Three Megatrends Dominating Global Real Estate Investment

The below infographic captures three megatrends that are the driving forces behind global real estate investment.

Three Megatrends Dominating Global Real Estate Investment

According to CBRE, the world’s largest real estate investment manager, the three trends driving the commercial real estate market can be summed up as the following:

1. Globalization

There’s $1.1 trillion expected to flow into commercial real estate in 2016, and much of that money will be stemming from international sources.

World-class cities are seeing more outside capital for all types of real estate. Take London for example, where 60% of commercial real estate has been bought by international investors over the last 10 years.

How can investors make this trend their friend? By looking for opportunities to diversify real estate portfolios across a broader mix of geographies and asset types, and by thinking globally while developing strong knowledge of local markets before investing.

2. Demographics

The world is shifting fast as far as demographics go.

Western countries will be welcoming many more retirees to their ranks. Meanwhile, the middle class in Asia will explode in growth. Once just 500 million people in 2009, it will be 3.3 billion by 2030 – accounting for roughly two-thirds of the global middle class.

Where will these people live?

Cities. About 50 megacities will account for the vast majority of economic activity. (See which megacities are growing the fastest here)

Look at investing in emerging markets that have a rapidly expanding middle class, and look for opportunities to capitalize on areas with large retiree populations.

3. Technology

Lastly, as technology becomes more ubiquitous, it will have an impact on real estate markets from several angles.

The amount of tech workers grew 61% between 2010 and 2013 among the top 15 urban centers. Also, driverless cars will also have widespread market penetration by 2029, and this will reshape and re-map entire communities.

Explore emerging technology hubs for real estate opportunities, and look for opportunities in urban-adjacent industrial properties as businesses establish distribution centers near cities to reduce the costs of delivery.