Market trends encompass shifts in product supply and consumer demand over time, whether they come in response to macroeconomic trends (such as demographics, interest rates or availability of capital), changes in user preferences (such as for rental over for-sale housing or urban over suburban office space), or innovations in product available (such as microunit housing and coworking space)
Now in its 47th edition, the 2026 Emerging Trends in Real Estate® identifies key opportunities, risks and market shifts that will shape the industry in the coming year—drawing on insights from more than 1,700 leading real estate investors, developers, lenders and advisors across the U.S. and Canada. This year’s report uncovers an industry that is neither standing still nor returning to old norms. It is reshaping itself for a new era as technology integrates across the built environment, and demographic shifts create new demand patterns. With economic uncertainty and higher financing costs creating a palpable 'fog' over the path forward, the most successful players will be those who combine insight with agility.
