U.S. markets always have attracted foreign public and private investors, and  this tendency is anticipated to continue into the next year, although it has not been easy for many of foreign investors to build U.S. portfolios. American investors targeting prime real estate frequently outperform foreign investors due to their quick responses to opportunities, familiarity with local real estate markets, and readiness to take on more risk.

Majority of large international investors are drawn to Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago; nevertheless, the appealing opportunities in the smaller cities prompting many investors to look into secondary markets, San Diego, Atlanta, Denver, South Florida, and the Texas, to name a few.

Most global investors have been successful by entering into joint ventures with U.S. operating companies. This strategy has proven a good fit for both parties because it allows the investors to deploy their monies in a more-efficient manner and offers their American partners a different source of capital and property management fees.