Ending 2025 Strong
What We’re Seeing Heading Into 2026

Welcome back to On The Ground, your bi-monthly CRE newsletter powered by DealGround.

As we close out 2025, one thing is clear.

Momentum is quietly rebuilding across the commercial real estate sector.

Rates are easing. GDP is accelerating. Capital that has been sitting on the sidelines is starting to stretch, model, and move again.

At DealGround, we spend every day inside real deal workflows and real market data. Based on what we saw in 2025, here is how we think 2026 is shaping up.

The macro backdrop is turning supportive

• Rate cuts will continue (at least 2, maybe 3)
• GDP growth is picking up meaningfully
• Bond markets are stabilizing just enough to restore confidence

It is not perfect, but direction matters, and the direction is improving.

What this means for CRE

• Based on 2025 activity, we expect retail deal volume to carry similar momentum into 2026, with growth again approaching the 15% range
• Industrial activity stays healthy, with steady deal flow and early signs of manufacturing reshoring
• Strip centers and grocery-anchored retail continue to attract capital thanks to supply constraints, durable cash flow, and redevelopment upside

Where the real edge shows up

As deal volume increases, the advantage will not be effort. It will be clarity.

Knowing where to look.
Knowing who owns what.
Knowing how assets actually trade before everyone else does.

Technology adoption accelerates in this environment, especially tools that help brokers move from discovery to discussion faster.

That is exactly what DealGround does.

The bottom line

2026 is setting up to be an exciting year for commercial real estate. Stronger growth, improving rates, and renewed deal activity are bringing investors back onto the field.

DealGround will be there to help you spot opportunities before they become obvious.

👉 Read our full 2026 predictions article here

DealGround. Built by Experts, For Experts.

Happy hunting. LFG!

The DealGround Team