs of strength,” said Nick Levidy, Moody’s managing director. At the end of 2010, prices were 42 percent below their October 2007 peak.