Who is buying commercial real estate in today’s market? Matt Bingaman breaks down the active buyer categories and what’s driving commercial property acquisitions right now.

Who Is Buying Commercial Real Estate Right Now? Market Trends Revealed

One of the most valuable things I do for my clients — both buyers and sellers — is maintain a real-time understanding of who is active in the market. Because in commercial real estate, knowing who is buying tells you a tremendous amount about where opportunity lies and how to position yourself.

So who is buying commercial real estate right now? Let me give you an honest, current-market answer.

Private Investors and High-Net-Worth Individuals

Despite interest rate headwinds and market uncertainty, private investors remain among the most active buyers in the commercial real estate market — particularly in the $1M–$15M deal space.

Why? Because this segment of buyers tends to be:

• Long-term holders who are less sensitive to short-term rate fluctuations
• Cash-heavy following years of equity accumulation in other assets
• Motivated by tax efficiency — 1031 exchanges continue to drive significant buying activity
• Seeking inflation hedges — real assets with income growth potential

I’m seeing strong activity from private buyers across net lease, industrial, and multifamily assets in particular.

Owner-Occupant Business Owners

Business owners who have been renting their commercial space are increasingly motivated to own. With lease rates elevated in many markets, the rent-vs-own calculation is shifting — and more business owners are recognizing the wealth-building opportunity of owning their own real estate.

SBA loan programs (particularly the SBA 504 loan) have made owner-occupied commercial real estate more accessible than ever, with down payments as low as 10% in some cases.

Private Equity and Institutional Buyers

Institutional capital remains active, though more selective than during the low-interest-rate years of 2020–2022. Today’s institutional buyers are:

• Highly focused on industrial and logistics — still the most in-demand institutional asset class
• Selectively active in multifamily — particularly in Sun Belt markets with strong population growth
• Cautious on office — with significant exceptions for trophy assets and medical office
• Opportunistic on retail — seeking well-located necessity-based centers at attractive basis

When institutional money moves into a specific market or asset class, it typically signals strong fundamentals. Watching these flows is a key part of my market intelligence.

1031 Exchange Buyers

These are some of the most motivated buyers in any market condition. A 1031 exchange buyer has sold a property and has a strict 45-day identification window and 180-day closing deadline to reinvest in a like-kind property — or face significant capital gains tax liability.

This time pressure means 1031 buyers often move quickly and with less price sensitivity than other buyer types. In any market, there’s a consistent flow of 1031 capital looking for a home.

Family Offices

Family offices — private wealth management entities serving ultra-high-net-worth families — have become increasingly significant buyers of commercial real estate. They often:

• Have longer investment horizons than private equity funds
• Prefer direct ownership over fund structures
• Target core and core-plus assets in primary and secondary markets
• Move decisively when the right opportunity is identified

International Buyers

Foreign capital continues to view U.S. commercial real estate as a stable, attractive destination — particularly in gateway cities and major logistics hubs. While the volume fluctuates with exchange rates and geopolitical conditions, international buyers remain a consistent presence in larger deal markets.

What This Means for You

Whether you’re a seller trying to understand your buyer pool, or a buyer trying to understand your competition, knowing who is active in the market helps you:

• Price appropriately — understanding buyer demand informs realistic pricing
• Position your offering — different buyers value different property attributes
• Time your transaction — buyer activity cycles with market conditions
• Compete effectively — knowing who you’re up against helps you structure winning offers

Stay Ahead of the Market

Commercial real estate markets move fast, and who’s buying shifts with economic conditions, interest rates, and broader trends. Staying current requires a dedicated, experienced advisor who tracks these dynamics daily.

Contact Matt Bingaman today to get a current read on buyer activity in your specific market and asset class — and to position your commercial real estate decisions accordingly.

📞 Market intelligence is a competitive advantage. Let’s talk.