The disadvantaged will account for 2.6 million units of the 4.5 million gap next year.

"Get it in motion today," says John Chang, senior vice president and national director of research services at Marcus & Millichap.

Right now, though, businesses in some sectors, notably lodging, can't find enough workers.

Demand for entry-level homes is expected to remain high for the rest of the decade.

These projects are also an opportunity for asset owners to reposition aging properties.

A majority of real estate investors said they could be interested in an Opportunity Zone fund if the incentives were appealing enough.

Sovereign wealth funds, family offices, pensions, endowments and foundations, and financial institutions were among the investors.

Price growth is expected to drop to 4.2% in 2021 and increase to 5% in 2022 and 5% in 2023.