Build-To-Rent Communities Are On The Rise. How Can The Right Internet Provider Help BTR Developers Stand Out?

A version of this story was originally published on Bisnow.com.

Today’s renters are looking for the space and privacy that a single-family home can provide with the amenities of an urban multifamily building, and they’re finding them in build-to-rent communities.

The number of BTR communities, where people can rent a single-family home, has increased significantly in response to skyrocketing housing costs that have kept many renters from purchasing a home. BTR single-family housing starts grew to 90,000 units in 2024 from 60,000 units in 2021, and the number of BTR homes has increased in every region in the U.S.

As more BTR communities spring up, developers need to ask themselves how they can separate their properties from their competition. According to Donna McCarthy, national account manager for Quantum Fiber, a good place for them to start is by thinking about technology.

Donna McCarthy, National Account Manager, Quantum Fiber

“Technology is evolving so rapidly,” she said. “To be competitive now and into the future, property owners always have to be looking ahead — they should have the ability to swiftly and economically adapt to new solutions and devices.”

One way owners can accomplish this, she said, is working with an internet service provider (ISP) that has the industry intelligence and foresight to prepare owners for future tech demands. A tailored fiber-optic internet solution can help owners provide a fast, reliable, and secure internet connection for their residents.

BTR owners and developers should look for an ISP that offers a cost-efficient agreement that can last for five or even 10 years, McCarthy said. According to McCarthy, a bulk agreement not only creates net operating income (NOI) potential and frees up capital but also allows properties to provide affordable rates for internet, and an amenity that attracts residents. The longer the term, the longer or better financial perks can be included.

Second, McCarthy said that today’s renters expect an enhanced living experience from BTR communities and that includes having high-speed internet and smart home technology included in the amenity packages.

Renters don’t just want this level of connectivity; they are demanding it, she said, citing research that shows that a fiber-optic network is the preferred connectivity technology for almost two-thirds of all surveyed internet users, outpacing both cable and wireless.

“Many people are working from home now, and some employers have specific connectivity requirements that work-from-home employees need to meet. Robust fiber connectivity by a Tier 1 company, like Quantum Fiber, a Lumen Technologies brand, can meet their needs.”

Third, a sustainable future has also been top of mind for many BTR developers, since new home construction in the U.S. creates more than 50 million tons of embodied carbon emissions annually. Additionally, 61% of renters surveyed say they would pay more each month in rent for an eco-friendly home. By choosing fiber, owners are not only choosing one of the fastest internet technologies on the market, but also one of the greenest, McCarthy said.

“Fiber consumes less energy than copper, and because, of its long lifespan, fiber needs to be replaced much frequently than other alternatives, dramatically reducing its environmental impact,” she said.

“What it comes down to is the longevity and durability of fiber,” McCarthy said. “It won’t become outdated quickly. Property owners feel like the clock is always ticking down to the next expensive infrastructure investment they will have to make. If they invest in fiber now, they will be ahead of the game.”

Check out these related resources:

• Bulking up on NOI growth. The residential rental market.
• How Big is the Leap to WiFi 7?
• FAQ: Do you have eco-friendly and sustainable solutions?