Multifamily Properties Are Positioned for a Strong 2021

The multifamily sector weathered the storm in 2020, living up to its reputation as one of the most stable commercial real estate asset classes. The forecast for apartments in the new year is also bright. And even with where things sit today with the still raging pandemic and the terrifying scene that unfolded in the nation’s capital last week, observers point to the continued rollout of vaccines and the likelihood of new COVID-19 relief measures with the new administration and Democratic control of Congress as reasons for high hopes for the balance of 2021.

Economists expect the average apartment community to remain close to fully-occupied in 2021 with relatively stable rents and stable collections. Investors ended 2020 on a brisk buying clip fueled in part by capital providers remaining more than willing to finance the sector. Hopes that working vaccines against the coronavirus will eventually be distributed have helped offset—so far—the recent jaw-dropping spikes in new infections, hospitalizations and deaths. Hopes that Congress might provide more support to people and business hurt by the pandemic—and emergency assistance passed in December 2020—should make up for the expiration of vital programs in the second half of 2020.

“Multifamily remains a very stable investment with a very stable outlook,” says John Sebree, senior vice president and national director of Marcus & Millichap's Multi Housing Division, working in the firm's Chicago office.