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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.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

Ivan Kaufman Talks Housing on Bloomberg TV: Perfect, Positive Storm

Arbor Realty Trust’s CEO explains COVID-19’s current and future impacts on multifamily housing

Ivan Kaufman, the founder, chairman and CEO of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), described today’s “perfect, positive storm for housing,” in a Bloomberg TV interview. “Low interest rates, people moving out of the urban areas, people buying homes – that’s why the housing market is on fire,” he said. “All those factors are working well together.”

On the program, “What’d You Miss?” the head of one of the most prolific multifamily lenders in the country explained why COVID-19 did not create a wave of massive foreclosures. Instead, it accelerated an even greater demand for suburban products.

With Arbor’s exceptional third-quarter performance, again increasing earnings and dividend, he shared his expertise on the multifamily market trends, eight months into the pandemic. He also provided prudent advice in forecasting what lies ahead.

“All the fundamentals still remain very good for multifamily,” said Kaufman. “There’s a little bit of softness with the Class A high-rises, new product, because a substantial number of tenants are moving to the suburbs. But overall, the asset class is performing extraordinarily well.”

Supplemented by the CARES Act and sheltering at home, tenants were spending less money. People are protecting their homes, where they are working and living. They’re making their payments, so their daily lives are not interrupted, he stated.

The head of the publicly traded REIT anticipates a second stimulus package. He acknowledged that awaiting the next round of federal assistance could be painful for some tenants. Yet, Kaufman opined that, in general, renters and homeowners would be in good shape.

However, he expressed concern for major urban gateway markets, including New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He pointed out that these are some of the labor markets most impacted by COVID-19, with many people leaving and not returning to those particular areas, and where new units are being delivered. “We expect there to be a reasonable amount of softness in those markets, specifically with market-rate apartments. You’ll see some concessions and a disproportionate amount of vacancies in those areas. That should last through next September.”

In addition, universities have remained closed. He added that students not returning to urban campuses will further delay a rebounding to economic normalcy in those areas.

In predicting an 11-month recovery, the leading real estate executive provided two-fold considerations for investors and operators. “Number one, you’ve got to carry the assets you buy through now until September,” he said. “Second, what is the recovery level going to be?” To truly understand investment markets, he emphasized the need to calculate future rents, occupancy and taxes.

Watch the complete Bloomberg TV interview in the video above.