Multifamily

Healthy Apartment Renter Demand in Indianapolis Eclipses Robust Supply Growth

by Kristin Harlow May 11, 2017

Strong job growth in the second half of 2016, robust tenant absorption of new apartment supply and falling vacancies throughout the Indianapolis metro area supported a markedly improved multifamily marketplace by the end of the year. This year, steady employment gains and rising home prices will continue to bolster apartment property performance metrowide. In the first half of 2016, hiring was sluggish due to a lack of available workers, but ramped up at midyear. By year’s end, area employers increased employee headcounts by 25,300, a 2.5 percent increase overall. Although employment gains were widespread, the education and health services sector led job creation followed by construction. With the opening of Cummins Inc.’s new distribution headquarters and tech sector growth most notably Salesforce’s significant expansion in the area hiring this year is expected to remain stable. The forecast calls for employers to add 20,000 new workers to payrolls this year, which will further elevate demand for multifamily rentals. Construction ramps up Developers delivered 2,500 rental units to the marketplace last year, the second largest annual supply increase in nine years, but tenants readily absorbed the new supply. Nearly half of the submarkets in the metro area received new supply in 2016, …

May 11, 2017

Market Reports Multifamily New Jersey Northeast Northeast Market Reports

New Jersey’s Post-Suburban Economy Feeds Statewide Multifamily Investment

by Camren Skelton May 10, 2017

With city-like, apartment-rental living back in vogue, New Jersey — from its urban centers to its suburban bedroom communities — is transitioning to more walkable, transit-focused neighborhoods. From Northern, Central and Southern Jersey’s green, well-manicured garden-apartment courtyards to the sleek Class A high-rises peppering Hudson County’s Gold Coast, multifamily living and investment are catalysts for sustained statewide economic and population growth. The groundwork for this trend — and the ensuing surge in construction expected to peak this year — was established a few years back with the emergence of a state-incentivized transit village designation program. While this movement started in 1999 as a means to revitalize transit-friendly communities through mixed-use development, municipal leaders have only begun to embrace and leverage this type of development and private investment long associated with urban centers. Today, New Jersey has 32 state-designated transit villages and a multitude of emerging transit centers. Early designees include Pleasantville (Atlantic County), Journal Square/Jersey City, Morristown, South Amboy, South Orange, Rahway, Cranford and Matawan. Most recently, they have been joined by relative newcomers like East Orange, Summit, Plainfield, Irvington, Park Ridge and Hackensack as well as budding hubs such as Harrison. One example of how multifamily investment is leveraging …

May 10, 2017

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Multifamily Nebraska

Omaha’s Strong Apartment Fundamentals Draw National Attention of Investors

by Kristin Harlow April 27, 2017

With an average occupancy rate of 96 percent at the end of 2016, coupled with a four percent growth in asking rental rates during 2016, Omaha’s apartment market continues to be a strong performer. According to apartment data research firm Reis, Omaha’s average asking rental rate has increased in every quarter for the past 23 quarters, and is expected to increase 3.6 percent in 2017. On the occupancy front, Reis expects the vacancy rate to finish 2017 slightly higher at 4.9 percent, which would still result in a projected healthy 95.1 percent occupancy rate. On a 10-year historical occupancy basis, Reis reports that the average occupancy over the past decade has been 95.3 percent. Meanwhile, the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) reports that the occupancy rate during the same period ranged from a low of 92 percent in 2008 to 96 percent in both 2013 and 2015. Since the beginning of 2007, the average annual increase in asking rental rates has been 2.7 percent, according to Reis. Over the past 23 quarters, the cumulative increase in asking rental rates has been 19.3 percent. Investors take notice While Omaha may not have as robust rent growth as some East …

April 27, 2017

Florida Multifamily Southeast Top Stories

Harbor Group International Buys 700-Unit Apartment Property Near Miami for $158.5M

by Nellie Day April 26, 2017

PEMBROKE PINES. FLA. — An affiliate of Harbor Group International LLC has acquired the 700-unit Montage at City Center in Pembroke Pines, a suburb of Miami, for $158.5 million. Montage at City Center contains 12 mid-rise buildings and 28 townhome buildings. The community offers a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The property is currently 95 percent leased with an average market rent of $1.55 per square foot. Montage at City Center was built in two phases between 2014 and 2015. Unit interiors feature formica countertops, espresso cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and hard-surface flooring. Property amenities include a LEED Gold-certified clubhouse, two resort-style pools, a fitness center, business center, game room and demonstration kitchen. Private garages and storage units are also available for rent. The multifamily complex is located adjacent to Pembroke Pines City Center, a 47-acre mixed-use project that will feature retail, office and residential components. Terra Group is developing the project. Phase I will deliver 200,000 square feet of retail anchored by a 45,600-square-foot Publix. Phase II will add 450 apartments and 100,000 square feet of office. The City of Pembroke Pines is also building a $60 million civic and cultural center, which includes a new city …

April 26, 2017

Market Reports Multifamily Southeast Southeast Market Reports Tennessee

Accelerating Demand, Deliveries Set the Tone for Nashville’s Apartment Market

by John Nelson April 3, 2017

The Nashville multifamily market’s roll continued through the end of 2016 with nearly 6,400 units absorbed, a 10 percent increase compared to 2015, according to Axiometrics. This demand was fueled by steady employment growth of nearly 28,000 new jobs, led by world-class healthcare employers, educational institutions and a burgeoning tech scene. The rate of job growth in Nashville is currently about 50 percent faster than the national level, and as a top destination for young people and the creative class, it’s becoming a cultural and entertainment destination that’s nationally recognized. Rental rates grew on average by 5.6 percent in 2016, buoyed by the fact Nashville had the nation’s second-highest rate of wage growth at 5.3 percent, behind only the Silicon Valley tech hub of San Jose, according to Headlight Data. Average market occupancy remained tight at an average rate of 96 percent, with the Murfreesboro, Southeast Nashville (Antioch) and Sumner County submarkets being the highest performers to end the year. Four submarkets saw rent growth over 7 percent in 2016, including Southeast Nashville, Wilson County/Hermitage, Airport/Briley Parkway and Rivergate/Hendersonville. Submarkets with concentrations of new supply lagged the market average, highlighted by Downtown and Williamson County. Transaction volume set a new …

April 3, 2017

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Minnesota Multifamily

Stars Are Aligned for Twin Cities’ Apartment Market to Remain Strong

by Kristin Harlow March 23, 2017

Following the recession, demand for multifamily development took off in many areas of the country. We predicted it as significant economic and demographic changes were happening, spurring a shift from homeownership to renting. As a result, the multifamily sector experienced a resurgence that hadn’t been seen in decades. In some cities where an abundance of multifamily projects have been delivered, there is discussion of potential saturation. That’s not the case in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, where demand for multifamily developments remains strong and the vacancy rate is an extremely low 2.6 percent. Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, at the end of 2016 the vacancy rate in the Twin Cities compared quite favorably with other metropolitan areas such as San Antonio, Texas (13.6 percent); Tampa, Fla., (11.6 percent); and Tulsa, Okla. (10.2 percent). Keep in mind that a 5 percent vacancy rate is considered to be a stabilized market. Healthy job growth Several economic factors continue to drive apartment demand in the Twin Cities, including job growth, low unemployment and a strong base for business expansion. Minnesota ranks third in the nation for number of Fortune 500 companies per capita. Prominent corporations with headquarters …

March 23, 2017

Georgia Kentucky Multifamily Southeast Top Stories

The Scharf Group, Besyata Investment Group Acquire Multifamily Portfolio in the Southeast for $74M

by Nellie Day March 22, 2017

LOUISVILLE, KY., AND LITHONIA, GA. — The Scharf Group and Besyata Investment Group have acquired a two-property multifamily portfolio in the Southeast for $74 million. The portfolio boasts a total of 1,033 units. Properties included in the portfolio include the 689-unit Park at Hurstbourne in Louisville and the 344-unit Woodcrest Village in Lithonia. Park at Hurstbourne is a garden-style apartment complex situated on 44 acres at 5555 Big Ben Drive. It was built in 1972. Community amenities include an indoor pool, basketball court, two clubhouses and a daycare. Park at Hurstbourne is situated near notable employers such as GE, Ford and UPS, which have been expanding operations within the area. Woodcrest Village is a garden-style apartment complex situated on 34 acres at 2325 Woodcrest Walk in the Atlanta suburb of Lithonia. The community is about 20 miles east of downtown Atlanta. It was built in 1990. Besyata and Scharf Group plan to modernize the amenities and undertake gradual unit renovations at both properties. The buyers invest in value-add, Class B multifamily communities in suburban markets near growing cities. BH Management, Besyata’s longstanding partner, will oversee the day-to-day property management and leasing for both assets. The groups also partnered with national real …

March 22, 2017

Multifamily Texas Top Stories

Marcus & Millichap Closes Sale of 1,164 Apartment Units Throughout Texas for $80.5M

by Nellie Day March 15, 2017

DALLAS — Marcus & Millichap’s (NYSE: MMI) Dallas-based multifamily investment sales team has closed the sale of six multifamily assets within the state of Texas totaling $80.5 million. The communities contain a total of 1,164 units. Four of the properties reside within the Dallas-Fort Worth area, known as the Metroplex, while another is situated 60 miles northeast of Dallas in Commerce, and the other is in Waco. The Metroplex-area properties include the 380-unit Spring Lake in Haltom City, the 306-unit Tradewind in Mesquite, the 200-unit Village at the Crossroads in Irving and the 76-unit Oaks Branch in Garland. “The Metroplex’s diverse and growing economy continues to attract investors, creating increased buyer competition for apartment assets and accelerating deal flow,” says Nick Fluellen, a member of Marcus & Millichap’s multifamily investment sales team. “Local investors are particularly focused on properties with some value-add component, as was the case with these assets.” The remaining two properties are the 128-unit Bradford Place in Commerce and the Village Condominiums, a 74-unit apartment asset in Waco. “All of the properties provide new ownership with excellent opportunities to add value in various ways, including the continuation or implementation of strategic upgrade plans,” adds Bard Hoover, who, …

March 15, 2017

Market Reports Massachusetts Multifamily Northeast Northeast Market Reports

Key Factors Driving Greater Boston’s Multifamily Outlook in 2017

by Camren Skelton March 15, 2017

Investors are attracted to Boston due to its diverse economy, education base and strong market fundamentals. In fact, major corporations like GE, Reebok, New Balance, and most recently Asics have all relocated to the city or are in the planning to relocate or rebrand here. As a result of this heightened interest in Boston as a global headquarters destination, the city is expected to grow, which in turn creates housing demand. Rhythm between Cap Rates and Interest Rates As investors know, there is a direct correlation between cap rates and interest rates. However, while a correlation exists, not all buyer profiles are necessarily affected in the same way in a shifting interest rate environment. Highest impact: Leveraged buyers would be most impacted by rising interest rates since they are typically trying to maximize leverage when pursuing an acquisition. With shifting interest rates, higher rates have a direct impact to potential returns. If leveraged buyers can borrow less at high rates, this has a direct impact to pricing/cap rates. Within the leveraged buyer profile, groups possessing strong balance sheets and banking relationships will be less impacted than groups not necessarily in the same financial position. Moderate impact: Cash and low-leverage buyers …

March 15, 2017

Arizona Market Reports Multifamily Western Western Market Reports

Demand, Product Coming to Phoenix’s Multifamily Market

by Camren Skelton March 14, 2017

With record-low cap rates dipping as far as 2.9 percent, the nation’s top multifamily markets have become expensive. In response, investors have turned to secondary markets like Phoenix, where upside potential is still strong, pricing is manageable and cap rates are hovering in the high 4 percent to mid-5 percent range. Although multifamily sales have maintained their accelerated pace nationwide, that pace is being driven by secondary markets — particularly in the West. Metro Phoenix captured more than $5.2 billion of this activity, up significantly from its previous peak of $4.6 billion in total multifamily sales in 2006. As of year-end 2016, the average multifamily price per unit in Phoenix was $110,000, compared to a national average of $145,000 for properties valued at more than $2.5 million. In the eyes of investors, Phoenix offers a stable inventory of existing Class A and B product, and a wave of new Class A units that have taken luxury in the market to a new level. This high-end product provides a key benefit for investors: it attracts residents who are willing and able to pay premium rents for a better lifestyle. The Valley is in a good position to support luxury product, with …

March 14, 2017

Newer Posts

Older Posts