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.
Arbor’s summer internship program is a key part of our ongoing initiative to nurture talent and shape future leaders through programs, such as Fannie Mae’s DUS Summer Series, and networking opportunities.
This year’s data show that while multifamily completions moderated from 2024’s elevated pace, the sector’s shift toward larger properties continued. At the same time, larger has not necessarily meant taller, as lower-rise buildings continue to account for most new multifamily completions.
The single-family rental (SFR) sector continued to demonstrate resilience through early 2026, supported by stable occupancy, positive rent growth, and improving capital markets activity.
In his latest Arbor Realty Trust video, Dr. Sam Chandan, a leading commercial real estate scholar, shares his insights into the findings of our latest Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics. The noted NYU professor outlines the market-level results of the Arbor-Chandan Opportunity Matrix, which spotlights multifamily markets that offer optimal value to commercial real estate investors.
Generation Z’s potential for household formation could soon reshape many U.S. metropolitan areas. From McAllen, TX, to Hartford, CT, explore the top multifamily markets where rental demand is set to rise as Gen Z leaves the nest.
Indianapolis ranked as the top multifamily investment market in the U.S., in the latest Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report from Arbor Realty Trust and Chandan Economics. The market has been supported by strong labor market conditions, tight occupancy levels, and a favorable affordability profile.
Arbor Realty Trust colleagues mentored more than 50 students this spring during two Project Destined programs designed to provide young professionals with insight into the inner workings of commercial real estate.
Small multifamily lending volume jumped to $57.8 billion on an annualized basis, the highest level of activity in Chandan Economics’ post-crisis model estimates.
At the same time, small multifamily prices grew 6.6% year over year, driving cap rates down to 5.8%. The small multifamily sector is benefiting from persistent demand growth. As long as risk-taking remains at an appropriate threshold, small multifamily is poised to maintain healthy performance.
Download the full report, “Q3 2019 Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report,” for key insights on the sector, including: