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

Press Contact If you are a member of the media and would like to arrange an interview with one of our knowledgeable multifamily and commercial real estate finance executives or if you have general media questions about Arbor, please contact us at [email protected] or through the below form.   Fill out the form to reach our press team.  

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

FREDDIE MAC

Manufactured Housing Resident Owned Community Loan (MHROC)

  • Designed specifically for MHROCs (also known as MH Cooperatives)
  • Expands affordable housing options for underserved populations, particularly in rural and non-metro areas where MHROCs are prevalent

Eligible Property Types Existing, stabilized, high-quality, professionally managed MHROCs, with or without age restrictions
Eligible Transaction Types
  • Acquisition/Conversion: An Acquisition Mortgage on a Manufactured Housing
    Community which is in the process of converting from a rental property to an
    MHROC. The MHROC Borrower must be formed prior to rate lock.
  • Seasoned Refinance: A Refinance Mortgage on an existing MHROC with most shares already sold to resident shareholders
Eligible Borrowers Not-for-profit cooperative corporation or association (“Co-op”) in which shares in
the Co-op are sold to shareholders and such shares entitle the shareholder to
occupy a specific pad
Requirements for Resident Shareholders At rate lock:

  • 100% of pads must be owned by the MHROC Borrower.
  • At least 90% of shares must be owned by resident-shareholders.

Seasoned Refinances offer flexibility on this point with alternate sizing.

Debt Service Reserve May be required
Terms 5- to 30-year terms
Minimum UPB Amount $500,000
Maximum Amortization 30 years
Interest Rate Fixed-rate only, floating rate not permitted (Refer to the Fixed-Rate Loan term sheet for additional information.)
Interest Only Amortizing only – Interest only not permitted
Prepayment Provisions Refer to the Fixed-Rate Loan term sheet for additional information.
Recourse Requirements Non-recourse, guarantor not required
Supplemental Financing Available, subject to the Supplemental Loan offering and Loan Agreement requirements
Home Rentals The percentage of homes owned by the borrower, borrower-affiliate, or third-party investor cannot exceed 5% in aggregate.
Tax and Insurance Escrows Required
Replacement Reserve Escrows Minimum $50/site/year and $250/borrower-owned manufactured home/year (if included in the collateral)
Application Fee Greater of $2,000 or 0.1% of loan amount
Early Rate and Spread Lock Options Standard Delivery

Refinance Test Refinance Test is necessary on all MHROC loans
Additional Considerations
  • Private facilities (e.g., wells and septic systems) are allowed with considerations.
  • Rental leases cannot contain option to purchase pad sites or borrower-owned manufactured homes.
  • Retail sales or financing by borrowing entity of any manufactured homes or shares in the MHROC Borrower is not allowed.
  • RV campgrounds and broken condominiums are excluded.
  • Wrap financing, seller financing, mezzanine financing, and preferred equity are not permitted.
  • Freddie Mac will not purchase end loans or loans to individual shareholders.

V051722

Request a Quote

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