Published on
A new real estate report highlights a critical shortage of U.S. outpatient facilities, particularly in fast-growing Sun Belt markets. The JLL 2026 Medical Outpatient Building Perspective notes that while patient demand is surging due to aging demographics and a preference for cost-effective, community-based care, new construction has stalled because of high costs and financial risk. With 93% occupancy rates across the nation, space for independent practices is scarce; most new builds are currently dedicated to large health systems. This supply-demand mismatch is driving rent growth and forcing creative “adaptive reuse” of traditional offices, while solidifying outpatient real estate as a primary target for institutional investment.
Good location is good marketing: “In urgent care, your physical location is your most powerful marketing tool,” says Alan A. Ayers, MBA, MAcc, President of Urgent Care Consultants and Senior Editor ofJUCM. “Strategic site selection in saturated markets is no longer just about convenience—it’s about using real estate to intercept and box in the competition before the patient ever reaches their door.” Read more from the JUCM archive: Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Urgent Care Site Selection