Global Real Estate Outlook 2023
Our research experts’ perspectives on the impact of economic and geopolitical trends on the global real estate outlook and regional and country prospects.
Our Global Real Estate Outlook in Summary
This article is part of JLL’s Global Real Estate Outlook 2023
Entering the slowdown from a position of strength
Slowdown likely to be relatively short and shallow
The world economy faces numerous headwinds and the economic outlook is exceptionally uncertain. High inflation is set to remain with us for some time, central banks are continuing their tightening cycles, and governments are stretching their budgets further to insulate against unprecedented energy prices.
However, we are entering this slowdown from a position of strength, with labor markets tight and household and corporate balance sheets in good shape. Overall, we expect the market to adjust very rapidly compared to previous downturns and for the slowdown to be relatively short and shallow.
Repricing likely to continue into early 2023
While the short-term outlook remains challenging for real estate investors, there are reasons for optimism
Real estate pricing adjusted considerably in some markets in 2022 and this repricing is likely to continue into early 2023. There is still a significant amount of capital sitting on the sidelines and, as with any period of adjustment, investment opportunities will arise.
The volatility of debt costs will ease, the current phase of price discovery will pass, and more certainty will enter the market as underwriting becomes clearer and the appetite for risk returns. The period of repricing is likely to see some winners and losers, but forced sellers are expected to be limited.
In the U.S., expiring leases will help boost tenant demand for offices, while relatively low vacancy rates across much of Europe will partially mitigate slowing leasing activity. High-growth sectors, such as Life Sciences and Data Centers, are likely to emerge from the temporary pause to strong demand, while the Living sector is expected to remain relatively resilient throughout the downturn and beyond.
Owners and occupiers should avoid overreacting to short-term dynamics
Real estate occupiers should prioritize contract negotiations
As budgets are being stretched by sharp cost increases, owners are now challenging the structure of leases. In Europe, some owners have advocated moving away from explicitly including inflation indexes in leases, but in other parts of the world, such as the U.S., the reverse is true.
Contract negotiations for services or leases should try to reflect the dynamic of what is expected to be relatively high but short-term inflation. The better the industry can match negotiations and outcomes with reasonable if imperfect inflation expectations, the more efficient the outcomes for the commercial real estate industry overall.
Published
24 January 2023
Hear our experts' perspectives
Our global research team share their perspectives on the latest market trends and prospects for the coming 12 months and beyond