Articles

Renters Reassess Homeownership as Affordability Challenges Persist

Homeownership has been an aspiration of generations of Americans, but elevated prices, mortgage rates, and financing hurdles are complicating the typical path to owning a home. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s 2026 Survey of Consumer Expectations Housing Survey, renters are continuing to experience difficulty with mortgage financing and have more measured views about homeownership’s current investment potential. As households reassess the housing market, rental housing demand is the beneficiary.

Current Reports

Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q2 2026

Arbor Realty Trust’s latest Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, evaluates what’s driving this sector’s ongoing stability as macroeconomic conditions remain mixed. Loan originations rose last quarter, and valuations are rebounding, signaling that normalization is taking hold.

Articles

Where Labor Market Momentum Outpaces the National Average

Labor market conditions are a foundational driver of rental housing demand, influencing tenant stability and household growth. While the national pace of hiring has moderated, the economies of many metropolitan areas continue to outperform. Expanding on Arbor’s latest Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report, our research teams highlight the local dynamics supporting growth in several of the country’s strongest-performing multifamily markets.

Analysis

U.S. Multifamily Market Snapshot — May 2026

The U.S. multifamily sector continued to build momentum at the start of 2026. Rent growth moved into positive territory, and a moderating construction pipeline showed that vacancy may have reached its cycle peak.

Articles

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Rank Arbor Among Top Multifamily Lenders for 2025

Arbor’s track record of top finishes across multifamily agency rankings reflects the depth of our financing capabilities, the strength of our industry partnerships, and our disciplined, detail-driven approach to execution. Longstanding relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) — built over many years of close collaboration — enable our team to deliver strong borrower outcomes across market cycles, reinforcing Arbor’s position as one of the top multifamily lenders in 2025.

Articles

Senior Renters Prefer Multifamily Housing and City Living

Senior renters are increasingly choosing multifamily housing, with more than half now living in these rental properties, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Where they live — both by property type and by metropolitan area — provides insight into how housing preferences, local market conditions, and migration patterns shape rental housing demand.

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Research

Multifamily Articles and Reports

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

Articles
  • Renters Reassess Homeownership as Affordability Challenges Persist
    Homeownership has been an aspiration of generations of Americans, but elevated prices, mortgage rates, and financing hurdles are complicating the typical path to owning a home. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s 2026 Survey of Consumer Expectations Housing S...
  • Top U.S. Multifamily Rent Growth Markets — May 2026
    Over the past 12 months, the leading rent growth markets spanned multiple regions, each exhibiting distinct strengths and characteristics.
  • Where Labor Market Momentum Outpaces the National Average
    Labor market conditions are a foundational driver of rental housing demand, influencing tenant stability and household growth. While the national pace of hiring has moderated, the economies of many metropolitan areas continue to outperform. Expanding on Arbor’s latest Top Ma...
  • U.S. Multifamily Market Snapshot — May 2026
    The U.S. multifamily sector continued to build momentum at the start of 2026. Rent growth moved into positive territory, and a moderating construction pipeline showed that vacancy may have reached its cycle peak.
  • Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Rank Arbor Among Top Multifamily Lenders…
    Arbor’s track record of top finishes across multifamily agency rankings reflects the depth of our financing capabilities, the strength of our industry partnerships, and our disciplined, detail-driven approach to execution. Longstanding relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie ...
  • Senior Renters Prefer Multifamily Housing and City Living
    Senior renters are increasingly choosing multifamily housing, with more than half now living in these rental properties, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Where they live — both by property type and by metropolitan area — provides...
View All Articles
Research Reports
  • Finance & Investment, Research, Small Multifamily
    Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q2 2026
    Cap Rates and Valuations Rebound as Lending Remains Steady
  • Finance & Investment, Research
    Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report Spring 2026
    Spring 2026 data analysis of 50 largest U.S metropolitan areas pinpoints the most attractive locations for investment.
  • Latest, Special Reports
    Special Report Spring 2026
    After proving its resilience, the multifamily real estate sector is positioned to thrive in the next growth cycle. While uncertainties persist and risks remain, new federal policies and long-awaited interest rate relief have brought optimistic investors back to the table with a new sense of urgency.
  • Finance & Investment, Research, Single-Family Rental
    Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q1 2026
    Arbor Realty Trust's Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q1 2026, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, includes exclusive data and expert analysis on new developments in the SFR sector.
  • Finance & Investment, Research, Small Multifamily
    Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q1 2026
    Small Multifamily Lending Activity Accelerates as Loan Maturities Reshape Cap Rates
  • Finance & Investment, Research, Single-Family Rental
    Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q4 2025
    Arbor Realty Trust's Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, includes exclusive data and expert analysis on new developments in the SFR sector.
View All Research Reports

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