In January 2025, LightBox announced a significant increase in its LightBox CRE Activity Index. This index is a crucial measure of the commercial real estate market’s transactional momentum. The latest reading of 81.2 marks a strong rebound from December 2024’s reading of 56.8 and surpasses November’s figure of 80.5 as well as last year’s January reading of 76.2.
According to Manus Clancy, head of data strategy at LightBox based in Irvine, CA, this surge reflects growing confidence that market conditions are stabilizing despite uncertainties such as macroeconomic factors and policy concerns about tariffs and immigration under the new administration. With interest rates remaining steady and new investment opportunities emerging, both buyers and lenders are taking an active approach.
Despite distractions like a brief rise in yields for the ten-year Treasury bond, there was an acceleration in transactional activity according to the report by LightBox which also noted an increase in commercial property listings following seasonal fluctuations while valuation activity picked up – often seen as a precursor to heightened financing and refinancing activities.
