The Commercial Real Estate Alpha Site

by Laura Stewart, Editor at LinkedIn News 

As homeownership becomes less attainable for young adults, many are turning to the stock market to build wealth, The Wall Street Journal reports. The portion of 25- to 39-year-olds contributing to investment accounts more than tripled between 2013 and 2023, data from the JPMorgan Chase Institute shows.

The shift comes amid a housing affordability squeeze, with younger buyers’ share of the market dropping to 44% in 2025 from 51% in 1999, per Redfin. In the current market, renting and investing may yield greater financial benefits than homeownership, researchers say.

This has begun to permeate into commercial real estate as well, with rental rates coming down impactfully in 2025 and values in tow. Tenants whether in multifamily or retail (B & C class) are looking for lower rates, smaller spaces and more flexible terms or concessions. We are seeing vacancy creep up in some assets although with strong management those percentages and impacts are mitigated.