Articles by
Jeff Hamann
Janover's senior editor, Jeff Hamann, has written extensively about all things CRE since 2017. He previously worked as an editor for Commercial Property Executive and Multi-Housing News. Prior to his journalism experience, Jeff worked as a human resource analyst, a teacher, and a peace and conflict facilitator/mediator across eight countries. He currently lives with his wife and two children in The Netherlands.
Active vs. Passive Multifamily Investing: Which Is Best for Me?
Different investment styles suit different people. Read our comparison and determine your best way forward.
The Chicago Multifamily Market: Looking to Late 2023
Chicago's market has a lot going for it, even as the rest of the nation's metros see rent growth slowing to a crawl.
Los Angeles: A 2023 Multifamily Market Update
Based on a number of multifamily market reports, legislative changes, and the influence of rising interest rates, learn how to invest in Los Angeles in 2023.
How to Choose a Multifamily Market (or Submarket)
Learn which five metrics you need to know to make a wise investment anywhere across the country.
Top 5 Florida Multifamily Markets for Investment in 2023
Analyzing rent trends, employment data, and population growth, we've determined the five multifamily markets with the best potential upside for investors in 2023.
The Effects of Texas's Multifamily Development
Explore the evolving landscape of Texas's multifamily market, uncovering the strategic implications of construction trends and their ripple effects on investment opportunities.
Fannie Mae Pushes Major Small Loan Changes
The Small Loan program now has a significantly higher loan maximum and relaxed requirements on how ‘local’ an investor needs to be.
When to Approach Lenders for Construction Financing: A Developer’s Guide
In multifamily development, timing is everything. Find out the best times to approach a lender to secure financing for your next project.
The Top 15 Multifamily Property Managers of 2023
Choosing the right property management company for your apartment building is critical to your investment's success. Learn who is our top property management company of 2023.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning an Apartment Complex?
Consistent cash flow, tax incentives, and leverage are the benefits of owning an apartment building, while filling vacancies and maintenance expenses can be challenges.
Top 10 Multifamily Markets in Late 2023
Our list of markets large and small show where you can find some of the best apartment investment opportunities, despite the property sector's challenges.
Apartment Construction Costs: Calculator & Investor Guide
Clearly understand the costs behind constructing a multifamily property in 2023, regardless of its size, with our calculator and comprehensive guide.
Multifamily Loan Size: A Practical Guide for Property Investors
Unlock the secrets to determining the optimal loan size for your multifamily property investment with this comprehensive guide.
Assessing Your Need for a Multifamily Refi in 2023
Even though interest rates are higher than they've been in a good long while, there are many signs that point to further hikes. Learn if a refinance could be the right move for your apartment complex.
How Leverage and DSCR Affect Multifamily Loans
Two of the most commonly utilized metrics in multifamily finance, DSCR and LTV, play a huge role in determining why you get the terms you get.
How to Assemble the Right Multifamily Development Team
If you’re a first-time apartment building developer, getting an experienced, high-performing team around you is essential to success.
Start Small: The Best Choice for New Multifamily Developers
Discover why starting small could be your winning strategy for getting into multifamily development, turning humble beginnings into larger successes with our guide.
How to Get Started on Your 1st Multifamily Development
Developing an apartment building is a complicated task. Learn what you need to know before starting on your first or next project.
How to Raise Multifamily Rents: A Step-by-Step Guide
Our comprehensive landlord guide outlines a balanced approach to apartment rent increases, ensuring profitability while maintaining tenant satisfaction.
3 Reasons Why HUD Multifamily Loans Are So Popular Today
Thanks to a series of rapid interest rate increases from the Fed, borrowers have started seeking out more and more FHA multifamily loans, which carry some of the lowest rates available.
Navigating Luxury Multifamily: A Guide to Class A Investing
Make informed decisions on your next Class A multifamily investment with our guide, covering key characteristics, attractive markets, and emerging trends.
How to Improve Risk Management for Your Apartment Building
Risk reduction is essential in owning and operating a multifamily property. Read our guide to find out everything you need to know.
8 Ways to Lower Your Apartment Building Insurance Costs
Reduce your premiums by taking these four steps with your multifamily property and another four you can take when you set up your policy.
5 Key Factors Driving Inland Empire Multifamily Growth in 2023
Discover the top factors propelling the Inland Empire's multifamily market growth, from strong population growth and housing demand to the region's strategic location and booming industrial sector.
The Most Underrated Midwestern Multifamily Market of 2023
In examining nine major metros, one state's capital city stands apart as a place for great investment opportunities.
Why Smaller, "Boutique" Apartment Buildings Can Be Great Investments
While larger, 50+ unit properties may get a lot of attention, smaller apartment buildings can be fantastic investment opportunities for all kinds of investors. Find out why.
6 Ways AI Is Revolutionizing Apartment Investing
From automating property management to making better, more informed investment decisions, artificial intelligence has untold applications in multifamily real estate.
How to Navigate Multifamily Tax Credits
The wide range of tax incentives for multifamily properties are complicated, but they can provide incredible opportunities for investors and developers.
The Best 3 Multifamily Loans for Affordable Housing in 2023
Discover the three best multifamily financing options for affordable housing in 2023, including the HUD 223(f), Fannie Mae Standard FHA Risk Sharing Execution, and USDA 538 loans.
6 Ways to Set Your Apartment Rents
Learn how to set rental rates for your multifamily property by examining these six key data points.
Multifamily Utility Considerations for Investors
Learn about the best utility billing methods for multifamily investors, including submetering and RUBS. Also explore other cost-saving strategies.
What Is a Bankruptcy-Remote Entity?
Bankruptcy-remote entities, or BREs, are very common in apartment investing. Find out what you need to know.
Getting a Multifamily Refinance: Your 2023 Guide
Our multifamily refinancing guide gets you everything you need to get started on improving your financing terms.
Multifamily Outlook in 2023: The Sky Isn't Falling
Multifamily rent growth may be slowing, but there are many reasons to be optimistic — albeit cautious — about the year ahead.
The Top 15 HUD Multifamily Lenders of 2023
Find out which 15 HUD lenders provided the highest volume of new loans last year with our comprehensive ranking guide.
3 Tips for Hard Money Loans for Real Estate
If you don't want to put down a large sum of money upfront to buy an apartment building, a hard money loan can be a good option — though it does have drawbacks.
Top 10 Fannie Mae Multifamily Lenders of 2023
More than $69 billion in Fannie Mae multifamily loans closed in 2022. Find out who the top lenders were.
4 Steps to Increase Your Apartment Building's Occupancy
Use these four common-sense approaches to fill your empty apartments and keep your current residents in place.
The 4 Best Multifamily Loans in 2023
Which one is best depends greatly on your unique situation, but we outline four top contenders for the year.
The Top 5 Markets for Multifamily Rent Growth in 2023
Don't expect the same level of growth as in the past two years — but there are several standout places to invest in apartment buildings in 2023.
5 Best Multifamily Investment Markets of 2023 by Growing Property Values
Diverse job markets, strong population growth, and favorable locations make these markets well worth exploring for apartment investors.
Top 10 Multifamily Lenders of 2023
While the best multifamily lender for you depends on a wide range of factors, find out more about the 10 most active from last year.
How to Buy a Multifamily Property With No Money: 7 Options
Apartment buildings are expensive, but there are ways to get into the sector that won't break the bank. Find out seven techniques in our guide.
Your Guide to HUD Mortgage Insurance Premiums
If you have a HUD multifamily loan or are considering one, you need to know about HUD MIPs. Find out current MIPs for HUD loans in our guide.
The Pros of Investing in Apartments Early
Looking for your first multifamily investment property? It pays to act sooner than later. Find out more in our guide.
Why the CPI Doesn't Capture Rents Accurately
The Consumer Price Index has many uses, but its reliance on significantly lagged housing data regularly causes headaches for those in the multifamily industry.
What Is a Good Cap Rate for Multifamily Properties?
Although an imperfect tool, understanding cap rates for your apartment investment is a key way of measuring potential upsides and risks.
How to Value Multifamily Property
Understanding what goes into the valuation of your apartment building can help you improve your return on investment and assess what financing options work best for you.
What Is Multifamily Finance? A Beginner's Guide
Read our comprehensive guide to find out what you need to know as an apartment investor to get the best out of your multifamily loan.
Single Family vs. Multifamily Investing: A Comparative Guide
Investment in single-family homes and multifamily properties can be lucrative. Not sure where to begin? Read our guide breaking down the pros and cons of each.
What HUD Clearing Its Backlog Means for Multifamily Investing
HUD multifamily loans, some of the most competitive financing options on the market are now able to do more, faster.
How DSCR Loans Are Used in Multifamily Investing
Loans based solely on a property’s debt service coverage ratio can provide fast capital, but will this work for your multifamily portfolio? Find out more on our blog.
5 Ways to Find the Best Multifamily Refinance in a Recession
Refinancing an apartment building during a recession could boost your cash flows. Find out five ways to get the right loan.
Bank vs. Credit Union Multifamily Loans: Which Is Best?
Weighing the pros and cons of getting an apartment building loan through a bank or credit union? Check out the differences here.
Behind Freddie Mac's Expanded SBL Link Loan
The program update allows financing for small, non-contiguous buildings in any market nationwide, provided the portfolio has at least 10 units. Find out more.
Top 10 Metros With the Largest Housing Shortages
While investors and developers in these metros are already working to add apartments to an extent, good opportunities exist — even in a recession.
Why Multifamily Is Safe During a Recession
While there are no absolutes in this economy, apartment properties are some of the safest investments out there. Find out why.
5 Ways to Avoid a Balloon Payment
Seeing a commercial loan balloon payment on the horizon can be stressful, especially if you don’t have a clear plan. Find out five ways to handle balloon payments.
How to Renovate Your Apartment Complex
Our comprehensive guide walks you through five critical questions to ask yourself as you plan your property-wide apartment renovation project.
Your Guide to Cross Collateralization in Multifamily Real Estate
Is taking a cross-collateralized loan in your best interest? Check out the main pros and cons in our short guide.
What’s the Difference Between Fannie Mae® DUS and Fannie Mae® Small?
Our quick reference guide breaks down the key differences between Fannie Mae’s Small Loans and DUS programs.
Who Are the Top Affordable Housing Developers in 2022?
Take a detailed look at the top companies adding much-needed affordable housing across the U.S. in this year’s ranking.
Top 5 Markets for Multifamily Investment in 2022
With rent growth beginning to decelerate in many markets, where is the best place to deploy your capital for your next apartment property?
Cortland Grabs $1B D.C. Multifamily Portfolio
The investor closed on two acquisitions in Arlington, Va., with two additional properties trading soon. The full portfolio includes more than 1,500 units.
The Investment Upside to Affordable Housing
Even as much of the focus remains on luxury rental properties, some investors are getting more and more into affordable housing. Here are three reasons why.
What Amenities Do Apartment Renters Really Want?
Learn about five common amenities available in today’s apartment communities that can set your property apart from the crowd.
Top 5 Reasons to Invest in Austin's Multifamily Market
The multifamily market has been on fire for the past few years, but the Lone Star State’s capital shows few signs of stopping. Here are five considerations for investing in the Austin multifamily market.
Recourse vs. Non-Recourse Commercial Loans
Non-recourse loans have lower risk to the borrower, but typically these loans have higher costs. Understand which type of loan works best for you with our guide.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: How Much Have Your Insurance Costs Increased?
We asked our 45,000 Multifamily Minute readers how large of insurance premium hikes they've experienced in the past year. Here's what they said.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: How Long Do You Hold Your Properties?
We asked 45,000 multifamily investors how long they typically plan to hold their investments. Here's what they said.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Why Do You Invest in Apartments?
Our survey participants told us why they choose to invest in multifamily properties.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Which Amenities Offer the Best ROI?
We surveyed our 45,000 Multifamily Minute readers about which amenities have had the biggest impact on their investments' ROIs.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: A Look at Property Sizes
We asked our 45,000 Multifamily Minute subscribers how large of a property they typically prefer. Learn more about the benefits of large — and small — properties.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: The Most Important Aspect of an Investment Property
We asked our 45,000 Multifamily Minute readers which aspects of apartment buildings are the most important for their investment decisions.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Are Energy-Efficient Upgrades Necessary?
We asked our 45,000 subscribers how likely they are to invest in sustainable upgrades after buying an apartment building.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: What's Your Current Financing Situation?
We asked our 45,000 subscribers about their current multifamily loans — and what they intended to do closer to maturity.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: What Markets Look Best for Investment Today?
We surveyed our 45,000 readers to see where they're looking for their next apartment building investments.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: How Many More Rate Hikes in 2023?
Despite the pause or skip, nearly all our respondents feel there's more pain yet to come.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: How Concerned Are You About Apartment Construction?
We asked our 45,000 Multifamily Minute subscribers about the coming wave of apartment completions. Here's what they said.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: What's the Most Useful Tech for Your Property?
Amidst all the new technology to hit apartment buildings in recent years, which solution stands above the rest? Check out our latest polling.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: What's the Most Important Part of Your Financing?
We surveyed our 40,000 subscribers to determine which aspects of multifamily loans are the most critical for their investment strategies.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: What Do You Look for in a Property Manager?
A poll of our 40,000 subscribers shows that while other qualities are important, a property manager's experience trumps all. But should it?
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Communicating With Your Residents
We asked our 40,000 Multifamily Minute subscribers how they typically communicate with their renters. Learn some best practices for communication.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Are Your Residents Working From Home?
We asked our 40,000 readers if their buildings' residents work from home. Find out why it matters for your property's retention and profitability.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Are Multifamily Conversions Truly Viable?
In light of some recent high-profile news, we asked our readers to give their thoughts on apartment conversions.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Where Are Your Costs Rising?
It's no secret that multifamily operating expenses are up across the board. We asked our 40,000 subscribers to be more precise and tell us what expenses are hitting harder.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: What's Your Biggest Pain Point in 2023?
Our question to our 40,000 readers: What's the biggest challenge you're encountering in multifamily these days?
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Where Do You Shop Your Loan?
We asked our 40,000 readers about the number of lenders they shopped their last multifamily loan to.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Interest Rate Outlooks
Last week's 40,000 Multifamily Minute subscribers weighed in on what the Fed's next increase would be. (Spoiler alert: They were right.)
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: How Will Bank Failures Impact Multifamily?
We reached out to our 40,000 subscribers, and few people seem too concerned following the failures of SVB and Signature Bank.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: How Big Are We Buying?
We asked our 40,000+ Multifamily Minute readers about the size of their next apartment building purchase. This year, many are targeting smaller assets.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: When Do You Start the Refi Process?
Our 40,000+ readers told us when they start looking to refinance their multifamily loans. The results were surprising — in a great way.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: How Will You Address Vacancy in 2023?
We asked our 40,000 readers for their best ideas to combat climbing vacancy this year. Here's what they said.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Where Will Interest Rates Go?
We surveyed our 40,000 subscribers to get a feeling for the Fed's latest move.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: How Do You Market Multifamily?
We asked our 40,000+ readers how and where they advertise their properties' vacant units.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: The Best Approach for Investing in 2023
We surveyed our 40,000 subscribers to see if investing in upgrades or purchasing properties is the way to go this year.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Where's Best to Buy in 2023?
Our survey of 40,000 multifamily investors show that most are shifting to a more suburban acquisition strategy this year.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: What Are 2023's Financing Challenges?
We surveyed 40,000 multifamily investors and, unsurprisingly, the largest concern was rising interest rates.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Buying, Selling, and Refinancing in 2023
We surveyed 40,000 multifamily investors to ask who's acquiring, divesting, and refinancing in the new year.
Multifamily Minute Reader Reflections: Where Are Cap Rates Headed?
Our survey of 40,000 multifamily investors asked how capitalization rates for apartment buildings are likely to change in 2023.