Features

Construction Firms Grapple with Economic Uncertainty, NMHC Survey Shows

by Channing Hamilton April 7, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Economic uncertainty has continued to be a primary concern for multifamily construction and development firms. More than half say current and future projects have experienced construction delays, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council’s (NMHC) Quarterly Survey of Construction & Development Activity. Fifty-eight percent of respondents stated they had experienced construction delays between January and March in the jurisdictions in which they operate. The most frequently cited causes for delays were economic uncertainty (68 percent) and economic feasibility (68 percent); followed by permitting, entitlement and professional services (58 percent); availability of construction …

April 7, 2025

Features Finance From the Magazines Investment Sales Midwest Northeast Southeast Texas Western

As Mortgage Rates Drop, Expect 1031 Exchange Deals to Pop

by Channing Hamilton April 7, 2025

For most of 2024, relatively high property values combined with rising interest rates priced buyers out of the market for new commercial and residential real estate acquisitions. This slowdown has not only impacted investors and homeowners, but it’s also affected the entire real estate industry — from lenders to appraisers, brokers, law firms, title insurance companies and beyond. Because Section 1031 exchange activity moves in lockstep with the real estate investment cycle, activity for qualified intermediaries has slowed as well. Section 1031 exchanges traditionally have been used by investors to …

April 7, 2025

Features From the Magazines Operations Technology

Managed Wi-Fi Poised to Surge Due to Combination of Factors

by Channing Hamilton March 28, 2025

Property owners are learning how to provide fast internet at their communities for good reason. According to a 2024 renter preferences survey by the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and Grace Hill, high-speed internet is one of the top requirements for renters today. Ninety percent of respondents said they would not rent without it. Lisa Clark, senior director, MDU sales, with Lumos goes a step further, calling internet the “fourth utility,” behind water, electricity and gas. Consistently strong internet doesn’t just power remote work and streaming services, it’s the fuel …

March 28, 2025

Features Northeast Operations Washington, D.C.

NMHC: High Insurance Costs Worsen U.S. Housing Affordability Crisis

by Channing Hamilton March 18, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rising insurance costs are standing in the way of building more affordable housing. According to a survey from the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), about 77 percent of owner/developer firms reported rate increases of up to 20 percent or more compared with 2023 costs. NMHC’s 2024 State of Multifamily Risk Report attributes the high costs to a variety of factors, including increased cost valuation, limited capacity within the reinsurance market, shrinking underwriting capacity and restricted availability of guaranteed cost/zero deductible programs. Previous NMHC research, such as the 2023 State of …

March 18, 2025

Features From the Magazines Operations Technology

Access Control Moves Closer to Full Digitization

by Channing Hamilton March 17, 2025

When it comes to access control and security at multifamily communities, the mechanical lock-and-key system is as old and reliable as ever. However, many property owner-operators are in search of a more advanced security solution and are increasingly turning to digital access control to satisfy that demand. A digital access control system is a technology-based system to regulate who can access a property and when. There are two types of digital access control systems: online and offline. An offline access control system does not require Wi-Fi or cellular network connectivity. …

March 17, 2025

Features Finance From the Magazines Investment Sales Midwest Texas Western

Why 1031 Investors Are Diversifying Their Strategies

by Channing Hamilton March 14, 2025

Securing replacement properties that make financial sense when executing conventional 1031 exchanges has required some investors to expand their horizons, whether by geography or asset selection. Apartment owner and asset manager RailField Partners, for example, last summer entered the Midwest market for the first time when it purchased the Hangar at Emerson, a 218-unit multifamily asset in suburban Indianapolis. The Bethesda, Maryland-based company, which was founded by former Fannie Mae executives in 2013, up to that point had largely focused on a dozen markets in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Texas, …

March 14, 2025

The investment sales brokerage panel at InterFace Texas Workforce & Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing Conference Coverage Features Investment Sales

InterFace Panel: Texas Affordable Housing Sales Volume Should Rebound Marginally in 2025

by Channing Hamilton March 7, 2025

DALLAS — As is the case for many commercial asset classes and markets in 2025, there is an expectation of elevated deal volume for investment sales of affordable housing properties in Texas. But brokers in that space caution that the rebound will likely be marginal and is not necessarily indicative of ideal market conditions taking hold. A quintet of panelists broke down this notion and others at the InterFace Texas Affordable & Workforce Housing conference on Feb. 13 at the Westin Galleria Dallas hotel. Mary Ann Bennett, senior managing director …

March 7, 2025

Features Finance From the Magazines Investment Sales Midwest Northeast Southeast Texas Western

Stage Set for Late-Year Uplift in 1031 Deals

by Channing Hamilton March 3, 2025

Late last summer, optimism ran steady across the multifamily investment sales market. Prior to the Federal Reserve’s initial rate cut in September 2024, interest rates had remained stable throughout the year. The outlook was positive. But that more ebullient market proved temporary. The Fed’s interest rate cut had a positive effect on the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR), which fell from 5.3 percent on Sept. 18, 2024, to 4.3 percent in early February 2025. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose during the same period. On Sept. 18, 2024, the 10-year …

March 3, 2025

Resident Retention at Risk webinar panelists

Features Industry Content Leasing & Marketing Midwest Northeast Operations Southeast Student Housing Technology Texas Western

Webinar: Resident Retention at Risk — How to Prevent Quiet Leaving

by Sarah Daniels February 28, 2025

The Feb. 25 webinar “Resident Retention at Risk — How to Prevent Quiet Leaving,” sponsored by Opiniion, brought together industry experts to discuss the most pressing challenges in multifamily and student housing and their strategies to improve resident satisfaction and retention. This one-hour discussion explored key factors influencing move-outs, including communication gaps, maintenance concerns and lease renewal hesitations. Speakers shared insights on effective property management strategies, community-building initiatives and engagement tactics that drive resident loyalty. The session highlighted best practices for feedback collection, strategic development and the role of online …

February 28, 2025

Features Leasing & Marketing Operations

Owners Embrace Ancillary Income, Despite Risk

by Channing Hamilton February 24, 2025

In today’s market, rent increases are no longer enough for many multifamily owners and operators to successfully turn a profit at their properties. Ancillary income has always been part of the apartment revenue model. However, to overcome the challenges of increasing labor costs and the elevated cost of living, it has become more essential than ever for property managers to establish revenue streams beyond the monthly rental rate. “Ancillary income gives property owners a way to cover the costs of services or items provided to residents without raising the rent …

February 24, 2025

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