Articles

Arbor Rolls Up Its Sleeves for Habitat for Humanity in Miami and Boston

Alongside our award-winning work, Arbor Realty Trust’s nationwide staff consistently gives back to the communities where we live and work. This fall, several of our teams rolled up their sleeves to assist Habitat for Humanity chapters in Miami and Boston with housing initiatives that are making a difference locally.

Articles

Emerging Multifamily Trends for 2026

Rental housing’s long-term investment outlook remains head and shoulders above its peers, driven by structural supply constraints and steady demand growth, finds the 2026 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report. Explore this trend and other key takeaways from the 47th edition of Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PwC’s influential industry report.

Articles

Small Multifamily Extends Quarterly Valuation Gains

Small multifamily assets have begun to settle into a consistent pattern of growth following two years of price corrections. Building on the findings of Arbor Realty Trust’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, our research teams look more closely at recent pricing trends and the factors driving the turnaround.

Articles

FHFA Loan Caps for 2026: What Multifamily Borrowers Need to Know

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced a $30 billion boost to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s volume cap for loan purchases in 2026 to $176 billion ($88 billion for each agency). This increase in FHFA loan caps for 2026 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 20% from the $146 billion limit set for 2025.

Current Reports

Affordable Housing Trends Report Fall 2025

As the cost of living in the U.S. climbs, the shortage of affordable housing is a persistent challenge for many communities. While progress has been uneven to date, Arbor Realty Trust and Chandan Economics document federal and state initiatives aimed at creating positive change. In a sector known for its strength, stability, and consistency, new and old affordable housing opportunities are converging as the nation accelerates construction.

Conventional Forwards

FRDDIE MAC® Conventional Forwards   Arbor’s Freddie Mac® Conventional Forwards encourage the creation of new housing supply by providing takeout certainty to developers and construction lenders, helping to address long-term supply shortages that limit affordability and housing choice. In an evolving multifamily lending environment, our Conventional Forwards provide clarity to the terms of the permanent debt needed when a property stabilizes after new construction or major rehabilitation.

Current Reports

Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025

Arbor Realty Trust’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, outlines the long-term positives reinforcing the sector’s growth amid macroeconomic uncertainty. With capital market activity poised to increase, small multifamily’s healthy fundamentals position it to trend higher in the next cycle.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

FHA® 223(f):

REFINANCE, ACQUISITION, OR MODERATE RENOVATION

Arbor provides FHA-insured, long-term, fixed-rate financing for refinance, acquisition or moderate renovation of multifamily projects nationwide. Arbor uses the single-stage Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) Program to expedite underwriting and approval.

Loan Term & Amortization Up to 35 years, not to exceed 75% of the remaining economic life (Fully Amortizing).
Minimum DSCR 1.176x for Market Rate properties, or LIHTC restricted whose rents are < 10% below market; 1.15x for LIHTC restricted properties with rents at least 10% below market; 1.11x for properties having at least 90% rental assistance contracts.
Maximum Loan to Value/Acquisition Cost 85% for Market Rate properties, or LIHTC restricted whose rents are < 10% below market; 87% for LIHTC restricted properties with rents at least 10% below market; 90% for projects with 90% or greater Rental Assistance.
Fixed Rate Yes
Eligible Properties Existing Multifamily projects at least three years old. Detached structures and row houses eligible. Market rate, low-to-moderate income and subsidized multifamily properties.
Eligible Borrower Single Asset Entity (for profit or non-profit).
Occupancy Requirement Average 85% occupancy for the 6 months prior to HUD application submission. Maximum economic underwriting occupancy of:

  • 93% for market rate properties (i.e. at least 20% market rate units, or LIHTC whose rents are < 10% below market rents).
  • 95% for LIHTC restrictions on at least 80% of units at rents at least 10% below market.
  • 97% for properties having at least 90% rental assistance, or 90% LIHTC set aside with rents at least 10% below market.
Cash Out Cash out allowed when 80% of value exceeds existing debt plus transaction costs, but only 50% of the net cash will be released at closing. The remaining 50% will be held in escrow until all required repairs are completed. A potential waiver is available to reduce holdback to 25%.
Tax & Insurance Escrows Monthly deposits required.
Recourse Non-recourse, subject to HUD Regulatory Agreement.
Commercial Space Maximum 25% of net rentable area and maximum 20% of effective gross income; minimum 10% underwritten vacancy.
Required Reports Borrower is responsible for all required report costs, included but not limited to: Appraisal, Market Study, Environmental Phase I, Phase II (if applicable), and PCNA. Pre-1978 properties may require lead-based paint and asbestos- containing material testing. Projects 30 years of age or older may require additional testing. Costs can be reimbursed from loan proceeds at closing.
Prepayment Typically 10% year 1, declining 1% per year. Other pre-payment options available subject to market conditions.
Assumable Subject to Arbor and HUD approval and payment of assumption fee.
Good Faith Deposit Negotiable based on project type and loan size.
Expense Escrow Yes – sufficient to cover Arbor’s expenses and third-party report costs.
Origination Fee Negotiable
HUD Application Fee Non-refundable fee of $3 per $1,000 (0.3%) of the mortgage amount due to HUD upon application submission.
HUD Inspection Fee $30 per unit when repairs are less than $3,000 per unit. If above $3,000 per unit, 1% of the total cost of the repairs.
Legal/Closing Fee Borrower pays Arbor’s Counsel Fee and miscellaneous closing costs.
Rehabilitation Qualifications Repairs cannot exceed $15,000 per unit (adjusted for local high-cost factor). Repairs/replacements are also limited to one major building component.
Davis Bacon Not applicable to this program.
HUD Mortgage Insurance Premium HUD sets the cost of the FHA Insurance. The initial MIP is 1% of the loan amount due to HUD at closing. Annual MIP rates:

  • Market Rate Properties: 0.60%
  • Affordable Properties: 0.35%
  • Broadly Affordable or Energy Efficient Properties: 0.25%
  • “Green” energy efficiency achievement): 0.25%

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