Trade Truce Lifts Markets, but Renters Still Feel the Squeeze

Occupancy Inches Up, But Rent Growth Stays Under Pressure

The multifamily market closed out May on a note of quiet resilience. Occupancy nudged higher for the week, the year-over-year gap continued to narrow, and leasing activity held steady. The rent side remains the story that operators are watching most closely. As of May 31, the average U.S. occupancy rate was 94.22%, up 4 basis points from the prior week and down 22 basis points from a year ago. The leased percentage was 96.26%, up 5 basis points week over week and down 1.00% from last year. Both metrics have been moving in the right direction on a weekly basis throughout May, and the annual gap, while still present, is smaller than it was at the start of the month. The average number of leases signed was 2.3 per property last week, down 0.1 from the prior week and down 1.0 compared to this time last year. Leasing velocity has held in a narrow band all month. Markets on the higher end of the range are demonstrating that demand is there when supply and pricing are aligned. Net effective rent for new leases was $1,751, up 0.1% from the prior week but down 2.4% from a year ago. RevPAU was $1,650, also up 0.1% week over week and down 2.6% annually. The weekly direction is encouraging, but the annual comparisons reflect the concession activity that pulled rents lower in the second half of May. Closing out the month with two consecutive weeks of flat to positive weekly NER movement is a modest stabilizing signal heading into June. Explore our webpage for more insights and resources: https://bit.ly/Radix_Website

Rent Softens as Leasing Season Holds Steady

The national occupancy rate held at 94.20% for the week of May 24, up one basis point from the prior week. The leased percentage came in at 96.22%, also edging up five basis points week over week. Both metrics remain below last year's pace, down 22 and 137 basis points respectively, but the week-over-week stability suggests seasonal demand is absorbing new availability without further deterioration.  Leasing velocity was flat at 2.4 leases per property for the week, unchanged from the prior period. The year-over-year gap remains meaningful at a full lease per week below last year's rate, a signal that the demand recovery operators were hoping for this spring has not yet materialized at the pace needed to close the YoY shortfall.  Net effective rent came in at $1,750 for the week, down 3.0% from the prior week and down 2.5% from a year ago. The week-over-week move reflects seasonal concession activity as operators compete for leases during a period of moderate demand. Markets vary considerably, with a handful of coastal and Midwest metros holding flat to slightly positive on an annual basis while Sun Belt markets face the steepest YoY pressure.  RevPAU, which captures the combined effect of rent and occupancy, came in at $1,648, down 3.0% week over week and 2.7% below last year. The revenue picture continues to reflect the same pattern visible across the spring: occupancy is largely stable, but concessions and softening effective rents are compressing the top line. For operators holding occupancy through pricing flexibility, the tradeoff is now showing up clearly in RevPAU. Explore our webpage for more insights and resources: https://bit.ly/Radix_Website

Gas Prices Bite as Rent Growth Hits Its Best Level of the Year

Markets strengthened this week following the U.S.-China trade truce, but rising fuel costs continue to pressure renter affordability, an important dynamic heading into the peak of leasing season. * Energy and Inflation: AAA reports the national gas average at $4.56/gal as of May 21, up roughly 44% from a year ago. At those levels, fuel costs are becoming a meaningful pressure point for renter budgets during peak leasing season. The Fed has also signaled little urgency to cut rates given persistent inflation, keeping pressure on both consumers and operators with floating rate debt. * Capital Markets: The S&P 500 closed at 7,433 on May 20, up sharply from the 6,944 level recorded in mid January. Investor sentiment has improved meaningfully since April as markets continue responding positively to easing trade tensions and broader economic stabilization. * Mortgage Rates: The 30 year fixed mortgage rate sits near 6.58% according to Bankrate and the WSJ as of May 20. While below earlier 2026 highs, rates remain elevated relative to levels needed to meaningfully reopen the for sale housing market. Transaction activity remains subdued, continuing to support renter demand across many multifamily markets. The broader macro environment remains mixed for multifamily operators. Improving market sentiment and stable renter demand are supportive, but elevated consumer costs continue limiting affordability flexibility in more price sensitive segments of the market. Explore our webpage for more insights and resources: https://bit.ly/Radix_Website

Trade Truce Lifts Markets, but Renters Still Feel the Squeeze

Economic Headlines A temporary U.S.-China trade truce announced this week sent markets sharply higher, offering the first sustained relief investors have seen in months. The good news stopped there for most consumers, though, as the broader economic picture remains one of elevated costs and cautious hiring. * Energy and Inflation: Brent crude has pulled back modestly from recent highs on ceasefire optimism, and the national gas average sits near $3.85/gal according to AAA, roughly flat from last week but still well above year-ago levels. The Fed's preferred inflation gauge remains above target, and while the trade pause reduces near-term tariff pressure, the pass-through of earlier cost increases into consumer goods is still working its way through household budgets. * Capital Markets: The S&P 500 surged on trade deal news, recovering a meaningful portion of its year-to-date losses. The Dow followed suit. Whether the rally holds depends largely on whether the 90-day truce translates into a durable agreement, and most economists are not counting on it. * Mortgage Rates: The 30-year fixed rate remains elevated near 6.8% according to Bankrate, keeping the for-sale market effectively frozen for millions of would-be buyers. That lock-in effect continues to support renter retention, though it does little to help operators push rents in markets where household income growth has stalled. The market rally is welcome, but it does not immediately change the math for renters or operators. Tariff uncertainty, sticky inflation, and a job market that is adding positions unevenly mean demand-side pressure on multifamily remains measured heading into the peak leasing season. Explore our webpage for more insights and resources: https://bit.ly/Radix_Website

Energy Costs Remain Elevated as Geopolitical Uncertainty Persists

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to drive the economic narrative, keeping energy costs painfully high for consumers and complicating the outlook for inflation and interest rates heading into peak leasing season. For renters, the impact at the pump has been significant. The national gas average has surged past $4.50/gal according to AAA, up more than a dollar over the past two months, and that kind of sustained increase acts as a quiet drain on the discretionary budgets renters depend on to absorb higher monthly housing costs. Until energy prices meaningfully retreat, operators should expect that pressure to weigh on rent growth even as occupancy holds relatively steady. NBC News [https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/gas-prices-iran-war-state-national-cost-trump-rcna265835] * Energy: National gas average at $4.54/gal, up $1.00+ in roughly 60 days; oil prices remain volatile and elevated * Capital Markets: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at new record highs this week, with the Dow gaining over 600 points, though markets remain sensitive to any shifts in the geopolitical backdrop and could reverse quickly TRADING ECONOMICS [https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/stock-market] * Mortgage Rates: The 30-year fixed rate sits at 6.44% per Bankrate, high enough to keep would-be buyers renting longer, which supports occupancy but does not offset the broader affordability squeeze renters are feeling Bankrate [https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/30-year-mortgage-rates/] Explore our webpage for more insights and resources: https://bit.ly/Radix_Website