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Eight Common Commercial Real Estate Investor Questions

Whether you are just beginning your investing journey or are looking to take your portfolio to the next level, Arbor stands ready with our talented team and decades of expertise. Given our vast experience and national footprint of successful deals, we are familiar with many common commercial real estate investor questions, such as the ones answered in this article.

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Multifamily is Well-Positioned for Short- and Long-Term Growth

With the macroeconomy maintaining its underlying strength and a handful of rate cuts expected by the Fed within the next 18 months, green shoots of optimism within the multifamily sector are multiplying. Even as high interest rates impede normal operations, stabilization is underway while the sector’s long-term prospects remain unwavering. In this deep dive, our research teams will explore the tailwinds underpinning the multifamily sector’s short- and long-term outlook.

Refinance of Existing HUD-Insured Loan

FHA® Interest Rate Reduction (IRR) Refinance of Existing HUD-Insured Loan   Arbor provides this program to reduce the interest rate on qualified existing HUD-insured multifamily loans. The HUD-insured loan remains in place, with reduced payments based on the new rate, the current balance, and the remaining term. The existing prepayment penalty must be paid in full. V041624

Mortgage Insurance for Rental Housing for Urban Renewal and Targeted Redevelopment

FHA®220 Mortgage Insurance for Rental Housing for Urban Renewal and Targeted Redevelopment*   Arbor provides FHA-insured, long-term, fixed rate financing for new construction and substantial rehabilitation of multifamily projects nationwide. This program provides for both construction and permanent financing for projects in urban renewal areas and other areas where local governments have undertaken designated revitalization activities. Applications are typically processed in two stages (preliminary application followed by firm application). Affordable/rental assisted projects and HUDexperienced development teams may request a “straight to firm” application, saving significant time by eliminating the preliminary application stage. V020224

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Regional Construction Trends: Annual Multifamily Completions Surged in the South and West

After the volume of newly issued multifamily permits hit a 37-year high in 2022, multifamily completions surged another 22.3% last year. As the sector continues to gain strength, its growth has remained concentrated in the southern and western regions of the country, according to an analysis of new data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction.

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The Evolving Characteristics of Multifamily Construction

During the post-global financial crisis (GFC) cycle, a disproportionate share of new multifamily construction was of high-rise units in properties with amenities. However, the tides have turned. The rising cost of homeownership has brought the need for more affordable housing development in the U.S. to the top of many legislative agendas. In this deep dive, our research teams utilize data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Construction to show how and why the characteristics of new multifamily properties continue to evolve alongside shifting market needs.

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Video: Growing LGBTQIA+ Visibility in the CRE Industry

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month is recognized in June, but its lessons are timeless. During a recent conversation between Tres Seippel, Director, Construction Management at Arbor, and Dr. Sam Chandan, Founder of Chandan Economics, Founding Director, NYU Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance, and Co-Chair of the Real Estate Pride Council, Seippel shared why it is more important than ever for the industry to embrace visibility and show support for employees who identify as LGBTQIA+ or other diverse backgrounds.

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Ivan Kaufman Points to the COVID-19 Market Favoring Multifamily Investments

CNBC Squawk On the Street Interview With Ivan Kaufman on Current Real Estate Trends

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), one of the largest national mortgage finance lenders in the multifamily sector, has demonstrated strong performance throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The company’s Chairman and CEO Ivan Kaufman spoke with CNBC’s David Faber on “Squawk on the Street,” to shed light on the current state of multifamily and future market projections.

“Because of the government support by Fannie and Freddie providing multifamily financing to this nation, there has been minimal dislocation and normal liquidity,” Kaufman said. He added that interest rates are extraordinarily low, and the market has been active with refinancing as well as a significant reemergence of purchase activity.

Data indicates that thus far, the vast majority of tenants are paying their rent. In addition to the CARES Act and other supplemental payments, Kaufman attributed the positive outcome to a psychological factor in renters. “Their home is their castle. They’re working in their home. They’re living in their home. They are there 24/7. And they are keeping their home protected, so rents have been paid. It’s really a remarkable phenomenon,” he said.

However, the industry leader also warned of the possibility of “a perfect storm,” with the ending of the CARES Act and other governmental assistance, coupled with the expiration of eviction moratoriums. Kaufman pointed out that COVID-19 has accelerated the flight to the suburbs, a trend well underway prior to the pandemic. He noted the course of the viral threat, prolonged unemployment, and the denial of H-1B visas precluding people from coming into the country and occupying apartments could present additional challenges.

Arbor primarily finances affordable workforce housing, a segment which has not been as heavily impacted as other asset classes. “Our portfolio is fairly insulated,” said Kaufman. “In the urban areas where we don’t have a huge concentration, I think that’s where you’re going to have a little bit of an issue. In urban areas, I’d be concerned that there will be some softness.”

Yet even within the COVID-19 environment, aside from industrial, multifamily remains the number one asset class. Kaufman projected a future increase in multifamily property values due to low interest rates, significant cap rate compression and the sector’s ability to weather economic down cycles.

You can view the entire CNBC interview above.

Learn about Arbor’s financing options. Contact Arbor today to find out more about our multifamily products.

For more information on current real estate market trends, check out our Q2 Real Estate Investments Report and the Q2 Multifamily Investment Snapshot on the Chatter Blog.