Articles

Build-to-Rent Activity Stabilizes Above Historical Highs

As the single-family rental (SFR) sector has matured, build-to-rent (BTR) has become a key source of new supply. Purpose-built rental communities are absorbing demand from households seeking the space and privacy of single-family living without the financial or lifestyle commitments of homeownership. Newly released U.S. Census Bureau data show that while SFR/BTR construction continued to decline from its 2024 peak through year-end 2025, development activity remains elevated compared to historical norms.

Articles

Why Leading with Authenticity in CRE is a Competitive Advantage

In commercial real estate, long-term financial partnerships drive deals. At the recent Real Estate Pride Roundtable in New York City, CRE leaders shared how living openly with their LGBTQ+ identities has allowed them to lead with authenticity in the boardroom and in life. This Pride Month, Arbor celebrates authenticity in the workplace.

Articles

Dr. Sam Chandan’s State of Rental Housing Spring 2026

In a new video, Dr. Sam Chandan, a leading commercial real estate scholar, expands on the findings of Arbor Realty Trust’s latest Special Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics. He shares his expert insight into the state of rental housing in spring 2026. Chandan notes that multifamily is moving toward a state of balance as supply pressures ease and growth trends turn positive. The result, he said, is that selective opportunities are emerging for well-positioned investors in a climate “defined less by dislocation” and “more by normalization.”

Articles

Renters Reassess Homeownership as Affordability Challenges Persist

Homeownership has been an aspiration of generations of Americans, but elevated prices, mortgage rates, and financing hurdles are complicating the typical path to owning a home. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s 2026 Survey of Consumer Expectations Housing Survey, renters are continuing to experience difficulty with mortgage financing and have more measured views about homeownership’s current investment potential. As households reassess the housing market, rental housing demand is the beneficiary.

Current Reports

Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q2 2026

Arbor Realty Trust’s latest Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, evaluates what’s driving this sector’s ongoing stability as macroeconomic conditions remain mixed. Loan originations rose last quarter, and valuations are rebounding, signaling that normalization is taking hold.

Articles

Where Labor Market Momentum Outpaces the National Average

Labor market conditions are a foundational driver of rental housing demand, influencing tenant stability and household growth. While the national pace of hiring has moderated, the economies of many metropolitan areas continue to outperform. Expanding on Arbor’s latest Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report, our research teams highlight the local dynamics supporting growth in several of the country’s strongest-performing multifamily markets.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

Ivan Kaufman Interview on Bloomberg Markets

Ivan Kaufman, the chairman and CEO of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), discussed how multifamily housing is maintaining stability during COVID-19. In a “Bloomberg Markets” interview with anchor Alix Steel, he also explained, in particular, the growth in value of suburban housing.

“People have been paying their rent on the multifamily side. Collections are off only 1% to 2%,” said Kaufman. “Despite the dislocation, it has been a great performing asset.” He noted that the extension of federal aid, which will allow people to continue to pay rent, will be critical for the housing market.

The country’s reducing unemployment and getting the coronavirus under control are two factors that will affect the housing situation, Kaufman stated.

The real estate expert and entrepreneur made several additional noteworthy observations. “Homeownership is approaching 68%, the highest rate since prior to the Great Recession. So, this trend, which started before COVID, now has been accelerated,” he said. “People are moving out of the cities. The social unrest, schools, all of these factors are leading to people moving to the suburbs.”

Kaufman commented that the inventory is now very limited in the suburbs. He projected this will lead to price appreciation both for owner-occupied and single-family rental homes.

Adding perspective to today’s overall economic situation, he pointed out that commercial real estate is a $14 trillion industry. “There are three asset classes that are doing extraordinarily well: multifamily, single-family rentals, and industrial. Sixty percent of the asset classes are performing exceptionally well,” he said.

The hospitality and retail sectors are still suffering. However, suburban offices are reaping some benefits from the demand for less density, driven by COVID-19. “I think it’s going to be a mixed bag. Clearly, there are a lot of people evaluating urban offices and suburban satellites.” He opined people will need to continue to watch the landscape for the next six to 12 months, to see the extent of the impacts of a suburban workforce.

View the complete Bloomberg TV interview above.

Learn more about Arbor Realty Trust’s multifamily housing loans. Contact Arbor today to speak with a specialist about our different financing solutions.