The Future of Housing: What the Top Economists See Ahead

What does the next chapter of housing look like? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Nebenzahl, Vice President of Rental Research at John Burns Research & Consulting, to break down the key trends shaping multifamily real estate and what operators, investors and market watchers should be paying attention to in 2026.We cover:

1. Macro Perspective & Market Dynamics: The defining characteristics of today’s cycle, misleading narratives about metro growth, and the long-term positioning of the Build-to-Rent sector.
2. Leading Indicators & Market Signals: Why occupancy remains the most telling predictor of rent trends, the post-pandemic decoupling of job growth and apartment demand, and early signals of a “soft landing.”
3. Demographics, Migration & Policy Impacts: How aging populations, migration patterns, and policy decisions are shaping markets and affordability across metros.
4. Investment Strategy & Recovery: How investors are recalibrating in a slower market, lessons from recent supply surges, and which markets may recover first as vacancies tighten.

If you’re an investor, operator or real estate professional, this episode gives actionable insights into housing market trends, renter behavior and early indicators to watch for 2026.