Rents Remain Flat Mar16

Rents Remain Flat

Multifamily asking rents remained the same for a second straight month in February, at a national average rate of $1,702, according to the new National Multifamily Report from Yardi Matrix. As the economy continues to adjust in the post-pandemic period, year-over-year growth continued its ongoing decline. It is now 4.8 percent nationally, down 70 basis points from the previous month and its lowest level in nearly two years. Asking rent growth remains positive year-over-year in almost every major metro, but 23 of Matrix’s top 30 metros recorded negative growth over the last three months and 17 were negative in February. “Multifamily rents are playing a waiting game, as rents have essentially leveled over the seasonal winter slowdown,” state Matrix analysts, noting that February has historically recorded minor rent growth gains. “The big question is whether demand and rents pick up as normal in the spring. Demand has come down from 2021 levels, though it remains positive in most markets.” Average U.S. asking rents in the single-family rental market were also flat at $2,071. The year-over-year increase fell by 80 basis points to 3.4 percent, far below the 14.8 percent growth rate a year ago. “Near-term performance will hinge not only on demand-supply dynamics at the local level but affordability and the economy,” the report states. Gain more insights by downloading February’s Multifamily Report. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Climate Costs Climb Mar09

Climate Costs Climb

A new Yardi Matrix Bulletin focuses on the rising cost of commercial property insurance, especially in climate-affected states like Florida and Texas. These increases are a growing problem for commercial property owners and beginning to threaten new development and property sales. Although rates are rising nationwide, the problem is most acute in states that are experiencing frequent extreme weather events like hurricanes, winter freezes and wildfires. Hurricane Ian, for example, resulted in over $50 billion in damages in Florida last September. Weather-related payouts have left some insurers insolvent, while others are avoiding high-risk states. This translates into higher rates and less coverage for property owners. “The rate environment for real estate-specific property is severely challenged, especially in Florida and Texas and along the Gulf Coast,” said Danielle Lombardo, the chair of Lockton Global Real Estate, a New York-based advisory firm. “This has caused a bifurcated market between catastrophe-exposed and non-catastrophe-exposed business, with the highest double-digit increases in properties that have negative risk attributes, such as older frames, a challenged loss history or undervalued assets.” Many reinsurance companies, which property insurers use to move portions of risk off their own balance sheets, are quitting high-risk states, and those that stay are raising rates by 45-100 percent. Lombardo said. “Reinsurers are running away from Florida,” she said. “Something has to be done differently.” Learn more in the new bulletin from Yardi Matrix. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Demand Steady Feb21

Demand Steady

Continuing steady demand signals stability for the U.S. self storage sector even as street rates declined in January, according to the February 2023 National Self Storage Report from Yardi Matrix. Year-over-year street rates for 10X10 non-climate-controlled units slid by $7 to $126 in January, a 2.3% drop from their peak of $133 in the summer of 2022. Only five of the top 31 metros tracked by Matrix recorded rate growth in January. Despite this typical seasonal slowdown, “average street rates [for climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled units] remain healthy compared to historical levels,” the report says. The new-supply pipeline increased by 10 basis points month-over-month in January, accounting for 3.7% of completed inventory. In 2022, the number of households using self storage reached 14.5 million, an increase of about 970,000 since 2020. “As a result of the record demand, the self storage sector appears to be well-positioned to withstand potential economic headwinds in 2023,” according to the report. Get the latest on self storage supply, rent trends and more in the new Yardi Matrix report. Get even more details in a webinar on March 1. Yardi Matrix tracks 4,626 self storage properties nationwide in various stages of development. Matrix also maintains operational profiles for 29,072 completed self storage facilities, bringing the total data set to 33,698. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call 480-663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Rents Hold Feb08

Rents Hold

Multifamily rents were flat in January as a strong jobs report indicated that fears of a significant economic recession may be overblown. U.S. asking rents averaged $1,701, unchanged from the prior month, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Multifamily Report. Continuing late 2022 patterns, year-over-year growth continues to decline, and is now 5.5 percent, down 70 basis points from December. The single-family rental (SFR) market remained strong amid ongoing volatility in home sales. The average U.S. asking rent increased $1 in January to $2,070, while the year-over-year increase fell by 85 basis points to 4.2 percent. “Participants at the late January National Multifamily Housing Council conference in Las Vegas were generally optimistic about demand fundamentals, but concerns centered around issues such as the wave of proposed rent control measures, increasing expenses and high mortgage rates,” say Matrix analysts. However, the creation of 517,000 new jobs in January is a significant bright spot and help ease fears of an imminent economic downturn. The unemployment rate dropped to 3.4 percent last month and wage growth shows no signs of spiraling. “Concerns about a hard-landing recession that would reduce household formation are being alleviated by the continuing stellar performance of the job market,” states the report. Gain more insights by downloading January’s Multifamily Report. Last year, U.S. multifamily rents increased by 6.4 percent after peaking near 16 percent in 2021, according to Yardi Matrix. Those were record figures, the highest seen in a century. The 2023 Yardi Matrix Multifamily Outlook expects that rent growth will be closer to its historical average in 2023. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing,...

Self Storage Jan23

Self Storage

National self storage street rates for all unit types continued to decline in December as the demand for housing dropped and seasonal trends took effect, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Self Storage Report. National street rates for 10×10 non-climate-controlled (NON CC) units decreased 2.3 percent year-over-year in December to $126, a $7 drop from their summer peak. Rates for similar-size climate-controlled (CC) units fared slightly worse, dropping 3.4 percent year-over-year to $142, a $10 drop from the summer high. The decline in street rates in the last half of 2022 was expected due to normal seasonal slowdowns in demand, and overall rates remain healthy compared to historical levels. “Self storage had a strong year and is well-positioned heading into 2023. Street rates have declined, but operators have focused on increasing existing customer rents to achieve strong revenue growth, outweighing the rise in operating costs,” say Matrix experts. According to market research, operators remain confident in the resilient demand created over the past two years and the ability to backfill occupancy in the spring with higher-paying new customers. “A rapid rise in development costs, including the cost of debt, will also likely cause a deceleration in new supply in coming years, another positive for owners,” states the report. Learn more about the state of the self storage market nationwide. Yardi Matrix tracks a total of 4,627 self storage properties nationwide in various stages of development — including 1,789 planned, 812 under construction and 669 prospective properties. Matrix also maintains operational profiles for 29,032 completed self storage facilities across the United States, bringing the total data set to 33,659. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial...

Student Housing Jan20

Student Housing

The student housing industry is set up for another solid performance in 2023 after record returns last year, according to the latest National Student Housing Report from Yardi Matrix. “Momentum is strong heading into the new year, even as the effect of higher interest rates takes hold in the economy and has led multifamily rents to decelerate,” say Matrix experts. “Student housing remains largely unaffected, as the industry typically does better during times of economic volatility.” As of December 2022, 48 percent of beds at Yardi 200 universities were already leased for the fall 2023 school year, representing a new record high for this time of year. Rent growth also remained strong, at 4.7 percent annual growth. “With over eight months to go until the start of the next school year, we anticipate 2023 being another record-breaking year for student housing performance,” states the report. One caveat: highly selective universities with name recognition are maintaining their interest among incoming students, while smaller schools are having more difficulty with enrollment. The slowing economy is having an impact on new student housing supply. With interest rates increasing, the development pipeline is contracting. The development pipeline for Yardi 200 universities (including planned, prospective and under-construction properties) decreased by over 3,000 bedrooms from December to January, representing a 2.6 percent contraction. Gain more insight in the new National Student Housing Report. The student housing data set includes over 2,000 universities and colleges nationwide, including the top 200 investment grade universities across all major collegiate conferences. Known as the “Yardi 200,” it includes all Power 5 conferences as well as Carnegie R1 and R2 universities. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Multifamily Outlook Jan17

Multifamily Outlook

Multifamily rent growth began to slow in late 2022 as economic pressures, including the impact of inflation, took root. The 2023 Multifamily Outlook from Yardi Matrix expects that rent growth will be closer to its historical average in 2023. Last year, U.S. rents increased by 6.4 percent after peaking near 16 percent in 2021, according to Yardi Matrix. Those were record figures, the highest seen in a century. The 2022 increase is expected to drop by half this year. “All eyes are on interest rates and how quickly inflation recedes. Economic growth will likely wane in the second half as the impact of rapid rate hikes take effect,” states the outlook. “This year we foresee rent growth dropping in half to 3.1 percent as demand lessens and deliveries remain high.” Demand is decreasing due to less renter migration, a dip in new household formation and declining affordability. Meanwhile new units are coming online nationwide. The forecast calls for 440,000 new deliveries in 2023, a stock increase of 2.9 percent. Deliveries will be concentrated in fast-growing markets, including Dallas, Austin, Charlotte, Nashville and Orlando. However, starts are expected to decline due to rising construction costs, a shortage of construction workers and planning/permitting delays. Gain more insights on the industry in the full report. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Asking Rents Fall Jan13

Asking Rents Fall

Multifamily asking rents recorded historic highs in 2022 but began to move south as the year concluded, recording another $4 drop to a national average $1,715 in December, according to the latest Yardi® Matrix National Multifamily Report. Year-over-year growth declined by 80 basis points to 6.2 percent last month, the lowest level since May 2021. Over the year, national asking rents recorded a 6.2 percent uptick, the second-highest annual growth in 100 years after 2021’s nearly 15 percent increase. But as the economy cooled in the fall and demand decreased, rents fell 0.2 percent in December and 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter. The single-family rental (SFR) market is also seeing slowing. National asking rates increased 4.8 percent year-over-year in December, which was a decrease of 100 basis points from November. SFR rents dropped by $8 to average $2,083 last month. “With a variety of concerns about the economy and affordability, we expect rent growth in 2023 will be closer to typical levels,” states the latest report. In 2023, Yardi Matrix expects asking rents should remain flat or fall slightly through the spring, when growth is normally strongest. Then rents will likely rise moderately, though nowhere near the dramatic levels of the last two years. Learn more in the latest Matrix National Multifamily Report. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Yardi Matrix Multifamily Webinar Nov20

Yardi Matrix Multifamily Webinar

Yardi Matrix experts Jeff Adler and Paul Fiorilla presented their final 2022 outlook for the multifamily sector during a Nov. 16 webinar. As with most current economic forecasts, it’s a challenging picture despite recent record-setting performance and consistently strong fundamentals. The presentation materials and webinar recording are now available for download. According to the latest National Multifamily Report, average multifamily asking rents showed a slight increase in October, despite weaker demand and dipping year-over-year (YOY) growth. “The pandemic recovery has been rapid, it has been V-shaped, but now it is indeed cooling. We’re really on the downturn, is what I would tell you. The U.S. economy is slowing, the yield curve has inverted for all intents and purposes,” said Adler, vice president of Yardi Matrix. “When it comes to the U.S. multifamily industry, the domestic migration has had a significant impact on demand, but household formations have had even a larger impact,” Adler said. Demographic trends are expected to support continued housing demand. Rising interest rates, however, will preclude many would-be buyers from home purchases in the near future. First-time homebuyers are being frozen out of the market, according to the National Association of Realtors, and will be more likely to remain in rentals. “The capital markets are really what’s the problem, mortgage rates are up to 6 percent and above, and valuations have adjusted downward,” said Adler, off as much as 25 percent from a peak in January 2022. However, U.S. multifamily continues to be a standout sector among all asset types. “Declining homeownership will be a bit of a tailwind (for multifamily),” as long as household formation holds up, Adler said. “Fundamentals have been great, but they are decelerating.” U.S. asking rents increased $3 in October to $1,727. Year-over-year growth fell to 8.2 percent, the lowest level since the summer of 2021 and down from its 15.3 percent peak in the first quarter. The single-family rental market is also cooling off. The average U.S. asking rent was unchanged at $2,088 in October, while the YOY increase fell by 160 basis points to 6.6 percent. “SFR/BTR fundamentals are strong, but they’re also decelerating, very similar to multifamily,” Adler said. And with a difficult construction financing environment, limited new supply is expected through 2026. This could exacerbate the U.S. housing supply shortage, pushing it out through the next decade. As far as an anticipated recession, that’s currently very likely by the fourth quarter of 2023, according to experts. “Essentially we’re on a glide path to the next recession, which is probably one of the most well forecasted recessions I’ve seen in a while,” Adler observed. Learn more about Yardi Matrix’ wide variety of commercial real estate reports and...

Self Storage Update Nov17

Self Storage Update

National self storage street rates hit their lowest average of the year last month, according to the latest National Self Storage Report from Yardi Matrix. Average street rates for both 10X10 climate controlled (CC) and 10X10 non-climate controlled (NON-CC) units slipped in October for the second straight month as demand weakened. The national average rate in October was $145, the lowest in 2022 so far. The figure is a 0.7 percent decrease year-over-year (YOY). “Home sales, a major driver of storage demand, have slowed sharply in recent months as rising mortgage rates have made homebuying less affordable,” states the report. “What’s more, as inflation persists and a recession is increasingly likely, households are cutting expenditures on non-essential items such as storage.” Many operators are reducing street rates to maintain high levels of occupancy and looking for ways to cut costs in the event of an anticipated recession. Some operators are moving to remote facility management to reduce site staff and cut operating costs. For NON-CC units, only one of the top 31 Matrix-tracked metros had an annual street rate increase greater than five percent in October, while rates decreased in 11 of the top metros. For CC units, just one of the top 31 had five percent or more growth, while 21 metros registered negative rate growth YOY. Learn more about the state of the self storage market nationwide. Yardi Matrix tracks a total of 4,458 self storage properties nationwide in various stages of development — including 1,711 planned, 800 under construction and 604 prospective properties. Matrix also maintains operational profiles for 28,847 completed self storage facilities across the United States, bringing the total data set to 33,305. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and...

Self Storage Slows Oct25

Self Storage Slows

Year-over-year national street rates continued to tick up slightly in September, but month-over-month gains are now declining, according to the latest National Self Storage Report from Yardi Matrix. However, revenue growth remains strong as operators focus on boosting renewal rates. National street rates for 10×10 non-climate-controlled (NON CC) units increased 0.8 percent year-over-year in September, while rates for similar-sized climate-controlled (CC) units remained flat. The overall average street rate was up 0.7 percent, which is the slowest rate of annual growth for this category since July 2020. The national average rate for 10×10 NON CC units fell to $148 in September, not far below the all-time high of $152 reached in July. While the national average rate for similar-sized CC units dropped to $131, that figure was only $2 short of the record set this summer. Metros in the Southeast and Southwest continue to fare the best. For 10×10 NON CC units, only three of the top 31 Matrix-tracked self storage metros had street rate increases greater than five percent in September, while rates decreased in nine. For 10×10 CC units, none of the top 31 had five percent or more growth, while 13 metros experienced negative rate growth year-over-year. Learn more about the state of the self storage market nationwide. Yardi Matrix tracks a total of 4,306 self storage properties nationwide in various stages of development — including 1,649 planned, 769 under construction and 548 prospective properties. Matrix also maintains operational profiles for 28,798 completed self storage facilities across the United States, bringing the total data set to 33,104. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial,...

Student Housing Earns High Marks Oct24

Student Housing Earns High Marks

The Yardi Matrix team continues to be bullish on the student housing sector following another stellar quarter of performance in Q3 2022. Jeff Adler, vice president of Yardi Matrix, delivered a glowing report card for student housing during a webinar last week. You can listen to the full recording here. “The sector is a great place to be over the next several years,” Adler said. “If you look across the entire landscape of asset types, student housing is extremely well positioned with exceptional offensive characteristics, as well as this gap between multifamily and student housing rents.” The gap means that there is a meaningful opportunity for additional student housing rent growth, particularly in urban markets, Adler explained. Multifamily rents jumped during the pandemic recovery, while student housing rent increases have not been as steep. According to the latest National Student Housing report: “The impact of multifamily rent trends on student housing will be stronger in university areas with a prominent shadow market, given the availability of options within a close radius.” Key highlights from Q3 performance include: Record-preleasing in advance of the 2022/23 school year, at 96.6 percent which was 2.3 percent higher than last yearPer-bedroom rents are 4.1 percent higher than a year ago, averaging $789 as of Sept. 2022Top tier universities received a surge in applicant interest and enrollment; however, less selective schools are struggling and there is an overall decrease in total students enrolledDeliveries of new student housing properties surged in 2022 These data points and many more are found in the new quarterly National Student Housing Report. The pace of preleasing was faster for selective universities with higher enrollment. But positive performance was widespread among university types across the country. Twelve universities had double-digit growth in pre-leasing levels in September compared to 2021, with Washington State University (18.9 percent growth) and the University of Houston (16.4 percent) topping the list. At some popular schools with growing enrollments, available student housing supply hasn’t been sufficient to house the incoming class. A problem that used to be unique to California schools has now become more widespread. Elevated investment activity continues despite rising interest rates, and the new-supply pipeline is robust. Nearly 45,000 new student housing bedrooms were delivered in 2022, accounting for 5.3 percent of Yardi Matrix-tracked housing stock. Matrix tracks 1.17 million off-campus student housing bedrooms at 2,065 properties across the...

Stalled Rents Oct07

Stalled Rents

“Key fundamentals remain strong” in the U.S. multifamily amid a flattening of average asking rents in September, according to a new national multifamily report from Yardi® Matrix. The $1,718 rate, unchanged from August, reflects the impact of the economic slowdown and Fed interest rate hikes. Year-over-year rent growth slid more than a full percentage point for the third month in a row, bringing it below 10% for the first time since July 2021. National asking rents remain at record highs and occupancy rates holding steady at around 96% since June 2021, although “the market may be coming to an end of its extraordinary run of rent growth,” the report says. Average national asking rents in the single-family rental segment fell by $7 to $2,081 in September, the second consecutive month of decline, while year-over-year growth fell 170 basis points to 7.8%. The sector’s outlook remains robust, the report says, because many prospective homebuyers who are priced out of the market turn to single-family rentals. Read the full report for insight into the impact of supply, demand, demographics, employment, migration and more on the multifamily market. The September report includes two new features – lease renewal percentages and renewal rent growth, and rent-to-income ratios – that will be included in future monthly reports. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Rates Slow Sep23

Rates Slow

Average self storage street rates reduced slightly in August, according to the latest National Self Storage Report from Yardi Matrix. A national average overall street rate of $149 was recorded. Despite moderating street rate performance, demand continues to be strong. The new self storage report focuses on areas of demand for storage units, which include apartment renters and Gen X (late 30s to 50s) customers. “Gen Xers are among the biggest users of storage, with 44 percent reporting use of storage units and 21 percent planning to use it in the near future. But even as an increasing number of households use self storage, we expect to see further moderation of street rates the rest of this year,” states the report. Storage owners remain focused on growing rents of existing customers, relying on demand for the service that grew significantly in 2021. Secondary markets experiencing rapid population growth continue to lead in street rate gains. For 10×10 non-climate-controlled (NON CC) units, eight of the top 31 metros had street rate increases greater than five percent in August, while rates decreased in seven metros. Year-over-year street rate growth continues to decelerate. Nationwide, the overall average street rate, which includes all unit sizes and types, grew 1.4 percent year-over-year in August, a 130-basis-point drop from July’s annual growth rate and a 280-basis-point drop from the rate in June. Learn more about the state of the self storage market nationwide. Yardi Matrix tracks a total of 4,203 self storage properties nationwide in various stages of development — including 1,594 planned, 760 under construction and 515 prospective properties. Matrix also maintains operational profiles for 28,719 completed self storage facilities across the United States, bringing the total data set to 32,922. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence...

Multifamily Rents Drop Sep12

Multifamily Rents Drop

Average apartment asking rents decreased for the first time in 2022, dropping by $1 to $1,718, according to the latest Yardi Matrix Multifamily Report. The anticipated slowdown is no surprise to analysts, who observe in the new report that the U.S. economy is starting to feel the effects of higher interest rates, while migration is slowing and affordability is affecting high-growth metros. “Rent growth tends to slow in the fall, but this year comes at the tail end of the unprecedented increases. The deceleration in August was strongest in many of the markets that have had the most growth over the past two years, a sign that affordability is becoming an issue,” states the report. It’s possible that deceleration could continue for the remainder of the year. Markets that have had the most growth over the past two years are seeing the strongest signs of affordability issues. Year-over-year rent growth dropped 7 to 8 percentage points over the last two months in Orlando (16.9 percent in August), Miami (16.7 percent) and Tampa (14 percent). The cooling housing market is a positive demand driver for multifamily, but inflation and a slowing job market are eroding residents’ ability to pay. Rent declines were concentrated in high-end Life- style properties. Lifestyle rent growth was negative in 21 of Yardi Matrix’s Top 30 metros. Overall, year-over-year growth decelerated by 170 basis points to 10.9 percent. Nationally, asking rents are up 6.6 percent year-to-date, higher than any year prior to 2021. The U.S. occupancy rate was steady at 96 percent. The single-family sector continues to mirror the activity in multifamily. The average single-family asking rent decreased by $2 in August to $2,090, while year-over-year growth dropped by 170 basis points to 9.5 percent. Learn more about the changing outlook for multifamily in the latest multifamily report. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

RV/Boat Storage Sep08

RV/Boat Storage

Consumer purchases of recreational vehicles and boats are spurring strong demand for storage facilities, creating investment opportunities within this niche asset class, according to a new research bulletin from Yardi Matrix. The bulletin outlines factors driving demand for RV and boat storage. Most notable among them are a record number of acquisitions. In 2021, 571,000 RV registrations and 313,000 boat sales were recorded, driven largely by consumers’ desire for outdoor vacation activities during the pandemic and a shortage of space in residential areas to store the vehicles. RV/boat storage facility deliveries are expected to rise to the highest levels in nearly two decades in 2022, the bulletin reports. However, this growth, constrained by the limited number of developers and suitable facilities, zoning issues and other factors, is not fully meeting demand. Sixty-six property sales valued at $284.5 million took place in 2021. With the average price per acre already 40% higher in 2022 over last year, this year “will likely be another record year for RV/boat storage transaction volume,” the bulletin says. Although vehicle sales could be slowed by rising interest rates, supply chain snags and a slowing economy, “growth in the total number of RVs and boats to be delivered over the next five to 10 years is likely to be solid and increase demand for storage,” the bulletin says. Read the research bulletin to learn more about the RV/boat market’s current state and prospects and why this subsector of the self storage vertical presents an opportunity for investors. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call...

Self Storage Moderates Sep06

Self Storage Moderates

Economic stressors and cranky consumers were a focus of the latest Yardi Matrix webinar, where Jeff Adler, vice president of Yardi Matrix, focused on the self storage market as well as presented a macro-economic outlook and honed in on the storage market for RVs and boats. The economic recovery from the pandemic essentially complete, return to normal doesn’t necessarily mean a rosy forecast for businesses hoping to keep growing. Adler predicted that a recession is definitely on the horizon by 2024. “The Fed is in a tightening cycle; they will continue to increase (interest) rates until they see clear evidence of decreasing inflation back to trend. Their goal is two percent. It’s very hard to get to that level given all of the stressors in the economy,” Adler stated. Those stressors include rising housing rents, which have created affordability issues in some markets; the labor market, which continues to be tight as 3-4 million workers have left the workforce; and inflation, a major source of stress for consumers. In August, multifamily asking rents dropped for the first time in 2022. The decrease was only by $1, but markets that saw the most heated growth during the pandemic, like Florida cities Orlando, Miami and Tampa, took harder hits. “You have a cranky consumer base facing all these stressors,” said Adler. Ongoing interest rate hikes are unlikely to buoy their spirits. Some gas price relief has helped a bit, though prices are still much higher than normal in many states. For the self storage sector, an outlier among real estate sectors with continually impressive performance throughout the pandemic, rents have finally stopped growing just in the last couple of months. Average U.S. street rates for 10X10 non-climate-controlled (NON CC) units remained at $132 in July, matching the all-time high set in June. “Self storage growth is moderating, and you can see it in street rate growth which has come down now sequentially,” Adler said. “There are some markets that are beginning to decline. Their occupancy is retreating which would tell us that the demand wave is also receding.” Major markets with the strongest recent self storage rate growth include Atlanta, Orlando, Miami and Tampa. Those that are seeing the largest asking rate declines are Portland, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Investment in the sector, which was historic in 2021, has now tempered. “From an equity standpoint, storage just crushed it in 2021, from a public REITs perspective. It has pulled back some in 2022, as one would expect. But it’s still performing quite well,” Adler said. Typical occupancy rates for storage in the 80-percentile range indicated robust performance. In the last two years, many markets have seen occupancy rates in the 90-percentile range. The webinar also covered trends in the niche storage area of RV and boat storage, which Adler will speak on this week at the annual Self Storage Association Fall conference in Las Vegas. Storing RV and boats accounts for three to five percent of the total storage market. “Demand has been surging, both because of the growing use of RVs and boats, and it’s hard to build (these facilities) in residential areas. The aging of the population means more people are buying these things,” Adler said. “I do think this is an interesting niche that’s earlier in development than existing consumer self-storage and that makes it an interesting opportunity for early-stage investors.” Learn more about the economic outlook, state of the self storage industry across the nation, and RV/boat storage investment opportunities in the Yardi Matrix webinar...

Storage Stays Steady Aug18

Storage Stays Steady

Demand for self storage units is steady, so street rates remained at record highs last month, according to the latest National Self Storage Report from Yardi Matrix. Average U.S. street rates for 10X10 non-climate-controlled (NON CC) units remained at $132 in June, matching the all-time high set last month. Climate controlled (CC) 10×10 units were an average of $151, also an all time high. The latest rates signal an expected slowdown in growth. Nationwide, the overall average street rate, which includes all unit sizes and types, grew 2.1 percent year-over-year in July, a 210-basis-point drop compared to June’s annual rate growth. “With strong demand and street rates at all-time highs, storage operators have more opportunity to increase rents for existing customers and replace rate-sensitive existing customers with new customers at the elevated street rates,” say Matrix analysts. During recent second-quarter earnings calls, several REIT executives said they expect seasonality to return in 2022’s second half after several quarters of unusually low move-outs. The number of customers moving out is likely to normalize later this year. While street rates are shrinking in some areas of the country, growth remains the healthiest in the Southeast. For 10×10 NON CC units, nine of the top 31 metros had street rate increases greater than five percent in July, while rates decreased in four. For 10×10 CC units, only two of the top 31 had five percent or more growth, while eight experienced negative growth. Learn more about the state of the self storage market nationwide and sign up for an Aug. 31 webinar on the vertical, where Matrix experts will go in-depth on storage trends and the economy overall. Yardi Matrix tracks a total of 4,156 self storage properties nationwide in various stages of development — including 1,555...

SFR/BTR Assets Attract Investment Aug02

SFR/BTR Assets Attract Investment

Institutional investment in rental single family rental (SFR) homes is on the rise and expected to grow dramatically over the next eight years, according to a new bulletin on the sector released today by Yardi® Matrix. However, rising interest rates are forcing investors to reassess the most effective strategies for growing portfolios and may contribute to lower near-term returns. Institutions have committed more than $60 billion to buying single-family homes over the past year, according to various corporate announcements and news articles. Recent research by MetLife Investment Management (MIM) estimated that institutions own some 700,000 single-family rentals in 2022, about 5 percent of the 14 million SFRs nationally. MIM forecasts that by 2030, institutions will increase SFR holdings to 7.6 million homes, more than 40 percent of all SFRs. Institutional acquisitions of SFRs in communities of 50 or more units soared in 2021 to $2.5 billion, according to Yardi Matrix. Institutional portfolio growth is currently focused on build-to-rent (BTR) projects or acquiring portfolios from smaller owners. BTRs are on track to deliver far more units in 2022 than in any previous year. More than 25,000 units are under construction and nearly 4,300 were already delivered in the first half of 2022, meaning the industry will easily surpass 2021’s record-high 7,705 deliveries. “Rising home and mortgage costs in the second quarter of 2022 increased the cost of capital for institutional buyers, so the segment’s growth is likely to slow and returns will moderate. Even so, the industry benefits from strong long-term demand drivers and the explosive growth in institutional capital,” say Matrix analysts. Get more insight into investment activity, development and rent trends for the SFR/BTR sector in the new Yardi Matrix...

Student Housing Jul27

Student Housing

The student housing industry continued to break records in the second quarter of 2022, according to the new quarterly National Student Housing Report from Yardi Matrix. An 87.2 percent preleasing rate and rent growth of five percent in June were the highest Matrix researchers have seen thus far for Yardi 200 universities, and transaction activity remains elevated despite rising interest rates. The preleasing rate is 10.1 percent higher than last year and 7.7 percent higher than pre-pandemic 2019. “With a few months to go in the leasing season, we expect Yardi 200 universities to start the fall term with record-breaking occupancy,” state Matrix analysts. The Yardi Matrix student housing data set includes over 2,000 universities and colleges nationwide, including the top 200 investment grade universities across all major collegiate conferences. Known as the “Yardi 200,” it includes all Power 5 conferences as well as Carnegie R1 and R2 universities. “Confidence in the sector abounds as the fall semester approaches, and previous concerns of headwinds have largely been put to rest,” state Matrix analysts in the new report. While some sectors of academia are experiencing postsecondary enrollment declines, the losses have primarily been at community colleges and smaller schools rather than competitive private and public flagship universities.  Fears about online learning diverting students from campus have also proven to be unwarranted, as students have a strong preference toward attending college in person. Learn more about the expectations for student housing by downloading the new report. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Self Storage is Solid Jul22

Self Storage is Solid...

Self storage rates keep edging up month after month due to persistent demand, according to the latest National Self Storage Report from Yardi® Matrix. Average U.S. street rates for 10X10 climate-controlled (CC) units rose $1 to $132 in June, while average rates for 10X10 non-climate-controlled (NON CC) units also rose $1 to $150, both all-time highs. “Demand continues to come from all directions, including the growth in home offices as most companies employ some type of hybrid strategy for knowledge workers, consumer spending on items such as clothing and furniture, and to a lesser degree businesses using storage for distribution purposes,” say Matrix analysts. Solid occupancy rates also enable property managers to push in-place rents, calculating that vacant units can be filled by new customers at higher rates. Nationally, the overall average street rate for all unit types increased 3.5 percent year-over-year in June. Although rates are at record highs, the growth rate has declined steadily since peaking at 14.4 percent in June 2021. However, market performance remains comfortably above historical trends. Concerns for the sector center around the slowing economy and rising interest rates that have produced a reduction in home sales, which drives storage demand. Storage facilities under construction or planned rose to 10 percent of existing stock this month. Strong fundamentals serve to incentivize development of new supply, but there is some concern that fear of oversupply may arise in highly penetrated markets. Yardi Matrix tracks a total of 4,115 self storage properties nationwide in various stages of development — including 1,524 planned, 755 under construction and 516 prospective properties. Matrix also maintains operational profiles for 28,455 completed self storage facilities across the United States, bringing the total data set to 32,570. Learn more about the state of the self storage...

Multifamily Outlook Jul21

Multifamily Outlook

The national outlook for the multifamily sector remains positive through the end of 2022, with asking rent performance expected to have increased by around eight percent by year’s end. That’s according to the latest U.S. Multifamily Outlook report released today by Yardi® Matrix, a leading provider of data and analysis on most real estate verticals. The report examines the state of the economy, including ongoing inflation and recession concerns, but concludes that though rent growth is slowing down, gains are expected to continue. Average national asking rents increased 5.7 percent in the first six months of the year. Year-over-year rent growth at the year’s midpoint was 13.7 percent, down 100 basis points from the end of 2021 and 150 basis points from the February peak of 15.2 percent. “While growth is moderating, we expect gains will continue to remain well above trend, with average asking rents increasing by 7.9 percent nationally by the end of 2022,” states the forecast. However, the increases are far from 2021’s record 14.7 percent increase. Property fundamentals continue to be exceptional, with demand driven by robust household formation, job growth, migration to suburbs and secondary markets, and the inaffordability of single-family homes for many would-be buyers. More than 900,000 new multifamily units are under construction nationally, with 420,000 expected to be delivered this year. Gain more insights about expectations for the remaining months of 2022 in the latest Matrix Multifamily Outlook. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Multifamily Update Jul15

Multifamily Update

Average U.S. multifamily rents rose another $19 in June to edge over $1,700 for the first time ever, according to the latest Yardi® Matrix Multifamily Report. The increase was fueled by strong demand and rent growth throughout the country. Rent growth increased at least 10 percent year-over-year in 25 of Yardi’s top 30 metros. National occupancy rates were solid at 96 percent. On a year-over-year basis, growth continues to slow down. In June, it decelerated by 50 basis points to 13.7 percent. That’s 130 basis points off the February peak of 15.2 percent. Rents in the single-family build-to-rent (BTR) sector continue to grow as well. The average single-family BTR asking rent increased by $23 in June to an all-time high of $2,071. Year-over-year growth dropped by 90 basis points to 11.8 percent. “The multifamily market is starting to show signs of deceleration in June but is still performing at extremely high levels. Year-over-year rent growth was down 50 basis points from May. While rent growth in 2022 is still higher than any previous year on record, it is the fourth month in a row year-over-year rent growth declined,” note Matrix analysts. The expectation for the remainder of 2022 is for rents to increase at slower rates as the economy cools off. “Inflation rates will take a while to ebb, causing consumers to cut into savings and their ability to afford increasing rental rates will lessen as the year goes on,” states the latest report. Learn more in the latest multifamily report. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call...

National Rent Growth Jun30

National Rent Growth

Rents in most American cities continue to rise slightly each month but are not duplicating the rapid escalation rates exhibited in 2021. But given ongoing gains, Yardi Matrix has revised its end-of-year projections upwards for most markets in a new special report. Average month-over-month asking rents increased by 1.1 percent in May compared to the one percent month-over-month increase in April. However, year-over-year asking rents decelerated, from 16 percent in April to 14 percent in May. “While we are seeing the usual seasonal increase leading into the summer months, 2022 does not look like a repeat of 2021 even though rent growth remains elevated,” state Matrix analysts. Asking rents fell in only six markets: the gateway markets of Queens and Brooklyn; small Southern markets Macon, Ga., and Jackson, Miss.; and tropical Honolulu and the Southwest Florida Coast. Conversely, 84 markets experienced greater than one percent month-over-month increase, and seven markets saw month-over-month growth that topped two percent: Charleston, Knoxville, the Bay Area-South Bay, Miami, the Urban Twin Cities, Wilmington, N.C., and Portland, Maine. Most markets received an increase to their end-of-year projections in the newly released Matrix report. The biggest increases were concentrated in markets that continue to outperform expectations, with Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Wilmington, South Bend and Spokane all seeing a more than five percent increase for year-end 2022. The nation’s economic outlook plays an important role in rent forecasts. That outlook has become increasingly tumultuous, with inflation at a 40-year-high but unemployment historically low. Analysts are continuing to keep a close eye on the market and monitoring the impact of the Federal Reserve’s approach to combatting inflation as well as the war in Ukraine. “The Fed will likely ramp up its pace of rate hikes and quantitative tightening, increasing the chance of recession for...

Storage Steps Up Jun21

Storage Steps Up

Self storage continues to see rents tick up month after month, despite growing economic turmoil, according to the latest National Self Storage Report from Yardi® Matrix. Overall street rates rose $1 last month to $147, with 10X10 climate controlled units averaging $149 and 10X10 non-climate controlled units at $131. “Storage demand remains extremely resilient, enabling operators to push both street rates and renewal rates while maintaining occupancy,” say Matrix analysts. The demand drivers for self storage are many, but current trends include the need for work-from-home space, retail spending on furnishings and consumer goods, migration and rising cost of housing. “Some households may choose to save money by living in a smaller apartment while renting a storage unit on the side. Inflation is a growing concern as it squeezes consumers’ budgets, but some operators say it also braces them to expect rent increases,” notes the report. Even as street rates hit record highs and demand remains strong, year-over-year growth is moderating as anticipated. The total average annual street rate growth fell 150 basis points to 3.5 percent in May, a continued deceleration from the standout gains of 2021. However, growth remains healthy relative to the long-term average. Yardi Matrix tracks a total of 4,066 self storage properties nationwide in various stages of development — including 1,481 planned, 750 under construction and 522 prospective properties. Matrix also maintains operational profiles for 28,390 completed self storage facilities across the United States, bringing the total data set to 32,456. Learn more about the state of the self storage market...