The economy may not go zero to 60 in the first quarter, but good news is on the horizon: according to a recovery timeline created by Cushman & Wakefield, it will gradually build up strength over the course of the year to what is expected to be a robust recovery. 

But first, the bad: we're a few days into March and it's clear that COVID-19 pandemic will continue to wreak serious damage to a variety of sectors in the first quarter, as new variants drag down confidence. And while a new aid package is on the way, Cushman economists predict the virus will continue to constrain sales activity in most parts of the world. 

Once we hit Q2, restrictions will continue to loosen and the pace of vaccinations will pick up, quickening the recovery. Cushman predicts global real GDP will push toward 5% growth, and that occupiers will become "more active"—though thanks to WFH and travel limitations, leasing will improve more modestly.  C&W experts also predict that investor activity will pick up, which will reset pricing and lure sellers to the market.