In this week’s selection of news stories, Arbor’s Chatter blog published a propriety research article with Chandan Economics, analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on labor markets across the country. Next, Adam Kaufman, the co-founder and COO of ArborCrowd, which is part of the Arbor family of companies, authored an article in Forbes explaining the strength of responsible real estate crowdfunding despite the challenges of the current economic climate. GlobeSt covers how the pandemic has changed processes but leasing activity is returning to expected levels. RealPage provides data demonstrating even with the coronavirus disruption, multifamily properties in the Midwest continue to hold onto mild price increases. Finally, Bloomberg reports on how institutional investors are heavily investing in single-family rentals (SFRs) following the COVID-19 outbreak and the surge in demand for this asset class.
Labor Markets Most and Least Impacted by COVID-19
Arbor Chatter – September 23
“The Louisville area saw the lowest decline in employment, with the unemployment rate ticking up by just 2.0% from July of last year.”
Despite Recent Challenges, The Real Estate Crowdfunding Industry’s Future Is Bright
Forbes – September 18
“Real estate crowdfunding has the opportunity to help sponsors get important projects off the ground by serving as a source of capital, filling a void left by lenders that have slowed origination activities.”
Apartment Leasing Rebounds to Normal Levels
GlobeSt – September 22
“Quarantine, distance learning and work-from-home policies encouraged people to move to more accommodating homes, driving leasing demand.”
Midwest Region Sustaining Rent Growth
RealPage – September 18
“As of August, only the Midwest has avoided rent cuts thus far, with prices still growing a modest 0.5% annually. Midwest rent growth was driven primarily by decent gains in Cincinnati, Detroit, Columbus and Indianapolis.”
Wall Street’s New Suburban Subdivision Is Full of Renters
Bloomberg – September 23
“Wall Street won big buying up homes during the foreclosure crisis and renting them out. Now, it’s headed back to the suburbs in hopes of scoring again.”
