Articles

Small Multifamily Extends Quarterly Valuation Gains

Small multifamily assets have begun to settle into a consistent pattern of growth following two years of price corrections. Building on the findings of Arbor Realty Trust’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, our research teams look more closely at recent pricing trends and the factors driving the turnaround.

Articles

FHFA Loan Caps for 2026: What Multifamily Borrowers Need to Know

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced a $30 billion boost to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s volume cap for loan purchases in 2026 to $176 billion ($88 billion for each agency). This increase in FHFA loan caps for 2026 aligns with industry expectations, given the anticipation of improving market conditions and lending activity expected in a lower interest rate environment. Next year’s cap for the Government-Sponsored Entities (GSEs) is an increase of approximately 20% from the $146 billion limit set for 2025.

Current Reports

Affordable Housing Trends Report Fall 2025

As the cost of living in the U.S. climbs, the shortage of affordable housing is a persistent challenge for many communities. While progress has been uneven to date, Arbor Realty Trust and Chandan Economics document federal and state initiatives aimed at creating positive change. In a sector known for its strength, stability, and consistency, new and old affordable housing opportunities are converging as the nation accelerates construction.

Conventional Forwards

FRDDIE MAC® Conventional Forwards   Arbor’s Freddie Mac® Conventional Forwards encourage the creation of new housing supply by providing takeout certainty to developers and construction lenders, helping to address long-term supply shortages that limit affordability and housing choice. In an evolving multifamily lending environment, our Conventional Forwards provide clarity to the terms of the permanent debt needed when a property stabilizes after new construction or major rehabilitation.

Current Reports

Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025

Arbor Realty Trust’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, outlines the long-term positives reinforcing the sector’s growth amid macroeconomic uncertainty. With capital market activity poised to increase, small multifamily’s healthy fundamentals position it to trend higher in the next cycle.

Borrower FAQs

Find answers to common questions about multifamily and single-family rental real estate financing.

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David E. Friedman

Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer and Head of Non-Agency Production & Syndications

David Friedman is Arbor’s Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer and Head of Non-Agency Production & Syndications. He joined Arbor in February 2022 as Executive Vice President responsible for leading Arbor’s loan-syndicated lending platform tasked with the development of its strategic partnerships for loan origination and establishing access to new sources of capital, as well as managing and growing existing relationships to fund Arbor’s business needs. In May 2024, David was given expanded responsibilities and named as Chief Credit Officer and Head of Non-Agency Production & Syndications. As Chief Credit Officer, David sets go-forward credit policy for all lines of business, excluding Agency, and has day-to-day responsibility, oversight, and decision-making authority over Arbor’s credit function and process for new originations on Structured Finance, Residential Financing (SFR and BTR), and Non-Agency Lending and Investments platforms. As Head of Non-Agency Production & Syndications, David has oversight and responsibility for: Arbor Private Label (APL), Arbor Private Investment (API), Arbor Private Construction (APC), Mezzanine Debt Lending and Preferred Equity Investments. In addition to those responsibilities, David continues to lead the firm’s direction in syndicated and capital markets and mortgage-related fund formation efforts.

Bringing over two decades of experience in commercial real estate lending, origination, credit, and directing syndication efforts at institutional groups, David is adept at successfully establishing and managing multiple programs. Prior to Arbor, he held leadership roles at financial powerhouses such as Greystone, TD Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and PNC Bank.

David holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Finance & Investment from NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Babson College.

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