Data, Economics and Commercial Real Estate

News| January 2, 2026| Amy Wolff Sorter

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 4.3% during Q3 2025. At the same time, personal income experienced a 0.4% increase, while International Trade in Goods and Services and Q2’s International Transactions fell by $52.8 billion and $251.3 billion, respectively.

“Gains to real gross domestic product were driven by greater consumer spending, particularly on nondurable goods and services, as well as increased government outlays and a rise in net exports,” according to Marcus & Millichap’s “Gross Domestic Product” brief.

However, the above actions took place before the Oct. 1 to Nov. 12 government shutdown, resulting in delayed economic data and a negative impact on GDP growth.

Specifically, Q3 GDP momentum will likely not carry over into Q4, “given the impact of the federal government shutdown and the slight drop in private domestic investment,” the Marcus & Millichap brief noted. The brief’s authors forecast that GDP will expand by approximately 2% for the 2025 calendar year.

The other issue is the labor market. Marcus & Millichap’s “Economic Update” brief explained that “payroll gains remained modest in the private sector in October and November, while government employment fell mainly due to earlier layoffs showing up as severance periods expired.”

On the inflation side, November’s core CPI increased by 2.6% year over year, which was a positive. Still, the brief explained that data gaps resulting from the government shutdown might have led to an understatement of inflation. Furthermore, “if inflation moves higher again amid softer hiring, household budgets may face renewed pressure,” though “lower borrowing costs and fiscal support could, nevertheless, help stabilize activity.”

Here’s how this might impact commercial real estate’s four “major flavors.”

Multifamily: A Mixed Bag

Barriers to homeownership remain high, especially in the face of lower supply. The result is that many households are remaining in the renter pool, leading to lower vacancies that were “supported by fewer deliveries, with 2025’s completion total marking a three-year low,” according to the “Gross Domestic Product” brief.

At the same time, Marcus & Millichap’s “Economic Brief” explained multifamily’s bifurcation, in which “Class C concession usage climbed to near-record levels in November. Roughly 20 percent of these units now offer incentives, well above rates at higher-quality properties.” 

Retail: Positioned for Possible Buying Decline

Vacancies remain low on the retail side “despite the net relinquishment of over 13 million square feet (of space) earlier this year,” according to the “Gross Domestic Product” write-up. Slowing construction activity supported backfilling.

Still, retailers could reduce expansion plans due to lower consumer confidence and continued uncertainty about U.S. trade policy. While total savings increased, “disposable personal income was unchanged in the third quarter, which could lead to less spending at stores and restaurants in the immediate future,” the brief noted.

Office: Building Momentum

The office sector has benefited from a dwindling pipeline and increased demand. Marcus & Millichap’s GDP brief said that top-tier, amenity-rich Class A properties in major metros continue to experience strong demand, while tenants “are generally favoring newer, smaller, suburban offices.”

The brief’s analysts anticipate a smaller construction pipeline for 2026, which could limit modern space options and possibly lead some tenants to updated, older stock.

Industrial: Ongoing Supply

While industrial deliveries are slowing, “completions have exceeded the long-term average in each of the past nine years,” according to the GDP brief. The extra supply has led to an increase in national vacancy.

But the brief explained that approximately half of the deliveries were limited to ten major markets, “allowing about a third of major metros to record third-quarter vacancy rates below the U.S. mark.”