In this article, we will look at the 10 Must-Buy Real Estate Stocks to Invest In.
Real estate stocks have been returning to the radar of investors after a period where rising interest rates weighed heavily on the sector. Higher borrowing costs compressed property valuations and pressured REIT share prices across much of the past two years. However, as property fundamentals show signs of resilience, investors are increasingly revisiting listed real estate for both income and long-term capital appreciation. Publicly traded real estate companies also provide an accessible way to gain exposure to property markets without directly owning physical assets, which becomes appealing when valuations begin to look more attractive relative to broader equities.
Institutional investors have started to highlight improving prospects for the sector. Invesco notes that listed real estate currently offers a “compelling combination of improving fundamentals, attractive valuations, and sector-specific opportunities.” The firm adds that the “overall outlook for REITs is constructive,” suggesting that public real estate markets may benefit investors who begin to reassess the sector’s earnings stability and income profile. Cohen & Steers expresses a similar view in its real assets outlook, stating that its macroeconomic outlook remains “constructive for real assets” as economic activity and market returns broaden across sectors. These perspectives suggest that after lagging during the rate hiking cycle, listed real estate may be entering a period where both income and price performance begin to stabilize.
With valuations still recovering and institutional investors pointing to improving fundamentals across parts of the property market, we take a closer look at the 10 Must-Buy Real Estate Stocks to Invest In.
Our Methodology
We used screeners to identify real estate stocks that have an upside potential of at least 20% and limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
10. American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH)
On March 13, 2026, Mizuho analyst Haendel St. Juste lowered the price target on American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH) to $29 from $32 and maintained a Neutral rating after updating estimates for the company.
On March 9, 2026, Morgan Stanley lowered its price target on AMH to $39 from $40 and maintained an Overweight rating as the firm updated models following Q4 earnings and 2026 guidance. On March 6, 2026, Barclays lowered its price target on AMH to $31 from $33 and maintained an Equal Weight rating after reducing estimates across the residential real estate investment trust sector.
Last month, AMH reported Q4 core FFO of 47c, in line with the 47c consensus estimate. Revenue totaled $454.99M compared with the $458.98M consensus estimate. CEO Bryan Smith said housing affordability remains under pressure and described the company as “part of the solution,” referring to its effort to expand housing choice and supply. Smith added that the company’s ground-up development program has contributed more than 14,000 newly built homes to the U.S. housing stock while AMH continues focusing on improving the resident experience.
Earlier in February, the board of trustees declared a quarterly dividend of 33c per share for the first quarter of 2026, representing a 10% increase from the prior quarterly dividend of 30c.
American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH) develops, renovates, leases, and manages single-family rental homes in the United States.
9. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE)
On March 10, 2026, JPMorgan lowered the price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) to $57 from $63 and maintained a Neutral rating after updating the firm’s model.
Last month, Morgan Stanley lowered its price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) to $54 from $55 and maintained an Equal Weight rating after revising its 2026 FFO estimate. Goldman Sachs also initiated coverage of ARE with a Neutral rating and a $60 price target. Goldman described the company’s assets as “high-quality” but said they face “systemic pressures” tied to the U.S. life science industry. The firm’s lab demand model points to an “extended and gradual” recovery, with net absorption expected to turn sustainably positive only in 2027, suggesting a longer timeline for tenant demand to rebound.
Earlier, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) reported Q4 FFO of $2.16 versus consensus of $2.15. Revenue came in at $754.14M compared with the $742.64M consensus estimate. The company reaffirmed its FY26 adjusted FFO outlook of $6.25 to $6.55, versus consensus of $6.42, and expects FY26 same-property NOI of (9.5%) to (7.5%). ARE said guidance reflects its current view of market conditions but remains subject to variables including leasing velocity, tenant demand, and policy developments affecting life science funding and regulation.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) is a life science real estate investment trust focused on owning and developing laboratory and research campuses.
8. CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE)
On March 13, 2026, Barclays lowered the price target on CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) to $174 from $192 and maintained an Overweight rating, citing weaker investor sentiment across the commercial real estate services group.
On February 23, 2026, UBS upgraded CBRE to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $185 from $175. UBS described the recent pullback in the shares as a “rare buying opportunity,” pointing to CBRE’s “strong industry position and vast data assets” as advantages even as AI could shape the sector over time. The firm raised estimates following company guidance and said industry conditions in commercial real estate continue to improve.
Earlier in February, CBRE reported Q4 core EPS of $2.73 versus the $2.68 consensus estimate. Revenue totaled $11.6B compared with the $11.62B consensus estimate. Chair and CEO Bob Sulentic said the company finished the year with “a strong end to 2025,” noting that both revenue and core EPS rose by double digits in the fourth quarter. Sulentic pointed to gains in sales and leasing across the U.S. and many international markets while the company’s more resilient business lines continued posting double-digit revenue growth.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) operates as a commercial real estate services and investment company through its Advisory Services, Building Operations and Experience, Project Management, and Real Estate Investments segments.
7. Cushman & Wakefield Limited (NYSE:CWK)
On March 13, 2026, Barclays analyst Brendan Lynch lowered the price target on Cushman & Wakefield Limited (NYSE:CWK) to $15 from $19 and maintained an Equal Weight rating, citing weaker investor sentiment across the commercial real estate services group.
On February 27, 2026, Goldman Sachs lowered its price target on Cushman & Wakefield Limited (NYSE:CWK) to $19.50 from $22.25 and maintained a Buy rating.
On February 19, 2026, Cushman & Wakefield Limited (NYSE:CWK) reported Q4 adjusted EPS of 54c, in line with the 54c consensus estimate. Revenue came in at $2.91B compared with the $2.83B consensus estimate. CEO Michelle MacKay said the quarter capped an “exceptional year,” noting that adjusted EPS grew 34% in 2025 while the company improved cash flow by more than $125M and prepaid $300M in debt. MacKay added that commercial real estate end markets remain healthy with solid demand across major asset classes and improving pricing and liquidity as the company enters 2026 focused on executing its long-term strategic priorities.
Cushman & Wakefield Limited (NYSE:CWK) provides commercial real estate services across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
6. Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ)
On March 12, 2026, BMO Capital lowered the price target on Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ) to $27 from $31 and maintained an Outperform rating. BMO noted the REIT’s shares trade at a 36% discount to its COVID-era FFO multiple despite rising occupancy and stronger leasing activity, adding that the company could continue benefiting from a flight-to-quality trend in its Sunbelt markets.
On February 26, 2026, Barclays lowered its price target on CUZ to $28 from $34 and maintained an Overweight rating after updating models across the office real estate investment trust group following Q4 reports. Barclays said the “AI disruption narrative” is likely to continue weighing on office valuations.
Earlier in February, CUZ reported Q4 FFO of 71c, in line with the 71c consensus estimate. Revenue totaled $255.03M compared with the $251.49M consensus estimate. CEO Colin Connolly said “improving office fundamentals” is creating tailwinds for the company, noting that Cousins executed 700,000 square feet of leases during the quarter and has a late-stage pipeline of roughly 1.1 million square feet. Connolly also pointed to the recent acquisition of 300 South Tryon in Uptown Charlotte and said the company has purchased $1.4B of lifestyle office properties over the past six quarters, helping upgrade its Sun Belt portfolio and support its 2026 earnings outlook.
Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ) is a real estate investment trust focused on Class A office buildings in high-growth Sun Belt markets.
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