The Single-Family Rentals in Build-to-Rent Communities report by Yardi Matrix shares an update of the SFR market in 2024. Overall, single-family rentals are continuing to grow in built-to-rent communities. Both rent and occupancy growth have been strong in recent months while remaining a financially viable option for renters.
Over two-thirds of the top 30 metros have higher occupancy rates from single-family rentals in BTR communities than other multifamily assets.
4 Biggest Demand Drivers for Single-Family Rentals
But aside from price, what’s driving the demand? Four of the biggest demand drivers for single-family rentals are work-from-home professionals, household growth, the declining affordability of homeownership, and the demographics of Millennials and blue-collar workers.
1. Renters working from home
Because more than half (52%) of full-time workers are now returning back to the office, hybrid work is becoming the norm. Single-family rentals are more accommodating to this shifting demographic than traditional apartments; SFR offers a quieter environment and more space inside the home for the hybrid worker.
2. Household formation growth during the pandemic
Demand is also driven by household formation growth during the pandemic as a result of:
- Employment/wage growth.
- Stimulus payments.
- Increased savings.
3. Declining homebuying affordability
According to the Yardi Matrix report, 61% of renters in the largest metros are priced out of homebuying. The average home mortgage payment reached $2,547 at the end of 2023. Compare this to the average rent of $1,734 and renting looks like the better deal.
As the affordability of buying a home decreases, single-family rentals are prime for Millennials and blue-collar workers who would like to buy a house, but can’t.
4. Specific demographics
Those averaging a salary of $60,000 to $70,000 a year, individuals aged 24 to 40, and Millennials/blue-collar workers are largely driving the demand for single-family rentals in built-to-rent communities.
SFR development trends indicate that flexible designs and lot size by location are based on consumer preferences. For example, young singles and couples prefer pet-friendly units, while young families prefer large common areas.
RELATED: Multifamily rent remains flat at $1,710 in January
Development Trends
The four biggest single-family rental development trends as of 2024 include:
- Amenities. On-site maintenance and community areas are the most popular. Better parking, storage, privacy, and yard space is also highly desired.
- Smart home technology. This has become a “must” and will likely be standard soon, according to Yardi. Developers should plan for future demand such as electric vehicle charging in garages.
- Homes designed for frequent moving. Single-family rentals are using resilient materials like laminate faux wood flooring to maintain a durable, sleek look. Units are designed with wider hallways to accommodate the moving of furniture in and out of the home.
- Flexibility. Target demographics and location influence the design of build-to-rent communities. While younger renters would prefer pet-friendly units and large common areas, older singles and couples prefer an attached garage.
Click here to view the full Yardi Matrix Single-Family Rentals in Build-to-Rent Communities report.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Oct 9, 2018
Bjarke Ingels Group creates 66 homes for low-income citizens in Copenhagen
The building is approximately 73,000 sf.
Mixed-Use | Oct 4, 2018
Four-story hotel and adjacent affordable housing community opens in California’s Sonoma County
Axis/GFA Architecture and Design was the architect for the project.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 25, 2018
Fitness centers go for wellness
Equipment choice, room size, program offerings—a lot of thinking has to go into creating a fitness facility that pays off in resident satisfaction.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 24, 2018
Topsy-turvy: Creative use of air rights results in a model of urban luxury design
Using bold cantilevering and imaginative structural design, ODA and its project team created a 12-story building whose massing grows in width as it steps upward.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 21, 2018
A place of ‘voluntary and cheerful resort’
A project team soldiers on in the wake of a nightmarish turn of events.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 19, 2018
Multifamily market trends 2018: What the experts are saying
The growth of keyless entry solutions and demand for oversized units are among the trends and ideas shared at Marcus & Millichap’s 2018 Multifamily Forum in Chicago.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 29, 2018
Brighton Marine is the largest veterans’ development constructed in Boston since World War II
The Architectural Team designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 27, 2018
5 noteworthy multifamily projects: summer 2018 edition
The 5 buildings highlight MFDC's summer issue noteworthy projects section.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 20, 2018
$53 million Chamberlain apartments will comprise six buildings, three new and three renovated
The project’s groundbreaking was held on July 19.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 17, 2018
Sound advice on multifamily construction
Four leading experts tell how to ensure your next multifamily project achieves acoustic privacy.