Industry Voices

Sam Adams KeyBanc

Today, the inverted yield curve has created challenges for borrowers to secure debt. The curve describes the condition when long-term U.S. Treasury debt interest rates are less than short-term interest rates. This is particularly evident in the cost of capital for construction loans. Despite these challenges, sophisticated and experienced affordable housing debt providers are finding creative solutions to meet borrower needs. In particular, borrowers are taking advantage of the lower-cost option of tax-exempt bonds, primarily funded by institutional municipal capital providers instead of only looking to commercial banks. Balancing Taxable …

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Brendan Kelly

Most people who have studied real estate investing will recall that property expenses are divided into controllable and noncontrollable buckets. In the noncontrollable bin are items like insurance, utilities and property taxes. And while it is true that these expenses usually are unavoidable, an owner should try to exert some level of control, at least in the case of taxes.  Taxing entities calculate property taxes by multiplying a property’s assessment by its jurisdiction’s tax rate. The rate is indeed noncontrollable, but savvy owners will review their assessments and challenge them …

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Joe Stampone

All the talk in multifamily circles in 2023 and throughout 2024 has been about the impending “maturity wall” of loans set to expire. This wall, many have said, would stir up a wave of distress that would create “generational buying opportunities” from the fallout of the overleveraged, floating-rate acquisitions and new developments delivered at the top of the market.  How has that played out? Buying opportunities haven’t yet materialized, and the multifamily investment sales market remains flatlined.  How can that be given the record number of trades at the top …

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Michelle Newton

Hurricane season is in full swing. As heavy rains and powerful winds tear through the Southeast, flooding has quickly become a major concern for multifamily owners and operators. Flooding is the most common and costly type of natural hazard in the nation. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 90 percent of natural disasters within the United States involve flooding. Additionally, flood risk is intensifying as the number and severity of storms increase. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted an 85 percent chance of a more destructive than average hurricane season in …

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There is an urgent need for more affordable housing in the United States. For every 100 extremely low-income renter households, there are just 36 affordable units available for rent, according to a March 2024 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). Despite widespread attention on this issue — including at the state and federal levels — the supply shortage has continued. Municipalities across the United States continue to struggle to address symptoms of the affordable housing crisis, such as homelessness and rising housing costs. The NLIHC reports that there is …

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Barbara Jean Wright Court Apartments in Chicago

When New York-based developer Jonathan Rose Cos. (JRC) acquired the Barbara Jean Wright Court Apartments in 2021, the 272-unit, low-rise, 40 percent Section 8 community in Chicago’s University Village neighborhood was in need of some serious repair.  Originally built in the 1970s and remodeled in 1999, the complex’s HVAC systems, flooring, kitchens, bathrooms and boilers were long past the point of needing a complete overhaul. The issue? The building was nearly fully occupied, which made this a tricker project than normal.  To pull off this occupied restoration, JRC needed a construction …

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Francis Greenburger

The recent changes to New York laws regarding rent-stabilized apartments, included in the 2024 budget legislation and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, are a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, the step is so small that the effect will be the same as standing still. Much of the initial commentary on 2024 housing law updates was about the so-called “good cause eviction” provisions, which have little to do with eviction but are instead a rebranding of rent control. In 2019, the legislature made significant changes to the rules …

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Nathan Wilcox, Principal Architect, The Beck Group

Four significant cultural shifts are driving the evolution of multifamily design. Today, developers and architects must create spaces that serve the remote work trend, meet the demand for wellness amenities, keep up with changing sustainability and technology standards and create communities that socially engage their residents. How Hybrid Work Schedules Have Changed Design The shift to remote and hybrid work has profoundly influenced design offerings and space planning at an unprecedented pace in multifamily developments. Before the shift to full-time or partial work from home, the average size of most …

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Jonathan Treble, Founder and CEO of WithMe Inc.

— By Jonathan Treble, Founder and CEO of WithMe Inc. In today’s multifamily landscape, amenities play a pivotal role that goes beyond attracting and retaining prospective residents. The right amenity package can enhance residents’ daily experience, nurture a thriving sense of community and ultimately increase the asset’s overall value. By thoughtfully outfitting an asset with the right amenities, property owners and operators can cater to today’s renters’ live-work-play and remote-work lifestyles. Modern Renters Desire “Third Spaces” Post-pandemic, the traditional boundaries between home, office and social spaces have blurred. Remote and …

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— By Mike Branam, director of multifamily, PointCentral Renters increasingly desire smart technology features and personalized automation that can save time, money and improve property security. A 2022 survey from Rent.com reported that a staggering 82 percent of renters wanted at least one smart device in their home.  This has encouraged property owners and operators to invest in technology as part of a wider strategy to both attract and retain a resident base that is a good fit for their communities. Technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), as well …

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