Once settled, they may send for relatives still in Puerto Rico. Those who were hardest hit will more inclined to leave a place that's struggling to restore electricity, clean water and other basic services.

(Find out what's different about multifamily development in this cycle.)

GlobeSt.com: What does this mean for Class B and C multifamily properties?

Perez: It's good for investors in these types of properties. Vacancy rates are at an all-time low—under 1% in some markets, which means rents should continue to rise steadily. This will create opportunities for owners to add value and make improvements and renovations to properties in the B & C asset class, which will continue to improve the already strong fundamentals of this market segment and increase asset values. The trend should occur across Florida given that Puerto Ricans are well-represented in Florida's four largest metro markets.

GlobeSt.com: What's the long-term impact of Puerto Rican migration on the South Florida multifamily housing market?

Perez: We can expect a much different market dynamic than that from surges in the population of non-Americans. Remember, Puerto Ricans face no residency, financial or work restrictions. There's no legal pressure from the US or a foreign government to return home.

Because their finances are in dollars, their personal wealth isn't subject to currency fluctuations that could dampen their appetite for housing. Therefore, demand will be steady; we won't see the boom-and-bust cycles that influxes of foreign buyers have caused in the Miami housing/rental market.