What's Hot What's Not CRE

Episode 66: Construction Down 50% β€” The Supply Crunch That's Coming


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Episode 66 of "What's Hot, What's Not C.R.E." β€” Monday, March 23rd, 2026

Topic: Residential and Multifamily Market Update

πŸ”₯ WHAT'S HOT:

  • Supply cooling β€” Completions projected at 333,000 units in 2026, down 36% from peak, lowest since 2014
  • Construction pipeline contracted over 50% from high
  • January 2026: 29% spike in multifamily starts, 453,000 permits annualized
  • BTR thriving β€” 64,000 homes under construction, 139,000 in planning
  • Investor sentiment improving β€” cap rates stabilizing, bid-ask spreads narrowing

❄️ WHAT'S NOT:

  • National vacancy at 8.6% β€” highest since post-financial-crisis recovery, above 6.9% historical average
  • Nearly 1.8 million units delivered over past 3 years, outstripping absorption
  • National occupancy at 94.5%, down slightly from January 2025
  • Rent growth sluggish β€” just 0.2% nationally in January; YoY growth to lag through H1 2026
  • Sun Belt markets like Houston seeing absorption rates fall, widespread concessions

πŸ’‘ WHY IT MATTERS:

The multifamily market is entering a critical rebalancing phase. The supply wave that pressured occupancy and rents is finally cresting. Completions will continue dropping through 2027-2028, reducing vacancy pressure and supporting rent recovery β€” but we're not there yet.

🎯 INVESTOR TAKEAWAY:

The setup is improving but patience is required. Target markets where supply is contracting fastest and occupancy remains above 95%. BTR continues to outperform with stronger rent collections and lower turnover. Avoid high-vacancy Sun Belt metros until absorption catches up. Watch for cap rate compression opportunities as transaction volume rebuilds through back half of 2026.

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What's Hot What's Not CREBy Alan Pavlosky