Top Commercial Real Estate Market Reports for 2026: CPE Recommends
Here's our selection of must-read CRE reports and analyses.
Early on, all of us learned that nearly any compelling argument is backed by a healthy injection of data and market analysis. This is true for both CRE journalists and professionals. Many years ago, we established Commercial Property Executive‘s Research Center as a handy destination on this front, and have since made a habit out of always curating the best data and analysis out there.
But enough about us. Without much further ado, we give you CPE‘s 2026 list of top commercial real estate market reports and analysis sources, as read, scrutinized and used by our editorial team.
(This is the fourth and final installment of our 2026 CPE Recommends series. You can also check out our pieces on top CRE social media accounts, top CRE podcasts and top events in the industry.)
Paul Rosta, Executive Editor
1. CBRE’s Lending Momentum Index offers a nice snapshot of what’s happening in the capital markets, based on the firm’s analysis of its recent loan closings. I get good info about how originations stack up among capital sources, which asset categories are attracting lenders, and more.
Vicentiu Fusea, Associate Editor
2. Cushman & Wakefield’s MarketBeat reports never miss. They’re packed with solid data and sharp insights—perfect for when you need reliable coverage on metros that some other sources barely touch.
Corina Stef, Senior Associate Editor
3. ULI and PwC’s yearly Emerging Trends in Real Estate report distills insights from top industry leaders into a clear, forward-looking view of where capital, risk and opportunity are actually heading. It helps me understand not just current conditions, but how sentiment, pricing and strategy are evolving across markets and asset classes—a practical guide for decision-making in uncertain cycles.
Claudiu Tiganescu, Associate Editor
4. The MBA’s quarterly originations reports are one of my most-accessed bookmarks. Great for checking the debt market’s pulse in general, then for drilling down as needed.
Bogdan Odagescu, Senior Editor
5. This one hits close to home: Yardi Matrix’s publications page remains my prime source of reference. Beyond offering the deepest and most comprehensive dives into multifamily, there’s also always a host of fresh reports on office, industrial, student housing, self storage, affordable housing, as well as a bunch of other goodies.
6. The State of the Nation’s Housing yearly report published by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies is one of those papers that always adds to the conversation. The talking points often make waves and the analysis informs and shapes the wider narrative, often spilling into the CRE space.
Gabriel Frank, Senior Associate Editor
7. Altus Group’s quarterly investment and transactions report is my go-to when researching and brainstorming any investment trend story. The data are incredibly refined, and the website allows you to pick on region, asset class and pricing-specific bases. The reports also include short, written insights that point you toward the biggest standouts from the previous quarter.
Olivia Bunescu, Senior Associate Editor
8. CBRE’s Office Occupier Sentiment Survey touches on some of my core interests, such as the dynamics of hybrid work and how landlords integrate hybrid strategies in their portfolio. It also addresses challenges and expectations when it comes to hybrid work and it’s, overall, a good resource for assessing the current work landscape.
Diana Firtea, Associate Editor
9. Going through CBRE’s U.S. real estate outlook is an easy way to see what’s happening across CRE. Great for spotting major shifts and understanding what’s driving the market.
Therese Fitzgerald, Executive Editor
10. CREFC’s weekly Policy and Capital Markets Briefing bulletin provides news and analysis of the latest CRE financing happenings on Capitol Hill, Wall Street and Main Street.
Anca Gagiuc, Senior Associate Editor
11. Marcus & Millichap research includes crisp, property-type coverage across the U.S. and Canadian metros. Data-rich briefs and videos about cycle turns, pricing trends and local drivers.
Laura Valean, Senior Editor
12. I rely a lot on Deloitte’s CRE outlook as background reading. It’s very thorough, built on surveys of C-suite executives across multiple global regions, and it gives a solid sense of where the industry is heading. I also find the macro and policy context especially useful, and this year’s focus on AI adoption makes it particularly timely.
13. I also regularly use the RICS quarterly reports as background for my work because they give a clear, global read on occupier and investor sentiment. I appreciate how it’s broken down by region, which makes it easy to compare markets, while the overarching analysis helps put everything into broader context.
Simona Tudose, Associate Editor
14. CBRE’s North America Data Centers Trends is one of my main go-tos for the sector. Covered data points indicate how primary markets shift, but also signal wider changes in colocation demand and development.
Adriana Pop, Senior Associate Editor
15. For anyone tracking office attendance, Placer.ai’s monthly office visits update is an essential check-in. I find that it offers a clear, trusted pulse on how workplaces are really being used. It’s one of the most reliable ways to understand what’s happening on the ground.
Madalina Pojoga, Associate Editor
16. The Colliers Health-Care Services Report is a must-read for my regular research, as it covers the state of the sector on a national level and provides insight into niche markets. National Director Shawn Janus, one of its main experts, has also been a regular contributor to our own MOB outlook series that we publish each year.
Adriana Marinescu, Senior Associate Editor
17. The Savills Ports Report highlights the 15 busiest ports in North America and is a useful tool for figuring out how trade flows influence the industrial sector. It includes key comparison metrics for TEU volumes, infrastructure, congestion, labor and real estate, but also trade patterns.
18. Whenever I want to get an update on the evolution of data centers, I browse through JLL’s North America data centers bi-annual report. The data, focusing on development, absorption and investment, is pretty granular and there’s also a useful outlook component.
Beata Lorincz, Senior Associate Editor
19. I’m particularly interested in CBRE’s coverage of conversions. The company has an array of coverage on the topic, both local/regional and on a national level.
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