Perspectives on the Multifamily Housing Market After the Pandemic

Housing or multifamily development investments can be used to diversify a portfolio, lower volatility, generate consistent income, and give tax benefits that are unmatched by many other assets. Multifamily properties, once one of the most well-liked asset classes, are now a mainstay for both individual and institutional investors. Therefore, it would seem that the benefits of multifamily investing are obvious.

The complexity of multifamily rental communities must be examined more closely in light of the current situation, which has been brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic depression, in order to determine whether this asset class is still as dependable and successful as it once was.

As a dependable partner and thought leader in the alternative investing sector, Perch Wealth wants to help you better understand the state of the market because we think that investors have the right to make well-informed financial decisions. In this article, we will discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of multifamily investments in the context of the present economic environment.

The multifamily housing industry was significantly damaged by the COVID-19 epidemic, much like pretty much everything else. As we emerged from the early 2000s, which saw burgeoning multifamily housing building and construction as well as increased investor interest, the coronavirus's rapid spread abruptly put an end to much of that excitement and initial momentum.

The nation's builders, developers, investors, and allies paused to consider its state. We all required some alone time to reflect. What is the next step, and where should I go? What should our strategy be for when we emerge from this?

The 2020 Recession's Impact

The core of the multifamily industry — its basic measure of worth — is its ability to provide access to adequate, safe, healthy, secure shelter for Americans. This capacity was at danger due to the pandemic and the ensuing economic impact. The multifamily rental sector was rattled by the persistent instability of millions of households' ability to pay rent. However, the nature of demand continues as it always has.

Because of this, multifamily fared better than most of its competitors during the pandemic-driven recession of 2020; in fact, only industrial fared better. The market's decline was even considerably smaller than during prior recessions.

Young adults who had relocated to their parents' homes to live under quarantine are now going back to live independently. In spite of the turbulent economy, which is still restoring its equilibrium, families are now contemplating more cheap housing options, with many opting for multifamily rental communities where they may raise their children in a safe environment.

However, the increase in multifamily demand is expected to continue as the economy strengthens. According to CBRE, "a full market recovery will occur in early 2022, with vacancy levels returning to pre-COVID levels and net effective rents increasing by 6% in 2019." Jobs may once more give people the financial freedom they require to leave behind their parents' or friends' homes and move out on their own. But given how fresh the pandemic's uncertainty is in people's minds, many would-be homeowners may continue to act cautiously and opt to continue renting indefinitely. Despite the fact that 2021 may have started out slowly, deals are already entering the pipeline, the competition is tight, and agency debt is finally starting to decrease.

The advent of a new era for multifamily housing investors and developers is therefore indicated. The coronavirus pandemic did not cause any new trends in the multifamily housing market, according to the Urban Land Institute's new report, Emerging Patterns in Real Estate 2021, but rather it significantly accelerated the trends that were already in motion. The pandemic did, in fact, spur new shifts towards suburban locations, preferences for floor plans that support work-from-home options, and integrated outdoor social and recreational areas. While this acceleration is unquestionably true, there is also overwhelming evidence that the pandemic did, in fact, inspire these changes.

The Post-Epidemic Multifamily Housing Market: Trends

People are more aware of the concept of safety and what a truly safe living environment looks like in a post-COVID society. Owners of multifamily housing communities should also be aware of ways to improve their capacity for flexible and remote management.

Trends that are both new and well-established include:

A scaled down "community concept," meaning fewer houses, buildings, or a separate cluster within a bigger neighborhood
Design that is suitable for working from home, as the changing nature of the workday and the workplace may be the coronavirus's most lasting legacy.
Flexibility inside housing units is necessary since areas for daily living must also support and accommodate activities such as working, eating, cooking, and relaxing.
Outdoor areas with amenities
Contactless circumstances
support for innovative retail shopping opportunities, such as safe package storage facilities
Increased movable windows and separate HVAC units that provide access to fresh air
Wider corridors, one-way traffic, alternatives for separation but not complete isolation, signs of effective cleaning and maintenance procedures, more generous shared path routes, and other common area experiences that encourage social distance
Smart home appliances that assist homeowners in controlling things like air quality, security, and temperatures
In order to handle the rental application and signing procedure more successfully and efficiently, leasing agents and management staff should put into practice a few specific tactics.

Recommended techniques comprise:

Virtual tours, which many agents were using before the pandemic but are now considered to be commonplace.
Curbside documentation, which allows new residents to complete an application and sign relevant documents in their vehicle.
Self-guided tours allow prospective clients to explore the facility on their own.

Investors in multifamily housing complexes must continue to stay aware of how the customer's profile is changing as technology fosters greater openness about who the consumer is and what he or she wants.

A Changing Market Develops

Multifamily investment volume is anticipated to rise in 2021 as investors get ready to meet the demands and needs of the current consumer base and as market circumstances continue to get better. The amount of multifamily investments in the US are expected to total roughly $148 billion in 2020, according to CBRE Research. This is a 33% increase above the $111 billion prediction from 2020.

Institutional purchasers and value-add investors may become much more active buyers next year now that future revenue streams are more well understood. Effective rent growth is still rising to record levels. Activity may also rise as a result of offshore buyers, particularly as travel restrictions are relaxed.

Additionally, it is anticipated that low interest rates would persist during the upcoming year. Favorable mortgage rates are a further inducement for enhanced investment possibilities. And the two primary multifamily lenders — Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae — have secured considerable capital availability to support additional purchases.

In the second quarter of 2021, multifamily assets priced at $1 million and up saw a rise in transactions across the country, especially when compared to the preceding three months. Deal flow from April through June also above the five-year quarterly norm, demonstrating a resurgence of faith in the multifamily property class.

Additionally, lenders are following the general recovery of the economy by making financing for high-quality houses available. Actually, the majority of lenders believe that volume will increase following the slowdown in 2020. For assets that proved resilient during the pandemic and/or are currently in a strong recovery position, there are more chances available. Lending rates from banks and credit unions are competitive.

Additionally, the market is doing well for Class A and Class B houses. Most multifamily property managers report collecting between 95% and 100% of rents each month. Rents have also been allowed to be raised from 6% to 12% on average, depending on the asset. a tenet of being an asset is that 90% of the time,s ofss of classes of rentals of classes of of of of:

At the meantime, increased population mobility is boosting the value of real estate in commercial and transportation hubs. Due to easing concerns about the new coronavirus, there is an upsurge in demand for downtown apartments as the urban core starts to recover. The balance between urban and suburban demand is re-emerging as businesses welcome employees back to the workplace. The forecast is favorable for the urban sectors as consumers hunt for entertainment and shopping options. However, suburbia has a certain allure, as apartments are frequently more affordable and have more space, ideal if a prospective tenant is seeking for a space that is the right size for both living and working.

The multifamily housing market has the potential to climb to even higher heights as the economy recovers, as market liquidity improves, and as investors grow more confident in the status of the country.

With committed investors, our team is delighted to get down and go over our progressive investing model. Make an appointment to speak with one of the knowledgeable members of the Perch Wealth team right away, and we'll collaborate to create a long-term investment strategy for you that includes possible cash flow, equity growth, and tax advantages.

General Disclosure

neither a buy-side nor a sell-side solicitation of securities. The material presented here is purely for informational purposes and shouldn't be used to guide financial decisions. Every investment has the chance of losing some or all of the money. Future outcomes cannot be predicted based on past performance. Prior to investing, consult a financial or tax expert.

Financial products made available by Emerson Equity LLC Member: SIPC/FINRA. Only accessible in states where Emerson Equity LLC has a recognized business presence. There are no other organizations mentioned in this correspondence with whom Emerson Equity LLC is associated.

1031 Risk Disclosure:

* There is no assurance that any strategy will be effective or achieve investment goals; * Property value loss is a possibility for all real estate investments over the course of ownership; * Tax status may change depending on the income stream and depreciation schedule for any investment property. All funded real estate investments have the risk of going into foreclosure; adverse tax rulings may prevent capital gains from being deferred and result in immediate tax liability;
1031 exchanges are illiquid assets since they are frequently issued through private placement offerings. There is no secondary market for these investments. * Reduction or Elimination of Monthly Cash Flow Distributions - Similar to any real estate investment, the possibility of suspension of cash flow distributions exists in the event that a property unexpectedly loses tenants or suffers significant damage;

• The impact of fees and expenses - The costs of the transaction could have an influence on investors' returns and even surpass the tax advantages.