Article | Intelligent Investment

Business insights | The Big Questions H2 2026

Our leading Capital Markets leaders provide their strategic perspective on what’s impacting real estate investment across Australia and New Zealand today.

September 2, 2026

An aerial view of Brisbane's city centre, showing the Brisbane River, skyscrapers, and surrounding suburbs.
The capital markets landscape is entering a pivotal year, shaped by changing pricing dynamics, evolving capital sources and sector-specific opportunities.

In The Big Questions, a three-part video series, CBRE’s Capital Markets leaders unpack the trends shaping 2026 and beyond, including:
 
  • The key opportunities and challenges across asset classes
  • Where capital is expected to come from in 2026
  • The factors influencing investment and transaction activity
  • The shifts that could unlock the greatest upside for the market in 2026

Together, the series provides a strategic view of how Australia and New Zealand’s capital markets are evolving and what it means for investors in the year ahead.
 

The Big Capital Flow Question

Key Takeaways

  1. Capital is coming from more sources than ever

    Institutional investors, super funds, offshore capital, private equity, family offices and private investors are all active. 

  2. Everyday Australian investors are driving a growing share of demand

    More individuals are moving beyond residential property and into commercial real estate. 

  3. Global capital remains bullish on Australia

    Investors from Japan, Singapore, North America, Hong Kong, South Korea and beyond continue to target Australian opportunities. 

  4. Investors are prioritising quality and income growth

    Demand is strongest for institutional-grade assets and sectors with clear long-term growth fundamentals.

The Big Challenges Question

Key Takeaways

  1. Certainty is driving investment decisions

    Investors are prioritising covenant strength, lease security, income certainty and stable policy settings over speculative upside.

  2. Quality assets are becoming harder to secure

    Buyer demand remains strong across sectors, but a shortage of high-quality stock is creating increased competition for the best opportunities.

  3. Timing the market is a growing challenge

    With elevated stock levels, high barriers to entry and rental growth expected in some sectors, investors are weighing up whether now is the right time to deploy capital.

  4. Liquidity pressures are creating new opportunities

    Fund redemption pressures, bid-ask spreads and financing constraints remain challenges, but active secondary markets and pockets of distress are emerging as sources of opportunity.

The Big Magic Wand Question

Key Takeaways

  1. Lower interest rates would unlock activity

    Rate cuts remain the biggest catalyst for boosting investor confidence and transaction volumes.

  2. Policy settings matter

    Changes to taxation, housing incentives and foreign investment settings could help accelerate capital flows. 

  3. Australia needs more investment capital

    Attracting institutional, offshore and alternative capital sources remains a major opportunity for growth. 

  4. Certainty drives decision-making

    Reducing market volatility and improving investor education would support greater participation and investment activity. 

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