Walker & Dunlop, Inc. - WD STOCK NEWS

Walker & Dunlop has successfully completed the sale of two apartment communities, Viridian Edge at the Park and Western Hills, totaling 432 units in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This joint venture between Griffis/Blessing and Freshwater Investments was facilitated by Walker & Dunlop's team. The buyer, Birge & Held, aims to expand its portfolio to over 1,200 units in the area, capitalizing on the local real estate market's growth potential. In 2021, Walker & Dunlop achieved $19.3 billion in property sales volume, emphasizing its leadership in multifamily property sales.

Walker & Dunlop arranged a $31,375,000 construction loan for The Casey, a luxury multifamily project in Camas, Washington. The 125-unit property is located near the developing 192nd Avenue Corridor and is being constructed by Tapani Inc., with completion expected by April 2023. The project features modern amenities including a fitness center, library, and outdoor spaces. Walker & Dunlop emphasizes its strong position in the multifamily market, having originated $31 billion in transactions in 2020 and $30 billion in brokered loans in 2021.

Walker & Dunlop has secured financing for Amavi Celina, a build-for-rent neighborhood in Celina, Texas. The project will feature 271 homes, including 155 cottages, 94 townhomes, and 22 single-family homes. Construction commenced in February 2022, with plans for the first homes to be delivered by August 2023. The financing includes a competitive, interest-only four-year construction loan, highlighting Walker & Dunlop's capabilities in the build-for-rent sector. This development taps into the rapid household growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, fueled by local employment growth.

Apprise by Walker & Dunlop has expanded its West Coast operations by hiring Michael Wada as Managing Director in Irvine, California. With over 10 years of experience in valuation and advisory services, Wada aims to bolster Apprise's growth in Southern California. The firm utilizes cutting-edge technology combined with experienced appraisers, delivering high-quality appraisal services. Since its launch, Apprise has valued over $150 billion in commercial real estate, focusing on GSE lenders, owners, and institutional clients.

Walker & Dunlop structured $302.24 million in Freddie Mac financing for a portfolio of ten multifamily properties in central Connecticut. The portfolio includes 2,286 units, with over 75% qualifying as affordable housing under FHFA guidelines. Taylor Williams, Managing Director, led the financing for Beachwold Residential. The loan offers an attractive fixed rate and additional proceeds. Walker & Dunlop was the top capital provider to the U.S. multifamily market in 2020 and originated $49 billion in debt financing in 2021, underscoring its strong market position.

Walker & Dunlop has expanded its affordable housing finance team with the addition of Ethan Waite as Director in the New York office. Waite joins a strong team led by Managing Director John Gilmore, focusing on increasing origination of affordable multifamily properties. The company emphasizes its commitment to affordable housing, highlighted by its acquisition of Alliant Capital in 2021. Walker & Dunlop was the largest provider of capital to the U.S. multifamily market in 2021, signaling its ongoing efforts to enhance its debt and equity offerings in this sector.

Walker & Dunlop has successfully closed its acquisition of GeoPhy, a commercial real estate technology firm, for $85 million with up to an additional $205 million in contingent cash earn-outs. This acquisition aims to significantly enhance Walker & Dunlop's technology-driven operations, particularly in their appraisal and small balance lending (SBL) platforms. The CEO of GeoPhy, Teun van den Dries, will join Walker & Dunlop, contributing to growth aligned with its Drive to '25 strategy. The deal is expected to accelerate revenue growth, though integration challenges may arise.

Walker & Dunlop announced the hiring of Gideon Orion as Managing Director on its investment sales platform, focusing on seniors housing property sales. Based in Los Angeles, Orion joins the seniors housing property sales team led by Joshua Jandris. With 14 years of experience and a strong client base, Orion will enhance the firm's capabilities in the active seniors' real estate market in Southern California. Walker & Dunlop has completed over 850 senior housing and healthcare transactions valued at more than $9 billion since 2009.

On February 16, 2022, Walker & Dunlop announced the successful sale of The Lydian for $66.2 million, a luxury mixed-use property in Denver, Colorado. Completed in 2018, the property includes 129 apartments, retail space, and coworking offices. This sale marks a positive indication of the recovery in Downtown Denver's real estate market post-COVID-19, with rent growth surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Walker & Dunlop showcased its strong market presence, previously completing $19.3 billion in property sales in 2021, a 214% increase from the prior year.