Home Insights Real estate U.S. Real Estate Sector Report
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Sector conditions and outlook
Key:
Improving
Neutral
Deteriorating
Positive
Moderately positive
Neutral
Moderately negative
Negative
Apartment

The apartment sector is experiencing a surge in demand through the halfway point of 2025. Vacancy rates have declined sharply in the past 12 months and supply pipelines are seeing significant declines in new projects. Higher interest rates, as well as material and labor costs are the primary factors. Although rental growth has remained pressured, the sector is poised to see stronger operational performance over the balance of this year.

Current conditions:
Neutral
Outlook:
Moderately positive
Hotel

Hotel sector performance remains nuanced, largely due to policy uncertainty and declining savings rates among middle-income households. While travel data has been supportive and occupancy levels have stayed relatively healthy, ongoing caution around the economic outlook and policy-related headwinds continue to constrain more robust sector performance.

Current conditions:
Neutral
Outlook:
Moderately negative
Industrial

The industrial sector is facing headwinds associated with strong new supply in select metros and tenant uncertainty surrounding the impact of tariffs, which is complicating longer-term leasing conditions. Despite these challenges and higher vacancies, the sector remains sought after by both equity investors and lenders. Sector performance will be determined by both trade flows and economic growth, which we believe will drive continued leasing for larger and more modern warehouse facilities.

Current conditions:
Neutral
Outlook:
Moderately positive
Office

Although office fundamentals show signs of stabilization, they remain weak due to a lack of hiring in traditional office-using occupations and a lack of traction in the return to the workplace. Vacancy rates remain elevated in the low-19% range as leasing activity remains soft. Liquidity within the sector has been mixed with some improvement in sales volume, but it has been limited to portfolio level activity and core assets, which are trading selectively. Leasing economics remains a challenge for owners as the pricing pendulum continues to tilt toward tenants. Limited new supply will help in the nascent recovery, but only for the most well positioned assets.

Current conditions:
Deteriorating
Outlook:
Neutral
Retail

The retail sector continues to exhibit strong performance and has become more sought after by institutional investors due to outperformance in 2024. The sector’s unique position as a diversified sector continues to attract investors toward its cyclically resistant formats, which are also more defensively positioned against e-commerce penetration. Consumer resilience, however, is being tested as evidenced by a flattening of sentiment in the specter of higher inflation, which could erode discretionary spending power below all but the top income groups.

Current conditions:
Improving
Outlook:
Moderately positive
Single-family rental

The single-family rental (SFR) sector has performed well over the past 12 months but faces modest headwinds in select metros due to overdevelopment, which has tempered projected rental growth. Vacancy rates in most regions remain near equilibrium, and stable demand continues to support the sector’s income profile.

Current conditions:
Neutral
Outlook:
Moderately positive
Data centers

Data center demand remains strong as new demand continues to outpace the pace of new supply. At present the top-10 U.S. markets have less than 10MW of power available, which equates to a vacancy rate of roughly 2%. The number of tenants in space continues to expand powered by both cloud computing and AI related companies. Hyperscalers and intermediaries are leasing power to satisfy short-term AI contracts.

Current conditions:
Improving
Outlook:
Positive
Student housing

The student housing sector continues to exhibit solid fundamentals. However, it is becoming more competitive as much of the demand is now being met. Increased migration to southeastern states has generated optimism, particularly with students opting to stay closer to home. Despite these positive trends, we remain cautious about the sector due to moderating enrollment trends at four-year institutions.

Current conditions:
Neutral
Outlook:
Neutral
Life sciences

Fundamentals in the life sciences sector remain under pressure following a wave of overdevelopment and limited new space supply. Nationwide R&D lab vacancies, according to CBRE, reached 22.7% as of mid-year despite an increase in total leasing activity. However, net absorption remained negative due to lease expirations. The sector continues to face stress from persistently soft post-pandemic venture capital funding trends.

Current conditions:
Deteriorating
Outlook:
Negative

Source: Principal Real Estate, September 2025.

For our detailed perspective on the conditions and outlook for each sector, please download the full U.S. Real estate sector report.

Real estate
Disclosure

For Public Distribution in the United States. For Institutional, Professional, Qualified, and/or Wholesale Investor Use Only in other Permitted Jurisdictions as defined by local laws and regulations.

Risk considerations

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past Performance does not guarantee future return. All financial investments involve an element of risk. Therefore, the value of the investment and the income from it will vary and the initial investment amount cannot be guaranteed. Potential investors should be aware of the risks inherent to owning and investing in real estate, including value fluctuations, capital market pricing volatility, liquidity risks, leverage, credit risk, occupancy risk and legal risk. All these risks can lead to a decline in the value of the real estate, a decline in the income produced by the real estate and declines in the value or total loss in value of securities derived from investments in real estate.

Important Information

This material covers general information only and does not take account of any investor’s investment objectives or financial situation and should not be construed as specific investment advice, a recommendation, or be relied on in any way as a guarantee, promise, forecast or prediction of future events regarding an investment or the markets in general. The opinions and predictions expressed are subject to change without prior notice. The information presented has been derived from sources believed to be accurate; however, we do not independently verify or guarantee its accuracy or validity. Any reference to a specific investment or security does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold such investment or security, nor an indication that the investment manager or its affiliates has recommended a specific security for any client account.

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MM11889-09 | 09/2025 | 4857659-122026