In this episode of The Distribution, host Brandon Sedloff sits down with rental housing economist Jay Parsons for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the rental housing market. Jay shares his path into the industry during the aftermath of the financial crisis, explains why he chose to specialize deeply in rental housing, and outlines the unique dynamics shaping apartments, single-family rentals, and build-to-rent communities today. Together, they explore current market challenges, long-term tailwinds, and the opportunities that lie ahead for investors and operators alike.

They discuss:

• The origins of Jay’s career and his focus on rental housing economics
• Key differences between ownership-driven housing commentary and true rental housing analysis
• Glass half full versus half empty perspectives on today’s market, from high supply and rates to affordability and demographics
• The convergence of multifamily, single-family rentals, and build-to-rent under one rental housing umbrella
• Migration and demographic trends driving demand across the Sunbelt, mountain metros, and emerging tertiary markets
• Investor strategies shifting from short-term flips to long-term value creation and operational excellence
• How technology and AI are reshaping leasing, resident experience, and customer service in rental housing
• The most important data points to track over the next cycle: supply and demand

This episode offers clear insights for investors, operators, and anyone looking to understand the forces shaping the future of rental housing.