Robust Rental Demand Reduces Vacancy to 19-Year Low;
Strong Operations Keep Multifamily Investors Active
Leasing activity sustains momentum, supported by record low unemployment. Low interest rates and strong performance trends support investment activity, but investor caution remains elevated.
Key Features Include:
Absorption continues to outpace elevated supply as developers struggle to keep up with demand
National vacancy rate dropped to lowest rate since 2000
Availability especially limited in lower-cost Class B and C properties
Randolph Taylor, CCIM, is a Chicago multifamily investment sales broker with over 25 years of experience advising apartment owners on valuations, marketing strategy, and dispositions across the Chicago metro area.
Join CoStar and eXp Commercial for the 2026 Multifamily Investment Outlook webinars. Discover rent growth trends, cap rates, and Chicago market insights.
In 2025, national rent growth cooled, while Chicago saw a decline in apartment rents. Investors should adjust strategies with careful underwriting, focus on stable assets, and consider the higher cap rates in Chicago for future planning.