Build-to-rent (BTR) homes are rapidly redefining the multifamily landscape, blending the design and comfort of single-family homes with the convenience and management of traditional apartment communities. Once a niche segment, build-to-rent homes have surged in relevance since 2016, propelled by demand for spacious, low-density housing options that better reflect evolving renter preferences. Often offering amenities like private yards, attached garages, and dedicated community spaces, these purpose-built rental homes cater to a growing demographic of long-term renters, households in transition, and those priced out of homeownership.
This structural shift is rooted in long-term macro trends. A national housing shortfall, estimated at nearly four million units, continues to pressure supply, while rising home prices and mortgage rates have made ownership inaccessible for many. As more households choose to rent longer, the appeal of professionally managed, high-quality build-to-rent communities is only accelerating. San Antonio serves as a microcosm of this growth: from just a handful of properties in 2019 to over 3,000 homes today, with nearly 1,500 more under construction.
BTR is proving its staying power as a strategic evolution in residential development. With strong fundamentals and broad market appeal, BTR housing is poised to play a leading role in the next chapter of multifamily investment.
