Will build-to-rent home trend stick in Orlando? Cushman & Wakefield expert weighs in.

When it comes to understanding the rising popularity of build-to-rent single-family homes in Orlando and beyond, one of the biggest challenges is a dearth of data. Here's what we know.

Will build-to-rent home trend stick in Orlando? Cushman & Wakefield expert weighs in.

"I spoke to a group of workforce housing-focused funds and they are raising capital for [build–to-rent]." Similar to student housing which was once a niche asset, but is no longer. What is the current deal on build-to-rent properties? It's a huge deal. It is a big deal. Although people are still raising money, it is difficult to track the actual equity capital. As of December, Orlando saw 10.8% increase in rent [for build-to–rent] year-over-year, while multifamily [rental growth] was 8.5%. This differential is a significant factor in the underwriting of these deals. There are 1,200 units available for rent in Orlando, and another 1,400 are currently under construction. The rents for homes that are built-to-rent can be more than apartments. It's the part where people want more space. A higher percentage of pet owners is a result. Build-to-rent homes often have a yard. There are also the downsizing baby boomers. There are multifamily apartment owners who want to live in a single-family home but cannot afford it due to rising interest rates. What role does amenities play in building-to-rent developments It is based on market conditions. For example, a pool in Florida and a clubhouse are required. For example, in the Midwest, there is no need for any of these things because people don't want them. It's all about satisfying the needs of renters in that market. Fort Myers has a fully-enabled deal. There's been some resistance to the single-family zone. Then, [the local community] discovers it's for rental properties. There's a lot of back-and forth. Multifamily is a completely different product. These single-family homes built to rent look exactly like your Lennar home. Horton is building some of these. What time do you believe Orange County should resume talks about the planned expansion of its convention center?