Though we had two interest rate cuts in 2025, there is still uncertainty about the path of interest rates, especially as inflation fears remain unabated.
In this environment, knowing how to raise capital for CRE will remain a distinguishing factor between investors who thrive and those who stand back.
However, raising money is not enough. Smart investors need to know where to invest the money and how.
In this article, we consider how to succeed at CRE investing in 2026 by examining tips for raising and deploying capital effectively.
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Explore creative financing solutions
Instead of waiting for traditional lenders to become less restrictive, you need to keep exploring creative financing solutions.
This is not limited to choosing private lenders instead of traditional ones.
You can also explore equity financing options like joint ventures, partnerships, private equity, and real estate syndication, among others.
Also, if you are cash-strapped, you can consider alternative methods to raise capital with no money down: seller financing, lease to own, seller-provided down payment, cash substitutes, subject to current mortgage, and government-backed funding.
Seek multi-stage financing partners
In today’s real estate market, you can’t wait till it’s time to close before you start seeking funding.
Before you can inspect or negotiate for a property, you need to make earnest money deposits.
This is why it’s preferable to have a financing partner that can supply you with the needed funds at every stage of the CRE investing process.
Duckfund is one of such funding partners. They will supply the earnest money deposit to the escrow within 48 hours of a successful application. When it’s time to pay for the property, they will provide you with both debt and equity financing.
With such a partner, you can stop worrying about financing and start creating a profitable CRE portfolio.
Target resilient sectors
Multifamily is one of the CRE sectors that is thriving. Strong rent growth and high occupancy rates, combined with low supply, make it a good prospect for investors.
Supply chain restructuring and e-commerce are also supporting growth in industrial and logistics.
In retail, the focus on experiential retail is opening up opportunities for those who can reimagine what a retail space should look like.
Office spaces continue to struggle. But there are opportunities for those who can repurpose them for other uses with strong demand.
Finally, data centres keep thriving on the back of the global interest in artificial intelligence. Those who can pull the funds to invest in them will thrive in the coming years.
Explore value investing during market corrections
Market corrections have always provided opportunities to buy quality properties at a lower price.
Instead of staying on the sidelines during market corrections, focus on identifying properties with good fundamentals (strong tenant, stable cash flow, long leases, etc.) that are selling at a discount.
Also, look out for distressed or underperforming assets that can be repositioned for better value. Such opportunities are everywhere if you know where to look.
Stay on top of market trends
As a CRE investor, the interest rate is of particular interest. However, interest rate movements often reflect inflation, unemployment, and economic growth data.
Beyond policy rates, keep an eye on specific rates that are important to the real estate market.
Also, stay on top of developing strengths and weaknesses in all the important CRE sectors, so you will know where your funds should go.
Though economic uncertainty persists and many investors are afraid to jump in, with these tips, you can create a profitable CRE portfolio that will help you meet your investment goals.
