Texas Market Reports

Despite being located 80 miles apart, the Austin and San Antonio metros might as well be on different planets when comparing growth and multifamily operations during the current business cycle. While both multifamily markets have been in growth mode since the Great Recession, Austin has outpaced San Antonio with a rapid rate of expansion during this time. Austin’s job growth has risen steadily at an average annual pace near 4 percent since 2010. In addition, strong migration to the metro has contributed to the 20,000-plus households that have been created annually during this span. In comparison, San Antonio’s total employment has risen by an average of 2.7 percent annually for the past eight years, though the rate has dipped below 2 percent over the past four quarters. The pace of migration remains healthy, but the rate of household formation has been slower in the Alamo City. These differences in job growth, migration and household formation have impacted each metro’s apartment market differently. Development Disparities Developers have targeted Austin over the past few years, and the market has received significant supply additions. The metro has consistently ranked in the top 10 markets across the country for new deliveries over the past …

Capital sources of all types see opportunity in the apartment sectors of core Texas markets, which regularly lead the nation in employment and population gains. With so many investors trying to park money in this space, sales prices have risen, cap rates for multifamily properties in major markets have compressed and lenders are competing among themselves to finance acquisitions. When lenders compete, borrowers win. For multifamily lending in sizable markets, value-add borrowers are seeing tighter spreads on their loans, a factor of both more lenders entering the space and the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise short-term interest rates. But rising land and construction costs have also contributed to skyrocketing prices on newly built multifamily product, which has weeded out some potential investors. Rather than shun the market entirely, however, many of these buyers are targeting Class B and C assets for value-add plays that will attract residents who can afford higher rents. In Texas, these kinds of deals are being executed at record paces. “The transaction velocity for value-add multifamily deals has been at historical highs in this cycle,” says Warren Hitchcock, senior vice president in NorthMarq Capital’s Houston office. “The significant amount of capital flowing into the space, combined …

To say the multifamily investment market in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) is healthy would be an understatement. With nearly 36,000 units across 183 properties sold in the first half of 2018, according to Real Capital Analytics, a more accurate assessment would be that the sector is — figuratively — on fire. Investor demand for workforce housing remains at an all-time high. With strong economic fundamentals, buyers remain bullish on the DFW multifamily market. Historically low interest rates have attributed to cap rate compression as buyers continue to search for value-add opportunities. While cap rates remain compressed, the yields are still very attractive when compared to alternative investment options. With listings averaging more than 125 confidentiality agreements, 20 tours and 15 offers, the competition has become intense. Winning a deal in today’s market takes more than a strong offer — it takes a good reputation, determination and aggression. Buyer Strategy Buyers can differentiate themselves and establish a competitive advantage by having the equity partner, lender, contractors and management company involved in the transaction prior to the initial offer. Sellers have grown accustomed to tight timelines, limited contingencies and significant non-refundable earnest money at contract execution. In this competitive of a market, sellers …