Analysis

Small Multifamily Investment Snapshot — March 2025

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.

Articles

Top Markets for Rental Occupancy

Nationally, vacancies have risen, but the performance of rental housing is extremely localized. Out of the 75 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, the occupancy rate for all types of rental properties, including single-family rentals, 2-4 family, multifamily, and mobile homes, increased in 36 markets last year, while exceeding 95% in nearly one-third of all markets, according to an analysis of newly released U.S. Census Bureau data.[1] From Grand Rapids, MI, to Columbia, SC, the top markets for rental occupancy show where conditions are tightest and demand is strongest.

Current Reports

Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q1 2025

Arbor’s Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q1 2025, published in partnership with Chandan Economics, is an up-close look at the single-family rental (SFR) sector as it enters a period of normalcy after explosive pandemic-era growth. SFR maintains its balance with the support of a healthy set of fundamentals while capital markets rebound and rent growth moderates.

Articles

Small Multifamily Price Growth Trends Show Stabilization

Small multifamily price growth trends indicate a stabilization may be ready to take hold. Expanding on the findings of Arbor’s latest Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report, our research teams more closely examined valuations to determine if trends in pricing and other fundamentals are supporting a turnaround.

Articles

SFR Rent Growth: Top Markets and Leading Regions

Elevated mortgage interest rates and high home prices boosted demand for single-family rentals (SFR) last year, supporting the growth of rents in almost all of the 100 largest metropolitan areas. Pricing momentum, which averaged 4.5% nationally, was concentrated in affordable markets in the Northeast and Midwest, an analysis of Zillow’s Observed Rent Index data shows.

Articles

Build-to-Rent’s Robust Activity Settles into Stable Pattern

Increasingly, single-family rental (SFR) operators have been relying on build-to-rent (BTR) development to satisfy their inventory needs. The popularity of BTR communities made economies of scale possible for the SFR sector in the recovery after the 2007 housing crisis and continues to fill a housing need nationwide. Now, newly released U.S. Census Bureau data shows that SFR development activity remained robust even as its momentum slowed, moving the sector into a more stable equilibrium.

Articles

Advancing Sustainability in CRE Finance in a Shifting Landscape

With political headwinds reshaping the corporate responsibility landscape, commercial real estate (CRE) leaders, policymakers, and academics recently gathered in New York City for the NYU Stern Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance’s 3rd Annual Symposium on Innovation & Sustainable Real Estate to discuss the future of sustainable real estate finance, investment, operations, and technology. In a series of panel discussions, industry leaders offered their perspectives on how sustainability is evolving in a new political environment and why green policies still make business sense.

Articles

Dr. Sam Chandan Sees an Opportune Moment Emerging for Multifamily Buyers

Rental housing remains uniquely positioned for continued growth in an environment of economic volatility and political uncertainty, Dr. Sam Chandan, founding director of the C.H. Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance at the NYU Stern School of Business and founder of Chandan Economics, asserts in his video overview of Arbor’s Special Report Spring 2025.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

FANNIE MAE DUS®

MBS as Tax-Exempt Bond Collateral (M.TEB) – Fixed Rate

Arbor’s MBS as Tax-Exempt Bond Collateral (M.TEB) – Fixed Rate issues MBS that can be used as collateral for either
(i) existing fixed-rate bond refundings, or (ii) new fixed-rate bond issues in conjunction with 4% Low-Income Housing Tax
Credits (LIHTC).

Benefits
  • Faster closings with our unique delegated model.
  • Declining prepayment options or yield maintenance.
  • Interest-only is available.
  • Guaranteed direct pass-through of principal and interest is more attractive to bond buyers.
Eligibility
  • Multifamily Affordable Housing properties.
  • Loans underwritten to Fannie Mae Guide Requirements for tax-exempt bonds.
  • Refundings or new issues with in-place rehab.
  • Immediate delivery or standby forward commitment.
Loan Term 10-30 years.
Amortization Up to 35 years.
Maximum LTV
  • 90% for 4% LIHTC properties with at least 90% of the units meeting affordability requirements.
  • 85% for 4% LIHTC properties with fewer than 90% of the units meeting affordability requirements.
  • 80% for refundings.
Minimum DSCR
  • 1.15x for 4% LIHTC properties with at least 90% of the units meeting affordability requirements
  • 1.20x for 4% LIHTC properties with fewer than 90% of the units meeting affordability requirements for refundings.
Issuer and Trustee Fees Loan sizing must include underwriting of the Issuer and Trustee Fees; however, Issuer and Trustee Fees will be paid directly by borrower and are not enhanced or passed through by Fannie Mae.
Mandatory or Optional Redemption Feature No separate mandatory or optional redemptions outside of the MBS structure.
Prepayment Availability Flexible prepayment options available, including yield maintenance and declining prepayment premium.
Bond Payments Principal and interest payments will be based on a monthly schedule in accordance with the terms of the MBS and will flow through the bond trustee for payment to the bondholder. Payments of principal and interest under the MBS are paid in arrears on the 25th of the month based on the prior month’s accrual; payment to the bondholder occurs on the following business day.
Tax-Exempt to Taxable Conversion Feature If there is a single bondholder, and subject to Issuer consent, the bondholder may pursue an option to redeem tax-exempt bonds and hold the MBS directly.
For 4% LIHTC transactions, this redemption cannot occur prior to the Placed-in-
Service date.
Loan Documents Documented on Fannie Mae loan documents; Issuer must utilize the Fannie Mae form Indenture.
Third-Party Subordinate Financing Hard subordinate debt (which requires scheduled repayment of principal) is permitted only if provided by a public, quasi-public, or not-for-profit lender and combined debt service coverage cannot fall below 1.05x. Soft subordinate debt is permitted subject to requirements which include capping payments at 75% of available property cash flow after payment of senior liens and property operating expenses.
Recourse Non-recourse execution is with standard carve-outs for “bad acts” such as fraud and bankruptcy.
Escrows Replacement reserve, tax, and insurance escrows are typically required.
Third-Party Reports Standard third-party reports required, including Appraisal, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, and Property Condition Assessment.

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