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Top Markets for Rental Demand Growth

Population growth, a critical factor in assessing rental housing demand, increased 0.9% in the U.S. during 2024, the fastest annual rate since 2008. However, growth rates were much higher for many markets, especially those in Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas. As first explored in Arbor’s Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report Spring 2025, we dive deeper into metro-level population growth in markets with at least 500,000 residents to find the nation’s top markets for rental housing demand growth.

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Arbor Recognized for Excellence from Agency Partners

Arbor’s platform of diverse multifamily financing solutions, combined with our strong industry relationships and our commitment to accuracy and close collaboration with our government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) partners, drives us to the top of the multifamily lender rankings year after year. Through decades-long relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA, our best-in-class team delivered results for our borrowers in 2024, propelling Arbor to the top of the partner rankings.

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Renters See Apartments as ‘Forever Homes’

Today’s renters are in it for the long haul. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s recently released 2025 SCE Housing Survey shows that the average renter thinks there is a two-in-three chance they will rent for the foreseeable future. With home prices and interest rates unfavorable to would-be homebuyers, we explore renters’ perceptions and how they could impact future rental housing demand.

Current Reports

Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report Spring 2025

Arbor’s Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report Spring 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, is your roadmap to the best locations to deploy capital. Based on the findings of our exclusive Multifamily Opportunity Matrix, this in-depth analysis assesses economic strength and market capabilities to navigate evolving conditions of the top 50 largest U.S. metros.

Research

Arbor’s data-driven articles and research reports empower multifamily and single-family rental investors and developers to make more profitable financial decisions.

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Renters Account for Majority of Household Growth

The number of rental households climbed nearly 2% last year, as 848,000 more households became renters, an analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancies and Homeownership Survey shows (Chart 1). Rental households also hit a new high of 45.3 million, accounting for more than half of all U.S. household growth in 2024. Weakening affordability, evolving lifestyle preferences, and a limited supply of quality housing all contributed to surging multifamily and single-family rental (SFR) demand.

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Solar Panel Usage Accelerates in Rental Properties

Solar panel installations, which skyrocketed in the U.S. over the last half-century, are projected to double to 10 million in just six years. While installations soared in all types of residences, owner-occupied properties significantly outpaced rentals. However, the evolving economics of solar power may be approaching a tipping point for single-family rental (SFR) operators looking for a differentiator.

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Home | Resources & Press | Arbor Announces the Appointment of Maysa Vahidi as EVP, General Counsel

Arbor Announces the Appointment of Maysa Vahidi as EVP, General Counsel

UNIONDALE, NY (June 6, 2022) – Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), a real estate investment trust and national direct lender specializing in loan origination and servicing for multifamily, single-family rental (SFR) portfolios, seniors housing, healthcare, and other diverse commercial real estate assets, is pleased to announce the appointment of Maysa Vahidi, Executive Vice President, General Counsel.

Ms. Vahidi is responsible for all of Arbor’s corporate legal activities, including providing appropriate legal support on corporate matters, M&A and related transactions, capital markets activity, treasury functions, human resources, marketing, information technology, litigation and all other regulatory issues. She assumes the role from John Bishar, who will now serve as Senior Counsel for a transitional period of time, while continuing as Arbor’s Corporate Secretary for the Board of Directors.

“We look forward to having Maysa as part of our executive team. She comes to Arbor with experience across all facets of real estate, financing and corporate law,” said Ivan Kaufman, Chairman and CEO of Arbor Realty Trust. “We welcome her vast legal expertise across all functions of our business.”

Prior to joining Arbor, Ms. Vahidi served as Associate General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Rockwood Capital, where she provided legal oversight for acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, financings, as well as fundraising, investor relations and corporate governance matters. Ms. Vahidi’s other past work experience includes practicing law at King & Spalding, LLP, as well as Cahill Gordon & Reindel, representing financial institutions in real estate capital markets transactions.

Additionally, Ms. Vahidi is involved in a number of social and civic organizations in New York City and is active in children’s causes including an affiliation with The New York Foundling. She is also a member of the She Builds Committee. Ms. Vahidi holds both a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from New York University, College of Arts & Sciences and a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law.

About Us
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) is a nationwide real estate investment trust and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for multifamily, single-family rental (SFR) portfolios, and other diverse commercial real estate assets. Headquartered in Uniondale, New York, Arbor manages a multi-billion-dollar servicing portfolio, specializing in government-sponsored enterprise products. Arbor is a leading Fannie Mae DUS® lender, Freddie Mac Optigo® Seller/Servicer, and an approved FHA Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) lender. Arbor’s product platform also includes bridge, CMBS, mezzanine, and preferred equity loans. Rated by Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, Arbor is committed to building on its reputation for service, quality, and customized solutions with an unparalleled dedication to providing our clients excellence over the entire life of a loan.

Maysa Vahidi EVP, General Counsel at Arbor

Maysa Vahidi – EVP, General Counsel

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