Population and Jobs to Buoy Multifamily Investments

Epstein says the apartment market will see continued investment activity with strong fundamentals.

HOUSTON—Multifamily leasing activity significantly increased in 2017, with strong signs of economic tailwinds lifting the apartment market in the upcoming year, according to Berkadia‘s multifamily 2018 forecast report. Last year’s 22,353 absorbed units doubled that of 2016, thanks to rising demand leading to a 50-basis point rise in occupancy to 92.8% in December.

Surging demand in the multifamily sector, along with accelerated hiring, is expected to increase absorption by approximately 13% in 2018, as more apartment inventory and 7,579 units are scheduled to become available by year-end.