INDUSTRY NEWS
CMC Appoints Wendy Simpson President and CMO
by Marlena DeFalco
Creative Marketing Concepts named Wendy Simpson president and chief marketing officer, adding a multifamily veteran with more than 25 years of experience. The appointment supports CMC’s continued expansion of fractional marketing services for property management firms and industry suppliers seeking scalable expertise. Simpson will focus on strengthening brand strategy, driving client growth and helping organizations navigate operational changes.
Read the article in The Multifamily Journal
Concessions Mask Emerging Multifamily Distress
by Kristen Smithberg
Owners are increasingly relying on concessions to maintain occupancy as higher debt costs, slower rent growth and aggressive underwriting assumptions pressure property performance. Incentive spending reached record levels in early 2026, creating hidden financial strain despite stable headline rent and occupancy figures across many markets.
LA’s Next Mayor Could Kill — Or Save — Measure ULA
by Bianca Barragan
Los Angeles mayoral candidates are intensifying debate over housing affoand Measure ULA as rising construction costs, slowing development and persistent homelessness reshape the city’s housing agenda. Critics argue the transfer tax has reduced investment and stalled projects, while supporters say it funds urgently needed affordable housing.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Standing Up to NIMBYs to Get More Built
by Patricia Kirk
State and local governments across the country are overriding restrictive zoning rules and streamlining approvals to accelerate multifamily and affordable housing development despite persistent neighborhood opposition. Decades of NIMBY resistance have worsened supply shortages, inflated rents and stalled projects through lengthy approval battles. New legislation, transit-oriented upzoning initiatives and funding incentives are reshaping development policy.
Read the article in Multi-Housing News
Four Fed Benchmarks Every CRE Investor Should Watch
by Erik Sherman
Commercial real estate investors are closely monitoring four key Federal Reserve benchmarks as elevated interest rates, inflation concerns and slowing economic growth influence financing conditions. Treasury yields, the federal funds rate, inflation data and employment trends are influencing borrowing costs, cap rates and transaction activity across multifamily.
Pretty Spaces Don’t Meet The Needs Of A Hybrid Workforce
by Shannon Dunnigan
Multifamily communities designed primarily around aesthetics and hospitality-style amenities are increasingly falling short for residents with remote and hybrid work schedules. Renters now prioritize functional, feature-rich coworking areas. Owner/operators that fail to redesign amenities around shifting work habits risk losing competitiveness.
MULTIFAMILY TECHNOLOGY
Inside Subtext’s Award-Winning Social Media Strategy
by Olivia Bunescu
Student Housing Unlocked explores why polished visuals aren’t enough for today’s students and how authentic, resident‑first storytelling drives real engagement. Maggie St. Geme, vice president of marketing at Subtext Living, breaks down turning brand identity into community‑specific content, and why hyperlocal narratives, short‑form video and resident‑driven moments now shape every stage of the leasing journey.
Is Multifamily Ready For An AI Job Apocalypse?
by Leslie Shaver
Growing concerns over AI-driven job displacement are emerging as a potential threat to demand and rent growth, particularly in markets heavily concentrated with technology and white-collar employment. Analysts warn that widespread workforce disruption could reduce renter mobility and pressure occupancy levels across multifamily portfolios.
Smart Building Supply Chain Is Getting More Expensive
by Franco Faraudo
Rising costs across the smart building supply chain are increasing financial pressure on owner/operators already managing elevated construction expenses, technology investments and operational demands. Higher prices for semiconductors, sensors and networking equipment are delaying projects and forcing developers to reconsider deployment strategies.