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!
Florida’s property insurance system is once again spiraling as new “market-friendly” reforms fail to stabilize rising premiums, insurer failures, and mounting homeowner frustration. Despite aggressive efforts to shift policyholders from Citizens to private carriers, many of the new insurers stepping in are tied to past insolvencies, questionable ratings, and political influence. For real estate, mortgage, and insurance professionals, these systemic cracks are reshaping closings, valuations, and risk across the state—making it essential to stay ahead of ongoing regulatory and market shifts.
Commercial real estate is heading into a turning‑point year in 2026, driven by economic uncertainty, AI‑powered transformation, shifting demographics and rising portfolio risk. Insights from The Counselors of Real Estate highlight the top issues shaping the year ahead—from fiscal pressures and capital constraints to housing shortages, global volatility and the future of data‑driven decision‑making. For real estate, mortgage, insurance and finance professionals, these trends offer a clear roadmap for staying competitive and preparing for the next wave of industry change.
AI-powered tools, fraud protection systems, and smarter MLS integrations are sweeping through the real estate industry as major organizations adopt new technologies. From RealReports hitting its 50th partnership to BeachesMLS unveiling instant AI home visualizations and Doorify boosting security, professionals are seeing rapid advancements that promise sharper insights, safer transactions, and more efficient rental workflows. This evolving tech landscape underscores the importance of staying educated and adaptable — especially for agents preparing for a competitive, AI-enhanced 2025 market.
Florida homeowners are being hit with the highest insurance premiums in the nation, averaging $5,838 per year—nearly double the U.S. average. As costs skyrocket, many residents are reporting denied claims, non‑renewals, and impossible financial choices. New investigations reveal that more than 40 percent of claims in Florida close with no payment, while lawmakers push for transparency, fair pricing, and meaningful reform to stabilize a market that’s rapidly becoming unsustainable.
Vend Park, a Boston-based proptech company, has raised $17.5 million in Series A funding to reinvent parking as a high-performing commercial real estate asset. By replacing outdated operator–vendor systems with a unified AI-driven platform, Vend Park is helping major property owners boost NOI by up to 30%, slash operating costs, and modernize the tenant experience. As the company expands from three to fifteen cities and partners with giants like Nuveen and Jamestown, its technology highlights a major shift: real estate professionals must now understand AI, automation, and digital infrastructure to stay competitive.
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners has formed an exclusive partnership with Southeast Mortgage, Georgia’s largest non‑bank mortgage lender. The collaboration promises faster, tech‑enhanced transactions for both agents and homebuyers, combining real estate expertise with streamlined mortgage services. This move reflects a growing trend toward integrated real‑estate ecosystems designed to reduce delays, boost transparency, and modernize the homebuying experience.
