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Real Estate Roundtable’s Sentiment Index Maintains Guarded Optimism for Q4
The Real Estate Roundtable’s (RER) Sentiment Index for the fourth quarter of 2025 registered an overall score of 67, equivalent to the prior quarter, reflecting that commercial real estate executives’ sentiment has shifted from caution toward guarded optimism as markets stabilize, transaction activity resumes, and expectations build for easing interest rates in 2026.
The Current Index rose one point to 64, while the Future Index dipped slightly to 69. Taken together, the indices express confidence that the worst disruptions of recent years have passed, even as policy uncertainty and uneven capital access continue to shape near-term decision-making, according to the RER.
Industry leaders polled for the Q4 2025 Sentiment Index credited easing rate pressures and increased market activity for boosting optimism, despite persistent challenges from tariffs and shifting policy signals.
“Real estate executives see encouraging momentum,” said Jeffrey DeBoer, RER president and CEO. “Roundtable members are reporting steady improvement and renewed confidence across sectors.”
However, DeBoer added, “Despite improvements, tariffs continue to drive up development costs and complicate business planning. Moreover, the record-long government shutdown is disrupting infrastructure and construction permitting, and access to current economic data that companies rely on to plan. Clear, consistent, and coordinated policies from Washington are essential to unlock capital and support long-term economic growth in communities nationwide.”
- ◦Sale/Acquisition
- ◦Financing
- ◦Economy
