In 2023, the return of the national NCREIF Property Index in the United States declined for the first time since 2009. The annualized total return of the index plummeted in 2023, followed by a slight increase in 2024. Just three years ago, in 2021, the rate of return of the index hit **** percent. The NCREIF Property Index reflects the change in prices of commercial real estate for investment purposes in the United States. Property types with the highest cap rates Cap rates, which measure the expected return rate of a real estate asset, were the highest for retail properties in 2023. While a higher cap rate indicates a higher rate of return, it is also associated with higher risk: The multifamily sector, which has enjoyed steady and robust growth in recent years, had the lowest cap rate of all commercial property types. Commercial property area with the best development prospects In 2025, the real estate development opportunities for single-family housing were deemed to be the best when compared with other types of commercial property. Industrial real estate includes warehouses, factories, and big box distribution centers.

Retail was the commercial property type with the highest annual return in the U.S., according to data by the NCREIF Property Index as of the first quarter of 2025. Conversely, offices had the lowest annual returns, at negative ***** percent. The poor performance of the office sector was mainly because of the depreciation of office buildings since the beginning of COVID-19. The NCREIF Property Index reflects the change in prices of commercial real estate for investment purposes.

This statistic presents the forecast of NCREIF property index returns from 2013 to 2020, by property type. The industrial property market was expected to offer *** percent returns in 2020.

Retail properties had the highest capitalization rates in the United States in 2023, followed by offices. The cap rate for office real estate was **** percent in the fourth quarter of the year and was forecast to rise further to **** percent in 2024. Cap rates measure the expected rate of return on investment, and show the net operating income of a property as a percentage share of the current asset value. While a higher cap rate indicates a higher rate of return, it also suggests a higher risk. Why have cap rates increased? The increase in cap rates is a consequence of a repricing in the commercial real estate sector. According to the National NCREIF Property Return Index, prices for commercial real estate declined across all property types in 2023. Rental growth was slow during the same period, resulting in a negative annual return. The increase in cap rates reflects the increased risk in the investment environment. Pricing uncertainty in the commercial real estate sector Between 2014 and 2021, commercial property prices in the U.S. enjoyed steady growth. Access to credit with low interest rates facilitated economic growth and real estate investment. As inflation surged in the following two years, lending policy tightened. That had a significant effect on the sector. First, it worsened sentiment among occupiers. Second, it led to a decline in demand for commercial spaces and commercial real estate investment volumes. Uncertainty about the future development of interest rates and occupier demand further contributed to the repricing of real estate assets.