ATLANTA—The prospect of increased US economic growth combined with less regulation, means that investor sentiment for commercial real estate investment is marginally more positive than last year, despite the potential for rising interest rates. That's according to the CBRE Americas Investor Intentions Survey 2017.

The 2017 survey results reveal that investors will remain actively engaged in real estate investment this year, with 67% intending to be net buyers—more acquisitions than dispositions). The percentage of net buyers has increased since 2015 (60%) and 2016 (65%). Eighty-three percent of these investors intend to maintain or increase their purchasing activity in 2017.

Investors continue to be strongly interested in US gateway markets. Los Angeles maintained its position as the most preferred metro for investment in 2017, ahead of Dallas/Fort Worth and New York City. Washington, DC moved up the ranks from eighth to the fourth most preferred metro for investment in 2017. Atlanta, Seattle and Houston are also viewed as attractive markets for investment. The majority of investors are focused on real estate in the Americas and do not intend to make asset purchases in other regions of the world.