The commercial real estate market is sitting on a solid foundation.

According to a news release from the National Association of Realtors, the commercial sector is enjoying low vacancy rates and healthy rent growth across the nation.

A record $257.0 billion was invested in commercial real estate markets in the first seven months of 2007, topping last year’s investments in the same period by $146.7 billion.

Office space vacancies are projected to increase to an average of 12.9 percent in the fourth quarter, then dip by the end of 2008. Vacancy rates in the industrial market are expected to hover at 9.6 percent in the fourth quarter and possibly drop to 9.4 percent by the end of 2008. High levels of supply in the retail market are expected to push vacancy rates to 9.3 percent in the fourth quarter.