Small multifamily lending activity rose during the first half of 2026. According to the latest Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report from Arbor Realty Trust and Chandan Economics, originations on loans with original balances between $1 million and $9 million reached an annualized pace of $71.6 billion through the second quarter. At this pace, originations are running 2.8% above the $69.6 billion total for 2025, placing small multifamily on pace for a third consecutive annual increase.
Research Reports
Top Markets for Multifamily Investment
from Arbor & Chandan Economics
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Arbor’s Top Markets for Multifamily Investment series provides a cross-market performance comparison of the top 50 metros in the U.S. Published annually, these reports reveal the leading metros in the U.S. for large multifamily investment in categories such as population growth, labor market performance, and renter demographics.
Large Multifamily Investment Archives
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Spring 2026 data analysis of 50 largest U.S metropolitan areas pinpoints the most attractive locations for investment.
As headwinds fade and transaction volume rises, market knowledge is a critical advantage to commercial real estate investors. The Arbor Realty Trust-Chandan Economics Multifamily Opportunity Matrix analyzed a wide range of factors within the 50 largest U.S. metros to assess market strength and durability.
Even as macroeconomic uncertainties persist nationally, many large metropolitan markets have made positive gains this year.
In an otherwise uneven economic environment, multifamily real estate and other investment classes adept at absorbing inflationary pressures have outperformed the rest.
With elevated interest rates and volatility becoming the new normal, the risk vs. opportunity assessments of individual markets have shifted as domestic migration and insurance market corrections have changed the calculus.
An annual cross-market comparison of the top 50 U.S. metros for large multifamily investment that offers a look at potential hotspots for investment.