Inside the agenda: IMN’s Single Family Rental West 2026

At IMN’s Single Family Rental West Forum 2026, industry professionals will come together in Scottsdale, Arizona, from December 7–9 to explore the market forces shaping rental housing, from financing and acquisitions to property management, regulatory developments, and AI-driven innovation. In this Inside the Agenda preview, discover the key topics, specialist workshops, industry leaders, and networking opportunities helping SFR and BTR professionals identify opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and plan for growth in 2026 and beyond.

At a glance: IMN’s Single Family Rental West

• Who: More than 1,800 senior decision-makers across the SFR and BTR ecosystem, including owners and operators, homebuilders, developers, investors, lenders, brokers, property managers, and technology providers.
• What: A three-day forum covering SFR and BTR investment strategies, acquisitions, financing, portfolio growth, property operations, regulatory developments, and PropTech innovation.
• Where: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale, Arizona.
• When: December 7–9, 2026.

What is the purpose of the Single Family Rental West Forum 2026?

IMN’s Single Family Rental West Forum brings together professionals from across the SFR and BTR sectors to explore market conditions, evaluate investment opportunities, and identify strategies for sustainable growth. Through expert-led discussions, practical case studies and networking, attendees can examine the challenges shaping rental housing, from financing and regulation to operating costs and technology adoption.

What are the key topics covered?

• Market outlook: Economic conditions, interest rates, inflation, housing supply and demand, investor sentiment, rent growth and regional market performance.
• Acquisitions and portfolio expansion: SFR investment strategies, portfolio acquisitions, off-market deals, distressed assets, scaling rental portfolios and institutional partnerships.
• Financing and underwriting: Debt and equity strategies, capital stack structures, construction financing, refinancing, investment underwriting and exit strategies.
• BTR development: Land acquisition, development financing, construction costs, builder partnerships, lease-up strategies and build-to-rent investment opportunities.
• Property and asset management: Operational efficiency, rising operating expenses, NOI growth, resident retention, maintenance, property management technology and portfolio performance.
• Technology and AI: AI-powered acquisitions, data-driven underwriting, property management automation, PropTech integration, and technology solutions for improving efficiency.
• Regulation and risk management: Landlord-tenant legislation, compliance challenges, litigation risks, housing policy, insurance costs, and climate-related risks.
• Operations and management excellence: Floor plans, amenities, community preferences, demographic trends, resident satisfaction, and strategies for improving retention.
• Emerging investment strategies: Fix-and-flip financing, distressed property acquisitions, rent-to-own models, creative capital structures, and emerging SFR investment opportunities.

Why is this forum important for SFR/BTR professionals?

• Strategic insights: Understand market trends, regulatory developments, financing options, and investment opportunities shaping the SFR and BTR sectors.
• Networking: Connect with owners, operators, institutional investors, lenders, developers, and technology providers to build valuable industry relationships.
• Operational efficiency: Explore AI-driven tools, cost optimization, property management strategies, and approaches to improving resident retention.
• Investment and growth: Identify opportunities for acquisitions, portfolio expansion, BTR development, and more effective capital deployment.
• Future planning: Prepare for challenges including rising operating expenses, changing housing policy, construction costs, and evolving market conditions.

Who are the key participants?

• Owner/operators: Industry leaders from ARK Homes for Rent, FirstKey Homes, VineBrook Homes, Progress Residential, Evergreen Residential, RESICAP, and more.
• Homebuilders: D.R. Horton, AllStreet Homes, Yardly by Taylor Morrison, and other builders active in the single-family rental market.
• BTR developers: GME Development, Atlantic Development Group, New Deco, Inc., and other developers focused on purpose-built rental communities.
• Investors and capital providers: Goldman Sachs, Amherst, MetLife Investment Management, US Asset Fund, and other institutional and private real estate investors.
• Brokers and advisory groups: Real estate brokers, transaction advisers, investment consultants and legal professionals supporting acquisitions, capital raising and SFR portfolio growth.
• Lenders and mortgage providers: Easy Rock Financial, Fox 1 Financial, Mpire Financial, Progressive Mortgage, and other providers supporting rental property acquisitions, refinancing and investment.
• Property managers and service providers: Property management companies, maintenance providers and operational specialists helping owners improve portfolio performance, control costs and enhance the resident experience.
• Technology vendors: Yardi, Roofstock, Setpoint.io, and other providers of property management technology, data analytics, and AI-driven solutions.
• Industry leaders and speakers: Beth O’Brien (Encore Finance), Joseph Polverari (PURE HomeRiver Property Management), John Isakson (ARK Homes for Rent), Mark Smith (FirstKey Homes), John Good (VineBrook Homes), and more.

What’s new and exciting in 2026?

• Specialized workshops: Choose from three focused sessions: the BiggerPockets Workshop for Mom-and-Pops, the Mid-Market Investor Workshop, and the Property Managers Workshop, each tailored to the challenges facing different parts of the SFR ecosystem.
• A revamped agenda: Explore a refreshed programme designed to help attendees navigate the new normal in SFR, featuring real-life case studies, on-stage regulatory interviews, exhibition tours and more.
• Speed networking: Make targeted connections with operators, homebuilders and solution providers through structured networking designed to help participants find the right people and make better use of their time. Find out more details.
• AI-driven matchmaking app: Identify relevant contacts by sharing your professional profile and who you want to meet. The app helps connect attendees with potential partners, service providers, and future deal opportunities.
• Golf tournament: Take networking onto the golf course in Scottsdale, offering an informal setting to build relationships with fellow SFR professionals.
• 5th annual awards show: Celebrate outstanding achievements across the single-family rental industry at the forum’s annual awards event, recognising the companies and individuals helping shape the sector.

IMN’s Single Family Rental West Forum equips professionals with the market insights, investment strategies and industry connections needed to navigate an evolving rental housing landscape. From financing and portfolio expansion to property management, BTR development, and emerging technology, attendees can gain the knowledge and partnerships to support their businesses in 2026 and beyond.

Join the full SFR and BTR ecosystem in Scottsdale this December 7–9, 2026.