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.

Articles

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.

Articles

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.

Articles

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.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

Dustin Pevear

Managing Director, Director of Screening
Headshot of Dustin Pevear, Arbor Senior Vice President of Agency Leading Operations
Dustin Pevear brings a broad range of experience into his current role as Managing Director, Director of Screening, which he assumed in 2024. This role brings him full circle, as he joined Arbor in 2008 as a Senior Analyst on the Boston-based Front End Screening team and has since served in underwriting, agency lending and other client-facing departments of the REIT.
 
Mr. Pevear was previously Chief Underwriter of Freddie Mac Small Business Loans (SBL) for three years and was Vice President, Agency Lending Operations for four. His current expertise spans those areas plus deal structuring with a focus on both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as deal management, process development and efficiency enhancement.
 
He is a member of Arbor’s Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Arbor Private Label Loan Committees, and he plays an integral role in helping Arbor establish and grow its position in the marketplace and in building relationships across agency partners. Mr. Pevear also contributed to Arbor’s Be the Best You can Be video series, in which he advised emerging talent at the firm.
 
Prior to joining Arbor, Mr. Pevear spent several years as a financial analyst with Digitas North America. He received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Boston College.

Grow Your Career at Arbor

Arbor employs exceptional individuals with a strong foundation to achieve success in their career.

Careers