Over the last few years, demand in the industrial sector has been among the highest when compared to other CRE asset classes, such as multifamily or office where values have shifted exponentially downward and vacancy rates have skyrocketed. While retail has struggled to compete in some markets, causing a shortfall in returns and a decline in growth, the sector has remained resilient overall compared to areas like office or multifamily.There's no denying the retail space has dealt with numerous headwinds in recent years. These include the rise of online shopping and the evolving state of consumer buying patterns that can be traced to shifting habits in a macro environment. However, concerted shifts among players in this sector to adapt to the changing times or the closure of some retailers has created new dynamics in the market, underscoring a surprising resilience in this space.As an aggregate measure of performance, industrial and retail have some of the lowest vacancy rates and highest real total returns across all sectors in the nation compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Meanwhile, multifamily and office have suffered severely by these metrics. Keep in mind that some sectors of commercial real estate tend to have higher vacancy rates because they may have a single tenant -- like a warehouse in the or a single office space.To lower the potential risk profile, some choose to invest in sectors or properties that have multiple tenants, such as multifamily apartments. It's also worth noting that vacancy rates -- especially in the retail sector -- tend to revolve very much around local trends and factors in the specific metro area or region where the property is located.Before you begin investing, research the performance of each asset class in the current economy, determine the viability of that sector as an investment, understand the local market factors influencing a potential CRE property, and then select the CRE property type you would like to pursue., 4 – Which Commercial Real Estate Investment Categories are the Most Reliable. Commercial real estate investments can show more resilience than other investments, but not all asset classes of real estate investments are created equally. The properties likely to best perform in a recessionary environment will have four characteristics:, Commercial real estate investments are subject to various regulatory and legal requirements. Zoning regulations, building codes, environmental regulations, and tenant-related laws can affect property use, operational costs, and legal obligations. Commercial Real Estate Investment Strategies Core Investment Strategy.