Articles

FHFA Loan Caps for 2025: What Multifamily Borrowers Need to Know

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced a $3 billion boost to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s volume cap for loan purchases in 2025 to $146 billion ($73 billion for each agency). This increase in FHFA loan caps for 2025 aligns with industry expectations, given the anticipation of improving market conditions and lending activity expected in a lower interest rate environment. Next year’s cap for the Government-Sponsored Entities (GSEs) is an increase of approximately 4% from the $140 billion limit set for 2024.

Analysis

U.S. Multifamily Market Snapshot — November 2024

The U.S. multifamily market held steady in a more normalized cycle through the first three quarters of 2024, following its skyrocketing recovery from the pandemic-related contraction. Rental demand remained strong, driven by the continued nationwide housing shortage and strong wage growth, while the high levels of new construction seen over the last two years appears to have peaked.

Current Reports

Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2024

Small multifamily’s normalization pushed forward last quarter as the Federal Reserve made a long-awaited reduction to the target federal funds rate. Arbor’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2024, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, shows signs of stability have multiplied. Robust rental demand, a limited supply of quality affordable housing, and several other promising developments should support the subsector’s strength heading into 2025.

Analysis

Top U.S. Multifamily Rent Growth Markets — Q3 2024

The U.S. multifamily market held steady in a more normalized cycle during the third quarter of 2024. Rental demand remained strong, while new leaders emerged among the top markets for rent growth.

Articles

Top Markets for Wage Growth in 2024

One of the most essential factors multifamily investors need to consider before executing a transaction is the health of the local labor market. Wage growth and other trends are driven by a delicate, constantly adjusting balance of labor supply and demand. In some markets, an inflow of employers can cause wages to spike. In others, population outflows can create the same effect. In this deep dive, we expand on the data findings from the 2024 Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report, exploring the unique conditions driving metro wage growth trends.

Press Contact

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Current Reports

Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report 2024

With interest rate pressure easing, quality multifamily investment opportunities have emerged from coast to coast, making identifying the optimal location essential. A roadmap for investors, Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report 2024, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, ranks the top 50 metropolitan markets found through an analysis of 10 key factors, including affordability, population growth, and climate risk.

Articles

The Value of a Top Freddie Mac Small Balance Loans Lender

Small multifamily properties play a crucial role in providing affordable and market-rate rental housing across the country. But Arbor and Freddie Mac understood that financing in this sector had historically been fragmented when we partnered to create the Small Balance Loan (SBL) program in 2014. As the program celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024, Arbor is proud to have helped pioneer the product to meet a critical need for our borrowers. A six-time Top Small Balance Loans Lender, Arbor has the right experience to expertly customize loan products and align your asset’s long-term goals with your community’s needs.

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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