January 2026

U.S. CRE market will shift from resilience to optimism in 2026, finds C&W

Cushman & Wakefield has released its U.S. Outlook 2026, revealing that after a year defined by extraordinary macroeconomic uncertainty, the U.S. commercial real estate (CRE) sector is entering 2026 with renewed momentum, clearer visibility and growing optimism across both leasing and the capital markets landscape. Despite uncertain tariffs, a volatile policy backdrop, tightening immigration flows and episodes of financial market stress in 2025, the U.S. economy proved far more resilient than expected. Real GDP growth is projected at 1.9% in 2025 and 1.7% in 2026, buoyed heavily by the acceleration of AI-driven investment, which accounted for more than half of all GDP growth in 2025.

After two years of constrained liquidity, 2025 marked a turning point. Debt costs eased, lenders re-entered the market, and institutional capital returned, supporting a broad-based revival in deal activity. Debt availability and pricing improved sharply, with lending volume up 35% year-over-year, and institutional sales activity increased 17% year-to-date through October.

It pays to have qualified and vetted people on your site. Leveraging contractors can help you fill short-term or specialized roles efficiently, but anyone with access to your facility, data or people poses similar risks. The truth is that anyone stepping onto your site and representing your company needs to be screened, including contractors. Failing to screen leaves your site vulnerable to theft, data breaches, damage to your reputation, and even legal liability. Quality background checks are an easy way to help you protect your team, your customers and your operations.

The powerful background screening tools behind Certified Contractors provide peace of mind when working with vendors, while our unique program gives sites a way to qualify that contractors meet your specific requirements quickly. Whether you are looking for MEP contractors, technology and security providers, or facility maintenance, vetting contractors just got a whole lot easier with Certified Contractors.

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What every property manager needs to know about AI’s impact on operations: IREM/AppFolio

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries around the world, and property management is no exception. According to AI on the Rise, a new research study from IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) and real estate technology leader AppFolio, AI adoption among property management professionals has more than doubled in just 18 months, signaling a major turning point in how real estate management leaders drive operational efficiency, innovation and results.

Between late 2023 and mid 2025, the percentage of property managers using AI tools climbed from 21% to 45%, while those with no plans to adopt AI dropped sharply — from 51% to just 20%.

Significantly, the study found that companies promoting AI use are outperforming their peers. Fully 70% of firms that encourage AI use are more likely to say NOI has increased over the past 12 months. 24% of these indicate a substantial gain of 10% or more.

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Are you an expert in AI in FM? Submit presentations to FMLink Academy

FMLink Academy is accepting abstracts and proposals from experts to present topics in Artificial Intelligence in Facility Management (AI in FM) to an audience of more than 70,000 readers. A new educational service of FMLink Facility Management News & Design Insights, the world’s largest news and industry content website in the FM profession, the FMLink Academy will launch in 2026. All sessions will be virtual.

FMLink Academy’s first CEU-accredited learning sessions will focus on the use of Artificial Intelligence in Facility Management (AI in FM), from entry-level adaptation to advanced integration. AI-driven solutions are enhancing efficiency, productivity, and engagement in facilities management.

FMLink Academy will:

Bundle workshops into AI Skill Tracks (e.g., “Smart Building Optimization” or “AI-Powered Operations”)
Offer certificates/CEUs for participation
Include live tool demos and leave time for participants to ask, build and share

Noritz America, as part of an ongoing program to enhance its entire product offering in 2025, recently introduced an upgraded version of its flagship commercial unit, the NCC199CDV Pro Condensing Tankless Water Heater. Engineered for a wide range of heavy-duty commercial applications, the ENERGY STAR-rated NCC199 CDV Pro incorporates several new installer- and end-user-friendly features, while retaining an industry-leading 10-year warranty on its dual stainless steel heat exchangers.

The six new features of the NCC199CDV Pro include:

Greater energy efficiency
Bluetooth connectivity
Built-in display of key performance metrics
Easy connection of up to six units
Common venting for up to 12 units
Quick conversion to liquid propane

Noritz will exhibit in space C4929 at AHR Expo Vegas, February 2-4, 2026.

AHR Expo 2026, the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition, is just a few weeks away! Hosting 1800 exhibitors and 50,000 attendees on February 2-4 in Las Vegas , AHR Expo 2026 convenes the entire HVACR (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration) industry.

AHR attendees range from product designers, engineers and architects to installers, end-users and facility operators. They come to experience cutting-edge products and technologies, gain insights from industry leaders, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and drive business and career growth. Attendees explore best practices, trends and key issues facing the HVACR industry with the expansive education program, including accredited sessions. Education program options are: AHR Panel Discussions, Seminar Sessions, New Product Presentations, Podcast Pavilions and For-Credit Sessions.

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Fast reads . . .

• KI’s rail-based Passel desking collection keeps the workspace clean, connected and adaptable

• Oct. 17-20: IFHE World Congress to boost healthcare facility innovation

• Facility Voices podcast: From Risk to Reliability: A Team-Based Approach to Maintenance

• Identify and source building products directly from architectural schedules with Spec-ID’s Spec-Correct AI

• A space for everyone: Using universal design to support all

Prevent hard-water scale deposits, biofilm and other contaminants without salt or chemicals, with the EasyWater No-Salt Conditioner

A unique, chemical-free solution designed for cooling tower, closed-loop system, process water and domestic hot/cold water applications, the EasyWater No-Salt Conditioner prevents and reduces hard-water scale deposits, biofilm and contaminants. As water sees a change in temperature, pressure or turbulence, some of the minerals fall out of solution and are floating or suspended in the water. The untreated minerals look like tree branches and have an electrostatic charge (like static electricity) on their surface, causing them to stick to the inside of water-using equipment and form scale deposits.

Unlike an ion exchange softener, the EasyWater No-Salt Conditioner does not chemically change the water. It instead uses an electronic-frequency-based treatment, which causes the tree-branch-shaped minerals to cling to each other and form disc-shaped minerals. As a result, they lose the electrostatic charge and their ability to stick. When the tree-branch-shaped minerals cling to each other and form these discs, it creates more capacity or “room” in the water to dissolve mineral and slowly remove existing scale deposits.

EasyWater, a Watts brand, will exhibit in space C1717 at AHR Expo Vegas, February 2-4, 2026.

NFMT East 2026, taking place March 10-12, 2026, is relocating after 22 years in Baltimore to Charlotte, North Carolina. One of the largest FM events in the country, the National Facilities Management & Technology (NFMT) Show provides up-to-date advancements and best practices in the management, operations, maintenance, renovation and construction of nonresidential buildings.

NFMT East brings together facility decision-makers from commercial buildings, schools (K-12 and higher education), municipalities, healthcare, government and more. Every year, the scope and scale of NFMT attract leaders from organizations of all sizes, from Fortune 500s to small companies and everyone in between. They come for the world-class education, constant networking, access to subject-matter experts and influencers, and an energetic expo hall. The NFMT experience gives attendees the information they need to make informed buying decisions for their facilities.

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