Key Takeaways from the 2025 IMN SFR East Conference Every REI Should Know
This year's 2025 IMN Single-Family Rental (SFR) East Conference in Miami, Florida, brought together over 1,500 industry leaders, real estate investors (REIs), and experts to discuss the latest trends transforming the Single-Family Rental (SFR) market.
Packed with exclusive panels, networking opportunities, and key market insights, this event was a must-attend for anyone looking to understand the current complexities of the single-family rental landscape.
Kiavi was honored to contribute to this exciting dialogue, with Charles Goodwin, VP, Head of Bridge and DSCR Lending, and George Manolis, Head of Portfolio Originations, representing our team as panel speakers. Their sessions focused on critical topics like creative financing strategies and portfolio growth in today’s competitive real estate market, leaving audiences with practical approaches to immediately apply to their businesses.
If you couldn't make it this year, no worries, we've got you covered. Below, we unpack some of the most important takeaways from this year's conference, helping you harness the latest strategies and economic insights you’ll need for the rest of 2025 and beyond.
Economic Factors Impacting the SFR Market
Inflation and interest rates were big talking points at this year's IMN SFR East conference. Industry leaders agreed that rent prices across the country might only grow slightly (2–3%) in the next two years. However, rents will vary depending on the region—some areas might see higher increases, while others could stay flat or even decrease. The general consensus was clear: location is key!
Charles Goodwin shared that the Midwest and Sun Belt regions could present solid opportunities for REIs, whereas markets with affordability challenges might experience stagnation. Factors like tariffs and fluctuating unemployment rates could also shape future housing trends, impacting construction activity and home affordability.
Key Takeaway: Economic factors could slow investment property sales over the next 24 months, so investors should analyze regional market trends carefully.
Kiavi Tip: Keep a close eye on regional market trends to spot areas with upward growth. Analyze data on property values, demographic shifts, and economic indicators to identify promising opportunities. Consider expanding or adjusting your strategy to regions with stronger growth potential.
Mortgage Rates and Housing Market Predictions
Industry leaders discussed the current and future state of mortgage and real estate markets. For real estate investors, understanding mortgage trends is key to leveraging capital, maximizing returns, and navigating challenges. It also helps assess inventory and build-to-sell viability. According to the panelists, the outlook remains cautiously optimistic despite ongoing difficulties, presenting plenty of opportunities for savvy REIs.
Here are some more key insights from the IMN panelists to take into consideration:
Housing Supply and Prices
Limited inventory and strong homeowner equity could keep home prices elevated, despite affordability concerns. New construction could help ease supply issues in some areas, although overdeveloped markets might experience pricing pressure. Investors should consider their own local supply-demand dynamics carefully.
Mortgage Rates
Many panelists agreed that mortgage rates will likely remain in the "sixes" over the next 6–12 months, with potential for occasional dips offering opportunities for better terms. For real estate investors, higher interest rates could impact inventory as homeowners with lower existing rates might avoid selling, resulting in fewer properties on the market. Additionally, build-to-sell projects may face a smaller pool of potential buyers due to potentially higher mortgage rates, leading to longer time on the market in some regions.
Key Takeaway: Real estate investors may face challenges in certain regional markets as limited housing supply and strong homeowner equity keep prices high. In some areas, these factors are more pronounced, making it potentially harder to find opportunities.
Kiavi Tip: Explore new construction opportunities and implement a build-to-rent strategy to diversify your investment portfolio. Focus on markets with tight inventory to capitalize on growing demand while mitigating risks and potentially unlocking long-term growth.
Emerging Financing Trends in the SFR Industry
The real estate market in 2025 is presenting both challenges and opportunities for real estate investors. Interest rate volatility remains one of the biggest hurdles for real estate investors this year. While rates hover in the "sixes" range, lenders and investors alike are turning to innovative financing methods.
During the panel, "The Economy, Housing, Interest Rate Volatility, Inflation & The Impact on SFR Performance Expectations," Charles Goodwin highlighted the rise of creative lender-borrower partnerships. “Investors still have opportunities for profit, but smart lending practices and a focus on cash-flow-positive properties are more important than ever,” noted Charles.
Key Insight: Capital availability is strong, but caution is encouraged. REIs are focusing on lowering risks to maintain long-term profitability. This conservative approach is helping real estate investors mitigate their risks amidst economic uncertainty.
Kiavi Tip: If you're considering an SFR investment, carefully evaluate your financing options and focus on deals with favorable returns that align with your investment goals.
Financing Fix-and-Flip Properties the Smart Way
Most attendees believed that fix-and-flip projects would remain a lucrative niche within the SFR space, with success relying on careful planning and proper liquidity. George Manolis, who spoke during the session, “Acquiring and Financing Your Fix & Flips Going Forward,” offered several tips for scaling real estate portfolios while cautiously mitigating risks.
Importance of Leverage and Liquidity
George highlighted the importance of balancing deal analytics with investing experience. “The key to thriving in today’s market is good data and managing liquidity effectively,” he explained. He also highlighted Kiavi's After Repair Value (ARV) technology, which helps investors better assess risks by providing ARV projections.
Key Insight: If you’re considering a fix-and-flip project to diversify your SFR portfolio, it can be a profitable move—but it requires the right mix of deal analysis, experience, and smart decision-making. Accurately evaluating financing, repair costs, and cash flow needs will be crucial to your success.
Kiavi Tip: Utilize Kiavi's ARV tool to help ensure your projects are built on solid, data-backed projections. In a fluctuating economy, minimizing unexpected financial surprises during renovations or resales can be the difference between thriving and struggling. Make informed decisions and help set your projects up for success.
Strategic Planning for Long-Term Success
Hope isn’t a strategy, and in today’s real estate market, that sentiment has never been more relevant. A consistent message emerged throughout the IMN SFR East conference: relying solely on market appreciation or passive approaches is no longer enough. Success now requires a clear, data-driven plan.
Multiple expert panels emphasized the importance of understanding core market fundamentals, such as supply-demand dynamics, liquidity, and absorption rates. Entering the real estate market without this knowledge can create unnecessary risks and could derail your strategy. For example, if inventory in your target market takes three months to sell, knowing that upfront could help you adjust your goals effectively.
Key Takeaway: Housing sales may stay slower than usual in some markets over the next 24 months, highlighting the importance of understanding regional trends before making investment decisions.
Kiavi Tip: Monitor your regional shifts closely to stay ahead of inflation and market fluctuations. Consider using the quarterly surveys from John Burns Research & Consulting for detailed single-family rental market data and insights to evaluate opportunities and potentially mitigate your risks.
Final Thoughts
This year’s IMN SFR East Conference brought some powerful insights to the table, from market shifts and new opportunities to strategies for boosting your returns. A final key takeaway? Resilience is everything. Whether you’re navigating rate volatility or adapting to regional economic changes, your SFR investment journey should always be evolving.
By staying informed and learning from the insights shared by industry leaders like Kiavi, you can confidently tackle today’s challenges and those of the future. But don’t stop here. Keep exploring, stay curious, and continue building your knowledge beyond the IMN SFR conference. With the right strategies and a commitment to learning, you’ll be ready to succeed in the world of real estate investment.