Jonathan Keith, managing director at Deloitte & Touche LLP, joined the REIT Report podcast to discuss how, as commercial real estate M&A activity evolves, investors must remain agile and informed. By understanding market trends, focusing on sector-specific opportunities, and considering geographical dynamics, stakeholders can position themselves for success, he said.
“It's tough to anticipate what's going to happen with interest rates. It's tough to anticipate what's going to happen geopolitically. But if you have access to capital and have your strategy in place, you can be nimble and pounce at the right time to make a deal when the right factors line up,” Keith said.
Keith noted that in 2025, global commercial real estate M&A deal value fell 57% year-on-year as volume count dropped over 70%, with deals in the United States averaging about $300 million. For 2026, caution remains, with activity centered on sectors including data centers, multifamily, and industrial.
Focusing on the data center sector, Keith noted the intense level of competition for assets amid an enormous pull of capital into the space.