The average size of private real estate investment vehicles that closed in 2013 hit $511 million — the highest level recorded by Preqin since the start of its data analysis.

Preqin offers data on private equity and real estate hedge funds. All year the firm tracked activity in the real estate funding space, noticing strong growth along the way.

Real estate fundraising levels are at a five-year high as investor sentiment remains positive toward the private real estate market.

The average size of a private real estate fund is now significantly higher than the $332 million average size charted back in 2012.

But Preqin added, "Although capital raised in 2013 has surpassed 2012 levels, the number of funds reaching a final close has fallen from 223 in 2012 to 162 in 2013, with capital increasingly concentrated among fewer managers."

The real estate investment market was dominated by higher risk-return profile strategies with 46% of aggregate capital tied to ‘opportunistic funds’ with 54 funds raising $35 billion in the year.