The leap in the amount of players looking to up theirallocations to the sector signals that investor sentiment isincreasingly shifting, relates Jubeen Vaghefi, managing directorand leader of Jones Lang LaSalle's multifamily capital marketspractice. "Multifamily is a sector to watch in 2010 as investorsseek strong, stable assets with growth potential," he explains.

Of those looking to increase their multifamily activity, aslight majority--57%--intend to increase their investment to 60%next year, with opportunistic plays being the number-one preferenceamong investors. A good 90% of survey participants said they willlikely try to go down the opportunistic road in 2010, which is morethan double the 44% of investors who were seeking those types ofplays last year.

What is down, however, is the number of investors looking tofunnel money into value-add opportunities; 88% of those polled in2008 said they are likely or very likely to invest in value-addassets, whereas just 60% said the same this year. About half ofinvestors intend to invest in core assets, and four out of five areless likely or not likely to buy new development--60% feel the samefor redevelopment opportunities.