Although headwinds persist, solid national economic growth and the strength of multifamily fundamentals indicate it’s time to recalibrate for a soft landing, write Ivan Kaufman, Arbor’s Chairman and CEO, and Sam Chandan, Founding Director of the C.H. Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance at the NYU Stern School of Business. Historically stable in times of adversity, the rental housing market is well-equipped to thrive in today’s evolving economic environment.

More than halfway through 2023, the single-family rental (SFR) sector continues to demonstrate why it deserves the attention of multifamily investors. Arbor’s Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, provides an inside look at this high-performing sector where SFR/build-to-rent (BTR) construction starts are breaking records amidst the ongoing challenges of elevated interest rates, tighter underwriting standards, and historically high cap rates.

Through the first half of 2023, market disruptions have had limited impact on the overall performance of the small multifamily subsector even as prices fell and cap rates climbed. Arbor’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q3 2023, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, delivers data-driven analysis on the subsector’s structural health, shaping its positive outlook.

Arbor’s Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q1 2023, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, explores a growing multifamily sector with a unique ability to rise above macroeconomic headwinds. Last year, investors purchased more single-family rental (SFR) units than in 2021 as uncertainty rippled through the commercial real estate industry. Construction in the sector also ramped up in 2022, with starts reaching all-time highs by unit count and market share. This upward trend, fueled by significant structural support, sets SFR apart from many other commercial real estate sectors.

In this video, Sam Chandan, professor of finance and Director of the Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance at the NYU Stern School of Business, discusses the key findings of Arbor’s Affordable Housing Trends Report Spring 2023, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics. He adds context to the Federal, state, and local housing policy trends impacting the future of the affordable sector, which, he notes, continues to have the highest development prospects of any residential subtype.

The small multifamily subsector, strengthened by sound structural fundamentals, is well-positioned to face distress due to interest-rate pressure. Even though pricing has slid lower and cap rates have risen, it should remain resilient in the coming quarters. A deep dive into a uniquely positioned subsector, Arbor’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q1 2023, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, analyzes the competing headwinds and tailwinds influencing investment performance.