Debt Costs, Bridge Loan Maturities, and the Coming Wave of Distress
The multifamily market is not just dealing with falling prices. It is also facing a major debt problem.
Over the past few years, many investors have used short-term, interest-only bridge loans to acquire and reposition properties. These loans were attractive in a low-rate environment, often with minimal upfront payments and plenty of flexibility. But now, many of those loans are maturing, and refinancing into today’s higher rates is proving difficult, if not impossible.
What happens when a property cannot meet debt service coverage at today’s rates? In some cases, investors are forced to sell at a loss. In others, they are bringing in rescue capital or negotiating with lenders to buy more time. And for those who cannot do either, defaults are quietly increasing behind the scenes.
This wave of distress is not always visible in public listings. It shows up in off-market conversations, whispers from brokers, and stalled refinance attempts. It is especially concentrated among sponsors who bought with thin margins, counted on aggressive rent growth, or overpaid during the peak. WDSuite helps uncover potential distress at the income level with real-time tenant delinquency rates and credit scores.
At the same time, debt costs are repricing every deal on the market. Underwriting that once assumed 3% agency debt now must account for 6% or more. That shift alone has wiped out billions in value.
For prepared investors, this distress cycle is not a warning sign—it’s an opening. But only if you know where to look, what to ask, and how to act quickly when the right opportunity presents itself.
Who Is Winning in This Market?
In every reset, there are two kinds of investors: those who wait on the sidelines, hoping for clarity, and those who are prepared to move when opportunity appears. Right now, we are starting to see a clear divide.
The buyers who are winning in today’s market are not always the biggest players. They are the ones who are liquid, disciplined, and ready to act with precision. Many are coming to the table with cash or low-leverage financing. Others are forming strategic partnerships to scoop up assets that distressed owners can no longer carry.
Institutional players are still active, but they are being extremely selective. They are hunting for quality properties at adjusted prices and focusing on fundamentals like location, tenant profile, and long-term rent stability. Some are targeting preferred equity positions or note purchases instead of direct acquisitions.
Smaller investors are also getting creative. Those who built strong relationships with brokers, lenders, and operating partners are starting to hear about deals before they hit the market. They are not overpaying. They are underwriting conservatively and walking away when the numbers do not make sense.
What sets these investors apart is not just capital. It’s confidence built on real-time data, a clear strategy, and strong execution. They are not waiting for perfect conditions. They are ready with the right tools, information, and mindset.
Why Real-Time Intelligence Is the New Advantage
In this market, timing matters more than ever. Properties are sitting longer, pricing is changing faster, and yesterday’s comps are already outdated. Investors who rely on last quarter’s data or static spreadsheets will miss opportunities or make costly mistakes.
To navigate this kind of environment, you need more than just access to listings. You need real-time visibility into what is actually happening—where pricing is shifting, where cap rates are moving, and where distress is starting to show up.
That is where Walker and Dunlop’s WDSuite comes in. It is more than just a data platform. WDSuite gives investors the ability to quickly evaluate multifamily deals and connect with capital all in one place.
Inside WDSuite, you can:
- Monitor property-level pricing as it evolves
- Screen location quality of distressed or discounted assets to ensure they align with your criteria
- Use real-time property-level tenant delinquency rates to uncover distress
- Tap into Walker and Dunlop’s lending network for financing options tailored to the moment
In a market where speed and precision are critical, WDSuite helps investors stop guessing and start acting. It is built for investors who do not want to be reactive. They want to be ready.
The Reset Is a Rare Window for the Prepared
What we are seeing right now is not a crash. It is a recalibration. And while that may feel uncomfortable to some, seasoned investors know these moments do not come around often.
When prices reset, cap rates adjust, and operators start to feel pressure, it creates a window for those who are ready.
The key is not to rush, but to prepare. Understand your investment criteria. Build your team. Secure access to capital. And most importantly, stay connected to what is happening in real time.
With tools like WDSuite, you don’t have to wait for perfect clarity or secondhand information. You can source better deals, underwrite them faster, and move with confidence while others hesitate.
Markets will continue to shift. But opportunities do not disappear—they just change shape. The multifamily investors who succeed in 2025 will be those who embrace the reset, stay informed, and take decisive action.
If that sounds like you, now is the time to lean in.
What is your plan in this market? Are you buying, waiting, or repositioning? Drop a comment and let us know how you’re approaching the multifamily reset in 2025.
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