RKW Residential is growing its build-to-rent (BTR) portfolio in the Southeast. The company announced it has added 1,400 units to its management portfolio in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida to bring the firm's total to more than 5,000 BTR units under management or consulting.
"That growth has been possible because we were early in identifying unique opportunities within BTR, including the ability to achieve higher rents than market-rate apartments, a reduced staffing model, paced advertising to spend in line with slower unit delivery, and a myriad of ways to drive additional revenue through other income," says RKW CEO Marcie Williams.
Three BTR communities will be in the Charlotte, N.C. area with a new client: Hopper Communities. Meanwhile, RKW continued partnerships with Mandrake Capital Partners in Pooler, Ga.; Stellar Communities in Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and Sands Companies in South Carolina.
While much of the BTR growth has been seen in the Sun Belt, there is a desire for this style of rental living elsewhere. "The appeal of BTR assets extends far beyond the Southeast and Sun Belt markets," says Williams. "Designed to cater to a growing renter base in search of enhanced space, privacy, and desirable amenities like garages, backyards, and increased bedroom counts, the demand for BTR properties in these regions signals broader appeal. As renters increasingly recognize the distinct advantages of this housing option, particularly as their lifestyles evolve, we anticipate significant nationwide growth potential."
The company doesn't plan to stop and look back anytime soon either. "Our pipeline is strong, with plans to deliver nearly 1,500 additional units in the next year," says Williams.