Global CRE Investment Shifts Towards Transparency and Value Creation

By RadCRE Research · 2026-09-19 · Industry Insights

Highly transparent real estate markets saw a significant 64% increase in transaction volumes over the past two years, outpacing other global markets [1].

Global Real Estate Investment Landscape: Navigating 2026 Trends

The commercial real estate (CRE) investment landscape in 2026 is characterized by a continued emphasis on transparency, strategic capital flows, and a return to fundamental value creation. Recent analyses highlight a clear divergence in market performance, with highly transparent markets demonstrating robust activity while other regions exhibit more nuanced trends [1, 3].

JLL and LaSalle's 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI) underscores a critical trend: transaction volumes in the world's most transparent real estate markets surged by 64% over the last two years. This growth significantly outpaced the other 88 countries tracked in the index, suggesting a strong correlation between transparency and investor confidence and activity [1]. Key highlights from the GRETI report indicate that highly transparent markets are consolidating their lead, while issues such as energy resilience are actively reshaping site selection and cost considerations. Furthermore, the report delves into whether credit market transparency is keeping pace with lending growth, and how artificial intelligence (AI) is both accelerating transparency and deepening risk assessment. The democratization of real estate investment is also calling for even greater transparency across the board [1].

Capital Flows and Regional Dynamics

Capital markets remain a central focus for investors seeking opportunities and for firms providing advisory services, as evidenced by Cushman & Wakefield's dedicated capital markets services [2]. JLL's investment division reported a substantial global investment sales and advisory production volume of $130 billion in 2025, facilitated by over 4,100 capital markets professionals and more than 5,600 closed transactions across 37 countries [5]. This scale indicates a highly active, albeit selective, global investment environment.

Regional insights from the Nordic market in Autumn 2026 reveal a 'separating rather than recovering' trend. While aggregate transaction volume in the Nordics increased over the first half of 2026, the buyer base did not broaden commensurately. This suggests that investment is concentrating on premium assets with secure income streams [3]. Despite persistent geopolitical disruptions, the global economy demonstrates resilience, with financial markets increasingly focusing on structural drivers such as artificial intelligence (AI), maintaining global growth only marginally below earlier forecasts [3]. Specifically, Sweden's recovery is broadening, with a consensus forecast of 2.1 percent growth for 2026, potentially set for an upward revision. Denmark, Norway, and Finland have maintained stable growth expectations since February, at 2.6 percent, 1.5 percent, and 1.1 percent, respectively [3].

The Return to 'Old-School' Value Creation

CBRE insights point to a renewed focus on 'old-school' value creation in real estate [6]. This perspective suggests that market participants are moving beyond speculative growth and returning to fundamental principles of asset management, development, and strategic investment to generate returns. This aligns with the selective nature of capital flows observed in regions like the Nordics, where the best spaces and most secure incomes are performing distinctively [3]. Cushman & Wakefield emphasizes the importance of actionable research and insights to position clients for future market conditions, highlighting key themes such across the economy, demand, rents, vacancy, supply, yields, and investment activity [4].

RadCRE Perspective

The data from JLL's GRETI report is unequivocal: transparency is not just a regulatory buzzword, it's a direct catalyst for increased transaction volumes. A 64% rise in the most transparent markets over two years [1] signifies that institutional capital, especially, prioritizes clarity and reduced risk. As Majid Radaei, Founder of RadCRE, I see this as a reinforcing cycle. Investors reward transparency, which in turn drives more capital to those markets, further enhancing their liquidity and appeal. For RadCRE's clients, whether in hotel investment sales or value-add acquisitions, this means emphasizing robust underwriting and clear communication on asset performance and market dynamics. The 'old-school' value creation trend [6] complements this, urging investors to focus on the intrinsic value and operational excellence of properties, rather than solely on market timing. This environment favors diligent, data-driven strategies over speculative plays, aligning perfectly with our approach at RadCRE. Capital is flowing, but it's flowing smartly.

Tags: Real Estate Transparency, Capital Flows, Investment Outlook 2026, CRE Investment, Value Creation