Articles

SFR Investing: A Guide to Seizing the Sector’s Momentum

Single-family rental (SFR) investing is surging as this asset class outperforms. With homeownership less attainable and lifestyle renting more popular, the sector’s tailwinds bode well for long-term growth. If you are new to this space, our guide has answers to commonly asked questions.

Current Reports

Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q2 2025

Bolstered by robust build-to-rent (BTR) activity, the single-family rental (SFR) sector continued to display strength even as the residential housing market moderated. Arbor’s Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q2 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, provides original research and analysis of key performance metrics for investors to take a closer look at a sector on the rise.

Analysis

Small Multifamily Investment Snapshot — June 2025

Amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, the small multifamily sector remains favorably positioned for stability as the structural need for affordable housing in the U.S. has supported the strength of the sector’s demand profile.

Articles

Single-Family Build-to-Rent Starts Remain Robust

As build-to-rent (BTR) demand rises, single-family rental (SFR) development has become more efficient in creating a distinct, community-focused experience for renters. Newly released U.S. Census Bureau data confirms that SFR/BTR development continues to be robust and stable, with its annualized pace of construction in the first quarter of 2025 matching the previous quarter’s tally.

Articles

Top Multifamily Markets for Low Renter Turnover

Tenant retention is a valuable — though sometimes elusive — contributing factor to the strength of a multifamily property. Nationally, 29% of multifamily households signed a third lease for the same unit, according to an analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Locally, renter turnover was lowest in major coastal markets, like New York City, and highest in transient renter markets, like Charleston, SC.

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$18.4M Freddie Mac Permanent Loan to Refinance a BTR Portfolio

54

Units

TN

Knoxville

2022

Year Built

Situation

Haven Realty Capital needed end-to-end financing for a 54-unit built-to-rent (BTR) community in Knoxville, TN. The property was unique in that its individually parceled homes did not have the types of amenities, such as a pool, gym, or clubhouse, commonly found in multifamily real estate. Haven Realty Capital was looking for an innovative and experienced lending partner who could develop a creative solution to secure permanent funding through a Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE).

Arbor Action

On behalf of the borrower, Arbor engaged in extensive conversations with Freddie Mac to develop an out-of-the-box solution to refinance this dedicated rental community with permanent financing. Our team had the pleasure of accompanying several senior representatives of Freddie Mac to Knoxville on a full-day tour of the property. We were delighted to see them determine that this community was a good fit for Freddie Mac multifamily financing because many of its features, including two-car garages, upscale interior design, and premium rental packages, would help attract and retain tenants.

Result

Arbor was uniquely positioned to handle the complexities of this type of BTR transaction from start to finish. Our team was instrumental in helping Freddie Mac understand that this asset was consistent with traditional multifamily deals because it has the potential to attract quality, long-term tenants with wide-ranging amenities. Arbor created a new financing structure that allowed our borrower to purchase and lease up this community of two-story, four-bedroom, paving the way for similarly unique deals in the future. Over the years, Arbor has become one of Haven Realty Capital’s lenders of choice.