Hot Not CRE

Episode 74: Institutional Capital Rotating to Class B — Here's Why


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It's Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 — today we're breaking down Class A, B, and C multifamily. One clear winner.WHAT'S HOT:

  • Class B workforce housing — strongest play in 2026
  • Occupancy outperforming Class A in high-supply metros
  • Q4 2025: Institutional capital rotating into Class B value-add at 15-20% discounts vs 2022
  • 50% of U.S. renters cost-burdened — over 30% of income to housing
  • Homeownership costs 2x+ renting per CBRE
  • Only 323,000 new units in 2026 — down from 477,000 avg (2023-2025)
  • Slowest supply growth in over a decade
  • Fannie & Freddie: $88B each in lending capacity for 2026
  • Agency debt in high-4% range
  • Class A luxury — oversupply problem in Sun Belt
  • Austin, Phoenix, Denver, Nashville, Charlotte — elevated vacancy
  • Some luxury buildings running 12-18% vacant
  • Class A vacancy hit 8.1% at end of 2025 — above historical norms
  • Class A rent growth essentially flat at -0.1%
  • Concessions everywhere — free months, waived deposits, move-in credits
  • Wild stat: Class C now costs more per SF than Class A in some oversupplied markets
  • Class C insurance costs up 55% (2021-2024)
  • Property taxes = 30% of operating costs for older assets

WHAT'S NOT:WHY IT MATTERS:The market is bifurcating. Class B offers the best risk-adjusted returns — stable occupancy, steady rent growth, strong capital access. Class A faces a multi-year absorption cycle. Class C has demand but expenses are crushing NOI. New supply dropping to 323,000 units benefits all classes — but Class B is best positioned.INVESTOR TAKEAWAY:Class B is the clear winner. Target value-add in supply-constrained markets — Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C. Avoid Class A in Sun Belt until absorption catches up. Class C only works if you can control insurance and operating costs. Workforce housing is where the risk-adjusted returns are in 2026.#Multifamily #ClassB #WorkforceHousing #CRE #CommercialRealEstate #ApartmentInvesting #ClassA #ClassC #RealEstateInvesting #ValueAdd #InstitutionalCapital #MultifamilyInvesting #RentGrowth #Occupancy #SunBelt #AgencyDebt #FannieMae #FreddieMac #RealEstateFinance #PropertyInvesting #WhatsHotWhatsNot

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Hot Not CREBy Hot Not CRE