Commercial Real Estate Pros Are Almost All Bullish on 2026
If you’ve been feeling a subtle but undeniable shift in the commercial real estate landscape heading into 2026, you’re right in sync with the experts. According to the new Avison Young Canadian Outlook report, an astonishing 97% of CRE professionals believe market activity will rise or remain stable next year.
That level of positivity isn’t common—and it certainly isn’t random. It reflects a major leap from mid‑2025, when only 45% predicted increased activity. Now, confidence is snowballing as professionals align around a shared expectation: the comeback is real.
A Market Primed for a Surge
Among the nearly 200 CRE professionals surveyed, 64% expect activity to increase in 2026, while another 33% foresee stability. That leaves only a tiny slice predicting a downturn—arguably the boldest forecasters in the room.
Mark Fieder, Principal and President of Avison Young Canada, described the mood simply but powerfully: “Optimism is in the air.” With 2025 investment volumes matching the previous year and Q3 showing the strongest sales since 2022, the industry is gaining unmistakable traction.
Quick Pulse Check
How CRE experts feel about 2026:
64% anticipate increased activity
33% expect stable performance
A very small minority anticipate decline
What’s Driving This Optimism?
Avison Young identifies several momentum‑boosting factors:
Potential Bank of Canada rate cuts refreshing investor enthusiasm
Strong employment and manageable inflation pressures
Persistent demand in medical, grocery, and wellness‑focused retail
With the exception of Vancouver—which is expected to hold steady—most of Canada’s major markets are positioned for increased activity.
But Not Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
U.S. tariff policies remain one of the largest question marks. Declining exports in machinery, automotive, and related industries could create friction for various regional economies in Canada, moderating otherwise promising gains.
Multifamily outlooks remain cautiously positive, though buyer‑seller pricing gaps continue to pinch transaction volume. Industrial, on the other hand, remains a dependable star performer—poised to carry its strength straight into 2026.
Why This Matters for Today’s Real Estate Professionals
Whether you’re an investor, a broker, or a professional gearing up to advance your licensing or skillset, this rising optimism marks a significant turning point. Markets are shifting—and staying ahead requires staying sharp.
Professionals across real estate, mortgage, insurance, finance, and other licensed fields continue to rely on Cameron Academy for flexible, modern, and industry‑ready education to meet the moment.
Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!
Florida’s property insurance market is finally showing signs of recovery after years of soaring premiums, litigation chaos, and insurer withdrawals. With rate increases now the lowest in the nation, Citizens Insurance shrinking, and new carriers re‑entering the state, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky says the market is turning a corner. But while stabilization is underway, many homeowners are still asking why premiums haven’t dropped—and the answer lies in skyrocketing replacement costs, not rates. As reforms continue and AI, transparency rules, and mitigation incentives expand, real estate and insurance professionals should prepare for an evolving landscape that directly impacts affordability, buyer behavior, and long‑term market confidence.
In a candid conversation with Mortgage Professional America, NAMB president Kimber White lays out a series of structural reforms aimed at restoring homeownership access for millions of Americans. From revitalizing down payment assistance to rethinking loan-level price adjustments and incentivizing builders, White argues that meaningful affordability relief is achievable—but only through coordinated policy changes that address both costs and inventory shortages.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the insurance world, but a major power struggle is unfolding over who gets to regulate it. As insurers adopt AI at record speed, state regulators and the federal government are clashing over oversight authority—especially after a new executive order aims to put Washington in charge. With states pushing back and new evaluation tools on the horizon, the future of AI in insurance is becoming one of the biggest regulatory battles professionals need to watch.
A new CBRE Investor Intentions Survey shows that 2026 is shaping up to be a strong year for commercial real estate, with 95 percent of investors planning to buy more assets and over half increasing their capital allocation. Stabilizing pricing, improving market fundamentals, and expectations of cooling debt costs are driving renewed optimism as investors target high‑growth markets like Dallas, Atlanta, Tampa, and Charlotte, while doubling down on multifamily, industrial, and value‑add strategies.
Lofty has introduced Lofty AOS, the first agentic AI operating system built to autonomously manage real estate workflows—from lead engagement to marketing, transactions, and website creation. Unlike traditional AI that waits for prompts, Lofty’s system operates like a full digital workforce, coordinating tasks across specialized AI agents. As this technology transforms daily operations for agents and brokerages, professionals with strong training and licensing will become even more essential.
The Federal Reserve has started 2026 by keeping interest rates unchanged, despite political pressure, stubborn inflation, and a cooling job market. While consumers don’t pay the federal funds rate directly, its effects ripple through mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, and savings accounts. Mortgage affordability remains tight, credit card APRs are easing slowly, auto loan balances are climbing, and savings yields are one of the few bright spots. For real estate, mortgage, and finance professionals, understanding these shifts is essential as the market braces for another complex year.
