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Real Es­tate Stra­tegic Out­looks: Year-End 2025

Alternative Assets
Real Estate
Americas
Asia & Pacific
Europa

12/17/2025

The Real Estate Strategic Outlooks reflect the DWS Real Estate Research team's opinions of the various aspects of Real Estate markets across the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. This information represents our theoretical views on Real Estate markets globally and do not intend to comment on any DWS products or strategies or serve as investment advice, a recommendation, an offer or solicitation.

Kevin White

Global Co-Head of Real Estate Research

Koichiro_Obu_headshot

Koichiro (Ko) Obu

Head of Real Estate Research, Asia Pacific

Seng-Hong Teng headshot

Seng-Hong Teng

Property Market Research

reben bos headshot

Ruben Bos

Head of Real Estate Investment Strategy

Martin

Martin Lippmann

Head of Real Estate Research, Europe

Europe Real Estate

United States


In our view, the cyclical upswing in U.S. real estate that began in 2024 is expected to continue in 2026. Investment performance is projected healthy but moderate, characterized by steady cap rates and strengthening fundamentals.

The positive outlook rests on both macroeconomic and property-specific factors. AI-fueled spending and Federal Reserve rate cuts should keep the economy humming and long-term yields anchored. Meanwhile, structural demand, coupled with a sharp pullback in construction, is anticipated to support rising rents.

While most sectors are likely to participate in the upturn, infill Industrial, grocery-anchored Retail, and suburban Residential appear to be among the best positioned. From a geographic perspective, a dearth of supply may reinforce the long-run advantages of high-growth markets in the South and Mountain West.

Europe


In our view, Europe’s real estate market appears to be regaining momentum, with liquidity and debt capital returning, and supply shortages potentially fueling robust rent growth. Residential and logistics assets are currently leading to the recovery. Value-add living could benefit acute shortages, and growing value may be found across parts of office and retail.

Despite ongoing macro uncertainties, European real estate fundamentals remain relatively strong. Investors are finding at-tractive entry points, with competitive financing available and a renewed focus on long-term, theme-based strategies.

Strategically, the outlook favors living and logistics sectors, as well as well-located office and grocery and service-led retail parks. Europe’s real estate is positioned as a stable and potentially outperforming asset class for income, growth-focused and value-add investors.

Asia Pacific


The Asia Pacific real estate market is showing sign of renewed strength as 2025 ends, with investment volumes rising and supply constrained by high construction costs. Prime logistics and office assets in cities like Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul, and Singa-pore are particularly attractive, while the living sector—specially built-to-rent in Australia and multifamily in Japan—could benefits from demographic trends and urban migration dynamics. 

Market performance varies – most office, residential and logistics markets in most developed APAC cities are experiencing strong rental growth and improving occupancy levels, while China faces challenges from oversupply and weak demand. The retail sector has also seen a recovery, supported by rising tourism and domestic consumption while new supply remains limited due to rising costs.

Looking ahead, rental growth and returns forecasts appear to be attractive for logistics, repriced offices and living sectors across the region, led by Australia. Investors may wish to consider focus on high-quality assets in core locations that are sup-ported by low vacancies and supply pipelines.

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