The single-family rental (SFR) sector’s performance surged again last quarter, demonstrating its ability to thrive in all economic cycles. SFR construction continued its record-breaking ascent as CMBS activity blossomed. Arbor’s Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q3 2024, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, examines the sector’s fundamentals as would-be homeowners weigh the rent-vs-buy calculation.
Did you know that at the same time many renters navigate a housing market with limited affordable options, new apartment development continues to be held back by World War II-era zoning restrictions? In many localities, regulations introduced in the mid-1940s have choked the multifamily pipeline for decades, creating a “missing middle” that leaves low-income renters in a lurch.
Increasingly, single-family rental (SFR) operators have been relying on build-to-rent (BTR) development to bridge the housing gap, accelerating the momentum of SFR construction through 2024’s halfway point. Both total SFR/BTR housing starts and BTR’s share of all single-family housing starts reached new record highs in the second quarter, setting the stage for another banner year.
The small multifamily outlook continues to brighten as more signs indicate a normalization has already begun. In the second quarter, originations activity and borrowing conditions improved as completions sat at a five-decade high, Arbor’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q3 2024, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, shows. While the subsector’s fundamentals are trending up, it still has room for growth when interest rate relief arrives.
While the overall pace of new multifamily permitting per capita in the U.S. slowed recently, it has picked up momentum in pockets of the country, especially the Midwest. In the first two quarters of 2024, Madison, WI, Columbus, OH, and Omaha, NE, were among the major metropolitan markets posting solid permitting gains, another sign of multifamily’s strength in all cycles.
The U.S. multifamily market followed the quick pandemic contraction with a strong recovery, and has now normalized into a more stable cycle. Demand remained strong across the country, with a wide variety of markets among the leaders for rent growth.
Did you know that more U.S. renters now spend over 30% of their income on housing and utilities than at any other time on record? Limited affordable housing options not only increase the rent burdens of low-income tenants but disrupt physical and mental health, underscoring the need for the creation and preservation of more affordable housing units nationwide. Quality affordable housing adds stability to communities and supports healthier environments that can significantly improve well-being.
For 30 years, Uniondale, NY-based Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ABR) has helped multifamily and commercial real estate clients achieve their financial goals by focusing on growing long-term relationships and conducting business as not simply another real estate lender, but as a partner – as we believe that the right financial partner is worth a thousand words.
Top 10 lender by volume for more than a decade and a repeat Top Small Loans Lender.
Approved Freddie Mac Seller/Servicer and a Top Small Balance Loan Lender.
Shorter-term, one-stop shop financing for multifamily and commercial assets positioned for permanent take-out.
HUD-approved MAP, LIHTC & Lean Lender for multifamily, seniors and healthcare.
Arbor provides long-term Fannie Mae and HUD-insured financing solutions for the creation and preservation of affordable housing.
Bridge, Permanent and Build-to-Rent loan solutions through Arbor’s proprietary platform.
Solutions used in conjunction with new or existing commercial loan financing to help in completing all the components of the capital stack.
Efficient and transparent online loan origination and processing.
Experienced servicing division that oversees a multibillion-dollar portfolio and is rated by S&P and Fitch for commercial and special servicing.
