In this new video, Dr. Sam Chandan, one of the commercial real estate industry’s leading scholars, shares his expert insight on Arbor Realty Trust’s latest Special Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics.
The long-term outlook for small multifamily remains decisively positive, supported by attractive pricing and strong demand for market-rate housing.
Alongside our award-winning work, Arbor Realty Trust’s nationwide staff consistently gives back to the communities where we live and work. This fall, several of our teams rolled up their sleeves to assist Habitat for Humanity chapters in Miami and Boston with housing initiatives that are making a difference locally.
Rental housing’s long-term investment outlook remains head and shoulders above its peers, driven by structural supply constraints and steady demand growth, finds the 2026 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report. Explore this trend and other key takeaways from the 47th edition of Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PwC’s influential industry report.
Small multifamily assets have begun to settle into a consistent pattern of growth following two years of price corrections. Building on the findings of Arbor Realty Trust’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, our research teams look more closely at recent pricing trends and the factors driving the turnaround.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced a $30 billion boost to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s volume cap for loan purchases in 2026 to $176 billion ($88 billion for each agency). This increase in FHFA loan caps for 2026 aligns with industry expectations, given the anticipation of improving market conditions and lending activity expected in a lower interest rate environment. Next year’s cap for the Government-Sponsored Entities (GSEs) is an increase of approximately 20% from the $146 billion limit set for 2025.
As the cost of living in the U.S. climbs, the shortage of affordable housing is a persistent challenge for many communities. While progress has been uneven to date, Arbor Realty Trust and Chandan Economics document federal and state initiatives aimed at creating positive change. In a sector known for its strength, stability, and consistency, new and old affordable housing opportunities are converging as the nation accelerates construction.
FRDDIE MAC® Conventional Forwards Arbor’s Freddie Mac® Conventional Forwards encourage the creation of new housing supply by providing takeout certainty to developers and construction lenders, helping to address long-term supply shortages that limit affordability and housing choice. In an evolving multifamily lending environment, our Conventional Forwards provide clarity to the terms of the permanent debt needed when a property stabilizes after new construction or major rehabilitation.
A panoramic view of how Arbor grows financial partnerships through successful
product executions that deliver results for our clients
Units
Virginia Beach
Year Built
An experienced value-add multifamily owner was looking for financing to acquire a large multifamily property in Virginia Beach, Va. The property is unique in that it’s located near a naval base, and as a result, it has a concentration of tenants in the military. The situation was more complex due to the deal’s borrower structure, which included multiple investors. As the borrower had a previous business relationship with Arbor and the sales broker, the borrower felt comfortable with Arbor’s ability to not only guide them to the right financing for their needs but also provide them with the certainty of execution to deliver.
As a result of Arbor’s strong internal collaboration between its underwriting and originations departments, as well as its strong partnership with Freddie Mac, the deal was able to be financed with competitive terms and on time.
Arbor was able to execute a 10-year, $32.3 million fixed-rate loan under the Freddie Mac Conventional loan program. Despite the complexity of the deal, Arbor was able to secure the best financing possible for the borrower’s business goals while providing the borrower with peace of mind that the transaction would successfully close.