Articles

Small Multifamily Extends Quarterly Valuation Gains

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.

Articles

FHFA Loan Caps for 2026: What Multifamily Borrowers Need to Know

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.

Current Reports

Affordable Housing Trends Report Fall 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.

Conventional Forwards

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.

Current Reports

Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025

Arbor Realty Trust’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, outlines the long-term positives reinforcing the sector’s growth amid macroeconomic uncertainty. With capital market activity poised to increase, small multifamily’s healthy fundamentals position it to trend higher in the next cycle.

Borrower FAQs

Find answers to common questions about multifamily and single-family rental real estate financing.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

Arbor Co-Funds Emerald Empire’s Acquisition of Pangea Properties’ Chicago Portfolio

UNIONDALE, NY (December 23, 2022) – Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), a leading multifamily and commercial mortgage lender, recently co-funded one of the largest Fannie Mae Structured Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (SARM) loans of 2022 in support of New York-based Emerald Empire’s acquisition of Pangea Properties’ Chicago portfolio.

The deal was primarily financed by Arbor Realty Trust. NewPoint Real Estate Capital also participated in the transaction.

The sale spans several hundred properties and thousands of units, of which 97% are considered “affordable” at 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). The deal also provides career continuity for Pangea Properties’ Chicago-area employees, who will be kept on to manage the properties for Emerald.

“The transaction is representative of the strong social commitment to the provision and preservation of affordable housing shared by both Fannie Mae and Arbor Realty Trust, as well as by Emerald Empire,” said Ivan Kaufman, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Arbor Realty Trust. “We have been a Top 10 Fannie Mae DUS® Multifamily Lender for more than a decade, and the longstanding relationships across our teams equip us to close major transactions in support of housing affordability for urban families.”

To support the mission-driven goal of creating equitable financial opportunities for renters by sharing their on-time rent payments with the three major credit bureaus for incorporation in the renters’ credit profiles, this portfolio of properties will become participants in Fannie Mae’s innovative Multifamily Positive Rent Payment Reporting pilot program.

“Fannie Mae is proud to have worked with Arbor Realty Trust on this impactful transaction” said Michele Evans, Executive Vice president and Head of Multifamily, Fannie Mae. “In addition to providing affordable housing in Chicago, this deal also provides positive rent payment reporting, offering residents opportunities to build credit.”

About Us
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) is a nationwide real estate investment trust and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for multifamily, single-family rental (SFR) portfolios, and other diverse commercial real estate assets. Headquartered in Uniondale, New York, Arbor manages a multibillion-dollar servicing portfolio, specializing in government-sponsored enterprise products. Arbor is a leading Fannie Mae DUS® lender, Freddie Mac Optigo® Seller/Servicer, and an approved FHA Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) lender. Arbor’s product platform also includes bridge, CMBS, mezzanine, and preferred equity loans. Rated by Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, Arbor is committed to building on its reputation for service, quality and customized solutions with an unparalleled dedication to providing our clients excellence over the entire life of a loan.