Thought Leadership

Momentum remains strong in Singapore as volume recovers from last year’s low base. Investment remains upbeat in India as office transactions gain momentum. Investment volume picks up in Korea but market liquidity remains a challenge.

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Demand remains weak in Singapore but could improve in 2025 amid growing business confidence. Subdued market in Mainland China prompts landlords and tenants to seek cost-saving cooperation. In Korea, leasing remains thin as limited space, political turmoil and cost saving weigh on demand.

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The Asia-Pacific Horizon report examines the present economic and geopolitical landscape, evaluates the challenges and opportunities within the Residential and Commercial sectors, and provides guidance on unlocking potential.

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CBRE’s 2025 Asia Pacific Investor Intentions Survey uncovered an improvement in buying intentions across most markets in Asia Pacific this year, with over half of respondents indicating their preference to buy more real estate in 2025. With the interest rate cut cycle underway in most markets, investors are gearing up for an increase in activity over the next 12 months, albeit with individual Asia Pacific markets staggered at different stages of the pricing and investment cycles.

Although real estate investment activity in most markets is forecasted to increase through 2025, the extent at which it will do so will differ according to location. While markets including Australia, Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong SAR are expected to see gains in transaction activity in 2025, investors are less optimistic about the extent of rate cuts in 2025, which could weigh on investment sentiment throughout the year. After a strong 2024, Japan and India are expected to witness robust purchasing activity in 2025, with core/core-plus investment strategies in the former and opportunistic strategies in the latter most prevalent. 

The survey was conducted in November and December 2024. Over 460 responses were received from participants who were asked a range of questions related to their buying intentions, perceived challenges and preferred investment strategies, sectors, and markets for the coming year. 

Other key findings:

• Sentiment: Overall investment sentiment has improved, with net buying intentions increasing from 5% in 2024 to 13% in 2025. Investors indicated that interest rate cuts and asset repricing are the main reasons behind their willingness to increase allocations to real estate.
• Strategy: The survey revealed that core-plus and value-added investment strategies are set to gain momentum in 2025 as investors look to hit target returns and acquire core assets for core-plus and value-add pricing. Interest in opportunistic investment strategies continues to weaken.
• Asset class: Offices and data centres saw the biggest uptick in investor preference in 2025, with investors in the former seeking core and core-plus product, and buyers of the latter preferring opportunistic pricing, particularly in Southeast Asia. Among core investors, industrial remains the preferred property type. While living sector assets remain attractive, the lack of investable stock outside of Japan, Australia and mainland China will continue to cap investment activity in the region.
• Alternatives: Healthcare assets remain top of mind for investors considering alternative assets, with data centres climbing back to second place. This year’s survey also uncovered a greater emphasis on living sector assets, such as retirement living and student accommodation.
• Destinations: Tokyo retained top spot for a sixth consecutive year as the preferred market for cross-border real estate investment, followed by Sydney and Singapore. Two Indian markets (Mumbai and New Delhi) ranked in the top 10 cross-border destinations for the first time since surveys began.
• Sustainability: Investors ranked acquisition and development of green buildings above retrofitting existing buildings as their top option in 2025. Although progress remains gradual, investors continue the trend of placing a higher green premium on ESG-certified assets.

 

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