The Yardi Matrix U.S. Multifamily Outlook for fall 2016 found that national rent growth has continued but slowed, while a couple bursts of job growth has helped propel the market forward.

  • U.S. rents were up 5 percent annually in August, slowing from the 6-plus percent increases reported for the majority of the year.
  • Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin are collectively home to 20 percent of the nation's total new housing stock.
  • Houston rent growth in August 2016 was reported at 0.3 percent year-over-year.

The Yardi Matrix U.S. Multifamily Outlook for fall 2016 found that national rent growth has continued but slowed, while a couple bursts of job growth has helped propel the market forward.

Covering 110 markets throughout the nation, the Yardi Matrix report has detailed ownership, construction and loan data from 65,000 multifamily properties. Although forecasters predicted a more active year for economic growth, 2016 rents increased strongly in August, at 5 percent year-over-year. However, trends are slowing, as growth surpassed 6 percent for the majority of last year.

Construction was also strong, the report shows. In 2016 360,000 units are set to be delivered– a 45 percent increase over the previous year. The majority of markets are reporting quick absorption of new housing stock, but some, such as Houston, are struggling to keep up the pace.

This new stock could also be having an impact on the slowing of rent growth. Nationally, multifamily rents were down 50 basis points month-over-month in August and 170 basis points from the last peak, which was in October 2015.

averagerent

Some markets are still seeing growth in big figures. Sacramento saw year-over-year rent growth in August 2016 at 11.9 percent, and its 2016 rent forecast is 10.1 percent. And while Sacramento is leading in forecasted rent growth, Tacoma saw the biggest annual jump in August, at 12.7 percent.

Most markets are going to continue to trend in a positive direction, as millennials and baby boomers continue to fuel the rental economy. Occupancy rates reached near all-time highs of 95.9 percent in July, but this figure is expected to cool a bit as new supply continues to be delivered.

[Tweet “Houston rent growth in August was reported at 0.3 percent annually”]

Rent growth in Houston is still positive, but just barely. In August, Houston rent growth on a year-over-year basis was reported at 0.3 percent. By year-end, growth is expected to be 1.6 percent.

Houston is, unfortunately, one of the major metros experiencing a shrinking job economy despite prior demand causing a flood of new inventory. The metro has the largest figure for the 2016 forecast completions, which makes up 4.2 percent of the city’s stock. By the end of the year, Yardi predicts the annual contribution to the supply to be 25,851.

Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio collectively make up 20 percent of the total new supply of homes in the U.S. in 2016, according to the report.

us-rent

New home construction in the U.S. is still chugging along with strong figures, the report shows. Housing starts reached an annualized rate of 1.2 million units in July. Of the forecasted 360,000 new multifamily units expected to be delivered in total this year, 162,000 units have been completed.

And while occupancy rates are expected to be impacted by this large delivery, rent rates may not budge much. Builders continue to lean toward high-end lifestyle renters, Yardi says, making it more challenging for the renter-by-necessity to find an affordable place.

Email Kimberly Manning

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×