As has been the case throughout this cycle, the top rent growth markets over the past 12 months represented several regions, all with varying strengths and characteristics.

Arbor Realty Trust’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, outlines the long-term positives reinforcing the sector’s growth amid macroeconomic uncertainty. With capital market activity poised to increase, small multifamily’s healthy fundamentals position it to trend higher in the next cycle.

The U.S. multifamily market demonstrated clear signs of stabilization during the third quarter of 2025, as supply imbalances eased and investment activity climbed.

Find answers to common questions about multifamily and single-family rental real estate financing.

As headwinds fade and transaction volume rises, market knowledge is a critical advantage to commercial real estate investors. The Arbor Realty Trust-Chandan Multifamily Opportunity Matrix analyzed a wide range of factors within the 50 largest U.S. metros to assess market strength and durability. From maturing, dynamic metros to affordable, opportunity-rich markets, our biannual report is a roadmap to the top locations for capital deployment.

Sponsors today are increasingly choosing bridge lending solutions to capitalize on opportunities during the lease-up and stabilization phases, with multifamily completions projected to remain elevated through 2030. Bridge loans, when paired with a lender equipped to support your investment needs from construction through permanent financing, can effectively position borrowers for long-term success.

The single-family rental (SFR) sector shows renewed operational strength, supported by higher occupancy rates and improving tenant retention even as home prices have softened in mid-2025.

After proving its resilience, the multifamily real estate sector is positioned to thrive in the next growth cycle. While uncertainties persist and risks remain, new federal policies and long-awaited interest rate relief have brought optimistic investors back to the table with a new sense of urgency.