Calibrate Real Estate Podcast #202: 2026 Mid-Year Real Estate Data (Q2 2026)
In this podcast episode of Calibrate: a Real Estate Podcast, Kyle Malnati invited Scott Ratthbun back for a 3rd episode but this time as a keynote speaker before a live audience at a Mastermind Event for top Real Estate Agents in Colorado. Scott Rathbun is the President and Owner of Apartment Appraisers and Consultants (AA&C) . He discusses the current state of the housing market (both for sale and multifamily rentals) in the Denver Metro Area.
This episode provides valuable insights and data-driven analysis for real estate professionals and decision-makers in the Denver Metro Area, as they navigate the current market conditions and plan for the future.
Here are key takeaways:
- Vacancy decreased 115 basis points (bps), from 7.47% last quarter to 6.32%, down 7 bps YoY. Overall vacancy (including properties in lease-up) decreased 147 bps during the quarter to 9.46% and down 142 bps YoY.
- Absorption of conventional apartments increased from 2,783 units in 1Q 2026 to 6,760 units in 2Q 2026. The T12 absorption increased to 14,220 units, the highest T12 figure in the 22-year history of our survey.
- The demand for apartments remains high due to the increasing unaffordability of homeownership, leading to a delay in the transition from renting to owning.
- The apartment market has been overbuilt in year’s past, resulting in rising vacancy rates and the need for landlords to offer significant concessions to attract tenants. This concessions are showing to be improving absorption and vacancy rates, but concessions still remain high.
Recent Episodes:
- CRE #201: CRE #201: DENVER RENTAL MARKET INSIGHTS 2026: In this episode of the Calibrate Real Estate Podcast, host Kyle Malnati sits down with Scott Rathbun, the President and Owner of Apartment Appraisers and Consultants (AANC), to discuss the current state of the apartment market in the Denver Metro Area.
- CRE #200: Final Offer: Win-Win For Sellers, Buyers, And Brokers: Kyle Malnati interviews Jocelyn Vas, the Chief Knowledge Officer of a real estate technology company called Final Offer. Vas explains how Final Offer is disrupting the traditional home buying and selling process by providing real-time alerts whenever an offer is made on a property. This brings much-needed transparency that has been lacking in the industry, allowing both agents and consumers to have the same information at the same time.
- CRE #199: Turning Properties into Portfolios: 1031 Exchanges and Property Management: In this episode of the Calibrate Real Estate Podcast, host Kyle Malnati speaks with Jeff Bemis of 1031 Specialists about how investors can move beyond traditional 1031 exchanges into 721 exchanges, unlocking access to institutional-grade REIT portfolios for greater diversification, professional management, and tax advantages.
- CRE #198: Specialized AI Tools Help Maxamixe Real Estate Gains: AI tools when used tactically can help you enhance decision-making, uncover insights faster, and amplify your capabilities. In this episode Jon Hilley, cofounder of 1031Specialists.com, explains how specialized AI tools can guide you through the 1031 exchange process.
- CRE #197: 2025 Denver Tax Assessments, With Denver County Assessor, Keith Erffmeyer We invited Denver County’s Assessor, Keith Erffmeyer, to join the podcast this week to discuss how residential real property is valued and best practices for protesting your valuation. Keith goes over everything apartment owners need to know about property taxes and the valuation process and presents a preview of 2025 assessments for Central Denver apartment buildings. This presentation was specifically tailored for Central Denver Apartment owners.
- CRE #195: MANDATORY LANDLORD LICENSING: DID YOU HIT THE DEADLINE? The City and County of Denver has now implemented a mandatory landlord licensing program that went into effect at the beginning of the year. Did you
meet the deadline? Have you heard about the licensing program? We are here to answer all your questions and give you a complete overview of Denver’s new mandatory Residential Rental License Program. - CRE 193: 10 REASONS TO CONSIDER DSTS:10 Reasons to Consider DSTS Inland Private Capital Corporation (IPC) is the industry leader in offering replacement properties, typically through a Delaware Statutory Trust (DST), for Section 1031 exchange transactions, as well as quality, multiple-owner real estate solutions. Here are 10 reasons to consider DSTs.
- CRE 192: OVERLIKED: FINDING AUTHENTICITY IN A SELFIE SOCIETY Looking for a reset this holiday season? Do you feel like you “know” what your friends are doing, but don’t really “KNOW” how your friends are doing? Would you like to find direction and meaningful relationships in a society crippled by social media? Our podcast host, Kyle Malnati, met Pastor Rob Singleton five years ago through a Denver multifamily investor, client, and friend. Kyle spent every morning for a month with Pastor Rob’s congregation as they fasted, prayed, and sang their way into the New Year. It was an experience that Kyle will never forget. Fast forward to 2021, Pastor Rob joins Kyle to discuss his new book OverLIKED.
Written & Produced by Kayla Rauch
Hosted by Kyle Malnati