Preqin's real estate online database is currently tracking more than 200 wealth managers’ activities in the real estate asset class.

Real estate plays an important role in the portfolios of the clients of wealth managers; the asset class can provide diversification and enhance yields.

In a challenging financial climate, inflation risk is an important consideration for investors; real estate can provide portfolios with an inflation hedge, with investment values typically increasing in line with inflation, allowing the investor to protect real returns.

Despite these benefits to real estate investment, the recent financial crisis illustrated that the asset class also has its downfalls and should not be regarded as a non-cyclical, risk-free investment.