Macroeconomic Forces Shaping Rental Housing
Join RealPage Chief Economists for a data driven look at the economic forces shaping rental housing demand, investment, and development.
As the U.S. economic landscape continues to shift, rental housing leaders face a critical question: What do macroeconomic trends signal for multifamily performance in 2026?
Join Arben Skivjani, Deputy Chief Economist, and Carl Whitaker, VP & Chief Economist at RealPage, for an in‑depth webcast exploring the economic forces influencing rental housing as we move toward 2026. This session will break down how labor market dynamics, interest rate conditions, and broader macro drivers are shaping renter demand, capital flows, and near‑term performance across the apartment sector.
Designed for owners, operators, investors, and developers, this discussion will connect top‑line economic trends to on‑the‑ground multifamily outcomes—helping you plan, invest, and operate with greater confidence.
What We’ll Cover
- Labor Market Fundamentals
How slowing job growth, migration shifts, and household formation trends are influencing renter demand and absorption. - Interest Rates & Capital Markets
Interest rate clarity is emerging—but rates remain elevated. What could 2026 bring for financing costs, investment appetite, and development activity? - Macro Drivers of Rental Housing
Inflation, migration, and consumer confidence all shape occupancy and rent growth. We’ll unpack the latest data and what it means for performance ahead. - Headwinds & Tailwinds
A balanced look at the risks and opportunities that may influence the near‑term outlook for the apartment sector.
Who Should Attend
Multifamily owners, operators, investors, developers, lenders, and anyone seeking a clear, data‑backed perspective on what lies ahead for rental housing.
Reserve your spot to gain actionable insights from RealPage’s leading economists.
Arben Skivjani serves as a Deputy Chief Economist and Data Scientist for RealPage, Inc. His primary focus is on forecasting and econometric modeling, economic impact studies, reporting and analysis of macroeconomic trends that affect the multifamily industry. Prior to joining RealPage, Arben worked for several government and private sector entities, including the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, Center for Business and Economic Development at the University of Alabama and Camoin Associates in Upstate New York.
Arben is heavily involved in the Dallas/Fort Worth Association for Business Economics where he currently serves as Vice President and is a member the National Association for Business Economics.
Arben holds a master’s degree in economics from The University of Alabama.
Carl Whitaker
Vice President & Chief Economist, RealPage, Inc.Carl Whitaker is RealPage’s Chief Economist, leading the company's team of economists and market analysts. Carl and the Market Intelligence team specialize in analyzing and disseminating economic and market trends for the rental housing industry. He primarily focuses on presenting trends in the rental housing industry to a wide audience, including investors, asset managers, operations professionals and media, among other personas. Carl has been cited in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and GlobeSt and is a frequent keynote speaker for industry events. Carl holds degrees from the University of North Texas, including a Master of Science in Applied Geography.
