And the trend is likely to continue in September, forecasters warn, as states and FEMA try to roll out a program to partly restore unemployment benefits.

UBS says the industrial sector's performance is "relatively healthy, if softening", setting it apart from apartments, offices and retail during a challenging second quarter.

Low interest rate-driven refinancings, plus migration of workers to lower density area, means a banner year for mortgages—if certain assumptions about the government and COVID-19 are met.

But look out if Congress and the administration don't provide further COVID-19 relief, the National Multifamily Housing Council warns.

Europe and Asia weather the COVID-19 chill slightly better, according to CBRE. The firm is looking for "a gradual recovery" in the second half.

Most inventory added in Q2 since 2017, with strong absorption rates and slight increase in rents. Sales have slowed to a crawl, but Colliers sees "a conglomerate of deals" once pandemic conditions improve.

The California-based finance company is teaming up with Legacy Partners on a 228-unit residential project on the edge of downtown Tampa.

Anglophone companies dominate the top 10 in the real estate services company's biennial survey, while Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan jockey for the title of Asia's most transparent market.