M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — 2026 Forecast — January 2026 — 15A
www.marej.com
2026 F orecast
By Brian Anderson, Cushman & Wakefield 2026 Outlook: What’s ahead for equity, debt & structured finance
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s we move into 2026, the tone across com- mercial real estate cap-
not just returning, it’s doing so with intention and in pursuit of well priced opportunities. A Platform Built for Scale, Reach & Execution What sets our team apart in this environment is the combination of scale and specialization. Nationally, the platform delivered $11.2 billion in total financings , executed 320 loan closings , and now spans 15 offices across the U.S. This reach al- lows us to pair deep local mar- ket knowledge with a global capital network, an advantage that becomes especially valu-
able when liquidity is re enter- ing the system unevenly. Our team’s ability to struc- ture bespoke capital stacks, whether senior debt, preferred equity, JV equity, bridge solu- tions, or structured alterna- tives, positions clients to move quickly as windows of opportu- nity open. And in a year where timing matters as much as pric- ing, that agility is becoming a competitive differentiator. Looking Ahead: Why 2026 Is a Year of Opportunity Taken together, economic stabilization, easing rates, revived liquidity, and a deep,
active pipeline, 2026 is shap- ing up to be a year where disciplined investors, lenders, and advisors gain meaningful ground. Borrowers will find a more accommodating financing environment. Lenders are re- turning with more competitive terms and stronger conviction. And equity capital, benefiting from corrected valuations, is re entering the market with renewed appetite. At Cushman & Wakefield, we are not just observing these shifts, we are driving them. The volume, velocity, and diversity continued on page 17A
billion in financing opportuni - ties, an unmistakable sign that both institutional and private capital are re engaging after a period of caution. The momentum is also re flected in 2025 performance. Cushman & Wakefield closed almost $15 billion in transac- tions across hundreds of deals nationwide. Those closings represent a wide variety of property types and capital structures, underscoring the breadth of financing needs emerging as the market tran- sitions out of its corrective phase. It’s clear that capital is
ital markets feels materi- ally different from the un- certainty that has defined the last two years. Liquid- ity is improv- ing, pricing is
Brian Anderson
stabilizing, and both lenders and investors are returning to the table with a renewed sense of conviction. At Cushman & Wakefield, our pipeline, deal flow, and client conversations all point to a year characterized by opportunity, particularly for groups that can bring struc- tured, creative capital solutions to the table. A More Predictable Economic Backdrop The U.S. economy enters 2026 with greater balance than we saw in 2024 and 2025. GDP growth is expected to continue its growth potentially push- ing 6% this year, supported by steady consumer spending and the continued wave of AI driven investment. Even as job growth moderates, the broader macro environment remains resilient enough to support refinancing activity, new de - velopment nationwide, and increased capital deployment. Monetary policy is shifting in a more supportive direction as well. With inflation gradually easing, the Federal Reserve has begun cutting rates, and policy expectations point toward the 3% range by year end. Long term Treasury yields have also steadied in the low to mid 4% range , giving borrowers and lenders a far more predictable baseline for underwriting and pricing than they’ve had over the past two years. Capital Markets Are Re-Opening—and the Volume Proves It Across Cushman & Wake- field’s Equity, Debt & Struc - tured Finance (EDSF) plat- form, the data is telling a clear story: capital is flowing back into the market, and clients are positioning themselves to act. As of December 2025, the na- tional EDSF pipeline surpassed $18 billion across nearly 300 active mandates , spanning acquisitions, refinancings, construction financing, and recapitalization assignments. On the debt side alone, clients are pursuing more than $15
From incredible community centres where we all live, work and play to cutting edge wet labs, data centres and industrial complexes. Our greatest achievements will always come from our people’s relentless drive to meet even more difficult challenges, no matter what we may have accomplished in the past. IF AT FIRST YOU DO SUCCEED, TRY SOMETHING HARDER.
Brian Anderson 732.616.0908 Brian.Anderson@cushwake.com cushmanwakefield.com
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