"Farhaz Miah, of Preqin, sets out the numbers for private real estate fundraising in 2011, showing that the market continues to suffer from the impact of the 2008 crisis. He notes, also, that debt strategies have become increasingly popular, both in specifically debt-strategy funds and in opportunistic funds that employ debt strategies as part of a broader structure."

Angel investors are returning to provide seed-stage capital and job growth. slowly recovering after the financial crises of 2008 and 2009.

In spite of a difficult fundraising climate, there are some positive things about the current real estate investing environment. Like Scarlett O'Hara, institutional investors seem to think that "land is the only thing that matters."

This is the first in a series of real estate articles by new editorial board member Jan B. Brzeski, Principal at Arixa Capital Advisors, LLC, Los Angeles, CA.

Will they or won't they? BNYMellon Asset Management looks at commercial real estate and speculates on the future of--dare we say it--CMBS....

Alpha isn't always where you'd expect it, especially in the crowded private equity field.

According to the latest research, confidence in family office investing is back.

Private equity shops are finally smelling opportunity in the U.S. commercial real estate market. The question is whether the roses they smell are as sweet as they think, or if they just plain stink.

By Steve Deutsch, MBA, CFA, CAIA, AllAboutAlpha Editorial Board Who would have thought investment ideas would come from the 1970s television series Green Acres? However, it looks as though Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor may have been well ahead of their time when they left New York’s Park Avenue for greener pastures.

Your house is grounded, so it should be stable. But what if the water table is rising? There could be leaks in the basement. That analogy explains why real estate as an asset class can be highly volatile despite the seeming solidity of the ground and the buildings. Leaks and floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, all drowned real estate returns during the financial crisis.

Finally, a version of the Fundamental Law that fundamental managers can actually use. But be forewarned, if you're a fundamental mutual fund manager, you won't like what it has to say...

Real estate and infrastructure are usually considered separate asset classes. But a new study suggests that they diversify a portfolio by diversifying each other – at least on the downside.

Is it location, location, location? Or valuation, valuation, valuation? Or is it timing, timing, timing? Perhaps all three describe both public and private real estate investing. But figuring out valuation is the tricky part.

Real estate in various forms continues to gain favor among institutional investors. For hedge funds, the problem is the shadow being cast.

Commercial real estate investors have been reeling in empty hooks for some time. But according to one survey of institutional investors, their may be some good fishing grounds right around the corner.

Private equity real estate funds are having troubles raising assets. Join the club.