Provisional Start & End Times:
March 16: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
March 17: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
NOTE: The order of sessions below does not reflect their placement/the order they will appear in the final agenda.
Capital, Cycles & Opportunity
What’s Working? Getting Deals Done in a Challenging Market
- Recent deal examples and why they succeeded. What deal structures are proving to be successful?
- Creative capital stack strategies: JV, preferred equity, bridge loans
- What resilient markets and product types are showing strong demand?
- Adjustments to underwriting and risk-sharing approaches
- Collaboration between builders, developers, and investors
- Unlocking value through land, design, or operational efficiencies
- Lessons learned from failed deals and how to pivot
- Where new opportunities are emerging despite headwinds
Strategic Shifts: Navigating the New Realities of BTR Investment
- How investor priorities are evolving in response to interest rates, inflation, and housing policy
- Repositioning assets: Converting, repurposing, or rebranding existing stock
- New partnership models: Institutional capital meets local expertise
- Innovations in deal sourcing and pipeline development
- ESG and impact investing: How sustainability is shaping underwriting and capital flows
- Managing timelines and expectations: How long deals are taking and why
- The role of data and tech in identifying viable opportunities
- What’s next: Anticipating the next wave of BTR demand and investor appetite
Interest Rate Dynamics & Investment Strategy: Navigating Volatility, Cuts & Capital Flows
- How rate swings and anticipated cuts are shaping deal flow and underwriting
- Adjusting IRR, yield expectations, and valuation models in a shifting rate environment
- Investor sentiment and capital allocation trends in BTR
- Using mezzanine, preferred equity and bridge loans
- Hedging strategies and interest rate risk management
- Impact on debt availability, lender appetite, and financing terms
- Timing acquisitions and development around rate movement
- Strategic adjustments developers and operators are making now
Breaking Down Supply & Demand Trends in BTR & Rental Housing
- Where new BTR supply is coming online and what’s in the pipeline
- Absorption trends across key metropolitan areas and product types
- Effects of housing prices, interest rates, cap rates, and debt spreads
- Markets with strongest demand for single-family rental products
- Leasing and absorption comparisons: BTR vs. traditional multifamily
- Rent growth expectations: Communities vs. scattered site portfolios
- Labor and material cost trends impacting delivery timelines
- Mortgage rate implications for renter profiles and demand
- Migration and demographic shifts driving regional housing needs
Underwriting & Valuations: Navigating the Investment Equation
- Cap rate expectations and valuation trends across BTR markets
- Underwriting rent growth and expense assumptions in a volatile environment
- Adjusting hold periods and exit strategies based on market conditions
- Comparing underwriting approaches by region and product type
- Tax, insurance, and OpEx considerations in deal modeling
- Technology stack for underwriting and investment analysis
- Identifying active buyers and understanding their criteria
- How underwriting is evolving to reflect new risk and return profiles
Regulatory Landscape: Decoding Legislative Impacts on Investment, Development and Operations
- Evolving zoning laws, land use restrictions, and ownership regulations shaping BTR feasibility
- State-level legislation: Opportunities and barriers for BTR operators
- Municipal-level bans and zoning overreach: Case studies from key states
- Preparing for regulatory evolution in high-growth markets
- Industry advocacy initiatives driving BTR-friendly policy reform
- Collaborative engagement with policymakers to shape future legislation
- Practical steps for operators to build resilience against regulatory shifts
Investment, Acquisitions & Dealmaking
Institutional Capital: Trends, Appetite & Partnership Models
- Update on institutional appetite in SFR and BTR
- What types of BTR deals are being actively targeted today?
- Market trends and rent movement forecasts
- Shifts in risk analysis and return expectations
- Funds vs. deal-by-deal vs. JV partnerships: What’s working now?
- JV strategies and what investors seek in operating partners
- Most attractive projects, product types, and markets
- Changes in exit strategies over the past year
- Foreign capital activity and key challenges
Strategic Investment & Portfolio Management: Executing Deals & Driving Returns
- Return expectations in a higher-rate environment
- Capital raising trends vs. other asset classes
- Who’s raising successfully — and who’s providing the capital?
- Evolving deal structures and investor protections
- Outlook on valuation recovery and asset pricing
- Owner–investor–operator collaboration strategies
- Where are new investment opportunities emerging?
- Adjustments to exit timelines and strategies
- Managing rising insurance costs and risk exposure
Exit Strategies & Disposition Planning: Timing, Valuation & Strategic Outcomes
- Evaluating hold vs. sell decisions in today’s interest rate and valuation environment
- Bulk sales, portfolio trades, and one-off dispositions: What’s working now?
- Timing exits to optimize returns and minimize tax exposure
- Buyer profiles: Institutional, foreign, REITs, and aggregators
- Preparing assets for sale: Operational performance, valuation, and presentation
- Disposition strategies for scattered site vs. purpose-built communities
- Impact of exit planning on initial underwriting and capital structuring
- Lessons learned from recent exits and recapitalizations in the BTR space
Capital Flows into Secondary & Tertiary Markets: Unlocking Opportunity Beyond the Core
- Which secondary and tertiary markets are attracting institutional and private investment in BTR?
- Investment rationale: Affordability, migration trends, and yield potential
- Challenges and advantages of building and operating in non-core markets
- Infrastructure, labor, and entitlement considerations in emerging regions
- Case studies of successful BTR projects in smaller metros and suburban areas
- How investors are underwriting risk and return in these markets
- Local partnerships, market intelligence, and boots-on-the-ground strategies
- Comparing performance and lease-up velocity to primary markets
The PE Playbook: How Private Equity Is Shaping the BTR Landscape
- How private equity firms are underwriting in today’s economic environment
- Investment theses: What’s driving interest in BTR vs. other housing segments?
- Deal structures, preferred markets, and product types attracting capital
- Co-GP, JV, and programmatic partnerships: What’s working and what’s not?
- How PE firms are evaluating operators, builders, and platforms
- Exit strategy planning: Timelines, valuation expectations, and buyer profiles
- ESG, tech, and operational efficiency as value drivers in portfolio strategy
- Lessons learned from recent transactions and portfolio performance
Optimizing Portfolio Performance: Tools & Strategies for Asset Managers
- Tracking and improving NOI across BTR portfolios
- Leveraging tech platforms for real-time performance data
- Benchmarking operational KPIs across markets and assets
- Strategies for reducing operating expenses and boosting margins
- Managing rising insurance, taxes, and maintenance costs
- Enhancing collaboration between asset managers and property teams
- Portfolio-level decision-making: hold, sell, or reposition
- Identifying underperforming assets and executing turnaround plans
Impact Investing & Community-Centered BTR
- ESG as a driver for affordable and workforce housing initiatives
- Rent-to-own and other socially driven housing models
- Community engagement and local impact programs
- Partnering with municipalities and nonprofits for inclusive development
- Measuring social ROI: Frameworks and metrics
- Investor appetite for impact-driven housing strategies
- Case studies of BTR projects that prioritize community outcomes
The M&A Landscape: Acquisitions, Partnerships & Global Capital
- Are larger builders and operators seeking acquisition opportunities to scale BTR portfolios?
- Are private equity investors actively targeting homebuilders and BTR developers?
- What sort of conversations are public and private builders having regarding M&A and strategic partnerships?
- Foreign investment in BTR: What are global investors looking for in terms of performance, ESG, and long-term value?
- Which company types or regional markets are best positioned for M&A activity today?
- Are larger builders acquiring construction firms, tech platforms, or supply chain assets for vertical integration?
- How are institutional players reshaping the BTR landscape through joint ventures and strategic roll-ups?
Operational Strategy
Pricing Strategies & Resident Fee Tolerance
- Rent pricing trends across BTR markets and product types
- What fees residents are willing to pay (e.g., pet, tech, amenity, concierge)?
- Bundled vs. à la carte pricing models
- How design and amenities justify premium pricing
- Resident feedback and data-driven pricing adjustments
- Lease-up vs. stabilized pricing strategies
- Impact of inflation and wage growth on rent tolerance
- Balancing revenue optimization with retention
Operational Models: Scattered Site vs. Purpose-Built Communities
- Key operational differences between managing scattered site portfolios and purpose-built BTR communities
- Staffing models, maintenance coordination, and service delivery challenges
- Technology and systems required to support decentralized vs. centralized operations
- Cost implications and margin comparisons across asset types
- Resident experience: Consistency, branding, and service expectations
- Logistics of leasing, inspections, and turnover in dispersed portfolios
- Owner/operator case studies: Lessons learned from managing both models
- Strategic considerations when expanding into new markets or asset types
Tailoring Regional & Renter Demographics to Local Demand
- Top-performing regions for BTR development and leasing
- Migration patterns and demographic shifts shaping demand
- Age, income, and lifestyle profiles of today’s BTR renter
- Regional preferences in design, amenities, and service models
- Suburban vs urban renter expectations and product fit
- Cultural and generational influences on leasing decisions
- Tailoring marketing and operations to local renter profiles
- Data tools for tracking regional and demographic trends
Risk, Resilience & Insurance: Safeguarding Assets in a Volatile Market
- Rising insurance premiums, coverage gaps, and carrier appetite for rental housing
- Structuring insurance for scattered site vs. purpose-built communities
- Risk mitigation strategies: Natural disasters, liability claims, construction defects
- Climate resilience: Designing for extreme weather, flood zones, and future-proofing assets
- Resilient infrastructure investments: Backup power, water systems, emergency protocols
- Navigating zoning, building codes, and fair housing regulations
- Cybersecurity, tenant safety, and data protection
- Operational practices that reduce claims and improve insurability
- Risk-sharing structures between developers, builders, and investors
- Insurance’s impact on asset valuation, financing, and investor confidence
Marketing & Leasing Strategies That Drive Results
- Occupancy and vacancy trends across key BTR markets
- Successful launch strategies and pre-leasing best practices
- Branding and rebranding: When it matters and how to do it right
- Marketing budget allocation by channel and demographic
- Technology and AI tools for leasing optimization
- Managing reputation and responding to negative social media
- Resident-level engagement strategies to boost retention
- Measuring marketing ROI and its impact on NOI
The Modern Renter’s Wishlist: Design, Tech & Service That Matter
- What today’s renters want: Common demands and generational preferences
- Amenity trends that matter: Pet-friendly, co-working, outdoor space, EV charging
- Designing for flexibility: Remote work, multigenerational living, and layout lessons learned
- Smart home tech, IoT, and sustainability features that enhance the resident experience
- Regional design preferences and climate-responsive planning
- Creating a differentiated resident experience in purpose-built BTR communities
- Service models and tech tools that drive satisfaction, renewals, and referrals
- Measuring tenant satisfaction and aligning property management with long-term performance
Product Strategy & Differentiation
Premium, Urban Infill & Emerging Product Strategies
- Urban infill site selection: zoning, land costs, and community pushback
- Designing for the renter-by-choice: layouts, finishes, and amenities
- Competing with luxury multifamily: What sets high-end BTR apart?
- Attainable BTR: Efficient designs for workforce housing
- Cottage-style and horizontal apartments: Detached living with shared amenities
- Mixed-income and age-targeted BTR models
- Sustainability and eco-conscious design strategies
- Matching product type to market demand and land availability
Unlocking New Revenue Streams Through Adjacent Business Lines & Strategic Partnerships
- Using property management and leasing services as standalone revenue streams
- Maintenance and home services platforms for recurring income
- Build-for-sale divisions and hybrid BTR models
- Mortgage and financing services for renters transitioning to ownership
- Land banking and entitlement consulting opportunities
- Resident engagement and operations tech platforms
- Co-living, short-term rental, and workforce housing spin-offs
- Strategic partnerships with utilities, insurance, and telecom providers
Manufactured Housing: Unlocking Affordability, Speed & Scale
- Exploring manufactured and modular housing as a solution for cost-effective BTR development
- Use cases: Scattered site portfolios, workforce housing, and secondary market expansion
- Financing and zoning challenges unique to manufactured housing in BTR
- Operational considerations: Maintenance, tenant perception, and community integration
- Speed-to-market advantages and construction cost comparisons
- ESG and sustainability benefits of off-site construction
- Case studies of successful manufactured housing BTR projects
- Investor appetite and underwriting trends for manufactured housing assets
Integrating BTR into Master Planned Communities: Design, Performance & Community Fit
Performance trends of BTR products in master planned settings
Site selection strategies and integration into existing communities
Designing homes and neighborhoods for long-term cohesion
Navigating community opposition and enhancing resident engagement strategies
Amenity planning and product diversification within the master plan
Branding and identity within larger community frameworks
Target renter profiles and shifting demographic appeal
Developer-builder collaboration models for successful execution
Construction & Development
Fee Builders in the Driver’s Seat: Scaling, Partnering & Evolving Roles
- Scaling fee builder operations in a tight capital environment
- Structuring successful builder–developer partnerships
- Transitioning from fee builder to co-GP: Risks and rewards
- Contract structures that support long-term collaboration
- Incentive models and repeat business strategies
- Building trust and alignment with capital partners
- Fee builders’ role in shaping product and design decisions
- Strategic positioning in the broader BTR ecosystem
Smarter Fee Building: Cost Control, Tech Adoption & Execution
- Managing labor, materials, and logistics in high-volume BTR
- Construction tech tools improving build quality and speed
- Data-driven project management for fee builders
- Benchmarking costs and timelines across BTR markets
- Strategies for reducing waste and improving margins
- Leveraging prefab and modular construction where feasible
- Improving coordination across trades and subcontractors
- Tech adoption barriers and how to overcome them
Development & Construction Challenges in Today’s Market
- Navigating entitlement and permitting delays
- Labor availability and subcontractor reliability
- Material cost volatility, procurement strategies, and tariff impacts
- Site selection and land development hurdles
- Managing construction timelines and budget overruns
- Aligning developer, GC, architect, and consultants
- Innovations in construction methods: Exploring modular and prefab
- Balancing speed, quality, and cost in project delivery
Sustainability Strategies: Design, Operations & Capital
- Sustainable design features: Solar, smart devices, energy efficiency
- Cost-effective strategies for implementing ESG improvements
- ESG considerations in financing and investor relations
- Setting and tracking company-level sustainability goals
- Standardizing ESG data collection and reporting across portfolios
- Green certifications and their impact on valuation and tenant demand
- Operational efficiencies that reduce carbon footprint and costs
Designing for the Middle: Strategies for Medium-Density Living
- Defining ‘Missing Middle’ housing and its relevance to BTR
- Why medium-density formats work well in rental communities
- Target renter profiles and their housing preferences
- Investor appetite for Missing Middle BTR products
- Design and operational challenges in medium-density layouts
- Financing strategies for Missing Middle portfolios
- Zoning and entitlement considerations for infill and transitional areas
- Opportunities to scale Missing Middle BTR in underserved markets
Technology & Innovation
Innovating Property Management: Models, Tech & Tenant Experience
- Purpose-built communities vs. scattered site portfolios
- In-house vs. third-party management: Service levels and capabilities
- Maintenance management strategies and staffing models
- Tech and smart system adoption: Who leads implementation?
- Scaling portfolios: When to shift from in-house to third-party
- Hiring and managing teams in new markets
- Owner/manager case studies: In-house vs. outsourced success stories
- What owners look for when selecting third-party managers
Practical AI Applications in Property Management & Operations
- AI-powered leasing assistants and chatbots
- Predictive maintenance and work order automation
- AI for rent pricing and renewal optimization
- Fraud detection and tenant screening tools
- Portfolio-level performance forecasting with AI
- Smart home integrations and resident experience tech
- Implementation challenges and data governance
- Who leads tech adoption: Owner, manager, or vendor?
The Tech Edge: How Innovation Is Reshaping the Market
- PropTech tools for leasing, maintenance, and portfolio oversight
- Smart home integrations and IoT infrastructure planning
- Construction tech: Modular building, project management platforms
- Data analytics for asset performance and development strategy
- Tech-enabled amenities and resident experience differentiation
- Evaluating ROI on tech investments across the BTR lifecycle
- Integration challenges across teams and systems
- Aligning tech adoption with long-term business goals
Financing & Lending
Accessing Capital: Navigating the Full Financing Landscape
- Lending appetite for BTR: Who’s active and what are they funding?
- Private capital vs. traditional lenders: Deal types and terms
- Creative financing structures: Bridge loans, mezzanine, preferred equity
- Underwriting trends and risk tolerance among lenders
- How builders and developers are securing financing in today’s market
- Impact of interest rates and inflation on debt availability
- Capital stack strategies for ground-up vs. acquisition deals
- What lenders look for in sponsors, projects, and markets
Bridge & Short-Term Financing: Tactical Tools for Today’s Market
- Demand trends for short-term and flexible financing
- Structuring bridge loans for acquisition and stabilization
- Evaluating bridge-to-perm, cash-outs, and refis
- A&D loan market update and borrower criteria
- Term lengths, extensions, and rate structures
- Lease-up, value-add, and trade-out strategies lenders support
- ARM product demand and usage
- DSCR financing activity and underwriting trends
- Changes in credit standards and risk tolerance
- Short-term construction lending: Appetite and terms
Land Strategies: Sourcing, Underwriting & Financing Lots
- Land price trends and forecasts over the next 6–12 months
- Underwriting land deals in today’s rate and cost environment
- Market-by-market strategies: Raw, entitled, and finished lots
- Financing options for land acquisition and development
- Risk assessment models post-pandemic and post-rate hikes
- Operational challenges: Entitlement delays, infrastructure, and utilities
- Land banking and strategic site control approaches
- Partnering with local governments and landowners for access
Construction Financing: Active Lenders, Underwriting Trends & Capital Stack Strategies
- Update on new construction loan activity and lender appetite for BTR
- Current underwriting terms: Interest rates, LTC, DSCR, and amortization structures
- Who is actively borrowing and what types of projects are getting funded
- Outlook for construction financing across BTR product types over the next 24 months
- Financing the full lifecycle: Land acquisition, horizontal development, vertical construction, and takeout
- Bank lending activity and non-bank alternatives: Private lenders, DSCR loans, and construction-to-perm structures
- Navigating completion guarantees, personal guarantees, interest accruals, and rate caps
- Creative capital stack solutions: Bridge-to-perm, mini-perm, and wrap financing options
Small Group Meetings
BTR 101: Understanding the Fundamentals of Build-to-Rent
This interactive breakout session is designed for newcomers to the Build-to-Rent space who want to get up to speed on the basics. We'll cover the core principles of BTR development, investment models, and operational strategies, along with key terminology and market dynamics. Whether you're transitioning from traditional multifamily, single-family, or another real estate vertical, this session will provide a solid foundation to help you engage with seasoned professionals throughout the conference. Expect a collaborative, small-group format with plenty of opportunities for Q&A.
The Next Generation of BTR: Rising Leaders Shaping the Future of Build-to-Rent
This breakout session brings together emerging professionals who are making their mark in the Build-to-Rent sector. Designed as a networking and idea-sharing forum, it’s a chance for rising stars to connect, exchange insights, and discuss the unique challenges and opportunities they face as the next generation of industry leaders. Whether you're building your first BTR project, leading innovation in operations, or driving investment strategy, this session is your space to collaborate and grow.
Women’s Small Group Meeting
How can influential market players better support the growth of women in the BTR industry? How can organizations attract more women into the field and cultivate them as leaders? This session explores ideas around leadership and mentorship training, promoting visibility for female role models, and creating clear pathways for career progression. This small group meeting fosters candid conversations aimed at reshaping the industry into a space where women can excel and lead with confidence.