Single-family rental (SFR) conditions strengthened during the first half of 2026, with rents rising across all 50 of the nation’s largest metros between December 2025 and June 2026. Growth was broad-based but uneven, with many Northeast and Midwest markets outperforming major Sun Belt metros.

Small Balance Market Resiliency Comes into Focus to Start 2019
Ever since the Federal Reserve increased short-term interest rates in the waning days of 2018, the conversation has shifted from when will rates rise again to will the Fed have to lower rates?
Markets currently peg the probability of at least one rate cut in 2019 at about even odds. However, this does not mean a downturn is imminent. By several measures, the economy is performing at its highest capacity of any point since before the financial crisis.
Whether a period of economic weakness is years away or just around the corner, the small balance multifamily sector is projected to remain healthy.
For more on the small balance multifamily sector, read Arbor Chatter’s “Q1 2019 Small Balance Multifamily Investment Trends Report.”
Explore charts and insights, including:
- Lending Volume
- Cap Rates & Spreads
- Interest Rates
- Leverage & Debt Yields