EP#30 Lee Everett | Q2 '25 U.S. Apartment Market Update

It's all about SFR and BTR in this episode, where rental housing economist Jay Parsons shares his Top 5 takeaways from the single-family REITs' recent earnings calls AND talks build-to-rent opportunities with the one of the nation's most prominent BTR players. Jay shares how the SFR market is seeing some overlapping themes with the apartment sector — including solid performances in Q1, low resident turnover and healthy rental financials. Jay also highlights the SFR REITs' continued pivot away from acquiring individual homes off the MLS and into new construction of rental homes. And in the interview portion of the podcast, Jay welcomes in Branden Lombardi, president of BB Living. Jay and Branden discuss the evolving landscape for BTR development opportunities, including a shift from the exurbs into more suburban infill opportunities. Additionally, Jay brings back recurring features like "In the News" and "Rental Housing Trivia."

Rental housing economist Jay Parsons breaks down earnings call season for the apartment REITs, offering up five big takeaways from what turned out to be a moderately upbeat quarter. Jay shares why REITs continue to see strong fundamentals ... and yet aren't raising guidance. Jay also shares key insights from REIT commentaries on hot topics like renter financial health, low turnover, impact of federal layoffs in D.C., and potential impacts from tariffs. In the second half of the program, Jay welcomes in Alfonso Costa Jr., a former senior official at HUD and now the COO at Falcone Group, a Florida-based developer with a national footprint. Alfonso shares his unique perspective on housing as someone who has served in senior roles in both the public sector and private sector — and offers up thoughts on what could help move the needle again on housing creation. Alfonso also talks about what still works, in terms of new development, in the current high-rate environment. Additionally, Jay brings back recurring segments like "In the News" and "Rental Housing Trivia."

Airbnb's Global Head of Real Estate, Jesse Stein, joins The Rent Roll podcast to talk conspiracy theories about the impact of short-term rentals on the long-term rental market, real solutions, as well as to share Airbnb's strategy of partnering with apartment owners to empower apartment residents to make their units available for short-term stays. Additionally, host Jay Parsons toasts the retiring Oracle of Omaha — the great Warren Buffett — and shares words of wisdom he wrote about the rent-versus-buy debate back in 2010. Jay also discusses recent headlines on Gen Z renter preferences (and how amenity-rich student housing may be shaping those tastes), the supply shortage spiking rents in Milwaukee, and a plan to repurpose some federal lands for housing development.

Multifamily housing construction is slowing — and fast. While current deliveries are putting significant downward pressure on rents, the story could very soon shift from "oversupply" back to "undersupply." Rental housing economist Jay Parsons shares the latest data on apartment starts and completions, and asks: Could YIMBYs be part of the answer in bringing back at least pickup in apartment construction? Certainly, YIMBY-ism is having its moment — maturing from a grassroots effort in California to a national movement that now includes a best-selling book ("Abundance" by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson) to members of the U.S. Congress forming a bipartisan YIMBY Caucus. One of the leaders at the center of this movement is Mike Kingsella, who shares how and why he joined the YIMBY cause, and where he sees it going. Mike has helped bring together a unique and diverse group of leaders across housing advocacy, policy, and industry to unite behind the singular cause of getting more housing built all across the country. Additionally, Jay brings in YIMBY-centric editions of recurring segments like "In the News" and "Rental Housing Trivia."

Rental housing economist Jay Parsons tackles today's biggest newsmaker: tariffs. What impact are tariffs having on apartment and BTR construction and operations? How much will new starts be impacted? What components are most impacted by tariffs? Jay cuts through the noise and hot air to share five observations and insights on the potential impacts of tariffs on multifamily and build-to-rent housing. Jay also breaks down recent headlines speculating about the impact on rents, and explains why the current narrative is likely wrong. Additionally, Jay welcomes in two executives — Scott Villani and Dan Hull -- from one of the nation's largest apartment builders, NRP Group. Scott and Dan open up NRP's playbook to share where they're seeing impacts from tariffs, and why the total impact on construction costs is likely less than many people think. Scott and Dan also share what they're seeing in the current lease-up environment, and what markets are showing signs of rebounding earliest and supporting the next wave of new construction starts.

Rental housing economist Jay Parsons breaks down the latest and freshest data on the U.S. apartment market — including supply (on the decline), demand (on the rise) and rents (ticking back upward). What's driving the improvement and how is the outlook changing given recent noise around the economy? Cortland's EVP and Head of Research, Lee Everett, joins the podcast to share his perspective on the market — and why apartments may be well positioned for the road ahead relative to alternatives. Jay and Lee also share expectations for rent growth in 2025 and 2026 as supply drops off. When will rent growth return to positive territory in the high-supplied Sun Belt and Mountain markets? Additionally, as always, Jays breaks down the latest headlines impacting rental housing with "In the News" and tees up another round of "Rental Housing Trivia."

Rental Housing Economist Jay Parsons breaks down 25 years of the NMHC Top 50 apartment owners lists to reveal some surprising facts and history. For example: Did you know the NMHC Top 50 own only 11% of U.S. apartments? Or that the top owners of the late 1990s and 2000s were much bigger — in terms of unit counts — than today's largest owners? Or that the floor for the Top 25 Developers is lower than at any point in 10+ years — another sign that developers are starting fewer apartments. Jay also breaks down the brief histories of the 14 different NMHC #1 owners since 1990, and reveals where each one is today. Later in this week's episode, Jay welcomes in Antonio Marquez, the founder of Comunidad Partners (a leading provider of workforce housing) who holds leadership roles with the National Multifamily Housing Council and the Multifamily Impact Council. Antonio shares his story growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American, and how his upbringing inspired his mission to build a sustainable workforce housing model delivering positive impacts for renters and investors alike. Additionally, Jay brings back recurring segments of the podcast, including "In the News" and "Rental Housing Trivia."

Rental housing economist Jay Parsons breaks down the case for the Southeast's apartment and single-family rental markets. While some pontificators have openly fretted over slowing population growth, Jay shares data and forecasts showing the Southeast (as well as Southwest) — while moderating — remain much better positioned for growth (particularly among young adults more likely to rent) than other parts of the country. While the 50-year high in supply has created a big headwind across the Southeast of late, the drop in starts could flip the script in the near future. Jay looks back at the Southeast's pre-COVID performance as a potential indicator for what the next cycle could look like. Adding to the topic, James Kane — ex-Starwood Managing Director and current Southeast Partner for Madera Residential — joins the podcast to share his experience managing tens of thousands of units across the region, and shares his views on what Southeast markets look attractive going forward. Additionally, Jay brings back recurring segments like "New Digs," "Rental Housing Trivia" and "In the News."

Rental housing economist Jay Parsons dives deep into a topic that is far more nuanced than it's typically given credit for: low turnover among renters. Nearly everyone wants to give all the credit to the lack of move-outs to buy single-family homes. And certainly that's a factor, but is it the only factor? The data suggests it's just one of several factors at play. Jay examines other factors that help explain why turnover has been unusually low throughout these past five years — even back when home sales were booming. Additionally, Jay brings in multifamily proptech guru Dom Beveridge for a conversation on the evolving role of technology in resident satisfaction and retention, as well as leasing and staffing efficiency. How do we separate real advancements from buzzy vaporware on hot topics like AI and centralization? Dom shares highlights from his latest 20for20 report offering intel from apartment executives on real technology trends impacting property owners and managers. And as always, Jay offers up recurring features like "In the News" and "Rental Housing Trivia."

Rental housing economist Jay Parsons breaks down a new groundbreaking study on Opportunity Zones, which have proven to be remarkably effective — and efficient — in producing housing. Jay shares key takeaways from the study and then welcomes in "The Wizard of OZ" — Opportunity Zone apartment developer Barrett Linburg. Barrett and Jay talk about why the program has been a win/win for investors and for renters, and also previews what OZ 2.0 might look like as Congress works on potentially expanding and extending the Opportunity Zone legislation. Additionally, Jay reviews the latest headlines impacting rental housing — including two states discussing new rent control programs — and offers up another edition of "Rental Housing Trivia" and "Complaints Department."