THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
How Your Lack of Efficiency in the Way You Put on Shoes Costs NOI
by Todd Katler
Just as an inefficient approach to tying your shoes wastes time, small operational inefficiencies can quietly erode NOI. Poor inventory tracking and cumbersome leasing processes leave parking spaces, garages and storage units underutilized. By simplifying workflows and automating asset management, owner/operators can capture missed revenue opportunities, reduce administrative burdens and improve profitability.
Read the article in The Multifamily Journal
What’s Your Unpopular Opinion About Multifamily?
by Jessica Fiur
Leaders share their unpopular opinions and challenge conventional approaches to multifamily. According to the feedback, organizations need to prioritize lead conversion over generation, improve customer service and personal connections, distinguish branding from marketing and coordinate messaging across departments.
Work from Home Still Affecting Multifamily Housing
by Scott Sowers
Remote and hybrid work continue to influence multifamily despite return-to-office mandates. Nearly 22% of U.S. workers worked from home at least part-time in 2025, with participation varying significantly by state and industry. The persistence of flexible work underscores lasting changes in how residents use their homes and communities.
MULTIFAMILY NEWS
States Are Funding Housing With Debt Instead of Rule Changes
by Franco Faraudo
Voters in the 2026 midterms favored borrowing over regulatory reform in recent housing ballot measures, approving bonds to fund affordable housing while rejecting proposals to ease development restrictions. California, Rhode Island and Hawaii backed financing initiatives, but rising municipal borrowing costs could increase long-term taxpayer obligations and complicate efforts to address housing shortages.
Banks Reverse Course, Tighten Multifamily Lending Standards
by Erika Morphy
Banks reversed course on lending in the third quarter, tightening credit standards as loan demand weakened. Federal Reserve data shows 8.8% net tightening and a 22.8% decline in net demand. Stricter underwriting, reduced leverage and persistent refinancing gaps could force borrowers to contribute additional equity as conditions worsen.
Multifamily Delinquencies Increase in October
by Leslie Shaver
Multifamily commercial mortgage-backed securities continue to show financial stress, with delinquency and servicing rates reaching their highest levels in more than a decade. The servicing rate climbed to 9.22%, while delinquencies reached 8.09%. A $210 million loan tied to a California community contributed to the increase.
INNOVATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
REBA Debuts MCP for Multifamily Built on Governed Data
by Marlena DeFalco
Real Estate Business Analytics (REBA) has launched a multifamily-specific Model Context Protocol (MCP) that connects enterprise AI platforms to its governed data foundation. The integration enables operators to access standardized, cross-system insights through natural-language queries. Compatible with Claude and Microsoft Copilot, the solution helps operators identify inefficiencies, analyze performance and make more informed decisions.
Read the article in The Multifamily Journal
GEO: How to Become the Answer, Not Just a Result
by Ashley Effinger
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is reshaping how luxury communities approach digital marketing. As renters increasingly use AI to find properties matching their lifestyles, accuracy is essential. Clear descriptions of amenities, fees, pet policies and neighborhoods can improve visibility in AI-generated recommendations.
The New Line Items Showing Up in 2027 Multifamily Budgets
by Robyn Friedman
Owner/operators are adding new expenses to their 2027 budgets as emerging risks reshape property management. Fraud prevention, AI and cybersecurity are becoming essential costs. Insurance and lender requirements are also driving spending, challenging operators to balance financial pressures with efficiency.