Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2026

PwC and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) have released the 47th edition of their Emerging Trends in Real Estate report, providing a comprehensive outlook for the property sector in 2026. The publication examines investment, development, and capital markets across the United States and Canada, serving as a critical benchmark for industry stakeholders. By synthesizing the perspectives of over 1,700 experts, the report highlights the evolving issues and metropolitan trends shaping the future of the real estate market.

The 2026 edition of Emerging Trends in Real Estate represents the 47th year of the joint forecast publication produced by PwC and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). This highly regarded report provides a detailed outlook on real estate investment and development trends, finance, and capital markets, as well as specific property sectors and metropolitan areas throughout the United States and Canada. As one of the most widely read forecast reports in the industry, it aims to help stakeholders navigate the complexities of the property market by providing a clear view of the upcoming economic and development landscape.

The findings within the report are derived from an extensive research process that included interviews with over 500 individuals and survey responses from nearly 1,250 industry experts. This diverse group of participants includes investors, fund managers, developers, property companies, lenders, brokers, advisers, and consultants. The report relies on these direct views, often presented as anonymous quotations, to provide a candid assessment of the current state of the industry. This methodology ensures that the forecast reflects a broad range of professional perspectives from those actively working within the real estate and property sectors.

Although published by PwC and ULI, the report emphasizes that the views expressed are those of the survey and interview participants and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of the publishing organizations. PwC, which operates a network of 370,000 people in 149 countries, and ULI utilize this collaborative research to help clients build trust and turn market complexity into a competitive advantage. By providing a platform for industry-wide expertise, the publication helps real estate professionals accelerate and sustain momentum across audit, tax, legal, and consulting disciplines as they look toward 2026.