The BTR Edge
The BTR Edge
Podcast Description
The BTR Edge is your go-to source for expert insights into the Build-to-Rent (BTR) and Single-Family Rental (SFR) markets. Hosted by Mark Allen and Lee Robinson, this podcast brings you unfiltered conversations with industry titans—developers, investors, lenders, and operators—who are shaping the future of rental housing.
Each episode dives deep into market trends, capital flows, development strategies, and operational best practices, giving listeners a competitive edge in the evolving BTR space. Whether you're a developer looking for the next hot market, an investor navigating capital markets, or an operator optimizing lease-ups, The BTR Edge delivers the insider knowledge you need to stay ahead.
Tune in to gain an edge in the BTR market!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers topics including market trends, capital flows, development strategies, and operational best practices. Episodes explore key issues such as financing strategies, site selection, and the future of BTR, with specific examples like the impact of investing in new developments and overcoming operational challenges.
The BTR Edge is your go-to source for expert insights into the Build-to-Rent (BTR) and Single-Family Rental (SFR) markets. Hosted by Mark Allen and Lee Robinson, this podcast brings you unfiltered conversations with industry titans—developers, investors, lenders, and operators—who are shaping the future of rental housing.
Each episode dives deep into market trends, capital flows, development strategies, and operational best practices, giving listeners a competitive edge in the evolving BTR space. Whether you’re a developer looking for the next hot market, an investor navigating capital markets, or an operator optimizing lease-ups, The BTR Edge delivers the insider knowledge you need to stay ahead.
Tune in to gain an edge in the BTR market!
In this episode of The BTR Edge, hosts Mark Allen and Lee Robinson sit down with Chris Nebenzahl, Housing Economist at John Burns Research & Consulting, to unpack the state of the Build-to-Rent (BTR) market and how data-driven insights are helping developers, lenders, and investors navigate today’s challenges.
Chris shares how John Burns Research & Consulting is interpreting absorption trends, rent growth, and supply dynamics nationwide—plus why townhomes are emerging as the “sweet spot” in the rental market. From affordability pressures to the “lock-in effect” keeping owners in place, this episode reveals how data can guide smarter BTR decisions through 2025 and beyond.
Learn more about John Burns Research & Consulting at JBREC.com
Key Topics & Timestamps
[02:51] Evolution of Build-to-Rent as a Mature Asset Class
[05:12] The “Lock-In Effect” and Its Impact on Mobility & Rental Demand
[09:47] Balancing Headwinds and Tailwinds in Today’s Housing Market
[12:55] How John Burns Research & Consulting Supports Developers & Capital Partners
[14:45] Developer Concerns: Using Third-Party Data Without “Killing the Deal”
[21:03] It’s a Tough Market: Equity, Debt, and Construction All Squeezed
[23:15] What’s Actually Getting Deals Done in 2025
[24:50] Turnover Surprises: Why BTR Tenants Stay Longer Than Expected
[26:57] Product Performance: Townhomes vs Detached vs Horizontal Apartments
[30:12] Space and Privacy — The True Amenities Driving BTR Success
[33:25] Rising Expenses: Property Taxes, Insurance, and Construction Costs
[39:31] Regional Hotspots: Midwest & Carolinas Leading the Next Wave
This episode is packed with real-world analysis and strategic insight from one of the industry’s top research voices — a must-listen for developers, investors, and BTR operators looking to understand where the market is headed next.
Disclaimer
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