CRE sector outlook: Industrial, extended stay, retail, and affordable housing
Live from IMN's Winter Real Estate Private Funds conference, industry leaders share insights on navigating challenges, leveraging trends, and uncovering opportunities in a rapidly evolving real estate investment landscape. Featuring Sean Dalfen of Dalfen Industrial, Cameron Jones of Nuveen Real Estate, George Dabney of Noble Investment Group, and Matt Burk of Verivest, discover how these leaders are addressing housing shortages, AI, capital formation, and the demands of an evolving workforce to drive success in 2026 and beyond.
"The biggest risk in industrial is a lack of certainty. We've thrived in uncertainty as a business."
Learn how Dalfen Industrial, one of the nation's largest privately held owners of industrial, thrives in uncertain times by acquiring best-in-class assets in irreplaceable locations and leveraging long-term fundamentals. Plus, Sean reflects on the value of IMN events, where relationships built over the years have led to over $1.5 billion in deals.
"Our job as a provider of real estate is to be a solution to our residents, occupiers, and investors."
Cameron Jones shares key trends shaping the future of real estate investment, including affordability, aging demographics, and the challenges posed by regulatory environments. Discover how Nuveen Real Estate - a global asset manager overseeing $140 billion across sectors - leverages demographic trends to invest in multifamily housing, senior living, and medical facilities, addressing the needs of both residents and investors.
"The housing shortage in the United States is driving demand and need for flexible, affordable accommodations. At the same time, there is an evolving need for a more mobile workforce."
Discover Noble Investment's group focus on branded long-term accommodations to meet the needs of mobile workers, traveling nurses, and short-term residents, capitalizing on resilient hotel demand. George also highlights the role of AI and data-driven strategies in navigating challenges and opportunities in the 2026 real estate fund space.
"Retail investors are reshaping the real estate landscape."
Matt Burk discusses the shift from institutional to retail capital in real estate. Watch for challenges in capital formation, opportunities for mid-size managers, and strategies to navigate dislocation and prepare for a rebound.
