Articles

Renters Account for Majority of Household Growth

The number of rental households climbed nearly 2% last year, as 848,000 more households became renters, an analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancies and Homeownership Survey shows (Chart 1). Rental households also hit a new high of 45.3 million, accounting for more than half of all U.S. household growth in 2024. Weakening affordability, evolving lifestyle preferences, and a limited supply of quality housing all contributed to surging multifamily and single-family rental (SFR) demand.

Articles

Solar Panel Usage Accelerates in Rental Properties

Solar panel installations, which skyrocketed in the U.S. over the last half-century, are projected to double to 10 million in just six years. While installations soared in all types of residences, owner-occupied properties significantly outpaced rentals. However, the evolving economics of solar power may be approaching a tipping point for single-family rental (SFR) operators looking for a differentiator.

Analysis

Small Multifamily Investment Snapshot — March 2025

Amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, the small multifamily sector remains favorably positioned for stability as the structural need for affordable housing in the U.S. has supported the strength of the sector’s demand profile.

Articles

Top Markets for Rental Occupancy

Nationally, vacancies have risen, but the performance of rental housing is extremely localized. Out of the 75 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, the occupancy rate for all types of rental properties, including single-family rentals, 2-4 family, multifamily, and mobile homes, increased in 36 markets last year, while exceeding 95% in nearly one-third of all markets, according to an analysis of newly released U.S. Census Bureau data.[1] From Grand Rapids, MI, to Columbia, SC, the top markets for rental occupancy show where conditions are tightest and demand is strongest.

Current Reports

Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q1 2025

Arbor’s Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q1 2025, published in partnership with Chandan Economics, is an up-close look at the single-family rental (SFR) sector as it enters a period of normalcy after explosive pandemic-era growth. SFR maintains its balance with the support of a healthy set of fundamentals while capital markets rebound and rent growth moderates.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

FRDDIE MAC®

Moderate Rehab Loan

Arbor provides the capital you need to renovate your property at the lowest cost possible. During renovation, the loan can be an interest-only floating-rate debt, and loan proceeds are advanced monthly as requested rather than accruing interest on unused funds. The terms are highly negotiable, allowing for variation in borrower terms and structure needs. These loans offer a flexible liquidity source for experienced and well-capitalized sponsors who have successfully completed rehabilitation projects of similar scope and who are familiar with the loan process.

Loan Terms
  • Deal specific/negotiated
  • Interest-only during the Interim Phase
  • Hedge: Uncapped during the Interim Phase; cap required if converted to a floating rate Permanent Phase
Eligible Borrowers Experienced and well-capitalized sponsorswho have successfully completed rehabilitation projects of similar scope and who are familiar with the Freddie Mac loan process.
Eligible Properties Types
  • $25,000-$60,000 in renovations per unit with a minimum of $7,500 per unit designated for interior work
  • Minimum occupancy: Rehabilitation plan may not take debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) below 1.0x on an interest-only basis
  • Not eligible – seniors housing, student housing, MHC, preferred equity with hard pay, and mezzanine financing
Amount Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio:

  • Fund up to 80% of the as-is value, supported by the property acquisition price, if applicable
  • Periodic draws of unfunded loan proceeds (as opposed to an escrow) to reimburse the sponsor for up to 80% of the renovation costs on a monthly or quarterly basis as work is completed, similar to construction financing
  • Appraisal must demonstrate 80% as improved LTV (with fully funded renovation proceeds)

 
Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR):

  • Initial sizing – 1.20x interest only “as is”
  • An improved underwritten net operating income (NOI) per appraisal must reflect no less than 1.30x amortizing debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) and will be subject to appraisal support
Rehabilitation
  • Additional documents: Freddie Mac Disbursement Agreement, Disbursement Servicing Agreement, Operating Deficit Agreement & Completion Guaranty for 80% of approved budget and all work initiated, construction scope, budget and schedule
  • Pre-Construction Analysis Report: Must provide opinion to whether construction plan can reasonably be completed within the budget and schedule
  • Draws: Released upon request, but no more than once a month; first draw will be based on a certificate from the Servicer to Freddie Mac confirming that the request complies with the requirements set forth in the Disbursement Agreement (including but not limited to inspections, lien waivers and standard documentation); subsequent draws will require additional certifications as well as Freddie Mac’s independent confirmation of the information/documents supporting the prior certification. 5% retainage of draws are held and released once satisfactory confirmation of completion of all budgeted work has been received.
  • Monitoring: In addition to the draw certificates noted above, monitoring to reflect quarterly progress reports and inspections including rent rolls and operating statements.
  • Timing: All units must be habitable by 6 months prior to conversion to the Permanent Phase, and all renovation work is expected to be completed by 3 months prior to conversion to the Permanent Phase.
Structure
  • Loan type: Float-to-Float or Float-to-Fixed.
  • Conversion: FInterim Phase is floating, followed by either floating or fixed Permanent Phase; note rate to be determined at loan origination.
Prepayment
  • Float-to-Float: 2% prepayment premium during Interim Phase; standard Freddie Mac prepay structures available thereafter.
  • Float-to-Fixed: Yield Maintenance during Interim Phase; standard Freddie Mac prepay structures available thereafter.
Fees Standard fees apply, including application fee based on fully funded loan amount and good faith deposit.

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