If you find out that there's like a bunch of multifamily that were permitted in your area, like say 5 to 10 years from now, do you continue to try to buy currently in that area, or do you find— do you go somewhere else?

Christian OsgoodCEO, Multifamily Strategy · CEO at Multifamily Strategy

Buy in Area if Multifamily Properties are Permitted in Area

27 Jul 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief interview, Christian Osgood explains why investors should consider purchasing property in locations where multiple multifamily projects have been permitted for future construction. He argues that such permits signal ongoing demand and population growth, leading to new buildings that typically command higher rents and push overall market rents upward. While competition arises during the lease‑up phase of new developments, Osgood emphasizes the advantage of targeting entry‑level, well‑maintained older properties, which can generate profitable rents even as newer, higher‑priced units enter the market. He advises investors to research the specifics of upcoming projects and plan their acquisitions accordingly, leveraging the positive impact of new construction on community quality and rent growth without directly competing with the newer units.

Questions this video answers

I shall absolutely do buy there, because that usually indicates you're in an area where people still want to move, leading to growth and new buildings that push market rent up. While there will be competition during lease‑up, focusing on entry‑level, well‑maintained older housing can remain profitable.

Chapters

If you find out that there's like a bunch of multifamily that were permitted in your area, like say 5 to 10 years from now, do you continue to try to buy currently in that area, or do you find— do you go somewhere else?
Uh, I shall absolutely do buy there, um, because what that usually indicates is that you're in an area where people still want to move. So there's going to be growth, new buildings. The nice thing with new buildings, they don't build old buildings. So new buildings typically have higher rent, which means they push market rent up. So there's a lot of positives. You will have competition while they're in lease-up. So I do want I like to know what it is they're planning on building, and I try to plan around that. Part of why I like entry-level housing so much is because the rent that I can charge profitably on an older building that's well maintained versus a new build— they're going to have to charge higher rent than I can. Making the community nicer, moving more people in, and increasing market rent— that's great. My tenants aren't going to compete with that.