Walker & Dunlop, Inc. - WD STOCK NEWS

Walker & Dunlop announced the fourth installment of its "What Drives You" campaign on June 22, 2022, featuring Mark Hafner, CEO of HASTA Capital. The campaign highlights the passion and perseverance of their clients. HASTA Capital, founded in 2017, has grown rapidly to a $1 billion portfolio across four countries, focusing on inclusive residential multifamily assets. Hafner credits their success to attention to detail and collaboration with Walker & Dunlop, which financed nearly all of HASTA's projects. The campaign also showcases a commitment to enhancing community living experiences.

Walker & Dunlop announced financing of $61,046,600 for the UNI Tower project, Miami's first 100% income- and rent-restricted residential skyrise. The project will create 252 affordable housing units in a high-cost market, along with 10,000 square feet of office space and 4,500 square feet of retail. Located in an Economic Opportunity Zone, it leverages tax incentives to encourage long-term investment. This initiative addresses the critical need for affordable housing in Miami.

Walker & Dunlop secured $162.4 million in construction financing for the Mandarin Oriental Residences in New York City. This marks a significant investment in luxurious, turn-key branded residences, managed by Mandarin Oriental. The project is located at Fifth Avenue and East 54th Street in Manhattan. The financing was primarily provided by Northwind Group, which has originated $840 million in loans across various cities last year. The proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt and complete construction costs. Closings are anticipated later this year.

Walker & Dunlop expands its affordable housing finance team with the addition of Ryan Smith as Senior Director and Betsy Blau as Associate Director, both based in Nashville, Tennessee. This growth aligns with the firm's goal to originate $60 billion in affordable and workforce housing volume by 2025. Smith and Blau bring nearly 30 years of combined experience and have previously financed over $2.5 billion in commercial real estate assets. The firm aims to enhance its affordable housing debt and equity offerings, capitalizing on its established market position.

Walker & Dunlop has appointed Paul Darrow as Managing Director for its multifamily investment sales platform, focusing on middle market property sales in Greater Los Angeles. With over 16 years of experience and over $5 billion in closed sales, Darrow aims to leverage the firm's investments in data science and analytics to enhance client services. The company reported a **214%** increase in property sales volume in **2021**, reaching $19.3 billion. This expansion showcases Walker & Dunlop's growth as a leading player in the multifamily investment sales sector.

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced the completion of the sale and acquisition financing for Flats at West Alabama, a 304-unit midrise apartment in Houston's River Oaks neighborhood. The acquisition was facilitated by Ryan Epstein and Jennifer Ray representing the seller Wood Partners, with financing structured through Fannie Mae for the buyer, Capital Square. The property benefits from a significant rent growth of 15.5% in the past three months and 19.4% over the last year, positioning it for strong performance amid the Houston area's growth. Walker & Dunlop reported $19.3 billion in property sales in 2021.

Walker & Dunlop has entered a preferred correspondent agreement with Metro Fund Inc., enhancing its presence in South Florida. The collaboration will leverage Metro Fund's local relationships and Walker & Dunlop's expertise to enhance loan origination through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In 2021, Walker & Dunlop financed $42 billion in multifamily properties, with $49 billion in transactions overall. This partnership aims to provide better financing options, particularly in South Florida's growing commercial real estate market.

Walker & Dunlop released its latest Multifamily Outlook Report, analyzing current trends in the U.S. apartment market. Despite challenges such as inflation and rising interest rates, strong market fundamentals are noted. Key insights include a rental market forecast, the impact of Build-for-Rent properties that attracted over $50 billion in 2021, and Nashville's leadership in new construction growth. The report includes proprietary data from Zelman & Associates and highlights the industry's resiliency amid economic pressures.