We’ve come a long way from the days of dial-up modems, AOL free trial disks and bulky desktop computers.

With larger units and more suburban locations, a larger share of small buildings serve renters with children.

While the broader market’s attention has been focused on Millennials living in large, high-amenity properties, the data on the age of renters and where they reside hold some surprises.

The balance of amenities and affordability are arguably the most important drivers for a renter’s choice of location. As rent growth has outpaced wage growth, the issue of apartment affordability has acquired new urgency.

Will demand for small apartment assets in suburban corridors increase as aging millennials leaves cities looking for value, space and schools?

It turns out you can rent a two-bedroom in a small apartment property for less than a studio in a large property. Is this a value proposition for multifamily investors?

Sam Chandan walks us through three key considerations for deciding whether to invest in small (5 to 50 unit) or large (50+ unit) apartment assets. 

Catering to families and other larger households, 2- and 3-bedroom units are well represented in small apartment assets.

Preliminary findings show that cap rates tightened in recent quarters for multifamily properties backed by small balance loans. The spread between cap rates on small and large properties also narrowed. 

Americans living in small apartment buildings outnumber renters in large properties more than three-to-one.