The metropolitan Boston commercial vacancy rate remained "stuck in neutral" in the second quarter, unchanged at 14.3 percent, according to Colliers Meredith & Grew's Second Quarter 2008 Market Viewpoint.

In the city of Boston, the office leasing market has remained stable during the first half of the year, with the vacancy rate hovering at 8.8 percent. Absorption was a modest 78,400 square feet during the first half of the year and rental rates are holding firm, ranging from $35 to $75 per square foot, depending on market segment, the report said.