From California to Maui, the frequency and scope of wildfire events are rising, causing insurance markets and public agencies to reevaluate property in areas at risk for catastrophic damage. As a result, rental housing providers are seeing greater limitations to coverage, higher premium prices, and, in some cases, a total absence of viable private insurance — a trend detailed in the NMHC 2023 State of Multifamily Risk Survey and Report. This troubling new trend has placed many rental housing operators in a bind where they must simultaneously contend with the declining availability and affordability of insurance options.

Small Balance Lending Surges Through First Half of 2019
Small balance multifamily lending volume in the first half of 2019 totaled $58.5 billion on an annualized basis, representing a 7.9% gain from 2018’s total.
Whether the macroeconomic and real estate cycle continues to lengthen or we begin to see signs of a market correction, we can expect the small balance market to hold steady as lenders continue to maintain conservative underwriting. In the interim, favorable interest rates will elevate refinancing activity, and the sector’s continued maturation and increased agency support will continue to promote liquidity in the space.
For more insights on the small balance multifamily sector, read Arbor Chatter’s “Q2 2019 Small Balance Multifamily Investment Trends Report.”
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