Hot Not CRE

Episode 66: Construction Down 50% — The Supply Crunch That's Coming


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Episode 66 of "What's Hot, What's Not C.R.E." — Monday, March 23rd, 2026Topic: Residential and Multifamily Market Update🔥 WHAT'S HOT:

  • Supply cooling — 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 — 64,000 homes under construction, 139,000 in planning
  • Investor sentiment improving — cap rates stabilizing, bid-ask spreads narrowing
  • National vacancy at 8.6% — 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 — just 0.2% nationally in January; YoY growth to lag through H1 2026
  • Sun Belt markets like Houston seeing absorption rates fall, widespread concessions

❄️ WHAT'S NOT:💡 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 — 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.🎧 Listen daily for your 3-minute institutional CRE briefing.🌐 Visit hotnotcre.com to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter.#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #Multifamily #ApartmentInvesting #MultifamilyInvesting #BuildToRent #BTR #ConstructionPipeline #VacancyRates #RentGrowth #SupplyCrunch #RealEstateInvesting #CREInvesting #InstitutionalCRE #MarketUpdate #MondayBriefing #RealEstateNews #InvestorInsights #DailyPodcast #CREPodcast #WhatsHotWhatsNot #Completions #Absorption #SunBelt #Midwest #CapRates #TransactionVolume #WorkforceHousing #RentalHousing #Demographics #Homeownership #IRR

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Hot Not CREBy Hot Not CRE