A nationwide housing shortage of rental homes, coupled with the rising costs of homeownership, has fueled the popularity of high-quality, affordable single-family rental (SFR)/build-to-rent (BTR) homes. In recent years, SFR/BTR construction starts have consistently reached new highs. In today’s economic environment, where mortgage payments are more expensive than rent payments in many markets, build-to-rent loans are a forward-thinking investment strategy.
The SFR sector is well-positioned to limit distress through the challenges of the current moment while advancing its standing within the single-family housing market for the long term.
Following a banner year in 2022, the U.S. multifamily market held steady during 2023. Arbor provided research and insights into our markets throughout the year. Here’s a look at our top Arbor research articles from 2023, in case you missed them.
Miami — a market with an attractive climate, urban amenities, and quality transportation options — has seen intense post-pandemic population growth. While its resurgence has been celebrated by many, Miami’s success has come at the cost of weakening rental affordability in the city.
For low-income renters, affordability is a deeply rooted issue. Since 2010, rental affordability has consistently and severely eroded in the U.S., with average rents growing faster annually than average incomes more than 72% of the time. As renters face increased inflationary pressures, state and local governments are exploring a mix of creative and tried-and-true solutions to expand the affordable housing supply.
As the single-family rental (SFR) investment market matures, a clearer picture of its typical renter has begun to come into focus. On December 5 at IMN’s 11th Annual Single Family Rental Forum (West), a group of industry leaders, including Arbor’s Tres Seippel, Director, Construction Management, explored how demographic trends have influenced the rise in popularity of single-family rental homes.
Although they remain near historical lows, apartment vacancy rates in the U.S. have begun to climb. However, this recent reversal may be a temporary trend, driven by renter satisfaction and a slowdown in the pace of new construction.
While macroeconomic headwinds remain a constant challenge, the small multifamily sector has demonstrated its ability to bend rather than break.
Renters 30 years of age and under, who now make up slightly more than one-quarter of the heads of households of rental units, are bolstering housing demand in markets known for their affordability and livability.
After taking a pause during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. multifamily market experienced a banner year in 2022. Throughout the year, Arbor continued to provide unique research and insights into our markets. Here’s a look at our top Arbor research articles from 2022, in case you missed them.
As we move into 2023, all eyes will once again be on the Federal Reserve, the job market, and the housing market. Investors who are in a good position going into the correction will be able to take advantage of opportunities.
Driven by cyclical, demographic, and technological factors, the single-family rental (SFR) sector has matured over the past decade. The once-fragmented industry has both coalesced and professionalized. While the evolution of the SFR sector has been explored at length, a clear picture of its core set of tenants is just now coming into focus.
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.
The small multifamily sub-sector remains in a favorable position to withstand macroeconomic instability.