Washington, D.C., Multifamily Report – Summer 2019
The steady influx of high-paying positions continues to generate strong demand for Class A rentals throughout the metro.
Washington, D.C., rent evolution, click to enlarge
Although the metro had the second-largest multifamily pipeline in the country after Dallas as of June, D.C. fundamentals are improving. After lagging the U.S. average throughout the cycle, rent growth in the metro steadily rebounded, reaching 3.5 percent year-over-year through June. Meanwhile, occupancy in stabilized assets was flat over 12 months, at 95.4 percent as of May.
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Employment growth decelerated in the context of a tight labor market. Nonetheless, metro D.C. gained 25,000 positions in the 12 months ending in May, mainly boosted by tourism and strong appreciation in office-using industries. Large infrastructure projects and multibillion-dollar mixed-use developments are advancing, infusing further capital into the economy. Amazon’s National Landing campus, slowly taking shape, is expected to generate 25,000 direct jobs over the next decade. Meanwhile, Hoffman & Associates and Madison Marquette kicked off Phase 2 of The Wharf, a $2.5 billion mixed-use project along the Potomac River.
Washington, D.C., sales volume and number of properties sold, click to enlarge
D.C. remains a main target for institutional investors, as roughly $2.4 billion in assets traded in the first half of the year. With 32,147 units underway as of June, development remains elevated. Nevertheless, positive demographic trends and gains in high-paying sectors are slated to keep demand healthy. We expect the average metro D.C. rent to advance 2.6 percent in 2019.
