Property Types Investors Are Targeting in 2026

1. Industrial & Logistics Properties

Properties such as warehouses, distribution centres and logistics hubs are increasingly attractive to investors:

·       Institutional data show that investors globally still favour “beds and sheds” (residential + industrial) among property types.

·     A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) & Urban Land Institute (ULI) for 2026 notes that in U.S. markets the industrial segment is the preferred property type for acquisition in many regions.

·    Why: Growth of e-commerce, demand for “last mile” logistics, and relatively stable long-term leases make these properties resilient to economic cycles.

2. Multifamily Residential (and Build-to-Rent)

Residential rental housing remains a core favourite for many investors but with a twist:

·     The multifamily sector (apartment buildings / multi-unit residential) is set to stabilised in many markets in 2026 as new construction slows and supply pressures ease.

·        Build-to-rent (purpose-built rental homes/communities) is gaining traction, especially where home ownership is challenging and demand for long-term rental is strong.

·    Why: Rental housing offers the potential for steady cash flow, inflation hedge, and in many cases less cyclical risk than speculative development of for-sale housing.

3. Sustainable / Green-Certified Buildings

Properties with strong environmental credentials, energy efficiency, smart-tech integration, and good ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) attributes are increasingly preferred:

·      Buildings with green certification are commanding rental premiums, benefiting from tenant demand and regulatory tailwinds.

·    Why: Lower running costs, reduced risk of obsolescence (especially as regulation tightens), better tenant retention, and alignment with institutional investor mandates.

4. Digital Infrastructure & Alternative Real Estate Types

Beyond the “traditional” property types, certain niche categories are emerging strongly in 2026:

·   These include data centres, server farms, cell towers, cold-storage logistics, and other real-asset infrastructure tied to digital economy growth. 

·     Why: Massive growth in cloud computing, AI, 5G/6G, and global digitisation increases demand for the supporting physical infrastructure. These assets often feature long leases and steady cash flows.

5. Mixed-Use & Flexibly Zoned Properties

Properties that combine multiple uses such as residential + commercial + retail + co-working or co-living components are gaining favour.

·    Such mixed-use developments help diversify income streams and adapt to shifting lifestyle/demand patterns (work-from-home, urban living preferences).

·      Why: They offer resilience through diversification, appeal to younger demographics, and can leverage location/amenity synergies.

6. Secondary & Tertiary Markets / Under-the-Radar Locations

While major metropolitan markets remain important, many investors are turning toward secondary or tertiary cities (or suburbs) where supply is constrained, growth prospects exist, and valuations are more attractive:

·     The PwC/ULI survey for 2026 highlights that some West U.S. markets are losing momentum, while newer markets are gaining in interest.

·     Why: Less competition, lower entry cost, higher yield potential, and the ability to benefit from demographic shifts (remote work, lifestyle relocation).

7. Affordable Housing / Mid-Income Rental Housing

With affordability under pressure in many markets, housing for the “middle” or rental segments is becoming an investment focus:

·        Build-to-rent, modular housing, co-living and alternative housing models (for younger renters, digital nomads, etc) are rising.

·        Why: Strong demand, lower risk of vacancy, less speculative price risk, and often eligible for supportive policy or incentives.

For 2026, the property types likely to be most sought after by investors are those that combine strong demand fundamentals, resilient income streams, operational/technological edge, and future-proofing via sustainability and asset-flexibility. While traditional options (like high-end office in major CBDs) face headwinds, opportunities in industrial/logistics, multifamily rental, green buildings, digital infrastructure, mixed-use developments, and emerging markets are rising in priority. If you are considering investing in property (whether in your home country or abroad) in 2026, focusing on those themes may help align with where capital is moving and where value-creation potential lies.