Commercial real estate and multifamily mortgage originations in the U.S. saw a significant uptick in the third quarter, climbing 36% year-over-year. This marks the fifth consecutive quarter of growth, driven largely by stabilizing property values and borrowers refinancing maturing loans, according to CoStar.Â
Office Properties Lead the Charge
The office sector, previously viewed with skepticism due to remote work trends, experienced the strongest growth in lending. Annual originations for office properties soared 181%, as investors and companies took advantage of improving valuations to refinance debt.
This surge reflects renewed confidence in office spaces, with lenders recognizing opportunity where others had anticipated risk. The rebound signals a potential stabilization for a sector that has faced multiple challenges over the past few years.
Commercial Real Estate Lending Overall
Beyond offices, other commercial property lending also contributed to the uptick, although at lower rates. Retail lending doubled, while hotels and multifamily properties recorded notable but smaller increases.Â
The overall dollar volume of commercial real estate loans rose 18% from the previous quarter, reaching levels not seen since early 2023.
Investor-driven lenders led the gains, while banks and multifamily lenders also contributed to the growth. Life insurance companies were among the few capital sources posting a slight decline.
What the Rebound Means
The sharp rise in commercial and office mortgage originations indicates improving sentiment in the market. Investors appear more willing to fund office projects and other commercial properties, betting on the stabilization of property values and continued refinancing activity.Â
This momentum could signal a broader recovery in commercial real estate financing across key U.S. markets.
