Dr. Sam Chandan’s Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report Takeaways
In his latest Arbor Realty Trust video, Dr. Sam Chandan, a leading commercial real estate scholar, shares his insights into the findings of our latest Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics. The noted NYU professor outlines the market-level results of the Arbor-Chandan Opportunity Matrix, which spotlights multifamily markets that offer optimal value to commercial real estate investors.
Chandan emphasizes that although the report reveals clear leaders, such as Indianapolis, IN, an improvement of conditions across major markets is also underway.
“What stands out in this edition is dispersion in the pace of recovery in the housing sector across U.S. markets and regions,” Chandan said. “The improvements are clearest in metropolitan areas absorbing new supply at the fastest clip, places where occupancy has tightened and rent growth has stabilized.”
The Report’s Key Findings
- Indianapolis, IN, ranked first in Arbor’s Spring 2026 Opportunity Matrix, supported by strong labor market conditions, tight occupancy levels, and a favorable affordability profile.
- Midwestern markets, which feature stability, affordability, and steady renter demand, were well represented, capturing seven of the top 20 spots.
- High-growth Sun Belt and Mountain West markets ranked highly, with Raleigh, NC, Salt Lake City, UT, and Nashville, TN, all in the top five, underscoring the importance of economic expansion and demographic momentum.
About Dr. Sam Chandan
Sam Chandan, PhD, is Founding Director of the Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance at the NYU Stern School of Business, a member of Stern’s finance faculty, and Founder and Non-Executive Chairman of Chandan Economics. He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine, The Royal Society for Public Health, and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Prior to joining Stern, Dr. Chandan was the Silverstein Chair and Dean of the NYU SPS Schack Institute. His current research is focused on innovation in real estate capital markets, urban epidemiology, and the preparedness of cities in managing novel public health threats.
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