Despite a disruptive pandemic, investor demand for multifamily real estate was strong in 2020, according to a newly released Yardi Matrix Bulletin.
Around 252,000 apartment units were absorbed last year. That’s about 1.7% of total market stock and down 12% from the 286,300 apartments purchased in 2019.
“Considering the economic and social calamity that befell the U.S., in many respects due to COVID-19, the fact that demand held up as well as it did is a relief for the apartment industry,” say Matrix analysts.
Net absorption was strongest in 25 of the 30 largest metros, which accounted for 158,300 units absorbed. Dallas, Atlanta and Denver saw the highest absorption rates.
Negative absorption was centralized in key gateway markets hit hard by COVID-19, which also struggled with renter demand and average rents. The worst performers were the Bay Area and New York City, which combined for -22,100 units absorbed in 2020.
Overall, high-cost gateway metros had net absorption of -0.3% (-7,600 units). Demand was better in secondary (154,100 units, or 2.3% of total stock) and tertiary (96,200 units, or 2.0% of stock) markets.
On a regional level, renters continued to flock to the Southeast (96,700 units absorbed, or 2.4% of total stock), the Southwest (56,800 units, 2.1% of stock) and the West (57,100 units, 1.9% of stock). Meanwhile, demand was slightly positive in the Midwest (27,100 units, 1.1% of stock) and the Northeast (4,900 units, 0.2% of stock).
Here are the top 10 markets based on net multifamily absorption in 2020:
1. Dallas: 19,233 units; 2.4% net absorption of total stock; 93.8% occupancy rate in Dec. 2020
2. Atlanta: 12,864; 2.8%; 94.7%
3. Denver: 11,552; 4.0%; 94.5%
4. Phoenix: 10,082; 3.2%; 95.5%
5. Houston: 8,377; 1.3%; 92.1%
6. Austin, Texas: 7,893; 3.1%; 93.3%
7. Miami: 7,721; 2.5%; 94.4%
8. Tampa, Fla.: 6,196; 2.8%; 95.4%
9. Charlotte, N.C.: 6,073; 3.3%; 95.1%
10. San Antonio: 5,836; 2.8%; 93.0%
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Apr 23, 2019
Recharging Edison’s batteries
America’s greatest inventor would have appreciated this project team’s ingenuity and persistence.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 17, 2019
Multifamily real estate trends for 2019 and beyond
Boomers are on the move and Millennials are seeing upward mobility, but issues with affordability and housing product mix persist.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 16, 2019
Multifamily rentals are still alive and kickin’
Apartments are being built, and in goodly number. But not enough of it is affordable.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 12, 2019
NYC officials partner with nonprofit to build modular affordable housing
Thorobird and BACDYS partner with Brooklyn’s FullStack Modular on project.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 11, 2019
St. Augustine Terrace brings affordable housing to the Bronx
Magnusson Architecture + Planning designed the building.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 8, 2019
Priced to sell: DUMBO condo development offers starter units in luxury setting
Designed by ODA New York, 98 Front Street will be loaded with amenities like a salt water pool, co-working spaces, and indoor and outdoor fitness centers.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Apr 5, 2019
Historic Corrigan Tower in Dallas becomes 1900 Pacific Residences
The 18-story Corrigan Tower in the Dallas’s historic downtown district is now a thriving 150-unit apartment residence community.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 3, 2019
Multifamily rent growth hits two-year high in February, rising 3.6%
A survey of 127 major U.S. real estate markets by Yardi Matrix shows no signs of slowing for multifamily rental demand.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 3, 2019
New multifamily development rises in Summerville’s Nexton mixed-use community
The new complex offers easy access to I-26.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 24, 2019
New York’s largest office-to-condo conversion nearing completion
One Wall Street will feature 100,000 sf of amenities and a three-level Whole Foods.