In all market cycles, commercial real estate firms are better positioned to achieve successful results with leaders who are strong, confident, and authentic, qualities demonstrated by the dozens of speakers at the 2025 Real Estate Pride Roundtable in New York City.
Single-family rental (SFR) investing is surging as this asset class outperforms. With homeownership less attainable and lifestyle renting more popular, the sector’s tailwinds bode well for long-term growth. If you are new to this space, our guide has answers to commonly asked questions.
Bolstered by robust build-to-rent (BTR) activity, the single-family rental (SFR) sector continued to display strength even as the residential housing market moderated. Arbor’s Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q2 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, provides original research and analysis of key performance metrics for investors to take a closer look at a sector on the rise.
Amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, the small multifamily sector remains favorably positioned for stability as the structural need for affordable housing in the U.S. has supported the strength of the sector’s demand profile.
As build-to-rent (BTR) demand rises, single-family rental (SFR) development has become more efficient in creating a distinct, community-focused experience for renters. Newly released U.S. Census Bureau data confirms that SFR/BTR development continues to be robust and stable, with its annualized pace of construction in the first quarter of 2025 matching the previous quarter’s tally.
Arbor, which takes pride in empowering employees to reach their full potential, supported the 11th Annual Smile Farms Golf Outing on May 19, benefiting the Long Island-based organization dedicated to advancing opportunities for people with disabilities.
Arbor executives mentored more than 50 students from across the country this spring in two new Project Destined programs, representing the largest group and, perhaps, our most impactful cycle of this ongoing partnership.
Tenant retention is a valuable — though sometimes elusive — contributing factor to the strength of a multifamily property. Nationally, 29% of multifamily households signed a third lease for the same unit, according to an analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Locally, renter turnover was lowest in major coastal markets, like New York City, and highest in transient renter markets, like Charleston, SC.
Arbor remains committed to the responsible environmental management of our operations as well as providing opportunities for our borrowers to improve their own footprints. We are an active participant in our agency partners,’ Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, “green” lending programs, supporting borrowers with funding to make improvements to their properties that help reduce energy and water consumption and lower utility costs to tenants. See success stories from these programs on our Success Stories page.
In our own offices, we are working to identify ways to reduce consumption and our environmental footprint. This exploration involves an analysis of our workspaces and business practices, our vendor and counterparty practices, and the carbon footprint of our lending practices. We believe that the key to keeping our focus on sustainability is an ongoing investment in our people, continuous and broad-based education, and a flexible approach to our policies and processes.
Arbor has continued its domestic and international tree planting program, aimed at supporting two highly successful reforestation efforts through a commitment to plant a tree on behalf of Arbor’s customers for each loan we close. This initiative provides a valuable opportunity to connect with our clients while actively contributing to a critically important environmental cause. To date, in recognition of our closed transactions, and our commitment to these critical organizations, Arbor has financed the planting of 17,000 trees domestically and 3,400 trees in the State of Israel.
In our workspaces across the United States, Arbor has installed low-flow water systems in bathrooms, energy-efficient LED lighting, daylight and occupancy sensors in all new office buildouts and retrofits, and hands-free faucets. All equipment is set to energy reduction modes, including computer and copier equipment. Arbor shows preference for green leased buildings for one-off offices and purchases ENERGY STAR appliances when available.
Arbor maintains effective recycling processes (supplies, electronics, paper files), where available, to increase landfill diversion and to be in compliance with all building rules and regulations. We utilize e-signature and electronic invoices and statements and encourage digital-only subscriptions and eco-friendly packaging solutions.
In 2024 Arbor conducted a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory though a third-party partner. The inventory covered scopes 1 and 2 emissions of office spaces under the company’s operational control during the year 2023. In 2025, we expanded the inventory to include scope 3 emissions. This inventory will be Arbor’s baseline year of emissions and will allow the company to track future emissions and create goals and plans for reductions.
Many of the practices we already have in place support the reduction of our carbon footprint, such as our energy management initiatives, which reduce our Scope 2 emissions. We also have a telecommuting policy that allows our employees to work from home utilizing video conferencing for calls. Employees also have access to our Qualified Transportation Expense Program (QTE), which allows employees to open and contribute to a pre-tax account for eligible transportation funds, including public transportation. Both options incentivize reduced use of fossil-fuel transportation, therefore lowering our carbon footprint.
Arbor is in full compliance with environmental regulations in all our office locations and requires the same of the properties on which it lends. We are actively preparing for current and upcoming regulatory requirements for GHG emissions and climate-related disclosures at the state level.