Dive Brief:

• Hines, the Houston-based global development and construction company, is encountering 3% to 6% inflation in materials and labor costs annually, one of its top executives says.
• The inflation rate is double for multifamily construction, Hastings "Hasty" Johnson, chief investment officer and vice chairman, said.
• Johnson also indicated Hines is seeing a strong recovery from the recession for its work in the commercial sector.

Dive Insight:

Johnson suggested to a group of real-estate editors that situations are changing fast enough that developers should create their own analyses rather than waiting for information from economists. Waiting can mean missed opportunities, he said.