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.

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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.

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SFR Rent Growth: Top Markets and Leading Regions

Elevated mortgage interest rates and high home prices boosted demand for single-family rentals (SFR) last year, supporting the growth of rents in almost all of the 100 largest metropolitan areas. Pricing momentum, which averaged 4.5% nationally, was concentrated in affordable markets in the Northeast and Midwest, an analysis of Zillow’s Observed Rent Index data shows.

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Build-to-Rent’s Robust Activity Settles into Stable Pattern

Increasingly, single-family rental (SFR) operators have been relying on build-to-rent (BTR) development to satisfy their inventory needs. The popularity of BTR communities made economies of scale possible for the SFR sector in the recovery after the 2007 housing crisis and continues to fill a housing need nationwide. Now, newly released U.S. Census Bureau data shows that SFR development activity remained robust even as its momentum slowed, moving the sector into a more stable equilibrium.

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Home | In the News | Arbor's Ivan Kaufman Discusses Commercial Real Estate Returning to Normal on CNN

Arbor’s Ivan Kaufman Discusses Commercial Real Estate Returning to Normal on CNN

Friday, September 25, 2020
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Ivan Kaufman talks commercial real estate and housing market on CNN Business

Arbor’s CEO Forecasts Commercial Real Estate’s Recovery from COVID-19

Ivan Kaufman, the founder, chairman and CEO of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), was interviewed on CNN Business “Markets Now.” Sharing his views that commercial real estate will emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, he said, “It’s not all doom and gloom. It’s an adjustment.”

In the article “Commercial Real Estate Flounders as Housing Market Booms,” reporter Paul R. La Monica contrasted the pandemic’s impacts on housing compared to other real estate asset classes.

Kaufman noted that the hospitality and retail sectors have taken a devastating hit. However, he opined that people will return to their offices. The article stated, “Kaufman said that many big tech companies, which have done well during the pandemic, are still committed to having people come to physical offices occasionally instead of doing all work remotely.” With major urban markets being some of the most impacted labor markets by COVID-19, this return to offices will help them ease back into normalcy.

“The complete elimination of offices is not happening. Many companies realize they still need them even though demand may be softer,” Kaufman told CNN.

He also predicted that the reopening of schools will be a factor in the return to normalcy. He pointed out parents can more readily return to their offices, after kids are routinely back in their classrooms.

The article covered more of retail’s challenges, with Brookfield Property Partners laying off 20% of its retail division due to the decline in shopping malls. However, La Monica also reported that essential retail with strong online, takeout and delivery services, along with the industrial sector, are thriving.

Read the complete article here.

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For more information on multifamily in today’s economy, check out Arbor’s Chatter blog. Contact Arbor to learn about our multifamily loan products.

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