• Market volatility tied to macroeconomic events in places such as China and Greece and abysmal fixed-income returns have lured 14 million U.S. investors to single-family rental (SFR) portfolios as a private wealth management (PWM) alternative.
  • Research indicates gross rental yields generally ranged from 9 percent to 12 percent and the firm estimates unlevered cash returns in the 5 percent to 7 percent range.
  • Large investors aren’t the only players however -- more than 5 percent of the Forbes 400 have built their wealth through real estate and the rental market is roughly 95 percent dominated by the small investor.

Getting nausea from the market volatility roller coaster?

Market volatility tied to macroeconomic events in places such as China and Greece and abysmal fixed-income returns have lured 14 million U.S. Investors, according to data from RentRange commissioned by B2R Finance, to single-family rental (SFR) portfolios as a private wealth management (PWM) alternative.

This migration is fueled in part by the fact that demand for rentals has surged and grown from 40.7 million in 2010 to a projected 47.9 million in 2020 and 53.7 million in 2030.

This shift should come as no surprise as returns on rental investments can be quite attractive. Research from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods titled, “Securitization of Single-Family Rentals,” indicates gross rental yields generally ranged from 9 percent to 12 percent and the firm estimates unlevered cash returns in the 5 percent to 7 percent range.

Levered internal rates of return could exceed 15 percent depending on price appreciation and leverage.

This combination of demand and returns has attracted large institutions, with firms putting roughly $25 billion into the single-family rental market in the form of 150,000 properties.

Large investors aren’t the only players however — more than 5 percent of the Forbes 400 have built their wealth through real estate and the rental market is roughly 95 percent dominated by the small investor.

Elena Elisseeva / Shutterstock.com

Elena Elisseeva / Shutterstock.com

Unlike stocks and bonds, real estate is a tangible asset

Want to see where your money is? Just drive down the block. There’s also a double bottom line return: the rental property investor generates a fiscal return and also benefits from the overwhelmingly positive feeling that investing in neighborhoods and providing high-quality housing brings.

Compared to other investments that might offer little transparency or control, rental properties can put you in the driver’s seat.

Like any investment, real estate carries risk, but it can offer a host of economic benefits including tax advantages, asset appreciation and perhaps most important, the opportunity to leverage debt through a hard asset to create income.

Low mortgage rates and increased available funding enable individual investors to enter the market or grow their portfolios with modest initial investment or equity from an existing property.

New fintech entrants to the traditionally archaic mortgage lending industry have leveraged technology to add a turn-key element, which makes identifying and investing in a rental property fast, easy and possible from nearly anywhere.

As Americans strive for financial freedom and more than 1 in 4 (27 percent) report real estate as the best investment; it’s an asset class that cannot be overlooked. That’s why SFR is becoming the new PWM.

Jason Hogg is CEO of B2R Finance. Follow the company on Twitter @B2RFinance.

Email Jason Hogg.

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×