Houston Multifamily Report – Spring 2020
While investor appetite remained high in the first quarter, low oil prices and the health crisis could spell issues for the metro's rental market.
Houston rent evolution, click to enlarge
Following several woes during the second half of this cycle, Houston’s economy is facing another test. Rent growth was flat on a trailing three-month basis as of March. After COVID-19 pushed oil prices to an 18-year low, the energy sector was hit hard and many of the metro’s jobs were impacted. With unemployment claims across the state skyrocketing, Houston’s economy will likely continue to contract.
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Houston sales volume and number of properties sold, click to enlarge
Last year, Houston gained 88,000 new jobs, with trade, transportation and utilities (20.3 percent) accounting for the largest share of the employment base. Despite job growth in the metro surpassing the 1.8 percent U.S. rate by 100 basis points last year, the statewide stay-at-home order has impacted all sectors. Although construction was deemed essential, many contractors temporarily closed their doors and supply chains were disrupted. An encouraging sign came from the Small Business Administration, which approved loans across Texas totaling nearly $22 billion—more than any other state—through April 13. The Paycheck Protection Program is a lifeline for small businesses struggling to remain open because of the health crisis.
Investor appetite remained high during the first quarter of 2020, following last year’s $4.8 billion total transaction volume. The high number of completions during the past five years combined with the robust development pipeline and the effects of the pandemic will likely keep rent growth flat.
