Exclusive Research: Defying Gravity via NREI

Multifamily has enjoyed a long run as a favored commercial property type over the past decade. And despite a recent surge in new supply that has taken some of the edge off of enthusiasm, market participants are holding onto a positive outlook.

Exclusive research conducted by NREI shows that a majority of survey respondents are predicting stable or improving fundamentals in the coming year, with a continued appetite to maintain or expand portfolios. The market remains optimistic even as concerns about high levels of construction move higher. Views on whether there is too much new construction occurring increased from 36.5 percent a year ago to 43 percent who now believe there is too much construction. Nearly one-third (35 percent) believe it is the right amount and 12 percent think it is too little, while 10 percent said they were unsure of the answer.

Read more...Exclusive Research: Defying Gravity via NREI

How Strong is Texas’ Economy? via GlobeSt

The major Texas markets are viewed very favorably in terms of near-term investment outlook. According to Emerging Trends in Real Estate: 2019, published by the Urban Land Institute and PWC, real estate investors favor markets with potential for more growth than the traditional gateway cities.

In the report, Dallas/Fort Worth was ranked number one, with potential for strong future growth but also with the liquidity of a gateway market. Austin ranked number six in the study while San Antonio ranked number 20. Houston ranked 37.

Read more...How Strong is Texas’ Economy? via GlobeSt

Dallas-Fort Worth Economic Indicators November 2018 via Dallas Fed

Growth in Dallas–Fort Worth remained widespread and brisk, with the metro area adding 9,500 jobs in October. Unemployment fell, and the Dallas and Fort Worth business-cycle indexes posted solid and above-trend growth. Housing affordability remained near record lows for Dallas and dipped in Fort Worth in the third quarter. Through September, growth in DFW housing permits was trailing the state's pace.

Read more...Dallas-Fort Worth Economic Indicators November 2018 - Dallasfed.org

U.S. Housing Starts Rise as Apartment Groundbreaking Gains via NREI

U.S. new-home construction picked up in October on a rebound in apartments and other multifamily housing, offering some hope that the market is stabilizing despite rising prices and borrowing costs.

Residential starts increased 1.5 percent to an annualized rate of 1.23 million from the prior month’s upwardly revised 1.21 million, government figures showed Tuesday. While that matched the median estimate of economists, single-family home starts fell for a second month. Permits, an indication of future construction, fell 0.6 percent to a 1.26 million rate, also in line with projections.

Read more...U.S. Housing Starts Rise as Apartment Groundbreaking Gains via NREI

Dallas No. 1, While Other Texas Markets Strong in Real Estate Investment Potential via Realty News Report

With Dallas-Fort Worth ranked No. 1 in the nation, Houston is a real estate market on the rise and “has it all” as cited in the investment market rankings of Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2019 by PwC and the Urban Land Institute.

Read more...Dallas No. 1, While Other Texas Markets Strong in Real Estate Investment Potential via Realty News Report

ALN Monthly Market Stats November 2018 via ALN Apartment Data

ALN Data just released their October 2018 market stats on occupancy and rents for over 80 markets. In Texas, it includes DFW, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo, Abilene, Corpus Christi and more. It is a must read from a great provider of apartment data.

Read more...ALN Monthly Market Stats November 2018 via ALN Apartment Data

Dallas And Fort Worth Diverge On Rent Growth via Bisnow

Dallas and Fort Worth are acting surprisingly differently in apartment rent growth these days, with Fort Worth clocking a healthy 3.1% rent growth to Dallas’ sluggish 1.3% rent growth, according to third-quarter multifamily statistics from RealPage.

“It’s unusual for the performance patterns to be this far apart,” RealPage Chief Economist Greg Willett said. “The two metros normally move pretty closely together, and it really just reflects the large block of construction on the Dallas side.”

Read more...Dallas And Fort Worth Diverge On Rent Growth via Bisnow

Can you afford rising rents for Dallas apartments? via Dallas News

A single worker getting Texas' minimum wage of $7.25 an hour would gross $1,160 working four 40-hour weeks. That's $11 less than the average rent in the city of Dallas. Layer onto those stats news from a recent report showing that last year, almost 100 percent of the apartments built in Dallas-Fort Worth were high-end units, spurred in part by the increasing cost of labor and construction materials.

Occupancy rates are strong across all apartment segments in Dallas, even in the face of higher rents. That shows that the market has yet to hit "oversupply" territory. Class A properties have a lower occupancy rate because more are new builds seeking to fill up.

Read more...Can you afford rising rents for Dallas apartments? via Dallas News

Houston Economic Indicators via Dallas Fed

Houston economic conditions remain mostly positive, as does the overall outlook for the area. The business-cycle index continues to exhibit strong growth, and the Houston Leading Index is accelerating. Existing-home sales have cooled slightly, while the supply of lower-priced homes remains tight. Construction labor demand is very strong, driven by petroleum industries and residential building.

Read more... Houston Economic Indicators via dallasfed.org

Austin Economic Indicators November 2018 via Dallas Fed

The Austin economy expanded at a strong pace in September. The Austin Business-Cycle Index accelerated and continued above its long-term trend. Employment growth was robust, and construction and mining activity continued to surge. Wages continued to climb, while permits for new-home construction dipped from very high levels.

Read more...Austin Economic Indicators November 2018 - Dallasfed.org