Generation Z’s potential for household formation could soon reshape many U.S. metropolitan areas. From McAllen, TX, to Hartford, CT, explore the top multifamily markets where rental demand is set to rise as Gen Z leaves the nest.
Indianapolis ranked as the top multifamily investment market in the U.S., in the latest Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report from Arbor Realty Trust and @Chandan Economics. The market has been supported by strong labor market conditions, tight occupancy levels, and a favorable affordability profile.
Arbor Realty Trust colleagues mentored more than 50 students this spring during two Project Destined programs designed to provide young professionals with insight into the inner workings of commercial real estate.
The latest Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report from Arbor Realty Trust, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, examines a commercial real estate sector that has proved to be both stable and resilient. Supported by strong occupancy, positive rent growth, and loosening capital markets, SFR remains firmly grounded on a path of steady growth.
The small multifamily sector entered 2026 on a strong note, even as lending conditions remained shaped by persistently high interest rates and regulatory uncertainties.
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.
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.
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.”
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Units
St. Louis
Year Built
Experienced multifamily owners were looking for a refinance on a 314-unit apartment community located in the St. Louis metro area. The sponsors originally built the property in two phases, in 2003 and 2009, as a condo development. However, due to softening in the condo market, a portion of the unsold units were operated as multifamily. The sponsors bought back the sold condo units in 2018 to operate the whole community as multifamily rentals.
Arbor assisted the sponsors with securing a bridge loan in 2019 for the completion of renovations and stabilization of the property, which was only at half occupancy at the time. As of June 2020, the property reached over 90% occupancy and the borrowers were ready to refinance due to the increased value of the asset. The borrowers have a long-term relationship with Arbor and Fannie Mae, so they were comfortable working with Arbor to secure the right financing for their investment needs.
Arbor’s underwriting and originations departments were tasked with demonstrating the sponsors’ continued commitment to the property. Arbor was able to point to the borrowers’ nearly two decades of ownership, local market expertise and investment in improving the asset’s quality and occupancy, which helped support the agency requirement that the borrower possess strong experience and a proven track record.
Arbor executed a 15-year fixed-rate loan under the Fannie Mae DUS® loan program. As a result of the transaction, the borrowers were able to refinance at a low interest rate.