Articles

Renters Account for Majority of Household Growth

The number of rental households climbed nearly 2% last year, as 848,000 more households became renters, an analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancies and Homeownership Survey shows (Chart 1). Rental households also hit a new high of 45.3 million, accounting for more than half of all U.S. household growth in 2024. Weakening affordability, evolving lifestyle preferences, and a limited supply of quality housing all contributed to surging multifamily and single-family rental (SFR) demand.

Articles

Solar Panel Usage Accelerates in Rental Properties

Solar panel installations, which skyrocketed in the U.S. over the last half-century, are projected to double to 10 million in just six years. While installations soared in all types of residences, owner-occupied properties significantly outpaced rentals. However, the evolving economics of solar power may be approaching a tipping point for single-family rental (SFR) operators looking for a differentiator.

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.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

FREDDIE MAC®

Lease-Up Loan

Arbor’s Freddie Mac Lease-Up Loan product allows newly constructed properties to lock in a rate and fund a loan before the collateral is fully stabilized.

Description Refinance Lease-Up – Refinancing for newly constructed properties
Acquisition Lease-Up – Acquisition financing for newly constructed properties
Loan Amount Typically $10M and up
Loan Terms 5-10 years
Loan Types Fixed- and floating-rate loans; Interest-only (I/O) available during lease-up period
Eligible Property Types
  • Well-constructed properties exhibiting strong lease-up trends in good locations and strong markets
  • Student housing and manufactured housing community transactions are not eligible
  • Stabilization expected within 12 months of closing
Eligible Borrowers Borrowers must have experience with new construction or lease-up properties and generally have strong financial capacity and real estate management expertise with good performance and credit history
Amortization 30 years
Minimum DCR
  • 1.30x (Conventional and Targeted Affordable)
  • 1.35x (Seniors Housing with Independent Living)
  • 1.45x (Seniors Housing with Assisted Living)
Maximum LTV (as-stabilized)
  • 75% for Refinance Lease-Up (Conventional and Targeted Affordable)
  • 70% for Refinance Lease-Up (Seniors Housing with Independent Living or Assisted Living
  • 70% for Acquisition Lease-Up (Conventional, Targeted Affordable Seniors Housing with Independent Living or Assisted Living)
Minimum Cash Equity Requirement
  • 15% for Refinance Lease-Up (Conventional and Targeted Affordable)
  • 20% for Refinance Lease-Up (Seniors Housing with Independent Living or Assisted Living)
  • 25% for Acquisition Lease-Up (Conventional, Targeted Affordable and Seniors Housing with Independent Living or Assisted Living)
Lease-Up Credit Enhancement Requirements
  • Lease-Up Credit Enhancement is required for all Lease-Up transactions
  • The form of the Lease-Up Credit Enhancement will be determined by Freddie Mac
  • The Lease-Up Credit Enhancement must be at least 5% of the unpaid principal balance (10% if the Lease-Up Credit Enhancement is a guaranty, subject to additional conditions)
  • Release of Lease-Up Credit Enhancement will occur once the property has achieved the required amortizing DCR based on average performance of the past 3 months, net rental income for the past 1 month meets or exceeds the level necessary to reach the required amortization DCR, and met other standard conditions as set forth by Freddie Mac
  • If the required DCR is not reached within 12 months, the Lease-Up Credit Enhancement will be used to resize the loan and recast the payments
Appraisal Report Must provide the “as-is” and “as-stabilized” value for the property
Closing Debt Service Escrow An additional 3-month debt service escrow may be required based on the property’s actual operations at underwriting
Rate Lock
  • 50% occupied
  • 60% leased
  • 60% or more Certificates of Occupancy issued
Premier Sponsors & Markets Except for Seniors Housing, additional flexibility is available on a case-by-case basis through an assessment of the sponsor and market as determined by Freddie Mac
Closing
  • 1.05x DCR (Refinance Lease-Up) and 1.0x DCR (Acquisition Lease-Up)
  • 65% occupied
  • 75% leased
  • 100% of Certificates of Occupancy issued (Conventional and Targeted Affordable)
  • 90% of Certificates of Occupancy issued (Seniors Housing with Independent Living or Assisted Living)
  • Assisted Living properties must have all required licenses authorizing operations

V120721

Request a Quote

Fill out a simple form and an expert loan originator will contact you shortly.