Deep Dive

Industry insights from our journalists

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    shapecharge via Getty Images
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    Assistant managers move off-site amid centralization push

    Apartment operators see many advantages to moving bookkeeping and collections functions to remote locations.

    Leslie Shaver • Oct. 8, 2024
  • Window AC units in a large building from the outside.
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    Johan_Spinnell via Getty Images
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    An air conditioning law, the first in its region, changed tenants’ rights in this Maryland county

    Montgomery County began requiring landlords to provide AC in 2020 amid climate concerns and renter complaints. Despite a shaky start, officials say things are going smoothly now.

    Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 27, 2024
  • Three people speak with each other in front of a large multifamily building.
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    Kent J. Edwards/Reuters

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    Should tenants have a right to cooling? More cities say yes amid record heat.

    As rental cooling standards pop up around the country, experts warn that they aren’t a perfect solution to the rising danger of scorching temperatures.

    Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 26, 2024
  • Detroit, Michigan, USA downtown skyline from above at dusk.
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    Sean Pavone via Getty Images
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    Contractors, owners wait out high interest rates

    As long as the Fed doesn't raise already elevated rates, a steady environment could jump-start stalled projects.

    Sebastian Obando • May 14, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Investors watch, wait for signs of distress

    As lenders work with borrowers and bring back “extend-and-pretend” strategies, apartment properties with problem loans aren’t hitting the market.

    Leslie Shaver • April 2, 2024
  • Orange apartments leasing sign
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    Michael Vi via Getty Images
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    Heavy concessions are helping renters move up

    In what has been a surprise to both executives and analysts, effective class B rents have been falling in high-supply markets.

    Leslie Shaver • Dec. 5, 2023
  • A shift to remote work has softened the demand for office space, accelerating the need for commercial-to-residential conversions.
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    Fang Xia Nuo via Getty Images
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    HUD grant focuses on commercial building conversions

    The authority seeks to fund case studies of recent conversion projects to provide practical commercial conversion guidance to operators and local agencies.

    Nish Amarnath • Aug. 7, 2023
  • Employees walk in front of a sign outside of the shuttered Silicon Valley Bank headquarters.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    4 ways that recent banking failures will impact the multifamily sector

    After the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature, multifamily borrowers could face challenges finding construction debt and loans from smaller lenders.

    Leslie Shaver • April 12, 2023
  • construction at The Boro in Tysons, VA.
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    Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors
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    Recession watch: Why the next one will be different

    Executives from Skanska, Lendlease, Suffolk and others see unique characteristics in an economic slowdown this year.

    Sebastian Obando • Jan. 19, 2023
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    Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine. (2016). "Airbnb Office" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Are short-term rentals worth the risk?

    Problems in one Texas high-rise show the challenges of relying on temporary guests, but some managers say they can smooth out issues.

    Leslie Shaver • Nov. 17, 2022
  • Edgewater modular project
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    Permission granted by Volumetric Building Companies
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    Multifamily developers embrace modular

    The sector is turning to prefabrication to speed up project deliveries, but not for any real cost savings during the construction phase, experts say.

    Sebastian Obando • Nov. 11, 2022
  • A lounge space in an apartment building with a skyline view outside the window.
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    Permission granted by Greystar
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    9 of the year’s top amenity trends

    Coworking space is among the most vital, with rentable household items, to-go markets and pet wash stations also cited by multifamily experts.

    Mary Salmonsen • Oct. 10, 2022
  • wooden blocks with letters making refinance text
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    Eugene Zvonkov via Getty Images
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    Interest rate increases put apartment refinancing at risk

    As owners go back to lenders, they will need to bring more cash to the table.

    Leslie Shaver • Aug. 15, 2022
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    Povozniuk via Getty Images
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    Will increased borrowing costs dent sky-high apartment valuations?

    As interest rates rise, outside demand and rent growth will need to drive values.

    Leslie Shaver • July 25, 2022
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    Dilok Klaisataporn via Getty Images
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    Rising interest rates shake up the multifamily lending mix

    With volatility in the debt market, will borrowers return to the agencies?

    Leslie Shaver • July 20, 2022
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    SARINYAPINNGAM via Getty Images
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    Soaring interest rates stymie deals

    As the buyer pool shrinks and multifamily sales are retraded, could the red-hot apartment transaction market cool off?

    Leslie Shaver • July 5, 2022
  • Senior City TOD at Federal Way Transit Center May 9, 2019
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    Courtesy of Sound Transit
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    Transit-oriented development catches on as cities need to boost ridership and housing supply

    Cities are opting to build mixed-use developments near public transportation, but experts in Seattle, Atlanta and elsewhere say getting it right is a big challenge.

    Adina Solomon • April 5, 2022
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Hoarding, ghost orders and pop-up warehouses: construction's new supply chain playbook

    Material prices have hit a 35-year high. Here's what contractors are doing to survive inflation.

    Joe Bousquin • March 10, 2022