The boom in US commercial real estate is expected to suffer a correction next year, as the credit squeeze and fears over the economy hold back developers and scare off investors, but the sector will not be struck by the deep slump that has hit housing, according to a report out this week.

The survey of 600 top US real estate professionals predicts a “healthy correction” will miss long-term investors but will hit recent speculators and buyers relying on high levels of debt.