Freddie Mac Releases Annual Multifamily Outlook

While multifamily growth will continue rolling forward, 2014 may tap the brakes a bit.

Freddie Mac released its 2014 Multifamily Economic Outlook on Friday noting that rent growth and vacancy will remain positive but should slow down compared to 2013.

The report states the overall health of the economy should stimulate job growth bringing more young adults into the labor force and causing more demand for rentals.

“The 25- to 34-year-old age cohort is a key driver of demand for rental housing,” the report states. “Assuming employment conditions return to previous norms, this could add 1.6 million new workers from this cohort.”

Despite the expected Millenial pressure on demand, analysts and experts at the government-sponsored enterprise also feel that last year’s booming construction starts should deliver the supply needed going forward.

Yet, experts also anticipate rent growth and vacancy rates to feel pressure due to the amount of new supply coming this year. More than 240,000 units are expected to be delivered nationwide this year, according to Dallas-based Axiometrics..

“Current vacancy rates in Washington, D.C., and Norfolk, Va., are higher than historical averages which puts these markets at a higher risk of a market slowdown with further increases in supply,” the release states.

The report also suggests multifamily deals will lead as solid investments this year as cap rates should remain below 7 percent for the next few years.

“The Freddie Mac Multifamily Investment Index shows that multifamily will remain an attractive investment for the next few years,” the release states. “The Index, which measures the relative attractiveness of investing in multifamily properties over time, was at 146.3 for the third quarter of 2013, well above the historical average of 124.6.”