For investors considering adding real estate to their portfolio in 2021, here are some things CrowdStreet suggests should be top of mind:.

1. Follow the migration. According to Pew Research Center, one in five American adults has moved or knows someone who’s moved because of Covid. When considering metro areas for real estate investment, think about factors such as population growth, job growth, rental growth and unemployment rates, as well as less tangible aspects, like quality of life. According to CrowdStreet’s report, “The Best Places to Invest in 2021,” the top five overall markets are Raleigh-Durham, Austin, Texas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

2. Think industrial. There’s been an e-commerce awakening and acceleration in the U.S. as Americans flock online to purchase groceries, electronics, appliances, and just about anything else they can get their hands on. That convenience is here to stay, and it has increased demand for warehouse spaces. In 2020, for the first time, investors funded industrial real estate projects more than office buildings, and it looks like that trend will continue. To find promising industrial opportunities for your portfolio, consider areas close to large, diverse populations, with easy access to highways, railways and ports.

3. Explore multiple multifamily opportunities. As priorities—and home addresses—shift, there’s an increased opportunity for investing in the development of multifamily units. The suburbs have seen vacancy rates decline nearly 10% over the last 12 months to 5.5%, according to the real estate insights site iProperty management. A slowdown in multifamily development into 2022, particularly urban development, could further constrain the supply. The overall outlook for multifamily is positive, however, with favorable target tenant demographics, all-time low interest rates, and a spike in single family values pricing out would-be buyers. Look for development opportunities in areas that will support an increase in density. Wherever people live and work, investment opportunity often follows.

Beneath the uncertainty that lies ahead, there’s ample opportunity. Today, investing in real estate means something vastly different than in the past, and one no longer needs to be ultra-wealthy or a full-time landlord to access real estate investing opportunities. With online platforms such as CrowdStreet, anyone can invest in properties that meet their criteria—from the comfort of their couch—while diversifying their portfolio.

“In the past, commercial real estate investment was often limited to larger firms and wealthier individuals, and, typically, in proximity to where those individuals and firms were located,” says Formigle. “Online real estate investing sites such as ours have made this asset class more accessible, and more people are realizing that commercial real estate can be a solid, long-term investment. This is particularly true as we enter a new real estate investment cycle.”

To learn more about real estate investing opportunities, visit CrowdStreet.com