For years, real estate stocks have been a source of anxiety for investors due to the scars of the Great Recession. That crisis has led to lingering skepticism, and many see real estate as a no-go zone today due to GDP growth turning negative quarter-over-quarter and expectations of a recession. Investors fear that a recession could drag these stocks down once more.
However, these companies have learned from the Great Recession, and some of them have delivered stellar gains so far. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the winners, as they could outperform during market downturns.
Even during bear markets, there are pockets of the market that perform exceptionally well. For example, I identified 15 Healthcare Stocks that are up the Most in 2025 in another article.
Methodology
For this article, I screened the best-performing real estate stocks year-to-date.
I will also mention the number of hedge fund investors in these stocks. 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 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
15. KE Holdings Inc (NYSE:BEKE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 47
KE Holdings Inc (NYSE:BEKE) operates China’s leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services, connecting buyers, sellers, renters, and service providers through its Beike and Lianjia brands.
The stock’s sharp rise in 2025 is primarily driven by its March 18 announcement that its Class A ordinary shares were included in both the Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programs.
On the same day, KE Holdings reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 financial results, which included a final cash dividend.
The consensus price target of $27.26 implies 31.6% upside.
BEKE stock is up 14.90% year-to-date.
14. CoStar Group Inc (NASDAQ:CSGP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 56
CoStar Group Inc (NASDAQ:CSGP) is the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces, including platforms like Apartments.com and Homes.com, serving clients globally.
The stock is up significantly so far in 2025 due to better-than-expected first quarter results announced on April 29, which showed 12% year-over-year revenue growth to $732 million and a 429% increase in adjusted EBITDA, alongside record new bookings for its core CoStar and LoopNet platforms and rapid expansion of its Homes.com salesforce.
The company also completed the acquisition of Matterport for $1.6 billion in February, which expanded its technology and product offerings and is expected to further accelerate revenue growth. Additionally, CoStar announced a nonbinding offer to acquire a significant stake in Australia’s Domain Group.
The consensus price target of $88.38 implies 8.87% upside.
CSGP stock is up 15.52% year-to-date.
13. Crown Castle Inc (NYSE:CCI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 54
Crown Castle Inc (NYSE:CCI) is the largest provider of shared communications infrastructure in the United States. It owns and leases more than 40,000 cell towers and approximately 90,000 route miles of fiber across the country.
The stock’s rally in 2025 was triggered mainly by the announcement of the $4.25 billion sale of its fiber assets, which the market viewed as a strategic shift to focus on its higher-margin tower business.
This asset sale, announced in early March, resulted in an immediate stock price gain as investors welcomed the move to reduce debt and launch a $3 billion share repurchase program. However, the company also announced a reduction in its annual dividend to about $4.25 per share, down from $6.26, to align payouts with its new business mix and to maintain financial flexibility.
The consensus price target of $110.47 implies 6.38% upside.
CCI stock is up 16.17% year-to-date.
12. Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corp (NYSE:CHMI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 2
Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corp (NYSE:CHMI) is a residential mortgage real estate investment trust that acquires and manages a portfolio of mortgage servicing rights, agency residential mortgage-backed securities, and other residential mortgage assets.
This rally has been driven by a combination of technical momentum, increased trading volume, and a string of positive signals from short-term moving averages and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator, which have attracted short-term traders and investors.
Additionally, the company announced the appointment of Dale Hoffman, a veteran with over 30 years in fixed income capital markets, to its board in March 2025. Cherry Hill also declared common and preferred dividends for the first quarter of 2025. It has a reputation for high yield, which remains a draw for income-focused investors.
The consensus price target of $4 implies 35.14% upside.
CHMI stock is up 17.23% year-to-date.
11. SBA Communications Corp (NASDAQ:SBAC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 44
SBA Communications Corp (NASDAQ:SBAC) is a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure, such as towers, buildings, distributed antenna systems, and small cells, primarily leasing antenna space to wireless service providers.
The stock’s strong performance in 2025 has been underpinned by robust domestic leasing revenue growth. Despite missing earnings per share estimates by $0.34, revenue slightly exceeded expectations, and the company raised its full-year outlook for both revenue and EBITDA due to a substantial backlog and ongoing network investment by US mobile operators.
The most impactful event was the announcement of a new $1.5 billion share repurchase program in April 2025, which demonstrated management’s confidence in future growth and directly supported the stock price. SBA also exited less profitable international markets, including the Philippines and Colombia, to focus on higher-growth domestic operations.
The consensus price target of $252.38 implies 5.82% upside.
SBAC stock is up 17.63% year-to-date.
10. Ventas Inc (NYSE:VTR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 43
Ventas Inc (NYSE:VTR) is a leading real estate investment trust specializing in senior housing communities, outpatient medical buildings, research centers, and healthcare facilities across North America and the UK.
The stock’s rise in 2025 has been fueled by strong financial results for 2024, which included double-digit net operating income growth in its senior housing operating portfolio for the third consecutive year, and a 7% increase in its quarterly dividend.
In February 2025, Ventas reported that its senior housing segment, which grew same-store net operating income by nearly 16% in 2024 and reached an average occupancy of 86.3%, would comprise half of total net operating income by the end of 2025.
The company completed over $2 billion in accretive investments focused on senior housing and announced a strategic conversion of 44 assets to its Senior Housing Operating Portfolio, expected to further boost net operating income from 2025 onwards.
The consensus price target of $72.9 implies 5.47% upside.
VTR stock is up 18.23% year-to-date.
9. ACRES Commercial Realty Corp (NYSE:ACR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 5
ACRES Commercial Realty Corp (NYSE:ACR) is a real estate investment trust that originates, holds, and manages commercial real estate mortgage loans and equity investments, focusing on middle-market properties across the United States.
The stock has climbed sharply in 2025, largely due to a series of deliberate strategic moves and improved portfolio quality. The most significant catalyst was the company’s Q4 2024 results, which showed $4.1 million in net income and a $0.52 per share diluted profit, boosted by a $7.5 million gain on property sales. Management outlined an ambitious plan to grow the loan portfolio from $1.5 billion to $1.8–$2.0 billion by the end of 2025, targeting resilient sectors like multifamily, self-storage, and hospitality.
In Q1 2025, ACRES took a $0.7 million charge from selling a non-performing Orlando hotel loan, which improved its overall portfolio risk rating and signaled a focus on higher-quality assets. The company also announced a $2.3 million share repurchase at a steep discount to book value and authorized an additional $5 million buyback. ACRES is actively recycling capital by selling non-core assets, including a Pennsylvania office property and a student housing development with strong pre-leasing, to fund higher-yielding loans.
The consensus price target of $22 implies 15.67% upside.
ACR stock is up 18.64% year-to-date.
8. Redfin Corp (NASDAQ:RDFN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 20
Redfin Corp (NASDAQ:RDFN) is a technology-powered real estate company that operates the leading brokerage website in the United States, providing brokerage, rentals, lending, and title insurance services in over 100 markets.
The stock’s surge in 2025 is almost entirely attributable to the announcement on March 10, 2025, that Rocket Companies would acquire Redfin, which immediately sparked a wave of investor enthusiasm and speculation about the combined company’s potential.
The acquisition is expected to create significant shareholder value by merging Redfin’s property data and brokerage operations with Rocket’s mortgage origination strengths, unlocking new synergies and growth opportunities.
The consensus price target of $10.25 implies 8.81% upside.
RDFN stock is up 19.70% year-to-date.
7. Welltower Inc (NYSE:WELL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 44
Welltower Inc (NYSE:WELL) is a leading real estate investment trust specializing in residential wellness and healthcare infrastructure, with a portfolio of over 1,500 seniors and wellness housing communities and outpatient medical buildings across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
The stock is up significantly so far in 2025, chiefly driven by robust first-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations and prompted management to raise its 2025 financial guidance. Welltower reported normalized funds from operations per share of $1.20 in Q1, with substantial growth in its senior housing segment, and now expects full-year FFO per share between $4.90 and $5.04, well above prior projections.
The consensus price target of $156.46 implies 3.35% upside.
WELL stock is up 20.73% year-to-date.
6. American Tower Corp (NYSE:AMT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 70
American Tower Corp (NYSE:AMT) is a global real estate investment trust that owns, operates, and develops wireless and broadcast communications infrastructure, including cell towers and data centers, enabling connectivity for mobile and broadcast networks.
The most significant recent news driving American Tower’s stock higher in 2025 is its strong first quarter results, which showed total revenue rising 2% to $2.56 billion and adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share, as adjusted, increasing 6.6% year-over-year. This performance was fueled by robust leasing trends, especially in the United States, where mid-band 5G deployments and new site demand led to the highest quarterly services revenue since 2021.
The company also benefited from favorable leasing and pricing at its CoreSite data center business, steady international activity, and disciplined cost management. These factors combined to deliver higher profitability and resumed mid-single-digit dividend growth.
Another key factor was the completion of the sale of its India operations in late 2024, which allowed American Tower to pay down $2 billion in debt.
The consensus price target of $233.07 implies 5.35% upside.
AMT stock is up 21.67% year-to-date.
5. Compass Inc (NYSE:COMP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 42
Compass Inc (NYSE:COMP) is a technology-driven real estate brokerage that operates the largest independent residential real estate platform in the United States, pairing top agents with proprietary technology to streamline home buying and selling.
The main catalyst for Compass’s stock surge in 2025 was its outstanding fourth quarter and full-year 2024 results, reported in February. Despite a historically weak housing market, Compass delivered 25.9% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4.
The company’s market share hit a record 5.06%, and it generated $122 million in operating cash flow for the year. This performance was driven by its end-to-end technology platform, cost discipline, and successful integration of strategic acquisitions, including the high-profile merger with Christie’s International Real Estate.
The consensus price target of $9.53 implies 25.2% upside.
COMP stock is up 30.43% year-to-date.
4. Comstock Holding Co Inc (NASDAQ:CHCI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 2
Comstock Holding Co Inc (NASDAQ:CHCI) is an asset manager, developer, and operator of mixed-use and transit-oriented real estate projects, primarily in the Washington, D.C. region, with a focus on fee-based asset management and property development services.
The most notable driver behind Comstock’s stock rally in 2025 has been its strong earnings momentum. The company’s stock climbed due to by robust quarterly results and a low price-to-earnings ratio that attracted value-focused investors.
Comstock reported 53.5% revenue growth and saw its earnings surge in Q4 2024.
CHCI stock is up 30.57% year-to-date.
3. Five Point Holdings LLC (NYSE:FPH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 12
Five Point Holdings LLC (NYSE:FPH) develops and manages large-scale mixed-use communities in California, integrating residential, commercial, and public spaces.
The stock’s sharp rise in 2025 is primarily due to a series of strong earnings reports, robust land sales, and consistent execution on operating priorities. In January, Five Point reported record net income for both the fourth quarter and full year 2024, with $121 million and $177.6 million, respectively, and noted strong liquidity of $555.9 million.
This performance was driven by multiple significant land sales at its Valencia and Great Park Neighborhoods communities, as well as the sale of its remaining interest in the Five Point Gateway Campus to City of Hope.
In the first quarter of 2025, Five Point again exceeded expectations, posting $60.6 million in net income-$10 million above guidance-and maintaining a 75% gross margin on $278.9 million in land sales revenue. The company also received an S&P credit rating upgrade and extended its key management agreement for the Great Park Venture through 2026, increasing its annual base fee and securing future incentive compensation.
FPH stock is up 40.74% year-to-date.
2. Medical Properties Trust Inc (NYSE:MPW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 16
Medical Properties Trust Inc (NYSE:MPW) is a real estate investment trust specializing in healthcare facilities leased under triple-net agreements.
The stock’s surge in 2025 is mainly attributed to aggressive debt restructuring and asset monetization efforts. In late January, MPW completed a well-oversubscribed $2.5 billion senior secured notes offering, which addressed all debt maturities through 2026 and improved liquidity to $1.4 billion.
This move was paired with a $1.5 billion credit line extension and the sale of several hospital properties, which strengthened the balance sheet and signaled financial stability to the market.
The company’s fourth quarter 2024 results reflected a net loss due to large impairments, yet normalized funds from operations remained positive.
The consensus price target of $5.75 implies 4.74% upside.
MPW stock is up 40.86% year-to-date.
1. Altisource Portfolio Solutions SA (NYSE:ASPS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q4 2024: 7
Altisource Portfolio Solutions SA (NYSE:ASPS) provides technology-enabled services and marketplaces for the real estate and mortgage industries.
The stock’s notable rally in early 2025 is tied to a major debt recapitalization and a proposed distribution of warrants to shareholders.
In January, Altisource announced a transaction to exchange $230.4 million in existing term loans for $108.9 million in new first lien loans and 57.6 million shares of common stock, effectively reducing debt and handing majority equity control to lenders.
The announcement of a warrant distribution, set for April 3, 2025, added further speculative interest.
ASPS stock is up 46.03% year-to-date.
While we acknowledge the potential of ASPS, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ASPS but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.
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