CBRE Survey Shows Investors Increasing Capital Allocation Into Commercial Real Estate for 2026
Commercial real estate investors are gearing up for a transformative year, according to the newly released
2026 North America Investor Intentions Survey from
CBRE.
With stabilizing pricing expectations, improving fundamentals, and renewed optimism around cooling debt costs,
substantial capital injections are expected to reshape the U.S. commercial real estate landscape in 2026.
A remarkable 95 percent of investors plan to either increase their purchasing activity or at minimum match last year’s volume.
More notably, 55 percent intend to increase overall capital allocation—a strong jump and a clear indicator of rising confidence.
“Investors are approaching 2026 with optimism…”
“Despite political and economic uncertainties, stabilizing debt costs and attractive pricing entry points are driving a strong
sense of opportunity,” said Tommy Lee, President and Co‑Head of Capital Markets, U.S. & Canada, for CBRE.
Top Markets Investors Are Targeting in 2026
Dallas continues to dominate as the most attractive U.S. market for the fifth consecutive year.
Cities like Atlanta and San Francisco follow closely behind.
New high‑growth entries—including Charlotte, Nashville, Tampa, and Seattle—highlight growing demand in both emerging regions
and discounted major metros.
What Property Types Are Investors Prioritizing?
Multifamily leads the pack, targeted by 74 percent of U.S. investors.
Industrial and logistics assets follow with 37 percent, then retail at 27 percent, and office at 16 percent.
Across all categories, top‑tier assets remain the core focus.
Alternative asset categories—including self‑storage, land, industrial outdoor storage, cold storage, and healthcare—are gaining interest,
though only 11 percent of investors plan to pursue them actively this year.
Investor Strategy: Moderate Risk, Higher Returns
Value‑add and core‑plus strategies continue to grow in popularity as investors lean toward balanced risk‑to‑reward profiles.
While core strategies are improving modestly, opportunistic and distressed strategies have softened.
Debt & Financing: Investors Brace for Market Shifts
Over 70 percent of investors expect to maintain their current debt‑to‑equity ratios. Nearly half are willing to endure a
year of negative leverage—demonstrating confidence in long‑term asset performance.
Key concerns include fluctuating interest rates and shrinking refinance loan sizes due to adjusted valuations.
Even so, direct real estate equity remains the favored investment vehicle, with continued interest in mezzanine financing,
mortgage lending, and secured loan strategies.
Thinking About Breaking Into Real Estate?
With investor enthusiasm rising, opportunities across commercial and residential real estate are expanding rapidly.
If you’re preparing to enter the field or elevate your credentials, Cameron Academy offers flexible, industry‑leading licensing education
across Florida and beyond. Explore online courses in real estate, mortgage, insurance, finance, and more at
CameronAcademy.com.
More Articles
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!
Nevada has enacted a first‑in‑the‑nation law permitting insurers to sell homeowners policies that exclude wildfire coverage, a move supporters say could help stabilize premiums but critics warn may leave homeowners financially devastated. The policy shift positions Nevada as a testing ground for potential nationwide changes, raising major implications for real estate, mortgage, and insurance professionals as lenders, high‑risk communities, and regulators navigate the evolving landscape.
Tampa Bay’s office sector just delivered its most powerful year in nearly a decade, according to JLL’s Q4 2025 report. With more than 600,000 square feet of positive net absorption, falling vacancies, shrinking inventory, and major tenants like Fisher Investments and GEICO locking in massive leases, the region is emerging as one of the nation’s strongest post‑recovery office markets. The surge in demand for high‑quality space is driving rents up, tightening supply, and setting the stage for continued momentum into 2026.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed new updates to the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, expanding data collection, tightening verification standards, and refreshing record‑retention rules. These changes aim to strengthen background checks, enhance regulatory oversight, and align the system with federal requirements—impacting both current and aspiring mortgage loan originators nationwide.
Nevada has become the first state to let insurers sell homeowners policies that exclude wildfire coverage — a dramatic shift that could reshape insurance pricing across the West. Supporters say the move may lower premiums and spark innovation, while critics warn it could leave homeowners exposed to devastating losses. As regulators and insurers nationwide watch closely, the experiment could have major implications for real estate, mortgages, and insurance markets.
After years of soaring premiums and insurer failures, Florida lawmakers are rolling out a new slate of reforms aimed at finally delivering relief to homeowners. From cracking down on profit‑sharing affiliates to unveiling hidden rate factors and rewarding claim‑free residents, these proposals could reshape the state’s insurance landscape — and bring real savings to property owners and real estate professionals alike.
With traditional CRE lending slowing nationwide, C‑PACE financing is surging to all‑time highs — including a record‑setting $465 million loan for a major D.C. redevelopment. Backed by long repayment terms, fixed rates, and tax‑assessment security, C‑PACE is rapidly becoming a preferred tool for funding energy efficiency, resiliency upgrades, and even large‑scale project recapitalizations. Major players like Nuveen Green Capital and Peachtree Group are driving billions in new volume as 40 states adopt the program, signaling a major shift in how commercial real estate projects are financed.
