Articles

Why Top Multifamily Lenders Practice Disciplined Underwriting

Every multifamily lender says it underwrites conservatively, but few follow a truly disciplined approach. Arbor Realty Trust’s own record is a case in point, with 19 consecutive years in the Top 10 Fannie Mae Multifamily DUS Lenders, a top-three ranking in Freddie Mac’s Conventional Small program, and an upgraded Commercial Special Servicer rating from Fitch Ratings in January 2026.

Investment

Special Report Fall 2026

Arbor Realty Trust’s Special Report Fall 2026, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, leverages data-driven research to detail the state of the rental housing market. Amid headwinds, multifamily remained resilient in a selective investment environment favoring disciplined underwriting and market selection. Attractive entry points for well-positioned investors continue to populate the road ahead.

Analysis

U.S. Multifamily Market Snapshot — September 2026

The U.S. multifamily market remains on stable footing in a mixed macroeconomic climate. Rent growth continued to trend upward through the second quarter, while apartment fundamentals remained resilient amid slowing employment growth and elevated vacancies.

Current Reports

Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q3 2026

Arbor’s latest Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report highlights how this commercial real estate sector performed resiliently in the face of adversity last quarter. Even as policy uncertainty created new headwinds, firm operating fundamentals drove SFR forward.

Articles

Build-to-Rent Activity Remained Elevated Amid Policy Uncertainty

Build-to-rent (BTR) development remained resilient in a complicated operating environment last quarter as production continued to normalize, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau data. Despite political uncertainty, higher capital costs, and other headwinds, BTR maintained a historically high share of new single-family construction.

Articles

Where Multifamily Permitting is Intensifying and Accelerating

While national multifamily permitting stabilizes, the authorization of new apartment buildings with five or more units has become more heavily concentrated in smaller, rapidly growing metropolitan areas. From Durham, NC, to Fayetteville, AR, and Raleigh, NC, new U.S. Census Bureau data reveal where multifamily permitting was most concentrated and where it was accelerating fastest in the first half of 2026.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

Home | Resources & Press | Arbor Co-Funds Emerald Empire’s Pangea Properties Chicago Acquisition

Arbor Co-Funds Emerald Empire’s Pangea Properties Chicago Acquisition

UNIONDALE, NY (December 23, 2022) – Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), a leading multifamily and commercial mortgage lender, recently co-funded one of the largest Fannie Mae Structured Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (SARM) loans of 2022 in support of New York-based Emerald Empire’s acquisition of Pangea Properties’ Chicago portfolio.

The deal was primarily financed by Arbor Realty Trust. NewPoint Real Estate Capital also participated in the transaction.

The sale spans several hundred properties and thousands of units, of which 97% are considered “affordable” at 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). The deal also provides career continuity for Pangea Properties’ Chicago-area employees, who will be kept on to manage the properties for Emerald.

“The transaction is representative of the strong social commitment to the provision and preservation of affordable housing shared by both Fannie Mae and Arbor Realty Trust, as well as by Emerald Empire,” said Ivan Kaufman, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Arbor Realty Trust. “We have been a Top 10 Fannie Mae DUS® Multifamily Lender for more than a decade, and the longstanding relationships across our teams equip us to close major transactions in support of housing affordability for urban families.”

To support the mission-driven goal of creating equitable financial opportunities for renters by sharing their on-time rent payments with the three major credit bureaus for incorporation in the renters’ credit profiles, this portfolio of properties will become participants in Fannie Mae’s innovative Multifamily Positive Rent Payment Reporting pilot program.

“Fannie Mae is proud to have worked with Arbor Realty Trust on this impactful transaction” said Michele Evans, Executive Vice president and Head of Multifamily, Fannie Mae. “In addition to providing affordable housing in Chicago, this deal also provides positive rent payment reporting, offering residents opportunities to build credit.”

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 multibillion-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.

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