APAC investors set to increase real estate capital deployment in 2026

Nearly 60% of investors plan to increase acquisitions this year.

Investors across Asia Pacific are preparing to increase capital deployment into commercial real estate in 2026, supported by improving occupier fundamentals, easing financing conditions and reduced development pipelines, according to CBRE.

CBRE’s 2026 Asia Pacific Investor Intentions Survey found that 57% of investors plan to increase acquisitions this year, while net buying intentions rose to 17%, up from 13% in 2025 and 5% in 2024. The firm said this signals a broad-based recovery in regional investment sentiment.

CBRE noted that for the first time since 2020, the office sector has overtaken industrial and logistics as the most preferred asset class. The shift is most evident in Sydney, Tokyo and Singapore, where limited new supply, high occupancy levels and improving rental growth expectations are supporting investor demand for high-quality assets.

According to CBRE, Tokyo remains the top cross-border investment destination in the region for the seventh consecutive year, supported by stable cash flows and favourable financing conditions. It is followed by Sydney and Singapore (tied with Seoul), while Hong Kong SAR re-entered the top five, driven by renewed demand and activity in living and hotel assets.

CBRE said office assets accounted for 25% of investor preferences in 2026, followed by industrial and logistics at 21%, with continued structural support from e-commerce growth and constrained future supply. The living sector and data centres also remain key areas of focus for investors.

The survey found that core-plus and value-add strategies dominate investor appetite, accounting for more than 63% of responses, as investors prioritise income stability and rental growth potential. In contrast, opportunistic strategies have declined amid fewer distressed opportunities and higher construction costs.

CBRE also highlighted shifting capital flows, with Asia Pacific REITs expected to be net buyers at +30% intention, while private investors may become modest net sellers as they recycle assets acquired during earlier pricing dislocations.

However, investors continue to face headwinds, including rising labour and construction costs, ongoing geopolitical tensions and renewed interest rate risks in markets such as Japan and Australia.

CBRE said the overall outlook reflects a clear shift toward growth and selective deployment, with investors increasingly targeting assets offering durable income and strong fundamentals in supply-constrained markets.