Inside the Build-to-Rent Playbook
Build-to-Rent has surged from a niche concept into one of the fastest‑growing segments of the rental housing market. While conventional multifamily remains the foundation of most portfolios, BTR is reshaping how investors, developers, owners, and operators think about growth, risk, and opportunity.
We’ll break down how capital is flowing, where development is concentrated, how assets are managed, and what it takes to operate communities built for today’s renters. Along the way, we’ll connect the dots back to multifamily so you can see where the two worlds overlap—and where they diverge.
Discussion topics include:
- Capital market trends, risk and return, and exit strategies
- Development hotspots, emerging product types, and cost considerations
- Ownership strategies, valuations, and portfolio diversification
- Operational challenges, technology adoption, and resident expectations
- Broader forces shaping demand, from affordability gaps to demographic shifts
Adam Couch specializes in residential housing research and advanced analytics, transforming complex market trends and economic indicators into actionable investment strategies that drive portfolio performance and a competitive edge. His expertise spans AI-driven market intelligence, evaluating how tariffs shape multifamily construction trends and investment strategies, and providing data-backed insights that empower investors and developers.
Through forward-looking analysis of renter demographics and market segmentation, he helps stakeholders anticipate shifts in housing demand. A featured speaker at commercial real estate conferences, Adam’s analysis has also been cited in The Dallas Morning News. Previously, he advised leadership at Fannie Mae on asset management strategies, leveraging data-driven approaches to optimize a $450B multifamily portfolio, enhancing long-term asset performance and strategic positioning.
Robin Young
Senior Researcher & Content Manager, RealPage, Inc.As the head of market research for the mixed-use division of RealPage, Robin leverages her background in social science research and interest in real estate economics to uncover trends in the rental market. Her research provides small-business property managers with a 360-degree view of the industry, sharing insights gleaned from surveys of thousands of property managers, rental owners and renters each year. She’s best known as the author of the annual Property Management Industry Report, a Buildium®, Propertyware® and NARPM® joint publication.
