Articles

Top Markets for Rental Demand Growth

Population growth, a critical factor in assessing rental housing demand, increased 0.9% in the U.S. during 2024, the fastest annual rate since 2008. However, growth rates were much higher for many markets, especially those in Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas. As first explored in Arbor’s Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report Spring 2025, we dive deeper into metro-level population growth in markets with at least 500,000 residents to find the nation’s top markets for rental housing demand growth.

Articles

Arbor Recognized for Excellence from Agency Partners

Arbor’s platform of diverse multifamily financing solutions, combined with our strong industry relationships and our commitment to accuracy and close collaboration with our government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) partners, drives us to the top of the multifamily lender rankings year after year. Through decades-long relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA, our best-in-class team delivered results for our borrowers in 2024, propelling Arbor to the top of the partner rankings.

Articles

Renters See Apartments as ‘Forever Homes’

Today’s renters are in it for the long haul. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s recently released 2025 SCE Housing Survey shows that the average renter thinks there is a two-in-three chance they will rent for the foreseeable future. With home prices and interest rates unfavorable to would-be homebuyers, we explore renters’ perceptions and how they could impact future rental housing demand.

Current Reports

Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report Spring 2025

Arbor’s Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report Spring 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, is your roadmap to the best locations to deploy capital. Based on the findings of our exclusive Multifamily Opportunity Matrix, this in-depth analysis assesses economic strength and market capabilities to navigate evolving conditions of the top 50 largest U.S. metros.

Research

Arbor’s data-driven articles and research reports empower multifamily and single-family rental investors and developers to make more profitable financial decisions.

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.

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.

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