Colliers Capital Markets recently launched its fifth annual  Global Investor Outlook Report, synthesizing insights from industry leaders and data-driven research to highlight key investment trends, risks, and opportunities in commercial real estate. Here are 10 key takeaways, both globally and for the U.S. region: 

• Investors shift to active strategies for greater control. Nearly half (49%) favor direct investments and separate accounts. Private equity is also targeting both property-owning and operating businesses. Despite a strong appetite for core and core-plus (37%), only 9% of real estate funds target them, revealing a market disconnect.
• Global allocations are rebalancing, with Europe and Asia Pacific gaining fundraising share. Multi-regional strategies now account for nearly 30% of global fundraising. North America’s fundraising share remains 50% above Europe and APAC combined.
• Industrial, multifamily and retail remain resilient, drawing capital to logistics hubs, urban growth corridors and essential-service retail in supply-constrained markets.
• Offices are rebounding. The asset class is regaining investor interest due to increasing return-to-office mandates.
• Appetite for alternatives is rising but shifting. Student housing, self-storage and healthcare buildings are attracting more capital. Previously, life sciences was a major focal point.
• Value-add strategies dominate as investors focus on repositioning assets. High costs are driving adaptive reuse, especially in tight markets. Office upgrades to meet sustainability and tenant needs are most active in APAC and Europe.
• Overall sentiment is on the upswing. Sentiment toward real estate fundamentals is improving, while market liquidity, debt and capital costs, and rental growth are viewed more favorably. Meanwhile, concerns about value declines and vacancy rates have eased.
• The U.S. will remain a key source and destination for global capital. Values are on the rise, as is fundraising. Multifamily and industrial remain the top choices for capital allocation, but strategies are broadening, presenting unique investment targets across asset classes, markets and submarkets.
• Investors are seizing opportunities in the U.S. as pricing becomes more attractive and fundamentals improve across major asset classes. Understanding where rental growth potential lies is critical for success. Investors should target opportunities created by redevelopment or tightening supply, as these will drive returns in the coming year.
• A surge in data center development is capturing global investor attention. Unprecedented demand has supply running at full speed in the U.S., widening the scale of several core markets while creating new opportunities from coast to coast.

 
Quick Hits will return in 2026. View the 2026 Global Investor Outlook Report and other Colliers research reports by visiting www.colliers.com.