The small multifamily sub-sector ended 2022 on a high note with originations falling just behind 2021’s peak. As economic storm clouds continue circling, small multifamily appears fortified from any reverberations that may result.

The single-family rental (SFR) market maintained a favorable outlook in the third quarter of 2022 as the national housing market began cooling. Amid economic headwinds, SFR is well-positioned as a primary alternative for would-be homebuyers priced out of ownership in today’s high-interest-rate housing market.

With investors now seeking inflation protection, the small multifamily sector continues to see gains. Arbor’s new quarterly Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report, published in partnership with Chandan Economics, sheds light on key trends, including firm cap rates, climbing valuations, and elevated originations, despite tightening underwriting standards.

Arbor’s Affordable Housing Trends Report Fall 2022, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, examines the affordable housing market’s growth trajectory in a challenging economic climate. It examines key programs, including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), likely to influence the market’s performance in the coming year.

In an otherwise uneven economic environment, multifamily real estate and other investment classes adept at absorbing inflationary pressures have outperformed the rest. Within the surging multifamily sector, certain markets shined brightly this year. The 2022 Arbor Realty Trust Large Multifamily Opportunity Matrix highlights the top 50 U.S. metros for investment.

Arbor’s Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q2 2022, published in partnership with Chandan Economics, finds flourishing growth and a firmly positive outlook for the sector amid a challenging macroeconomic cycle. High demand, a countercyclical business model, and the ability to absorb inflation will likely continue to propel the SFR market upwards.