A Real Economy publication

Construction and real estate industry outlooks

January 30, 2026

Key takeaways

 Line Illustration of buildings

Multifamily housing is facing a pivotal year amid attainability challenges.

 Line Illustration of policy papers

Build-to-rent housing development is here to stay.

Real estate trend No. 1: Affordability is key for multifamily and single-family home construction

The push for more attainable housing will continue to reshape the market for years to come. We expect 2026 will be a turning point for multifamily housing, with stronger rental growth and declining vacancy rates. Developers should make the most of this opportunity by embracing innovation and appealing to a customer base looking to enter the market.


Real estate trend No. 2: How build-to-rent is reshaping U.S. housing

Housing preferences across the U.S. continue to change, but substantial recent bets by institutions show the build-to-rent asset class is here to stay. A new demographic of renters-by-choice is increasingly choosing these communities, which fill a void in the market. Developers should make the most of this opportunity by investing in strategic geographic markets and ensuring consumers’ evolving demands are satisfied.

Subscribe to Real Estate Insights

Stay in the know with our monthly digest of tax, accounting and business considerations for companies in the real estate industry.