2- to 4-Unit Production Disappoints in 2021

The missing middle construction sector includes development of medium-density housing, including townhouses, duplexes and other small multifamily properties. While townhouse construction has trended higher in recent quarters, the multifamily segment of the missing middle (apartments in 2 to 4 unit properties) has disappointed. For 2021, there were only 12,000 starts of such residences. This is flat from…

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Multifamily Construction Sentiment Ends 2021 on a Positive Note

Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing improved in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the latest results from NAHB’s Multifamily Market Survey (MMS).  The MMS produces two main indices.  In the fourth quarter, the Multifamily Production Index (MPI) increased one point to 54 from the previous quarter while Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI)…

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Townhouse Construction Surged in 2021

According to NAHB analysis of the most recent Census data of Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design, townhouse construction jumped 28.1% in 2021. As housing demand has shifted to more suburban and exurban areas and housing affordability headwinds persist, medium-density construction lagged for much of 2020. However, demand for medium density neighborhoods returned as the…

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Single-Family Built-for-Rent Growth in 2021

The number of single-family built-for-rent (SFBFR) construction starts increased almost 16% in 2021, after a record-breaking third quarter for production. The SFBFR market is a way to add inventory amid concerns over housing affordability and downpayment requirements in the for-sale market, particularly during a period when a growing number of people want more space and…

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Multifamily Permits End on a Strong Note for 2021

For 2021, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 1,111,414. On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, this is a 13.7% increase over the December 2020 level of 977,863. Year-to-date ending in December, single-family permits increased in all four regions. The Northeast region reported the strongest increase of 15.9%, followed by the South…

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